Monday, September 30, 2019

An Analysis of Scene 3 (Pages 7 to 9), From ‘Gregory’s Girl

In scene 3 of ‘Gregory's Girl' there are only three characters involved. One is Gregory, another is Madeline who is Gregory's sister, and the other one is Mike who is Gregory's father. In this scene Gregory is late for school and is getting ready in front of a mirror in his bedroom. He then is talking to himself while he is putting on his deodorant. His sister who is outside is listening to him talking to himself. Gregory then smells is own breath by putting his hands over his mouth and breathes out and smells. He then exhales out loudly and smells. He then picks up his electric toothbrush, selects an appropriate brush, clicks it into place and then turns on his brush. He is in tune with the brush. He then changes gear. Madeline then comes into his bedroom and then criticises his tie saying it clashes with what he is wearing. Gregory then has a conversation with Madeline. The doorbell then rings and Madeline says bye. Gregory then ponders the purple tie and tosses it to one side. He unbuttons his shirt and his father walks in and shouts â€Å"good god† and Gregory then reply's â€Å"hi Mike†. Gregory's dad then tells him not to call him mike but to call him father or dad. Gregory then has a conversation with his dad and his dad makes a plan with Gregory to meet up sometime. They make an agreement to meet at 8 O'clock in the kitchen on Friday for breakfast. Gregory then leaves and his father picks up the purple tie with disdain. For acting out scene 3, I would have a stage set which has Gregory's bedroom, the kitchen and the passageway. The bedroom would be on the left side of the stage. On the right side of the stage would be a passageway which leads to the kitchen in front. Opposite the bedroom would be a door offstage. This would be used to exit/enter the flat. There would be a wall with a door splitting the bedroom and the passageway. There will be no wall to separate the kitchen from the passageway because the audience will not be able to see the kitchen. There will be another door in the passageway which would be Madeline's room. Madeline's room would be behind Gregory's room. This room the audience will not be able to see therefore there will be no need for this room to have props. The props in the bedroom would have a bed facing the audience which would have the blanket shoved to one side and it would be situated on the far left. Next to the bed would be a brown desk which would have a lamp on it, a silver alarm clock, an electrical toothbrush, a roll on deodorant and some books in a messy pile. Next to the desk will be a cupboard and next to the cupboard there is a long mirror. On the floor there will be a school bag some clothes which are in a messy pile. The colour of the room would be blue. I would make Gregory's room a bit messy to show to the audience the typical lifestyle of a male teenager. Another way to show his laziness of waking up is the silver alarm clock to show that he's not bothered about being late for school. The mirror would be there to show him getting changed in front of the mirror. The other props in his rooms are extras to make it look like a bedroom. The props in the passageway would have hooks attached to the wall with jackets on them, a telephone and clock attached to the wall with a desk just below it, some shoes lined up on the floor against the wall near the desk. Next to the desk would be a black school bag (this bag belongs to Gregory). The colour of the wall would be brown. The props would be here to show to the audience that this place is the passageway. The kitchen would have a sink, a washing machine, a cooker, a kettle, a microwave, a fridge, a shelves attached to the walls, there would be plates next to the sink and the walls would be white. The props in the kitchen are here to show what a typical kitchen looks like. The way the actors speak and move is very important in this scene. As a director, I would choose to start off the play by opening the stage curtains and the first thing the audience will see is Gregory buttoning his shirt in front of a mirror. The clothing Gregory would be wearing is black trousers and a white shirt. The clothing he is wearing is his school uniform. While he is dressing he is whistling and moving side to side. When the audience see his room they can tell that he is a typical lazy teenager by the mess in his room. Madeline will then come of her room into the passageway dressed up in her school uniform carrying her brown school bag. She then puts her bag next to Gregory's on the floor then stands outside Gregory's door listening to Gregory's monologue. The actress playing Madeline would be leaning against the wall and would be smiling. She would be wearing a black skirt, a white shirt with a black jumper and a school tie. This would show the audience that she is getting ready for school. Gregory then stops buttoning his shirt and says â€Å"ooh dear me, almost forgot my twelve hour protector. That would never do. Just a little roll fights off the demon sweaty odours for a full twelve hours. Then a little dab to encourage the chesty follicles and perhaps a quick whirl round the band of the Y-fronts and he's protected. One hundred per cent protection against all unsightly odours. Or is he? â€Å". I would make the actor use a commentating voice when the actor is saying these lines. The facial expressions when the actor is speaking he would be raising his eyebrows and moving his head. When the audience see this scene the audience know that Gregory likes to smell good. Then Gregory puts his hands over his mouth and smells his breath. Then he exhales out loudly smelling to see if his breath smells. When the audience see this they realise that Gregory does not like to smell bad and he likes to give a good impression of himself. He then says â€Å"can't smell a thing. Better give the shiny molars a polish, just to be on the safe side†. The way the actor would say this would be in a ‘oh well' tone of voice. The actor would shrug his shoulders and raise his eyebrow slightly when he is saying this. Gregory then picks up his electric toothbrush, selects an appropriate brush, clicks it into place and then turns on his brush. He is in tune with the brush. Gregory then stops brushing his teeth and puts on a purple tie. At this point Madeline walks into his room, stops dead and stairs at his tie and says â€Å"you're not wearing that tie are you? â€Å". When Madeline says this she would say it in an ‘uurgh' tone. Gregory would then jump from fright and would turn around saying â€Å"please don't creep up on me like that. You could damage my delicate relationship with this finely tuned apparatus†. He would then say in a suspicious tone â€Å"what's wrong with the tie†. Madeline would then reply in an accusing tone â€Å"it jars†. Gregory then says â€Å"so! † in a not bothered way. Madeline then says â€Å"it will set peoples teeth on the edge†. Gregory then argues back â€Å"it's a statement†. Madeline then replies â€Å"only to you. to everyone else it shows dreadful taste† in a criticising tone. When Madeline is talking the audience know that Madeline is in control and that Gregory listens to his sister who is younger than him. At this time Gregory will be adjusting his tie looking back at the mirror. Madeline will then go to his bed to fold up his duvet. When the audience sees Madeline fold up his duvet they see that she cares for his brother and she act a lot older than her big brother Gregory. Madeline then sits on his bed staring at him. Gregory then says in a curious voice â€Å"aren't you late for school or something? â€Å". Madeline then says looking at his clock I'm waiting for someone†. When the audience see her looking at the clock they think that the person she is waiting for is late or. Gregory then looks at her and says â€Å"oh. Who? â€Å". Madeline then gets off the bed and walks past him stops at the door turns back and says â€Å"Richard. He walks me to school†. At this time there will be a sound effect of a doorbell. Madeline then opens his door and leaves going into the passageway, she then collects her bag and when she gets to the front door to leave the flat, she opens the front door then says â€Å"see you† and Madeline the departs with the front door closing behind her. Gregory then leaves his room fully dressed and says â€Å"bye†. He then stops dead and looks slightly up then says to his self â€Å"walks her to school†. Gregory then ponders at the purple tie and throws it to one side onto the desk in the passageway. He then undoes one shirt button looking at the audience, two buttons then three. Gregory's vest shows then he tries to adjust it but it fails. He does his third button up and his father then comes in through the front door and looks at him and shouts â€Å"good God†. Gregory then reply's in a normal high voice â€Å"hi Mike†. The actor playing mike has a newspaper and goes towards the desk and says â€Å"call me dad, Gregory, or pop ore something . . . it makes me feel better when you call me dad . . . or father†. Mike then puts the news paper down onto the desk. The actor playing mike says these lines in a disappointing voice. Gregory then says â€Å"as you wish, father† in a not bothered way. At this time Gregory's father walks into the kitchen and opens the fridge. Gregory follows him. Gregory then says â€Å"how are you anyway†. Mike reply's â€Å"fine. Were all very well. Your mother was asking about you only the other day† in a surprising voice. At this time mike has just taken a bottle of milk out from the fridge. Mike then continues â€Å"I told her we had met in the hallway, briefly, last Thursday and you looked fine†. Mike then puts the milk near the kettle and takes the kettle to the sink and now he is filling it up with water. Mike then turns the tap off and takes the kettle back to boil the water. Mike is continuing â€Å"this is an added bonus. She'll be thrilled with news from this unexpected sighting†. Mike then presses the button to boil the kettle. Gregory then looks at the kettles light and asks his dad â€Å"so what keeps you hanging about the homestead† in a curious voice. Mike then corrects him in a correcting voice â€Å"returning to not hanging about. He then says in a tiresome voice â€Å"I have already taken Mr. Clarke for his pre-test warm up, done an hour with Miss. Benthal and since my next client†¦ † Gregory then buts in and says † client? Bit over the top, isn't it? † in a humorous voice. Mike then looks at Gregory with a raised eyebrow and continues â€Å"my next client happens to lives nearby so I dropped off for a cup of coffee. Unfortunately the adaptor for the coffee machine seems to have walked, and, not unnaturally, I surmised that it may have walked here†. Mike says the last few lines sarcastically to give the audience a bit of humour.

