What is the gamelan an Example by

What is the gamelan? The country of Indonesia has a very rich culture. It is a culture that is characterized by ethnicity and diversity, which is best exemplified by its people and the arts. In terms of music, the most remarkable aspect of Indonesian art is the gamelan. What is the gamelan? Why is it such a crucial part of Indonesian culture? Need essay sample on "What is the gamelan?" topic? We will write a custom essay sample specifically for you Proceed Our Customers Often Tell EssayLab specialists: Who wants to write assignment for me? Essay writers advise: Buy An Essay Which Will Lead You To Your Academic Success Essay Writer Helper Academic Essay Writing Best Essay Writing Service Essay Writing Service Reviews A gamelan is a type of musical ensemble from Indonesia typically featuring a variety of instruments (Gamelan). In fact, it is the main element of the Indonesian traditional music (Indonesian Gamelan). This ensemble consists of gongs, drums, flutes, bowed and plucked strings, xylophones, and metallophones (Gamelan). Sometimes, vocals are included (Gamelan). The word gamelan is derived from gamel, a Javanese word that means to strike or hammer (Gamelan). It also includes the suffix an, which gives the word its collective reference (Gamelan). The word gamelan is the identification of the said instruments, not the musicians who play them (Gamelan). Each gamelan is distinct from all the others (Indonesian Gamelan). The difference lies in the instruments themselves, as well as the usage of voice and tunings (Gamelan). The repertoire, style and the cultural milieu in which it is situated are also considered. Gamelan ensembles in courts are usually characterized with a specific style. Despite the difference, all gamelans are organized the same way; the groups of instruments have their own assigned purposes (Indonesian Gamelan). These instruments form a cohesive whole; each instrument is created and tuned as a part of the unit. Thus, an instrument that belongs to one gamelan cannot be used as a part of another. Since a gamelan is a unified group of several instruments, it requires a group performance. A gamelan performance therefore leaves no room for the individual display of talent (Indonesian Gamelan). Originally, gamelan music is used within formal events only, such as ritual ceremonies and performances for the royal family (Indonesian Gamelan). In the rituals, gamelan is the accompaniment to the dances (Indonesian Gamelan). At present, the gamelan still retains its traditional purpose, but now it is also played at less formal occasions as concert music (Indonesian Gamelan). Moreover, the gamelan is stored in varied locations, from formal venues such as courts and temples to common places like schools and homes (Indonesian Gamelan). It is also crucial to emphasize that the gamelan offers many opportunities for people to acquire jobs; it guarantees the livelihood of musicians and gamelan manufacturers (Indonesian Gamelan). Gamelan can be found in different islands in Indonesia, such as Madura, Lombok, Bali and Java (Gamelan). The last two islands are where the most popular types of gamelan are found (Indonesian Gamelan). In other Asian countries, there also are ensembles which resemble the gamelan. This may is partly due to emigration, historic trade or diplomacy (Gamelan). A great example of an instrument which follows the gamelan tradition is the kulintang, which is found in the Philippines (Gamelan). There are numerous instruments included in the gamelan, the most prominent of which would be the percussion instruments. The metallophone is one of them, which is a set of metal bars laid out in a single row (Gamelan). The metallophone is played by striking the metal bars (Gamelan). Examples of metallophones included in gamelan are saron, gendr, gangsa and ugal (Gamelan). Another percussion instrument in the gamelan is the gong chime. These are large, drum-shaped gongs laid out horizontally on stands (Gamelan). Gong chimes included in the gamelan are called bonang and kenong (Gamelan). A xylophone called gambang is also another part of the gamelan (Gamelan). The gambang resembles saron and gendr, but it differs in composition (Gamelan). While saron and gender are made of metal, gambang is made of wood (Gamelan). Other percussion instruments included in the gamelan are the kempul, kendhang and the gong ageng (Gamelan). Gamelan is made with different materials, such as brass, iron, and wood (Gamelan). However, bronze is metal of choice for most gamelan. In fact, the best material with which to make a gamelan is with a 10:3 copper-to-tin bronze alloy (Gamelan). Nonetheless, there are also gamelan ensembles which are made with bamboo (Gamelan). The music of the gamelan consists of layers (Gamelan). At the core of gamelan music is a melody called balungan (Gamelan). This melody is the foundation for all the other melodies, because it is with which the entire sound is built. Many layers will soon be added, but they must be in harmony with the balungan (Gamelan). In fact, it must harmonize with ends of phrases (Gamelan). These ends of phrases are identified with the Javanese term called seleh (Gamelan). Moreover, a certain group of instruments within the gamelan follows a colotomic structure, that which ends with the striking of the biggest gong (Gamelan). In general, gamelan music is cyclical or ostinato (Indonesian Gamelan). It is characterized by its repetitiveness (Indonesian Gamelan). The history of gamelan speaks of its interesting origins. It was said that it existed before Hindu-Buddhism influenced Indonesian culture, which implies that the gamelan is a native art form of Indonesia (Gamelan). Most of Indonesian art carries a strong Indian influence, except of the gamelan (Gamelan). If a trace of Indian reference is to be found in gamelan music, it is only from the singing style of the Javanese gamelan (Gamelan). The gamelan also has its roots in Javanese mythology. It is believed that Sang Hyang Guru made the gamelan in Saka era 167, or in 230 AD (Gamelan). Sang Hyang Guru is a god who reigned over Java as king (Gamelan). It was said that he resided in a palace located in Maendra Mountains in Medangkamulan, which is presently called Mount Lawu (Gamelan). Sang Hyang Guru had to communicate with the other gods, so he felt the need to have a signal to call upon them (Gamelan). This is the reason why he invented the gong. Because a single gong is not sufficient to send out more complex messages, he made two more (Gamelan). This resulted in the original gamelan. It is this legend that offers the reason behind the sanctity of the gamelan. For Indonesians, the gamelan is a sacred entity that has mystical powers (Indonesian Gamelan). Musicians and non-musicians alike show respect for the gamelan; oftentimes, the gamelan is given offerings like incense and flowers (Indonesian Gamelan). These offerings are made because people believe that spirits watch over the gamelan, which is probably the reason why it was believed that playing the gamelan can effect changes in nature (Indonesian Gamelan). As a sign of respe ct for the spirits, musicians remove their shoes before playing the gamelan (Indonesian Gamelan). In addition, stepping over an instrument in the gamelan is prohibited. It is believed that by doing so, the spirit might be offended (Indonesian Gamelan). The oldest gamelan ensembles are called the Munggang and Kodokngorek gamelans (Gamelan). Both of these are located in the palaces of Java, and were believed to have existed since the 12th century (Gamelan). It is said that it is from the Munggang and Kodokngorek gamelans where the loud style originated (Gamelan). The counterpart, the soft style, originated from the kemanak tradition (Gamelan). The soft style is also associated with the Javanese poetry recitals, which resemble the present day bedhaya dance performances (Gamelan). The 17th century ushered in the fusion of the loud and soft styles, and it is this fusion that characterizes the Balinese, Javanese and Sudanese gamelans sounds (Gamelan). The styles are different, but the main components, such as technique and concepts, remain the same (Gamelan). The types of gamelan are identified by geography. The two major types of gamelan are the Balinese gamelan and the Javanese gamelan. The Balinese gamelan is best known for gong kebyar, a style characterized by its fast tempo and dynamics changes (Gamelan). There are other styles of the Balinese gamelan, which are gamelan angklung and kecak (Gamelan). Kecak is also referred to as monkey chant (Gamelan). On the other hand, the Javanese gamelan has a slower tempo (Gamelan). In the 19th century, the Javanese gamelan was played mostly at the courts of Javanese rulers (Gamelan). Aside from the tempo, the two types of gamelan differ in other ways too. In terms of instruments, the Balinese gamelan has more metallophones than gongs (Indonesian Gamelan). In addition, the keys in the metallophones of Balinese gamelan are thicker than the metallophone keys of the Javanese gamelan (Indonesian Gamelan). This is the reason why the Balinese metallophones create bright sounds (Indonesian Gamelan). Ano ther thing that sets the Balinese gamelan apart from the Javanese gamelan is the presence of cymbals (Indonesian Gamelan). The NIU Gamelan Ensemble is one of the famous Indonesian gamelan groups (Indonesian Gamelan). This ensemble has performed under the direction of Dr. Han Kuo-Huang, and can play both Balinese and Javanese gamelan music (Indonesian Gamelan). I like the gamelan because it is very different from all the other instruments and ensembles in the world of music. It is rooted in the rich Indonesian culture, and it has mythological origins that add further interest to it. Moreover, despite the uniqueness of the gamelan, various parts of the world have learned to embrace this musical gem. Therefore, the gamelan is a crucial part of musical history, not only of Indonesia, but also of the entire world. Works Cited Indonesian Gamelan. Seasite Indonesia. Gamelan. Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia.

