Saturday, August 31, 2019

Navajo Code Talkers: the Unspoken Heroes of World War II

It’s a normal day in June 1944 and we were located on the Pacific Island of Saipan. As were walking through the lush, tangled wilderness with dense sugar-cane, steep ravines and jagged volcanic mountains, there was no such thing as a battle line for us soldiers. Danger was everywhere. The unseen enemy could be hidden by the thick tropical vegetation and the pitch black darkness of the new mooned night. Our eyes where constantly looking from the left to the right as we crossed by the walls of caves looking at the trees sprouting out of them for barrels pointing back. When we would stop for the night, we cherished the passing day, for we know tomorrow could be our last. One morning as we woke up from our uncomfortable beds, the ground, we noticed a silence along the enemy front. Carefully we scouted the terrain. They were gone. The Japanese had abandoned the area and retreated to new ground. As we inspected the area where they once occupied, suddenly artillery shells exploded all around us. I jumped to the ground as shrapnel exploded and flew overhead striking the tree that was behind me. We were being attacked. Not by the Japanese, but from our own guns. The radioman started shouting, â€Å"We are Americans! Stop The Artillery! † Nothing stopped, for the artillery commanders faced a known problem. The Japanese were far more fluent in English then we were in Japanese and have been known to send out faulty reports in perfect English. They thought it was just an enemy trick. â€Å"Stop Firing! We are Americans! † was echoed through the radio, each one more desperate then the last. Finally, a message was sent back, â€Å"Do you have a Navajo? † I was rushed forward, almost swept off my feet. Handing over my rifle to the radioman and started talking code. Within seconds the artillery stopped (Bruchac 2005, 135-7). This was a reenactment of an incident involving the United States marines during World War II. Sixteen-year-old Ned Begay, a Native American Navajo from Arizona, was at this fire fight on Bougainville, an area of Saipan, where U. S. troops fired on their own solders, not knowing that they were not the enemy. If it wasn’t for the Navajo code talker, more men would have died that day. This paper will cover many topics about the Navajo code talkers, including how they were formed, how the code was used to save American lives throughout the war. Finally, I will talk about what happened to the after the war. By providing this information, I how that it will strike a new incite of what the unspoken heroes of World War II went through. During the beginning of World War II, the Japanese was able to break every code that the United States created. The Japanese had more solders that were fluent in English, making it easy to crack the codes and create false orders that would sent our solders to their death. While the U. S. military was struggling with a way to find an unbeatable code, a civilian came up with the answer. Philip Johnston, a civil engineer for the city of Los Angles, came across a news article stating that the military had an armored division in Louisiana that was using Native American languages for secret communications. Philip Johnston, son of William and Margaret Johnston, was a Protestant missionary to the Navajo for many years. Philip had spent his childhood with the Navajo and was one of the few outsiders to be fluent in the Navajo language. At an early age, he served as a translator for his parents and for other outsiders and by the age of nine, Philip traveled to Washington D.  C. to translate for a Navajo delegation that asked President Theodore Roosevelt to look into the governments treatment of the Navajos and their neighbors (AAaseng 1992, 18). Philip knew that the Navajo language was virtually impossible for an adult to master. Every syllable in the Navajo language had to pronounce correctly. Of one was to change the tone of the syllables, the word could have a completely different meaning, causing the sentence to misunderstood. This was due to the Navajo uses of four different tones, low, high, rising, and falling (AAaseng 1992, 18). Johnston had learned how secret codes where essential for military operation while enlisted with the French during World War I. The more he thought about it, the more convinced he was that it would work. In February of 1942, Johnston met with Lieutenant Colonel James Jones, a signal officer, and was greeted with uncertainty and misbelieves. Johnston pointed out that knowledge of other Native American languages would be of no use to the enemy in understanding the Navajo language. Navajos where so isolated from the world that the language was as foreign to other tribes as it was to outsiders. In addition to this, the Navajo language was a spoken language and had no alphabet and there for couldn’t be reduced to a written format that can be studied afar. After many hours of arguments and demonstrations, in March 1942, he was able to present a demonstration to an audience that included Major General Vogel and Colonel Wethered Woodward from the marine headquarters in Washington D. C. Johnston was able to gain the cooperation of four Navajos living in the Las Angeles area and a Navajo who was enlisted with the marines (AAaseng 1992, 21). He divided the four Navajos into two groups and had the sent messages back and forth, while the Navajo marine was attempting to translate the messages. After the demonstration, the Navajo Marine was unable to translate a signal word. General Vogel was so impressed that in February 1942, just two months after the booming of Pear Harbor, Philip Johnston was asked to prepare a proposal for organizing and using the Navajo code Talkers. In May 1942, the first 29 Navajo recruits attended boot camp. They were known as the â€Å"first 29. † At Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, California, this first group created the Navajo code. They developed an elaborate dictionary and hundreds of words for military terms [ (Navajo Code Talkers: World War II Fact Sheet n. d. ) ]. The dictionary and all code words had to be memorized during training for the Navajos where not allowed to write down any of of the code. Furthermore, while enlisted, they were not allowed to write to their families for fear that the letters would be used to try to break the code. Once the Navajo code talker completed his training, he was sent to a Marine unit who was deployed in the Pacific. The code talkers' primary job was to talk, transmitting information on tactics and troop movements, orders and other vital battlefield communications over telephones and radios. They also acted as messengers, and performed general Marine duties. While in combat, it was rumered that for each code talker, there was an officer assigned to protect him from cabture. If for any reason that the officer felt that the code would fall into enamy hands, the officer was ordered to kill the code talker to protect the code. One of the great triumphs for the Navajo code talkers was the battle at Iwo Jima in February of 1945. The island was so small that on most maps you couldn’t see the island at all. Although small, this island was of great importance. The new boomers that the United States were using, the B-29, was flying a 3000-mile round-trip when booming Japan. Due to the length of this trip many pilots where getting shot down. Iwo Jima was the answer. Iwo Jima would be able to be used as an emergency landing field to assist the pilot’s chances. At Iwo Jima, Major Howard Connor, 5th Marine Division signal officer, had six Navajo Code Talkers [ (Bingaman n. d. ) ]. The Major estimated that it would only take ten days, at the max, to win the battle. A month later, in March, was the island declared secure. By the end of the battle, the Navajo code talkers send and received over 800 messages, all without error, 6,800 U. S. soldiers died and nearly 20,000 more where wounded. Major Connor declared, â€Å"Were it not for the Navajos, the Marines would never have taken Iwo Jima† [ (AAaseng 1992, 88-97) ]. September 2, 1945 aboard the battleship A. S. S. Missouri in Tokyo Bay, the surrender from the Japanese was signed and World War II was officially over. The Navajo code was unable to be broken throughout the war. Because of this the code was classified as Top Secret and would remain so for over twenty years after the end of the war. It wasn’t until 1968 that the code was declassified and the Navajo code talkers would be able to tell their story. In 1982, the code talkers were given a Certificate of Recognition by U. S. President Ronald Reagan, who also named August 14, 1982 â€Å"Navajo Code Talkers Day† [ (Jr. n. d. ) ]. On December 21, 2000, Bill Clinton signed Public Law 106-554, 114 Statute 2763, which awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to twenty-nine World War II Navajo code talkers. In July 2001, U.  S. President George W. Bush personally presented the Medal to four surviving code talkers at a ceremony held in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC. Gold medals were presented to the families of the 24 code talkers that where no longer with us [ (Gray 2001) ]. For many the Navajo code talkers played an important role in World War II. From when Johnston realized how the Navajo language would benefit America, the formation of the code, and how long it would take for the Navajo to be recognized for their part in the war, the Navajo where truly the unspoken heroes of World War II.

Child Beauty Pageants Should Be Banned

Child beauty pageants should be banned Child beauty pageants should be banned because they cause children, especially little girls, to use artificial means to boost their self esteem. People were not born with makeup, spray tans, big hair, and false teeth. Beauty pageants set false rules on beauty. They make children believe they have to wear make-up, jewelry, wigs, fake nails, and other acessories to be beautiful. Every child is beautiful in their own way. Their beauty is natural and they shouldn't have to have anyone's opinion on the way they look.Beauty pageants can also cause serious mental and health issues. They can lead to depression, anorexia, suicide, and many other serious issues. Children might starve themselves to lose which could lead to eating disorders. Beauty pageants can cause depression, and depression may later lead to a suicide Children shouldn't be forced to be in pageants. Mothers try to live their dream through their children. Children shouldn't get their lives taken away from them.They only get one childhood, they don't get it back after it's over. Any parent placing their child in these types of pageants, based solely on looks, is giving their child the attitude that appearance can get you anywhere in life. It is wrong to teach children that looks are the most important asset to possess. I am not stating that children shouldn't be encouraged to develop a talent or skill, and compete with that talent or skill, I am stating that competing over looks is sending the wrong message to children.

