10 Factors That Led to the Syrian Uprising

The Theory Of Social Science - 936 Words

Luckily for the individual, other theoretical traditions disagree with this idea that it is the society or market that gives human existence meaning but instead the individual’s being and actions that form the basis for understanding society. To these existentialists, individuals are not merely products of structure as many theorists before determined; each person is made with his or her own thoughts, emotions, and distinguishing experiences that embody that individual’s ability to shape social life and the existing world. There is a more fundamental basis to understanding social science than accepting a macro-social order of human nature as the disconnect of social sciences previous to the rise of existentialism reduces these personal experiences. How a person understands and recognizes the world does not fall passively to norms or values as a structural functionalist would believe nor the surrounding economic system as Marxists recognized. Instead, it is the continual interaction in a social environment that causes the agent to actively evaluate and execute his or her own response. By taking on the assumption that each person has the ability to exert agency over his or her own life, theorists applied this knowledge as a method to call people to action. If individuals are not simply cogs in a social system incapable of making decisions free of outside influence, then each now has an acute responsibility, a personal freedom from stagnation. No longer bound by absolutes yetShow MoreRelatedApplying Social Science Theories in Research679 Words   |  3 PagesTheories in the social sciences are usually created like theories in the hard sciences first by observation and empirical testing and then by drawing educated conclusions. After a series of empirical tests have been conducted and a sufficient body of research has been gathered, it may be possible to devise a theory based on the research. Alternatively, a social scientist might come up with the t heory first and then go about observing the world through this theoretical lens. From there, the socialRead MoreCumulative Inequality Theory And Social Science1166 Words   |  5 Pagesal. (2009) developed cumulative inequality theory by integrating various theories in a systematic way incorporating elements of both macro and micro sociological content. In order to clarify the meaning of cumulative inequality theory, Ferraro et al., (2009) offered many inter-related axioms- and propositions that aided in the further development of the theory. While developing the theory, the authors critiqued the cumulative advantage/disadvantage theory and provided their rationale for why theyRead MoreRational Choice Theory : Theories Of Political, Social, And Economic Sciences1467 Words   |  6 PagesFor nearly half a century rational choice theory (RCT) has dominated analyses of political, social, and economic sciences. Due to the theory’s objectivity and systematic predictability, rati onal choice is able to provide a comforting procedure to studying the decision-making process. However to truly gauge how and why actors make decisions, a more diversified and complex degree of emotions and behaviors must also be analyzed. Despite our efforts to prove the contrary, actors are human, thereforeRead MoreSimmels versus Du Boiss Theories in the Social Sciences1254 Words   |  6 Pagesinfluence on imperative theories and concepts developed in the area of social sciences. Two of the most significant and distinguished concepts fostered by both of these theorists are the concepts of â€Å"double consciousness† and â€Å"the stranger†. In this essay, I will be analyzing each of these works to draw upon differences and similarities concerning the two. The resemblances I will be expanding on are the usage of the paradoxical figure, which both theorists discuss in their theories, and the coexistingRead MoreNotes On Blaise Pascal s Theory Of The Classical Probl em Of Modern Economics, Social Science, And Pascal2312 Words   |  10 Pageson the development of modern economics, social science, and Pascal’s Theorem. Blaise Pascal is best known for his correspondence of 1654 with Fermat, which originated the theory of probability. He was also the author of ‘Traite du triangle arithmetique avec quelques autres petits traites sur lameme matiere’ written in 1654. He included in his treatise separate tracts describing the use of the Pascal’s triangle in the theory of figurate numbers, the theory of combinations, the solution of the classicalRead MoreEssay on Political Science864 Words   |  4 Pagesof Political Science being an actual science. Furthermore, there are opposing viewpoints between political science scholars as to the discipline being a social science or a synthesis of natural and social science. One such academic; Charles Merriam asserts that political science has the characteristics of both sciences, be cause it adapt the study of human behavior to provide an analysis of political institutions. Political scientists in theory espouse the notion that political science borrows elementsRead MoreDifference Between Natural And Social Sciences Essay1510 Words   |  7 PagesWhen one thinks of the concept of science, the terms natural and social do not come to mind. However, one would assume there is no difference between social and natural science, if it is not acknowledged as one or the other to begin with. Is one science more inferior to the other science? Michael Scriven, Brian Fay, J. Donald Moon and Fritz Machlup are just a few individuals who have primarily discussed the distinction between natural and social sciences. These discussions led to the question ofRead MoreScience Throughout the Ages912 Words   |  4 PagesThe term Science comes from the Latin word scientia, meaning knowledge. The definition of science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in t he form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe. An older term of science refers to a body of knowledge itself, of anything that can be successfully applied to a situation. Someone who practices science is known as a scientist. Modern science has been traced back to the early modern period and in particular to theRead MoreScientific Method and Sir Karl Popper1407 Words   |  6 Pagesponder on the meaning of science, the methods to find truth, is one of the most influential philosophers of the 20th century. Of particular importance to scientific methods of inquiry is the brawl between the development of theory and the criteria for science. In Popper’s own words, it is in this brawl that Popper decided to â€Å"grapple with the problem: When should a theory be ranked as scientific? or Is there a criterion for the scientific character or status of a theory?† (Popper 1957), p. 1). Read MoreEmile Durkheim: the Division of Labor1152 Words   |  5 P agessociology as a science. He believed that every social structure existed only because it satisfied a specific social need. Additionally, it was Durkheim’s desire to delineate how sociology would be used and considered and to give it the tools of scientific methodology (Vissing, 2011). To integrate the tools of science with the theory of functionalism Durkheim examined how social structures integrated with social living. It was not until after Durkheim examined the interactions within the social structures

Affirmative Action Curbed in California Essay Example For Students

Affirmative Action Curbed in California Essay By William ClaiborneWashington Post Staff WriterFriday, June 2, 1995; Page A01LOS ANGELES, JUNE 1 California Gov. Pete Wilson (R), vowing to lead a growing conservative movement to end three decades of racial and gender preferences as an antidote to discrimination, today signed an executive order abolishing a wide range of affirmative action programs affecting hiring and contracting in state agencies. Wilson, who is seeking the Republican presidential nomination, eliminated or sharply cut back scores of affirmative action policies or programs that are not mandated by state or federal laws or that exceed those laws. He also abolished 118 boards and commissions created to advise state agencies on ethnic and gender diversity issues. Although he has no direct authority to order policy changes for public schools, colleges and universities, Wilson told his appointees on state educational governing boards that he wants them to dismantle race and gender preference programs that are not required by law. As mayor of San Diego in the 1970s, Wilson championed affirmative action, adopting a plan to increase the hiring of minority workers and requiring major city contractors to adopt similar programs. But opposition to affirmative action has become a common theme of the Republican presidential candidates and many Republicans in Congress. Flanked today by a group of Forestry Department firefighters from various minorities, who the governors aides said symbolize Californians who resent a public perception that they were hired on the basis of preferential treatment, Wilson said affirmative action is not only unfair, it stigmatizes the achievements of those it was intended to help. His order repeals affirmative action orders signed by three previous governors, including Republicans Ronald Reagan and George Deukmejian. In a statement released earlier, Wilson said great societal guilt had stimulated the creation of affirmative action programs in the 1960s and would undermine the very foundation of the American dream if hiring and contract programs based on race and gender preference were not rolled back. Wilson blamed the misfired good intentions of leaders dating back to John F. Kennedy for programs he said unfairly discriminated against certain ethnic groups to compensate others for past injustices. The Republican governor said he would aggressively pursue further cutbacks in preferential treatment for minorities and women in order to assure a new era of meritocracy. This executive order is an historic step forward. By itself, it doesnt complete the change we must make. Special preferences remain embedded in state and federal law. I vow to fight for changes in those laws, Wilson said. Sean Walsh, the governors press secretary, said Wilson is the first governor to roll back affirmative action programs. He said the order would affect all of the states approximately 150,000 full-time job positions. According to the California State Employees Association, about 60 percent of the state government work force is white, 16 percent Hispanic, 12 percent black, 6 percent are Asian and the remaining 6 percent from other groups. Wilsons action appeared designed to capitalize on public dissatisfaction with minority preference programs and on a backlash against what is characterized as reverse discrimination, while at the same time setting him apart from the eight other contenders for the GOP presidential nomination, none of whom are sitting governors. It comes a day after senior White House officials said President Clinton is still weeks or even months away from completing a review he has ordered of federal affirmative action programs. Wilson already had announced his support of a proposed 1996 state ballot initiative that would go further than todays order by abolishing affirmative action in all state hiring, contracting and university admissions practices. At least six other states Washington, Florida, Illinois, Oregon, Colorado and Nevada have similar ballot initiative campaigns in the works. Critics accused Wilson of flip-flopping on the issue in hopes of helping a presidential campaign that has been hampered by his slow recovery from his throat operation his remarks today were read out by a member of his cabinet and a sluggish fund-raising effort. He wants to be the voice of the angry white males, said Ramona Ripston, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California. .u4c7cd096bc62450cac6e934d25c6d075 , .u4c7cd096bc62450cac6e934d25c6d075 .postImageUrl , .u4c7cd096bc62450cac6e934d25c6d075 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u4c7cd096bc62450cac6e934d25c6d075 , .u4c7cd096bc62450cac6e934d25c6d075:hover , .u4c7cd096bc62450cac6e934d25c6d075:visited , .u4c7cd096bc62450cac6e934d25c6d075:active { border:0!important; } .u4c7cd096bc62450cac6e934d25c6d075 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u4c7cd096bc62450cac6e934d25c6d075 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u4c7cd096bc62450cac6e934d25c6d075:active , .u4c7cd096bc62450cac6e934d25c6d075:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u4c7cd096bc62450cac6e934d25c6d075 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u4c7cd096bc62450cac6e934d25c6d075 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u4c7cd096bc62450cac6e934d25c6d075 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u4c7cd096bc62450cac6e934d25c6d075 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u4c7cd096bc62450cac6e934d25c6d075:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u4c7cd096bc62450cac6e934d25c6d075 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u4c7cd096bc62450cac6e934d25c6d075 .u4c7cd096bc62450cac6e934d25c6d075-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u4c7cd096bc62450cac6e934d25c6d075:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: The Hippopotamus: Endangered Species Report Essay She noted that Wilsons come-from-behind reelection last year was boosted by his vociferous support for Proposition 187, the ballot initiative aimed at cutting off social services for illegal immigrants, another popular backlash measure. The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, in a statement, called Wilsons order a desperate effort to recover his bid for the presidency by further polarizing Californians. MALDEF said Wilsons action was as noble as previous governors attempts to keep African Americans out of public schools in the South. Affirmative action orders signed by three previous governors Deukmejian, Edmund G. Jerry Brown Jr. (D) and Reagan were repealed by Wilson, who said they had encouraged the gradual development of racial and gender-based preferences and set asides. Among the agencies affected by Wilsons order is the state transportation department, Caltrans, which is required by agreement with the federal government to allocate 20 percent of its contracting funds to minority-owned firms. Wilson ordered Caltrans to negotiate a new agreement lowering that goal to 10 percent. He also ordered Caltrans to abolish an informal policy of awarding small purchase contracts of $500 or less to women or minority-owned firms and to make such decisions based on non-preferential competitive pricing. The governor ordered the Department of Forestry, which has a 50 percent goal for the hiring of women and minorities as seasonal firefighters, to eliminate that program and hire on the basis of merit. He eliminated a requirement that the racial and gender ratio on job interview panels for civil service and career executive positions mirror that of the population as a whole, and directed the Department of Water Resources to end its practice of setting aside two-thirds of all student intern openings for minority candidates. Words/ Pages : 980 / 24