The Beautiful and Damned Quotes

'The Beautiful and Damned' Quotes The Beautiful and Damned is the second novel, published by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The book is about Anthony Patch, a socialite during the 1920s Jazz Age. Here are quotes from the famous classic. The Beautiful and Damned Quotes The victor belongs to the spoils. In 1913, when Anthony Patch was twenty-five, two years were already gone since irony, the Holy Ghost of this later day, had, theoretically at least, descended upon him. As you first see him he wonders frequently whether he is not without honor and slightly mad, a shameful and obscene thinness glistening on the surface of the world like oil on a clean pond, these occasions being varied, of course, with those in which he thinks himself rather an exceptional young man, thoroughly sophisticated, well adjusted to his environment, and somewhat more significant than anyone else he knows. This was his healthy state and it made him cheerful, pleasant, and very attractive to intelligent men and to all women. In this state, he considered that he would one day accomplish some quiet subtle thing that the elect would deem worthy and, passing on, would join the dimmer stars in a nebulous, indeterminate heaven half-way between death and immortality. Until the time came for this effort he would be Anthony Patch - not a portrait of a man but a distinct and dynamic personality, opinionated, contemptuous, functioning from within outward - a man who was aware that there could be no honor and yet had honor, who knew the sophistry of courage and yet was brave. To Anthony life was a struggle against death, that waited at every corner. It was as a concession to his hypochondriacal imagination that he formed the habit of reading in bed - it soothed him. He read until he was tired and often fell asleep with the lights still on. Curiously enough he found in senior year that he had acquired a position in his class. He learned that he was looked upon as a rather romantic figure, a scholar, a recluse, a tower of erudition. This amused him but secretly pleased him - he began going out, at first a little and then a great deal. Once upon a time all the men of mind and genius in the world became of one belief that is to say, of no belief. But it wearied them to think that within a few years after their death many cults and systems and prognostications would be ascribed to them which they had never meditated nor intended. Lets join together and make a great book that will last forever to mock the credulity of man. Lets persuade our more erotic poets to write about the delights of the flesh, and induce some of our robust journalists to contribute stories of famous amours. Well include all the most preposterous old wives tales now current. Well choose the keenest satirist alive to compile a deity from all the deities worshipped by mankind, a deity who will be more magnificent than any of them, and yet so weakly human that hell become a byword for laughter the world over and well ascribe to him all sorts of jokes and vanities and rages, in which hell be supposed to indulge for his own diversion, so that the people will read our book and ponder it, and therell be no more nonsense in the world. Finally, let us take care that the book possesses all the virtues of style, so that it may last forever as a witness to our profound skepticism and our universal irony. So the men did, and they died. But the book lived always, so beautifully had it been written, and so astounding the quality of imagination with which these men of mind and genius had endowed it. They had neglected to give it a name, but after they were dead it became known as the Bible.

Tools for Running Tree and Lumber Calculations

Tools for Running Tree and Lumber Calculations Jeff Brokaw is webmaster and creator of The Timber Buyers Network (TBN) which is a growing resource for people interested in forestry in the North Central States. His site hosts a fledgling forum and increasingly provides much needed information for forest owners and loggers in Michigan and surrounding states. Jeff has worked in the Wood biz for 22 years. His primary occupation is head sawyer for a large north central Michigan mill. Jeff is also an accomplished artist and has sketches on display from as far away as the United Kingdom. His interest in art is what led him into designing websites, and in a natural progression (for him), led to the creation of TBN . In his designing and messing with forestry things, Jeff, with forester Ron Wenrich, have designed several quick calculators to help you with simple estimates. You might never need your cruiser stick or volume tables again. Ill let Jeff describe each calculator: Tree Volume Calculator was designed to help answer the general question How much lumber is in my tree? This will give the landowner a close answer. Variables that we cant add, such as individual tree form, will always be a factor in determining volume. (Outputs in Doyle, Scribner and International scales)Use this calculator Board Footage Calculator is a handy little tool, not only in helping the landowner determine board footage needed for a project, but also a tool for the lumber producer to get a quick measurement on lumber sawn.Use this calculator Log Volumes Calculator is used to help a landowner measure the volume of a saw log just the way its done upon arrival at the mill. A specialized scale stick is not necessary, just a tape measure or ruler, and this handy calculator. (Outputs in Doyle, Scribner and International scale.)Use this calculator Tree Spacing Calculator is a great tool for determining seedlings needed per acre at a specified spacing, or estimating numbers of trees in a plantation setting.Use this calculator Hardwood Pulp Calculator will calculate the volume for non-saw log trees or Pulpwood. The calculator can return its output in cords, cubic feet, tons, cubic meters and metric tons.Use this calculator Lumber and Log Weight Calculator is a very, very, general estimator of weight by species per cord and B.F. It includes an explanation why weights can vary by many percentage points on similar volumes. Limited use for very rough estimates.Use this calculator Jeff is also the webmaster for several other forestry related sites. Those sites include The Michigan Association of Timbermen www.timbermen.org , The Michigan Forest Resource Alliance www.mfra.org and the Michigan Branch of the Sustainable Forest Initiative Programs website. www.michiganforest.com

Five legal questions in construction industry Coursework - 1

Five legal questions in construction industry - Coursework Example In a sense contracts represents the base of many commercial activities and therefore represent one of the most important area in business law. In these cases, letters of intent are widely used in binding these contracts. In these letters, the interested parties state their future intentions of entering into the formal contractual agreement. Letters of intent may be described as an agreement between two parties who wish to be in a contract. Different authors have tried to explain the meaning of the letters of intent in many ways. For instance, Adriaanse (2010, P. 55) sated that letters of intent are usually a response triggered by negotiations which go on for too long and thus impact on the completion date because the start date might be delayed. In the letter, the sender states their future intention to enter into a formal contractual agreement with the receiver to carry out a certain job. In the context of construction projects, LOI marks the respond from the employer to an offer made by the contractor through the tendering process. It also state the demand to start carrying out of the agreed work based on their intention to get into a contractual relationship. In most instances, the desire of the employer is to get the job done within the speculated date, or duration. It may become vital to commence the work before t he pending agreements are set right. Letters of intent makes it possible for the intention to create a legal relationship be considered. A complete contract requires that the parties involved intent to enter a legal binding agreement. This will mean that the parties must intent to create legal relations and must get to know that their agreements can further be enforced by law. In normal conditions, the intention to create legal relationship between parties is presumed. In so doing, the contract will not necessarily state that one doesn’t understand and intent any of the legal consequences to follow. In other

