Modernism Postmodernism free essay sample

Examined in terms of origins, ideologies, relation to other schools, commodification, aesthetics and representationalism vs. abstraction. The post in postmodernism implies less a chronological succession than an opposition, and an intimate connection. The term postmodernism is sometimes accused of being the inflated focus for such a range of contradictory investments that sorting out its precise relationship to what went before is difficult. But, though postmodernism can be defined as having a number of sources, such as the recrudescence of the cultural avant garde, the penetration of cultural life by the commodity form, [or] the exhaustion of certain classical bourgeois ideologies, its primary source, and its principle subject for critique, is modernism. In the various ways in which modernity serves as its focus, postmodernism justifies its title. In most definitions of postmodernism, the failings of modernity are clearly the basis from which the later movement derives its impetus. Whether it is

AUTHOR UNKNOWN essays

AUTHOR UNKNOWN essays Social Security is not a problem right now; in fact, it runs a large surplus every year. However, Americans are living longer, and drawing more Social Security payments than they ever put in. Early in the next century, we will be paying out more than we take in, and Social Security will have to dip into its surplus, which is currently used by the federal government for other spending. When the last of the baby boomers retire, the payroll tax would have to almost double to maintain benefits. This creates an undue burden on Generation X-ers, and solutions need to be found to prevent this from happening. * Citizens should be given a choice on whether or not they wish to invest their own Social Security funds in a high-yield bank account, or the stock market. Right now, the average American has withdrawn all he has put into Social Security within 7 years of retirement. This forces the everyday worker to support those currently on Social Security with his payments. Whoever is still in the work force should be given the opportunity to do with their money as they see fit. If someone feels that they are unable to invest wisely in the stock market, there are other options available. For instance, and perhaps the simplest, is to invest the funds into a money-market account, which will on average receive 1-1 1/2% more interest than a traditional savings account. From the time the average American starts working - say 16 or 17 - till the time he retires, there will be a lot of money that has accumulated in this account. Another option is a tax-sheltered annuity. This is an option available to anyone - as long as they have an investment broker - to take a certain amount of money from their paycheck, tax free, and have it invested and re-in! vested in stocks and bonds. It can be cashed out at any times. Many banks offer tax-sheltered annuities for a ...

Quality of Care for Diabetic Patients in a Large Urban Public Hospital Assignment

Quality of Care for Diabetic Patients in a Large Urban Public Hospital - Assignment Example According to the research findings, it can, therefore, be said that Suwattee, Lynch, and Pendergrass relied on hospital records mainly from the quality improvement department to collect data pertaining to patient characteristics and information on their follow up by physicians. They analyzed the data using x2 test, ANOVA, Fisher’s PLSD test to observe categorical and continuous variables, while taking the help of SAS statistical software. They concluded that diabetes clinic provided the highest quality care while clinic staffed by internal medicine residents provided the intermediate and the other clinic staffed by faculty physicians provided the least amount of care. Validity: As it was mentioned by the authors, the research was mainly based on documented reports rather than direct observations. Also, if their pre-existing favorability towards diabetes clinic had made them perform an overlooked biased study with respect to selection and testing of measures, the internal valid ity would have been in question. However, the documentation of their data analysis and the correlation of results and assumptions with relevant published data suggest that the study can be considered as validated. From the data, assumptions and relative measures provided by the authors, it can be stated that the results of this study have content, predictive and concurrent validity, respectively. Applicability: The main point identified in this research was that diabetes clinic having a disease-management process provided highest quality care to patients. It was in spite of the fact that some aspects of the care in the diabetes clinic are provided by least experienced personnel than those in the clinic staffed by faculty physicians. Adherence to standard guidelines for patient care through a system-wide coordination among involved providers is the key for this difference. Though this comprehensive approach seems widely applicable, the fact that even the diabetes clinic’s scor e was also suboptimal indicates that applicability needs long-term commitment and participation of all involved entities.