The Modern Prometheus free essay sample

A modern day Prometheus is somebody that defies the Gods and does something that only they can do. Victor Frankenstein, from Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, is considered to be a modern day Prometheus at that time. Prometheus, a Titan, was the first person that started this modern day Prometheus. Mary Shelley tried to make Prometheus and Dr. Frankenstein to be very similar of what their actions. Prometheus was the son of Iapetus. His name meant forethought because he ad the power to tell the future so therefore, he was the wisest of all the Titans. Prometheus was also a friend to Zeus because he helped Zeus fight and defeat Cronus even though most of the Titans were with Cronus. Prometheus and his brother Epimetheus were told to create man. Because Prometheus helped make man, he cared for them. He was known as the protector and benifactor of man. The wise Titan would gift man something that the Gods of Mt. We will write a custom essay sample on The Modern Prometheus or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Olympus tended to keep for themselves only: fire. The Gods were very furious about how Prometheus stole fire from the Gods. He was given a cruel punishment. He was hained to a rock with an eagle tearing at his liver. Zeus tended for Prometheus to be left on the rock for all of eternity or until he agreed to disclose to Zeus which of Zeuss children would try to replace his position. In the end, Hercules ends up rescuing Prometheus and he did not even give in to Zeus. This is how being a Prometheus began. These kinds of people defy the Gods, yet they are always punished for doing that. Prometheus stole fire and gave to man, but as punishment, his liver was being ripped off every day by an eagle. Victor Frankenstein did something that most people thought only Gods can do: create life. He made life, a thing only Gods can do. Victor hoped that when he created his son, he would love the creature dearly. Instead, as punishment for defying the Gods, Victor was filled with hatred and disgust of the monster. Because Victor created life and did something that only Gods can do, Mary Shelley subtitled Frankenstein The Modern Prometheus. Mary Shelleys purpose in the subtitle of her book, Frankenstein was to compare the two people: Prometheus and Victor Frankenstein. She showed many similarities between Victor and the Titan. She had many solid reasoning that Frankenstein is in a lot of ways the modern Prometheus at that time. Dr. Frankenstein and Prometheus both made a problem that neither characters were able to control. This teaches the two people to never mess with the laws of nature. It took punishments and time for both characters to realize what they had done was seriously wrong. People that do something that most people consider only gods to do are known as a Prometheus. Victor from Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus is considered to be a person that defied the gods. The tirst person to ever be a Prometheus was a Titan that had a name of Prometheus. Mary Shelley intended for Victor to be that and she succeeded for what was to be achieved.

Can I get out of taking the SAT or ACT

Can I get out of taking the SAT or ACT SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Some College say scores are not required. Does this mean you have carte blanche to get out of the SAT or ACT? Scores Not Required? When you hear that a school is â€Å"test flexible† or â€Å"doesn’t require scores,† it’s important to do some research before you assume you’re off the testing hook. Although there are technically hundreds of schools that don’t require standardized testing, many of them require some other information instead, or only exempt applicants from test scores if they meet other criteria. For example, at University of Texas at Austin, only students who are in the top 8% of their graduating class may opt not to submit scores. â€Å"Test flexible† sounds good, but all it means is that you can submit AP or IB scores instead of those from the SAT or ACT. These schools also accept SAT Subject Tests, which many consider to be more difficult than the general test. So this isn’t a huge benefit to most studentsthey’ll have to take a standardized test one way or another. You should also consider that most schools that don’t require scores do allow them, and that other applicants will probably be submitting them. For example, at Hampshire College in Amherst, MA, test scores aren’t required but 87% of applicants submit them anyway. Do you want to be in the other 13% if you don’t have to? No, you do not. More information is better, and mastering these tests shows admissions officers your strengths. Without scores, they have to assume you’re hiding a weakness. If You Did Poorly on the SAT or ACT Don’t give up! Easily the biggest mistake teenagers make in academics (and a lot of other things) is giving up. Most students who tank standardized tests are, more than anything else, confused by the format of the examand rightly so. Because the SAT and ACT have to be 100% fair and consistent, they’ve ended up with a lot of weird quirks. But for those same reasons, it can be really easy to understand these quirks (that’s what we’re here for!) and use the test to your advantage. Even beyond that, though, the SATeven though it’s trying to test reasoningactually requires a very limited skillset that can be applied in a variety of ways. SAT and ACT prep (such as PrepScholar!) can define those skills for youskills which, by the way, aren’t completely disconnected from real life. Improve your SAT score by preparing, and it’s likely you’ll improve in other academic areas as well. If You’ve Never Taken the SAT or ACT Maybe you hate tests, or you hate getting up early (every regular administration of the SAT ACT starts at 8am), or you don’t think you have the time to study. The bottom line is that, compared to your academic (and occupational) future, none of those things matter. Let’s say you apply to 3 schools, and the most prestigious one, Bowdoin College in Maine, doesn’t require the SAT or ACT. Only 15% of applicants in 2012 chose not to submit scores, and you are one of those. Although your application will still be considered, it is inherently less broad than those of the other 85% of applicants. Let’s say you don’t get in, and you end up at your second choice school instead. After 4 years of coursework there, no matter how well you do, you still won’t have a diploma from Bowdoin. The prestige associated with a more selective school, not to mention the potentially higher quality education, will serve you for the rest of your life. What’s 40 hours of studying compared to that? The Bottom Line No matter how you feel about the SAT or ACT, or even whether you’ll use them in your applications, you should take them and see how you do. If you don’t kill it, do some prep and try againit’s worth the effort, no matter where you apply. Liked this article? Subscribe to updates on the right! We promise never to sell your email.