Sunday, September 29, 2019

The Beach/the Storm Descriptive Writing

The Beach. A storm brews above. People escape the beach, quickly grabbing their possessions as rain spits down on them. Music from cafes and fare rides come to a halt as their customers quickly disappear and the happy sounds of laughter echo around the empty beach. A gloomy shadow descends over the sea. Feeble light from the few surviving streetlights and lanterns appear to dim as the dark clouds move across the sky like a creeping panther. Birds silence their song and flee to safer places. Sandcastles with small motes, which surrounded them, are now filled with seawater. Any last remaining footsteps disappear and are quickly buried beneath the sand. The wind teases the scattered rubbish†¦ picking it up then quickly releasing it again. People shelter in cars waiting for the storm to pass†¦their windscreen wipers furiously fighting against the increasingly powerful rain. Waves rage upon the sand, sending sand back and forth as they go. They crash against the sea wall, shooting upwards and spraying the abandoned cafes and shops. Yachts begin to rock with the waves; they are like a gymnast balancing on a beam about to fall any second. The pier fights against the drowning waves as they attempt to bring it under the surface. Trees surrender at the battering wind, forcing leaves and branches to be torn off their trunks. A bird-usually so in control of its own destiny-fights the beast as it toys with it playfully. The once clear sky is now full of thick cloud, staining the sky a deadly shade of indigo, forever darkening like a lid closing on a box trapping darkness inside it. The saturated clouds start to rumble. Below them, the streets are lifeless as no one dares leave their secure houses for the extreme weather outside. Thunder shakes the clouds, as its loud rumble echoes around the empty beach. The smell of the sea overpowers the old, lingering smell of chips and candyfloss, now only a stench of salt and seaweed are left. Sand storms are whipping up from the shore into the air and circling in the wind. CRASH! Lightning illuminates the sky and forks downwards to strike a boat, like a spear would to catch a fish. The smoke from the explosion is quickly carried off by the wind and the remains of the boat are rapidly dragged under the waves. The weather torments seagulls with the sight of dead fish washing up onto the shore, yet there is no other choice but to stay in hiding. The icy winds whistle around every rock and under every doorway; not even warm houses can be protected from the chill of the storm. On the shore waves crash against rocks and onto the sand, shattering shells with its immense pressure. The lighthouse is left to fend for itself on the cliff, yet its light has no purpose, as the sea is empty†¦no one would dare venture out into the vicious sea. * * * * * The sound of rain now overpowers the quietening rumble of thunder. Rays from the sun push through the cloud and release the shadow from the sea. Wind still pulls at the sea splashing waves upon the shore, making pebbles jerk against one another. The trees release tension from their exhausted roots. Birds finally venture out into the unsteady weather after their long wait for food. A tempting scent in the air of brewing coffee comes back and drowns the sea-salt smell. Waves still press against the sea wall sending a light spray of water up into the wind. A final deposit of light drizzle falls into the shore. The sun peeks through the last remaining cloud and lights up the shoreline, to reveal the dazzling sight again. The happy fare-ground tune starts again and the merry-go-round begins to buzz with life again, bringing with it once more the familiar sound of laughter.

Saturday, September 28, 2019

To assess the learner's critical engagement with the history and Assignment

To assess the learner's critical engagement with the history and theory of the documentary and non-fiction film form.--please - Assignment Example In 1929, John Grierson, termed as the documentary film movement's utmost champion, put into use his personal film portrait of North Sea fishing with the aim of convincing the government of British to inaugurate a filmmaking unit that will be positioned within the Empire Marketing Board. It is key to state that with Grierson precedence over an institutional foundation for documentary film production speared the documentary film practice into maturity (Sklar, 2002). Evaluation Documentary filmmaking has industrialized progressively over time. It is worth stating that three main turning points can be identified in the development of documentary film making. First, substantial changes took place in the 1960s, followed by the late 1980s and finally since the year 2000. The novel turning point can be highlighted to be the period when filmmakers declined to film simply chronicles and newsreels. It is worth highlighting that documentary filmmakers underwent harsh times as the film in ancient times were faithfully linked to the wishes of the government. However, regardless of this fact, a new generation of filmmakers germinated in the 1960s with an altered opinion on how documentary films ought to be. Therefore, this made the primary turning point for the development of documentary filmmaking. ... With the conceptual boundaries gone (as a result of worldwide independence), the possibility of acquaintance with other documentary film makers pegged with the availability of other documentaries resulted into exchange of ideas. The third turning point was noted to be the years subsequent to the new millennium (Ellis, 1979). This is for the reason that new generation of filmmakers appeared that were noted to be more daring and highly experimenting. Vitols writes that â€Å"the blossoming of a new film culture was also due to the advent of television which fundamentally altered the role of documentaries in society. Previously, documentaries functioned much like the radio and the press, offering audiences ‘objective’ information, striving to efface any traces of a subjective authorship. The arrival of television effectively transferred this task of ‘objective’ information communication to television broadcasting, largely due to the new medium’s cost-ef fectiveness and rapid dissemination. This freed documentary filmmakers to portray their subjects in depth in a more complex manner† (Vitols, 2008: 14–15). When relating documentary cinema in the era of 1960–70s, one has the possibility to find numerous similarities and differences. Referring to Kleckins, the western world upsurge in documentary film occurred principally as a result to the technical advances such as lightweight cameras and novel sound equipment. On the contrary, some other countries such as the Baltic States owe their upsurge in the documentary film industry predominantly to the new generation that joined the industry. This is because their technical resources failed to change for a given period of time (Hepple and Taylor, 1980). The thematic progress that

Friday, September 27, 2019

Interview with RTD Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Interview with RTD - Assignment Example On the other hand, employee handling has generated great benefits to RTD Company by saving the company 5 million. Schemes have also been developed like the shared savings and staffing plans which is the right direction towards meeting the future company needs. The company also derives benefits recovery of 90% of its premiums. Fear is a general term that may be used to describe lack of certainty and clarity of certain issues. It is therefore quite logical to conclude with reference to the responses that fear and lack of it exists in the organization in manageable proportions. According to Cherie, fear exists but not as much as it was previously. This is mainly because the employees now have a union, which can bargain for them. Cherie explains that fear is only caused by lack of trust that is mainly by individuals. Roger says that there is only a pocket of fear, which is majorly caused by employees being afraid to speak out hence a closed environment. George on the other hand resonates fear from the economic fear and insecurity; this is because people may fear being laid off and hence losing their pension. This can though be fixed from better decisions by management on better funding strategies with intense pressure from the union for increased employment of 1st year recruits. RTD corporation has several strengths which has enabled it prosper in its activities among which are their commitment for customer service both internally and externally. The staff of the company is also experienced and they understand well the business of the company, this makes them be good at what they do in delivering service to the clients. The company bases its operations based on trust, which is a virtue. The company through the HR department is also able to do thorough advocacy for the employees; this helps the company to balance what is good for both its employees who are highly motivated and the company. Apart from just having strengths, the company as

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Human Resource Managment Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Human Resource Managment - Term Paper Example A distinctive capability that creates high value and differentiates an organization from its competition is a core competency. Human Resource Management policies help to define the approaches that are adopted in the organization both in developing employment practices and in implementing them; and constitute specific guidelines for managers, facilitating â€Å"empowerment, devolution and delegation† (Armstrong, 2006, p.147). Human resource or employment policies help to establish corporate values, shape corporate culture and provide frameworks to promote consistent and equitable decisions on the management of employees. To increase an organization’s competitive advantage, one of the important goals of human resource management in an organization is to promote employees’ motivation towards achieving increasing productivity. Similarly, changing the organization’s culture to one that is more empowering for employees, helps to attain organizational objectives. Thesis Statement: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the importance of Human Resource Management in helping an organization to achieve competitive advantage. HRM Strategies for Achieving Organizational Competitive Advantage Human Resource Management strategies are approaches that are adopted in the organization for both developing and implementing employment practices; they are based on policies or specific guidelines for managers facilitating â€Å"empowerment, devolution and delegation† (Armstrong 2006, p.147). Human resource strategies aim to establish corporate values, shape corporate culture and provide frameworks to promote consistent and equitable decisions on the management of employees. According to Burke and Cooper (2005), traditional views on competitive advantage focused on barriers to entry as â€Å"economies of scale, patent protection, access to capital, and regulated competition† (p.3). More recent perspectives have emphasized a different sour ce of competitive advantage, a company’s human resources and human capital. Organizations are confronted with new demands arising from increased competition, globalization, and technological advances. These phenomena make creativity, innovation, speed and flexibility vital for organizational efficiency. These assets are abstract, do not appear on a balance sheet, but exist in people and management systems. The role of human resource strategy to optimize organizational performance is being reconsidered. Rather than seeing the HR function as a cost, it should instead be seen as an investment, â€Å"a strategic lever for the organization in creating value† (Burke & Cooper, 2005, p.3). Thus, there is an increasing trend for human resources to be considered as the main differentiating factors contributing to a company’s competitive advantage. This underscores the belief that the knowledge and skills of employees is much more difficult to imitate, as compared to other resources. Thus, Human Resource Management believes employees to be valued assets, with the potential to ensure competitive advantage based on their commitment, adaptability and high quality skills. A study

