Technology. The Way Of The Future? :: essays research papers

The 90's has been a decade full of controversial and world changing events. The first one I could think of would have to be the Persian Gulf War with Iraq. I think that war brought together the United States, stopped our fighting with each other, and helped us focus on one common enemy, Saddam Hussein. The next thing we did was send troops to Haiti and to Somalia to help protect the people and the failing governments. Once again the United States was brought together in a time of war. However, I believe that the one true Zeitgeist of the 90's isn't the wars that brought us together but the information and technology age that will break us apart. The way that new products are being developed each day in the next 10 to 20 years almost everything will be automated and many being will be out of a job doing nothing. The Internet is now one of the biggest things in the world today with the help of companies like American on Line, CompuServe, Prodigy, Phillips Web Tv and all the other companies that are trying to get rich off of it. They say people can stay in the safety of their home while they can shop, talk to people online and even send things like birthday cards thanks to companies that advertise on the web like Hallmark and Disney's family page. The Internet also offers a way to get information from a wide variety of sources like Compton's Encyclopedia and other useful tools. The Internet offers all of this stuff for us to browse through without leaving our home that pretty soon no one will leave their home especially with newer technology coming out everyday. Computers are the wave of the future and with modems and the Internet and now teleconferencing many more people will be staying at home while they work. New inventions like processing chips that can run billions of commands in a matter of seconds that soon will be able to take control of robots and other machinery that will make human work obsolete. Detroit, Michigan home of the General Motors automotive company was once a huge flourishing community that had a huge population base. Now it is all made up of a few factories that have a very small population base that is mainly operated by machinery and giant robots. Just recently both of my parents started to work out of there homes.

A Real Contemporary Problem: Fraternity Deaths and Violence

Imagine a picture of an ideal university, Lush green surroundings, modernized facilities, eccentric and highly recognized   professors stuttering about, carefully selected students with their own caliber to boast, chatting freely in the grounds and the basic motto of â€Å"Honor and Excellence†   hanging in the air.This irrefutable university exists as the very epitome of academic excellence. Future leaders of the society gather around this acropolis. This is where bright promising young minds clash and mesh to form a boulder that will serve as the structural foundation of the country within the next years to come.However, beneath this beautiful facade lies a different picture. Behind the curtains of lies and deception is a whole different story unveiled.   Behind these walls whispers a cry of injustice and a desperate plea for the destruction of a system that had long been bound by wealth and power.On the 27 of August on the same year, three cars dropped off a badly bea ten body of a boy to the hospital. His name was Chris Mendez, a student in his last year of college about to graduate with a degree of Public Administration and Governance. Minutes later, he was pronounced dead, hopes for a better life for his family died along with him.University of the Philippines offers the best facilities for educational attainment in the country. With the country paying most of the needed expenses through subsidies, students who accumulate their knowledge there are called â€Å"Scholars of the Nation.†The University is famous for the outstanding graduates they produce. This is where the phrase â€Å"freedom of speech† comes from. Students in the UP are known for their rallies against social injustices and corruption existing in the government.   There is also one other thing that they are known for.University of the Philippines hosts a lot of Student Organizations. From academics, sports, common interests, they have it all, and that includes fra ternities and sororities (Arrowsmith, 2004). All student organizations has a form of Rights of Acceptance, it will be forever imbued in the social and political culture of the school. Most of these initiation rights include hazing.The 20 year old Chris Mendez, was not the only who became the victim of hazing and other frat-related deaths and violence. Hazing, as part of the university’s tradition in acceptance had victims who suffered physically and mentally.RA 8049, also known as the Anti-Hazing states the definition of hazing as a practice in a prerequisite for acceptance and placing the applicant in a mortifying situation such as   coercing   him to do menial, foolish and other similar tasks or activities.Yet it does not take effect until, the neophyte suffers from bruises, injuries or even worse, death.   As a proof, not one of the student organizations has or had been arrested for merely shouting at an applicant in front of many people or hurling hurtful words that demeans the student as a person.Worse, even the administration itself is practicing these traditional rights of acceptance. AR Santiago, the son of former Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago committed suicide after being turned down in his application study in the UP College of Law.The panel was reported to use cruel ways in interviewing applicants, even asking in an underhanded way of how he can cope with an insane lady for a mother (Arrowsmith, 2004).Such injustice had been happening and would not have been noticed if a senator’s son hadn’t died. Up to now the law of the jungle where the strong crushes the weak occurs. It is instilled in the values of the University ‘s organizations and even in some of the administration that these archaic ways are the solution for the students to be prepared for the real world ahead, that indeed connections and power and wealth for position does exist.The Band of BrothersThe word fraternity is defined (Encarta, 2007) as an organ ization formed to enhance the social, academic, professional or personal interests of members.   Its word comes from the Latin word â€Å"frater† meaning brother.