Cultural Research Interview among Luo Community Essay Example

Cultural Research Interview among Luo Community Essay Example Cultural Research Interview among Luo Community Essay Cultural Research Interview among Luo Community Essay This study seeks to explore the culture of Luo community in Kenya. It is not easy to study Kenya as a culture on its own due to its multi-cultural dimension. Therefore, one can only study it from the many cultures there are. It will explore Luo culture in various domains. The study will provide concrete examples to support the findings in each domain. It will also carry out a one-on-one interview with a Kenyan citizen and especially from Luo culture. The findings in the literature review will be compared with the data collected from the interview. This study also seeks to propose few recommendations and suggestions on applications to practice. Luo Culture in Kenya Kenyan as a multi-cultural nation has got forty two tribes with different cultures. Therefore, one can only explore certain aspects of Kenyan culture. This study narrows its scope to Luo Culture, whose community takes about 25% of the Kenyan Population hence being the third largest ethnic group (Ochieng, 2007). It is believed that this community originated from the Southern part of Sudan, getting into Kenya through Northern Uganda and settled in Nyanza Province (Ochieng, 2007). It is also believed that their migration was in search of higher and cooler regions with adequate rainfalls (Isak, 1972). Today, they are popularly referred to as River-Lake Nilotes (Ochieng, 2007). This study chooses to explore on Luo culture due to its peculiar elements. In fact, it is considered to be one of those complicated cultures in Kenya especially on the issue of â€Å"wife inheritance† (Gay, 1981). When Kenya was still under British colonialism, the Luo people managed to defend their land; more so, they played a fundamental role in fighting for Kenya’s independence. It is also worth noting that this tribe produced and continues to produce a number of scholars and other educated men and women who have attained high levels of education from prominent universities all over the world (Liyong, 1972). Luo professionals are present in most parts of Kenyan economy; for instance, they serve in business and government ministries, educational institutions as professors, doctors, engineers and lawyers. Literature Review Communication The Luo community has got three languages. Two of the languages are widely used by all other Kenyan tribes, for instance, English and Kiswahili. English originated from the British colonial era and was declared by Kenyan government as the official language while Kiswahili is the national language (Sinaiko, 1995). The indigenous language of Luo community is referred to as â€Å"Dholuo† which is commonly used at home and in their everyday conversation (Sinaiko, 1995). In their culture, naming of children relate to where they were born, the exact time of day or the day of the week. This also includes the kind of weather at that time (Ocholla, 1980). For instance, the name Akoth (female) or Okoth (male) is given when one is born during a rainy season. In general, the Luo culture names children on three formats, for instance, a Christian name like Peter or James then a second name like â€Å"Okoth† then a sir name like â€Å"Omondi† (Ocholla, 1980). Nutrition Luo community grows maize (corn), millet and sorghum. It also grows cash crops, for instance, tobacco, coffee, sugarcane and cotton. They also keep animals such as goats, sheep, poultry and cattle, which are later used to settle dowry prizes. Most importantly, fish in Luo culture means a lot; in fact, fishing is a major economic activity in Luo community (Parker, 1989). It is also worth noting that this community’s staple food consists of ugali (kuon) and fish. Ugali is prepared from maize meal mixed with boiled water until it becomes a thick porridge where fish becomes its preferred accompaniment. Additionally, the ugali food can be accompanied by green vegetables, meat or stew. Maize is a common food all over Kenya and most families grow it and sell it for a better income (Parker, 1989). Luo culture abhors foods like rice and mixture of boiled maize and beans (Mboya, 1986). But sometimes, this mixture of boiled maize and beans which they refer to as (nyoyo) is typically consumed when the community members return from a hard day of work in the fields. The nyoyo can also be eaten with tea, porridge or stir fried vegetables (Mboya, 1986). This community likes traditional beer known as busaa which is prepared during special occasions or celebrations. Normally, they mix flour and water and leave it for sometime until it turns sour after which they heat it in a big pot. Men drink from the pot using long pipes while seated and women can join them or have their share on big mugs. They also feed on a mixture of milk and blood from slaughtered animals like cows or sheep. Family Roles and Organizations The Luo culture values family life and especially the gift of children. This culture believes that children belong to the father even in cases where both parents separate (Mboya, 1986). In most cases, the father is left to take care of the children. The culture also expects men of great wealth to settle for many wives as a sign of social responsibility (Liyong, 1972). This notion is what has led to the issue of wife inheritance which is going to be explored later in this study.

Are Electric Cars Good for the Automotive Economy in the US Research Paper

Are Electric Cars Good for the Automotive Economy in the US - Research Paper Example These results are also backed by empirical evidence. Introduction With ever increasing growth of industrialization the need for transportation is also increasing rapidly. Automobile industry to match the escalating needs not only provided a wide variety of cars but came up with a broad range of innovative cars to pique the interest of the infatuated public. This resulted in concept cars such as hybrid cars and electric cars (Cleveland). Today’s market can be termed as in its early development stage of evolving technologies, designs and innovations to match the changing ever changing lifestyle of the twenty first century. Petroleum prices and economy of fuel has played an important role in the development of this technology. Recent volatility in petroleum prices has urged countries to look for self sufficiency in fuel. This need led to the emphasis on alternative fuel technology. In USA especially after the terrorist attack of 2011need for self sufficiency in fuel has aroused. This trend is depicted in the popularity of many SUV cars and other hybrid cars being manufactured by all major automobile manufacturers. This paper aims at studying the effects of electric cars on the US automotive industry. What impact it will have on the business of gas engine manufacturers, gas engine parts stores and the job of people who work on gas engines Review of related literature An electric car is not a new phenomenon. In fact the history of electric car dates back to 1890. The history of electric car can be divided into three phases. Firs the era 1890-1929 which can also be called the early years, second phase is 1895-1905 also called the golden era of dominance or the middle age and the third phase is the current years from 1990-to present. Current escalating fuel prices and growing concerns of environment has only sparked interest in the alternative fuels in recent times. The result is that today’s options of automobile include hybrid SUVs (Curtis Darrel Ander son). This recent resurgence and popularity of electric hybrid cars can be attributed to multitude of reasons. It includes environmental concerns such as harmful toxins released from internal combustion engine (ICE) of traditional cars, global warming, air pollution as well as more economical reasons such as depleting oil reserves and escalating petroleum prices. Gasoline composes 20% of the crude oil produced. Production of gasoline from crude oil requires two times of oil than any other fuel (Georgano). Gasoline is used in ICE of the cars used today. Hence it led to the need of finding more efficient use of the existing resources of the planet. A critical analysis of this electric hybrid car technology is required and the benefits of fuel efficiency should be weighed against its impact on the overall economy. These hybrid cars more expensive for the customers and the price difference called premium price is added to the cost to customers. In addition to that maintenance and replac ement cost of batteries of hybrid cars is another issue. Hybrid car is not free of its faults including some engineering faults and safety concerns as well as the pollution caused through manufacturing of these batteries (Friedman). It is estimated that this trend for electric cars will grow in the future. It is believed that in addition to

Universalism in Human Resource Management Is Dead Research Paper

Universalism in Human Resource Management Is Dead - Research Paper Example The last twenty five years have witnessed the field of human resource undergo huge changes in a bid to make it a scientific discipline with its own theories, assumptions and strategies. These developments led to the introduction of HRM in the MBA curriculum, leading to the discipline becoming a major part of business strategy development (Budhwar and Khatri, 2001). Questions began to emerge however regarding the nature of human resource management as a discipline with many scholars and businesses criticizing it for lacking in credible theoretical foundations. This led to development of Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM), a subfield of Human resource management that focuses on integrating the process of strategic management in to the field of human resource management. This led to development of three main theoretical perspectives or approaches in the discipline, namely universalistic, contingency and configurational approaches. The universalistic approach in Human resource ma nagement outlines the best practices in the field with the objective of encouraging application of those practices by companies and businesses across the globe and from different industries (Goodman & Truss, 2004). This perspective highlights the fact that there are some HRM practices that are certainly better than others. Companies should therefore focus on adopting these best strategies for their own success in implementation of their Human Resource Management strategies. Among some of the practices identified by the proponents of the universalistic Human resources perspective include seven strategies namely selective hiring, employment security, extensive hiring, self-management teams, extensive training, reduction of differences in status, information sharing and high salaries and wages based on the company’s performance. Universalists in Human Resource management believe that these strategies should be applied universally by all companies and that they are bound to lead to great success (Balogun, 2006). Another reason why Universalists promote the application of universal best practices is rooted in the scientific belief that the relationship between dependent and independent variable is always the same universally. It therefore does not matter where the industry is located of in which industry it is, since the relationship between human resource and success of the company is the same universally. In the second approach, the Contingency perspective, the application of Human Resource policies by any company must be consistent with the other policies and functions of the company. This perspective lays great emphasis on aligning HRM policies with company strategies based on the ‘best fit’ policy (Lewin, & Peters, 2006). The best fit policy posits that there are some Human resource policies that will fit better with the strategic functions and goals of the company. The company should therefore implement only those HR policies that better f it or merge with their general company strategies, policies and functions. Human Resource policies should be able to relate well with the companies lifecycle in order for them to be successful.

Comparing into Battle Essay Example for Free

Comparing into Battle Essay Comparing Into Battle with Spring Off, I find their poets attitudes are quite different. Grenfell who is poet of Into Battle thinks war is a glorious and noble thing, but Owens attitude is very clear and totally different from Grenfells which is that war is evil and brutal. In order to convey their own attitudes and purposes, these two poets all use different language styles and imagery. In the poem Into Battle, Grenfell uses lots of vocabulary of nature and spring as a background, these all help to show a harmony and sense which crease a peaceful tone to describe war, it is good for the reader to agree poets attitude. However, spring also is used in Spring Off, Owen makes a stark contraction between surviving in the war and new life in the spring landscape which surrounds troops. For Into battle, it uses pathetic fallacy positively to show its purpose. The sun gives him warmth, the Glowing earth gives him life, the light foot winds lend him speed etc. these descriptions all let soldiers or even readers to feel energy and power. In the last two stanzas, the poet also gives extra importance through the use of capital letters, like Destined Will is obviously some sort of supernatural force, as a kind of god or power of destiny. In the last section of this poem, there is a lot of figurative, as the burning moment and the thundering line of battle are metaphors to describe the heat and noise of the action. All these create a sense of heat and energy on the battlefield again and it matches his idea of the war. There are several powerful images in Spring Off too, which add to the strength of Owens description, such as buttercups and brambles are personified as explained above. This creates pathetic fallacy which Grenfell used as well and it strengthens the description. Moreover, the language which is used in the poem reflects the contrasts. At the beginning, descriptions all positive, words fed, carelessly slept and eased all shows soldiers movements and suggests they are relaxed and comfortable. However, Owen uses but and shorter, sharper sounds of stood still and stark blank sky to creates contrast immediately. In Spring Off, Owen uses rhetorical question to ask why the survivors don not speak of their dead comrades and talk of their glorious death and convey the massage of the poem which is that there is no glory in this war. These two poems all use natural elements in the poem to express their attitudes of war. Because of different attitudes, I can see that Spring Off is described in a negative way, and Julian writes Into Battle positively. Therefore, it makes two poems style and language and purpose all different.