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Cyberbulling Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Cyberbulling - Assignment Example Cyber bullying takes place by use of electronic technology such as computers, cell phones and tablets. Likewise, cyber bullying takes place by use of communication devices including social network sites, chat, text messages and websites. In recent days, United States, have attempted to pass legislation curbing against cyber bullying.. Various states have put in place legislations and implemented Federal laws since 1985 to protect against various cybercrimes including. Under Sec.113. Federal "Cyber bullying Prevention ": To strengthen bullying prosecution devices, this section likewise amends the Communications Act of 1934 to give a clear definition of a telecommunications tool(47 U.S.C 223)(h)(1) to include all device that uses Internet technologies like the voice over various internet services. The amendments in1996 provide. The Communications FEDERAL Act, prohibits the making of phone calls of the use of telecommunication tools "without disclosing the identity of one to abuse, annoy, harass or threaten any individual at the called phone number or an individual receiving the communications. This law helped in defining various cybercrimes previously unknown. In the criminal law, the 2011 federal cyber-stalking law has in many ways helped addressed the previously lacking in previously lacking. The law includes language permitted prosecutors to go after individuals using electronic devices to harass. These laws explicitly stipulate that an â€Å"interactive computer service† may not be used to threaten. In this regard, close to half of the states in the U.S. have likewise implemented their laws to permitted authorities to press charges against individuals engaging in cyber harassment and cyber stalking. The significant difference between the two pieces of legislation is on applicability. The initial law was more general and failed to address the dynamic threats that modern day cyber

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Bulid a laptop Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Bulid a laptop - Essay Example Therefore, I spent time and analyzed the specifications of different laptops before purchasing the laptop. There are different factors that are to be analyzed in a laptop such as the Processor, RAM, Hard Drive, Display screen, operating system, weight and several other factors. It is also crucial to analyze the factors that are required the most to the user and then make the purchasing decision. I did the same as I analyzed what are the main features that I would need in a laptop and then I took the decision. Moreover, the price paid for the laptop is another decisive factor and thus I compared the benefits that I would get from the laptop and then compared it with the cost of the laptop and then tried to make a rational decision to ensure that the benefit to cost ratio is maximized. One of the main factors that I analyzed in the laptop was the processor. I purchased Dell Inspiron 15 3537 W8/I5/Gb6. One of the main reasons was the processor speed. I wanted a quick speed processor and therefore I purchased the core i5 processor. The other decisive factor that assists in the speed of the laptop is the RAM. I analyzed different laptops and this laptop had a RAM of 6GB (Dell) which I felt is sufficient for me. Also, the hard disk space of 750 GB (Dell) is sufficient for me. Operating system offered with this laptop is Windows 8, and I wanted to try new windows. And I am excited to use the new windows interface. Moreover, I like laptops with large screen and light weight. But I did not want a screen that is as large as 17 inch. Therefore, I honestly like the display screen of this laptop. The screen size is 15.6 inch (Dell) and therefore it is a very good size for me. As I used to carry my laptop while I travel, therefore the weight of the laptop is another crucial factor that could influence my decision. The weight of the laptop is very light and it is around 2.25 kg (Dell), and thus it is easy for me to pick

Monday, September 23, 2019

Moral relativism and Moral absolutism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Moral relativism and Moral absolutism - Essay Example The concept of moral relativism stipulates that there is no sense in asking abstract questions concerning whether an act is either good or its bad. As per the theory, abstract questions that contain neither goodness nor badness in them. The concept stipulates that the issues of goodness and badness can only be found in contexts that are specified. Therefore, this implies that an action can be good for a certain individual but on the other hand be bad for another individual. It also suggests that certain acts may be correct in a certain cultural setting but considered to be bad in another cultural setting (Moral Relativism. Info). However, if the concept of moral relativism is considered true, an act should not be questioned on its goodness or badness in its abstract form but should only be questioned in particular situations. Different people view the issue of more relativism as being a palpable truth and undeniable whereas others perceive it as a threat to the ethical foundations up on which societies are built (Hammerlinck). The concept of moral relativism has been supported with various proofs by different people. Some of them have put forward arguments from disagreements, flexibility and from tolerance. Those who have forwarded arguments from disagreements argue that ethical relativism best describes the fact that different cultures and individuals have different ethical beliefs. From this perception, the ethical disagreements demonstrate that the issue of morality is just but a product of our personal opinions or our different cultures. This is the exact claim that has been put forward by the notion of moral relativism (Moral Relativism. Info). Other arguments for the notion of moral relativism that have been presented from flexibility arguments stipulate that the issue of moral absolutism will certainly break down when exposed to particular situations.

Sunday, September 22, 2019

The novel The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown Essay Example for Free

The novel The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown Essay Dan Brown prepares the reader for the rest of the novel, The Da Vinci Code with a puzzling yet interesting prologue. The Da Vinci Code is the fourth novel by Dan Brown, a famous author who released his first novel Digital Fortress in 1998. I chose to read The Da Vinci Code because it has received excellent reviews and it explains philosophical concepts from the time of Jesus Christ. I was drawn to The Da Vinci Code as a film was released in 2006 and the first two novels had been excellent. I was attracted to the novel because the title gives a spooky and suspicious sense of atmosphere. The series is based in the modern world and the novels are based on code- breaking skills giving them a thriller nature. In this essay, I am going to be explaining anything confusing or puzzling that crop up in the prologue and how this may affect the readers sense of curiosity. Unlike the other novels, The Da Vinci Code begins with an action scene, leaving the reader curious. The title The Da Vinci Code indicates another code- breaking plot however it leaves readers wondering, what code is to be solved? The word code is quite vague and could imply there is a secret waiting to be unleashed. Dan Brown added the phrase The Da Vinci before code. Da Vinci is short for Leonardo da Vinci, a great painter, inventor and writer. A reader will be aware of this because Da Vinci is famous. Even though Da Vinci was regarded as a skilled engineer, none of his works linked to puzzles and codes. The title therefore leaves the reader in a puzzling state of confusion and the front cover shows a small portion of The Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, confirming that Da Vinci is linked to the novel. Dan Brown has cleverly constructed the title and cover, leaving readers debating over the plot, causing them to feel curious, drawing readers in to read the book. The first sentence appeals to our sense of sight and causes readers to feel curious. The sentence reads: Renowned curator Jacques Sauniere staggered through the vaulted archway of the museums Grand Gallery. The sentence introduces a character, Curator Jacques Sauniere and this causes the reader to question, who is Jacques Sauniere? Why is he the curator of the museum and how is he famous? The second part of the sentence involves the curator staggering through a vaulted archway. This implies many possibilities: The curator could have simply tripped or he might have even been chased. This leaves readers in suspense because they would want to know who is chasing the curator and why. The word staggered stresses a sense of trouble. This is quite powerful because it is immediate and causes the reader to feel startled. The sentence as a whole allows readers to visualise the setting and confirms that the curator is in a museum; however the gallery of the museum was described as grand, indicating that the museum is well known, making readers wonder if there is trouble in the building. And if so, why have security guards not arrived at the scene. Being a prologue, Dan Brown does not introduce many of the main characters until the 1st chapter, however two characters are introduced. Brown introduces the Museums curator Jacques Sauniere. He is depicted to be famous, because he was described as renowned and readers visualise Sauniere to be weak and helpless as he found it extremely difficult to heave a masterpiece. However, we assume Sauniere is part of a hidden organization, possessing a truth: If I die, the truth will be lost for ever. The quote evokes readers sense of curiosity, therefore causing them to wonder: Who is Sauniere? The second character, Albino, is after the curator and eventually captures him. He was broad and tall, with ghost- pale skin and thinning white hair. His irises were pink with dark red pupils, Albino is pictured as a dark, suspicious character causing readers to be inquisitive. Readers feel sorry for the curator when he is shot by Albino for lying about not knowing the secret. Albino leaves quickly, illustrating that he will return in the novel. Brown was correct in leaving out the many of the main characters because the prologue was there to leave readers in suspense and to create background information for the novel, preparing the reader. Dan Brown allows the reader to know that the book belongs to the thriller genre: As he had anticipated, a thundering iron gate fell nearby, barricading the entrance to the suite. The parquet floor shook. Far off, an alarm began to ring. The sentence uses a number of powerful words, attracting the reader. Thundering Iron Gate fell nearby allow readers to visualise a gigantic, grand security system. From the phrase, you want to know why the Iron Gate fell and so this starts to quiz readers. Barricading stresses a sense of foreboding because readers dont understand why the curator would want to lock himself in a museum, leaving readers in suspense as they wonder if there is a purpose behind his action, contributing to the hunch that he could be in danger. Far off, an alarm began to ring give readers the impression that there is a robbery occurring although the assumption is not true. Other ways in which the author allows the reader to identify that the book belongs to the thriller genre is using words such as thundering, roared and wincing. These words all suggest a thriller due to the fact that it allows readers to visualise the scene, appealing to their sense of sight. The Gun roared is portrays a murder scene confirming the genre however, readers develop an idea that a mystery is being conjured. In the prologue, we are told of a mysterious character however the description is quite vague adding to the mystery. All of the quotes and words above allow readers to know the genre of the book, preparing them for the rest of the novel. Throughout the prologue, readers will feel confused. Immediately introducing the curator, Jacques Sauniere, the prologue bemuses readers, causing them to wonder and question. However, Brown introduces Sauniere describing him as renowned. The word is powerful in many contexts: It allows readers to know that he is famous but more importantly, it makes them feel that they already know the curator, allowing questions to leave readers minds. Albino, the ghostly figure in the prologue causes reader to be curious because they do not know who he is and why he is after the curator. This is considered effective because it creates suspense for readers. Albino mentions something: Now tell me where it is. The phrase causes reader to guess what this particular item is, perplexing readers as well as leaving them in suspense. Calling the item it gives it importance and classifies that the thing is special. Towards the end of the prologue, we are told that the item is actually a secret, intriguing readers, as they want to know what the secret holds. Although there are many other phrases and sentences that leave you anxious, you are still given a complete plot of the prologue because the setting is well-described. The author did this intently because it triggers readers imagination. Confusion is effective in the introduction because the author has time to pick up on topics which are necessary at a particular point and then build up on them when they are needed later, creating suspense, preparing readers for the rest of the novel. The Last two sentences of the prologue are very powerful, concluding the prologue efficiently: Wincing in pain, he summoned all of his faculties and strength. The desperate task before him, he knew, would require every remaining second of his life. Wincing, faculties and desperate are all effective words used in the last two lines and they are excellent at describing the curator, giving readers a visual image of him. Wincing justifies that the curator is extremely weak and adding in pain emphasises the fact that he is going to die. We are told that he has a task to do before he dies, however we do not know what it is, adding to the suspense. Readers are drawn to the ending phrase, every remaining second of his life because it denotes that the task is significant for the events in the novel. You feel sorry for the curator because he is innocent and didnt deserve to be shot whereas you feel vengeful towards Albino. The sentence ends abrupt, asking readers many questions. They want to know: Is Sauniere dead? What is the desperate task he wanted to complete and what has happened to Albino? A cliff-hanger is formed by ending abruptly, evoking readers sense of curiosity. Therefore, the last two sentences of the prologue are successful at preparing the reader for the rest of the novel. The introduction to The Da Vinci Code is brilliant for preparing the reader for the rest of the novel by setting a good theme. The introduction leaves you in suspense, generating an urge for you to read on. All aspects of the prologue contribute to its excellence. The prologue is kept as simplistic as possible, providing background knowledge for readers. I have deeply enjoyed the book so far and I can say that readers will continue to feel a sense of thrill as they progress through the novel.

