What Are the Dangers of Drinking Liquid Nitrogen

Liquid nitrogen is used to make liquid nitrogen ice cream and for many other cool science projects, and its non-toxic. But is it safe to drink? Heres the answer. What Is Nitrogen? Nitrogen is a very common element that occurs naturally in the air, soil, and ocean. It is a nutrient that helps plants and animals to grow. Liquid nitrogen is extremely cold and is used to preserve foods and medicines, and to produce chemical reactions for industry and science. Its also commonly used in science museums to create exciting visual demonstrations of the qualities of extreme cold. For example, demonstrators dip marshmallows into liquid nitrogen, freeze them instantly, and then smash them into shards with a hammer.   Is Liquid Nitrogen Safe to Drink? Although liquid nitrogen is used to make ice cream and other edible science foods, the nitrogen evaporates into a gas before these items are consumed, so it isnt actually present by the time they are ingested. This is good because drinking liquid nitrogen can lead to serious injury or may be fatal. Thats because the temperature of liquid nitrogen at normal pressures is between 63 K and 77.2 K (-346 F and -320.44 F). So, although the nitrogen is non-toxic, this is cold enough to cause instantaneous frostbite. While pin-point-sized droplets of liquid nitrogen on your skin wont pose much of a hazard, the extensive contact you would get from drinking the liquid would cause severe damage to your mouth, esophagus, and stomach. Also, as the liquid nitrogen vaporizes, it becomes nitrogen gas which exerts pressure, leaking into tissues or possibly leading to perforations. Even if the liquid nitrogen vaporizes, the remaining liquid may be dangerously cold (-196 degrees Celsius, which translates to -321 degrees Fahrenheit). Bottom line: no, liquid nitrogen is never safe to drink. In fact, its a very good idea to keep liquid nitrogen away from children. Liquid Nitrogen Cocktails Some trendy bars chill cocktail glasses with liquid nitrogen so that they will appear to smoke when liquid is added to the glass. Alternatively, a small amount of liquid nitrogen added to a drink will cause it to emit a spooky wisp of vapor. In theory, this can be done safely by someone trained in the proper use of liquid nitrogen. It should not be attempted by anyone other than a professional. Keep in mind, the liquid nitrogen vaporizes into gas before the drink is imbibed, so no one drinks the nitrogen. If nitrogen does get in a drink, it is visible floating on top of the liquid surface. Nitrogen is not usually a regulated substance, and it has been known to be hazardous. At least a few people have wound up in the hospital as a result of drinking nitrogen-chilled cocktails, and at least one was found to have a perforated stomach.

An Analysis Of The Torso Of Aphrodite - 870 Words

During my visit to the Tampa Museum of Art, I observed and viewed various pieces from The Classical World exhibit. While I observed numerous works, I was drawn to a specific piece due to its uniqueness when compared to the other pieces in the exhibit. In this paper, I will be describing The Torso of Aphrodite, using my own viewpoints and the elements of formal art analysis, in order to explain the uniqueness when compared to other pieces in The Classical World exhibit. The Torso of Aphrodite was constructed in the 1st century A.D. and is made entirely of marble. The torso used to belong to a life-sized version statue of The Greek goddess of love Aphrodite. From the moment I saw this piece, I knew I was attracted to it in a deeper way. It†¦show more content†¦As the robe simultaneously conceals and reveals, it blends nicely into the lower part of her torso. Her body is proportioned smoothly, with no areas of obvious fault or imperfection. I think having those sensual characteristics adds to her overall beauty. This sculpture is comprised of marble, and due to its large size it was easier for me to develop an impression about the piece because I can focus on specific parts in more detail. To understand the piece, a very visual and detailed perspective is needed. Judging by the way the thighs are represented, it appears as though she is striking a contrapposto pose, which makes her appear static. She has most of her weight shifted on her left leg, but not all of it The focal point of this piece I believe is her robe. It skillfully falls down her left side, while leaving other parts exposed, drawing the main attention of this piece. Few different types of shapes are displayed, except the shape of her legs and the form of the robe. The physical texture was smooth throughout the entire piece, partly due to the material it is made of. There is only this one texture, as her robe and body parts all feel the same. The title of this piece is â€Å"Torso of Aphrodite/Venus†. This piece was discovered outside of Rome in 1771. Afterwards, it was purchased by a wealthy English collector, who displayed it in his home. Today, the piece resides at theShow MoreRelatedThe Tampa Museum Of Art1308 Words   |  6 Pagestrip, the museum’s activities, and what was on exhibit. After which, I will choose two works of art and preform an analysis on them. I will employ the formal elements and the principles of design to engage the first piece, â€Å"The Great Journey†. With my second choice â€Å"A Group of Cubans who left Manzanillo are Rescued at Sea†, I will discuss how applying an alternative contextual analysis would help in understanding the meaning behind the painting more. The museum was celebrating â€Å"Family Day†Read MoreAnalysis Of Thomas F. Mathews The Mistake Of The Emperor Mystique1388 Words   |  6 PagesThe paper serves as a critical analysis of Thomas F. Mathews’ â€Å"The Mistake of the Emperor Mystique† chapter in his book The Clash of Gods: A Reinterpretation of Early Christian Art. The scope of the analysis extends only to the chapter, the works included in the chapter and some supplemental sources by other art historians. It examines Mathews’ central argument and auxiliary claims, paying attention to his use of sources. Additionally it probes the validity of his assertions, drawing comparisonsRead MorePlato s Theory Of Love1789 Words   |  8 Pages Plato was a philosopher from Classical Greece and an innovator of dialogue and dialect forms which provide some of the earliest existing analysis of political questions from a philosophical perspective. Among some of Plato s most prevalent works is his dialogue the Symposium, which records the conversation of a dinner party at which Socrates (amongst others) is a guest. Those who talk before Socrates share a tendency to celebrate the instinct of sex and regard love (eros) as a god whose goodnessRead MoreSocratess Theory Of Love1818 Words   |  8 Pageswhich provide some of the earliest existing analysis of political questions from a philosophical perspective. Among some of Plato s most prevalent works is his dialogue the Symposium, which records the conversation of a dinner party at which Socrates (amongst others) is a guest. Those who talk before Socrates share a tendency to celebrate the instinct of sex and regard love (eros) as a god whose goodness and beauty they compete (Naugle, 2016). However, Socrates sets himself apart from this beliefRead MoreCulture And Cultural Artifacts : The Phallus And The Vulva1878 Words   |  8 Pagesword â€Å"gymnasium† is actually derived from gymnà ³s, the Ancient Greek term for à ¢â‚¬Å"naked† (Friedman, 18). This great respect for the male form was embodied in the numerous kouroi, statues of nude young males consisting of a flaccid penis and muscular torso, that stood throughout the Greek world along with hermae, consisting of a stone head of Hermes above a square stone pillar with an erect phallus. By 500 B.C., most Athenians had a hermae at their front door (Friedman, 18). In addition, the AncientRead MoreThe Animal Kingdom, Animals Find A Mate For Procreation On The Basis Of Natural Selection2182 Words   |  9 PagesFrancois-Andre Vincent Zeuxis Choosing as Models the Most Beautiful Girls of the Town of Crotona. In the painting, a Greek artist lines up all the beautiful women of Crotona in order to combine all of their individual best features to create the Greek god Aphrodite. The painting shows the impossibility of perfect person, as this ideal person would have to host an amalgamation of superior qualities that most if not all the times are not simultaneously present in one body . Grotesques are ugly, comically warped

The simplicity with which Brutus speaks is what makes his voice so powerful Free Essays