Linux and Mac File Systems Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Linux and Mac File Systems - Article Example lso highly scalable and support Access Control lists as compared to Ext3fs which support a basic form of ACL or HFS+ which moved NTFS style of ACL recently. Moreover, NTFS is more robust than Ext3fs in that Ext3fs is based on Ext2fs and hence carries some of the problem from the older file system. Also, Ext3fs has an impact on performance due to its journaling features. An inode (index node) is data structure in the file system that stores all the information about a file except its name. The information includes access permissions, the owner of the file, file type and size of the file. The Linux file system (ext3fs) employs this approach for indexing small files. For larger files, Linux allows the use of indirect blocks. The indirect blocks extend the file size that can be stored to slightly more than 4 MB. On the other hand, NTFS has entries in the master file table (MFT) instead of inodes. The MFT contains the information required to retrieve a file from NTFS. The MFT have a unique identifier, i.e., FILE_RECORD_SEGMENT_HEADER which is a file header used to identify a file from other files. HFS+ also does not have inodes, but it emulate its behavior. In Mac OS, the equivalent of the inode in Linux is referred to as indirect node file. The indirect node file is stored in the metadata directory, which exist in the root directory. The indirect node file stores file’s content properties like the owner ID and the group ID. Though, Mac OS is UNIX based, its file system does not implement inode like Linux but a similar indexing is implemented. In contrast, the inode is a file system feature found in UNIX based operating system like Linux but not found in Window Operating system. The MFT, indirect node file, and inode are similar in that they store file’s properties and allow easy retrieval of the files. The NTFS and Mac OS inode structure are more superior to the Linux one, and thus they improve performance and efficiency. Linux adoption both by desktop users and