Korean shamanism Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Korean shamanism - Research Paper Example It could be argued that shamanism embodies the oldest human religion, for the most adventurous of archaeologists provided evidence of shamanistic practices among homo sapiens. Its prevalence all over the world as well indicates that in several ways shamanism is the perfect example of human religiosity. It continues to be extremely important at present, less often clearly as in the case of Haiti than totally as in the case of the Pentecostal.2 The word shaman has a Siberian origin and a shaman is a person who arbitrates the connection between the natural world and a dynamic supernatural dimension or realm of spirits for the goal of obtaining some control over or wisdom of natural phenomena. The practice is indicative of situations in which individuals either had extremely little control over their fate as in ancient societies or whose individual power is inadequate in a world that appears overpowering or menacing as under contemporary capitalism. To obtain a union with a power that is mystical, the shaman is mounted by a spirit after having freed his/her mind from innate limitation. This emancipating process is frequently attained through drugs such as sot-weed or tobacco, whirling or dancing, thumping or singing yawning tones.3 The word shaman is not just Siberian in origin, but Northeast Asia appears to have been a key center of later transmissions of the spiritual practice into the Americas, particularly Native America, and later all over Eurasia, as in ancient Southeast Asia. For the reason that the deepest origin of Korean culture and civilization rest in the Altaic province of Northeast Asia, it is not astonishing that shamanism had a fundamental part in Korean civilization, as it as well does in the case of Tibetan. When the Yamacek, or also called the Tungusic people, moved to the Korean Peninsula at the advent of first millennium B.C., they pioneered a deeply shamanistic culture.4 Among the Yemacek-Tungusic society’s manufactured bronze

British Fiction Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

British Fiction - Essay Example Both of them are distinctive, and in many ways ground-breaking plays written by playwrights who are , in their way, regarded as quintessentially 'English' or 'British' in nature: if such as thing as British literature exists, it would be found within their work. First of all is there such a thing as "being British" At the most basic level "being British" would be someone who is born, raised or who hold British nationality. In this case both Pinter and Stoppard meet this crude "British" definition. Being British is also essentially an idea rather than a reality. It can be seen as adherence to a number of supposed national norms that the British display. Eccentricity, independence, an indomitable nature, reserve, politeness, intelligence, genius, empire, arrogance are all characteristics which can be said to be 'British', and thus it can be seen to be a number of often contradictory things. 'Contradiction' is one of the hallmarks of Absurdist Theatre and thus it is apt that The Caretaker is one of the first works of drama to be written within the genre called The Theatre of the Absurd. What can be said to be particularly 'English' about this work. ... mixture of threat, comedy, hopelessness and an ironic commentary upon working class lives that are based often upon endless combative exchanges of words. The characters make fun of their situations in a manner that is both vaguely threatening and funny. For example, Mick gives an exaggerated description of what the hopelessly run-down house could be: MICK: We could turn this place into a penthouse. For instance this room. This room could have been the kitchen. Right size, nice window, sun comes in. I'd have I'd have teal-blue, copper and parchment linoleum squares. I'd have those colours re-echoed in the walls. I'd offset the kitchen units with charcoal-grey worktops. Plenty of room for cupboards for the crockery. We'd have a small wall cupboard, a large wall cupboard, a corner wall cupboard with revolving shelves. You shouldn't be short of cupboards. You could put the dining-room across the landing, see Yes. Venetian blinds on the window, cork floor, cork tiles. You could have an off-white pile linen rug, a table in... in afromosia teak veneer, sideboard with matte black drawers, armchairs in oatmeal tweed, a beech frame settee with a woven sea-grass seat... (sits up) it wouldn't be a flat it'd be a palace. (Pinter, 1998) Mick is making fun of his brother's (as well as the tramp's) ridiculous plans for the house, and goes from the reasonable to the absurd in his descriptions. Take the description of the cupboard, which soon turns into a "large wall cupboard" and then on to the absurdly ambitious "cupboard with revolving shelves" (Pinter, 1998). Pinter is also commenting upon the pretentious of the English middle-class, and those such as his brother and new 'caretaker' who would want to be one of them. The details of this pretension, seething with sarcasm as they