macbeth :: essays research papers

A Shakespearean tragic hero may be defined as â€Å"an exceptional being of high degree† who contributes to his own degeneration and illustrates a personality flaw. The character of Shakespeare’s Macbeth is in all ways the perfect example of a tragic hero. His greatness and bravery in battle for his country ultimately leads him to be a great thane and eventually a powerful king, making his actions have a significant impact on a country. Macbeth’s ambition on becoming a king leads to an obsession to remain in his current position. His ambition comes to a point where he falls to the temptation of evil which leads to Macbeth’s inevitable downfall. At the beginning of the play, Macbeth is portrayed as a brave man whose performance in Scotland’s battle is celebrated. This is clearly evident from the courage in defense of Scotland in the opening scene. A wounded solider describes Macbeth’s actions as â€Å"Cannons overcharg’d with double cracks ... Doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe† Act 1, scene 2, line 37-39 With such positive feedback from the battle, King Duncan can not help but be joyous towards Macbeth and his soldiers. His response to the valiant news is giving him a title which upbrings him from his present position â€Å"No more thane of Cawdor shall deceive ... and with his former title greet Macbeth... What hath lost noble Macbeth hath won† Before the hearing of his new title, Macbeth as well as his partner Banquo encounter three witches who give Macbeth a look of what his future beholds. With each word spoken from the witches, the importance he holds for Scotland increases. From Thane of Glamis, to Thane of Cawdor and eventually the all and mighty king. With all the praises he receives and learning about his new title, Macbeth’s ambition to become a powerful king can not help but rises. Macbeth wins a battle and proves loyal to Duncan, however his ambition to become King is too strong to keep his morals. When his ambition is associated with the witch’s prophecies, his morals become non-existent for he is easily persuaded into what he wants to hear. For a moment Macbeth’s ambition takes over, when the thought of killing Duncan comes across his mind, however morality takes over. â€Å"Why do I yield to such suggestion whose horrid image doth unfix my hair... If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me, without my stir† In spite of this, Macbeth’s moral decision is clouded by his ambition once again when he hears of Malcolm’s succession to the throne.

Learning Activity Essay

This assignment talks about the mission statement of Lotto Food – grocery store and its importance and it also answer a few questions related to the mission statement. Mission statement The mission statement of Lotto Food – grocery store is â€Å"Where freshness is at its best†. They promise their customers at providing a diverse selection of best quality products at a reasonable rate; along with maintaining the highest standard of freshness they also win the heart and mind of their customers by providing the best customer service. Why is it important to establish a clear mission statement? The establishment of a clear mission statement is important because it reflects the vision of the company as to how the company would like its clients to view it .For the company to be successful, it must have a clear mission statement that convinces the clients how it would be advantageous for them to shop from their grocery store and what facilities and services can they specially enjoy being a customer of their grocery store. Why is it important to communicate the company’s mission statement? In order to let the public know what your company’s vision is and what facilities they have for them and what services they cater, it is necessary to communicate the mission statement of the company. It helps in communicating expectations and also pinpoint what to stress on or to potential and also it gives a clear consensus to the company telling them where they lack and how more can they improve. Communicating the company’s mission statement to the employees is more important than to its clients so that the employees are well aware of the services they have to give and the performance expected out of them. Why is the meaning of the company’s mission statement important in making organizational changes? A mission statement focuses on a company’s present state and therefore in order to bring any organizational change in the company, a change in the company’s mission statement is also required because every aspect of your business is reflected in the mission statement. The attributes of   the product, cost, service, quality and your co-relation with your clients, suppliers competitors and employees working in the company. (Abraham, 2007). Reviewing and revision of the mission statement is very important as it contemplates your aims and goals with the development of your company, the economic condition and the business. If the review results in a amendment of the statement, it’s a big deal because it probably means that your company is expanding or it needs an organizational change. References Abraham,J.. (2007). 101 Mission Statements From Top Companies: Plus Guidelines For Writing Your Own Mission Statement. Ten Speed Press.

Supporting Positive Behaviour

1. 1 Describe the Policies and Procedures of the setting relevant to promoting Children and Young People’s positive behaviour. Every setting should have a behaviour policy, in England, it is a legal requirement for early years setting. This is a document to promote a positive behaviour of children and adults involved in the setting, it will help all staff to know what we should do in different situations.As a part of this policy there will also be procedures for staff to follow, such as, showing respect to children and other adults or, giving a explanation to the child who is finding it difficult to observe boundaries or, being a positive role model with appropriate behaviour. Also, the policy should detail the strategies that will never be used in the setting. The codes of conduct relate to the behaviour of staff as well as the behaviour of children. These must be managed in a manner appropriate for children age, stage of development and individual needs.For the staff, the co de of conduct will include, for example, keeping calm to stop children hurting each other or behaving in a unsafe way, such as, listening to both sides of the story in a conflict or, not make any negative comments in front of the children. For children, the codes of conduct are about playing safely, respecting others or taking turns. These codes are discussed with children making a Golden Rules, for example, please walk no running or we should share toys with our friends; this helps them to take responsibility for their behaviour and they feel part of the process.To support children’s positive behaviour we will use Rewards, it is based on the idea that, if they receive approval, they are likely to want to repeat that behaviour There are many types of rewards that work well with children. Praise is a very effective way of reinforcing positive behaviour, saying to children ‘well done’ or ‘good boy/girl’ helps them to know that they have shown positive behaviour and stating clearly what it is that is good, e. g. ‘Thank you for sharing the toy, that was very kind’. Attention is one of the best ways of reinforcing positive behaviour.Making eye contact, smiling or nod, it helps the child to know that we have seen what they have done. In my setting, at the end of each session, teachers ask children who has followed the golden rules that day and they get a smiley face. The children are invited to sit in the fairytale chair or on the fairytale step. Sanctions will help us to respond to inappropriate behaviour. For example, saying ‘no’ in a quiet but firm way or, explaining the consequences of actions to their level of understanding helps children to understand why they must no carry on with their behaviour.Rewards and Sanctions should be used appropriately and fairly. For dealing with conflict and inappropriate behaviour we may use different strategies to show that we can manage that situation. For example, ign oring the behaviour, if children are not getting any response from the adult, they will then change what they are doing, when they stop that behaviour we must give them plenty of positive attention. To removal equipment, this sends a message to children that what they are doing is not acceptable or safe. Also we can use facial expression to make children realise that what they are doing is not acceptable.Guidance on inclusion will be a tool to collate all policy relating to all children with additional needs as Special Education Needs or, Gifted and Talented, also the nursery has a policy of having available to all, a variety of items which reflect the cultural diversity of our country. The nursery displays many pictures and posters of children and people from all areas of the world to reflect the inclusion policy. There are many puzzles and other materials available which reflect our diverse society. We want children recognise that certain actions are right and that other are wrong .Children must be encouraged to recognise that bullying, fighting or hurting are not acceptable behaviour and they will not be tolerated. Anti-bullying policy is to ensure that children learn in a safe, supportive and caring environment, without fear of being bullied. Bullying is a complex issue and takes many forms (racial, sexual, disability,†¦ ). It can be physical, verbal or emotional and can be cause serious psychological damage. A child often bullies for a reason, it is important to try to find out why a child may be bullying others, usually a child that is bullying has some personal difficulty that needs addressing.Biting policy will follow in the event of a child being bitten. Biting is a form of behaviour that is particularly prevalent in children whose language skills are only just developing and can often be an expression of frustration because they cannot yet express their feeling and it can become a habit. In this cause we must act immediately, to explain to the bi ting child why biting is unacceptable, that it hurts the other child and show the mark. Remove the biting child from the circumstances and keep him busy at all times. We will always inform the parents about the incident and should keep confidentiality.Attendance policy is usually part of a school’s code conduct because children’s education can be affected if they do not attend regularly or are often later for lessons, being absent from the school means a lost learning opportunity. To ensure that each child is encouraged to attend from the first day that they enrol at reception. However, in an early years setting, this is not likely to be part of a behaviour policy. In any case, there must be a time control input and output. 1. 2 In your own words describe what your setting behaviour policy expects from adults and children.In my setting we believe that children grow up best when their personal, social and emotional needs are met and where there are clear expectations fo r their behaviour. The aim is to teach children to behave in socially acceptable ways and to understand the needs and rights of others. To help children to learn to empathise with others, understanding that they have feelings too. Where children behave in inconsiderate way, we help them to understand the outcomes of their action and support them in learning how to cope more appropriately.All staff, volunteers and students must provide a positive role model of behaviour by treating children, parents and one another with friendliness, care and courtesy. Also we must use positive strategies to resolve any inconsiderate behaviour, by helping children to find solutions in ways are appropriate for their age and stage of development. We must be calm and patient helping to manage children’s feelings. 1. 3 Describes with examples the importance of all staff consistently and fairly applying boundaries and rules for children and young people’s behaviour.It is very important that all staff consistently and fairly apply boundaries and rules for children’s and young people’s behaviour. For example, if we want to teach children that they must eat sitting and not playing, all staff must apply the same rules every single day in the lunch time, not allowing toys and remind them to sit down when they stand up, because if children with a staff member can run and play while they eat but with another member they must eat sitting. They are confused about this change in the rules from one day to another and they cannot know which behaviour is the correct.