Nigeria as a Nation Essay Example for Free

Nigeria as a Nation Essay Nigeria as a democratic country like every other nation needs the media to drive or sustain good governance and engender national development. But the media often regarded as the fourth estate of the realm have an enormous task to accomplish this role as the watchdog of the society. The task or role of the media has to a large extent not been effectively accomplished. It is important here to state that the primary role of the media in any given society is to inform, educate and entertain. This was encapsulated by Nwabueze (1982) when he stated that, â€Å"the media enable corruption, abuse of office and other wrongdoing by public servants to be publicly exposed†. Apart from these traditional functions, the media perform other sophisticated roles, such as surveillance, agenda-setting through persuasion and status conferral. This was stressed by Tony Momoh (1988) when he said that â€Å"the duty of the press in Nigeria is to monitor governance†. You can agree with me that these functions cannot be carried out without an enabling environment. In Nigeria and other African countries, the media operate under a very harsh condition. For instance, about 80% of journalists in Nigeria do not earn salaries, not to talk of attractive wages. The few that are privileged to work in government media establishments receive salaries that are not commensurate with their work, Ukpabi (2001). Other problems like uncooperative attitude of officials in the public and private organizations in volunteering information to the media. Public/civil servants often hide under the Secret Act to deny journalists information even if such information is of public interest. Despite the passage of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill into law, journalists and indeed the general public are still finding it difficult to access information in Nigeria. This has confirmed the fears expressed by Dr John Idumange on 8th March, 2013 while delivering a lecture on Journalism Practice And The Constitutional Demands On Journalists-An X-ray Of The FOI Act during the International Institute of Journalism (IIJ) Port Harcourt Annual Lecture Series. Dr Idumange captured it thus, â€Å"virtually all government information in Nigeria are classified as top secret. This culture of secrecy will make it difficult to get information from any Ministry, Department or Agency (MDA)†. This is further complicated by the introduction of brown envelope in journalism practice in the country. Brown envelope could be defined as a kind of gratification given to journalists after a media coverage by the organizers of such events, either to influence them or get favourable reports. This new found culture has actually dealt a terrible blow on the independence and the effectiveness of the journalists in performing their duties as the watchdog of the society. How do you reconcile a situation where a news source gives a journalist bribe (brown envelope) at the end of a media assignment? What kind of report do you expect from that journalist? The brown envelope syndrome has resulted to every Dick and Harry becoming publishers because they believe that reporters will bring back money from the proceeds of the brown envelope at the end of every assignment. All the so-called publishers now do is to issue the reporters with identity cards often referred to as â€Å"meal-tickets† to fend for themselves and even feed the publishers. Toure (1996). The consequence of this is the emergence of quackery in the journalism profession. In Nigeria today, everybody that has a note-pad and a pen on his hands can parade himself as a journalist. No wonder the journalism profession is fast sliding into an all- comers affair and pathetically the regulatory bodies, such as the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ)and the Nigerian Press Council are not doing anything to check the ugly trend. Apart from the aforementioned problems, other challenges like exclusion or discrimination of journalists from private sector by government ministries from attending their events, thereby creating room for speculation, as these private journalists resort to reporting government activities from the outside. This of course is not in the best interest of ministries, journalists and the society. This research will attempt to trace the genesis of these hiccups, especially the brown envelope syndrome as they affect the role of Nigerian media in contributing to national development. Attempt will also be made in this study to suggest or find solution to the myriad of problems confronting media practice in Nigeria. The overall goal is to ensure that the media discharge their duties effectively as the watchdog of the society and major contributor to national development. 1. 1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY The media are said to have a role that is often described as indispensable in shaping the society and by so doing directing the people. The media ensure that people are treated fairly, social control is in place and roles are shared equitably, thereby contributing to the national development of the country. It is the duty of the mass media to inform and educate the people on the realities of the environment to enable them take appropriate and informed decisions. It is one thing to have the role and yet another thing to perform it. There are so many factors that affect the performance of this role of the media. For instance, the media require a conducive atmosphere to perform this duty. But it is an open secret that the atmosphere with which the media operate in Nigeria is far from being comfortable. Ukpabi (2001). Nigeria like every other country requires a vibrant press to make headway. It is often said that the press, just like the court is the hope of the common man and indeed the entire society. The question now is under what conditions have the media in Nigeria performed this statutory duty? This study will attempt to x-ray the roles of the media in Nigeria in national development. How they have faired in performing that duty. The effect of brown envelope on the media and the extent it has militated against the goals of contributing to national development. Attempts will be made in this study to suggest ways of limiting or eradicating the effects of this cankerworm called brown envelope. The aim is to see that the media live up to expectation as the watchdog of the society and pacesetter in engendering national development. 1. 2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM The negative effect of brown envelope syndrome does not allow the media contribute to national development in Nigeria. This study seeks to trace the genesis and causes of â€Å"this encroachment† and recommend ways of tackling the problem. In other words, attempts will be made in this study to suggest ways of ending brown envelope syndrome in journalism practice in Nigeria. The media no doubt control all aspects of our lives, locally, nationally and internationally. Therefore, there is an inter-relationship between the people and the media. The media dictate to the people what they read and hear and by extension how they behave. The public is therefore sharpened by the information from the media. The public has so depended on the media that it is generally believed that the society will be dead without the media. This was examined by Maxwell McCombs and Donald Shaw (1972/1973) when they emphasized that â€Å"the mass media has the ability to mentally order or organize the world for the people†. Daramola (2003) also corroborated this by stating that â€Å"the agenda-setting theory is of the view that the media often present to the audience certain basic socio-political and economic issues that dominate popular discussion and debate even at interpersonal level at some period of their history†. For the media to live up to this responsibility, a favourable atmosphere must be put in place. As the media contribute their quota to the wellbeing of the society, it is expected that the people reciprocate by cooperating fully with the media. Nigeria is a complex country like every other nation; this complexity has also robbed off on the media in the country. Ownership and control, censorship, editorial policy, intimidation, imposition by authorities, ban, seizure of printed materials, incarceration ,proscription of media houses, obnoxious laws, lack of subvention and motivation are some of the numerous problems confronting media practice in Nigeria, which no media organization wishes to operate in. These challenges have hampered the performance of journalists in the country and given birth to the hydra-headed monster of brown envelope or gratification before a journalist could perform his duties. Therefore, this study seeks to know the effect of brown envelope syndrome on the role of the media in national development. 1. 3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY The objectives of the study are as follows: 1 To determine the roles of the media in national development. 2 To trace the cause and effect of brown envelope on the media. 3 To determine the contributory effects of brown envelope syndrome on the media against national development. 4 To ascertain make ways of ending the menace (brown envelope). 1. 4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS 1 What are the roles of the media in national development in Nigeria? 2 What are the causes and effects of brown envelope on the media in Nigeria? 3 To what extent has this brown envelope syndrome militated against the media from contributing to national development? 5 How do we end the brown envelope syndrome in journalism profession in Nigeria? 1. 5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY The study of this topic, called Role of the Nigerian Media in National Development and the Effects of Brown Envelope Syndrome is significant in that the contribution of the Nigerian media to national development would be ascertained. The origin and effect of brown envelope on Nigerian media will also be established, with a view to exterminating the menace in journalism practice in Nigeria. The overall goal is to enthrone a more efficient and responsible media in Nigeria that would effectively play their statutory role as the watchdog of the society. 1. 6 DELIMITATION/LIMITATION OF THE STUDY Due to the fact that the resources available for this study was limited, coupled with the time frame allocated to complete this study, this research was restricted to Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. 1. 7 DEFINITION OF TERMS MEDIA: Communication channels through which news, entertainment, education, data are disseminated. ROLE: Part, duty or function performed to achieve a task. NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT: The process of growth in all spheres of human endeavor within a national boundary over a period. EFFECT: Outcome or result of something on another. BROWN ENVELOPE: Kind of gratification given to journalists after a media function to either influence their report or appreciate them. 1. 8 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK Agenda Setting Theory: The Agenda-Setting Theory was propounded by Maxwell McCombs and Donald L. Shaw in 1972/1973). The thrust of the theory is that the mass media have â€Å"the ability to mentally order or organize the world for the people,† Daramola (2003). Proponents of the agenda-setting theory were of the opinion that the media often present to the audience certain basic socio-political and economic issues that dominate popular discussion and debate even at inter-personal level at any given period in their history. For instance, the mass media can focus on an issue daily, thereby drawing the attention of the audience to the matter. Currently in Nigeria, the mass media have gradually focused on the need for the convocation of Sovereign National Conference (SNC) to determine the continued existence of Nigeria as a nation. No wonder the Senate President, David Mark few weeks ago threw his weight behind the call and just on October 1st, 2013 during the 53rd independent anniversary of Nigeria, President Goodluck Jonathan constituted a committee to that effect, thereby confirming the power of the agenda-setting theory of the media. Since the media is the basic source of information for an average person on the street and it is generally believed that what the media report or focus on is important. The media through the agenda-setting function influence or control the thought of the people. Whatever the media focus on becomes what dominates public discussion. No wonder Combs and Shaw (1976) stated that the â€Å"media emphasis on the event that influences the audience to see the event as important†¦ media not only inform us, but also influence us as to what is important to know. † Cohen (1963) also emphasized that the agenda-setting power of the media is not particularly successful in telling people what to think, but it is stunningly successful in telling its readers what to think about. † The era of militancy in the Niger Delta lent credence to the agenda-setting power of the media when they drew the attention of the entire world to the region. It is often argued that the militancy was overblown beyond proportion by the media, thereby making it more important than anything else. The recent face-off between President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria and the Chairman of Nigerian Governors Forum and Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon Chibuike Amaechi was ( is) a case in point, when the media again displayed and are still displaying their power of dictating to the people what to think and discuss about. The state pardon granted the former governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieseyegha also falls among the incidents where the media commanded the attention of the public or audience to their dictate. This work will look at the extent this agenda-setting power of the media has contributed to national development in Nigeria. CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW 2. 0CODE OF ETHICS FOR NIGERIAN JOURNALISTS According to Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary ethic is system of moral principles, rules of conduct. While chambers Dictionary defines ethics as the study of right and wrong. Code of ethics for Nigerian journalists took the front burner on March 20th 1998 when the Nigerian Press Council organized a forum in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital and formally ratified the new (current) code for Nigerian journalists. Code according to Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary is collection of laws arranged in a system or system of rules and principles that has been accepted by society or a class or a group of people. The Ilorin declaration came on the heels of Decree No. 85 of 1992 as contained in the Nigerian Press Council, where eligibility criteria for entry into and practice of journalism in Nigeria were spelt out. The essence is to ensure that journalists adhere to high ethical standards and professionalism, bearing in mind that their jobs entail high degree of public trust. Delegates at the said forum affirmed and declared as follows: That we: ACCEPT the imperative of a Code of Ethics as a vital pillar of journalism and the necessity for the application of ethics to enhance standards; AFFIRM that self-regulation through a Code of Ethics and other structures drawn up by professionals would best serve the interest of both the profession and the public; ENJOIN the Nigeria Union of Journalists, the Nigerian Guild of Editors and the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria to ensure the implementation of the eligibility criteria for entry into and practice of journalism in Nigeria, as contained in the Nigerian Press Council Decree No 85 of 1992; PLEDGE to abide by the Code of Ethics and to promote the observance of its provisions by all journalists; and URGE the Nigerian Press Council to collaborate with the Nigerian Press Organization to publicize the Code of Ethics for the benefit of the press and the public, and ensure compliance with its provisions hereafter. PREAMBLE Journalism entails a high degree of public trust. To earn and maintain this trust, it is morally imperative for every journalist and every news medium to observe the highest professional and ethical standards. In the exercise of these duties, a journalist should always have a healthy regard for the public interest. Truth is the cornerstone of journalism and every journalist should strive diligently to ascertain the truth of every event. Conscious of the responsibilities and duties of journalists as purveyors of information, we, Nigerian journalists, give to ourselves this Code of Ethics. It is the duty of every journalist to observe its provisions as follows: 1. EDITORIAL INDEPENDENCE Decisions concerning the content of news should be the responsibility of a professional journalist. 