Death Camp

It all began when a group of old friends decided they wanted to go camping for the weekend. All they wanted was to have a laugh, get drunk and have good last memories of their time together before they went to university in different parts of the country. Camping seemed like a perfect way to say goodbye, or so they thought. Sitting around a warm campfire, toasting marshmellows and sharing memories, they would remember the good times and leave on a good note, the troubles of the past forgotten. Jack and Mike decided to organise a weekend in the New Forest and collected a i30 contribution from their friends to pay for food, drink, fuel and the hire of a minibus. So it was that, one crisp morning in late August, the group of friends met at The Three Compasses in Luton and set off, talking and laughing, for their perfect weekend away. The journey took a few hours due to the volume of traffic on the roads and by the time they reached base camp they were hot, tired and irritable. Determined not to let the weekend get off to a bad start, Jack suggested that they set up camp in the woods then go their separate ways before the barbeque later in the evening. Jack led the group from the carpark to a clearing about half a mile into the dense trees and they began to set up the large ten-man tents. After agreeing to meet back at seven, they split into twos and threes and went off to explore the forest. Everyone was back by half past and got a fire going, crackling merrily as they toasted marshmellows. As the drink was brought out the talking and laughing grew louder and more raucous until most were either asleep or dancing outrageously to Mike's CD collection. The fire flickered, its embers glowing and cinders scattering about the clearing. The deep shadows between the trees were broken by its golden light and different hues of yellow danced across the canvas tents. A wonderful aroma of sweet pinewood burning filled the clearing, mingling with the pungent perfume of wild grasses and flowers. The stars overhead were glittering like diamonds in the velvety night sky. Jack was dancing near to the fire but he was one of the last ones, everyone else had gone into the tents to sleep off the vodka and beer. As his friends decided that they too were ready for bed, Jack went to put out the fire with a bottle of water. In his disorientated state he accidentally picked up a half-drunk bottle of vodka and threw its contents onto the fire. There was a roar and the flames sprang up, licking the night air like a predator hungry for prey. Tongues of flame caught low-hanging branches and they were swallowed up, the pine resin spitting and jumping. Jerked out of his drunkeness, Jack ran to the tents and shouted for everyone to get out and follow him. The ones who listened ran outside, dragging their semi-conscious friends with them. Crashing through the dense undergrowth they headed in the direction of the minibus and clambered aboard. Mike, who had stayed sober enough to drive, sprang into the drivers seat and they sped off down the road. At a nearby laybay they stopped and called the fire brigade from a phonebox. It was only then that they realised several of their friends behind at the mercy of the raging flames. The forest was alight, the trees catching like dry tinder and pillars of orange flame rocketing into the night sky, the pines burning like torches. The people left behind ran drunkenly away from the flames but the fire was spreading at an incredible rate, springing from tree to tree like rampaging tigers. Smoke filled the forest and they choked as they ran, stumbling and falling. Overcome by tiredness and lack of oxygen, they sank down in a clearing by a road, hoping the fire could be stopped before it was too late†¦

