Essays --

Introduction I never knew John B. Thompson is a writer in the field of social science and sociology until I read one of his books. He is the author of the book: The Media and Modernity: A Social Theory of the Media. As a professor of sociology and a fellow of Jesus College in Cambridge, he brings out the aspect of social science in the media through in his book. The book is among the most interesting books I have ever read because Thompson explains the relationship between media and modernity using the social theory of the media. As I went through the contents of the book, I could easily see how he uses his study of communication in social contexts. Summary and Analysis In the book, Thompson makes it easy for the reader to understand mass communication in depth. He focuses on the application of mass communication in the contemporary times. He begins by defining the word ‘mass’ in which he argues that the media today does not target the mass but niche markets. I agree with him on the fact that the term ‘mass’ is misleading. It appeals to a vast audience composed of millions of individuals. He uses the most popular day newspaper as an example to illustrate this argument. I see it in films and television programs too. The society that I live in has several categories of audiences. In all social gatherings such as church meetings and cases where the target group of distinct information consists of specific character traits, I normally observe what Thomson refers to as ‘undifferentiated individuals’ (Thomson13). As I read the book, I got some insight on the use of the word ‘communication’. At first, I could not understand what Thomson meant by â€Å"overwhelmingly one way† (Thomson 14), until he contrasted it with face-to-face communicatio... ...n to me. Through the book, one can easily see himself of herself in the description of the society today. Conclusion This is a resourceful book that I would highly recommend to individuals who desire to understand the original theory of the media and how it has affected the modern world. Security agencies and managers in the information departments can learn a lot from the book. It also shows the developments in the media industry from the emergence of printing to the recent media characterized by cutting edge technology. Thompson’s book is a perfect remedy for media-related challenges in the modern world because it explains with real-life examples how mass communication has developed over time. Even though the book offers a few suggestions about the future development of mass communication, a reader can certainly tell that it can only get better and more personal.

The Approach of U.S. Foreign Policy and Terrorism Essay -- Argumentati

The Approach of U.S. Foreign Policy and Terrorism U.S. foreign policy is plunging head first in its war on terrorism. Our focus is expanding and including various dynamics that harbor American interests. By broadening our focus in our war on terrorism, we are beginning to spread ourselves too thin. Therefore, we risk the danger of fighting too many battles at once. Terrorism is a large issue that American foreign policy will not be able to tackle in the manner it has set out to do. Recently, Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle voiced his concern over the direction the U.S. is taking in its war on terrorism. He was criticized because his statements are "one of the most critical assessments to date of the U.S. war effort," and therefore "divisive at a time when the country needs to be united," (Bash). Daschle stated the war has been successful up until now, but was concerned the war effort has been spreading "without clear direction," (Bash). Daschle's statement reflects a growing concern in Congress on the expansion of the war on terrorism. U.S. foreign policy and its approach to the war are broadening to include a widening spectrum of terrorist related issues in more regions of the world. Daschle's main concern is that foreign policy initiatives supported by Congress in the aftermath of September 11th are taken as a blank check to expand the war on terrorism. Particularly, in the movement of American troops to regions of the world where events were not considered directly linked to US interests or security threats previously. His argument rests in the lack of communication between the Bush Administration and Congress on war initiatives. For example, despite regular briefing... ...sh.† CNN.com. 3 Mar 2002. www.cnn.com/2002/ALLPOLITICS/03/03/Daschle.terror/index.html â€Å"Georgia: Caucasus flashpoint.† CNN.com. 27 Feb 2002. www.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/europe/02/27/georgia.chechnya/index.html Gordon, Michael R. â€Å"Saudis Warning Against Attack by U.S. on Iraq.† Nytimes.com. 17 Mar 2002. www.nytimes.com/2002/03/17/international/middleeast/17CHEN.html Press, Bill. "'Axis of Evil' Reveals Excess of Ignorance." CNN.com. 20 Feb 2002. www.cnn.com/2002/ALLPOLITICS/02/20/column.billpress.index.html â€Å"U.S. expanding war on terrorism.† CNN.com. 1 Mar 2002. www.cnn.com/2002/US/03/01/ret.us.forces/index.html â€Å"U.S. may send troops to Yemen soon, officials say.† CNN.com. 12 Mar 2002. www.cnn.com/2002/US/03/12/ret.yemen.troops/index.html