How to Say Happy New Year in Japanese

How to Say Happy New Year in Japanese In Japan,  greeting  people with appropriate Japanese words is very important. The  New Year, in particular, is the most important time of the year in Japan, equal to the Christmas or the yuletide season in the West. So, knowing how to say Happy New Year in Japanese is probably the most important phrase you can learn if you plan to visit this country, which is steeped in social custom and norms. Japanese New Year Background Before learning the myriad of ways to say Happy New Year in Japanese, its important to understand the significance the new year has in this Asian country. The Japanese new year is celebrated for the first three days- or up to the first two weeks- of  ichi-gatsu  (January). During this time, businesses and schools close, and people to return to their families. The Japanese decorate their houses, just after they do a complete house cleaning. Saying Happy New Year in Japanese can involve giving good wishes on Dec. 31  or Jan. 1, but they can also cover greetings for the coming year that you might express until mid-January, and they can even include phrases you would use when reconnecting with family or acquaintances after long absences. How to Say Happy New Year in Japanese Use the following phrases for saying Happy New Year on Jan. 1 through Jan. 3, and even up to the middle of January. The transliteration for the following phrases, which mean Happy New Year, is listed on the left, followed by an indication as to whether the greeting is formal or informal, followed by the greeting written in  Kanji, the most important Japanese alphabet. Click on the transliteration links to hear how to correctly pronounce the phrases. Akemashite  omedetou  gozaimasu.  (formal): 㠁‚㠁‘㠁 ¾Ã£ â€"㠁 ¦Ã£ Å Ã£â€š Ã£  §Ã£  ¨Ã£ â€ Ã£ â€Ã£ â€"㠁„㠁 ¾Ã£ â„¢Ã£â‚¬â€šAkemashite  omedetou.  (casual): 㠁‚㠁‘㠁 ¾Ã£ â€"㠁 ¦Ã£ Å Ã£â€š Ã£  §Ã£  ¨Ã£ â€ Ã£â‚¬â€š New Years Celebration At the end of the year, on Dec. 31 or even up to a few days before, use the following phrases to wish someone a Happy New Year in Japanese. The phrases literally translate as,  I wish you will have a good new year. Yoi otoshi o omukae kudasai. (formal):よ㠁„㠁Šå ¹ ´Ã£â€šâ€™Ã£ Å Ã¨ ¿Å½Ã£ Ë†Ã£  Ã£   Ã£ â€¢Ã£ â€žÃ£â‚¬â€šYoi otoshi o! (casual): よ㠁„㠁Šå ¹ ´Ã£â€šâ€™ Seeing Someone After a Long Absence As noted, the new year is a time when family and friends reunite, sometimes even after years or decades of separation. If you are seeing someone after a long period of separation, you should use a different Japanese New Years greeting when you see your friend, acquaintance, or family member. The first phrase literally all translates as, I havent seen you in a long time. Gobusata shite imasu. (very formal): 㠁”ç„ ¡Ã¦ ²â„¢Ã¦ ± °Ã£ â€"㠁 ¦Ã£ â€žÃ£  ¾Ã£ â„¢Ã£â‚¬â€š The following phrases, even in formal usage, translate as, Long time, no see. Ohisashiburi desu. (formal): 㠁Šä ¹â€¦Ã£ â€"㠁 ¶Ã£â€šÅ Ã£  §Ã£ â„¢Ã£â‚¬â€šHisashiburi! (casual): ä ¹â€¦Ã£ â€"㠁 ¶Ã£â€šÅ  To reply to Gobusata shite imasu  use the phrase  kochira koso (㠁“㠁 ¡Ã£â€šâ€° 㠁“㠁 ), which means same here. In casual conversations- such as if a friend is telling you Hisashiburi!- simply repeat Hisashiburi!  or Hisashiburi ne. The word  ne  (㠁 ­)  is a  particle, which translates roughly into  English as right? or dont you agree?

Pride and Prejudice Essay

Pride and Prejudice Essay Pride and Prejudice Essay Pride and Prejudice Essay: the Critical View on the Paper For the first time, I read the book Pride and Prejudice of Jane Austen in 1997. At that moment I didnt know this book considered as the best authors book about love. Today I understand that a lot of modern writers could learn the narration style of Austin and her ability to neglect the unnecessary details in description. The novel Pride and Prejudice is easy, understandable and catchy story, which takes the readers breath away form the first pages. And it is not a big surprise that the literature masterpiece was filmed numerous times. Let us imagine that we got the assignment to write an essay about that artwork. How can we cope with that task? Just follow the recommended steps and everything will be fine. Pride and Prejudice essay: Define the Conception In other words, you think up the purpose of your essay. Remember, that essay requires the purpose identification and the explanation of the topic from various points of view. Backing to Pride and Prejudice essay we can choose the appropriate topic, in the question form. For example, how does the film interpretation differ from the original book?, or, What are the main similarities and differences between the movie and the original book? The topic should be modern, laconic and actual. When you compose the introduction do not forget to put the thesis. Pride and Prejudice essay: Main Body and Topics Description Then you start to describe the main topic. When you ask the question, be ready to answer it with a due argumentation. You present your critical view both on the movie and the book, describe, how the characters from film imitated the characters from the story? Did they fail or succeed in this task? How did the director see and meet the standards of Jane Austens book? What kind of values the author tried to show, and how did it present in the movie? Anyway, show your fantasy and wit, and do not forget to answer all the issues. Pride and Pre judice essay: Outcome In the end of your work, you make a clear conclusion: for instance, you may describe the role of the book and the value of movie for the next generation. Express your last main opinion in order to finalize the article. Do not forget to check your Pride and Prejudice essay up! It will be a shame, if you fail during the examination.

Year 8 - Portfolio Task - FILM REVIEW Movie Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Year 8 - Portfolio Task - FILM - Movie Review Example ino, Fulgencio Capule, Diane Venora, Claire Danes, and Leonardo DiCaprio to feature leading characters like Romeo, Juliet, Ted Montague, Caroline Montague, Tybalt Capulet, Brian Dennehy and Christina Pickles. These were carefully selected actors who suit the characters they represent. Apart from possessing all the character traits of their respective characters, these actors perfectly fit the physical features of the characters as they were presented in the play. By perfectly playing their roles, the film becomes lively and a real depiction of a love story as it was intended by Shakespeare. The organization of the film was quite good. With everything going as planned, the director succeeded in delivering the theme of love which was the main focus of the film. Each of the scenes of the play was staged in the appropriate context in which it ought to have been. By constantly tracing the dialogue between characters like Romeo and Juliet, it becomes much easier to know the film’s main theme. The action of these protagonists is representational and can be relied upon to explain the theme of love. All these were comically presented so as to make the film appealing and entertaining to the audience. In terms of cinematography, I would like say that it was a product of quality production. As a love story, the film would not be interesting if it does not incorporate the elements of music, sound track and lighting. These are cinematographic techniques that could not be left out in the film. Their inclusion gave the film its real meaning and the picture it deserves. For instance, the use of sound tracks likes "To You I Bestow," "Pretty Piece of Flesh," "Little Star," and "Pretty Piece of Flesh" in different scenes of the film made it to manipulate the audience’s mood. Because of this, the film became a real love story. Their choice was a good one because they could help in depicting a happy and sad moment in the film. In conclusion, Romeo and Juliet is an educating,

I want to be president of the united states Essay

I want to be president of the united states - Essay Example ts will have President Obama as its standard bearer while the Republicans are still in the process of primaries and caucauses in determining who would be their candidate for the Presidency (Anon). The general theme of my candidacy will be the revitalization of America that Americans will have a renewed confidence in their country which previous leaders has put a doubt on it. The mismanaged economy which slid this country into a recession caused many Americans lost their jobs and homes that even until today, many Americans are still unemployed and poor. This was unthinkable during the heyday of America. Today, Americans are full of self-doubting that they are already entertaining that America will no longer be the strongest economy of the world with the US dollar be replaced by the Chinese yuan . a. List the main things (at least 4) you want to accomplish as president. Explain why. Foremost of my agenda when I will become a President is to revitalize the American economy. This involves creation of jobs and removing the unemployment rate to zero. I will restore confidence in the American economy by getting back the triple AAA credit rating to help revitalize economy by making credit that will be used by business for expansion to be cheap so that businesses will be encouraged to expand their operations and create more jobs. b. Minimize war spending to reduce public debt. If I become President of the United States, I will minimize America’s interventionist foreign policy that takes toll on public budget. Also, this foreign policy which has been adopted by previous presidents has earned America implacable enemy that made defense spending more expensive. c. Rationalize immigration law and make it non-discriminatory. One of the things that I want to accomplish as President of the United States is to abrogate/veto the Arizona Immigration law which makes America discriminatory in the eyes of the world. I will have the law removed that empowers law enforcers

Challenging customers in the marketplace Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Challenging customers in the marketplace - Essay Example Such customers also take more time of the shopkeepers as compared to other customers. Companies need to satisfy challenging customers in order to achieve success. Customer satisfaction results in improving the business (Fornell, Mithas, Morgeson, & Krishnan, 2006). Customers can be challenging for different reasons. Some of the most common reasons include language difference, aggressive mindset, lack of proper communication skills, inability to make quick decisions, and impatient and hostile nature. Past experiences, stresses, and different perceptions are those factors, which make most of the customers challenging. Every customer has a different set of experiences, which he/she uses while deciding to buy any specific product. Some customers have some concerns, which they communicate to the shopkeepers or customer service representatives while buying the products. Such customers are challenging customers and shopkeepers find it difficult to deal with such customers. Shopkeepers can deal with challenging customers by listening to them properly, asking questions, showing concerns towards the needs of the customers. Harris (2003) states, â€Å"Although challenging customers may be difficult to interact with, the reality is that they are still ou r customers and our goal is to provide them with excellent customer service† (p.