2. ACCURACY AND FAIRNESS i. The public has a right to know. Factual, accurate, balanced and fair reporting is the ultimate objective of good journalism and the basis of earning public trust and confidence. ii. A journalist should refrain from publishing inaccurate and misleading information. Where such information has been inadvertently published, prompt correction should be made. A journalist must hold the right of reply as a cardinal rule of practice. iii. In the course of his duties a journalist should strive to separate facts from conjecture and comment. 3. PRIVACY As a general rule, a journalist should respect the privacy of individuals and their families unless it affects the public interest. A. Information on the private life of an individual or his family should only be published if it impinges on public interest. B. Publishing of such information about an individual as mentioned above should be deemed justifiable only if it is directed at: i. Exposing crime or serious misdemeanour; ii. Exposing anti-social conduct; iii. Protecting public health, morality and safety; iv. Preventing the public from being misled by some statement or action of the individual concerned. 4. PRIVILEGE / NON-DISCLOSURE i. A journalist should observe the universally accepted principle of confidentiality and should not disclose the source of information obtained in confidence. ii. A journalist should not breach an agreement with a source of information obtained as â€Å"off-the-record† or as â€Å"background information. † 5. DECENCY i. A journalist should dress and comport himself in a manner that conforms with public taste. ii. A journalist should refrain from using offensive, abusive or vulgar language. iii. A journalist should not present lurid details, either in words or picture, of violence, sexual acts, abhorrent or horrid scenes. iv. In cases involving personal grief or shock, enquiries should be carried out and approaches made with sympathy and discretion. v. Unless it is in the furtherance of the public’s right to know, a journalist should generally avoid identifying relatives or friends of persons convicted or accused of crime. 6. DISCRIMINATION A journalist should refrain form making pejorative reference to a person’s ethnic group, religion, sex, or to any physical or mental illness or handicap. 7. REWARD AND GRATIFICATION i. A journalist should neither solicit nor accept bribes, gratifications or patronage to suppress or publish information. ii. To demand payment for the publication of news is inimical to the notion of news as a fair, accurate, unbiased and factual report of an event. 8. VIOLENCE A journalist should not present or report acts of violence, armed robberies, terrorist activities or vulgar display of wealth in a manner that glorifies such acts in the eyes of the public. 9. CHILDREN AND MINORS A journalist should not identify, either by name or picture, or interview children under the age of 16 who are involved in cases concerning sexual offences, crimes and rituals or witchcraft either as victims, witnesses or defendants. 10. ACCESS OF INFORMATION A journalist should strive to employ open and honest means in the gathering of information. Exceptional methods may be employed only when the public interest is at stake. 11. PUBLIC INTEREST A journalist should strive to enhance national unity and public good. 12. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY A journalist should promote universal principles of human rights, democracy, justice, equity, peace and international understanding. 13. PLAGIARISM A journalist should not copy, wholesale or in part, other people’s work without attribution and/or consent. 14. COPYRIGHT i. Where a journalist reproduces a work, be it in print, broadcast, art work or design, proper acknowledgement should be accorded the author. ii. A journalist should abide by all rules of copyright, established by national and international laws and conventions. 15. PRESS FREEDOM AND RESPONSIBILITY A journalist should strive at all times to enhance press freedom and responsibility. 2. 1Instances Of Unethical Practices In Journalism Sensationalism in writing by journalists is one of the instances of unethical practices in journalism. A situation where a journalist deviates from the truth for reasons best known to him is to say the least unethical. In the course of sensationalizing the story, the journalist exaggerates and distorts the facts, which leads to misinforming the public. Nyamnjoh (1996). This kind of practice is not only wrong, but inimical to the growth of sound journalism practice in the country. Libel is another instance of unethical practice. A libelous publication is a publication either in print or electronic media that defames the image of a person or corporate body. It is an outright falsehood on a person’s image deliberately done by a journalist for selfish interest. Sedition is yet another unethical practice in journalism practice in the world today. It is an act of using publication or broadcast to incite the public against the government. This is unethical by all ramifications. Accepting gratifications of any kind by a journalist to publish story against his conscience is unethical and should be condemned by all well-meaning persons. Name-calling in journalistic reportage is to say the least unethical. Some journalists for reasons best known to them call people names such as thief, fraudsters, coward, amongst others without any evidence. Soola (1996). This is unethical and unprofessional and should be discouraged by all well-meaning Nigerians. 2. 2Primary Causes Of Unethical Practices In Journalism To be unethical simply means to act unprofessionally. Many factors have been adduced as causes of unethical practices in Journalism, especially in Nigeria. First is lack of welfare for practicing journalists in Rivers State and in Nigeria. It is an open secret today that most journalists practice or operate under unfriendly welfare package. In fact, seven out of every ten journalists practicing, in Nigeria are either not paid or paid peanuts as salaries. This unfavourable working condition no doubt affects the judgment of the journalists in the discharge of their duties. Most journalists especially from the private (independent) media organizations are not paid salaries at all, not to talk of being paid well. Some that are employed have no retirement benefits, as their counterparts in the other sectors. Cole (1995). This kind of engagement has bred poverty in the entire system. A hungry man they say is an angry man. Journalists, who fall under this unfortunate category, helplessly and easily fall prey to unethical practices just to survive. Quackery has also crept into journalism practice in the country. Though not peculiar with journalism, but for the fact that the regulatory bodies of the media tend to be weak or are not living up to expectation, quacks capitalize on this weakness to infiltrate the rank and file of journalism practitioners to commit all sorts of crimes which in most cases are blamed on journalists. The major problem here is that since the regulatory bodies, such as the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Nigerian Press Council have not been able to effectively regulate journalism practice in the country, mostly as it concerns mode of employment for journalists and standards to be adhered to by private publishers, ethics of journalism practice now becomes difficult. What you now have are bunch of people who parade themselves as journalists when they are really not and of course lawlessness and unethical practice now become the order of the day. Anyakora Potiskum (1996). Other factors include uncooperative attitude of people placed in authorities to volunteer information for journalists when sought. This has created room for speculations, when the required information are not given to journalists. Again, the deliberate attempt by government and its agents to exclude the private sector journalists from their functions, result to journalists reporting government activities as outsiders, thereby speculating or at times sensationalizing virtually everything concerning government. The deliberate effort of government at all levels to impoverish journalists through unfavourable policies that are inimical to journalism practice in the country, for example the media is constitutionally regarded as the Fourth Estate of The Realm, which makes it the fourth arm of government, but while the other three arms, the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary enjoy budgetary provisions, the press is allowed to wallow in poverty. The flimsy reason often adduced for this utter neglect is that the pen is already too powerful and therefore if the press enjoys financial support, it will trample on other arms of government. Toure (1996). 2. 3Role of the Nigerian Media In National Development National Development as has earlier been defined is the process of growth in all facets of human endeavors within a national boundary over a given period. The role of the Nigerian media in national development like any other media globally revolves around its primary functions of informing, educating and entertaining the populace or better still mass audience. The media role in national development comes through development communication, which centres on persuading target audience in adopting the right attitude towards actualizing development plan in the country. In doing that, the development media theory as espoused by Combs and Shaw (1972) that drives the agenda setting theory comes to play. This states that the media tell us not what to think, but what to think about. What this means is that the importance the media place on an issue, determines the level of attention the audience give such issue. The essence of this agenda setting theory is that though the media may not completely change ones point of view, on a particular issue, but it tends to change his perception of what is good. The power of the media in influencing issues is seen as importance instrument in national developmental policies. The role of Nigerian media in national development cannot be over emphasized. Right from 1914 when the Northern and Southern protectorates were amalgamated by the colonial government, the media have been playing a pivotal role in national development in Nigeria. Since the primary role of the media is to inform, educate and entertain, they also use these functions to persuade the people on the need to embark on certain processes that can engender national development. In addition to these basic functions of the media, also comes their persuasive role. This persuasive role enables the media to influence the society towards a particular direction. And in most cases the people are driven towards contributing to national development. According to Nwabueze (2003), the media also chart a course for the public in line with the agenda setting theory, thereby creating in the minds of the people issues that should be viewed as priority issues, including development programmes and policies. Example of such roles are the Millennium Development Goals (MDGS) and Vision 20; 2020 in line with United Nations, which has been domesticated by countries, including Nigeria. The Nigerian media have been in the fore-front of sensitization of the people against the HIV/AIDS pandemic. To the credit of the media in the country, the rate of spread of HIV/AIDS has reduced drastically. The media in Nigeria have tried to contain the negative impact of the Boko Haram insurgence as it borders on the country’s national image. This is evident on the way foreign media perceive and report the Boko Haram insurgence saga. The idea is to play down on the effect of the security challenge and promote national development. On the political sphere, the recent Nigeria Governor’s Forum election that almost metamorphosed into a national crisis has been contained by the role of the media. That is, the Nigerian media have been careful in reporting the controversial election in order not to heat up the polity. In short, it is the diplomatic way the media handled the situation through their reportage that sustained the prevailing peace in the country. The latest is the People’s Democratic Party split. Being mindful of the sensitive nature of the matter, the media have been careful on reporting it. The ultimate goal is to ensure that national development is not disrupted. 2. 4Origin of Brown Envelope In Nigerian Journalism Practice Brown envelope which can be defined as gratification given to a journalist to obtain favourable report. The brown is said to have started in Nigeria during the Second Republic (1979-1983) when journalists started demanding brown envelope as a condition for conducting interview Uko (2004). The ignoble act was allegedly started by government press who claimed that their salaries were low. This soon spread to the entire journalism practice and has now become the rule. A survey conducted by LICADHO (2008) showed that journalists tried to justify the brown envelope act and went ahead to argue that it does not affect their professional judgment (report). Ukpabi (2001) in his study on the same issue revealed that only 30 % of Nigerian journalists believe that bribe no matter the type should not be taken. In other words, brown envelope syndrome was generally accepted and embraced by majority of journalists in Nigeria since then. A random survey on brown envelope syndrome in the world shows that the practice is in vogue in virtually every part of Africa and Asia, except South Africa. Brown is however said to be forbidden in the United States of America, where journalists would not even allow a news source to buy them a cup of coffee. 2. 5Effect Of Brown Envelope On Journalism Practice In Nigeria Brown envelope syndrome has really dealt a terrible blow on the integrity of journalists in Nigeria to the extent that journalists now relegate objectivity in reporting to the background and instead play up bias and subjectivity in their news stories. This has paved way for mediocrity in the entire process. Brown envelope forces journalists to abandon the ethical practice for selfish interests. The result is that Nigerian journalists can no longer compete favourably with their counterparts in the western countries or even in South Africa where Brown envelope has no place in their journalism practice. Brown envelope syndrome has therefore dwarfed Nigerian journalists from international competition. The independence of the media or freedom of the press has suffered a great setback as a result of brown envelope. It has become difficult or even impossible to separate the journalists from news sources because of the brown envelope attachment. The situation has become so bad that journalists now relegate their function of informing, educating and entertaining the public to promoting public relations goals. The brown envelope syndrome has brought about neglect in news from the rural communities. It is assumed that every news story attracts brown envelope and most well to- do news sources that can afford brown envelope live in urban cities, therefore the journalists do not have any business reporting happenings in the rural areas, since the sources of such news are basically poor. The implication is that the rural communities remain unreported in the present dispensation. Another effect of brown envelope is that journalists in Nigeria have shunned investigative news stories and concentrated more on events and press briefings where brown envelopes are guaranteed. This of course has almost eroded the essence of the media as the watchdog of the society.