Friday, August 30, 2019

More Than One Reality Essay

Reality is kind of like a memory. Everyone has their own di? erent ideas of what it should be but none are necessarily the truth. For example two people who were both in the great depression could have totally di? erent thoughts on the di$cult %mes. While one could have lived on the streets struggling every day to ‘nd food and water, the other could have been among the few rich people and lived in luxury. Both of them would have very di? erent memories about how %mes were back then. The same goes for reality. While we all might agree on what is real or not our thoughts on reality could be on di? erent sides of the spectrum. The de’ni%on of reality is â€Å"the state or quality of having existence or substance. † If something is real to me then that’s my reality and same goes for someone else, so who’s to say that there isn’t more than one reality and why is humanity so interested in reality? I believe that humanity is so interested in reality because we are naturally curious. They say curiosity killed the cat and I believe that saying is very true. We as humans always want our ques%ons answered be it a simple ques%on like two plus two or a complex ques%on like what is reality with no real answer yet. This curiosity is just part of our nature and it can lead to obsessions. Some people are so obsessed with ‘nding the answer to ques%ons that they devote their whole life to it and this obsession consumes them. Even if we found the answer to reality, how much would it change our everyday lives? The ques%on that we so longed for the answer to wouldn’t even make a mark on how we live our lives and the person who found this answer would have commi1ed his en%re life to ‘nd this now insigni’cant answer. I’m not saying that I’m not curious about the answer because. I am but I know that this curiosity is much more dangerous than the answer is worth. Let’s say that there is an answer to reality; it is so far away from our knowledge right now as humans. It would be like trying to explain consciousness to animals. We as humans know who we are and are aware about ourselves and others this is what separates us from animals. Even if we could somehow communicate with animals it would be nearly impossible to explain our feeling of consciousness to them. It would be like an alien who travelled to earth trying to explain faster than light speed travel to us. It would be too much for us to handle. Instead of trying to ‘nd the one true answer to reality everyone should have their own concept of reality and what they believe. We already have examples of this today. We have atheists, Chris%ans, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, and more that all have their own concept of reality. But all of them try to force their concepts on others. None can just accept that some people have di? erent views. Personally I am a Chris%an mostly because I asked myself if I were to die right now I would like to believe in something that would help me in the a8erlife. If I died and God asked me why he should let me into heaven being an atheist wouldn’t help my case. With me being a Chris%an though I s%ll acknowledge that we try to put our views on other people too. Just because people a$liate with a di? erent group doesn’t mean they have the same concept of reality as them. Even though I associate myself as a Chris%an I wouldn’t consider my concept of reality the same as theirs, we just share common main ideas of reality. Just as Americans share things about reality that other people in di? erent countries don’t. For example we believe we landed on the moon while people in other countries might think it is a hoax for fame. The area we grow up in, our parents, and even things such as what we look like can a? ect our ideas of reality. What I know to be an illusion can be someone else’s en%re reality. The people in North Korea live in an illusion to us but to them it is their reality. They believe that Kim Jung Un is the best thing since sliced bread, while we believe he has brainwashed them into thinking that by censorship and other methods. It’s not right for us to tell them what to believe but this shows how reali%es can overlap from things such as where one lives. Another example that is now an illusion to us was magic back in medieval %mes. They believed people could control things that no one else could through magic, but we now know that these people we tricked through science. Some science is very hard to believe so the only logical thing to them was to label something that you don’t understand as magic, but we now know as science. Now even science is used to explain things we don’t understand. Every religion and science has their own ideas on how we came to be. Science has used the big bang theory and evolu%on to explain how humans came to be even though they don’t have signi’cant evidence to make this a fact. They cri%cize religion for not having proof when they don’t have much themselves. I’m not saying that idea is wrong I’m just saying that what we once used science for is gone. We used science to stop the idea of â€Å"magic† by making a system where you have to provide evidence, enough to make it a fact. Now we just make something we don’t understand into a scien%’c theory. Science has almost become a new religion. I have no problem with a new religion but I think that we should keep science separate from religion. Science is what we used to produce facts and religion is a serious of beliefs that act on faith and not evidence. I love science but I also believe in religion and by de’ni%on they are two di? erent things. Science could one day be used to ‘nd out the ques%on of what is reality but it can’t do that if it acts like a religion. Instead of answering the ques%on of what reality is I decided to show how there can be more than one reality because everyone has their own reality. Since everyone has their own reality I don’t believe there will ever be a %me where everyone agrees on one concept of reality, but if there comes that day science will be needed to explain the truth of reality and for that reason science needs to stay separate from religion. I believe that by having our own reali%es this helps separate us individuals and shows our unique power as humans. Just because your reality overlaps or disagrees with someone else’s doesn’t mean they need to change. This just shows that you are actually closer to their reality than someone whose reality doesn’t have anything to do with yours, and who knows they might be the only one with the real answer to the ques%on what is reality.

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Roles of the Medieval Queen Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Roles of the Medieval Queen - Assignment Example Roles of the Medieval Queen Her success depended on the relationship with the king and the fact that the kingdom’s advisers chose her to take charge of the throne. As a regnant, the queen ruled by her rights. She exercised power over the kingdom by inheriting it from the parents, usually, as an heiress with no brothers. As a daughter of the king, she qualified to inherit and rule by her birthright. Regnant queens participated in the feudal assemblies of the kings together with some of the vassals (Shahar 146). In addition, they also made judgments in their area of governance and discussed both economic and political issues. There were conditions that determined the success or failure of a queen. The queen was success due to support from followers and church, sharing the king’s social status and rank, and support from parents in the royal family, while her failure was due to limits set by the king, growing political life, being weak, and failure to provide an heir. A queen or empress consort was a wife to a reigning emperor or king. A queen consort shared the king’s social status and rank, which allowed her to exercise feminine powers over servants in the palace. She supervised the servants to ensure that they performed their chores (Shahar 151). The consort queen also had a role in a dowry to the king and acting as his helpmate. A consort queen would also play a role in church by raising money to build them. A consort queen also motivated church reforms and also gave moral support to people in the kingdom.

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Persuasive research paper- concealed handgun laws Essay

Persuasive research paper- concealed handgun laws - Essay Example Pro Majority of the criminals are less daring to target individuals who are highly trained and fully equipped with weapons. Citizens must take privilege of this fact and utilize it for their personal protection. They must use the lawful approach for acquisition of legally authorized protective weapons. The armed officials can take absolute advantage of the fact that criminals mostly tend to attack people who are unarmed, and disguise themselves in general public attire to trap the criminals. In 2000, John Lott, PhD conducted a research that clearly asserted that â€Å"shall-issue† commandments have diminished slaughtering by 8.5%, intensified the attacks by 7%, abductions by 5%, and burglary by 3% (Wilson 60). Lott further clarified that if government would have passed the law of authorization of obscured handguns in 1992, which it dissolved in the year 1977, then 1570 assassinated people, 4177 abductions, 60,000 exaggerated attacks and 12000 burglaries would have been avoided in these fifteen years. The modified US bill clearly states that the possession of unrevealed handguns is absolutely lawful and it is not an offense. The modified US constitution further elaborates that there is no harm in legalizing the possession of hidden guns by private army personnel, and there is undoubtedly a dire need for such measures for the security of the people living in a democratic nation. According to the 1997 statistics of National Crime Victimization Assessment, the burglary and battering sufferers who had guns to protect themselves were less probably harassed or experienced a grievance, as compared to those implementing alternative techniques of self-protection, or those people who do not oppose at all in self defense (Wilson 55). Though carrying a concealed handgun is not always a necessity for a grown-up, but it undoubtedly generates a strong sense of self protection in an individual and delivers a state of liberation to go outdoors at night or in treacherous a reas. Many grown-ups who are lawfully carrying concealed handguns are honest and self controlled people who do not abuse their weapons and do not violate the county’s laws. In a report by William Sturdevant (2000) circulated by Texas Concealed Handgun Association website, the common man encounters a 5.7 times greater incidence of being lawfully punished for brutal crimes and 13.5 times more probable to be put up in police lock-ups for peaceful wrongdoings, than licensed hidden arms holders (Bird 38). Bearing a secret handgun possibly will aid in finishing public victimization extravaganzas. If there was a citizen carrying concealed handgun during the slaughtering incidents that were experienced during 1999 in the Columbine High School in Virgina Tech firing event on April 17,2009; then several lives could have been saved. The management cannot assure the security of its inhabitants (Elmer 2012). Every citizen must understand that it is their individual responsibility to prote ct themselves, their families and their community. Any citizen who considers himself bold enough to proudly take this responsibility, then government must not create an obstacle for that person in legal acquisition of concealed handguns. The question of importance that arises here is that if criminals can illegitimately avail concealed hand guns to victimize the innocent people, then why they should the responsible citizens suffer more by

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Alexander Graham Bell Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Alexander Graham Bell - Research Paper Example From an early age Bell demonstrated great intellectual curiosity and potential. Bell â€Å"became interested in botany and at age twelve built a contraption to aid a neighbor in his flourmill† (Mackay, pg. 9). His father published texts on elocution and Bell demonstrated a strong propensity in this subject. Bell would later attend prestigious high school, followed by college, and was generally recognized as mediocre at both. Upon graduation Bell began experiments with sound following his father’s interest in elocution. His experiments would ultimately lead him to become â€Å"Professor of Vocal Physiology and Elocution at Boston University† (Mackay, pg. 111). While Bell experimented with a number of sound elements, his work with the telephone undoubtedly holds the greatest contemporary relevance. In this context of understanding, Bell had â€Å"begun experimenting with a phonautograph in 1874† (Town, pg. 189). While he recognized that he was on to something he realized lack of proper funding and knowledge to complete his final invention that would electronically transmit the human voice. These challenges were overcome when Bell first encountered Gardiner Hubbard and Thomas Sanders who would help fund his invention, as well as Thomas Watson who had the required knowledge in engineering to put it together. Ultimately, â€Å"in 1876 Bell would complete his invention of the telephone, three days after receiving the patent† (Ross, pg. 302). While later in his life Bell would invent the metal detector, his greatest cultural contribution is undoubtedly telephone. Even as Bell made a substantial social contribution through his invention of telephone, the question of what the world would be like without Bell is a complicated one. While Bell invented the telephone, it’s clear that there were elements that emerged in contemporary technological platforms and allowed for this invention to occur. It is highly probable then, that if Bell had not invented his