Friday, September 20, 2019

The Beveridge Report, 1942: Causes and Effects

The Beveridge Report, 1942: Causes and Effects CHAPTER 2: The publication of the Beveridge report in December 1942 is one of those moments in history which offer a unique challenge to historians. It is an event about which everybody at the time had a viewpoint. I recall my Grandfather telling me that William Bevridge was the architect of the welfare state, and the publication of his report marked a turning point in the lives of working class people across Britain. It is therefore a challenge for the historian to ignore their pre-conceived notions, and write an account of the Beveridge report based upon the information as it stands, rather than based upon perceptions. To write about what truly motivated Beveridge, what his true principles were, and what the real aims of the report were, rather than making assumptions based upon what is seen at face value. That is what I aim to do here. To understand the work, one has to understand the man, and that will be my starting point for this chapter. William Beveridge was a Liberal, indeed he became a liberal MP in 1944, but he was not a liberal in the classic tradition. Indeed, Beveridge would probably have more in common with the Liberal Democrat tradition of today than he would with the tradition of Lloyd George, and it should be remembered that he flirted with the idea of joining the Labour party at around the time he wrote his report. Various writers have wrestled with the idea of placing Beveridge somewhere on the left to right political spectrum, but in truth, any attempt to try and place him in this way would do the man and his work a disservice. Probably the best analysis is that of the Williams’ in ‘A Beveridge Reader’ and reiterated by Robert Leaper: â€Å"Beveridge was never a grand social theorist; he always favoured a practical, problem centred approach.†(1) From the evidence I have seen, it would be best to describe Beveridge as a pragmatist. He saw a problem, and looked for the best solution to solve the problem as he saw it. He showed no apparent concern for where the solution may have had its origins, only that the solution solved the problem. This is not to say that Beveridge did not have underlying principles. It has been argued by Albert Weale that two persistent themes run through his work: â€Å"The first is the belief that virtually the prime goal of public policy should be the development of an efficient economy capable of high levels of productivity. Underlying Beveridge’s conviction on this point, there appears to have been a tacitly assumed belief in the paradox of capitalist production: capitalism resulted in a highly unequal distribution of wealth, and yet it was the only system capable of producing sufficient wealth to eradicate poverty. The second persistent element in his social theory was Beveridge’s view that a highly centralized bureaucracy, staffed with public-spirited officials, would be the leading instrument of social reform.†(2) Having looked at what Beveridge was, it is also vitally important to understand what both he and his report were not. Beveridge was not a socialist and he was not a revolutionary, and neither was his report. As Eveline Burns points out: â€Å"In this context it can be seen that the Beveridge report is evolutionary, rather than revolutionary. The great contribution of the author consists in his recognition of the fact that the end of one stage of development had in fact been reached and that the time was ripe for the reorganization and new unification of the various programs in conformity with the changed social attitudes.†(3) Whilst I have broken with any idea of this being a report of revolutionary proportions, I must also break with the argument of Bartholemew, which I believe was somewhat dismissive of the report. He states: â€Å"So what did Beveridge propose? It was very simple. Everyone would make flat-rate contributions to a national insurance scheme. Those who fell ill, became unemployed or reached retirement age would, in return, receive flat-rate payments. That is it. The rest was detail.†(4) Bartholemew may technically be correct. The report did contain a lot of detail centred on this core principle. But the report also contained a vision or blueprint for the future, and in many respects, it was this part of the report which was of particular interest, as Beveridge went far beyond his initial remit. It is some of these ideas which I would like to look at now. As Burns points out: â€Å"It should be noted first of all that the report is essentially concerned with assuring freedom from want, in so far as want is due to interruptions of income or to the occurrence of costs unrelated to income to which all or the vast majority of the population are at some time or other liable.†(5) But this attack on want only formulated one part of the overall objectives, which was to attack what Beveridge described as the five giants. Beveridge stated in his second of three guiding principles: â€Å"The second principle is that organisation of social insurance should be treated as on part of a comprehensive policy of social progress. Social insurance fully developed income security; it is an attack upon want. But want is one only of the five giants on the road to reconstruction and in some ways the easiest to attack. The others are disease, ignorance squalor and idleness.†(6) Within the report, it was only the giants of want and by implication, idleness which were tackled head on. But with some imagination, it is not difficult to foresee the origins of the NHS, the development of a comprehensive education system and a local authority house building programme within its pages. Beveridge embodied within his plan, a vision for the future, which could be tackled piece by piece, beginning with want. The picture painted by Beveridge was an overall scheme which he described as follows: â€Å"The scheme embodies six fundamental principles; flat rate of contribution; unification of administrative responsibility; adequacy of benefit; comprehensiveness; and classification. Based on them and in combination with national assistance and voluntary insurance as subsidiary methods, the aim of the plan for social security is to make want under any circumstances unnecessary.†(7) Up to this point, I have tended to focus upon the social dimension of the Beveridge report, but as I have said before, we should not loose sight of the pragmatic dimension of the man. In signing of the report in 1942, Beveridge claimed it was marked by â€Å"economy in administration, adequacy in benefits and universality in scope.†(8) It is the aspect of economy in administration which is most commonly neglected when looking at the Beveridge report, and in assessing the man behind it. One of the most important motivations behind the report was the desire to rationalise the existing system which consisted of a set of unconnected bodies working under rules laid down by up to six different agencies. This system was seen by Beveridge among others as not only inefficient but also expensive in administration costs. Beveridge claimed in the report that: â€Å"Social insurance and allied services, as they exist today, are connected by a complex of disconnected administrative organs, proceeding on different principles, doing invaluable service but at no cost in money and trouble and anomalous treatment of identical problems for which there is no justification. In a system of social security, better on the whole than can be found in almost any other country, there are serious deficiencies which call for remedy. It is not open to question that , by closer co-ordination, the existing social services could be made at once more beneficial and more intelligible to those whom they serve and more economical in their administration.†(9) The same point is made in a rather more cynical manner by Bartholemew: â€Å"People who looked at the detail and actually read his words understood that the old Victorian was not proposing the bonanza which many assumed then and continue to believe. Keynes advised Beveridge on his costings and said, ‘the Chancellor of the Exchequer should thank his stars that he has got of so cheap.’ Members of the economic section of the Treasury believed that the Beveridge plan was actually cheaper than the provision which existed previously.†(10) The desire of Beveridge to create a more rational economic system as well as being a primary motive more his war on want, was also an important contributing factor in his desire to see a nationwide health system. Writing just after the publication of the report, Leo Wolman wrote: â€Å"These amount to saying that the scheme, in order to work and to avoid building up excessive expenditures and costs, must provide that the insured be kept healthy and fit for work and remain in employment lest they settle down too often and too long to living on the insurance benefits. The report attempts to translate these assumptions into practical proposals by calling upon the government to face the problems of the post-war unemployment and by laying the foundations for an unprecedented system of health and rehabilitation benefits and services.†(11) What Wolman observed in Beveridge was a belief that by introducing a health care system alongside the social care system, the health of people would be improved, leading to less stress being put on the social security fund through sickness. This desire to maintain the health of the workforce is also linked to Beveridge’s desire for greater efficiency. As Beveridge points out in his report: â€Å"It is in the interest of employers as such that the employees should have security, should be properly maintained during the inevitable intervals of unemployment or of sickness, should have the content which helps to make them efficient producers.