polygamy in islam :: essays research papers

1. Definition of Polygamy Polygamy means a system of marriage whereby one person has more than one spouse. Polygamy can be of two types. One is polygyny where a man marries more than one woman, and the other is polyandry, where a woman marries more than one man. In Islam, limited polygyny is permitted; whereas polyandry is completely prohibited. Now coming to the original question, why is a man allowed to have more than one wife? 2. The Qur'an is the only religious scripture in the world that says,"marry only one". The Qur'an is the only religious book, on the face of this earth, that contains the phrase `marry only one'. There is no other religious book that instructs men to have only one wife. In none of the other religious scriptures, whether it be the Vedas, the Ramayan, the Mahabharat, the Geeta, the Talmud or the Bible does one find a restriction on the number of wives. According to these scriptures one can marry as many as one wishes. It was only later, that the Hindu priests and the Christian Church restricted the number of wives to one. Many Hindu religious personalities, according to their scriptures, had multiple wives. King Dashrat, the father of Rama, had more than one wife. Krishna had several wives. In earlier times, Christian men were permitted as many wives as they wished, since the Bible puts no restriction on the number of wives. It was only a few centuries ago that the Church restricted the number of wives to one. Polygyny is permitted in Judaism. According to Talmudic law, Abraham had three wives, and Solomon had hundreds of wives. The practice of polygyny continued till Rabbi Gershom ben Yehudah (960 C.E to 1030 C.E) issued an edict against it. The Jewish Sephardic communities living in Muslim countries continued the practice till as late as 1950, until an Act of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel extended the ban on marrying more than one wife. 3. Hindus are more polygynous than Muslims The report of the `Committee of The Status of Woman in Islam', published in 1975 mentions on page numbers 66 and 67 that the percentage of polygamous marriages between the years 1951 and 1961 was 5.06% among the Hindus and only 4.31% among the Muslims. According to Indian law only Muslim men are permitted to have more than one wife. It is illegal for any non-Muslim in India to have more than one wife.

Commonwealth Bank Business Report Essay

Section 1: Executive summary CBA has put record profit of $8.68 billion dollar although the company is facing Royal Commission inquiry with regard to Financial Planning scandal (Yeates 2014). At present, CBA is a dominant leader in the retail-banking sector across the Australian financial services industry with premium price trade due to its largest customer base in Australia with its disruptive technology (Rose 2014). However, it is important for CBA to invest in service improvements and innovation to maintain its current market leadership position. Therefore to identify the success factor behind CBA, it is important to assess Australian Financial industry as a whole to examine the attractive features of Australian Banking sector and the internal strength of CBA to clarify its competitive advantages and capabilities. Industrial life cycle Australian Financial industry has exhibited the characteristics of shakeout stage lifecycle stages (Shapiro 2014). In shake out stage cycle, competition and price-war between financial institutions have intensified since big four banks are imposing discounts on variable interest rates available to a broader range of borrowers and lowering their fixed rates on mortgage offers (AAP 2014). Since then, services offered by big four banks become difficult to differentiate each other and this has helped the customers to broaden their option to have selective acquisition with the major banks. Further analysis will explain CBA’s clients and competitors power change due to industry evolution and its regional expansion strategy. Then, the further report will analyze the reason behind CBA to attain premium stock price over competitors and its ethical implication in financial industry. Section 2: Environmental Analysis External Analysis To analyze the external industrial environment that lead CBA to stay ahead of competitors, overall Australian Financial industry will need to be analyzed in term of Porter’s five forces followed by PESTLE model to observe how the competitiveness of the Australian Financial environment and macroeconomics factors have changed within the industrial structure (Thomas 2007). PESTLE Model Political-Legal Conservative supervisory of APRA, which approached more intensive than the Basel II minimum requirement, has assisted Australian Financial Institutions to have minimum impact during the 2008 GFC period (RBA 2014). Moreover, Four Pillar Policy which prevents mergers between Australian’s big four banks to main competitive financial environment at low risk had also shielded the Australian Banking System from the worst of 2008 GFC (Durie and Gluyas 2009). Consequently, Australia’s strong and dynamic financial policies have favoured sustainable growth even in the hard time to former government owned incumbent CBA to withstand attack from aggressive competitors under a well-regulated financial environment (Brisden 2012). Economical During the pre GFC time, RBA’s interest rate has increased from 5.50% in 2000  to 7% in 2008 (RBA 2014). These inclining rates have favored big four banks during the crisis period since the high interest rates increased the bank’s deposit and helped Australian Banks to fund their debt in the hard time (Kerr 2011). Beltratti and Stulz (2009) also stated that the larger banks within strict regulations with more deposit financing at the end of 2006 had significant high return during the GFC. Therefore, during the crisis, the effect of GFC on Australian Financial Institutions were considerably low compare to other developed economies and CBA had also came through the economic turmoil with strong gain in deposit share by delivering $4.72 billion full-year net profit in 2008 (Leyden 2009). This has clearly showed that favorable Australian economical scape has favored CBA to retain premium share over competitors in post and pre GFC periods. Technology Eyers (2014) stated that Fintech (Financial Technology) scene is expanding rapidly in world financial centers. Financial Technologies are also challenging existing business models of financial institution since non-traditional players in Australian financial sectors are leveraging new innovation to deliver flexible services to consumers in a more convenient way (Wade 2014). However, CBA is operating efficiently in the dynamic technological environment. This is because, CBA has set its strategy to capitalize on the difference between its three big rivals by injecting $1.1 billion upgrade to its core banking system and invest $300 million a year in the high-tech modernization program (Smith 2012). So, this has clearly clarified that technology is one of the factors that lead CBA in a dynamic business environment to stay two to three years ahead of competitors (Faherty 2013). Porter’s five forces Next, Porter’s 5 forces will be used to determine the financial industry’s profitability, which influence over the success of CBA in Australian financial market. The threat of new entrants Nowadays, the digitalized financial system appears to be reaching maturity and every major big four banks are utilizing different channels of entrants to capture the market share (Eyers 2014). Consequently, there is a high threat from competitors in financial market beyond APRA’s highly regulated  financial systems since potential competitors from overseas and domestic (e.g woolworths/Coles) could have used technologies to offer virtual and physical financial services in Australian Financial Market (Eyers 2014). Since then, this could eventually challenge the growth of CBA’s physical banking in the long run. However, CBA is still a major incumbent in a financial industry, which captures majority of market share with strong domestic presence in Australia (CBA 2014). Bargaining power of customers In Australian Financial industry, there is a high bargaining power of customers since Australian major big banks have brought similar financial packages with competitive rates to expand their market share in a concentrated market. As Australian market is favoring customers to bargain on the best rate, CBA has dynamically influenced the bargaining power of the market by offering an aggressive rate at low risk to itself for such customers by dropping its five years fixed home loan rate to record-low 4.99% in 2014(Yeates 2014). Rivalry among existing competitors Todays, the financial market in Australia appeared to be reaching maturity. Mason (2014) stated that financial industry in Australia has developed at compound annual growth rate of 13% over the past decade and ranked among the most profitable banks in the developed world (Australian Trade Commission 2011). Nevertheless, Australian Financial industry is considered as Red Ocean since big four banks could potentially face more mortgage competition each other for the concentrated market share (Janda 2014). Thus, if market leader CBA failed to maintain its current competitiveness in an aggressive market, the market share could be missed out and it will be given away to competitors. Section 2.2: Internal Analysis Strategic Resources Harrison (2014) stated that combination of tangibles and intangible assets of which control by the CBA could be identified as key resources to execute its strategic capabilities. Resources include teamwork among managers and Past/Present Chief executive officers, firm’s reputation among customers and its strong balance sheet has helped CBA to attain premium share price over competitors. The possession of CBA’s strategic resources ahead of  competitors has favored its long-term survival and alleviated its competitive advantage. The strategic resources of the CBA will be demonstrated by using the value Chain framework. Value Chain Analysis Primary activities Operation Efficiency Smith (2012) stated that CBA appears to be ahead of competitors in its IT development strategy and this has induced CBA to attain not only cost and operational efficiency but also improve customer satisfaction. As a result, due to its new modernization in core banking system with best in class online banking platforms, CBA has attained the biggest improvement in its customer satisfaction score out of big fours and achieved Money magazine’s best innovative awards in 2014(News 2014). Moreover, CBA’s strong shareholder with a resilient balance sheet has also empowered full funded acquisition from internal and external stakeholders (Letts 2014). CBA’s significant balance sheet growth with high earning assets and deposit has empowered organic capital growth and investor’s confidence in investment. Therefore, it is assumed that strong financial strength with high profit return has amplified CBA to stay ahead rivals and trades its shares at premium over their dom estic competitors. Outbound Activities CBA’s strong acquisitions with Aussie Home loan and concrete financial brokers network have improved its home loan supply to the new customers in the financial market (Elsworth 2014). Moreover, CBA’s 1000 plus extensive branch network in Australia with highly efficient technology platform has also aided CBA to gain solid netbank customer loyalty bases in Australia (CBA 2014).