Monday, August 26, 2019

PERSONAL ETHICAL DEVELOPMENT EXERCISE Assignment - 1

PERSONAL ETHICAL DEVELOPMENT EXERCISE - Assignment Example A leader in my own rights, I shall feel responsible in relieving tension in the environment I am living in. Life with its fast pace causes humankind to be continuously circulating in surroundings which are full of stressful conditions. My mind and body will be aware of this strain while communicating with my fellow humans. The daily issues which harass me and my friends will be solved with patience and togetherness. I would like to be in the role of mentor. The issues of ill health due to obesity and related illnesses ranging from diabetes mellitus to cardiac illness are snuffing out the lives of even young people in this fast- paced age. Sedentary lives are more common with the advent of computers. All this points to one main solution of exercising. I would set an example by jogging every morning and encouraging my friends to accompany me. If I have a say, I would motivate the other students and together we would formally request for a gymnasium for our college where all the staff and their families can work out. Physical well-being is extremely essential. My family of four members is very close to me. My father, a religious and strict personality has been my role model. He believes in keeping family ties intact. His instructions and exemplary behavior have kept this family cozy and happy. Mother insists on all of us sharing the breakfast and evening meals together. Sometimes we find it hard to reach in time. However when we remember that no one would eat without our presence, we manage to do so. We talk freely during our meals and family issues are discussed here as these are the few occasions when all are together. Paying attention to each other is another habit that we have thoroughly enjoyed. I would gladly pass on tips from my experience to my friends and acquaintances. Studying for engineering, I am lucky to have many bosom friends who have given me many wonderful

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Girl, One of these days Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Girl, One of these days - Essay Example In order for a story to have a plot, it is imperative that events are sequenced in a sensible way. There may either be a cause and effect relationship between events, or else, the events may just coincidently occur, but in either case, the subsequent events should be linked with the preceding ones. This being the definition of plot, it can be safely said that Jamaica Kincaid’s Girl has no plot at all, because there is no link whatsoever between the various events. In fact, there is no event at all. Though Girl lacks story and plot, yet it essentially fulfills the purpose of character development. From the beginning till the end of Girl, an unknown narrator is advising something that seems to be a girl so that the latter may become a responsible and prudent woman and wife. There are traces of conflict and resolution in the text. Occasionally, the narrator tells why a girl thinks in a particular way, and what she should do to get rid of the problem. 2. There is a dentist who is busy doing his work while a Mayor approaches and sends message to the dentist via dentist’s son that he wants his tooth taken out. The dentist is reluctant to do so and tells his son to tell the Mayor that he is not there. But the Mayor knows he is there. He tells the dentist’s son to tell him that if he did not take out the Mayor’s tooth, he would shoot the dentist. The dentist calls him in, and he makes the Mayor pour in the chair. He warns the Mayor that he would be given no anesthesia because the Mayor has an abscess. The Mayor tells him to proceed. The dentist takes the lower wisdom tooth out, while the Mayor holds his breath to bear the pain. When the tooth has been taken out, the Mayor wishes him a good-bye after receiving instructions from the dentist. The Mayor tells him to send the bill, hearing which, the dentist sarcastically questions him if he would pay from the town’s budget. The Mayor says it means the same eit her way. In this story, the audience gets a

Saturday, August 24, 2019

Auditing research paper on Apple Inc Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Auditing research paper on Apple Inc - Essay Example Another notable strategy that Apple has adopted is product diversification. Some notable quality brands that the company has initiated in the market include Macbook, Mac pro, Mac Mini, iPad, iPod such as iPod Nano and iPod Touch, iPhone, and Apple TV among others. Apple, which was established by the three pioneers in 1976, established its production lines in 1970s by introducing Apple III product in its effort to face the competitors including Microsoft and IBM. The company went public in 1980 whereby it sold its share at $22. Another notable aspect that made Apple to enjoy strong support from the consumers was the rebranding strategy initiated by Steve Jobs. For example, in 2007, Steve noted that the company, which was referred to as Apple Computer, Inc, would be known as Apple Inc, due to the shifting of the company activities to mobile devices from emphasizes on computers. As the result, Apple TV and iPhone were launched in the market. Despite the death of Steve in 2011, the company in its post-Jobs era has introduced quite a number of competitive brands such as iPhone 5, fouth generation Ipad, OSX Mavericks and seventh iOS As mentioned earlier, Apple is an information technology company with wide range of products that it sells in the international market. Apart from the smartphone, computer software and mobile devices the company produces, it has introduced Apple watch in its brand portfolio. The smartwatch, which was launched in 2014, is used together with an iPhone for it to work effectively. Apple has a culture of developing an ecosystem of suppliers who offer assistance to the company and who supports their business activities. Through the procurement website, Apple requires that all the suppliers must meet the highest standard of their services and goods. In addition, the suppliers are required to be very committed just like Apple on the matters of social responsibility. The suppliers are also required to notice the dynamic and

Friday, August 23, 2019

How will the initiative affect StarBucks Sales Essay

How will the initiative affect StarBucks Sales - Essay Example First, the reusable cups will cost customers $1. When they lose, crush or forget to carry them back the next time they buy coffee that will cost them another $1. Statistics indicate that, in the US alone, 233 million persons are old enough to consume coffee (Tice, 2012). Assuming each buys a reusable cup only once, that will translate to about $65 million worth of cups alone. Then, that would serve as free advertising, since consumers will keep the reusable cups with them, in their kitchens, offices and cars. That has more potential of being closer to consumers than billboard advertisements. Consumers will also save 10 cents each time they refill their reusable cups. In the long run, before the cups finally wear out, they would have earned back the $1 they used to buy them, so long as they continue buying from Starbucks (Tice, 2012). Essentially, this means the reusable cups will generate repeat

Leadership assessmnet Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Leadership assessmnet - Essay Example However, in many occasions, the management has failed to achieve these needs, resulting to poor leadership. Through these poor leadership and relations to workers, organizations have not been able to work well towards their set objectives as workers are reluctant to respond as required by the management. Therefore, there is need for this problem to be eradicated for the realization of better performance and development of the organization. Various leaders have different styles of leadership that would help them to achieve their mandates as per the objectives of the organization. These styles of leadership are always based on the strategies developed by these leaders. Based on the approach these leaders may take for the effectiveness of their leadership style, it may have either positive or negative impact to the workers (Hoffman & Shipper, 2012). For instance, although our Chief Executive Officers always have good leadership styles as compared to bad leadership in his management, there are some of the negative impacts of these kinds of leadership styles that affect us negatively. One of the styles that affect us workers negatively is poor response to workers grievances. Within our working premises, workers are required to write an official letter to the Chief Executive Officer on issues that affect workers. This move is important for workers because we have the chance of delivering these letters to his office directly without following any channel but the manager hardly response to these grievances by claiming to have been in some official duties. In the process, we are unable to solve these grievances, hence, affects us negatively. In order for the organizational activities to run as planned, leaders need to ensure that they create good relations between themselves and the workers. Moreover, they must also ensure there are good relations among the workers themselves to enhance better coordination of the organizational