string(100) " of the prison is his purpose to cling onto life, as he does not want the days to merge into night\." Dennis Brutus is an internationally known poet whose poems centre on his sufferings and those of his fellow blacks in South Africa under apartheid. His outspoken protests against apartheid led to an 18-month prison term on Robben Island. He has written many poems regarding his imprisonment and the horrors of the regime in South Africa. We will write a custom essay sample on The simplicity with which Brutus speaks is what makes his voice so powerful or any similar topic only for you Order Now Brutus exhibits a restrained artistic control when writing his poems, which record his experiences of misery and loneliness as a political prisoner. His language and versification are simple and direct. If anything, the hardship and suffering are understated with the result that the experiences described are conveyed with even greater force. The natural elements and symbolism used by Brutus assists him in writing his poems. Using such pleasant descriptive features to describe the violence, gives it even more impact. â€Å"Cold† is a short and compact poem with the title itself referring to a form of discomfort felt by Brutus whilst being imprisoned. The opening lines of the poem convey more of the distress experienced by Brutus. â€Å"The clammy cement sucks our naked feet† The sensory description of the cement sucking up the moisture from their ‘naked feet’ seems as if life itself is being extracted from the individuals. His choice of words is extremely effective as he uses ‘naked’ rather than bare. This implying that they were deprived of their human rights and dehumanised. With the additional description regarding the surroundings and actions of the prisoners, ‘the stubbled grass wet with three o’ clock dew,’ – ‘stuff with our fingers the sugarless pap into our mouths,’ the situation concerning the prisoners appears to become more dismal. The fact that they ‘stuffed’ the food into their mouth conveys that they were given a limited amount of time to eat it; furthermore, they had been deprived of their food since then. Additionally, the ‘three o’ clock dew’ signifies the early hours in which they had to wake for their long journey allowing the reader to understand the harshness of their regime. Throughout the poem, an impression of the surroundings is gained to be nondescript due to the insipid colours used to describe the surroundings. The ‘rheumy yellow bulb’ that ‘lights a damp grey wall’ gives the notion of everything being weak and the prisoners being in impoverish conditions. Brutus does not state any of his emotions, whether they are of anger, anguish or sorrow – it is left to the reader to interpret the graveness of the conditions. Brutus simply writes the state of affairs he is in, however, it is only until the closing stages of the poem does Brutus mention the fact that his ankles and wrists are chained. One wonders why such a significant factor is stated at the end of the poem rather than the beginning of it. It shows to a certain extent that Brutus does not want to gain sympathy from the reader seeing that otherwise he would have said this earlier, alongside elaborating on the other factors of discomfort and deprivation that he has previously cited. It is only after the reader realises that the prisoners are chained do they clearly perceive the full picture. The fact that the prisoners are made to walk with ‘naked feet’, at three o’ clock in the morning, is barely comprehendible. However, when one realises that their ankles and wrists are chained, the sympathy for the prisoners intensifies. The poem finishes with words of understatement as Brutus states, ‘we begin to move awkwardly.’ He is understating the difficulty and pain felt by himself and the prisoners. It can be seen again that Brutus does not care to gain sympathy from the reader and so minimizes the actual torture and misery he and his inmates feel. Brutus does not need to elaborate on the extent of his discomfort. He merely states the situation he is in, in the simplest of terms and seemingly disregards it and imparts to a different topic discarding all emotions. Felt o the previous topic. However academic speaking in language, every reader understands the content of the poem – It is concise and to the point. There are a number of essential opponents that make the poem so powerful. The overall depth of the poem is conceived by the simplicity. Alongside the themes of discomfort and imprisonment that are conveyed from Brutus’ poems, the reader also gains the impression of how the poet accepts the situation in hand without giving in. Brutus acknowledges the circumstances he is in and does what he can to think of the experience in prison as beneficial as can be for him. He is aware of the fact that there is no point in resisting the regime and subsequently has to come to terms with the conditions. In ’10’, an ever-present optimistic view is taken to the lifestyle owed to his imprisonment, unlike ‘Cold’ where the reader can deeply sense the deprivation. The structure of the two poems is similar as there is neither rhythm nor rhyme in the irregular numbered verses, each containing independent actions. In ’10,’ Brutus accentuates certain things, which he is grateful for. However, it has to be taken into account that the poem is a letter to a family member (Martha) therefore he may have been not telling the entire truth of the situation as wanting to assure the recipient that it was ‘not all terror and deprivation.’ The poet states how he comes to ‘welcome the closer contact and understanding one achieves with one’s fellow-men, fellows, compeers;’ One cannot help but observe the repetition of the word ‘fellow.’ It seems as if Brutus is trying to emphasise that the prisoners are all equals and share the same aims. They gain understanding and comfort from each other due to the fact that they are in the same situation. Furthermore, Brutus states how the ‘discipline does much to force a shape and pattern on one’s daily life as well as on the days.’ The regime of the prison is his purpose to cling onto life, as he does not want the days to merge into night. You read "The simplicity with which Brutus speaks is what makes his voice so powerful" in category "Papers" Such things as the time of rising, lights out and meal times give the days ‘shape’ and regularity – a ritual of existence. By looking at things from a certain point of view, Brutus turns things to his own advantage. He refers to hard labour as ‘honest toil’ that ‘offers some redeeming hours for the wasted years,’ making life worthwhile. He does not regard the hard labour as torment or agony; instead, he refers to it as if it is something that he enjoys. The way in which Brutus accepts the situation without giving in, allows him to cope with the humiliation and pressures of prison. The strength of mind and the importance of positive thinking is vital when living in such circumstances where he and the prisoners are referred to, by the wardens, with derogatory terms such as ‘rats.’ In ‘Cold’ Brutus states how he and the prisoners, ‘steel’ themselves ‘into fortitude’ signifying to a certain extent that they have the physical and mental capacity to survive whatever they are up against and tolerate everything forced onto them for good to prevail. ‘Savouring to the full its bitterness and seeking to escape nothing,’ the prisoners can only find it deep within themselves to find something that keeps intact their mental health and refreshes them of the enmity. Throughout the poems, Brutus refers to nature when, escaping from the ‘hostile’ sanctums of the prison. He compares his mind, when ‘bright and restful’ to the, ‘full calm morning sea.’ Even though the sea is something that he cannot observe, it does not prevent him from thinking about it – A good time for a fresh start. Several references to the sky are also made – ‘the mind turns upwards when it can.’ Rather than looking down and being dispirited, Brutus looks up toward the sky and remains hopeful despite the situation he is in. This is oxymoronic due to the fact that the situation is hopeless yet Brutus still has hope in his mind and heart to overcome the hostility of the prison. He values the simple things of life whilst looking out of the confines of the prison such as the stars. The stars are something beyond his worldly situation, which signify hopes and dreams. When Brutus refers to the ‘Southern Cross flowering low’ in ‘Cold’, he may have been implying that the two countering religions were in close proximity to fusion as the Southern Cross represents a unifying religious movement. Even though, ‘the arcs and fluorescents’ block the stars out, the Southern Cross is still visible to Brutus, due to its bright intensity. The sky, stars and the birds aid Brutus add to the impact of the poetry. Their connection to his family, however slender, assists him in surviving. He contemplates whether the clouds that he is observing are being ‘seen by those at home.’ Such trivial matters of ones daily life seem so significant to the one of Brutus whose imprisonment makes him value and fantasise what one may take for granted, such as the ‘complex aeronautics of the birds.’ Brutus uses his mind to escape from the sanctums of the prison and interact with his family. In the poem, ‘For a Dead African’ Dennis Brutus does not use his mind to escape and fantasise of the upcoming events, but states these things with such assurance that one gains the impression that there is nothing that can stop it from occurring and will so in the near future. The simplicity in the poem, ‘For A Dead African,’ is what makes it so powerful. The poem has a conventional rhythm and rhyme with the first and third lines of each verse rhyming with each other. The content of the poem is deeper than the others and the sombre title signifies this. The first two verses illustrate the negative aspects of the continuous struggle against apartheid, which is unusual as Brutus generally holds an optimistic view toward his imprisonment. Nevertheless, here he talks of the ‘victims of a sickly state,’ signifying the fact that South Africa was not presided over by a government that was conclusive. Brutus also uses natural imagery to illustrate the beatings and punishments, which were experienced by the Africans. ‘succumbing to the variegated sores that flower under lashing rains of hate.’ It is interesting the way in which Brutus uses such pleasant descriptive features to exemplify the hatred. ‘Lashing,’ signifying the heavy downpour of hatred upon the Africans, resulting in ‘variegated sores’ to appear. The second verse of the poem does not state the true adversity, when it states the ‘accidental dyings in the dark.’ Of course, they did not occur on ‘eyeless nights’ nor were they ‘accidental’ but they were jus put down to it, as people did not want to protest. Again the reader sees the understatement presented by Brutus. However, it is the last verse of ‘For A Dead African,’ that truly represents the talent of Brutus. The optimism from the last verse excels, alongside the ability Brutus possesses of conceiving the depth of the message. It can be seen that Brutus believes strongly in his theme of having to endure the pain for there to be anything commendable resulting from it. Brutus believes that they will be freed from the tyranny and that the ‘nameless unarmed ones will stand beside the warriors who secured the final prize.’ Everybody will have contributed to the freeing of their land. The certainty Brutus holds of predicting this to occur is what makes his voice so powerful. Simply stating actions or descriptions with neither doubt nor contradiction is what makes his poems prevailing. Brutus has the talent of making the reader see and believe what he himself sees and believes doing this, just through the power of words. When Brutus refers to the ‘walls of bleak hostility,’ it is a curt comment describing the austere conditions of the prison. However, with these words and the force applied to them, the reader cannot refrain from sympathising with the prisoner due to the conditions he is in. Even though one would think that the tone used in Brutus’ poems would be subjective, the majority of the time it is objective. He simply states the state of affairs and leaves the rest up to the reader to infer. Brutus does not emphasise certain things nor does he look for the reader’s sympathy and condolences. Conclusively I think it is Brutus’ ability to speak in such simplistic terms with such assurance and confirmation of the events taking place and subsequently to take place in the near future, is what makes his voice so powerful. How to cite The simplicity with which Brutus speaks is what makes his voice so powerful, Papers

Using Psychometric Analyses A Case Study Of Abu Dhabi †Free Samples

Question: Discuss about the Using Psychometric Analyses A Case Study Of Abu Dhabi. Answer: Purpose Statement Psychometric assessment is a scientifically proven method of testing individuals metal capability to judge whether they are fit for working in an organization based on their behavioral style. It analyzes the personality characteristics and aptitude of candidates to understand if they have the necessary skills and mental ability that are required to execute tasks that are to be assigned to them by the employer. These tests help organizations to understand if the candidates are fit for the job they have applied for. The tests assist the employers to come up with accurate and specific predictions regarding the current and potential behavior of the individuals. Also, the employers can even make predictions about the behavior of the already existing employees (Floyd et al. 2015). The research will deal with the psychometric assessment tests of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (AIDA) to understand the training needs of the specific organization and try to fathom whether these tests are, in e ffect, helpful. Aims The goal of the research is to analyze the psychometric assessment tests of AIDA and give a comprehensive understanding regarding the efficiency and actual positive effects of these tests. Test subjects, the candidates and existing employees, from the organization are to be questioned and tested; and based on the gathered results, the behavioral pattern of the individuals would be set and then those results are to be used to understand the effectiveness of the psychometric test patterns of the organization (Neuendorf 2016). This would help the company to understand whether the candidates are suitable for the work they are to be bestowed with. The research results would facilitate the employer to recruit the best candidates as well as aiding the organization to understand who are the most effective workers and retain employees accordingly. Hypothesis H1: Psychometric assessment tests of AIDA have positive effects on its employees H0: Psychometric assessment tests of AIDA have negative effects on its employees Designing the test The AIDA has planned its psychometric analysis test very meticulously, so that no information goes unattended, or no stones left unturned. The test would provide the organization with results, that would usher in potential candidates, who may have the capability to make the organization even bigger. The tests would also give vital insight about how should the training procedure be for each individual: the results that are generated would be unique in nature, which means, every individual will show completely different personality traits. That would mean the organization also has to harness different strategies for every individual (Schmidt and Hunter 2014). The research philosophy is supposed to pivot around positivism. According to this philosophy, the data that is gathered based on observation is the only type of data that can be trusted (Wei et al. 2015). The simple logic behind this is that, observation helps organizations to understand how individuals behave under certain conditions or how they react in specific situations. This observation allows organizations predict the movement and future behavior or the employees under similar conditions and stipulations. These research data are quantifiable (Raykov, Marcoulides and Patelis 2015). AIDA hopes to use positivism in the most efficient way, so that the candidates can turn over maximum data to the organization and this would enable the company to devise the training procedure in accordance to that. AIDA also aims to develop the skills of its already existing employees by observing their behavioral patterns as well. The research approach has been decided to be a deductive one. That would help AIDA to be optimal and most efficient while dealing with the gathered data. This type of research approach helps organizations to correctly reach a conclusion solely based on factual data which are directly provided by the employees themselves. The employers are also to be used to understand which specific behavior is being expected from the candidates or the existing employees. This would be handy information because the benchmark would be set in accordance to this. AIDA has decided to gather cross sectional data for its research purposes. This type of data is gathered for a specific point of time. The data, that is collected, comes from an array of participants from different demographics and other parameters are also in play. AIDA would successfully remove any assumption and replace them with tangible data which are measurable and can be further analyzed. Data is to be collected directly from the employers and some of the existing employees in the form of interviews. Random subjects are to be chosen who would take the tests. The answers that are gathered would be thoroughly examined and analyzed to come up with the most optimal of solutions, that would assist in chalking out the training process (Pedhazur and Schmelkin 2013). Samples The participants for the test are ten of the Board members of AIDA, who would help to understand the requirements of the organization from its employees and fifty employees of the same organization. The employees would be the best subjects for the test as they are the ones who are to be trained and tested by the organization. Equipment The employees would be given questionnaires describing different scenarios and asking them what step are they going to take. This would yield extremely useful results. These particular results would be analyzed extensively to understand the behavior patter. These questionnaires will be formed based on the basic requirements of the organization and the tasks that are expected of the employees. Analysis The entire analysis is to be done in a quantitative way, focusing on statistical data. These data are factual and can be measured through analytical and statistical ways to come up with quantifiable results that would be most helpful for the purpose at hand. References Floyd, R.G., Shands, E.I., Alfonso, V.C., Phillips, J.F., Autry, B.K., Mosteller, J.A., Skinner, M. and Irby, S., 2015. A Systematic Review and Psychometric Evaluation of Adaptive Behavior Scales and Recommendations for Practice.Journal of Applied School Psychology,31(1), pp.83-113. Neuendorf, K.A., 2016.The content analysis guidebook. Sage. Pedhazur, E.J. and Schmelkin, L.P., 2013.Measurement, design, and analysis: An integrated approach. Psychology Press. Raykov, T., Marcoulides, G.A. and Patelis, T., 2015. The importance of the assumption of uncorrelated errors in psychometric theory.Educational and Psychological Measurement,75(4), pp.634-647. Schmidt, F.L. and Hunter, J.E., 2014.Methods of meta-analysis: Correcting error and bias in research findings. Sage publications. Wei, T., Chesnut, S.R., Barnard-Brak, L. and Richman, D., 2015. Psychometric analysis of the Social Communication Questionnaire using an item-response theory framework: implications for the use of the lifetime and current forms.Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment,37(3), pp.469-480.