Elements of Design in the Green Mile Essay Example for Free

Elements of Design in the Green Mile Essay The Green Mile is an exceptional film that was created in the year 1999. This film was nominated for four academy awards: Best Supporting Actor, Best Picture, Best Sound, and Best Adapted Screenplay. This movie teaches us how different the times were back in the 1900s compared to the way it is now. The movie is set in 1935 which was during the times of the Great Depression. It also illustrates death row and how execution is still a problem to where it is not just and fair. There are several well-known actors that cast in this film. Each actor plays a very unique role and elements of design have a role where it puts everything about this movie into perspective. The cinematographer that helped to create this film had a vital role in putting all of his screen shots together to generate the perfect lighting, images that are seen by the camera, and images that the audience sees upon completion of the film (Goodykontz Jacobs, 2011). The director, producer, screenwriter, and composer all played important roles in putting this film together to show its exceptional potential at being nominated for four academy awards. The elements of design in the Green Mile are a form of art which cannot be duplicated in a way that they have come together to create this finished product. There is a scene in this film called â€Å"Miracle Worker†. In this particular clip, illustrates how the actors are placed into the scene and positioned on the set. You will see how well their costumes and makeup are done which is part of what makes up the mise en scene. The mise en scene is all of the elements in a film that the audience sees such as the setting, make up and costumes, as well as the movement and placement of the actors. The director, Frank Darabont, is responsible for shooting many different versions on a scene (Goodykontz Jacobs, 2011). The director will then create the final film based upon the best of those elements. Some directors will allow improvisation which is when actors come up with their own lines that they feel will fit into a particular scene. The production designer, who is also sometimes called the art director, is responsible for maintaining the sets, props and the costumes so that they are in sync with the story and the character’s role (Goodykontz Jacobs, 2011). Production designers are head of the department on film crews and they are responsible for the art department. Basically, they may be asked to look at scripts to decide how much time the art department needs to spend on films. They also calculate the budgets to figure out how much money will be spent as well. Furthermore, they will provide their design sketches expressing detailing mood, lighting, composition and color to the art directors who oversees the production (Anonymous, 2012). In this scene, the â€Å"Miracle Worker†, the lighting is low because it is night time, but there are lights on inside of the house in the bedroom where the warden wife is lying in bed. The lighting is very dim which evokes a depressing and gloomy mood. It draws the audience into the scene to where they can feel the same pain and sorrow that the actors feel. John Coffey places his lips over the warden’s wife’s lips to retrieve the sickness of the cancer from her body. The chandelier begins to brighten and the sound of the music increases as the scene becomes more intense. There is a sign of bright lighting coming from the woman’s mouth illustrating the cancer leaving her body and going into Coffey’s body as his mouth brightens as well. That lighting is symbolic for the cancer that Coffey took away from her. Then he closes his mouth and the light goes away. However, there is still a bright light on the woman’s face for a couple of seconds as she lies there with her eyes closed, but now her face looks healthy and so young. The lighting in this scene affects the overall story of what the director is trying to tell the audience because it tells you without words what the characters in the film are feeling. It tells you that they are saddened when the light is dim and then in awe and disbelief as it brightens. The warden was in tears and was in disbelief from what he had just scene. So were the rest of the guards. Although, they were in disbelief, they also displayed a sign of relief in that the sickness has left the woman’s body. The film setting was the summer of 1935 when Hanks was a corrections officer in charge of death row inmates at Cold Mountain Penitentiary during the Great Depression days. This is during the time where unemployment was very high. It only got worse in time before it got better. Even taxes had increased which made it that much more difficult for people to survive. During this period of time racism still existed in this culture. John Coffey was beaten, convicted and sentenced for execution all because he was a black man suspected of raping and killing two little white girls with no valid proof. Costuming can tell us almost everything we need to know about a character. The costuming of the woman showed a great deal of sickness within her face. The makeup on her looked so believable that it almost looked like she was a rotting corpse. Then the costuming took a turn as she was healed from the sickness. She became beautiful and peaceful. Elements play a significant role in affecting the film’s plot. For example, Coffey was dirty and sweaty because it was hot. So this illustrated that he was not clean and did not have any clean clothes. He did not come from a place where he had nice attire. Now if he was clean and had on fresh clothes, the scene would not be as emotional. Nobody really expected Coffey and the way he looked to have such supernatural powers except for Hanks because he had already experienced it for himself. Hairstyle and makeup can help tell the story by showing how the character may feel at that point and time in a scene. It can also set the tone of the scene and the audience can feel exactly what the characters are feeling based on how they look. As the warden puts his hand over his mouth, and the screen zooms in on his face, you can see the stress and pain in his eyes when they start to tear up. The three guards are well dressed in uniform. They have ties and hats. They all look very sharp like they’re about to conduct a ceremony. They are well groomed with no facial hair just like military service members in uniform. The guard’s hairstyle and make up tell the audience that they care about their appearance and how they carry themselves as correction officers. They guards display a sense of caution because Coffey is a convicted criminal, but at the same time they display hope as Coffey talks to the warden’s wife and begin to use his supernatural power. In my personal opinion, I think that the mise en scene was very well put in this movie. The use of color which made the room dim definitely heightened the suspense of the film especially during the particular scene where the light goes from dim to bright and then dim again. The warden and the guards were in well placed positions while Coffey sat on the bed and performed his supernatural miracle to cure the warden’s wife from her sickness. The mise en scene was done very well by illustrating that the woman was sick and then healed by a miracle performed by a black man who was wrongfully convicted and sent to death row while he awaited death by electric chair. All of the elements flowed in a harmonious way because the music went well with the lighting when it was dark, and then became bright when Coffey used his super natural powers to heal the sickened woman. The audience is easily drawn into the film because of the cinematography that takes place in the movie. The actors, lighting, music and setting go hand in hand together. Therefore, it is not discordant at all. The design elements are definitely in sync with Frank Darabont’s vision. From the beginning of the scene, the elements in the film were symbolic to his vision. He wanted the audience to feel every bit of emotion that the characters were feeling. The intensity as Coffey spoke to the warden’s wife grew as he introduced himself to the time he ridded her from the illness. Not only did it make the warden cry and the guards emotional, but I’m sure that the audiences who watched this movie were just as emotional as everyone in the film. So Darabont did a great job by piecing everything together to get the right vision for the scene. The Green Mile had great chemistry as everyone played key roles in making this film. The film could not have been accomplished without the help of everyone coming together and doing their part, from the directors to the actors. The elements of the mise en scene were symbolic throughout the movie so that it really touched the audiences. It placed the viewers in the film as if they were part of the script. The director and the cinematography of the film gave it the extra edge that was needed aside from the actors. The elements worked so well together harmoniously that once the film was put together, it couldn’t be done again the way it was the first time around. References Anonymous (2012). Production Designer. http://www.media- match.com/usa/jobtypes/production-designer-jobs-402758.php Goodykoontz, B., Jacobs, C. P. (2011). Film: From Watching to Seeing. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc. https://content.ashford.edu

The Value of Possessions Examined in Guy de Maupassants The Necklace E

The Value of Possessions Examined in Guy de Maupassant's Short Story, "The Necklace" The late Irish poet Oscar Wilde once stated, "In the world there are only two tragedies. One is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it" (qtd. in The Quotations Page). This quote accurately describes human nature to the extent that man is never fully satisfied with his current possessions. In fact, most people who rely on materialistic items for happiness are typically desolated and miserable. Guy de Maupassant enlivens these assertions in his short story, "The Necklace." Maupassant reveals his ingenious style through a portrayal of a battle with morality, in which the central character, Mathilde Loisel, struggles with excessive wants that ultimately doom her to perpetual despair. In the beginning of "The Necklace," the reader can clearly distinguish Madame Loisel's immense need for luxurious items. Maupassant describes Madame Loisel as somewhat miserable due to her ordinary standard of living: "She was simple since she could not be adorned; but she was unhappy as though kept out of her own class...She suffered intensely, feeling herself born for every delicacy and every luxury" (Par. 3). Madame Loisel complains about her husband and his common profession, feeling as though she should be "married by a man rich and distinguished" (Par. 1). She knows that her husband can not provide the luxuries which she so desperately desires. These lingering feelings cause Madame Loisel to undervalue the nonmaterial importance of life. All the while, the reader must consider the significant aspect of Madame Loisel's misleading view about her social class. Although Madame Loisel feels unfit and tortured to be of her econom... ...han before, she and her husband own nothing at all. At this point of the story, the reader assumes that Madame Loisel has suffered intensely enough to understand the underlying value of materialistic items. Unfortunately, Madame Loisel does not take the suffering as a learning experience. Even still, she continues to daydream of owning luxury items, accepting admiration from the higher class, and living the life of a dream. Consequently, Madame Loisel will also continue to live in misery due to her endless dissatisfaction. Perhaps, one may assert that Madame Loisel is the type of person that will never quite be satisfied enough, no matter how much or how little she may have. Works Cited Wilde, Oscar. "Cole's Quotables." 2004. The Quotations Page. Ed. M. Shawn Cole and Michael Moncur. 05 March 2006. de Maupaussant, Guy. "The Necklace."