Thursday, August 22, 2019

History based on the life of the original Macbeth Essay Example for Free

History based on the life of the original Macbeth Essay Eleventh century Scotland was a violent and troubled country. Family and supposedly loyal friends rebelled against one another for trading and territory purposes. The threats of an enemy invasion or an attack on fortresses were extremely common. Rampant Vikings and local Scottish men raided constantly to weaken and more importantly drive out the stubborn opposing forces that lay in their way. Macbeth was born into this dangerous environment in 1005, son of the victorious family that stamped its authority on Moray and Ross [significant areas in Scotland]. The family itself betrayed themselves as being loving and caring to one another, however, internally they were scarred mentally, as a consequence of their fathers death who was evidently murdered by his cousins. Macbeth obviously emotionally distracted by his fathers death, concentrated his thoughts on leading a comparatively normal life, supported by Brauch his new partner [granddaughter to a High King of Scotland]. Subsequently they had no children of their own. The present ruler of Scotland was Duncan, an ineffectual and seemingly unpopular person amidst the civil problems. Not surprisingly someone assassinated him at the age of thirty-eight. Historians believe that it may have actually been Macbeth, but there is no conclusive evidence to confirm their theories. Macbeth seized this unique opportunity, and was elected High King of Scotland in 1040; he ruled for seventeen years. As predecessor of the reviled Duncan, his first priority during his initial ten years in power, was to bring peace and relative stability to his problematic kingdom, notably he was fairly successful at doing-so; he became a reforming King accordingly. He managed to balance out and annihilate the majority of the negative feelings amongst the population. Unfortunately for him, his greatest and most fatal hurdle materialized in the form Duncans son Malcolm, who was absolutely determined to take control of Scotland. He ingeniously invaded the region in 1054, aided by the English King Edward the Confessor. Macbeth himself was brutally exterminated on the 15th of August 1057 at Peel Ring Lumphanan in Mar. He was buried at Iona, respectively; the sacred burial place of the Kings of Scotland. Was this epic period of Scottish History the basis for Shakespeare Macbeth? Shakespeare was a talented playwright, not a historian. However, the past provides an excellent source for basing a flourishing play. It is exciting factual material with which [if one is intellectually sound], can modify and adapt to conjure up maximum dramatic effect and a truly brilliant and entertaining stage production. Historical evidence bestows writers with a fruitful background; an imaginative base on which one can construct a sophisticated plot that entices the audiences mind, body and soul. For Shakespeare this would have been incredibly difficult to originate, hence the gathering below the rostrum; that were either damn right rude or absolutely sloshed. Indeed, it is true to say that some of his dramas were not as appreciated or dominant, fortunately Macbeth proved different, and would be a prevailing theatrical production for hundreds of years. Shakespeare was an independent character, one who thrived on his own personal achievement, and one who was not afraid to alter and develop certain features regarding a story to accomplish ultimate dramatic effect. The epicentre of Macbeth pivoted around the eleventh century ancestors; he obviously acknowledged the great potential in these characters. He evidently thought it necessary to convert, invent and abolish particular characteristics surrounding the events of eleventh century Scotland. He established Lady Macbeths sleepwalking and death, the banquet scene and Banquos ghost, and most of the cauldron scene. With a little imagination and adaptation he reversed King Duncans nasty personality into a loved and greatly appreciated role model. He also eliminated Macbeths ten years of good rule to make the scenario and atmosphere more effective; everything he purposely altered was in the interest of the play. Interestingly, King James I was in power, when Shakespeare first presented Macbeth in 1603. I personally find this rather intriguing, because the actual storyline consists of many of King Jamess personal comforts and interests. It is obvious that King James was a superior influence on the outcome of the play; he helps to conjure up some fruitful inspiration for Shakespeare; this, and the colourful Scottish pass times, provides a feast of information and ideas for Shakespeare to weave his magic upon. He gratefully accepted this priceless gift, and transformed it into one of the greatest tragedies this world has literally ever experienced. What message is Shakespeare trying to get across? I feel it important for one and me to understand that the play is meaningfully founded on the corruption of power. Although the supernatural, fascinating individuals and mysterious undertakings create a unique atmosphere to the play, the nucleus consists off events that revolve around the abuse of power. It is true to say that this is present and happening in our modern society, take Hitler for example. He was a dictator who possessed a lethal amount of power, he used it to brainwash people, so that he could do what he wanted. He started by wiping out an entire race, known as the Jews; he and his fixation to be in control was a major factor in triggering the Second World War. A comparison can be made between him and Macbeth, both of which abused their authority. Shakespeare is trying to get this eminent message across to his viewers. Witchcraft and Murderous Schemes. If one is familiar with the tragedy, one will know that Shakespeare wrote and directed it, at a time in which murders and witchcraft were everyday issues. In fact, the majority of the general public seriously believed and feared the paranormal universe, so much so, individuals who were thought to be actual witches were tried, tested and eventually killed. During this time, witch mania reached terrifying proportions; hundreds of innocent people [usually women] were condemned to immediate execution, without an adequate assessment. As anticipated, a small minority were against this mass persecution, but they and their justifiable opinions were suffocated without due consideration by the bulk of the general public. Essay Targets. Macbeth has complicated plots that comprise of numerous acts and scenes. I am attempting to devise an essay focusing on three specific scenes. The essay is to be written in a directors point of view as if I was to direct these three selected scenes: Act I, Scene 3. Act I, Scene 5. Act 5, Scene 5. I feel that these three scenes collectively describe the basic tale and downfall of Macbeth himself. Act I, Scene 3 meets the witches, which influences his decision to kill the king. Act I, Scene 5 Lady Macbeth plots to kill Duncan herself and confides her thoughts in Macbeth. Act 5, Scene 5 As a consequence of his murders, everything has come back to haunt him. He is about to be attacked by the English army, and inevitably faces the decisive punishment for his sins Death!!! I deem each scene to be off substantial importance, all independently help to develop and illustrate the overall narrative too. Unquestionably, each one has to be directed appropriately, to attain the audiences concentration, and to merely get them philosophizing about the story. An enthralling location is also absolutely necessary, the audience needs to be encapsulated by the setting and circumstances. The following essay denotes each scene autonomously, and expresses my feelings and points of view on how I should direct and conduct all three scenes to achieve a stunning atmosphere to mesmerize and amaze the spectators. My main objective is to manipulate selected characters and transform their personality and temperament to improve the play and exaggerate the horror theme. The fact that Shakespeare himself, left no stage directions leaves the doorway open for any willing direct to interpret the actual play, as he/she wants. Over the centuries, several producers have devised their own technique and developed the plot to create their own translation of the enigmatic ventures of the Scottish hierarchy. I have committed my play and essay to a film production. I have chosen to adopt this particular method, because I feel that it would fit perfectly into a modern day movie, which has the funds and technology to support graphic and suitable special effects. I have observed a modern day interpretation of the play; it was staged on a rough Birmingham estate. For some bizarre reason though, the actors referred to the direct text, but conveyed them in a Brummie accent; this was literally diabolical. It simply did not complement Shakespeares erratic language, the pronunciation was awful- quite positively negative. I on the other hand deem it more appropriate to compose the epic tale of Macbeths downfall in its indigenous and traditional generation. Directors point of view for Act I, Scene 3. Summary of scene: Macbeth and Banquo meet the witches, Macbeth is returning from the battle with his gallant companion and hearty Scottish nobleman, Banquo. Their journey back to the Kings camp takes them over a deserted heath. Here, the witches lie in wait for them, talking as they generally do about an evil spell they have cast upon one unfortunate person. The mist clears Macbeth and Banquo unexpectedly see the witches. They demand that these creatures: so witherd and so wild in their attire, explain who they are. When the witches speak, they greet Macbeth as Thane of Cawdor and predict that hell become king. To Banquo they foretell Your heirs will be kings, although you will not, they then disappear, before a bewildered and perplexed Macbeth can inquire about their prophecies. I feel it compulsory to point out that this scene is the penultimate in the opening trio, therefore a lot of planning and thought has gone into directing it, hence the fact its considerably longer than the other two scenes. Uncharacteristically, I have chosen to direct the third scene instead of the first. Respectively both are of great significance to the outcome of the play, but the third introduces the witches, their first apparition, Macbeth and Banquo. Like the opening scene, this one needs to be just as effective to conquer the audiences awareness. In this scene the witches encourage Macbeth to believe that he is invulnerable and indestructible. The intereference of the witches influence Macbeths actions; he immediately considers to commit regicide against King Duncan If good, why do I yield to that suggestion/ Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair/ And make my seated heart knock at my ribs/ Against the use of nature? These four sentences help to describe Macbeths feelings, he is basically thinking about the proposed murder, he does this by making references to certain features on his body. For example, your heart pounds when youre excited or nervous. Macbeth having possession of all the confidence in the world as a consequence of the witches predictions and the recent victory in the exasperating battle fears no one. I find it hard to appreciate the reliance and dependence confined in the witches and their prophecies by Macbeth; after all they are absolute strangers. This is why Ive chosen to portray the witches as attractive housewives, hopefully this will make the scene more believable, because men are easily dominated and controlled by beautiful, seductive mistresses. This needs to apprehend the audiences interest, so that they can acknowledge the circumstances and understand whats actually happening. I will set the play on a desolate, open stretch of countryside. It will be nighttime with a low and eerie fog making visibility poor. This will intensify the atmosphere, because the audience will instinctively be weary of the surroundings and the mysterious environment. The witches, Macbeth and Banquo are all dominant and important characters, thus meaning they need to be familiarized and introduced, so the audience recognizes who they are later on in the film. The scene will get underway with Macbeth and Banquo strolling over the motionless fields, discussing the eventful battle, although you will not be able to hear them, because only a sinister genre of music will be heard. They are going to be dressed in war-like clothes; therefore the audience will directly associate them with a battle of some description. In the near distance a lonely farm building will stand [the audience obviously noticing this, should already be imagining whats in it and are Macbeth and Banquo going to go there]? The interior of the barn will be exceptionally gloomy, but in the far corner three ugly hags are going to be highlighted by specifically positioned lightning. The witches are severely deformed, to leave the audience feeling astonished and expectantly physically sick! The witches will speak in macabre tone of voice, whilst speaking to one another. Their wicked conversations will consist off evil material e.g. Killing swine/ and like a rat without a tail/ Here I have a pilots thumb, wrecked as homeward he did come. The presence of the witches and their repulsive words is a created stimulus that makes the play a great deal more engaging, therefore the overall production benefits and improves considerably. Their physical appearance and cursed lines keep the audience hooked, simultaneously the supernatural element increases the suspense with every scary sound and disgusting illustration produced or described by the witches. Macbeth and Banquo feeling exhausted from their tiresome day will seek deserved refuge beneath the suspicious looking dwelling. The tension and suspense will certainly be enhanced amongst the audience obviously fearing the couplets safety as they cautiously enter. However, they will be treated to a pleasant surprise, this is due to the sexy figures gathered in the corner of the room. Using contemporary technology and realistic special effects, the hideous threesome will magically be converted into gorgeous bitches! The transformed witches disguised as randy and bored housewives will [without doubt], outstand and arouse the audience together with Macbeth and Banquo. This is known as dramatic irony, when the watchers know something that the characters dont. The witches dressed in a low, red cut top [showing an outrageous amount of cleavage] will immediately greet the dazed Macbeth and Banquo with verses of factual information and weird prophecies. The amorous ladies will speak in a confident, persuasive, but somewhat devious tone of voice, thus causing the men in the room to absorb these queer predictions. The audience would accept the witches original nature and accept the fact that beautiful seductive women are able to force gullible/intelligent men to believe in them and their words. Obviously, Macbeth and Banquo will be confused and amazed, but in some sense enthusiastic about the apparition. As they attempt to verbally challenge the witches, the room will suddenly become silenced, with them both pondering their recent experience, the atmosphere again changes though, as Ross and Angus storm into the equation. Ross and Angus stunned to find their chums under these certain circumstances try to regurgitate the report sent by the king. Gradually, as Ross explains the situation to Macbeth and Banquo [regarding the former Thane of Cawdor and him being sentenced to death for treason against the king], the witches prophecy is beginning to unfold. Therefore Macbeth needs to act in an astounded manner, altering his body language and facial expressions accordingly best shows this. Macbeth has chosen to renovate his character, and so he keeps his feelings and thoughts to himself. This is aptly shown as he speaks to the audience alone [aside]. His soliloquy refers to and describes his ambition. The prophecy that was revealed by the witches brings a broad temptation to Macbeth that had been his secret all along for being a king, for example: My thought, whose murder yet is but fanastical. This purely indicates Macbeths great ambition, he is already thinking about killing Duncan. If the audience is reasonably clever, they will detect this too. Another distinctive line is Nothing is, but what is not. He is referring to the recent events, commenting on the sensational proceedings. During this scene the plot is potentially discovered, it helps to entangle and trigger off the storyline. Although the words are enormously imperative, the characters and their actions are equally significant, in conjunction with one another, the audience understand whats going on. The scene will end with Macbeth and Banquo standing side by side, contemplating their prosperous future. The camera will zoom in on Macbeth and his cunning visions of murdering Duncan. Unlike Banquo, who is triumphantly imaging his sons being crowned, with him in the background looking on proudly, crying sweet tears of joy? Directors point of view for Act I, Scene 5. Brief summary of scene: In this scene Lady Macbeth plans a murder. She lives at home in there castle at Inverness. Lady Macbeth has received a letter from her husband; in it he tells her about the witches prophecies. She is interrupted as a messenger arrives telling her of the kings visit. She realises that this is the golden opportunity to kill Duncan, the king. Her treacherous thoughts are kept to herself, unlike Macbeth who suppresses them. She makes her mind up that the murder must be committed that night. When Macbeth arrives at the castle ahead of the king, she exclaims convincingly that she has arranged everything. Lady Macbeth is the second most dominant influence on Macbeth. As soon as Lady Macbeth learns of the words spoken by the weird sisters, she instantaneously analyses Macbeths future i.e. if Duncan were killed, Macbeth and her could acquire Scotland. She vigorously studies the letter and assesses the situation, considering the best and most suitable option to chose, in order to bring her eagerly awaited success. If I were to direct this scene, I would set it in Lady Macbeths chamber; this is because bedrooms tend to be a solemn place of privacy and security. The bedroom is to be very grand and ornate, with elaborate walls, preferably in a blood-red colour, this is to emphasis the theme of blood that runs throughout the play. Lady Macbeth dressed in her sexy, soft; silky nighttime gown will try to interpret the epistle relaxing on her mahogany four poster bed. Under a quiet, pleasant piece of music, Lady Macbeths voice is to be sounded above the music, reading out the letter to herself, she will also over exaggerate particular words and phrases, which depict Macbeths thoughts. Whilst peacefully examining the letter, succeeding in comprehending it, she will act in a attentive fashion. As the production is a film, I have decided to include visual images of Lady Macbeths perceptions of the letter. When reading it, there will be metaphors of Lady Macbeth conjuring up pictures of her and Macbeth sitting gloriously on the throne, with hundreds of spectators gathered below, robustly singing their praises. To accompany this ceremony, a victorious composition will engulf it, however, these false celebrations will be disrupted as she resumes normality awoken by an attendant. Things could just not get any better for Lady Macbeth; the attendant brings delightful news concerning Macbeths and Duncans arrival. The supernatural is again underlined and called upon, this time by Lady Macbeth. She forms an imaginary conversation with the evil spirits, asking them to assist her murderous plans: Come you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here. When the conversation commences, Lady Macbeth is going to gaze up at the ceiling and perform actions with her hands where appropriate e.g. Come to my womans breasts she will be clenching her bosoms as she speaks. Again, faded scenes of wicked witches will corrupt her mind, these will then turn into vivid images of her viciously stabbing Duncan to death with a decorative candlestick, as he sleeps. You will then he totally horrified by her face speckled with distinctive spots of blood. Another will then immediately follow this bloodcurdling incident; her menacing eyes will stare at you, threatening you, frightening you!!! With an ounce of luck, the audience will be completely petrified, thus achieving maximum dramatic effect. Over pictures of gruesome violence, a terrorizing sample of music will be heard. During Lady Macbeths deceitful outburst, many references to blood, light and dark and hell are made e.g. Come thick night, and pull these in the durnest smoke of HELL. All of these factors exaggerate the horror theme and atmosphere. Macbeth then enters the bedroom, instantly Lady Macbeth [being the scheming bovine she is], craftily asks her partner [when he claims that Duncan is coming] and when goes hence? In other words when is he going, so I know when to conduct his brutal surcease? Being a woman in all, she is able to change nature and personality whenever she feels it obligatory to fool or persuade Macbeth. Subsequently, she goes on, to subtly describe about disguise: To beguile the time, look like the time/ look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent undert. She is relating these lines to the killing of Duncan, in such away that the audience and Macbeth cannot really appreciate or indeed realize. I would instruct Lady Macbeth to deliver these disloyal words in a convincing way, almost as if shes reassuring Macbeth about the murder. Macbeth does actually distinguish Lady Macbeths words, but he fails to comment on them, instead he ignores her, and demands to talk at a later date. By this time, the murder is already almost complete. Directors point of view for Act 5, Scene 5. Brief summary of scene: Macbeth prepares for battle, is busy setting up defenses all around Dunsinane Castle. Most of his noblemen and soldiers have rebelled and joined the other side, but he is certain he cannot be beaten or not until Birnam Forest comes to Dunsinane [as a consequence of the witches new appairitions]. What he does not know is that his enemies have agreed to meet at Birnam Wood. When the soldiers gather there, each one is given the branch of a tree to camouflage them as they move forward to launch an attack. As he is organizing for the battle, he thinks how meaningless life is. Just then, a messenger announces that Birnam wood appears to move. After the initial murder of Duncan, Macbeth persists in his violent actions and continues to kill more, in an attempt to become ruler of everyone and everything north of the border. Once the first the killing took place, the ball started rolling and unfortunately did not stop, that is up till now. Macbeth is facing unavoidable death, the ultimate punishment for his many sins; his castle at Dunsinane is surrounded with him at the epicentre amongst the entire calamity, but yet he still have faith in the witches predictions, and why not? The witches prophecies and apparitions have so far proved correct, significantly, the prediction concerning Macbeths mortality: No man on earth shall harm him, is about to prove incorrect. However, the arrogant Macbeth seriously supposes himself imperishable, consequently fearing no one. He is undisputedly emotionless this is shown in line 9: I have almost forgot the taste of fears, clearly his mental state is severely befuddled, his aspiration has got him where he is and under these particular state of affairs, he cannot turn back the clock, he simply has to face the penalty of his slaughterous actions. Remarkably, he does not sense any guilt either; instead he concentrates his efforts on the seemingly impossible encounter ahead. Even when is once loved wife dies, he fails to physically react, he simply gathers his thoughts and feelings and distributes them into a touching paragraph; yes, even the audience cannot help to feel for the desolate Macbeth. He once walked upon lifeless stretches of open countryside accompanied by his dearest friend Banquo, now he is the dirt on which his predecessors and countless enemies tread. This scene resembles Macbeths uncomfortable position, and his feelings; it needs to be incredibly effective to achieve the right atmosphere and tension. A more suitable location could not have been selected; the castle at Dunsinane is the perfect setting under such awkward circumstances. With the castle encircled and the defeated, lonesome, loathed figure stranded at the centre, the scene is an awesome opportunity for a willing director like myself to challenge. The scene will commence with an aerial view of the castle and the environment engulfing it, the audience will now understand Macbeths situation. Thousands of infantry will be advancing towards the castle under the natural camouflage off tree branches, a strong drum beat intentionally heard by the audience, will encourage the soldiers to move forwards. Meanwhile, Macbeth seeking what he considers to be relative safety in the castle will burst onto the scene in an aggressive manner. A room sited at the top of the castle [overlooking their boundaries], will suddenly be animated as the door flies open with a terrific thud, followed by a apprehensive Macbeth, Seyton and three rather nervously looking soldiers. A window foreseeing the countryside ahead and the moving woodland will be an important feature in the room, this is because Macbeth will stand in front of it [with his back against the opening], facing the anxious congregation organized below. Macbeth dressed in his gleaming armour tries to rally his troops by expressing valiant words of defiance: Our castles strength will laugh a siege to scorn; here let them lie till famine and the ague eat them up. This successfully illustrates his current state of mind, he is positive and thinks that he and their stronghold will hold out against the enemy, the audience should sense this by li stening to the tone in which he conveys his words; he will do so in a self-assured and powerful manner. During his defiant speech, a high-pitched squeal will be heard, immediately the audience and Macbeth will demand to know what it actually was. Seyton acknowledges that it was a cry of women. Macbeth reflects in a sorry tone, his emotions; the way in which he delivers these might effect the audiences opinion of him. The audience realizes that he was once a good fellow, who fought bravely and cared for ones close, they should almost feel a bit of sympathy towards him, but then they compare him to the coward he has become, one who deserves everything coming his way [that is in the form of an entire army, seeking revenge for the futile murders he has committed]. Seyton informs Macbeth that it was his wife Lady Macbeth. Once more Macbeth expresses his thoughts on the matter, almost as if he is looking back and regretting his actions. The audience will be able to identify the real Macbeth again, as he comments upon ones life, comparing it to Lady Macbeths and his. The atmosphere at this point will be depressive, due to Macbeths sorrowful words. However, the mood will revolutionize on the arrival of a messenger bringing shocking, but inevitable news. I will instruct the messenger to act in a stunned manner; he will also find it increasingly more difficult to tell Macbeth of the moving forest, approaching them at a rapid pace. Macbeth purposely rejects this news: Liar and slave! even though he knows full well that there true, because the witches told him so. At this meticulous moment, a flashback will occur, this will consist of haunted reminiscences of the raunchy women retelling the third apparition stating: Macbeth shall never vanquished be until Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane hill shall come against him. In other words, you will never be hurt or even destroyed until Birnam Wood moves towards Dunsinane [this will help to remind the audience about the apparition]. When Macbeth resumes regularity, he will again, persist in not believing the messengers words of truth, perhaps he does not want to believe them, because he knows that the end is near. Regardless of this, he has come too far, and so he will fight to the very last second. At the conclusion of his final dialogue in the scene, he will turn to observe the view outside, noticing an entire wood gradually moving closer, this signifying that his death is exceptionally near, a vacant expression on his countenance will demonstrate this completely.