Reaction Paper on Global Warming Essay Example

Reaction Paper on Global Warming Paper It makes one wonder though how many of these canvass-toting individuals know how many years does Our planet has left before it reaches an environmental tipping point or in what year was the hottest earth temperature recorded. Admit that I am one of those individuals who proclaimed and believed that I am a friend of the earth. After all, I try to conserve water as much as can and segregate garbage whenever I have the chance. But like many individuals out there, I was ignorant about the real issue concerning our environment, that is until have seen the documentary An Inconvenient Truth. Directed by Davis Guggenheim and featuring former United States vice president AY Gore, the documentary zeros in on the subject of global warming and how it is affecting and will affect the planet Earth. The Effectiveness of AY Gore Technical and cinematic achievements aside, I believe the best contribution of this film is that it has made the issue of global warming accessible to ordinary individuals. Gore plays the role of environmental spokesperson well. He provides a believable and authoritative personality to the documentary and to the issues it is trying to expose. Much of the popularity that the film has enjoyed it owes to Gores ability to act as an expert and a fellow observer at the same time. When this film was released, not a few have surmised that it is nothing but a gimmick to catapult AY Gore back into the White House. After watching the film though, many of Gores detractors have been transformed into followers. The fact that there is now a different person in the Palace is a vindication for Gore and a proof of his sincerity and lack of political agenda. We will write a custom essay sample on Reaction Paper on Global Warming specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Reaction Paper on Global Warming specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Reaction Paper on Global Warming specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The strongest point of Gore lies in his ability to convey urgency while at the same time maintaining a hopeful attitude and optimistic outlook which is not an easy feat to achieve when you are talking about the current State Of the environment. The Message of the Film The message of this film is very clear: that global warming is real and we must do something about it or we will suffer the scones ounces. According to Gore, the planet has about ten more years before it reaches a tipping point at which instance there would be little that we can do already. The best part about Gores message is that they are presented not without scientific evidence and proofs. The following scientific phenomena and materials are seed to support the films main thesis: ; before and after photographs of melting ice glaciers; ; temperature records from the sass that show that the ten hottest years have occurred in the last three decades; ; the Keeling curve which measures the rising level of CO; a study that shows that carbon dioxide concentrations are higher now than at any point in history. The presentation of these pieces of evidence are essential to lending veracity to the films core message. Without them, AY Gore would simply appear as a preacher pointing to some distant doomsday. Visually Engaging One of the first things that you will realize while watching An Inconvenient Truth is how engaging and enjoyable the experience is and this is largely because of the visuals that were used in the film. From the opening scene, when we were shown the now famous photograph of the earth taken by the first Americans who went to space , the audience were being foretold that the film is going to be one visual treat. Throughout the film, beautiful and terrible images were precisely interwoven to help achieve the films goal of sending out the dual message of making people realize how beautiful our planet is ND making us see the extent Of the destruction that has already been done. Not a few individuals were turned off when they learned that this film is a documentary. But if only these individuals gave the film a chance then they would have been amazed at the fact that it is one such visual achievement. Documentaries especially those that deal with subjects relating to the environment have a reputation of being boring and uninteresting. The An Inconvenient Truth may just change peoples impression about environmental films and even documentaries as a whole with its engaging style and arresting elements. Conclusion An Inconvenient Truth is a film that should be seen by anyone who cares for the environment and for the future of humanity and our planet. Reaction Paper on Global Warming Essay Example Reaction Paper on Global Warming Paper As we work to reduce Gigs, our collective challenge is to create solutions that protect the environment without undermining the growth of the global economy. We believe that a successful climate policy will be one in which the reduction Of Gigs is accomplished equitably by the top emitting countries Of the world through long-term and coordinated national frameworks. Carbon Sequestration Chevron participates in the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum, an international climate change initiative focused on development of improved, cost-effective technologies for the separation and capture of carbon dioxide. In the 2012 CDC (formerly known as the Carbon Disclosure Project) report, we ranked in the top tier of the energy sector. CDC conducts an annual global review of companies climate change disclosures and performance. Our score of 88 was two points higher than last year, revealing that we are on the right track when it comes to managing and reducing emissions. Investing in Research, Development and Technology Chevron also supports research to explore technologies that may reduce missions or improve efficiency. Through our Chevron Technology Ventures (C IN) business unit, we identify, develop and commercialism emerging technologies that have the potential to transform energy production and use. We will write a custom essay sample on Reaction Paper on Global Warming specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Reaction Paper on Global Warming specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Reaction Paper on Global Warming specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer

Free Essays on American Capital Punishment

The United States is one of the only nations in the ‘civilized’ world that still permits capital punishment. Also, The United States still practice crude methods of death such death by firing squad. I think that capital punishment is a just punishment. Not only is it a just form of punishment, it is the only way to punish someone who took another persons life. The United States is obligated to justify what loss of life that occurred. The core beliefs of our nation allows us to accept capital punishment as a form of punishment. Anyone who seeks to take another mans life, liberty and property, will be punished with the assistance of the government. In times of advanced technology, crude methods like hanging are still practiced by states like Washington. If we are so civilized, can’t we find a way to carry out punishment that isn’t so rudimentary? Lethal injection seems to be the only civilized and humane method of death. The rules are plain to see, if you do this, then this will happen to you. Someone has to do something seriously bad in order for them to merit the death sentence by a judge. I think that it is fair to say that the idea of capital punishment is just. How else would we compensate another persons wrongful death? No material thing on Earth is worth the price of a persons life.... Free Essays on American Capital Punishment Free Essays on American Capital Punishment The United States is one of the only nations in the ‘civilized’ world that still permits capital punishment. Also, The United States still practice crude methods of death such death by firing squad. I think that capital punishment is a just punishment. Not only is it a just form of punishment, it is the only way to punish someone who took another persons life. The United States is obligated to justify what loss of life that occurred. The core beliefs of our nation allows us to accept capital punishment as a form of punishment. Anyone who seeks to take another mans life, liberty and property, will be punished with the assistance of the government. In times of advanced technology, crude methods like hanging are still practiced by states like Washington. If we are so civilized, can’t we find a way to carry out punishment that isn’t so rudimentary? Lethal injection seems to be the only civilized and humane method of death. The rules are plain to see, if you do this, then this will happen to you. Someone has to do something seriously bad in order for them to merit the death sentence by a judge. I think that it is fair to say that the idea of capital punishment is just. How else would we compensate another persons wrongful death? No material thing on Earth is worth the price of a persons life....

Managing work life balance and wellness Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Managing work life balance and wellness - Essay Example The recent economic crisis is thinning and with that, HR managers are scheduling interviews. Companies have started viewing their employees as an important and noteworthy fraction within the stakeholders’ list. Hence, now the scenario calls for improvement in working conditions; job stress, work-life balance and employee wellness are factors that are taken very seriously by HR managers. This change was primarily inspired by studies that show the correlation amongst mental fitness and organizational performance (Hancock & Szalma, 2008, pp.32-34). Research shows that (Cassidy et al., 2009, p.262) while a poor work-life balance has a long lasting negative effect on an employee’s productivity, it is much more harmful for his/her creativity. Therefore, it is more so essential for HR managers in creative firms to maintain equilibrium within an employee’s timetable. People Management Challenges faced by HR Professionals I. Change Management While ‘change managemen t’ is vastly a broad term, therefore the focus here would lie upon three major changes: 1. Economic Change: Change brought about by variations (mostly negative) within economic conditions drastically affects an employee’s work-life balance, this is because adverse economic conditions point towards job losses and this possible ‘loss-of-secure-income’ position drastically affects an employee’s performance as the employee loses sight of his goals and concentrates more towards keeping his job intact. This situation according to CIPD (2010) creates stress, which would result in behavioural changes such as lack of focus, failures of commitments, increased time on work (due to reduced work speed and lack of commitment). 2. Technological Change: While it is commonly believed that adapting newer technology would result in job-cuts, researches have proved otherwise (Hayter, 2000, p.267). But this too does not hold true for some industries, as while apparatus might not necessarily cut jobs, but they definitely bring about a change by drastically increasing the level of skill required to conduct an operation, this increase in mental pressure is responsible for stress which disrupts work-life balance. 3. Strategic or Operational changes: While operational changes are a must for every organization owing to changes in consumer behaviour and technological enhancements, such changes many have many effects on an employee’s performance, as operational behaviour sometimes become compulsive. The overall wellness and work-life balance is largely based upon the HR department’s ability to handle and promote change within an organization. In order to avoid complications, the HR team must prepare a theoretical training module based upon the proposed changes and initiate training procedures to prepare the staff for the upcoming change. II. Time Management Time management is a crucial challenge for HR professionals, as time is the basis of the work-life balance. While some might disagree that time management is concerned with HR, it is not true as under most professional work environments the revenues are high enough to sustain explicit staff members for each type of job, then it is the responsibility of the HR department to allot work to the best suited employee or department. A recent initiative by the HR department ofR depatym,ent DS Norden a Dutch

Cause and Effect and Correlation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Cause and Effect and Correlation - Essay Example An article published by the John Hopkins University (2000) indicated that â€Å"predominantly black, low-income neighborhoods in Baltimore were eight times more likely to have carry-out liquor stores than white or racially integrated neighborhoods† (John Hopkins University, 2000, p. 1). Bradtmiller cited Interim Chief of the IU Police Department Jerry Minger as stating that â€Å"There are so many factors that are involved in violence,† Minger said. â€Å"It could be something like a domestic problem or a hate crime and have not anything to do with alcohol† (Bradtmiller, 2010, p. 1). Again, one agrees that the abundance of liquor stores is a contributory factor to criminal activities. In higher crime areas, there are usually more police; does that mean that police cause crime? This statement is totally unfounded, unsubstantiated and does not indicate any correlation to criminal activities. The reason why police presence is needed is to specifically address the crimes committed in high crime areas. There could be a correlation that when there are high incidents of crime, there would necessarily be greater number of police to address the criminal activities in the area. To determine a reliable correlation between the number of liquor stores and the number of crimes in low income neighborhoods, what kind of experiment might you design? A correlation analysis between two variables (number of liquor stores and number of crimes) would determine a reliable correlation between the two. What kind of correlation number would make you feel fairly certain that there is a solid connection between larger numbers of liquor stores in low income neighborhoods and resulting crime? The correlation number ‘r’ (Pearson r) would establish whether there is a solid connection between the two variables. As revealed in Knowledge Base (2006), â€Å"r will always be between -1.0 and +1.0. if the correlation is negative, we have a negative relationship; if its positive,

Performance Appraisal Systems Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Performance Appraisal Systems - Essay Example Managers apply the most suitable appraisal methods in order to assess and evaluate the performance of employees. Performance management is all about sharing expectations (Mike, 2010). Appraisal systems not only monitor the performance of employees but also play a crucial role in the selection of suitable employees for any specific task. Performance management is a whole working system that begins when a job is defined as needed and ends when an employee leaves the organization (Shahzad, 2010). Two of the most common objectives of appraisal systems include developing and improving the skills of the employees and increasing the productivity of the organization through selecting best employees for high-value tasks. Plessis (2010) asserts, â€Å"The performance appraisal process is something that every business needs to do if they want to improve efficiency†. Performance appraisal plays a vital role in the success of any company or organization because it supports the management in taking various critical decisions. Bacal (1999, p.34) asserts, â€Å"The performance appraisal process involves manager and employee working together to assess the progress that the employee has made towards the goals set in performance planning†. Employee performance appraisal is done once or twice a year (Chandler, 2005). Effective performance appraisal systems improve employee loyalty, morale, and general productivity (Ndunuju, 2009). An appropriate performance appraisal not only m akes the employees aware of their deficiencies but also helps them improve the required skills and knowledge. The four major components included in the performance appraisal system are senior management’s support, a design of the system’s procedures, system implementation, and management training (Grote, 1996, p.189).