High School Essay

My freshman year of high school was scary. Two rival middles schools coming together to make one freshman class did not seem like the best idea, the classes were harder, and the stress levels were higher. In eighth grade I was so excited to be in high school, but once I got there I could not wait for that year to be over. Then I realized I still had three more long school years ahead of me. Don’t get me wrong, I had plenty of fun times freshman year. I met so many new people and made a lot of new friends. The majority of my friends then are still my friends now. But I was ready to grow up. I think every teenager thinks like this at one point or throughout every year of high school. Most teenagers are ready to move from home and start a new and more independent life in college during most years of high school. I know that I thought this way for quite sometime. I thought that life in college would be a million times more eventful than life in high school. Sophomore and junior year were also similar to freshman year. Friendships became stronger, classes were continuing to get more difficult, and even though I involved myself more in extracurricular activities, I was ready to get out of town and start college more than ever. I had picked out my dream school and already had so many plans for my freshman year of college. But instead of time speeding up like I wished it would, it felt like it was slowing down. Summer going into senior year I began getting bored with the town and I felt like I was always saying â€Å"there is nothing to do here.† I thought I needed more adventure and was becoming tired of just going through the motions. Although I felt like that then, a few weeks into senior year my mindset had completely changed. Even though senior year has been the toughest year yet, my class has created a culture. There is so many things that define us as a class and set us apart from everyone else. From traditions started at football games, to the things that we do as a group, we have created our own culture and identity. I have realized that even though I have wanted the past three years to fly by, all I want is for this year to slow down. My friends and I have all created extremely close bonds and we have become almost like a family. I feel like throughout the past three years I have taken a lot of things for granted and have not really appreciated all the memories I have had that came from good experiences. I have learned not to take any special moments for granted because I could look back on these days and remember all of the good times and how much I enjoyed my senior year. At times I regret wanting to grow up so fast because I know now that these are some of the best times of my life and I wish I would have appreciated them before. Although I do regret that, I’m thankful I get to spend this year with every single one of my closest friends. I still have a long time to make memories, but as the saying goes, â€Å"time flies when you’re having fun.†

Book Review: Gone Girl

The deception and Lies, that were motivated by the secrets that Amy and Nick were hiding, are what led to the demise of their marriage. The Sir Walter Scott quote â€Å"O what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive† is a perfect way to sum up this story. Amy creates the ultimate act of deception In the novel when she tries to frame Nick for her murder, that she fakes. Amy decides to frame Nick after she learns that he has been having a secret affair. Once Amy is on the run, because she faked her murder, the tables of deception turn n her when she is robbed by two people she befriended while she was hiding out.Amy flips the tables back on a man she had been deceiving since high school, Despond. Despond is blind to Amoy's deception because he loves her and he loves to help women with issues. Amy uses Despond for his money and a new hideout and he willingly gives it to her. She tells Despond these horrific stories of Nick and paints him out to be this abusive mo nster that she Is fleeing from. Little does Despond know that Amy has also painted this same facade for him, she tells her parents and Nick that Despond is this creepy ex and that he tried to kill himself over her when they were back in high school.Amy is then forced to live up to Deacon's ideals of a perfect women when he has her stay with him and he restricts what she's eating and tries to get her to be loving and affectionate with him. While Despond thinks he Is In control, It Is really Amy who has the cards In her hand. She eventually ends up betraying Despond when she murders him and runs back to Nick. She paints yet another picture of Despond as this monster who was holding her hostage and she fled from. Amy is constantly deceiving everyone in the story, she even ends up getting screwed over herself because of all the lies.Amy gets the true final say, in the story, when she finally traps Nick by Impregnating herself with his old sperm she had saved which forces Nick to stay In this loveless marriage. Had Amy not lied and deceived Nick numerous times she might have been able to save her marriage but she is so used to being deceitful that I don't think she even realizes that just being truthful might have been the easier route to take. â€Å"You can put a face behind a mask but be careful because someone else might be retesting. † is a warning that Nick needed.Nick is a man who is betrayed many times In this story. Initially you almost feel sympathy towards him until you learn of his Infidelity. For Nick he never realized all these deceitful things Amy was doing Amy and then the public causes him to lie to his sister and many more people. Nick and Amy are very self absorbed and because Nick is so self absorbed throughout the entire book he ultimately never sees any of the lies Amy tells him. He also ends up flipping the tables on Amy when he gives these interviews depicting a husband who till loves his wife and Just wants her to return safely.Amy fa lls for it because that is all she wanted in the first place, for him to need her and miss her and want her. Amoy's return is what makes Nick believe that he will be freed from this marriage but it ultimately is what causes him to become trapped in the marriage. Nick is so consumed with screwing over Amy as bad as she did to him that he never realizes that Amy is always two steps ahead of him. While he pretends to be this loving husband in the beginning he is really cheating on Amy, and Amy is planning on ramming him for her murder because of the infidelity.While Amy is deciding on her next move after she's in hiding, Nick pretends to be this loving husband who misses his wife to get her to come back. When Amy comes back and realizes Nicks true intentions, to try and get her to confess to Deacon's murder, she pretends to be completely oblivious to it so she can trap Nick in their marriage. The characters almost play a game of cat and mouse throughout the whole story. They are consta ntly trying to get over on each other and in the end it may seem likeAmy wins but the truth is there were so many lies and so much deceit that happened that no one really ever got what they wanted. Nick will never love Amy and ironically he grew to hate her more when she came home then before she left. The sad thing is that Amy thinks that Nick will Just learn to accept the fact that he is trapped and learn to love her again once the baby is here but he will only end up resenting her even more because of the fact that he is trapped. While these lies were created to save and protect a marriage, they only ended up destroying it and that is the true irony of the story.

How to Label Digital Photos

How to Label Digital Photos How many times have you exclaimed in delight over the discovery of an old family photograph, only to turn it over and find out that absolutely nothing is written on the back? I can hear your groan of disappointment all the way from here. Wouldnt you give just about anything to have ancestors and relatives who took the time to label their family photographs? Whether you own a digital camera or use a scanner to digitize traditional family photographs, it is important to take some time and label your digital photos. This can be a  bit trickier than just getting out a pen, but if you learn to use something called image metadata  to label your digital photos, your future descendants will thank you. What Is Metadata? With respect to digital photos or other digital files, metadata  refers to the descriptive information embedded inside the file. Once added, this identifying information stays with the image, even if you move it to another device, or share it by email or online. There are two basic types of metadata that can be associated with a digital photo: EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format)  data is automatically captured by your camera or scanner at the time it is taken or created. The EXIF metadata stored with a digital photograph might include the date and time the photo was taken, the type and size of the image file, camera settings or, if youre using a camera or phone with GPS capabilities, the geolocation.IPTC or XMP  data is data that is editable by you, allowing you to add and store information with your photos such as a caption, descriptive tags, copyright information, etc. IPTC is the most widely used industry standard, originally created by the  International Press Telecommunications Council for adding to a photograph specific data including the creator, a description, and copyright information.  XMP  (Extensible Metadata Platform) was developed by Adobe in 2001 off of IPTC. For the end-users purpose, the two standards are pretty much interchangeable. How to Add Metadata to Your Digital Photos Special photo labeling software, or just about any graphics software program, allows you to add IPTC/XMP metadata to your digital photographs. Some also enable you to also use this information (date, tags, etc.) to organize your collection of digital photos.  Depending on the software you choose, the available metadata fields may vary, but generally include fields for: authortitlecopyrightcaptionkeywords or tags The steps involved in adding metadata descriptions to your digital photos varies by program, but usually involves some variation of opening a photo in your graphics editing software and selecting a menu item such as File Get Info or Window Info and then adding your information to the appropriate fields. Photo editing programs that support IPTC/XMO include Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop Elements, XnView, Irfanview, iPhoto, Picasa and BreezeBrowser Pro. You can also add some of your own metadata directly in Windows Vista, 7, 8 and 10, or in Mac OS X. View a full list of software applications that support IPTC on the IPTC website.   Using IrfanView to Label Digital Photos If you dont already have a preferred graphics program, or your graphics software doesnt support IPTC/XMO, then IrfanView is a free, open-source graphic viewer that runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux. To use IrfanView for editing IPTC metadata: Open a .jpeg image with IrfanView (this doesnt work with other image formats such as .tif)Select Image InformationClick on the IPTC info button in the bottom-left cornerAdd information to the fields you choose. I recommend using the caption field to identify people, places, events, and dates. If known, it is also great to capture the name of the photographer.When you have finished entering your information, click the Write button at the bottom of the screen, and then OK. You  can also add IPTC information to multiple photos at once by highlighting a set of thumbnail images of .jpeg files. Right-click on the highlighted thumbnails and select JPG lossless operations and then Set IPTC data to selected files. Enter information and hit the Write button. This will write your information to all of the highlighted photos. This is a good method for entering dates, photographer, etc. Individual photos can then be further edited to add more specific information. Now that youve been introduced to image metadata, you have no further excuse for not labeling your digital family photos. Your future descendants will thank you!