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

The concepts of Leadership and Management

The concepts of Leadership and Management In recent years, there has been ongoing debate as to whether or not there is an obvious distinction between the concepts of Leadership and Management (McCartney Campbell, 2006).Although leadership and management are vital to organisations many theorist argue that both terms are profoundly different and that both exist as two separate entities (Bennis Nanus ,2003; Hughes, Ginnett Curphy ,2002; Shriberg, Shriberg Kumari, 2005 ; Zaleznik, 1977, cited by McCartney Campbell, 2006 ). Bennis Nanus (2003) argues that managing is to bring about, to accomplish, to have charge of or responsibility for and to conduct, whereas leading is to influence and provide direction (p.20). Bennis Nanus (2003) asserts that Managers are people who do things right and leaders are people who do the right things (p.20). Hence, the connotation can be interpreted as an association between efficiency and effectiveness, vision and rational and finally innovation and logic (Sampson Daft, 2009). Although Benn is Nanus (2003) statement is mostly true there appears to be an indistinguishable region, due to the fact that leading is considered as one of the four functions of management and that leaders occasionally use certain managerial skills to achieve personal and organisational goals. This essay will provide linkages between theoretical arguments of both Leadership and Management first by providing a theoretical definition on both terms followed by a well developed argument on the basis of whether or not both terms are distinct or that one paradigm is a subset of the other (Koontz, 1964, as cited in McCartney Campbell, 2006). Numerous management texts often define management as a set of activities directed at an organisations resources with the aim of achieving organisational goals in an efficient and effective manner (Griffin, 2002, p.7, as cited in McCartney Campbell, 2006). Sampson Daft (2009) describe leadership as the ability to influence people to the attainment of organisational goals through interpersonal relationships that co-exists between leaders and followers. Colvard (2003) argues that although managers provide leadership and vice versa, managers do not perform the unique functions of leaders. Similarly, Bennis Nanus (2003) emphasised that leaders generally carried out a different organisational purpose than that of managers, as leaders required different sets of skills to meet organisational goals. In contradiction to Colvard and Bennis Nanuss statements , Caldwell (2003) claims that in current times innovation is as much essential in management as in leadership, as managers no longer pe rform their traditional role of directing and controlling work procedures but act more often as facilitators (Kirton 1980; Kanter 1989) . In recent years there has been much written on the difference between leadership and management (Sampson Daft, 2009). One of the many viewpoints suggested is that both management and leadership require distinct skill sets that vary from one another to such a degree that they are unlikely to become uniform (Zaleznik, 1977, cited in McCartney and Campbell, 2006). Often the Distinctions between management and leadership are associated with power, personal history, motivation and even empowerment. Contemporary leadership texts maintain their position in regards to the differences argued between both concepts, with references to Benniss quote. An alternative notion on leadership and management is that one paradigm is a subset of the other, therefore signifying the ability of an individual to possess both leadership and managerial skills. Koontz (1964) implied that managers possess leadership skills even though it accounts for small fraction in the functions of a manager. In contrast, Bennis and Nanus (1985) considered leadership as being the most comprehensive concept of the two by presenting it as the preferred alternative to management. Many other theorists believe that leadership and management are complimentary skill sets that are both necessary for organisational success (Kotter, 1990). Russells (2001) described individuals who possessed both sets of skills as leader-manager. As there are many perspectives, it appears that the debate concerning whether leadership and management skills are distinct interpersonally or whether they can coexist intrapersonally has not yet been fully resolved (Yukl, 2002). Both Zaleznik (1998) and Kotter (1990) emphasises that leadership and management may be similar and yet very distinct. Managers set up and account for whereas leaders establish direction. Managers control while leaders motivate. Managers produce high standards and consistency in a specified timeframe. Leaders produce the potential for dramatic change and possibly even failure (Kotter, 1990). The vast amount of research on the issue of the difference between the concepts and leadership and management indicate that leaders manage and sometimes managers lead (Bass, 1990). There is more to leadership than managing and vice versa as leadership is a small quantity in the functions of managment. Leaders and managers may be differentiated by attitudes, goals and values. Generally many leadership theorists argue that the functions of leaders and managers are theoretically different .However the two concepts occasionally blended, but act as two different functions. Kotter (1995) distinguishes management as the process by carrying out structured procedures and policies as method of dealing with change. The main difference argued in the distinction between leaders and managers is related to source of power and the amount of conformity it creates within the followers (Sampson Daft, 2009). Sampson Daft (2009) classify power as the ability to influence the behaviour of others (Mintzberg, 1983; Pfeffer, 1981) (p.554). In general there are five sources of power, legitimate, reward, coercive, expert and referent, which can subsequently be further divided to position and personal power (French Raven, 1960, as cited in Sampson Daft 2009). Management power comes from organisational structure by promoting stability and resolving problems in order to fulfill their task and achieve organisational goals (Zaleznik 1977; Sampson Daft 2009).leadership power, however , comes from the personal sources and interests of the leader (Sampson Daft 2009) .Legitimacy of managers depends upon employee acceptance, whereas legitimacy of a leader depends on the reception of their subordinates (Bass 1990). The great man theory focuses on leaders who have achieved a level of greatness (Kakabadse and Kakabadse, 1999). This theory presumes that a great man or individual possess the essential skills to perform as a leader. Many theorist have investigated the behaviour of leaders and how this impacts on leadership effectiveness (Yukl, 2006), the function of leadership (Shamir, 1995), as well as on contingency approaches (Baker, 2007; Fiedler, 1967). It is believed that the behaviour of a leader, rather than their personal traits determines leadership effectiveness as well as the overall achievement of organisational goals (Sampson Daft, 2009). The focus of recent research has shifted from personality traits toward the behaviour displayed by leaders. Different patterns of behaviour were grouped together and labeled as styles. The best known theory was Blake and Moutons leadership Grid .The leadership grid measured a leaders concern for people and the task at hand. the model consist of five major management styles; team management whereby set tasks are accomplished by committed workers. Secondly Club style management is when the primary focus is shifted from being task oriented to worker orientated. Authority compliance management happens when the primary focus is on efficiency in operations/productions. Middle of the road management is a style that reflects an even amount of concern on the task at hand as well as the concern for the works. Lastly , Impoverished management occurs when managers arent concerned with the task as well as the workers, taking a laissez- faire approach . This theoretical approach is often effectiv e in allowing managers to consider different actions or methods in reaching organisational goals.   In contrast, contingency leadership theories focus on the application and effectiveness of leadership styles to the different operating environments that can be found in the workplace (Sampson Daft, 2009). The contingency approach assumes the leadership behaviour is dependent on a wide variety of chance events or situations. This approach is used to identify the conditions of a task, managerial job and person as parts of a complete management situation and attempt to integrate them all into a solution which is most appropriate for a specific circumstance (Sampson Daft, 2009). Frederick Fiedlers contingency model emphasises the importance on leadership style, position power and the situation in which that leader operates. Fiedler associates the effectiveness of a leader as by assessing group situations. Fred Fiedlers Contingency Model also expects that the success of leaders will depend upon their characteristics (Sampson Daft, 2009). Path- Goal theory concentrates on leaders providing rewards individual accomplishment of objectives by illustratively providing a path to the achievement goals and the removement of barriers.   There are four primary styles of leadership styles in the path- goal theory. Firstly is supportive leadership occurs when leaders sympathises with the workers needs. Directive leadership is the situation in which leaders set out the performance goals by providing specific guidelines to allow subordinates towards the achievement of organisational goals. Thirdly, achievement oriented leadership occurs when leaders emphasises the importance of achievement of difficult tasks whereby employees are awarded according to their achievements .lastly participative leadership occurs when leaders consult with sub ordinates about work and the path in which to take to resolve problems. Leaders should adopt a style with which they complement the organisational situation to ensure that both the work is compl eted within the set period of time. Recent work on leadership has begun to distinguish leadership as something more than just the ability to influence and motivate people (Sampson Daft, 2009). Research has found that some leadership approaches are more effective than others. These types of leadership are catogorised as transformational and transactional leadership. Transformational leadership occurs when leaders broaden their horizons in order to fulfill organisational goals and the needs of employees .Burns (1977) argued that it was possible to distinguish between transactional and transforming leaders. Bass (1985) suggested transactional forms can be drawn upon and transformed. Thus, resulting in transformational leadership being efficient in the accomplishment of organisational goals