†(12) It is worth noting that Beveridge received widespread support among the business community based upon his arguments of it leading to greater efficiency of the workforce. Samual Courtauld, chairman of the fabric firm, speaking to the Manchester Rotary Club in February 1943, declared himself: â€Å"Strongly in favour of the principles and almost all the proposals of the Beveridge report. I have not the faintest doubt that if we can survive the first severe business contraction which arises after the war, social security of this nature will be about the most profitable long-term investment the country could make. It will not undermine the moral of the nation’s workers: it will ultimately lead to a higher efficiency among them and a lowering of production costs.†(13) We have up to now focussed upon two dimensions of the aims and principles of the Beveridge report: the social and the economic. What we must now do is look at the political principles and aims of the report. I do not refer to party political aims but the underlying political aims. The aims of doing what is best for the nation as Beveridge saw it. There is good evidence that Beveridge saw a danger in men returning from war, seeking a better world and seeing nothing better than before. There is also evidence that there was a fear of possible consequences within the House of Commons. Beveridge wrote in his report: â€Å"There are yet others who will say that, however desirable it may appear to reconstruct social insurance or to make other plans for a better world of peace, all such concerns must now be put on one side, so that Britain may concentrate upon the urgent task of war. There is no need to spend the words today in emphasising the urgency or the difficulty of the task that faces the British people and their Allies. Only by surviving victoriously in the present struggle can they enable the freedom and happiness and kindliness to survive in the world. Only by obtaining from every individual citizen his maximum effort, concentrated upon the purposes of war, can they hope for early victory. This does not alter three facts: that the purpose of victory is to live into a better world than the old world; that each individual citizen is more likely to concentrate upon his war effort if he feels that his government will be ready in time with plans for that better world; that if these plans are to be ready in time, they must be made now.†(14) If the warnings of Beveridge were relatively subtle, then those expressed by Conservative MP, Quinton Hogg, in the parliamentary debate on 17th February, 1943, were very much to the point: â€Å"Some of my honourable friends seem to overlook one or two ultimate facts about social reform. The first is that if you do not give people social reform, they are going to give you social revolution. Let anyone consider the possibility of a series of dangerous industrial strikes following the present hostilities, and the effect that it would have on our industrial recovery.†(15) Whilst I am not totally convinced that this was a major factor in the reasoning of Beveridge, the lessons of what happened post 1918 would not have been lost on him. I do also believe that it strongly influenced Beveridge’s ability to sell the proposals to the Conservative part effectively. The true extent of this will be looked at in the next chapter. It has been argued by John Jacobs that â€Å"the impetus for what was to become the Beveridge report came from the TUC, who had for some time been pressing the Government for a comprehensive review of social insurance.†(16) Whilst there is no doubt that the TUC had a degree of influence, this is a far too simplistic model. It is my view that the origins of the report, and the principles within the report lie in the growing realisation that the world was changing, that there was a need both socially and economically for systems in place to be made more efficient. William Beveridge had a long history within this area of study and fully understood the deficiencies of the system. As has previously been emphasised, the report was not revolutionary in its ideas. But it was a document which exerted an immense influence upon the future of social policy in Britain. In essence, I would describe the report as the attempts by a pragmatist to rationalise an irrational system. FOOTNOTES: Social Policy and Administration Vol 25, No 1, March 1991 : Article By Leaper, R page 4 Political Studies Vol 27, Issue 2, June 1979 : Article By Weale, A page 288 American Economic Review Vol 33, No 3, September 1943 : Article By Burns, E page 519 Bartholemew, J : The Welfare State Were In (Politico, London, 2004) page 57 Prev Cite, Burns page 513 Beveridge, W: The Beveridge Report on Social and Allied Services 1942 (HMSO, London, 1942) page 1 Ibid Page 2 Thane, P : The Foundations of the Welfare State (Longman, Harlow, 1998) page 235 Prev Cite, Beveridge page 6 Prev Cite, Bartholemew page 58 Political Science Quarterly Vol 58, No 1, March 1943: Article By Wolman, L page 6-7 Prev Cite, Beveridge page 109 Manchester Guardian, February 19th, 1943 Prev Cite, Beveridge page 171 Hansard Parliamentary Debates: 17th February, 1943, Col 1818 Jacobs, J : Beveridge 1942-1992 (Whiting and Birch, London, 1992) page 140 CHAPTER 3: Time magazine printed on December 14th, 1942: â€Å"Not since the day of Munich had the British press given such play to any single story. War news was all but pushed from the pages of London’s war-curtailed dailies. Many of them devoted half their space to news of the document which, in the midst of war, looked forward to a better post-war world. The Beveridge Report, published last week was the biggest event for Britons in many years.†(1) In our present day age of cynicism towards anything political, it is difficult to imagine the idea of a government commissioned report selling 90,000 copies in its’ first week, and eventually seeing sales of 600,000. Even less, the idea of people cueing outside HMSO in London to buy a copy. Such euphoria today is usually reserved for the latest Harry Potter adventures. But in December 1942, this is exactly what happened. People wanted to but and read this document. It was headlined by ‘Time’ as ‘Rare and Refreshing Beveridge.’ This is probably an accurate representation of how people in Britain saw this report. A rare opportunity to read something new and refreshing. The Beveridge report appeared to capture a mood in a way which was not seen before, and is extremely unlikely to be seen again. What is also unlikely to be seen again is a document with such overwhelming approval. Bartholemew notes that: â€Å"In a survey at the time, nineteen out of twenty people had heard of the report and almost all were in favour of it.†(2) The Mass Observation Archives provide us with a valuable insight as to the public perception of the report at the time. Typical of the responses was that of a male skilled worker of 50, from Streatham: â€Å"I have read it and think it champion and will take a load off the minds of people. The most important proposals, well they are all very important but suppose the Retirement Pension and Unemployment increase are perhaps the greatest benefit. It should be passed as quickly as possible. I do not see how anybody can oppose it except perhaps the Insurance Companies but they don’t matter, they have feathered their nests long enough.†(3) Two things are interesting to note from this. Firstly, how enthusiasm can lead people to see things which are not there; in this case the promise of higher pensions and unemployment benefits. Secondly, the cynicism towards the insurance companies which would today, probably be directed towards the politicians. Amid the euphoria, there were comments which, although not really dissent, questioned some of the assumptions. The following is an opinion of a woman regarding family planning: â€Å"Well I’m one of the bad selfish women; I had only one child because I didn’t want any more. And now that my husband and I have parted I’m not particularly sorry. I think my young daughter looks forward to having a family of three or four. But of course she may change her mind when she marries or after she’s had one. After all, it’s such a terribly personal problem. I think that family allowances and better housing and more hope of social security would make a difference to the number of children in better off working class and lower middle class homes. But I don’t think anything on earth would make the educated classes start having large families, because they simply don’t want them.†(4) This is a rejection of the idea that family allowance payments would lead to larger families, This is an interesting observation in light of concerns at the time concerning the declining population. What should be clear from these observations of public opinion is a confirmation of what Bartholemew said. There was widespread public support for the Beveridge plan, to such an extent, the government acted sooner on the proposals than they had initially wanted. There is a general belief that the public support put pressure on the government to accept the conclusions of the report whilst the war was in progress. In light of this overwhelming public support, it is interesting to look at where opposition and criticism to the report came from. From what I have seen, I would place the opposition and criticism to the report into four different groups; government opposition (particularly the treasury), the Marxist left, the Right Wing of the Conservative Part, and Feminist opposition. I have not analysed opposition from insurance companies separately as their arguments correspond with those of the Tory right, and are fairly self explanatory. What is necessary is to look at the nature of the opposition from these four groups; what motivated their opposition, and to look at what extent these oppositions were ideological or practical. This will provide a better picture of where the country stood at this time. As I have mentioned earlier, public opinion compelled the government to act in a way which it did not really want to. There were concerns within the government regarding Beveridges’s plan, particularly from the Treasury. This position has been well explained by Pat Thane: â€Å"The treasury expressed serious doubts about the possible effects of Beveridge’s plans on the post-war fiscal situation. They feared that it would require a high level of taxation which would discourage saving and hinder post-war expansion. A fierce debate was conducted among government economic advisors between those who argued that need could be met more effectively and cheaply by benefits means-tested on the same basis as the newly introduced annual tax returns and adjusted to local cost-of-living variations, and Keynes, who admitted the logic of this view but argued that this was impossible without a reform of the system of direct taxation, which was not immediately practicable, and that contributory insurance was a useful means of making employers share the costs of welfare. Keynes was convinced that the Beveridge plan was the cheapest alternative open to us and that the feared financial difficulties could be avoided by careful Treasury management.