Taco Bells Response to Lawsuit Essay -- Case Study

Unexpected Event In January 2011, a class action lawsuit was filed against Taco Bell, alleging the restaurant chain used more meat fillers than real ground beef. Specifically, the suit claimed Taco Bell’s products were made with â€Å"taco meat filling,† which consisted of extenders and other non-meat substances. The complaint further pointed out that Taco Bell not only misled consumers but also violated federal requirements by labeling â€Å"taco meat filling† as beef. This incident was unexpected as Taco Bell was not informed before the lawsuit was publicized. In addition, the â€Å"beef fiasco† made national headlines and could seriously tarnish the Taco Bell brand. Taco Bell’s response to the â€Å"meat filling† charges was quick and direct. In an attempt to reassure both the customers and employees, Taco Bell launched an advertising campaign explaining the ingredients in its ground beef. The following analysis will discuss how Taco Bell used integrative thinking to combat the bad press and how the company applied Weick and Sutcliffe’s five HRO principles to reverse the negative sentiments generated by the lawsuit. I will also suggest small wins for Taco Bell in regards to the functionalities and implementation of the five HRO principles in order to manifest a more mindful and sustainable infrastructure in the wake of this event. Integrating IMC 457 Taco Bell could choose to remain silent in response to the charges and had its attorneys to negotiate on its behalf. However, silence from the company would mean to reluctantly agree with the accusations. Or, Taco Bell could stay aggressive and took legal action against the plaintiff for making allegedly false statements about its products. The implied trade-off here would be the risk of inviti... ...the five HRO principles must be implemented at all levels to develop a state of â€Å"mindfulness† and to meet customers’ expectations. Works Cited 1. http://adage.com/article/news/taco-bell-launches-ad-campaign-response-lawsuit/148552/ 2. http://www.prdaily.com/crisiscommunications/Articles/7297.aspx 3. http://www.prdaily.com/crisiscommunications/Articles/PR_crisis_averted_Lawsuit_targeting_Taco_Bells_bee_7980.aspx 4. http://mashable.com/2011/01/28/taco-bell-social-media-crisis/ 5. http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/taco-bell-defends-beef-legal-action/story?id=12785818#.T6r9046nS8U 6. http://www.mrmediatraining.com/index.php/2011/04/22/taco-bells-great-crisis-management/ 7. http://ww2.crisisblogger.com/2011/01/taco-bell-if-there-beef-is-as-good-as-their-crisis-management-theyre-looking-good/ 8. http://www.coneinc.com/taco-bell-manages-beef-crisis