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

How Youtube And Facebook Earned Their Success Media Essay

How Youtube And Facebook Earned Their Success Media Essay The objective of this report is to investigate how and why Youtube, Facebook and Twitter earned their success. Students are exposed to the method of proper report writing and spruce team work among group members. This report examines the three social media (Youtube, Facebook and Twitter) as they are currently the most popular networking sites on the internet. Most of our resources originate from online articles (ie: BBC, Readers Digest, TIMES) and assemblage of brainstorming sessions. We also made an online survey to analyze the public opinions. Since it was founded in February 2005 by three former PayPal employees,[1] Youtube has grown and become the most popular video sharing website on the internet which serve as a consumer media website that allows its users from around the world to watch, upload and share videos on the net. After being bought by Google Inc. for $1.65 billion in November 2006[2], Youtube has since achieved 100 million videos views each day and more than 65,000 new videos uploads per day and is ranked as the third most popular website just behind Google and Facebook.[3] [4] Youtube uses Adobe Flash Video technology and format to display various user-generated video content which includes movie clips, TV clips, music videos, amateur content as well as materials from partnership program with media corporations such as CBS, the BBC and UMG. Youtube generates its revenue mainly from advertisements displayed on the search pages and in the videos themselves. [5] Youtubes great achievement is largely down to three criteria and the three main features it offers to users which are watch, upload and share. With limited choice available for users to post and search videos with such ease, Youtube immediately become the popular choice among internet users. Online video existed long before Youtube, however Youtube excels unlike its pre-successors because it offers the much wanted platform that makes uploading, watching and sharing videos effortlessly. Youtube has managed to overcome the problems of earlier generation video sharing sites such as limited bandwidth, insufficient materials and inability to share. Besides that, Youtube has gone further by providing some extra enhanced features such as video-tagging, rating, commenting and also embedding of videos. With its great traffic flow, Youtube is able to attract big clients to advertise on their products and services on Youtube site. It is reported that Youtubes revenue reached US$200 million in year 2008. [6] This is considered as a large amount since it does not charge any member fees and only focus on advertisement incomes. Facebook Facebook is a famous free social networking website that allows registered users to create their own profiles, upload photos and video, and send messages with friends, family and colleagues. The Facebook has modernized keeping in touch all over the world. Friends and family members can now connect with each other in a network and share personal stuff such as message, video, games and plan events together. Facebook isnt just for teens and young adults. It is a wonderful and practical way for people of all ages to keep in touch on a regular basis. According to survey the largest audience in Facebook is currently the adult over forties. In addition, Facebook is now available in more than 100 different languages [7] By using Facebooks innovative Translations application, all phrases and words in Facebook are translated into several major language on earth such as Chinese, Franà §ais, Malay, Italiano, and etc[8]. Geography and language is no longer a boundary. Mark Zuckerberg, 23, founded Facebook while he was studying psychology at Harvard University. Majoring in computer programming, Mr Zuckerberg developed a number of social-networking websites for fellow students before his sensation with Facebook. He later drops out from Harvard and pursues his dream of making the worlds largest internet social network website. Currently, the social networking site currently has over 400 million active users the site remains free to join, and makes a profit through advertising proceeds. Yahoo and Google are among companies which have expressed interest in a buy-out, with huge figures of around $2bn ( £975m) being discussed. Mr Zuckerberg has so far refused to sell[9]. Mark Zuckerberg inspirational success story is made into a Hollywood movie call The Social Network which will debut in October 2010. It will feature actors such as Jesse Eisenberg, Rashida Jones and Justin Timberlake. Twitter Twitter is built around one simple question what are you doing? [10] Since its creation in 2006, Twitter has gained notability and popularity worldwide because of its simplicity. It is sometimes described as SMS of the Internet since each tweets is limited to 140 character which is the standard length for handphone text. [11] When Twitter co-founders Stone, Jack Dorsey and Evan Williams began working on their new Web idea, Dorsey suggested a site that emulated the status feature of instant-messaging services, which lets people know whether youre online. Tweets are  displayed on the authors profile page and delivered to the authors subscribers who are known as  followers. Senders can restrict delivery to those in their circle of friends or, by default, allow open access. Twitter is accessible through web and Smartphones. Public figures such as Dalai Lama, Barrack Obama, Ashton Kutcher and Kim Kardashian had sanctioned the popularity of this service. Twitters rapid growth made it the object of intense interest and a fair amount of ridicule, as it was derided as high-tech trivia or the latest in time-wasting devices. [12] As Twitter grows, it will increasingly become a place where companies build brands, do research, send information to customers, conduct e-commerce and create communities for their users. [13] A Malaysian company, Churp-churp, took a step forward by innovating Twitter advertising. [14] However, Twitter in Malaysia is not as popular as Youtube and Facebook and its demographic in Malaysia is focused on young urbanites. Methodology 18  respondents were surveyed from 26th March 2010 to 5th April 2010 via a statistic website, http://www.surveymonkey.com/. The statistics were analyzed. Graphs and charts were drawn. We interviewed few individuals on 1st April 2010 regarding their personal opinion and experience using these social networking sites. The outcome from both procedures is significant in helping us to understand how YouTube, Facebook and Twitter captivate millions of internet users. Furthermore, we researched articles from reliable source on the internet from TIME, BBC, New York Times and The Star. Discussions In general, our findings indicated that all three social media are preferred for their user-friendliness. Youtubes instant success lies mainly in the rich media it contains. Users can search for the videos they desire easily and instantly. Searching for a video in Youtube is never easier, once the keywords have been typed in, a list of videos related would appear. Also, related contents or videos posted by the same uploader would also appear in a list for ease of use when viewers are watching a video in Youtube. This is extremely helpful when one is watching a series of videos, because he does not need to search again for the subsequent episode, all he has to do is just look inside the list and click at the video he wants to play. Besides that, Youtube has also generated a list of favourite and most-viewed videos for users who have no idea on what to watch. One can slowly browse through this list and look for which video he is interested in. Most of the Youtube clips do not exceed 10 minutes; hence it makes a great choice for someone who has few minutes to kill. In order to view videos on Youtube, the Adobe Flash Player plug-in is required to be installed on the browser. As the Adobe Flash Player is one of the most common pieces of software installed on personal computers nowadays, viewing Youtube videos is by means not a problem for most of the users. Uploading is made easy by Youtube, even someone with minimal amount of computer knowledge can make and post videos on Youtube. All that is needed is just a video recording device such as cell phone, camcorder or even webcam. Best of all, Youtube even provides instructions on how to upload a video in its site and one would only need to follow those steps and his videos would be available for viewing. This process is almost hassle-free as it accepts videos in most container formats, including .AVI, .MKI, .MOV, .MP4, DivX, .FLV, and .OGG. As so, users do not have to go through video format converting to upload their videos because Youtube supports most of the video codecs such as MPEG, MPEG-4, and WMV. You tube made video improvements which allow viewers to view videos in high definition and widescreen modes, features that is proved crucial especially when ones priority is high quality and movie-like experience. YouTube originally offered videos at one quality level which is at resolution of 320240 pixels using H.263 Sorenson Spark codec, with mono MP3 audiobut that has now changed. Youtube videos are now available in a range of quality levels, with the higher quality levels offering better and improved picture definition. 720p HD support was added and also, the Youtube player was changed from 4:3 aspect ratio to widescreen 16:9 in November 2008. 1080p HD support followed in November 2009. These improvements allow viewers to view videos in high definition and widescreen modes, features that are proved crucial especially when ones priority is high quality and movie-like experience. With Youtube, anybody could be a director or star because anybody can shoot their own videos and post it up Youtube. Since its creation, Youtube has since helped discover unknown singers because of the wide exposure of its videos. Someone who is virtually unknown could become the next hit with the aid of Youtube. Stars like Whitney Raenan, Jess Loren, Melanie Ungar and Christina Peoples were mere ordinary people before they decided to post their singings onto Youtube, a move which propels them to stardom. In an indirect way, Youtube provided a platform and opportunities for these soon to be stars to showcase their talents and if the world recognises their talents, a professional contract would surely follow suit. Picture 1: From right to left Youtube sensations. Justin Bieber with his mentor Usher; Pop singer Marie Digby; Nickolodeon featured humorist Fred Figglehorn. The introduction of Youtube Mobile allows users to access Youtube videos using mobile phones, however not all videos are available on the mobile version of the site. And last but not least, Youtube is free to use, users can simply visit Youtube and start viewing its videos and an account is not necessary for viewing videos. In the U.S., Facebook has the second highest number of unique visitors per month, surpassing Yahoo for the first time in January 2010. It was reported that of all time spent online in January, 11.6% was on Facebook, compared to less than 5% on Yahoo and Google each. The main factor that contributors to Facebook success are the experience was designed for college students, by college students. Thus, Facebook designs are based on college students needs and desires. College kids find the common ground to share their homework and interest. Besides that, Facebook represents a more persuasive local advertising opportunity as Facebook can guarantee deep penetration. Moreover, there are several features Facebook incorporated that made the service sticky. Here is the important experience as its simplicity. Registration to be Facebook user can be done in a few simple steps. It uses very intuitive and simple interface, uses text links for feature navigation, and the site is largely unobtrusive. This means that users are quite easy to adopt for its intended audience. Due to its simplicity, it doesnt require more time to finish loading in browser. The efficiency and fast respond of Facebook enable users who rush in time to check important mails or message in Facebook. Furthermore, attractive games and quizzes become another success factor of Facebook. Facebook offers huge number of games and quizzes for users to play. They dont require any installation or time to download; just a simple click would allow users to play game with their friends instantly. It is easy to setup a Facebook profile. Fill in your email address, add in your details and within moments people that had crossed path with you are willing add you as their friends. There is a privacy option if you want to decide on who you decide to block from seeing (ie: your boss). Sharing is caring. With Facebook this proverbial has never been truer. Besides that you may poke, throw sheep, comment, scrabble and poker with your friends. There are various fan page or groups that acts like a forum to choose from. It can be a useful tool or a complete waste of time. Either way Facebook is having a dramatic impact on the World Wide Web. According to the young and geeky founder, Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook is the answer for our need to stay in touch, discover lost friends and maintain acquaintance. This mogul extraordinaire had rejected a 1 billion offer from Yahoo and on October 24 2007 Microsoft announced that it had purchased a 1.6% share of Facebook for $240 million, giving Facebook a total implied value of around $15 billion Picture 2: Mark Zuckerberg is one of the worlds billionaire under 25. Then, Twitter changed the landscape of social networking once again by making the whole system more public. No longer would you have to wait for a pesky friend request; you could follow and message anyone you wanted through the new medium. Twitter not only exists just for friends to tell friends that theyre on their way to the office or out to dine. Its become a kind of hyper grapevine news resource a way of instant messaging your circle of friends about your interests. It is known as micro blogging. Celebrities also became a big part of this network. Most famously, Stephen Fry twittered whilst he was stuck in a lift, providing great enjoyment to his followers and really helping to kick off Twitter in the UK. Picture 3: Stephen Fry helped popularize Twitter in UK with his misfortune being stucked in the elevator. Famous people who twitters: Lance Armstrong  Ã‚  Followers:  550,543 Al Gore  Ã‚  Followers:  523,035 Shaquille ONeal  Ã‚  Followers:  591,534 Barack Obama  Ã‚  Followers:  761,288 President of United States Arnold Schwarzenegger  Ã‚  Followers:  40,278 Actor turner Governor Martha Stewart  Ã‚  Followers:  329,723 Twitter has become so popular and addictive, so fast, that keeping up with its fast-growing user base is a real issue. The secret of Twitters success is realizing that folks dont want to use the Web for private conversations but public ones. Nearly 90% of Twitter users make their updates public, so everyone can read. The service is even credited with breaking news about fires and other natural disasters. It even saves lives. Demi Moore once alerted the local police force regarding a tweet by one of her followers who resolute for a suicide. This incident is stopped. As Twitter users know you can only say it in 140 characters or less. Twitter combines use of the Web, IMs and text messaging which makes in desirable in Smartphones application. Results of statistical Analysis Figure 1: Bar chart for the age group of survey participants. The survey that we conducted focused on the age group of 19-24. However it is reported that the fastest growing segment of social networking sites are the adults above 40 years of age. Figure 2: Pie chart for the gender of survey participants in percentage. 56% of our survey participants are female. Figure 3: Bar chart for accounts information of survey participants. Most people are on Facebook compared to Twitter and YouTube. Figure 4: Stacked bar char on hours that survey participants spent on social networking sites on a daily basis. YouTube and Twitter users spend less time compared to Facebook in their daily life. Perhaps Facebook is the most addictive site. Figure 5: Bar chart on material that are searched for in YouTube in percentage. AutoVehicles, Entertainment and Music are the lead search in YouTube. Figure 6: Pie chart on percentage of survey participants who agree that YouTube eases copyright infringement. Most people agree that YouTube is subject to copyright infringement. Measures must be taken to fight this. Figure 7: Stacked bar chart on frequency of Facebook activity in percentage. Profile viewing and passing time is the most famous activity in Facebook. Our participants note that they rarely chat or play games. Figure 8: Stacked bar chart that shows the criteria that is considered when adding friends in percentage. People are most likely to add their acquaintance in social networking sites. Figure 9: Doughnut chart on future predictions for social networking sites. Social networking sites are predicted to grow in the years to come. The advantages/disadvantages of social networking sites Advantage: meet new friends more friends content are inappropriate keep in touch with friends Keep in touch with long lost friends get to know people Disadvantage: some content are inappropriate a bad things happen will spread very fast Limitless access to information, whatever it might be, good or bad Rumors and gossip spread faster. Lies occur more less privacy waste time Subject to abuse by sex offenders Conclusions The main conclusion that can be drawn is therefore that social networking sites will flourish in the years to come. Microsoft was the boom in the nineties, followed by the Google domination over the last decade and now we will see the Facebook climb. One or other forms of internet revolution will take place. With social-networks like Facebook and Twitter blooming to popularity recently, it is no surprise to find out that Youtube is among the ones to enjoy the benefits of their success. This is because Youtube allows users to share its videos on these sites and by so YouTube grows in line with them. With the sharing feature, users are able to share their videos with their friends in these social networks. They could also let their friends know what is on their minds at the moment by sharing the songs or movies they like. Social networking sites could also serve as a place to gain popularity and spread news. When one has a proper message to deliver to the world, he can just take a video of it and post it up Youtube and the message would soon spread. For example, the Free Hugs campaign which initially started out in Sydney by Juan Mann but with the help of Youtube, it has now grown and expanded to various places around the world such as Taiwan, Israel, Italy and more. With a mass audience, it is no wonder a simple message could spread so fast. This could be put to good use if one is in need of urgent assistant such as in health and medical purposes. The social network site is first and foremost a site for socializing and sharing the trivia of life as we live it. But it is becoming a valuable networking tool for linking people with the same interests together in a relaxed manner. In summary, there is a lot of fun to be had on Youtube, Facebook and Twitter, as long as you are not abusing it. Recommendations In the light of these conclusions, we recommend that social networking should be monitored from abuse. There are defamation cases against user who misuse the facilities of these sites around the world. Certain shout outs may stir unwanted reaction. Drawing example from our local court case, Mohamad Tasyrif Tajudin, 25, was charged in the Sessions Court here over a post he made on social media network Facebook in relation to arsonist attacks on churches. The offence comes under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 586) which can be charged under Section 233(3) of the same Act for making a threat with the intention of causing public unrest. Section 233 covers the improper use of network facilities or services. [15] In addition, advertising is an undeniable source of income for these sites but it could kill the joy of surfing. While there may be commercial value for using social networking sites to be in touch with others, the danger is that the net community could turn against a marketer viewed as being too crass by being relentlessly self-promoting. There are concerns on age limiting the users of these accounts. Parents should be more proactive in monitoring their children net activity. Although certain sites have put a ban against certain age limit, it is not a foolproof method since everybody cheats information on the internet. Inappropriate content may risk opening a window for pedophilia Students should control the time wasting unproductive addictive games. Some companies and schools had banned the access of these websites. Uploading content in these sites also creates business opportunities for budding companies or entrepreneurs as these serve as free advertising tool for the products or services offered. Also, by putting up a promoting video in Youtube, you actually place your brand in front of millions of viewers and potential customers. There are blogshops which regularly update and tag their dresses collection in Facebook. Socialization between the uploader and his viewers may improve the brand as the uploader could use the suggestions and feedbacks to help and. Youtube also provides the rating and comment features that lets viewers to rate videos and share their thoughts on that particular video. Instead of chatting with friends on a one-to-one basis, Facebook may equip with web conferencing feature which enables more than 2 users to chat together in the same time. Web conferencing is a method for people to communicate from their computers without any travel necessary. Facebook users could create conference room, invite their friends and communicate with all of their friends in a same time. Another feature Facebook can add in is the photo-edit feature. Every day, thousands or even millions of photos are uploaded with friends being tagged. To increase involvement of users, a photo editing application might prove to be useful. With the help of auto-size feature, users could upload any kind of photos regardless size and formats to Facebook. Users need not to install any photo-edit software in their computer in order to edit the photos with red-eye effect, blurring, and sensitive parts and so on. With the built in photo-edit application in Facebook, users may upload their perfect photos in an easy way. Appendices Appendix 1: Sample Survey Form 1. What is your age group? ___-below 19 ___-19-24 ___-above 24 2. What is your gender ___-M ___-F 3. Which of these social networking sites do you own? (you may choose more than one) ___-Facebook ___-Youtube ___-Twitter ___-None of the above (Why?) You may proceed to question 9. 4. How many hours do you spend on average everyday on (ignore the site that you dont own) 1-2 hours 2-3 hours 3-4 hours 4 hours >> Youtube Facebook Twitter 5. What materials do you search for on Youtube ? (May tick more than 1) ___-Comedy ___-Education ___-Entertainment ___-Film Animation ___-Gaming ___-Howto Style ___-Music ___-News Politics ___-Nonprofits Activism ___-People Blogs ___-Pets Animals ___-Science Technology ___-Sports ___-Travel Events ___-Shows ___-Movies ___-Contests ___-Events ___-Other (please specify) 6. Do you think Youtube makes it easier for violation of copyrights infringement? ___-Yes ___-No 7. How frequent do you access your Facebook to à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always View profiles Update status Chat Pass time Play games Add friends 8. When accepting new friends in Facebook/Twitter, what criteria do you consider? Most Unlikely Unlikely Fair Likely Most Likely Gender Common Interest Common Games Acquaintance Common friends Looks 9. What is your prediction for these social networking sites ___-it will continue to grow in the future ___-it will be out of trend soon ___-others (please specify) 10. What are the advantage/disadvantage of social networking site?