†(5) To the historian, this Treasury opposition was by far the most important. In analysing the political climate of the day, it shows differences of thinking at the highest levels of government at a time of war, and when a coalition government was considered to be united. But even more importantly, this Treasury opposition was to continue into the period of implementation, and as we shall see later on, these arguments had profound consequences upon how the Beveridge plan was implemented. It should also be noted at this stage that opposition within Government was not restricted to the Treasury. Ironically, Bevin was initially strongly opposed to the conclusions of Beveridge, believing that it was contrary to the interests of the trade unions, which were best met by higher wages, although the TUC were strongly behind the plan. Whilst the majority of the Socialist movement including the Labour Party, the TUC and interestingly the Communist Party, were firmly behind the plan, the Marxist left were strongly against the plan on ideological terms. Their position is well summarised by a Socialist Party of Great Britain pamphlet written in 1943: â€Å"We propose to show that this apparently philanthropic gesture on the part of the Government will not be an entirely unmixed blessing for the working population, and the approval with which it has been received by different sections of political opinion arises in some cases from the complete lack of knowledge that whatever benefits, if any, may accrue to a certain number of workers, the employers will most certainly gain on balance in the long run.†(6) The essence of the Marxist left position was that capitalism was the cause of poverty and could not be reformed. It would therefore be wrong for socialists to support attempts to reform the system to make it more palatable. Groups such as the socialist party of Great Britain also viewed the report as an attempt to placate the working class, and prevent any possible social revolution at the end of the war. The position of these groups was in the overall scheme of things, of little relevance. This may not have been the case if the Communist Party, by far the largest Marxist organisation, had adopted a Marxist position rather than the reformist position of the TUC. If the opposition of the Treasury was practical, and the opposition of the left was ideological, then the opposition of the Tory right was a combination of the two. There existed then as now, a strong desire to minimise the role of government in affairs as much as possible, and so there was a natural ideological objection to the government run social insurance scheme. Conservative MP, David Willetts has reflected upon the Tory opposition, and has drawn the following conclusions: â€Å"Conservatives were wary of Beveridge for two main reasons. The Conservative Party conference of 1943 passed a motion ‘That this conference is of the opinion that the existing friendly societies should remain part of our social security system’ in response to the fear that Beveridge’s ambitious new social insurance scheme would undermine friendly society provision, a fear which proved well founded. There was also a worry that these benefits would not be as well-targeted as Beveridge hoped.†(7) As I referred to at the start, there was a certain coronation between the position of the Tory right and that of the Insurance companies, whose primary concern was that they would loose a lot of business by Beveridge’s proposals. Their position was on the whole supported by the Tory right. The position of the Tory right was certainly more influential than that of the left, by virtue of the fact that they had a voice in parliament, but we should not overestimate the strength of their opposition in overall terms. Indeed, their position had little impact upon the outcome of the report. There was probably greater support for their position within government than was apparent, but political expediency led others to take a more liberal position. The most interesting ideological position was that of the feminist movement. Their position has been effectively laid out by Sheila Blackburn: â€Å"Socialist feminists maintain that, despite women’s sterling war effort, Beveridge deliberately reduced married women, with regard to social security, to second class citizens. This, they insist, Beveridge achieved via three means. First, Beveridge specified that married working women should pay reduced national insurance contributions and, as a result, they received lower benefits. Second, socialist feminists discuss how Beveridge made arrangements for married working women. Third and most importantly, feminists criticise Beveridge for assuming that the majority of married/co-habiting women would abandon paid work to be financially supported by a male bread winner.†(8) We must be careful at this stage to avoid moving away from the question we are looking at; that is opposition at the time to Beveridge. The feminist debate upon Beveridge continues to this day, and we must avoid using current arguments and imposing them upon feminists in 1942. But there is a strong body of evidence to suggest that these arguments formed part of the feminist opposition at the time. This has been reflected by Leaper in looking at the demands of the Woman’s Freedom League. They demanded: â€Å"that men and women should in marriage not be treated as a team but as individuals each paying equal contributions and receive equal benefits; and that in every case men and women should pay the same and receive the same benefits.†(9) He has also quoted the following extract from Abbott and Bompass who published a fierce feminist critique of the report in 1943: â€Å"It is where the plan falls short of being really mutual in character, where it shuts out or exempts from all direct participation over nine million adult women, where it imposes financial burdens on men alone, instead of spreading them equitably over all, that it fails and is open to criticism.†(10) The importance of the feminist lobby should not be overstated. Whilst there was extensive feminist opposition to Beveridge, he also gained much support, as Blackburn has pointed out: â€Å"Beveridge’s views were largely in accord with those of the majority of the organised women’s movement in Britain in the 1930’s and 1940’s; and it seems futile and somewhat patronising to berate both him and them for failing to think what they ought to have thought from the vantage point of the 1990’s.†(11) I would summarise that the feminist position was important in 1942, but had little impact upon the implementation of the Beveridge proposals. The importance of the feminist position has been in the ways in which the welfare state has been altered, taking on board many of the feminist arguments. I would be my argument therefore, that the feminist argument has gained in strength and credibility over time, and is now highly influential in the shape of the welfare state. The Beveridge report was without doubt a monumental document, which gained public acclaim to an extent which we are unlikely to ever see again. One should not underestimate the role of Beveridge himself in gaining this support. In many respects, Beveridge was a very modern politician. He manipulated the media very effectively, building up substantial support for his report before it was published. As a result, the opposition was limited. As I have mentioned, the most important opposition came from the Treasury, and this opposition did impact upon the way Beveridge was implemented. But on the whole, the support was far too extensive for it to be ignored, and the spirit, if not all the detail became the foundation of the welfare state. FOOTNOTES: Time: Monday, December 14th, 1942 Bartholemew, J : The Welfare State Were In (Politico, London, 2004) page 56 Mass Observation Archive: Topic Collections on Social Welfare and the Beveridge Report, 1939-1949 Ibid Thane, P : The Foundation of the Welfare State (Logman, Harlow, 1998) page 236 Website: www.worldsocilaism.org Website: www.davidwilletts.org.uk Woman’s History Review Vol 4, No 3, 1995: Article By Sheila Blackburn page 371 Social Policy and Administration Vol 25, No 1, March 1991: Article By Leaper, R page 18 Ibid page 18 Prev Cite Blackburn page 376 BIBLIOGRAPHY: Titmuss, R : Essays on the Welfare State (Unwin University Books, London, 1963) Political Quarterly Vol 14, No 2 : Before and After Beveridge Journal of Social Policy Vol 27, No 1 : Article By Jim Tomlinson The Economic Journal Vol 53, April 1943 : Article By Owen, ADK Historical Journal Vol 35, No 3, 1992 : Article By Fielding, S Review of Economic Studies, Vol 11, No 1, 1943 : Article By Hicks, JR