Matthew Barney: Artist Biography

Matthew Barney: Artist Biography The mythological world of Matthew Barney Matthew Barney was born on 25th March 1967, in San Francisco, California. He attended school in Boise, Idaho from 1973 to 1985. He was brought up between Idaho and New York and first encountered on visits to his mother. He went to Yale University, New Haven where he enrolled to study medicine but transferred to study Fine Art. After graduating from Yale in 1989, he made a swift impact on the art world. He has had exhibitions in San Francisco and London. He is based in the Guggenheim Museum in New York. While attending Yale he paid his way through college by modelling while studying medicine. After a couple of semesters, he transferred to the art department where his abstracts became popular. It was here that Barney began to experiment with Vaseline as a creative medium. From bursting into the art world in 1991, Barney has been able to create a distinguishing world from using multimedia, sculpture, photography, film and drawing. His work following careful study in process and the evolution of form has been informed by the human body, art history, cultural production and biological development. Early in his career he worked with sculpture fused with video and performance. His work reflects on his past as a gridiron footballer and a wrestler as well as the study of the human form and the work of many of his contemporary artists. Some of his earliest work in Yale was staged in the University’s sports complex. He is most famous for his work as producer and creator of the Cremaster (1994 – 2002) films – five visually excessive works which have been created out of sequence. Barney features in the films in a countless roles with some being as diverse as a magician, a ram, a satyr, Harry Houdini and infamous murderer – Gary Gilmore. Not only have his films included himself but have also included artist Richard Serra, writer Norman Mailer, and actress Ursula Andress. His use of imagery, narrative and dialogue weaves a unique mythology. These films are seen as a self enclosed aesthetic system. Jonathan Bepler composed and arranged the films soundtracks. These are not just a series of films, also involved are photographs, sculptures, drawings and installations which the artist produces in combination with each film. The title Cremaster refers to the muscle that raises and lowers the male reproductive system according to temperature, external stimulation or fear. The films are a mixture of autobiography, mythology and history, his universe is connected and densely layered. The film consists of anatomical allusions, with the position of the reproductive organs during the embryonic process of sexual differentiation. Cremaster 1 is the most ascended position while Cremaster 5 is the most descended. In Barney’s metaphorical universe these pieces represent a condition of pure potentiality. Over the eight years of production, Barney looked beyond biology as a way to explore form creation and took his universe to new levels and other realms indulging in biography, mythology and geology. Cremaster Cycle director/artist Matthew Barney. Matthew Barney, CREMASTER 3, 2002 Prodution Photograph,  © 2002 Matthew Barney Photo: Chris Winget, Courtesy: Barbara Gladstone Cremaster 3 was the final film in the series. It was the most elaborate of the five films. It referenced Barney’s position in the art world. This final film is set on location at Fingal’s Caves in Scotland and Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland. Both of these locations are symbolic. They resemble each other and are entrenched in deep mythology. These films have depicted a parallel mythological world, with rich and complex symbolism. It delves into the dilemmas and traumas that shape today’s society. This was Barney’s ambitious project which took a decade to make. It was packed with references to pagan mythology, modern architecture, popular culture, human biology and art history. The Cremaster Cycle has earned Barney much praise despite its notorious scenes of solipsism and banal masculine trials. It is a highly ambiguous piece. The Drawing Restraint series began in 1997 as a series of studio experiments, which draws upon an athletic model of development in which growth occurs only through restraint. When the muscle encounters a resistance, it breaks down and becomes engorged, but through healing the muscle becomes stronger. This series is well documented through video and photography especially 1 – 6 (1987 – 1989). Drawing Restraint 7 is marked with narrative. His concept lies in three elements – situation, condition and production. These constitute the origins of Drawing Restraint. They are illustrated in highly intricatecreative process of sexual energy divided into the three elements. This series was inspired by the condition of hypertrophy where the muscles of the body develop strength and size when they are placed under restraint. Barney has turned this from artistic production that investigates restraint as a source of creativity. It was in the project Drawing Restraint 9, a feature length film whose song track was composed by Bjork which consisted of sculptures, photographs and drawings which built upon the Shinto religion and on whaling. There are sixteen of these pieces. It’s as if his work is meant to shock. He art is a form of abstract and surrealism, with the use of aesthetic athleticism which underscores the sports iconography which is evident in his work. Through his work the audience can see his icons and who he idolizes in a cult status – Harry Houdini and Jim Otto and the system which he uses to portray these idols. He portrays them as satyrs, with athletic iconography, medical gadgets, mythological creatures etc. It leaves the audience wondering where he gets his ideas from. Once of Barney’s influences seems to be the work of Antonin Artaud and his ‘Theatre of Cruelty’ as it tends to stage events rather than men. When he broke onto the scene with his surreal sculptures and videos and form of art he was instantly successful. He is a phenomenon of his time and from his breakthrough his art has gotten strange and stranger. His is seen as the most important American artist of his generation. His unique production of films, which he also appears in, houses his sculptures and objects which he has designed especially for the use in his films. His ideas come from a host of sources – books and photographs. His work is not regarded by him or others as subsidiary to any others, they are an expression of him in different forms of the same ideas. Barney’s work is very ambiguous and it is best to accept it this way as this is his basic point. If the art is unresolved it is interesting. In the Cremaster series, he has stated that this idea is as a sexual metaphor, that the characters in his films can not be identified as being either male or female. He considers his work as abstract. He has been seen as a bad, late surrealist or because of the nature of his work as a sensationalist and that some of his critics are upset by the scope of his success. His success mirrors the success of Jasper Jones who made his debut some 40 years ago. After graduating from Yale, the word had begun to circulate about him around influential artists, dealers, editors and critics in New York. In the early 1990’s he was taken on by two galleries – Barbara Gladstone in New York and Stuart Regen in Los Angeles. At this point he was a huge phenomenon and he had not even had a solo show yet. By his absence he was present on the art scene, which is his trademark. His work was more accepted due to bad economic times as the galleries where more willing to take a risk on an artist without a track record than they had been in more prosperous times. It was through this that Barney’s work became marketable as well as his Yale connections. His early art work reflects the use of elaborate sexual and biological references and allusions to the world of fashion and sports with obvious links to those who went before him in the 1960’s and 1970’s the likes of Vito Acconci, Chris Burden and Bruce Nauman. His reviews seemed orchestrated because they were so good. Any bad reviews which he received were dismissive, like those of Hilton Kramer and through these reviews only heightened his profile. In the early 1990’s the art scene had become about conceptual art on identity politics and the body and sex which was visually meager. The peak was reached with Whitney Bienneal in 1993 and with this it seemed that the art work was doing a penance for all the excesses of the 1980’s. Critics had professed that he was a video version of Mapplethorpe and gay artists openly joked that he was the most successful young gay artist who was not gay. Barney’s idea of art is obviously meant to make the audience la ugh, it has its own strange sense of glamour and it is definitely not preachy. Formally his work was in tune with the younger generation’s priorities, where cross media and installations replaced painting as the dominant art form. His films instantly became collectables, as this medium was not traditionally used but with the advent of this technology it became hot property. This video art was making a comeback with performance art – two of his art forms, from the 1970’s when low technology videos had been used to record artist’s performance. The early 1990’s saw conceptual art be enabled by the technology which was now available and became about the story which the artist felt they had to tell. It was about gender identity and diversity politics and the more eccentric the art/ story the better. Barney’s work mirrored this image, his stories were plentiful and were all eccentric. He has even been referred to as the Wagner of the art world, as like Wagner, he has operated in a mythological language which has seemed irrational and his plan for the Cremaster series would take years to complete. His works are lavishlessly wordless, with soundtracks composed by Jonathan Bepler. They are very slow moving films with fantastic desolate settings. As the series progressed they became more visual with more saturated colours and costumes. His budgets were constantly growing but seemed non existent. He earns back the costs of his films through the limited editions of his photographs, sculptures and laserdiscs. He has, of course, sold his work through private buyers but it is the big museums which compete for his work and through this he has become somewhat of a cult figure. In the 1990’s he was American art star. He does not have any social ambition, public profile or interest in money which seems to enhance his allure. He feels that the bad reviews are more memorable to him than the good ones. He insists that he pays no attention to the critics and insists that his primary focus for art is as a sculptor and that his films reflect this. He is increasingly focused on the visual effects such as colours, shapes, and forms. He is ultimately the most important artist of his generation, in America at least, and as the audience have experienced his imagination is so big. His art is intensely visual and makes use of visual imagery. His works – performance works, sculpture and cinematic works are portraying a civilisation which is in decline. His work is full of references to freemasonry. His works are loaded with initiations and is full of symbolism. He has been proclaimed as the pioneer and saviour of video art and his work is most successful in the genre of body and performance art. He seamlessly creates dramas which are compelling with a compulsive force that are alive in a zone between the psychological and physical. He has a clear mythological vision which can be seen in his work. His practice is that of a diverse array including use of media, which includes performance art, sculpture, drawing, photography and i nstallation. He uses a varied variety of both traditional and unconventional set of materials to create this innovative work. His sculptures are the reinterpretations of his film themes for the gallery setting. Art critic, Jerry Saltz wrote of Barney: ‘One of the most interesting artists to emerge in the 1990’s, and hands-down†¦the most interesting when it comes to the way he works with video.’ Barney tries to establish narratives in which both characters and the environment are interchangeable and with the use of symbols he conveys the meaning or feelings. Matthew Barney has also been compared to the avant garde and this concept of the artist avant garde has been widely used in theories about modern art. This is a key component of modern art and has become synonymous. The terms of artistic freedom throughout the nineteenth and twentieth century through a succession of objects and practices. The modernist sense of avant garde has implied that art does not require external justification, whether it be political or ethical. Modern art critics have claimed that Barney is an advocate and paid up member of the present avant garde movement as well as being an important influence of modern art. His work definitely confirms the existence of a modern avant garde movement which he has followed on from the works of Clement Greenberg, Meyer Shapiro, Walter Benjamin and Thomas Crow. This avant garde movement emerged in the 1930’s in art but also in early socialist tradition. Once this tradition was established, work such as Barney’s has been more readily placed at the forefront of the movement. Thomas Krens, director of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation has acknowledged that from Barney’s first gallery show in 1991 he has developed a uniquely aesthetic vocabulary. Barney draws his ideas from all walks, from Hollywood movies, professional sports, mythology, medical processes, biological systems, and psychological pathologies. He has also drawn from hardcore music and spiritual tendencies and mixed them all to provide a blend of allusive narrative structures which he uses the media of film, sculpture, photography and drawing to articulate to his audience. He has been recognised in the artistic community as a great American artist whose work has attracted a vast audience both nationally and internationally. Matthew Barney matches all the cri teria for being of the avant garde persuasion which is active in the present art culture. David Hopkins, in his book After Modern Art 1945 -2000 recognises Barney’s work as interpretation that could be a parody of masculine aspirations. When Barney began to create his art it was widely recognised that there had been a crisis of masculinity which was tied to the social shift which arose from the empowerment of woman in the 1990’s. There were also the issues regarding cloning and genetic engineering. Hans-Ulrich Obrist, a contributing editor of the Tate Magazine described Barney’s work as ‘dense, compacted and multi-layered.’ Obrist is interested that the Cremaster series reaches back to a time of mythology, biology and the geology of creation while jumping forward to a time of modified genetics and the mutation of identity. Culture attempts to articulate changes but finds it hard to keep pace with the changing culture. Barney is on a journey alone in his efforts to build his parallel mythological world which probes into the traumas and dilemmas experienced in modern society. Barney in an interview with Scott Foundas spoke of his desire to communicate the tension within our culture between the male and female forms and the wavering between the sexes. Barney is interested in creating a field that attempts to locate desire and eroticism in an undifferentiated way. His work aims to challenge the grounded notions of gender through making a critique of society as a whole and the insistence of society to only view gender through binary opposition. The Guggenheim Museum in New York continues to exhibit young upcoming artist’s work while their careers are still young. Barney began his relationship with the Guggenheim Museum in 1996 when he was awarded the museum’s Hugo Boss award for excellence and innovation in the visual arts. But it was five years earlier that his status was declared as great. He was honoured with a solo exhibition at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Matthew Barney’s innovative work has been recognised by the contemporary art world and has won many accolades but despite these his work remains difficult to understand especially by the mainstream. And it seems to be only accessible to a subculture of artists and his supporters. Without these members he would never have received the attention or acclaim for his work. Barney once said in an interview with Michael Kimmelman (1999) Barney said ‘Art needs to be defended.’ And also ‘It’s fragile. If a work of art is shown too many times, something gets stolen from it. You come to it with preconceptions, or you get tired of it.’ Barney feels that when something becomes an image it is unrecognisable and because they are invested in the subject they cannot operate as an image. He is also worried about his work losing it authenticity due to issues of reproducing the images. Barney is able to draw his themes from issues which are relevant to modern society. Barney meets the criteria of the avant garde group in that he challenges the social conventions, he is an active member of a cohesive group, he maintains an authentic quality despite reproductions and he serves as a social mediator between social classes with drawing from themes of everyday life. His works, therefore, shows evidence that an avant garde does exist in modern and cotemporary culture and this work still remains a motivator for social advancement. Barney redefines the boundaries between the artist and the audience as he focuses on the broader theories of his medium. With his work, he is able to compartmentalise strategically the creative process w hich he then exploits the experience into one giant spectacular. He forges the different media together to create his tangible and imaginary worlds. Barney’s singular vision has created works which fuses performance and video with sculptural installations. The audience can see reflections of Barney’s past i.e. athletics but is able to tune into the new politics of the body which are evident in the work of many of the contemporary artists. His careful exploration of the body draws upon the athletic model of development which only occurs through restraint. Damien Hirst has been acknowledged as one of Matthew Barney’s contemporaries. Hirst was born in Bristol, UK in 1965 and now lives and works in London and Devon. He is the most prominent member of a group known as ‘Young British Artists’ (YBA’s). He has been dominant in the British art scene since the 1990’s and is internationally renowned. His career was closely linked to collector Charles Saatchi in the 1990’s but due to increasing frictions this relationship collapsed in 2003. Hirst was an organiser and organised an independent student exhibition while in his second at Goldsmith’s College in London where he studied Fine Art. Hirst has since admitted that he had drink and drug related problem which spanned a ten year period from the early 1990’s, during this time he was famous for his wild behaviour and extrovert acts. Hirst, too, has tried to challenge the boundaries between art, science and popular culture. He, like Barney, has a wide ranging practice of using sculptures, installations, painting and drawing. He has been praised for his work, his energy and his inventiveness. His work has made him a leading artist of his generation through his constantly visceral and visually arresting work. His work consists of the exploration of the uncertainty at the core of human experience, life, death, love, loyalty and betrayal. Hirst is best known for his work Natural History which features animals in vitrines suspended in formaldehyde. Hirst uses the vitrines to put meaning as both a window and a barrier, providing a minimalist frame but also to attract the attention of the audience. Hirst is also renowned for his paintings which includes his Butterfly Paintings which feature actual butterflies suspended in paint. Tracey Emin compared Hirst to Andy Warhol, in the mid 1990’s Virginia Bottomley descr ibed him as a pioneer of British art. Hirst sees the real creative theme as being the conception of the project not the execution. Death is a central theme in Hirst’s work and he became famous for a series in which dead animals a shark, a cow and a sheep, are preserved after sometimes been dissected in formaldehyde. The Physical Impossibility of Death in Mind of Someone Living. This piece became an iconic work of the British art world and its sale in 2004 made him the world’s second most expensive living artist after Jasper Jones. He has since eclipsed Jones when Lullaby Spring sold for  £9.65 million on 2007. Hirst has been a controversial figure not only through his art work but also on the public stage, on the eve of the first anniversary of the World Trade Centre attacks, he commented to BBC News Online (Allison, 2002): ‘ The thing about 9/11 is that it’s kind of like an artwork in it’s own right†¦Of course, it’s visually stunning and you’ve got to hand it to them on some level because they have achieved something which nobody could have ever thought possible – especially to a country as big as America. So on one level they kind of need congratulating, which a lot of people shy away from, which is a very dangerous thing.’ Following public outrage at his remark, he had to issue a statement through his company, Science Ltd (Science Photo Library Press Release, 15th March 2005): ‘I apologise unreservedly for an upset I have caused, particularly to the families of the victims of the events on that terrible day.’ In comparison, both Barney and Hirst are contemporaries in the modern art world. They are both renowned in their field. They are both out to shock and maybe this is not their intention. Barney through his use of mythological imagery and his use of the human form has been criticised but are these criticisms right. Can an artist not express themselves in this way? It seems that modern art is full of debate with regards to style and appreciation. There is plenty of shock value in both Barney’s and Hirst’s work. Critics have asked if the audience needs to see the imagery these two have produced. Barney’s work Cremaster is full of this imagery and it is based for a specific audience. He is trying to convey in his imagery the use of the body and how unstable the relationship between male and female is. He has both been praised and criticised for his work, Hirst has also been criticised for his work. It seems that the only way to grow within the art world is to prompt discussion and criticism. Both of these men are at the top of their profession through getting acclaim and winning various awards and prizes. They both use the abstract to create a surreal and almost sensationalist image. While Hirst is very public, Barney stays in the background with no public profile to speak of. Bibliography Allison, R., (2002) 9/11 wicked but a work of art, says Damien Hirst, The Guardian, 11th September 2002 Artaud, A., (1958) The Theatre of Cruelty in The Theatre and its Double, trans. Richards, M.C., Grove Press Crow, T., (1996) Modernism and Mass Culture in the Visual Arts, Yale University Press Edwards, Steve. Art and Its Histories: A Reader. New Haven: Yale University Press,  1999. Foundas, S., (2003) Self Portraiture Meets Mythology: Matthew Barney Talks about his Cremaster Cycle, IndieWire on the Web Hopkins, D., (2000) After Modern Art: 1945 – 2000, Oxford University Press Kimmelman, M., (1999) The Importance of Matthew Barney, New York Times. 10th October 1999 Obrist, H., (2006) Artist Project: Matthew Barney, Tate Magazine: Issue 2. 15th February 2006 Science Photo Library Press Release, 15 March 2005