Monday, August 19, 2019

Use of Geographic Data in Natural Disasters Essay -- Natural Disaster

Missing Figures The use of geographic data in the field of preventing and mitigating natural disasters remains a pioneering activity. However the circulation of the technology is still hindered by many issues such as the difficulty in obtaining the appropriate raw data, the lack of effective graphical user interfaces, the intricacy of predictive models and the expense of digitisation (Carrara et al., 1999). Natural disasters are becoming more frequent around the world, as seen in figure 1, which shows that in 1975 there were approximately 50 disasters reported, compared to approximately 400 being reported in 2010. They are a damaging phenomenon upon the Earth’s citizens and the physical environment, but with the use of geographic data, natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, cyclone s and landslides can be monitored and mapped to ensure a successful disaster response strategy can be put in place to ensure we can protect people and the environment as much as possible. The success of these strategies depends upon access to real-time spatial information that can be used effectively by the Geomatics Industry, governments, relief agencies among others to provide a quick response to the disaster areas (Herold et al., 2005). Kunkel et al. (1999) suggest that there is strong scientific evidence of an increase in extreme precipitation events in particular regions, whilst water shortages are becoming more apparent in other regions, which indicates that weather driven natural disasters will surely become more frequent, resulting in the use of Geogr... ...97) Managing the natural disasters from space technology inputs. Acta Astronautica, 40. Kunkel, K.E., Easterling, D.R., Andsager, K. (1999) Long-Term Trends in Extreme Precipitation Events over the Conterminous United States and Canada. J. Climate, 12. Li, Q. and Li, D. (1999) Proceedings of the International Symposium on Digital Earth Science Press. The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences. National Research Council (1995) The global positioning system: a shared national asset : recommendations for technical improvements and enhancements. National Academy of Public Administration Raheja, N., Ojha, R. and Mallik, S. (Undated) GIS Development: Role of Internet-based GIS in effective natural disaster management. [Online] Available from: http://www.gisdevelopment.net/technology/gis/techgi0030pf.htm