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Personal Writing: The Day Of Surprise :: essays research papers

Personal Writing: The Day of Surprise   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"That's so cool!† I exclaimed. In my hand was a Valentines Day card which folded to make a spaceship. I was in a Hallmark card shop with my father, looking at cards for the upcoming holiday.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"If I got you that card now, then it wouldn't be a surprise later,† my father logically stated.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"But it's neat! See, it folds into a spaceship.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"I'll get it for you but... just act surprised for your mother when you open the card.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Okay dad,† I answered as we walked up to the counter. My father paid for the card and we left the store.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  It was a week before Valentines Day in 1987. I was nine years old and intensely anxious. Expectation for February 14 had overcome every other thought I previously had. It might seem funny to some that I held that one day with such great esteem, but to me it was unlike any other holiday. On Valentines Day I felt loved by everyone. On that day, I would obtain the card that I had picked out from my father. Classmates would give everyone Valentine cards. Some extremely generous kids would even attach candy to the cards. It didn't matter if you hated each other, on Valentines Day everyone put aside their differences and even presented cards to the children nobody liked. That one day of love seemed to unify the worst of foes through love and forgiveness. I could hardly wait for that day to come.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  As the night before Valentines Day had rolled around, anticipation had escalated to an all time peak. Nevertheless, it was all set aside as my parents once again started to fight. My brother and I were sent to the car in the garage so that we would not witness them fighting. We knew the routine. I was scared and I could still hear angry voices dueling back and forth. My brother was a senior in high school and even he seemed frightened when they fought. Although he tried to hide his fear, I knew he was afraid when my father would go on a rampage. An hour passed by and my brother and I decided to go back inside.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The house was still. A pin could have dropped and we would of heard it. My father had gone to lay down in his bed. This action was suggested by the marriage counselor that my parents had been visiting. Whenever my father got angry, he was supposed to rest until he calmed down. The problem was that he

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Essay --

Energy is what makes the world go around. All of our technologies are designed and developed based on readily available resources, most common of which are fossil fuels. What happens when we run out? The technologies we so heavily rely on for generating food, shelter, and transportation will cease to function. Throughout this article, I will elucidate the importance of developing and implementing alternative energy sources, specifically those that are renewable, into everyday technologies, and the resulting positive and negative consequences that could follow . According to Professor Chris Rhodes and the latest B.P (British Petroleum) statistical review, the â€Å"majority of energy used by humans on Earth is crude oil, accounting for 33% of our total, closely followed by coal at 30%. Natural gas follows at a close third place at 24%; nuclear and hydroelectric at 5-6% each; and the tiny fraction of our overall energy that comes from â€Å"renewables†, is just 1.6%.† Based on his research, it can be concluded that we are reliant on fossil fuels for 87% of our total energy. A frightening percentage! Since we are currently reliant on fossil fuels for 87% of our energy supply, it is important that more money is invested into research and development of new renewable resources. Fossil fuels are nonrenewable. They WILL run out! Failure to implement renewable and sustainable sources of energy could lead to a national crisis. To give an idea of how fast we are using our oil, we have already passed peak oil production. A â€Å"detailed assessment of more than 800 oil fields in the world, covering three-quarters of global reserves, has found that most of the biggest fields have already peaked and that the rate of decline in oil pro... ...ources is that they are â€Å"too expensive†. Their EROEI (energy returned on energy invested) is poor, resulting in loss of profits. Wind turbines, solar panels, and most other forms of alternate energy are very expensive and inefficient. Although this is true in some cases, there is a reason and solution for the problem. More funds must be dedicated to researching and improving these technologies. Nothing happens for free, and research is no exception. Without sufficient funds, these sources of clean energy will neither become more efficient or cost effective. Since every important aspect of society runs on fossil fuels, and fossil fuels will eventually run out, it is extremely important that we further develop and implement renewable energy into everyday processes. As our population increases, so will our energy demands. We must make changes before it is too late.

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Plato Vs Aristotle Theory Of Knowledge Essay

The theory of knowledge (Epistemology) is the philosophical study of the nature, scope and limitation of what constitutes knowledge, its acquisition and analysis. The fundamental issue that remains unsolved in epistemology is the definition of knowledge. Philosophers are divided on this issue with some analyzing it as justified true beliefs while others differ and say that justified true belief does not constitute knowledge. The objective of this paper is to compare and contrast Plato and Aristotles theories of knowledge. Platos theory of knowledge Before Plato, there were some other philosophers that had made some remarks about the theory of knowledge especially Socrates. However, Plato has been credited with the origin of the theory of knowledge as it was found in his conversations. His theory of knowledge closely intertwined with his theory of forms (ideas), envisaged that there were two essential characteristics of knowledge. Knowledge must be certain and infallible. Knowledge must have as its object that which is genuinely real as contrasted with that which is an appearance only, that which is fully real must be fixed, permanent and unchanging- in the realm of being as opposed to that which is in the realm of becoming(physical) Consequently, he completely rejects imperialism on the account that knowledge does not arise from sensory experience. In his arguably best publication, Thaeatetus, Plato explores the question, what is Knowledge much more ardently than in any of his other works. In this dialogue involving Socrates and the young man named after the text, the dialogue turns aporetic because it ends at an impasse. What the dialogue inferred in the beginning is that knowledge is perception. This is evidently not true because it would be impossible to attribute knowledge to perception without a semantic structure and hence it would be impossible to state it. Perception only describes one quality of a given type of knowledge that is available only to the vision. Based on the tripartite theory of knowledge, which analyses knowledge as a justified true belief, Thaeatetus believes that knowledge structured  semantically from sensory impressions, is possible. Plato rejects this notion arguing that there is no way to explain how sensations concatenated, is organizable into a semantics structure. In response to the definition of knowledge as true judgment with an account, he uses the Dream Theory to explain how semantic structures can arise from perceptions, just as the mind creates logical constructs, which have meaning in a dream (Chappell, 2005). Because this view fails to give an account of how the logical construction takes place in the first place, Socrates objects. In essence, the failure to differentiate between what is knowledge and from true belief about knowledge only adds to identify a diagnostic quality of knowledge. Because there is s problem of how to identify knowledge, then it also follows that there will be a problem in how to identify the diagnostic quality of knowledge. This regression makes Thaeatetus conclude that we cannot define knowledge. A very interesting point emerges in Platos remarks at the end of the dialogue, bringing into focus the concept of understanding and the role of wisdom in enabling us to even start considering that perhaps we only begin having true belief and about what knowledge is when we actually understand anything (Chappell, 2005). The allegory of the cave In the allegory of the cave, Plato compares people untrained in the Theory of Forms to prisoners in a cave, chained to the wall with no possibility of turning their heads. With fire burning behind them, they can only see the wall of the cave and the shadows of the puppets placed between them and the fire (Platos Cave, n.d). The prisoners are unable to fathom that the shadows they see and the echoes they hear are a reflection of real objects, behind them. The Allegory of the cave summarizes most of Platos views and philosophical thoughts. His central tenet, the belief that the world available to our senses is only a reflection (a poor imitation) of the real world, of which the real one can only be intellectually grasped, is synonymous to his theory of forms, which exalted the world of ideas (form) above the world of senses (matter). It is therefore easy to mistake appearance for reality, based on what the  prisoners in the cave experience they easily refer to the shadows using the names of the real objects that the shadows reflect. In this way, Plato tries to show that our knowledge is only a reflection of the real ideas in our minds. He maintained that what is seen on the earth is an imitation of the real thing. The prisoners, by looking at the shadows may learn what a book is but this does not enable them to claim that it refers to an object, which they have seen. Likewise, we need the physical objects in order to enable us acquire concepts. However, it would be a mistake to imagine the concepts same as the things we see (Platos Cave, n.d). Plato concludes that men Begin to understand reality by being out in the full glare of the Sun (out of the cave). He gives an illustration of a more true reality of the road and the images of people passing along it. These he explains are perceptions that present the immediately apparent reality of shadows upon the wall and the conceptual recognition that the images being carried are not as real as the variously motivated people carrying them. Aristotle Aristotle theory of knowledge was based on his strong belief in Logic. He developed the principles of reasoning. He argued that the possibility of error forces the mind to determine the truth validity of a given statement. This meant the intellect must have adequate reasons, which can ensure the proposed judgment conforms to reality. He believed that such reasons, were the foundation of perfect knowledge, perfect knowledge being knowledge through causes. Aristotle devised a method of leading the mind to correct reasoning (syllogism) which is a structure of two statements (premises) which follow from each other and a conclusion necessarily drawn from the two above. He developed the first principle of reasoning which was the principle of no-contradiction where he stated that something could not be and be at the same time in the same manner (Adventures in Philosophy, n.d). Aristotle differed with Plato in his theory of Knowledge. He believed that experience showed that individual substances exist and a predicated of the  substance and that an individual is not produced by some idea or model, as opposed to what Plato thought, but by fellow individuals of the same species. His theory of knowledge was based on empirical evidence as opposed to Plato who was an idealist. Aristotle believed that first there had to be an individual who through germ or seed was able to reproduce another one hence, the seed in the individual would be in potency form because of its capacity to become an individual in future. To make this possible matter (substratum) where this seed with potency could develop under the right conditions was needed. It was supposed to remain unchangeable but perform its function. Aristotle believed that only individuals could be referred to as beings in the full sense of the word. Every individual was a compound of matter and form. Matter was the indeterminate element, which was unchanging, and Form (potency) was the force and power shaping and developing the individual. This he called active potency. Every form, because it possessed some actual determination of matter, was also called act. Therefore the Human being development analysis was designated as comprising matter (substratum), form (determining element), potency (both active and passive), and act. By giving an example of an artist, Aristotle explains how ideas in the mind of an artist become a work of art in the physical world- his classical example, the piece of marble, which becomes a sculpture through the work of the artist. The marble though it has shape and form (in passive potency), loses it to become a sculpture which was only an idea in the mind of the artist. Aristotle thus identifies the four important causes, the efficient cause- the work of artist. The material cause- the organic matter (marble), the formal cause when the two meet and the final cause which is the finished product-perfection. From the combination of the above four, he summarizes the idea of Form in the development of the individual. Making form the †¦ propelling, organizing and final principle of becoming. The individual therefore has both matter and form, even though God, the immovable mover was only form.