Fate Symbolism Essay

Some people believe that each step steps on the way of life is predetermined through the beginning to the end, and people are powerless to resist it. The main character who is the narrator of the short novel, â€Å"A Woman Like Me† by Xi Xi, is trying to convey to us the same concept which is called the fate. She has been an orphan since she was very young, and she and her brother were raised by her Aunt Yifen. Her aunt has so much pressure that she pays less attention on their education, so when the narrator grows up, she lets her inherit their familial skill which is making up for dead. All of these elements lead her life into a miserable fate. From the psychological description of herself, I found that in the depth of her heart, she actually doesn’t want to surrender to her fate, but wants to have friendship and love. In my opinion, our life, whatever love or death, are seem arranged by fate, but we can try our best to alter it and change it. As in the story, althoug h the narrator considers that all the things happened in her life is arranged by fate and she is â€Å"totally powerless to resist Fate† (152), I think most of the misfortunes happened in her life are root in her timidity. The reasons that makes her lacks of courage are her self-abased and doesn’t want to violate her family’s custom. In my opinion, our fate is in our own hand. When she faces the point of transition of fate, she doesn’t have enough courage to change her own fate because of her self-abased, but in the depth of her heart, she is really want to change her destiny. In story she describes herself, â€Å"I’m a person who has no concept of self-protection, and my words and deeds will always conspire to make me a laughing stock in the eyes of others† (152). Her character make people around her can’t accept her and laugh at her. It makes her who originally is self-abased because of low education become more self-abased. Her despaired emotion is expressed many times in the story, â€Å"A woman like me is actually unsuitable for any man’s love† (152). The word, â€Å"actually†, was said with her realistic helpless. She has no confidence to fall in love with a man. She thinks her fate is decided that she can do nothing for it. However, when the narrator who originally surrenders to the fate sees the boy suicide for love, she unexpectedly feels shame of him and refuses to make up for him. She thinks that â€Å"his had been act of extreme weakness: †¦ I should have nothing to do with anyone who lacked the courage to resist the forces of fate.† (157) Her view of other’s fate reflect the real idea in her depth heart. When she face the situation of other people, she is very clear that people should have courage to resist the force of fate. As a Chinese proverb said: â€Å"The spectators understand the chess game better than the players.† When she faces that boy, she is feels humiliating with his weakness. We can find her aspire and insist of love. Unfortunately, she doesn’t have the courage to ins ist her own love. Thus, it is her self-abased make her yell of fate can only leave in the depth of her heart and can’t let it into action. Another reason that makes her hesitates on the edge of fighting to change her fate is she asserted Chinese traditional ideology by family. In one hand, she wants to control her life, but on the other hand some traditional ideas are still leave in her mind. At that time in Hong Kong, because of the Colonization of Britain, many people were influenced by the concept of western culture which was that people could control their life and changed their fate by themselves, but the concept of her family was quite different. The narrator’s family is from the main land of China. Her father and her aunt are all cosmeticians that make up for dead which is the skill that handed down from their ancestors, so in the traditional concept, it must have a person in the family to inherit this skill and her Aunt Yifen choose her as the successor. However, the society also influences her so much. She describes the society as a â€Å"greed-consumed, dog-eat-dog world† (154). From how she describes the society, we can find out most people in that society are all struggling to survive in that competitive world. They don’t follow the fate but create and change it by themselves. Under the influence of the surrounding, she once has thought about many other works she can do, such as â€Å"work as saleswoman in a shop, or sell bakery products, or even be a maid in someone’s home† (160), but finally, she still afraid of to compete with others in that cruel society and follow her fate that decided by her family. On the contrary, I don’t believe that fate is not changeable. I think the destiny is in my hand. In the story, the narrator is so weak that she predicts her fate is predetermined and yields to her fate. She and her Aunt Yifen have the same occupation, and she has already seen her aunt’s miserable fate, so she pessimistically thinks that her â€Å"fate and Aunt Yifen’s are one and same.† (159) She is still young and nobody know what will happen in the future, but she give up at first. I believe that opportunities are for the people who are prepared. If she gives up trying and working hard, she won’t grasp the opportunity to change her fate, even the opportunity has coming. As we know that America is country that full of opportunities for people who work hard to change their fate. That is the reason I came to study in America. As an international student whose first language isn’t English is real tough to success in academic. However, like most of other international students, I know that I need to keep studying hard and never stop. Once I hesitate, I will fall behind of others because everyone keeps fighting and struggling in this competitive society. Therefore, I believe that fate is in my own hand. In conclusion, I really feel regressive for her. If she cares less about other’s view of her, she will have courage to save her love; if she put away her traditional idea, she will have courage to find a new job; if she becomes more confidence, she will against her miserable fate and start a new life. To me, I will have the courage. Stand up from where I fall down and keep working hard, I believe my fate will be different.