Commentary on Act 1 of the book Translations by Brian Friel :: English Literature

Commentary on Act 1 of the book Translations by Brian Friel The opening paragraph of the play Translations tells us in great detail about where the play is set. It is set in a hedge-school, which was a disused barn or hay-shed. The opening of the play makes us see that there are two means of isolation. The language binds together the community and in this play we will see how differences in language split society. Manus is teaching Sarah to speak as the play begins. He is being very patient with her and he thinks that it is important to teach her to articulate, 'Come on, Sarah. This is our secret'. When you see how Sarah is finding it hard to speak English it makes you feel that she is the symbol for Ireland's backward position. Jimmy on the other hand represents the educated civilised tradition of old Ireland. He is a scholar, however Sarah is the opposite. She is a contemporary Ireland, as she has no voice to speak out. She has no capacity for taking part in the modern world. Sarah just wants to become part of the society. The way Manus is pushing Sarah to speak, for example, 'Raise your head. Shout it out. Nobody's listening'. You feel that Manus does not want Sarah to be a nobody in the community, so he is helping her. The way that Sarah acts around Manus makes you feel that she fancies him, 'Manus hugs Sarah. She smiles in shy, embarrassed pleasure'. Jimmy is reading The Odyssey. As he is a scholar he can read books in Greek. He sees himself as a person in the story, 'Sure look at what the same turf-smoke has done to myself!' This is not very scholarship like of Jimmy as he relates the text in a very un-scholar like way to himself. He also says things that are very sexually orientated, 'if you had a woman like that about the house, it's not stripping a turf-bank you'd be thinking about-eh?' and 'she can't get her fill of men'. Jimmy asks Manus whom he would pick out of Athena, Artemis and Helen. All of these people are characters from the book Jimmy is reading. This shows that Jimmy has a very limited view and conception of what he is reading. Manus asks Sarah whom he should pick; this shows that he considers her view to be important. The way Jimmy acts in this part of the play makes you feel that he is very intellectual but he is living his life in a book, he feels he is almost a Commentary on Act 1 of the book Translations by Brian Friel :: English Literature Commentary on Act 1 of the book Translations by Brian Friel The opening paragraph of the play Translations tells us in great detail about where the play is set. It is set in a hedge-school, which was a disused barn or hay-shed. The opening of the play makes us see that there are two means of isolation. The language binds together the community and in this play we will see how differences in language split society. Manus is teaching Sarah to speak as the play begins. He is being very patient with her and he thinks that it is important to teach her to articulate, 'Come on, Sarah. This is our secret'. When you see how Sarah is finding it hard to speak English it makes you feel that she is the symbol for Ireland's backward position. Jimmy on the other hand represents the educated civilised tradition of old Ireland. He is a scholar, however Sarah is the opposite. She is a contemporary Ireland, as she has no voice to speak out. She has no capacity for taking part in the modern world. Sarah just wants to become part of the society. The way Manus is pushing Sarah to speak, for example, 'Raise your head. Shout it out. Nobody's listening'. You feel that Manus does not want Sarah to be a nobody in the community, so he is helping her. The way that Sarah acts around Manus makes you feel that she fancies him, 'Manus hugs Sarah. She smiles in shy, embarrassed pleasure'. Jimmy is reading The Odyssey. As he is a scholar he can read books in Greek. He sees himself as a person in the story, 'Sure look at what the same turf-smoke has done to myself!' This is not very scholarship like of Jimmy as he relates the text in a very un-scholar like way to himself. He also says things that are very sexually orientated, 'if you had a woman like that about the house, it's not stripping a turf-bank you'd be thinking about-eh?' and 'she can't get her fill of men'. Jimmy asks Manus whom he would pick out of Athena, Artemis and Helen. All of these people are characters from the book Jimmy is reading. This shows that Jimmy has a very limited view and conception of what he is reading. Manus asks Sarah whom he should pick; this shows that he considers her view to be important. The way Jimmy acts in this part of the play makes you feel that he is very intellectual but he is living his life in a book, he feels he is almost a