By Margaret Craven Essay

This book is an inspiring experience to read is somewhat of an understatement. Though a very small book in terms of novels lately, this work is complete and in depth enough that nothing is left lacking. A young vicar, Mark Brian accepts an assignment to a remote Indian village in the Pacific Northwest of British Columbia. Kingcome itself seems to become part of the landscape instead of detracting from the natural beauty. The people, the Kwakiutl tribe, are as mysterious and reserved as the land they live in. Their walnut colored faces and sad eyes speak of secrets and silent thoughts that Brian can not interpret at first. He notes to himself mentally as if they always seem to be waiting for something but he can never quite understand what. They treat him with respect and distance, a quiet reminder that he is an intruder, whether welcomed or not. He is the â€Å"white man† and therefore, far beyond being able to understand their circle of life and how they view that life. In return, Brian gives them that right to distance and struggles to be as unobtrusive a presence as he can be. He sees this as a challenge that he has been sent to accomplish in order to better their lives and thus better his as well. His vicarage and church are in ramshackle condition, a far cry from any said civilized habitat he was accustomed to but upon receiving a post dated letter from his Bishop that he would receive a new â€Å"manufactured† vicarage, he sends a response declining the offer. He is determined to live as they live or as much as he can and open himself to their ways. It is not a feat easily accomplished. His strongest ally is Jim Wallace, a native designated to aid and help the young vicar. Yet, Jim and Mark are just among a whole cast of fabulous and amazing characters from Calamity Bill, a forester, and to old Marta who is wise beyond even her extensive lifetime. Mark experiences the faith that the people hold in Christianity while the underlying teachings of their native spirituality is always present. Unknown to the vicar is the fact that he is dying and though his Bishop knew, he learns to accept all facets of life, even death, through the pragmatic and beautifully simplistic acceptance of the Kwakiutl people. As to often when one race invades another, the conquering one imposes their way of thought and practices upon the other. One of the most startling evidence of government interference was the body of a drowned child that was required to lay in wait of burial for an undeterminable length of time. Stark decomposition had set in but still the Kwakiutl were forced to wait for the arrival of the Royal Mounted Police constable before the child could be buried. Obviously an accidental death, nothing truly needing an inquest, the constable showed little regard for the tribe and their customs by delaying his visit as long as possible. Mark Brian got his first taste of governmental beau racy with that act. Even he in his regulated position of the parish’s minister could not override the law and bury the child within a respectful time. The government also imposed their restrictions of the Kwakiutl by the banning of their great potlatch dances, something that had been an important custom among the Indians for as long as memory served. The people were still allowed to have potlatch dances, but on a much smaller scale and the sole reason being that the potlatch could deprive one tribe of sufficient substance and needs in order to satisfy their chief’s need to be generous. Though the Kwakiutl spoke very little of any criticism in the government’s interference, Brian sensed the deep resentment and silent anger that his charges felt to have their way of life altered so drastically. The one issue they were the most verbal about was the requirement to send their older children to a school in Vancouver which taught them the ways of the white civilization and insisted that it was the one true way to live. All the ancient ways of Kingcome were swept away and belittled by this school. When the children came home from school, they were impatient with the time set ways of the elders of the tribe and their families could see the desire in them to leave the village for good and become part of the outside world. It was certain doom for Kingcome, both as a village and as a people. It was an assurance that life as the Kwakiutl as they had been for centuries would fade away into history and cease as a separate nation. â€Å"Here in the village my people are at home as the fish in the sea, as the eagle in the sky. When the young leave, the world takes them and damages them. They no longer listen when the elders speak. They go and soon the village will go also. † (Craven 62) In my opinion, the book was wonderfully enlightening and deeply moving. As the time was spent with the people, Mark Brian did, as his Bishop hoped, gave a finer insight into the beauty of life and the deepset roots of people who were content with their world as it was. A rare happiness that though not clearly evident on the surface, it was a thread of strength that helped him face his own demise and still retain his faith in his own beliefs. I found no reason for changing the book or looking for any detraction or addition to as a complete work. It was a wonderful reading experience! Works Cited/Reference Craven, Margaret, I Heard the Owl Call My Name, Dell Publishing, 1973

Eating with Your Hands Essay

Society today is one big melting pot. People bring their customs and cultural traditions and it conglomerates with others creating these norms we follow. We live by, what time has created over time, a status quo, or social rights and wrongs. In the passage, Eating with Your Hands, the author opens the topic about etiquette, one of the major social controversies. She talks about why some foods are only acceptable to be eaten with proper utensils while others can be â€Å"finger food†. It’s true—but why is that a known rule? And why is it frowned upon? The passage has some background history of people groups within certain countries eating food with their hands, and how it almost gives an individual a better sense of what he or she is eating. The author brings up how it’s the meeting of the soul and the skin; whereas silverware places a distance between you and your food. She compares it to that of two people making love—giving food and yourself an intimate relationship. I got the sense that society has changed the soul and feeling behind food and meals due to the kosher norms of modern day etiquette. Personally I have never given thought to how I eat my food in comparison with other cultures. Growing up in twenty-first century America I have always eaten the way I’m â€Å"supposed† to; I never gave it a second thought. My culture has almost given me tunnel vision, letting me focus only on what I know as acceptable or natural. This topic opens my mind to what else I might be blinded to. I have never explored what other cultures grow accustomed to like religion, style, relationships, family dynamics or even school. I have always considered myself incredibly fortunate for the life I live, and therefore I never examined the varying cultural aspects of differing nations or people groups. As far as the message of society erasing the intimacy of our meals to ourselves, I can absolutely sympathize with the author’s thoughts. In retrospect, the singular thing that could most certainly bring my family together was the warm meal that awaited us. The physicality of sharing a meal together provided each of us the opportunities to engage, with every member of my family, our singular experiences. Food is a social activity! Assuredly, eating is an activity. When an individual goes out with his or her friends, more often than not they all get dinner together. When one throws a birthday party, a favorite restaurant or catering or favorite home-cooked meal is involved. Social interactions like dating usually incorporate food of some sort. In the generation of everything digital, it is common to take a picture of a meal and post it to a social media. Food has always been a part of social interaction. I do think that society has put a strain on the comfort of eating how we desire, without our conscious recognition. Perhaps because we grew up learning that we couldn’t eat spaghetti with both hands.