Current Treatments

Technological advances are probably one of the most beneficial things that happened to man. It has allowed people to live their lives easier with the help of machines and programs. One area that seems to benefit from technological innovations is the medical field. Today, the latest developments in medicine and health care have provided people the opportunity to live longer and more comfortably. This is evidenced by better medications, diagnosis, and treatment plans for patients.Personally, I believe that the need for better health care led scientists and health care providers to the development of current treatments. Better knowledge in technology also helped professionals in establishing and discovering new treatments for patients. This is seen in Maguire's (2002) study wherein he compared two patients who has the same type of illness. One is a former patient who appeared to have succumbed to the symptoms of schizophrenia and was not able to improve and live a normal life even with the medications available at that time.The other patient receives a newer medication for schizophrenia and is able to go back to school and live comfortably. The latter patient was able to benefit from the improvements in the field of health care. â€Å"With advancements in such medications, patients with schizophrenia no longer need to lead a life totally dictated by this order† (Maguire, 2002, p. 10). â€Å"Consequently, they need considerable support and approval in therapy, to help them disclose symptoms that typically seem shameful to them and make the potentially frightening behavioral changes that will be asked of them† (Author, p.277). Professionals in the field of health care should never be contented with the current treatments and should always look for ways to improve the lives of patients. This can be especially said in the field of psychotherapy wherein current treatment plans and strategies will not always work for every individual and the changing of ti mes affect people's behaviors, which can affect the treatments that were once thought as the best ones.

Effects of the iPhone on the Americans Assignment

Effects of the iPhone on the Americans - Assignment Example In the words of Steve Jobs, he said, â€Å"Today we introduce three innovative products. The first is a widescreen iPod with touch controls. The second is a revolutionary phone and finally a breakthrough internet communication device (VoIP). An iPod, phone, this device will be called the iPhone. Apple will reinvent the phone.† (Seven Years Ago Today, Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone). Apple’s iPhone has reinvented mobile phone technology. iPhone is compatible to integrate with the modified Apple TV that allows for wireless connectivity to the screen. The iPhone offers the best email mobile messaging phone; it offers a full-screen browsing with a multi-touch screen. Any smartphone manufacturer may NIL the revolutionary and innovative screens and the technology with which it is made. iPhone possesses some of the best and amazing features and has easier user adaptability. The iPhone has a smooth, elegant metallic finish, which makes it long lasting and light. In addition, the software features are user-friendly, compatible with other Apple products such as the Mac, iPad and iMac and well-guarded against virus attacks. The iPhone has incorporated advanced technology; 3G enabled, high processing power thus increasing the speed, Wi-Fi support, high-resolution camera and Bluetooth technology (Boudreaux T., Programming the iPhone User Experience. O’Reilly, 2 009 Pp 10-11). People have adapted to the use of iPhone because they are guaranteed of the quality and technology that iPhone possesses. Its multi-functionality is only of the many features that have made people adore the phone. For the first time, consumers had the experience of mobile browsing as if it was web browsing, especially with the pinching and zooming experience. Their mobile safari was a distinct feature of the smartphones. iPhone has advanced innovations appellant to the clientele; use of oft-lost stylus, accelerometers and auto-correcting software keyboard (The iPhone turns Four: How it has Changed us, Jeffrey Sass).  