A Meeting of Giants

Imagine that you are a participant in a panel discussion with Sigmund Freud, Carl Rogers, Albert Bandura, and Albert Ellis.The discussion is facilitated by a moderator who asks questions for each of you to answer according to your different theories of personality development and change. How would you and each of the other four panel members answer the following questions? (Note: Construct the answers for the other panel members based on your understanding of their theories. Your own answers will reflect your personal opinions and beliefs, and may include â€Å"bits and pieces† of other theories).The panel was finally assembled on that wet cold day in December.   I was feeling a bit sheepish to be in the company of such great scholars.   Sigmund Freud, Carl Rogers, Albert Bandura, and Albert Ellis were mighty powerful company for me to lock wits with.   However, I believed that my opinion was just as important and plausible as there own.   I was just reaching for my wa ter glass when the moderator called us to order and begin immediately with the first question.Question 1How would you explain the differences in persons regarding their reactions to authority? Why do some persons appear to follow all the rules of others, while other persons appear intent on living by their own sets of rules?Dr. Freud:The human being is essentially a sophisticated energy system.   That energy is channeled, flows, or is blocked by a number or different behaviors.   The goal of all these behaviors is of course pleasure.   Energy will always find the path of least resistance that leads to pleasure.When this energy is constrained or rerouted by societal demands, such as rules and taboos, that energy must be vented in some way.   Some individuals are more apt at releasing this energy in a positive manner, while others are more confounded by it.Some individuals forfeit there pursuit of pleasure and lead guilt ridden and often miserable lives although they appear to be socially compliant.   Others allow their natural propensity to pursue pleasure to guide their lives and are normally much happier, although society may feel they are living by their own rules.Dr. Rogers:I beg to disagree with what my colleague Dr. Freud has stated.   His theories are often rooted in sexual drives and motivations.   However, the greatest human drive is the single goal towards self-actualization.   It is not necessary to postulate on which particular pleasure principle an individual is seeking to understand why they buck authority.Those individuals that resist authority have simply grown from a less complex being into a more complex one.   The less complex we are, the more authority we may feel we need.As an individual matures and develops, they become more complex and may seek to break the bond of authority for a greater life experience.   Those who go along with the status quo perhaps see their lives in the light that they have achieved what they can and there is no need to push further.   We all simply seek to maintain and improve who we believe we are and the live experience in general. (Pervin, Cervon, & Oliver, 2005)Dr. Bandura:Self-efficacy has a great affect in self-development, perseverance in the face of resistance, resilience to trauma, and decision choices at crucial junctures in life.  Ã‚   The rejection of authority is no greater than it is seen among adolescents and young adults.The ability to control and regulate self-efficacy is core to the ability to self-manage ones motivations, desires, and responses.   Beliefs of personal efficacy are what cause an individual to adopt certain self regulatory standards (Bandura, Caprara, Barbaranelli, Gerbino, & Pastorelli, 2003) If a person believes that they are useful in society they are apt to be more law abiding and compliant of authority (Bandura et al., 2003).   When other individuals feel as if their self-worth is low they are less likely to respect authority a nd will live as they see fit because of their standing in society. (Pervin et al., 2005)Dr. Ellis:Self-evaluation leads to depression and repression, and avoidance of change.   The best thing for human health is that we should stop evaluating ourselves altogether.   There is often concern for individuals because of their self image and societal pressures.These two are more likely to be in agreement than in conflict.   The key is to see behaviors for what they are.   Is there anyone who likes authority?   Of course not we all have some disagreement with being told what to do by someone else.   However true this may be it is not the authority that causes problems for most individuals it is the irrational beliefs that adherence or rejection of this authority will lead to some dire consequence.This in itself may cause individuals to have one reaction or the other to the rule makers.   Some may choose total compliance in hopes that life remains stable, or what appears to be total anarchy and disrespect for any authority because it has no affect.

Manometer Definition and Purpose

Manometer Definition and Purpose A manometer is a scientific instrument used to measure gas pressures. Open manometers measure gas pressure relative to atmospheric pressure. A mercury or oil manometer measures gas pressure as the height of a fluid column of mercury or oil that the gas sample supports. How this works is, a column of mercury (or oil) is open at one end to the atmosphere and exposed to the pressure to be measured at the other end. Before use, the column is calibrated so that markings to indicate height correspond to known pressures. If atmospheric pressure is greater than the pressure on the other side of the fluid, air pressure pushes the column toward the other vapor. If the opposing vapor pressure is greater than atmospheric pressure, the column is pushed toward the side open to air. Common Misspellings: mannometer, manameter Example of a Manometer Probably the most familiar example of a manometer is a sphygmomanometer, which is used to measure blood pressure. The device consists of an inflatable cuff that collapses and releases the artery beneath it. A mercury or mechanical (anaeroid) manometer is attached to the cuff to measure a change in pressure. While aneroid sphygmomanometers are considered safer because they dont utilize toxic mercury and are less expensive, they are less accurate and require frequent calibration checks. Mercury sphygmomanometers display changes in blood pressure by changing the height of a mercury column. A stethoscope is used with the manometer for auscultation. Other Devices for Pressure Measurement In addition to the manometer, there are other techniques to measure pressure and vacuum. These include the McLeod gauge, the Bourdon gauge, and electronic pressure sensors.

Free Essays on Hamlet V Oedipus

Hamlet vs. Oedipus In the play Hamlet: Prince of Denmark, a young prince is in search of the truth behind his father's murder. At first, Hamlet sees the ghost of his deceased father and it tells him the now current king, Hamlet's Uncle Claudius, murdered him. Hamlet has to think about how he will get revenge for his fathers death, but because his only knowledge came from a ghost that only Hamlet heard speak, he is hesitant to get his revenge quickly. Hamlet does everything he can to show others the truth he knows. It is important to Hamlet that he gets revenge but he also wants to torment the king and show everyone the truth. Hamlet knows his anger toward his Uncle may cause confusion in his judgment of the truth so he is hesitant to kill him right away. Hamlet second-guesses himself throughout the play only to end up dying, but not before he kills Claudius. In Oedipus the king, a child is born to a royal couple; this king and queen want to know how their child will be in the future. So they ask an oracle to tell them the future and it tells them he will kill his father and marry his mother. They have the child taken away to kill, so they save themselves, but instead the child ends up in a new castle and is raised by another couple as their own child. They never tell Oedipus that he is not their own. When Oedipus hears he is to kill his father and marry his mother, he leaves his parents and searches for a new residence. Except, he meets up with a man on the road and kills him. He then finds a castle that is being terrorized by a sphinx and answers the riddle it asks. He then marries the Queen and rules over the kingdom. In the end, the city is threatened by a plague that the oracle said will cease when the city gets rid of the one who murdered the king, Oedipus announces that the murderer will be punished. However, while searching for th e truth Oedipus discovers that he is the murderer and the son of his wife. In the end, Oedip... Free Essays on Hamlet V Oedipus Free Essays on Hamlet V Oedipus Hamlet vs. Oedipus In the play Hamlet: Prince of Denmark, a young prince is in search of the truth behind his father's murder. At first, Hamlet sees the ghost of his deceased father and it tells him the now current king, Hamlet's Uncle Claudius, murdered him. Hamlet has to think about how he will get revenge for his fathers death, but because his only knowledge came from a ghost that only Hamlet heard speak, he is hesitant to get his revenge quickly. Hamlet does everything he can to show others the truth he knows. It is important to Hamlet that he gets revenge but he also wants to torment the king and show everyone the truth. Hamlet knows his anger toward his Uncle may cause confusion in his judgment of the truth so he is hesitant to kill him right away. Hamlet second-guesses himself throughout the play only to end up dying, but not before he kills Claudius. In Oedipus the king, a child is born to a royal couple; this king and queen want to know how their child will be in the future. So they ask an oracle to tell them the future and it tells them he will kill his father and marry his mother. They have the child taken away to kill, so they save themselves, but instead the child ends up in a new castle and is raised by another couple as their own child. They never tell Oedipus that he is not their own. When Oedipus hears he is to kill his father and marry his mother, he leaves his parents and searches for a new residence. Except, he meets up with a man on the road and kills him. He then finds a castle that is being terrorized by a sphinx and answers the riddle it asks. He then marries the Queen and rules over the kingdom. In the end, the city is threatened by a plague that the oracle said will cease when the city gets rid of the one who murdered the king, Oedipus announces that the murderer will be punished. However, while searching for th e truth Oedipus discovers that he is the murderer and the son of his wife. In the end, Oedip...

Gas prices Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Gas prices - Essay Example A vast majority of machines in different industries are powered by gas. Apart from the industrial utility of gas, it is an extremely important element of the modern age life style. In the contemporary age, there is massive consumption of gas even on the domestic level. We use gas heaters, gas ovens, gas stoves, and gas lamps. In addition to the in-house consumption of gas, a vast majority of vehicles on the roads use gas as a secondary fuelling source that works as efficiently as petrol does. The voluminous increase in the use of natural gas does not accord with its declining natural reserves. There is an inverse relationship between the two. Gas prices have risen almost all over the world in the past few years. Much of the rapid increase in the gas prices that has occurred in the recent years can be attributed to the inverse relationship between gas production and consumption rate. Current rate of gas consumption is alarming, and gas prices are likely to increase further if the curr ent consumption rates sustain over next few years. Solution: Solution of this problem lies in wise utilization of the remaining gas. It is not advisable to completely stop the use of gas stoves or gas ovens because no alternative has yet been realized that would give better or even the same results as gas stoves or ovens do.

Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure, or a creative Essay - 1

Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you, and explain that influence - Essay Example Lincoln learned through his experiences while working on a farm, splitting rails for fences and store-keeping at Illinois. He partook as a captain in the Black Hawk war which was fought between the Indian tribes and native white settlers during their westward expansion. His political career began with his appointment to the Illinois state legislature and later gaining an admission to the Illinois bar. This was soon followed by his marriage to Mary Todd and his subsequent election to the U.S. House of Representatives. They had four boys but tragedy struck and three of their children succumbed to illnesses and one son worked as an attorney and served as the President of Pullman Company. Despite many success as an attorney and several personal sorrows, Lincoln rose again with sheer determination to be nominated as the President of the Republican party in 1860 and went on to become President in the year 1861. His strong belief in equality among the citizens and the need for a successful democratic union assured him the presidency. This was soon followed by the civil war that attacked the Constitution of the United States. The northern and southern regions of the country were divided on the issue of slavery and as a result many southern states which supported slavery pulled out from the Union and formed a separate Confederate of States. However, President Lincoln assured the people that his primary responsibility was to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States and that this would be the war’s primary motive. He undertook every possible measure at war time to preserve the Union and the victories gained in the battles provided the impetus for issuing the emancipation proclamation through which Lincoln freed all the slaves who sustained the war of the confederate. At the end of the war, Lincoln delivered his famous Gettysburg address wherein he upheld that the war paved the way for a new birth of freedom

Life span Wks8-12 Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 6250 words

Life span Wks8-12 - Coursework Example According to Websters New World Law Dictionary (2010), death is "the end of life, when physical functions and vital signs stop." This dictionary further suggests that brain death is an "irreversible end to the functioning of the brain" which the dictionary says is often used as the legal definition. An ethical definition of death is difficult because ethics are different for different people. My definition would be the same as the legal definition: If an individual ceases to breath and their physical and vital signs have stopped, they are dead. However, in cases where someone is in a coma for several years, or when someone has a terminal illness and wants to be euthanized, ethics come more into play in determining what is "right" or "wrong" in each situation (Santrock, 2008). Each culture sees death and mourning differently. In many cultures, the community is an integral part of the mourning. As an example, the Amish community works together when someone dies. A neighbor will make sure that everyone knows about it and the family will be supported for a year after the death. The Amish engage the family in moving forward by visiting them, bringing scrapbooks and homemade items, and starting new work projects for the widow. The Amish people also will hold the funeral in a house during the winter months or in a barn during the warmer months. It is the community that takes care of all the arrangements, including burial (Santrock, 2008). If an individual is working with children, it is helpful to know the developmental stages that children follow when they are growing and learning. Understanding the various theories -- psychoanalytic, behavioral and so forth gives an understanding of how small children develop through the lifespan. Understanding how humans evolve from birth to old age is important to the scholar-practitioner because this knowledge puts into perspective the various changes a person goes

Collision Course †NEOs Essay Example for Free

Collision Course – NEOs Essay When looking at the Earth in the Solar System, there are many fascinating objects, and also many dangerous ones. NEOs, or Near Earth Objects are constantly being studied to determine the actual possibility of collision with the Earth. Most NEOs consist of meteors, meteorites, comets and asteroids. Though most of the objects are too small to cause any sort of substantial damage, there are a few that are capable of causing the next major extinction. In order for an object to be considered a NEO, it must be within 1. 3 AUs (or astronomical units) from the Sun. 1.3 AU is the same as about 93 million miles. The NEOs are objects that have been bumped by the gravity of other planets which let them get close to the Earths orbit.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   One of the major groups of NEOs are meteoroids. The term meteor is actually used to describe the streak of visible light after its trip through the Earths orbit. One of the most famous craters, which   is like a giant scar caused by a NEO hitting the Earth, is in Arizona. Meteor Crater, or Barringer Meteorite Crater as it is also known as, is a jarring reminder of what kind of damage a NEO can do upon impact. Most meteors are small enough that once they are pulled in by the Earths orbit and hit the atmosphere, they burn up and disintegrate before they ever get the chance to actually hit the Earths surface.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Another group of NEOs are asteroids. One of the largest asteroids that astronomers keep their eyes on is Apophis. This giant is due to hit the Earth in 2036. The size of Apophis is estimated to be a bit larger then the Rose Bowl, and if it were to hit the Earth would cause global damage. If it hits the ocean, the damage occurring from the huge tsunamis by themselves would be catastrophic.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Another class of objects that are visible to the naked eye are comets. When speaking of them as NEOs, then they are considered to be old comet nuclei whose perihelia are less then 1.3 AU from the Sun. One comet in particular that has been known through history is Halleys Comet. Also, the trail of cosmic dust, or tail of the comet can also be passed through by the Earth.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In conclusion, NASA is taking steps to try and diminish the risk of being hit by a NEO by continually watching and cataloging the orbits and behaviors of NEOs. What remedies that have been looked at so far to try and deal with the risk of being hit is to explode nuclear weapons near the object to try and change its course. Other considerations that have been looked at is sending high-speed ballistic missiles towards the object to make an impact, or to send a hovering spacecraft to pull the object into a different orbit, thereby allowing it to miss the Earth altogether. The future for watching NEOs is strongly backed now more then ever before. Washington has allowed a $4 million dollar budget for listing potential and real threats to the Earth, and sent a new report to congress in March 2007. Considering the probability that the Earth will be hit again, as it has been hit in the past requires that the scientific community take heed of the risk, and not only be able to prepare the world for such a catastrophe, but be able to prevent it as well. References http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/multimedia/neo/index.cfm http://www.nasa.gov/centers/hq/home/index.html http://newton.dm.unipi.it/cgi-bin/neodys/neoibo?info:0;faq#nea