Pop culture

In this 21 SST century, pop culture has become a hot topic among the society. The reasons that the community concerned about it are the pop culture influences the content of media and how we think, dress and act. It's well known that pop culture Is a way of life or normally known as the latest trends and styles of the youthful generation adopt and follow in this 21st century era. Incidentally, the word â€Å"pop† refers more specifically to something containing qualities of mass appeal.Hence, the pop culture Is referring to things that happen around us every day whether on clothes, movies, music, education or entertainment. As we all known, the Influence of pop culture, especially from western country, Is now widespread namely In dressing, mannerisms, food, books, entertainment and even education. The youth of today are affected by pop culture In almost every aspect of life whether It Is music, media, celebrities, fashion, and even literature. These kinds of things have become top priority for youth generation of today's world.In my opinion, pop culture brings more ad than good. This is because pop culture will affect the youth generation whose mind are easily influenced and corrupted like in the way they dress. Many of them will follow the fashion of west, such as clad in low cut tops, low waist jeans and in short very revealing outfits. They mimic western style of clothing as well free intermingling of sexes. This is because they will follow and play in the field of entertainment which is under the influence of westernizes.For example, the youth will visit video arcades, discotheques, nightclubs and other places of entertainment which they find it is exciting and fulfilling. Thus, they will expose themselves to the morally deficient elements at this kind of places. Others than that, they will pick up bad habits such as smoking, drinking alcohol and others behaviors that is unsuitable for people of such a young age. Besides, they will also expose themse lves to abuse and exploitation.Further, the cinema which is a part of the pop culture will also bring the negative influences to the youth generation. As an illustration, youth will tries to imitate, performs different stunts, copying styles, acting in the same way after they had watch the movies. They not only will consider the actor or the film stars as their Gods, but also catch the negative aspects shown in the movies Like violence. This will lead them no interest In their study and discontinue their studies.In conclusion, the Olin addition, the children from these families will also disrespect towards their parent and using slang language In front of their parents because of the western pop culture. The pop culture Is not only affects the youth generation and family, but It's also affects the whole community. For example, a community will radically forget their religious value besides they will slowly lose their heritage and tradition when they are In favor of western pop cultu re.Additionally, the food culture of a community will also be Influenced. For Instance, previously In Malaysia, only the ethnics food was given importance, but now the food culture importance, has drastically changed. Today's pop culture food habits include having Pizzas, burgers, Italian food or Mexican food. While the main focus of food is on fast food culture which is contain of high calories and will lead to obesity and others disease like heart out generation across the world, but it also brings some positive influences to our country.For example, a country which is ethnically and religiously diverse will become a more diversity, racial equality and tolerance with the influences of pop culture. Hence, the war or quarrel among the citizens can be avoided. On the whole, the pop culture is all around us and influences our life and culture. Depending on the day it is, the influence may be a good one. But for me, I still believe that pop culture brings more bad than good influences to us because it will affect the morality of the youth generation who is easily be affect. Pop Culture Position Essay Pop culture is a Plus for Students Every day a great number of good and bad events are happening such advances in technology, weather changes, wars, bad politicalchoices, economics effects, unfair treatments at work, charities, and so on which are researched and transmitted trough media. Media‘s information maybe not always be accurate or freely expressed, sometimes it can be distorted and as a result an entire nation can be guide wrong or good through a few persons’ analysis. Then, Why not push American population to do their own study? Pop Culture would be a plus here. The developing of this new field, pop culture, is a great opportunity to expose million of students to actual events, where they will expand and apply their researches and critically skills and as a result will corroborate media’s information. As students are in the process to learn how to think critically, and express accurately; then enforce them to think independently and make them evaluate if all what is outside is valuable. Actually, there is a fever for plastic surgery, and Wood cites in her essay some reasons like, â€Å"†¦Undergo cosmetic surgery in order to improve their lives. †(119) â€Å"Plastic surgery, he says, is â€Å"a tool. It can be used to customize your appearance in the same way you customize your car, or your pets, or the way you dress in Prada versus Dolce. †(123) I wonder in what moment people learnt to devaluate themselves and became a fake shadow of another person. After a practiced surgery, people is really happy, and all surgery have been successful are topics that matter at the moment of follow the wave. Eventually, if we teach the scholar to think critically the actual topics, they can analyze the negative and positive sides of different subjects and choose their best evaluation by themselves. In brief, Pop Culture is a worthy academic subject matter in this century and for the futures. It encourages being aware of existing events, new tendencies and how they influence in population’s behaviors. As Lee quotes, â€Å"The study of popular culture†¦is the future. †(7) Schools must reinforce it to have future generations which analyze and think critically about their decisions in today’s world, not just influence by media and mass. Works Cited Wood, Gaby. â€Å"Meet Marnie. † Mirror on America. Ed. Mims, Joan T. and Elizabeth M. Nollen. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2006. 118-126. Lee, Eric. â€Å"Sclock Waves Felt across U. S. Campuses. † Mirror on America. Ed. Mims, Joan T. and Elizabeth M. Nollen. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2006. 118-126. However, my concerned is; Medias are free of influences of the big guys in this county, they are really telling us the entire true in all matters. Or journalists are limited to say only what their supervisors allow to them. Medias has a big influence in us because we never take the time to see if what they say is truth. We also and specially students should be more involved in what is happening now. Popular culture is the best ways to develop skills to collect, evaluate, corroborate and inform realities that surround the world. Using this method we’ll be updated, have accurate information, and can formulate logical opinions or solutions.