Introduction to the internet and e-business Assignment

Introduction to the internet and e-business - Assignment Example The transaction is completed when commission is divided between both estate agents because of being part of a transaction. Answer 2 Home Choice will benefit from having its own website because those customers, who could not travel and approach Home Choice at its offices, will directly log onto its website and submit their buying or selling bid. For instance, all parties and clients could be informed about available property units in different localities through automatic email generation process; thereby enhancing communication and business contacts with customers. Also, Home Choice will get a competitive edge because it could reduce by closing some money losing offices in expensive London city. Answer 3 An e-business is a business model that enables the organisations, end-users and governments to do business through leveraging technology and using the Internet and features of World Wide Web (the Web) to complete transactions (Roberts, 2004). Answer 4 Internet enables businesses and consumers in real time interaction and communication through email, videoconferencing, teleconferencing, chat etc. Indeed, these mentioned options are quite appropriate for transferring messages across the internet, thereby enabling communication at a very low cost. For instance, the use of Skype has further facilitated this message transfer from sender to recipient and feedback from recipient to sender. Answer 5 The main features of Hyper Text Markup Language include facilitation in multimedia objects, scripting, background colour, marquee, tags, style sheets, hyperlinks, tables and layout, forms and math etc. In other words, latest versions of HTML also include the new features that are still not completely explored. Answer 6 An internet is a network of networks through which end-users could connect to external world networks and people. Internet has, nevertheless, reduced boundaries among nations as people across USA could contact through a click to users 7,000 miles away in sub- continent. On the contrary, Intranet is an internal network that is used by organisations / institutions to enables its employees to transfer and share information within the premises. Whereas, extranet are also used by organisations to bridge gaps between / among their internal and external customers. For example, employees could share a company’s some (not all) internal information through extranet with their clients, suppliers, partners etc. Answer 7 First of all, Home Choice has to develop / design a website so that it could provide available buying and selling property units. Next, Home Choice has to implement an online purchase / sales system in which the admin will play the role of moderator. This would enable parties to communicate when they could approach company’s office for official visit to property unit and negotiations. Offers could also be submitted online in case face-to-face deal is not possible due to distance and time constraints. Answer 8 E-business is actually a different business model because it provides the luxury of online transactions without even travelling personally to shops, offices and showrooms. The model is proven successful when a company has established its brands and when it offers top quality brands at justified prices with excellent sales service. Circuit City, a US based supermarket which is now completely online based, is one of the major examples. However, the model does not proven successful if

Love , Statement purpose Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Love , Statement purpose - Essay Example The presentation was so welcomed and acclaimed by the teachers that I felt the passion and energy grow in me. This propelled me to work harder when I went to high school. Indeed, my results in high school were a reflection of my passion in the field of electronics. The exemplary performance in this field did not come by hard work alone but was accompanied by discipline, focus, and mentorship from various teachers. I must say that most of the personal development I have today is because of the modeling I have experienced during my undergraduate degree. The electrical engineering course was one of the toughest tasks I have ever undergone in my entire life. It involved solving complex problems and performing rigorous researches in various units within the course. However, I did not relent in growing both personally and professionally. Personal development began with my enactment to the head of student council in 2006. The student leadership enhanced my leadership skills. However, personal development went beyond to encompass intercultural activities for which I received acknowledgment from UAE embassy. All the challenges and opportunities I have experienced have taught me to optimize my mental resources to think logically about difficult and complex problems. In the process, I have gained profound problem solving techniques, which I plan to use in the field of business logistics or financial engineering. I do understand that a lot of investment goes towards developing a globally recognized intellectual in any field. I count this stage in my life as a transition from a modeling to a refining stage where I will refine and tune my abilities towards one specific career. Therefore, I plan to utilize all the available opportunities towards achieving my goals. As I have grown more mature, learned, intelligent, and focused, I believe that I am the best candidate for consideration for any