Sony Company Limited

Sony Company Limited Business Environment Analysis 1.0 Introduction Sony Company Limited is a manufacturer and distributor of digital cameras and other electronic devices in the region. The company has been established in 2005 by its owner The primary competitive advantages of Sony is its OEM capability, broad experienced in its research and development department, reliability, large product line and good reputation. The brand name of the company is known as ECA and it is currently exported in major countries like North America, Mid-East/Africa, Asia, Central/South America, and Western Europe. Sony Company Limited is an ODM and OEM manufacturer to produce different ranges of electronic devices like digital cameras, MP4 and mp3 player, mobile phone, GPS car navigator and digital camcorder. The main objective of this company is to provide quality products and services to the global market. 2.0 Strategic Analysis The description of the industry above suggests its strength in the Malaysia setting. However, a more detailed analysis is necessary in order to determine the real strengths and possible problems that surround the industry. For this purpose, various tools will be used to analyze the electronic industry of Malaysia. 2.1 PESTLE PESTLE analysis is in effect an audit of an organizations environmental influences with the purpose of using this information to guide strategic decision-making. The assumption is that if the organization is able to audit its current environment and assess potential changes, it will be better placed than its competitors to respond to changes.To help make decisions and to plan for future events, organizations need to understand the wider ‘meso-economic and ‘macro-economic environments in which they operate. (The meso-economic environment is the one in which we operate and have limited influence or impact, the macro-environment includes all factors that influence an organization but are out of its direct control). An organization on its own cannot affect these factors, nor can these factors directly affect the profitability of an organization. But by understanding these environments, it is possible to take the advantage to maximize the opportunities and minimize the threats to the organization. Conducting a strategic analysis entails scanning these economic environments to detect and understand the broad, long term trends. A PESTLE analysis is a useful tool for understanding the ‘big picture of the environment in which an organization is operating. Specifically a PESTLE analysis is a useful tool for understanding risks associated with market (the need for a product or service) growth or decline, and as such the position, potential and direction for an individual business or organization. A PESTLE analysis is often used as a generic orientation tool, finding out where an organization or product is in the context of what is happening outside that will at some point affect what is happening inside an organization. The six elements form a framework for reviewing a situation, and can also be used to review a strategy or position, direction of a company, a marketing proposition, or idea. 2.1.1 Political The political aspect of the country has less impact to its business sector, or more specifically, to the electronics industry. The Basic Law of the country actually protects it from major transitions in law in spite of its transfer to Thailand. Through this basic law, the way of life as well as the capitalist system of the country will remain the same for fifty years since the transfer. Thus, political factors have minimal effects on the electronics industry. The production, export and import of materials for digital cameras will not be affected for the next ten years due to this political agreement. Hence, the production facilities for digital products situated in Thailand will not be forced to relocate back to Malaysia due to regulative measures. Hence, Malaysia enterprises in the industry can continue to benefit from low cost production in Thailand. 2.1.2 Economic The economy of Malaysia is highlighted by the status of its international trade. The country is one of the leading trading nations worldwide; hence, it is one of the important aspects of the countrys economy. Malaysia market has been favorable to trade and has been efficient in balancing its exports and imports. The significance of trade in the country suggests the richness of its other related fields such as the electronics industry. This has been evidenced by the high contribution of digitalized products to individual company sales and overall economic development. The important role of the electronics industry in Malaysia suggests that there are several similar businesses that exist in the country. Due to high levels of competition, the companies operating in this industry are placed under much stress of offering the very best. This also implies the significance of strategic management among these companies not only to contribute to the economy, but most importantly to maintain strong business foundation as well as combat competition. Assuming that the prosperity of the economy in Malaysia improves for the next ten years, the electronics/AV equipment industry will then continue to improve and acquire various developments. But then of course, economic status is among the most unpredictable aspects of a country; hence, the industry must be prepared for future challenges that may arise. These future challenges include economic crisis, price fluctuations and problems on international trade. 2.1.3 Social The societal and cultural background of the country is mainly influenced by the Eastern and Western influences. This perhaps, is partly due to the status of the country as a major center for business and trade. Although the country is greatly influenced by a number of different cultures, the country still has its old features intact. While keeping old traditions and cultural practices, the country is also open to changes brought about by international influences. This in turn makes the nations culture rich and varied. The prosperity of Malaysias economy is significantly reflected in its citizens lifestyle. Compared to other Asian countries, the people in Malaysia are among those who live with the highest standards. This implies that the people of Malaysia have access to some of the finer things in life, including technology. 2.1.4 Technological Malaysia is a melting pot of both Western and Eastern backgrounds. The Western and Eastern influences that make up the countrys socio-cultural background play a significant role to its current technological status. Considering that Malaysia has direct access to technological developments from different countries worldwide, these can be adapted in the country quite easily. Moreover, the high standards of living among the countrys citizens imply the ability of the people to support technology as well as their ability to apply or implement them. The exposure to technology of both local and international market makes digital products, like camera, a marketable product. 2.1.5 Legal Locally, the political aspect mentioned previously does not seem to affect the electronic industry in Malaysia. In international trade, the laws on open trade and free port allow the industry to exports its digital products to foreign markets. Though the Malaysian industry can distribute its digital products freely abroad, the openness of trade as well as the globalization aspect further worsens the competition among similar companies under the same industry. If competition will affect businesses in the industry, it is likely for other nations to implement legislations that will control the entry of imported products. This will greatly affect the status of the Malaysia industry if this will occur. 2.1.6 Environmental One of the major issues under the environmental aspect that directly affects the industry is probably its location of production building and facilities in Thailand. The cost of labor and land in Thailand, particularly in the province of Bangkok, is significantly cheaper than in Malaysia. Thus, it is more practical to conduct the core activities of the electronics industry in Thailand. However, products produced by the AV industry require skills among its work force. Thus, cheaper labor cost may no longer be possible as companies would have to pay larger salaries for skilled and highly educated employees. Moreover, a number of manufacturing companies are also relocating to Thailand, thus land costs tend to be higher as compared before. 3.0 Competitors Analysis The production of digitalized products falls under the electronics company, specifically under the audio-visual equipment category. In Malaysia, the competition in electronics industry is considered as one of the most vigorous and tough. The manufacturing companies of digital cameras and other electronic devices in Malaysia are made up of SMEs or small and medium sized enterprises. The production facilities however of most companies are located in mainland Thailand. Thus, offices in Malaysia concentrate more on product development, quality assurance and marketing. One of the competitors of Sony Company Limited in Malaysia market is the Canon industry and other industries that offer digital cameras and electronic products all over the world such as JVC, Panasonic and others. According to the NSTP (2007), digitalization trends paved the way for the industrys significant development which makes it digital camera and electronic industry more competent. In addition, the company has many rivals since there are many other competitors which provide a wide range of digital and electronic devices to meet the increasing demands of these products. Players have increased considerably. This business trend led to the increased profit derived from high sales of digital products, suggesting the strong chances of success in the industry. Moreover, profits from exported digitalized products are high in Hong Kong as well. This then implies that international market strongly supports the industry. 4.0 Porters 5 Forces Model Michael Porter (Harvard, Competitive Strategy 1980) developed the so called 5 Five Forces Analysis model to better identify factors that shape the character of competition, to assess the structural attractiveness and business value of any industry and to pinpoint strengths and weaknesses in a company. In addition to and in combination with the SWOT analysis, the Five Forces model by Michael Porter provides another analysis tool to identify opportunities and risks when entering untapped territory in any industry or market. Porters Five Forces model, other than a SWOT analysis, provides clear action and thus does not rely solely on subjective judgment. If the actions that derived from the Five Forces model are synchronized with business requirements and goals it can become a substantial business driver in the competitive environment. Porters Five Forces Model is used for analysis of an industry or pure competition within a market. It is likely the best model to be used in decisions of entry or change within a market, and should always be considered during the business planning stage in a company life cycle. The Porters Five Forces model proposes that an industry is influenced by five forces. An executive can use the model to understand the industry competitive landscape, to determine how and where the firm should operate. The model is also used to analyze the attractiveness of an industry structure. Porters Five Forces Model is also known as Porters Competitive Forces model, probably one of the most often used business strategy tools. It has proven its usefulness on numerous occasions. Porters model is particularly strong in thinking in a competitive mindset from external forces to inside the company. 4.1 Methodology The strength of each of the five forces affecting competition in the chosen industry is to be assessed. The companys position compared to the underlying causes of each force is also assessed. A plan of action is devised that may includes of positioning the organization to provide the best defense against competitive forces, influencing the balance of the forces through strategic moves and other pro-active measures and anticipating shifts in the forces and positioning the organization and its goals and actions accordingly. Exhibit 4.1 Michael Porters Five Forces Model Sources from: Supplier Risk Management and the Automotive Supply Chain From the Exhibit 4.1, Porter explains that there are five forces that determine industry attractiveness and long-run industry profitability. These five competitive forces includes the threat of entry of new competitors (new entrants), the threat of substitutes, the bargaining power of buyers, the bargaining power of suppliers and the degree of rivalry between existing competitors. While the Porters Five Forces model in regards to decision making, is to collect, analyze and present data for the decision maker, Porter identifies three generic strategies to address industry rivalry. Strategies can be formed on three levels such as corporate, business unit and functional or department level. The Strategies are cost leadership, differentiation and competitive advantage. The best decision will position the firm to leverage strengths and defend against adverse effects of the five forces. 4.1.1 Competitive Threat of New Entry The percentage contribution of the industry to the Malaysian economy suggests the huge number of businesses manufacturing digital products. This then suggests that barriers of entry for new business entrants are low. New business could easily operate locally; moreover, the Malaysian industry offers multiple product lines under different brand names. Hence, competition is rather strict. Moreover, most of the business in the electronics industry is considered SMEs, implying that the levels of small businesses or new entrants are high. With the high availability of digital production facilities, new entrants could easily start manufacturing and marketing digital products. 4.1.2 Competition from Substitute Products With the rise of technology, alternative options for gadget and similar products are very much available. Digital cameras and other products are no exception. At present, cellular phones are manufactured with camera features, allowing consumers to use the phone not only for calling or sending text messages, but also in capturing and storing images. Other video camcorders have camera features as well; thus, some consumers would prefer to but an item where all features are already integrated. Web cameras are also alternative products for digital cameras. In addition, some of these alternative products are less expensive and more practical as compared to buying a digital camera alone. 4.1.3 Bargaining Power of Customers Buyers are the people or organizations who create demand in an industry. Buyers are also the people who compete with the supplying industry by bargaining down prices and forces higher quality. Customers have access to multiple alternatives for AV equipment and products, thus, the customers have greater control over which item to purchase. The high competitiveness within the industry allowed consumers to have access to a number of options, from brands to types and prices of products. Thus, consumers have a high bargaining power over the electronics industry. In this case, the smaller enterprises are greatly affected. Although consumers have different purchasing behaviors, in most cases brand names greatly influences the preferences of buyers. If there will be other options, consumers is likely to buy known brands even if they will have to pay extra. Additionally, online shopping through this company website has also increased the bargaining power of buyers and buyers are more price sensitive and demand for high quality. 4.1.4 Bargaining Power of Suppliers Suppliers are the businesses that supply materials other products into the industry. The cost of items bought from suppliers (e.g. raw materials, components) can have a significant impact on a companys profitability. If suppliers have high bargaining power over a company, then in theory the companys industry is less attractive. For this electronic industry, suppliers actually exert power in the industry by threatening to rise in prices or to reduce its quality and furthermore powerful suppliers can squeeze industry profitability if the company is unable to recover the cost increases. In the case of the Malaysian electronics industry, the bargaining power of the suppliers is high. Most of the materials used for producing AV equipment are imported from suppliers, thus they have greater control over the prices of supplies as well as the delivery. 4.1.5 Rivalry The rivalry within the electronics industry comes in two categories. Locally, the main competition is between the small and large enterprises. Major companies in the electronics industry have stronger brand names and have greater capabilities of reaching the international market. This is a significant factor as brand names in digital products represent the overall quality of the item which consumers are after. Major companies also have more resources to promote the product through more expensive forms of media advertisement. Thus, smaller companies are directly affected. In the international level, the rivalry exists between the Hong Kong companies and the major AV equipment companies of other countries. 5.0 Evaluation Based from the environmental and competitive analysis done for the electronics industry, the findings will then be evaluated. In this section, the possible developments of the industry for the next ten years will be considered. Factors that could affect this progress, both positively and negatively, will be cited. 5.1 Optimistic Based on the analysis done, the Sony Company Limited is likely to succeed and progress in ten years time due to two important factors. One of these factors is the market of the industry. At the local level, the consumers are very much aware and exposed to highly technological gadgets such as the digital camera. In other foreign markets of the Malaysian industry, such trend is also evident. In ten years time, technology will continue to grow and introduce high-tech gadgets and products that people will patronize. Thus, the future development of digitalized products made by Sony Company Limited will be supported by the market due to their openness to technology. Moreover, this market patronage will naturally result to continuous profit generation and market growth. Another factor that will contribute to the success of the Sony Company Limited ten years from now is the continuous rise and development of globalization and open trade. Through these aspects, Malaysia will have greater market access abroad, leading to better market and business outcomes. Furthermore, free port will allow the Sony Company Limited access to more modern technologies that can be useful for manufacturing and marketing digitalized products. This in turn will make the Sony Company Limited more competitive against foreign brands. 5.2 Pessimistic While there are great opportunities that the Sony Company Limited can use for future progress, certain obstacles could hinder it from development. For instance, the use of technology is highly accessible to all potential business operators in the industry, increasing the problems on competition, less distinct products and brands. In addition, technological gadgets like digital cameras lose value at a fast rate; thus, it is likely that such innovations would lose their worth to the market, or worse, this product could be phased out totally form the industry and be replaced with better substitutes. Problems in the economy are also a challenge. Crisis in the economic aspect is omnipresent and difficult to predict; hence, it is always a problem for all industries and business sectors. Due to these problems, prices for labor, land, production and other business activities could increase, making it difficult for the industry to succeed. 5.3 Prediction Based on business outcomes in the past, the pessimistic scenario is the one that is likely to occur in the future. Old electronic products like mobile phones, cameras and computers for instance, had been easily replaced by digital ones due to fast-phased development in technology. At present, several companies in the electronics industry are still conducting researches in order to introduce new technologies that the market demands. In addition, economic crisis is a natural occurrence, though an unpredictable one. Thus, even without predicting when this will happen in the future, businesses attempt to overcome the effects of economic challenges by preparing themselves in advance. Although it is likely for the optimistic scenario to occur as well, businesses in this industry must focus themselves on overcoming the worst scenarios. By preparing in advance, the businesses can prevent further problems in the future as well as maintain the progress of the industry. 6.0 RECOMMENDATIONS In my opinion, this electronic industry is still able to make some improvements in order to achieve better profit margins or great success in future. Those improvements includes the following, 1) Diversification This electronic industry (Sony Company Limited) can actually possible to concentrate more on electronic knows how in the non-consumer business and todays, this industry is very competitive as the competitors are able to copy the product in a very short time. Therefore, in order to create larger profit margins, Sony should focus more on the business sector and industries and also more advanced equipment as well as the parts. Besides, it would create the strongest advantage if the Research and Development (RD) department in this company able to cut down the price in technology adaptation to fit the demands of nowadays market. 2) Cost Cutting Sony Company Limited should take cost cutting into consideration as it is the only way to improve the profit margins. Research and Development (RD) plays an important role in this as its part in success of this company and it cannot be cut even though it gobbles up to ten percent of the sales. The products in this company should be refined instead of reinvented in order to have less in set up cost and also helps in achieving the greater automation. 3) Combination of Production, Design and Marketing There are many ways of separating the designing and developing of a product from the production and marketing even though there is job rotation which the design stage backed up by experience rather than research and analysis in nowadays market. Often, this kind of concept does not help much in improving the business as it does not meet the consumer needs. Todays, RD should focus more on the consumer needs and innovate based on the needs of the market and not creating new markets all the while. Besides, the designing team should make the product to fit the current production pattern and marketing aims as the designing team is the one who responsible to the profit and loss of certain product. Therefore, empowering these groups can create conflict but it does bring the efficient groups together in achieving the synergy. 7.0 Conclusion In spite of the apparent success of the Sony Company Limited in Malaysia, certain factors in its environment can cause its possible failure in the years to come. Economic challenges, competition and varying consumer trends are just some of the external factors that the industry must overcome in order to ensure future progress. Although these matters may appear inevitable, certain actions could help the industry to succeed, locally and internationally. Continuous product enhancement and development for instance, can help in countering fast-paced technology. Conducting consumer studies on the other hand can facilitate the challenge on changing consumer behaviors. These actions in turn can help in combating business competition and globalization issues. 8.0 References Internet References 1. http://technu.nst.com.my/Current_News/techNu/Monday/CoverStory/20081102144739/Article/print_article 2. http://logisticsviewpoints.com/2009/07/31/supplier-risk-management-and-the-automotive-supply-chain/ Books Aguilar, Francis (2006), Scanning the Business Environment, New York: Macmillan. 2. Armstrong. M. (2006). A handbook of Human Resource Management Practice (10th ed.). London: Kogan Page. ISBN 0-7494-4631-5. PIERCE, C. (2001), The Effective Director: The Essential Guide to Director and Board Development, London: Kogan Page. Cheverton, Peter. (2004), Key Marketing Skills Strategies, Tools Techniques for Marketing Success, Kogan Page, Limited. Formisano, Roger. (2003), Managers Guide to Strategy. McGraw-Hill Trade SIM337 Contemporary Developments in Business and Management, Version 5.0, University of Sunderland, United Kingdom Jones, G.R. George, J.M. (2003), Contemporary Management, McGraw Hill (Third edition) Worthington, I. and Britton, C. (2003), The Business Environment, FT Prentice Hall (4th Edition) Journal Articles GRUNDY, T. (2006) Rethinking and reinventing Michael Porters five forces model. Strategic Change. Vol 15, No 5, August. Pg 213-229. Prepared by : Ting Wan Ping (Jenny)