An Analysis of Movies Armageddon

Among the movies that were released and made it big at the box-office in 1998 were the Armageddon and Saving Private Ryan. Although the first is a science-fiction and the second is a war movie, making their presentation of the use of film technology different, both films are pictures of totally predictable elements – loud noises and frequent explosions. The two movies both presented battle scenes – against the asteroid in Armageddon while it is a battle among soldiers in Saving Private Ryan. Best remembered from the two films were the elements of sparks, noise, vibrations, shouting, running, screaming, fighting, fire, tremors, crashes and collisions. The difference in their cinematography and editing aspects depicted the use of their own film techniques and technology.Saving Private Ryan has Tom Hanks and Matt Damon as the main actors. The Steven Spielberg war film told about the character of James Ryan (Damon), who has parachuted into France during the Allied invasion of Europe, has just lost three brothers in combat. Government policy dictates that he should return home lest his family be deprived of its entire male offspring. A team of soldiers, led by Captain John Miller (Hanks) and fresh from the beaches of Normandy, is assembled to find and save Private Ryan.The use of film techniques was manifested with the way how Spielberg and his crew recreated the arrival of Allied forces at Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944, by using water-level and then ground-level handheld cameras during a 24-minute sequence of especially graphic carnage. McKenzie noted the use of seamless SFX and advanced film-making techniques, the terrors of battle massacre are splattered onscreen. The viewing public find themselves totally absorbed in the war horror, â€Å"with the dizzying and expert use of a variety of techniques, including hand-held cameras, the speeding up of the often unrelated images, frantic editing, and varying film stock. Spielberg's gifted Oscar-winning cin ematographer, Janusz Kaminski brought a compelling war-newsreel look to a lot of the images† (McKenzie, 2005).Another technique is when the film started off with the title Saving Private Ryan. It started off like this to show the title of the film and show what the film is going to be about. In some films they show a bit of the film and then show the title. But Spielberg didn't want to do this. This showed the film might be really exciting and interesting to watch. The Saving Private Ryan title was written in white lettering against a black background. The black background symbolizes the people who died in the war while the white lettering symbolizes those soldiers who fought in the war and emerged as winners.Cinematographer Kaminski employed many different techniques during filming to set the mood of a given scene. During the opening sequence, for example, the film is overexposed a bit to give a sense of a documentary-like feel to the scenes. The camera work is often hand hel d and jerky too, heightening the sense of realism during the scene. But the disc handles all this easily and is a testament to the work being done by the folks over at DreamWorks.Saving Private Ryan is nothing but a demonstration of cinematographic skills in a totally inappropriate context. Why does film documentary style, with a shoulder-held camera to capture the chaos, yet so formally stage the scenes and with bodies perfectly falling into full frame, dying perfect deaths? This is because everything onscreen told the audience what came first in the making of the movie: more than the war, its aesthetics possibilities.In Schlosser’s review, Spielberg and his skilled band of technicians studied the photo archives and documentaries very carefully. Then they carefully re-created the settings, the shootings, the sounds and furies. And on the seventh day, they decided to superimpose some silhouettes (Schlosser, 2000).The science-fiction film Armageddon, which top-billed Bruce Wil lis and directed by Michael Bay, started when the space shuttle is destroyed in outer space and NASA astronomers discovered that a meteor shower is pelting away at earth and that a huge asteroid, the size of Texas and capable of destroying the planet is headed for a direct hit with the planet. With all options too fantastic to implement before collision, NASA decides to recruit the world's best deep core drilling team (oil drillers) to land on the asteroid, drill a hole, drop a nuclear bomb into the hole, then take off and remotely detonate the bomb.For the drill team, they select Harry Stamper (Bruce Willis) and his crew that includes tough guy-softie Bear (Michael Clarke Duncan), brilliant smart-ass Rockhound (Steve Buschemi), A.J. (Ben Affleck) the overeager fiancà © of his independent daughter (Liv Tyler), and spacy Oscar (Owen Wilson). It's a race against time to get the drillers trained, land them on the asteroid and get the hole drilled before earth is destroyed.Aside from t he futuristic aspect of the movie, its other strong points are editing and cinematography. From sweeps around the NASA conference room to quick close-ups, from split-second backgrounds to the simulated, striking aerial view of the double launch, the camera work told the story with stylistic, often frenetic motion.The film’s use of advance technology saved the script which was the result of the well-shot but terribly clichà ©d montages, many showing Bay's vision of a type of classic America, people listening to news of the coming catastrophe, gathered in a Mayberry-like barber shop or sitting in vintage pickups, near American flags and farmhouses. Another technique evidence is the one shot of a group of boys who even runs past a clapboard store sporting a faded campaign mural of JFK.Bay directed this stuff with a sure hand and a lot of slow motion effects. His visuals are actually quite amazing, including the spectacular lift-off of the two shuttles. Side-by-side, the image i s from far away, as the spaceships race off, leaving a trail of smoke behind. Bay is a good director for color pictures, using oranges and yellows effectively. The cinematography is excellent, and the editing is fast-paced. The special effects are top-notch, blowing away anything seen in that other comet film. The opening sequence is one of the best moments in the film, and one shocking moment occurs when a meteor plows into a city and you see it completely wiped out from the top of Notre Dame.The work by Blue Sky|VIFX for the opening shot ARMAGEDDON is brilliant. In a single shot, asteroids pummel the earth, creating huge fireballs that envelop the camera, wiping on the film's main title graphic. The camera swoops by the earth, revealing the massive destruction of the meteor shower, allowing the audience to fully examine the effect of this disaster. Geological inaccuracies aside, the shot is quite memorable. Explosion elements seem in scale, and the slow camera movement is quite bo ld–all in all, an exciting prelude for things to come.The two films used the theme of human sacrifice. For Saving Private Ryan, it was the sacrifice of a team of soldiers for a single human being while Willis’ sacrifice in Armageddon was in order to save the world and all the people living in it. Although set in different societies – a community torn in war and a world face with asteroid, both showed the importance of having to sacrifice and even to be killed just to save either one person or mankind. Saving Private Ryan pictured that in a war-torn society, the soldiers are destined to sacrifice their lives notwithstanding if these are for the sake of only one or many people.Armageddon was also a manifestation of giving up a life but this time to save not only one single human but the whole mankind. The two movies told the lesson of a society of such human beings are worth sacrificing for and that it is only through the value of each and every human being that a society achieves value itself.The audience who liked these two films is assumed to be of giving value to human life. Although different in genres, the audiences were moved that the film gave credit not just to the technology and techniques used but more so of the theme and lesson behind the aesthetics of the films.ReferencesMcKenzie, Edward (2005). Saving Private Ryan (World War II Collection) (1998).Schlosser, Eric. (January 2000). On Saving Private Ryan. Bright Lights Film Journal, Issue 27. Retrieved January 11, 2008 from http://www.brightlightsfilm.com/27/savingprivateryan.html