The eNotes Blog Vestal Virgins Aint Got No Weaves Ancient Hairstyles Re-Created for the FirstTime

Vestal Virgins Aint Got No Weaves Ancient Hairstyles Re-Created for the FirstTime If youve ever crooned along to Procol Harems Whiter Shade of Pale, you might remember the line about the sixteen vestal virgins. Probably, you happily sang along without a clue as to what vestal really means.   In ancient Rome, vestals were priestesses of the goddess Vesta, who was the goddess of the hearth. Her priestesses attended an eternal flame that was never allowed to go out. These attendants took vows of chastity and devoted themselves to religious tasks that were off limits to priests and other men.  Vestal virgins could be easily identified by their elaborate hairstyles composed of six intricate braids which were artistically wrapped around the head. A few years ago,   professional stylist and amateur  archaeologist  Janet Stephens became interested in just how the hairstyles were physically possible. She practiced on dozens of mannequin heads, but despite her laborious attempts, none could hold the shape for very long.   She ensconced herself in college research libraries, looking at everything she could find about hairstyles of ancient Roman women. As she soon discovered, until very recently, most scholarship has been conducted by men who had little interest in the fashions of women other than the very elite, and even that was scarce. For seven years, Stephens came up empty handed in her research and frustrated as she continued her attempts at re-creation on mannequins. Until one day, she happened upon a little fragment of a mention from an scholar who had been writing several hundred years prior. This scholar mentioned a long needle that was made for both embroidery and for sewing of hairstyles. With a little more detective work, Stephens was able to track down the type of embroidery needle. Excited, she tried it on her wigged heads and voila! It worked! Not completely content with her discovery, Stephens wanted to try it on a live head. She placed an ad in the college paper asking for models.   One woman answered and through what was surely trying for both of them, the hairstyle was finally achieved: First, Stephens found, the Vestals hair would be separated into sections, each of which would be braided into six separate braids, including a pair of cornrow braids that ran flat across the head above the ears. The hair around the hairline would then be wrapped around a cord, which would then be tied at the nape of the neck. Leftover loose hair from around the face would then be weaved into a final, seventh braid. Next, the first six braids would be brought around the back of the head and tied in pairs in half square knots. The ends of the braids would then be wrapped up to the front of the head and secured to the cornrow braids above the ears. Then, the seventh braid would have been tucked up and coiled at the back of the head underneath the knotted braids. The entire process takes about 35-40 minutes, but Stephen feels that two slaves were probably able to do so in about ten minutes. Interestingly, she also discovered that only women with waist-length hair had enough hair to achieve the style. Check out Janet Stephens YouTube channel to watch her fascinating work on the vestals and many other ancient hairstyles.

An Explanation of the Origins of the Cold War in Europe

An Explanation of the Origins of the Cold War in Europe In the aftermath of the Second World War two power blocs formed in Europe, one dominated by America and capitalist democracy (though there were exceptions), the other dominated by the Soviet Union and communism. While these powers never directly fought, they waged a cold war of economic, military and ideological rivalry which dominated the second half of the twentieth. Pre-World War Two The origins of the Cold War can be traced back to the Russian Revolution of 1917, which created a Soviet Russia with a profoundly different economic and ideological state to the capitalist and democratic West. The ensuing civil war, in which Western powers unsuccessfully intervened, and the creation of Comintern, an organization dedicated to the spreading of communism, globally fuelled a climate of mistrust and fear between Russia and the rest of Europe/America. From 1918 to 1935, with the US pursuing a policy of isolationism and Stalin keeping Russia looking inward, the situation remained one of dislike rather than conflict. In 1935 Stalin changed his policy: afraid of fascism, he tried to form an alliance with the democratic Western powers against Nazi Germany. This initiative failed and in 1939 Stalin signed the Nazi-Soviet pact with Hitler, which only increased anti-Soviet hostility in the West, but delayed the onset of war between the two powers. However, while Stalin hoped Germ any would get bogged down in a war with France, early Nazi conquests occurred quickly, enabling Germany to invade the Soviet Union in 1941. The Second World War and the Political Division of Europe The German invasion of Russia, which followed a successful invasion of France, united the Soviets with Western Europe and later America in an alliance against their common enemy: Adolf Hitler. This war transformed the global balance of power, weakening Europe and leaving Russia and the United States of America as global superpowers, with massive military strength; everyone else was second. However, the wartime alliance was not an easy one, and by 1943 each side was thinking about the state of Post-war Europe. Russia ‘liberated’ vast areas of Eastern Europe, into which it wanted to put its own brand of government and turn into Soviet satellite states, in part to gain security from the capitalist West. Although the Allies tried to gain assurances for democratic elections from Russia during mid and post war conferences, there was ultimately nothing they could do to stop Russia from imposing its will on their conquests. In 1944 Churchill, Prime Minister of Britain was quoted as saying â€Å"Make no mistake, all the Balkans apart from Greece are going to be Bolshevised and there’s nothing I can do to prevent it. There’s nothing I can do for Poland, either†. Meanwhile, the Allies liberated large parts of Western Europe in which they recreated democratic nations. Two Superpower Blocs and Mutual Distrust World War Two finished in 1945 with Europe divided into two blocs, each occupied by the armies of, in the west America and the Allies, and in the east, Russia. America wanted a democratic Europe and was afraid of communism dominating the continent while Russia wanted the opposite, a communist Europe in which they dominated and not, as they feared, a united, capitalist Europe. Stalin believed, at first, those capitalist nations would soon fall to squabbling among themselves, a situation he could exploit, and was dismayed by the growing organization among the West. To these differences were added fear of Soviet invasion in the West and Russian fear of the atomic bomb ; fear of economic collapse in the west versus fear of economic domination by the west; a clash of ideologies (capitalism versus communism) and, on the Soviet front, the fear of a rearmed Germany hostile to Russia. In 1946 Churchill described the dividing line between East and West as an Iron Curtain.​ Containment, the Marshall Plan and the Economic Division of Europe America reacted to the threat of the spread of both Soviet power and communist thinking by commencing the policy of ‘containment’, outlined in a speech to Congress on March 12, 1947, action aimed at stopping any further Soviet expansion and isolating the ‘empire’ which existed. The need to halt Soviet expansion seemed all the more important later that year as Hungary was taken over by a one party communist system, and later when a new communist government took over the Czech state in a coup, nations which until then Stalin had been content to leave as a middle ground between the communist and capitalist blocs. Meanwhile, Western Europe was having severe economic difficulties as the nations struggled to recover from the devastating effects of the recent war. Worried that communist sympathizers were gaining influence as the economy worsened, to secure the western markets for US products and to put containment into practice, America reacted with the ‘Mars hall Plan’ of massive economic aid. Although it was offered to both eastern and western nations, albeit with certain strings attached, Stalin made sure it was rejected in the Soviet sphere of influence, a response the US had been expecting. Between 1947 and 1952 $13 billion was given to 16 mainly western nations and, while the effects are still debated, it generally boosted the economies of member nations and helped freeze communist groups from power, for example in France, where the communists members of the coalition government were ousted. It also created an economic divide as clear as the political one between the two power blocs. Meanwhile, Stalin formed COMECON, the ‘Commission for Mutual Economic Aid’, in 1949 to promote trade and economic growth among its satellites and Cominform, a union of communist parties (including those in the west) to spread communism. Containment also led to other initiatives: in 1947 the CIA spent large amounts to influence the result of Italy’s elections, helping the Christian Democrats defeat the Communist party. The Berlin Blockade By 1948, with Europe was firmly divided into communist and capitalist, Russian supported and American supported, Germany became the new ‘battleground’. Germany was divided into four parts and occupied by Britain, France,  America, and Russia; Berlin, situated in the Soviet zone, was also divided. In 1948 Stalin enforced a blockade of Western Berlin aimed at bluffing the Allies into renegotiating the division of Germany in his  favor, rather than them declaring war over the cut off zones. However, Stalin had miscalculated the ability of airpower, and the Allies responded with the ‘Berlin Airlift’: for eleven months supplies were flown into Berlin. This  was, in turn, a bluff, for the Allied planes had to fly over Russian airspace and the Allies gambled that Stalin wouldn’t shoot them down and risk war. He didn’t and the blockade was ended in May 1949 when Stalin gave up. The Berlin Blockade was the first time the previous diplomatic and po litical divisions in Europe had become an open battle of wills, the former allies now certain enemies. NATO, the Warsaw Pact and the Renewed Military Division of Europe In April 1949, with the Berlin Blockade in full effect and the threat of conflict with Russia looming, the Western powers signed the NATO treaty in Washington, creating a military alliance: the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. The emphasis was firmly on  defense  from  Soviet  activity. That same year Russia detonated its first atomic weapon, negating the America advantage and reducing the chance of the powers engaging in a ‘regular’ war because of fears over the consequences of nuclear conflict. There were debates over the next few years among NATO powers over whether to rearm West Germany and in 1955 it became a full member of NATO. A week later eastern nations signed the Warsaw Pact, creating a military alliance under a Soviet commander. A Cold War By 1949 two sides had formed, power blocs which were deeply opposed to each other, each believing the other threatened them and everything they stood for (and in many ways they did). Although there was no traditional warfare, there was a nuclear standoff and attitudes and ideology hardened over the next decades, the gap between them growing more entrenched. This led to the ‘Red Scare’ in the United States and yet more crushing of dissent in Russia. However, by this time the Cold War had also spread beyond the boundaries of Europe, becoming truly global as China became communist and America intervened in Korea and Vietnam. Nuclear weapons also grew more power with the creation, in 1952 by the US and in 1953 by the USSR, of thermonuclear weapons which were vastly more destructive than those dropped during the Second World War. This led to the development of ‘Mutually Assured Destruction’, whereby neither the US nor USSR would ‘hot’ war with each o ther because the resulting conflict would destroy much of the world.