Greenhouse Business Challenge and Carbon Footprint Assignment - 1

Greenhouse Business Challenge and Carbon Footprint - Assignment Example For brand protection, the company ensures that all their products are free from any form of toxic material that may cause harm directly to the user or even indirectly by first implicating on the environment and subsequently on the user. These materials are not only toxic to the consumers but also lead to a low lifespan of the products and thus the company shareholders work to ensure that several elements are not present in the products. These elements include lead, polyvinyl chloride, mercury and Brominated Flame Retardant (Jackson, 2012, 7). The best description for the Apple carbon footprint is by identifying the manner in which it is determined. For the company, a comprehensive life cycle analysis is put in place to assist in acknowledging the source of greenhouse emissions. The carbon footprint for Apple has received a lot of response from many people including long life shareholders who have committed themselves to the purchase of Apple products (O’Grady, 2008, 133). Most shareholders are afraid of the contemporary plan of incorporating cloud computing to the new generation i-pad. The processes that will bring around cloud computing will involve the purchase of other gadgets that will lead to increased global warming from them and as an end result in environmental degradation (Wharton, 2012, 8). The best practice that the company has incorporated in the manufacture of their commodities is the minimization of growth impact. The company has done this by ensuring that its commodities cause less harm through improving the environmental performance of its products. This has been done through packaging them in small-sizes, there is also the use of materials that are both energy saving and fit for recycling.  

Identity-Based Brand Equity Model A Conceptual Framework Essay

Identity-Based Brand Equity Model A Conceptual Framework - Essay Example The following paper aims to close this essential marketing research gap and presents a new integrated brand equity model based on the identity-based brand management approach. It explores the sources of brand equity from internal and external perspectives on behavioral and financial levels in order to achieve a higher level of brand equity measurement and management quality. Since the late 80's - with the rise of the value-based management philosophy - brand equity has developed as one of the key marketing concepts throughout management theory and practice (Srinivasan et al., 2005). The challenge of delivering comprehensible evidence of brand-based equity creation encouraged researchers to develop a wide range of different brand equity models. Today it can be assumed that more than 300 different models have been developed and implemented worldwide. (Amirkhizi, 2005) Majority of these models focuses on the consumer. (Aaker and Joachimsthaler, 2000) Supporters argue that the source of brand equity is based on the consumer's brand knowledge predominantly following an outside-in approach. (Keller, 2003) However, an integrated brand equity approach also reflecting on inside-out approach has yet not received any attention. Nevertheless, it would be highly relevant to also consider brand equity being already created inside the company, for instance through emp loyees. Not only do employees represent an important stakeholder group, but they also operate as the original source of brand equity. (Joachimsthaler, 2002; Jones, 2005) Such a brand equity model with an integrated brand equity definition implicates the following advantages: First, most established models are based on past information and they accordingly derived prognosis. Only the integration of an internal perspective enables an accurate assessment of the entire brand equity, since the employee's attachment to the company is captured. This useful information however is only accessible within the company. Employees are therefore capable of anticipating positive or negative tendencies of internal and external development at an earlier stage, which increases both timeliness and validity of brand equity measurement. Secondly, in majority of developed models, brand image represents the basis of evaluation. Unfortunately it cannot be directly controlled from the company's perspective. In this context, the expression of "brand image as a construct of acceptance" was defined. (Burmann and Meffert, 2005) Brand image results from decoding the brand-driven a nd interpreted signals. In contrast, brand identity represents a "concept of sender". (Kapferer, 1992b) It can be directly managed by the company. Thirdly, the consideration of brand potential and future brand options has received little attention in