Evaluating Internet Sources Essay Essays

Evaluating Internet Sources Essay Essays Evaluating Internet Sources Essay Essay Evaluating Internet Sources Essay Essay The Internet is a great topographic point. particularly for pupils. because it has a huge figure of information that can be used for academic intents. Young people are really much updated when it comes to engineering and prefers to make things with their appliances and computing machines. Due to this. most companies and organisations have put up a web site over the Internet so that they can make out to everyone. anyplace in the universe. However. seting up web sites is non merely for legitimate companies and organisations. As a affair of fact. anyone can make a website about anything if they know how to read and snap a mouse. There are legion web sites over the Internet that are created by people who pose as person who is knowing about a certain subject but is wholly the antonym when looked at closely. It is hence of import for pupils to larn how to measure Internet beginnings if they are valid and believable to be used for academic intents. Robert Harris from the website Virtual Salt has come up with ways on how to measure Internet beginnings decently. He foremost advises research workers to find what sort of information they are looking for because this manner. it would be easier for them to test the informations that websites provide. He so goes on to state that research workers should ever look out for of import information that websites should supply including the writer. author’s rubric or place. author’s organisational association. day of the month of page creative activity or version. and author’s contact information ( Harris. 2007 ) . These would state a research worker if the informations posted on the web site is valid and accurate plenty to be trusted and used. Another of import thing that pupils need to retrieve is the CARS checklist. which stands for credibleness. truth. rationality. and support ( Harris. 2007 ) . While credibleness seems really difficult to look into. Harris provides ways to cognize if a peculiar beginning is believable. First. the writer of the web site or of a certain work should hold his or her certificates posted on the web site. Contact information should besides be included. This manner. people who want to pass on with the writer would non hold much trouble seeking to turn up the writer. A web site can besides be believable by undergoing quality control. Mistakes. either grammatical or proficient. should do a individual leery of the website’ credibleness. Research workers should besides do certain that the information on the web site is accurate and up-to-date. Therefore. it is really of import for writers and webmasters to constantly update their web sites and see if alterations should be made. They should bespeak when a peculiar site was updated and created so that research workers would cognize if the whole web site is still being monitored by the writers. All websites that attempts to supply information to the populace should neer be biased. Content should be written with equity and reasonableness. harmonizing to Harris. He indicates that if there is some intimation of one-sidedness. research workers should believe twice whether they should swear the web site or non. Finally. information is ever better if there are groundss that can back up it. This is non to state that every web site should hold back uping stuff merely for them to be considered â€Å"valid† in footings of measuring them. However. there are some things that need back up including statistical informations or current events and certain things that people say should be documented particularly if they are known people. Many pupils are non cognizant that there are web sites and other electronic types of information that should non be used for academic plants. Some professors do non even let their pupils to raise stuff from the Internet because of the harm it brings to their plants. Still. it is difficult for them to curtail pupils from Internet use and this is why pupils and other research workers should larn how to measure Internet beginnings decently. Mention Harris. R. ( 2007. June 15 ) . Measuring Internet Research Sources. Retrieved September 15. 2008. from hypertext transfer protocol: //www. virtualsalt. com/evalu8it. htm

Jump Start Your Career as an Administrative Freelancer

Jump Start Your Career as an Administrative Freelancer Working as a freelancer provides more flexibility in employment and allows you  to pick and choose the jobs you  want to do. Administrative freelancers find that they can also apply their office skills to earn a living similar to an in-house administrative employee. What’s special about  administrative professionals is that they have talents in multiple areas, so they can choose whether to concentrate on one specific area, such as bookkeeping, or take on several jobs in several different areas.How to Start Out as an Administrative FreelancerYou can find work as an administrative freelancer by using your skills. Think about the talents  you possess and make a list. Include what you enjoy doing the most and what you are best at doing. Do you enjoy customer service, support projects related to sales or management, accounting, scheduling or other facets of administrative work? Doing job searches in each area widens your potential work base and gives you the opportunity to pick and choose the jobs you like the best.Finding WorkThe first thing a freelance worker needs to know is where to find jobs. The Internet offers multiple job sites to search for freelance work, advertised by different companies. There are also sites that offer multiple listings from different companies that you can search. TheJobNetwork searches multiple sites for you and sends you the listings as alerts so you don’t have to do the job hunting yourself.Tailor Your ResumeA freelance administrative assistant can target jobs related to his or her skills and experience. However, the jobs you apply for may seek  someone capable of doing specific types of administrative work. For instance, if you are applying for a position as a worker who sets up meetings and keeps the daily office schedule, you can write up a resume geared toward that position. A job opening for office accounting work can require a different approach.Making a Living as an Administrative FreelancerOne way to d ecide how much you should charge for your services is to look in your area at the salaries offered for that type of job. When deciding to take a job, keep in mind that as a freelancer you will be paying your own self-employment taxes and other expenses that might have been taken care of by your boss in a regular job.Include a profit margin, money to pay taxes and health care and other expenses that you will be paying yourself.  However, you need to keep in mind that if you are working from home and can set aside space for an office, you may have tax deductions from your self-employment that will lower your net income.Searching for jobs using TheJobNetwork platform makes it convenient to do. Put in your credentials and the type of job you are looking for and TheJobNetwork does the work. It searches multiple sites using your criteria and emails alerts to let you know a job has been located. TheJobNetwork ranks the job so you can tell how closely it meets your expectations.

Toulmin Argumentation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Toulmin Argumentation - Essay Example The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 is an example of the steps that the government has made in order to broaden the workforce in the military. It is an act requiring all public school teachers to be highly qualified by way of showing subject knowledge for their teaching level (Berkhart 104). While this act seems to be a very objective and a well-structured plan, the news regarding the number of students who are passing the military exams are alarming. According to Fox News, one in every four students who took the basic military exam – which is basic math, science and reading questions – has received a failing mark. It is for this reason that the military should be allowed, and thus, intensify their efforts of trying to recruit high schools in military. Also, Amy Wilkins, the vice president of the nonprofit Education Trust, such incident only gives us the chance to take a look at the civilian workforce. The result of the exam only shows that if the students were not rea dy for the military jobs, then they are most likely not also ready for the work in the civilian community. At this rate, the military should really be alarmed most especially if the choices they have are slowly diminishing by the number. With the concern of the student’s welfare, however, some are saying that the military has become more violent in pushing the students to apply for the Army. While on the other hand, some are saying that the military are only there, giving them the opportunity to guide them on what path to take. There are still some schools that are very professional when it comes to the area of recruitment (Trousdale 42). It can also be stated that the reason why some students feel that they are being pushed by the military is because they are not yet really ready to be of service to the Army. Being in high school, they still want to experience the freedom, and be carefree in anything they do. And to most students, being in the military is like imprisoning yo urself to so much discipline that the only way to become free again is to quit. But then again, as what Amy Wilkins has stated, if high school students are not yet ready for the challenges that the military is offering, then they are not even more ready for the challenges in the real world. Recruiting is a part of every organization. Of course, in order to maintain a number of members, recruitment is the key. And in this case, military serves as the national defense of the community. They are the ones who will fight for the country’s safety, and thus, their numbers should be tightened, let alone be increased. And not only that, the Army really needs a workforce that is educated and motivated so that they can defend the country real well. Recruiting is not about forcing these kids to go into war, but rather, opening their minds to the possible career opportunity in the military world. In fact, getting into military might be the best way to get them a college education. Another benefit from recruiting is that they implement motivation for the students to strive and work hard. They also encourage them to be disciplined by telling their own stories. By this, anyone can clearly see that the students are not being forced to join the military but is only facilitating the possibility of them joining the Army. After all, every one of us has their own free will and kids nowadays are smart enough to know what they really want in their life. It is never wrong to