Monday, September 16, 2019

Corporate Responsibility and Marketing Strategies Essay

There is no question that Apple is a remarkable company. In addition to its business turnaround, its innovative design, and its media content and apps, the unadulterated sexiness of all its products makes Apple hard to resist. For me, what isn’t hard to resist, is asking: How can a company that is this extraordinary in other respects be missing in action on corporate social responsibility? Apple’s Supplier Responsibility Report reveals that the company is taking action to stop unethical practices among its suppliers. These have included use of underage labor at 10 facilities, dangerous working conditions at two facilities, falsification of audit materials at four facilities, and bribery at one facility (Forbes, 2014). Apples Current Position on Ethics and Social Responsibility Recently, Apple released a list of suppliers that accounts for 97% of the company’s supply chain expenses. The company also became the first technology enterprise to join the Fair Labor Association, which works to improve labor conditions and boasts such members as Nike, Adidas, and H&M. The increased transparency is welcome after a spate of bad press regarding overseas supplier Foxconn and others raised doubt about Apple’s commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR). Apple’s public image has the rosy glow of a crisp Gala. A national survey conducted by the New York Times in November 2011 found that 56% of respondents couldn’t think of anything negative about the company, while 14% cited expense as the worst thing about Apple. A mere 2% noted overseas labor practices, but that may be changing with recent stories about appalling labor practices in some of Apple’s suppliers in China picking up pace after the report. The new year ushered in a provocative radio report titled â€Å"Mr. Daisey and the  Apple Factory† from â€Å"This American Life,† detailing awful living and working conditions for people at Apple. Suppliers like Foxconn note that â€Å"This American Life† has since retracted parts of the story, claiming that Mike Daisey â€Å"embellished† portions of his tale, although the radio show acknowledges that the overall problematic conditions at various Chinese manufacturing plants are well documented elsewhere. Soon after, the New York Times followed with an article titled â€Å"In China, Human Costs Are Built Into an iPad,† highlighting similar depressing working conditions at iPad and iPhone factories. The most e-mailed article of the day, it detailed deaths from explosions caused by aluminum dust, n-hexane poisoning caused by screen cleaner, suicide attempts, underage workers, and workweeks of more than 60 hours. Finally, reports came in about a potential mass suicide by 150 Foxconn workers, who threatened to jump from the factory roof. While the crisis was averted, it followed 18 deaths from â€Å"falling† at the plant in 2010 Examine Apple’s Core: Will CSR Prevail? (2012). Business & the Environment, 23(3), 7-8. Apple has had many CSR challenges; over the years; however, Apple has worked to strengthen its programs to help suppliers protect student interns and other at-risk workers. Apple continues to ensure efforts to end excessive work hours. In 2013, Apples suppliers achieved an average of 97 percent compliance with maximum 60-hour workweek. Apple is driving responsible sourcing of minerals, and has publicly released a list of smelters and refiners to its supply chain to promote transparency. In June 2013, Apple’s work hour compliance was 100% the current June 2014 compliance is down slightly to 95%. Apple states that if companies want to do business with Apple, they must uphold the highest commitment to human rights. Apple also states it is looking to eradicate unethical hiring and exploration of workers even when local law suites permit such efforts. Apple is continuing efforts to end excessive work hours and driving sourcing of tin tantalum, tungsten and gold Apple’s 2014 report shows Apple has met its social responsibilities. Apple conducted 33 specialized audits at facilities employing migrant workers who may be at risk for unfair treatment. Apple required suppliers to reimburse US$3.9 million in excess foreign contract worker fees, it was confirmed, in  January, 2014 that all active third-party auditors verified identified tantalum smelters in Apple’s supply chain as conflict-free (Forbs, 2014). Apple’s position on climate change is also a work in progress. Apple is working to improve its position in the world on climate change. Apple says it wants to leave the world better than they found it. Apple strives to create products that are the best they can be in every way. Products that is beautiful, easy to use and powerful. Apples passion for innovation goes into to how Apple thinks about its social responsibility of being environmentally responsible. Apple works tireless on reducing its impact on climate change by finding ways to use greener materials, and conserve the resources we all need to thrive. The Impact of Publications of Ethics and Social Responsibility on Apples Reputation Apple’s reputation was challenged by the impact of the publications of ethics and social responsibility violations made by suppliers. Like every company, Apple faces five types of external pressures that influence its strategies and operational policies: customer loyalty; industry best practices; expectations of major shareholders and the investment community; civil society organizations or NGOs; and, increased government pressure and regulatory oversight. Despite extensive media publications on the impact of the ethics and social responsibilities violations made by Apple’s suppliers, Apple’s reputation has not suffered. There has not been any loss in demand for its products or revenues, which continues to grow unabated. Apple also enjoys broad customer loyalty in China even though customers there have a better knowledge of these working conditions. This is not surprising. Product boycotts are usually very short-lived, except those for products that pose a threat to consumers’ health and safety, such as contaminated food products. Public pressures and media coverage also decline when the issue ceases to be a news event and other more newsworthy items catch media attention. It is highly doubtful that it will be any different this time Two Faces of Apple PRAKASH SETHI APRIL 2012. In sum, Apple’s business model is no different than its competitors. Yet as an industry leader, it surely has the ability, and I contend the obligation, to set standards of conduct that enrich the â€Å"commons† at the same time as it  enriches the company’s investors. Methods Apple Can Utilize To Ensure Wages And Benefits Standards Going forward, Apple can make sure that its suppliers adhere to wage and benefits standards by giving employees a voice and direct connections to its corporate CEO with surveys and frequent meetings either virtual or face – to – face for comments regarding treatment and fair wages. A taskforce can be established to mentor workers, keep in touch and understand what is needed. There are often problems of communication and the taskforce could improve this gap between Apple and its employees, thus creating satisfied workers and less scrutiny and unwanted media publications for Apple. Apple’s Customers and Increased Cost Apple’s customer satisfaction is stellar in light of all of the negative media publications. In addition, Apple’s customer base is loyal. Pundits often refer to them as â€Å"zealots† or â€Å"fanboys.† The more polite references include â€Å"Mac loyalists.† I am, of course, talking about Apple’s (AAPL) more vocal customers, those who will defend the company and its products in any debate going on around them. The Secret Behind Apple’s Loyal Customer Base Apr. 11, 2007 9:32 AM ET| About: Apple Inc. (AAPL) By Carl Howe Notably, I believe Apple’s customers will pay an increased price to own one of Apples products and stand in overwhelmingly long lines to purchase them. Apples customers would be willing to pay more to keep the most innovative product in the industry if there was a price increase due to Apple needing to pay higher wages to employees to produce an Apple product. What is it that drives their passion for most things Apple? Is it a deluded mind warped by the Reality Distortion Field that Steve Jobs so successfully wraps every new product in? In short, the answer is no. The truth behind the scenes is not that Apple has a large group of customers that are too dedicated and passionate about their products, or the company as a whole. The reality is far more simple and obvious: Apple simply has a large group of very satisfied customers — and that’s the secret ingredient, left out of nearly every analysis or op-ed piece that mentions these â€Å"zealots.† The obvious side to Apple’s customer satisfaction lies in their attention to detail in every facet of product development. All their products are designed, at every stage, with the customer clearly in mind and each product is tailored  to make it as easy to use as possible for the customer, regardless of how technically savvy or not they may be. The less obvious side involves two keywords: freedom and choice. Customers do not really want freedom of choice they want satisfaction in the product they purchase this is what keeps customers satisfied and loyal. Apples Current Overall Marketing Strategy Apple’s current overall market strategy is excellent for developing a very distinct strategy through industry leading innovation. This strategy has allowed them to be the frontrunners in new product introductions and the improvement of existing products. Apple has employed a differentiation strategy in an attempt to meet the needs of a global market by offering customers innovative new products and improved existing products. An important part of their strategy involves meeting the needs of the evolving digital electronics and computer markets. Apple has chosen to implement its strategy by designing and developing its own operating systems and software technologies. This has allowed them to be very flexible in developing new products as they have complete control over the software and hardware. Apple’s strategy is still evolving in an effort to keep up with evolving technology. Initially, Apple sole focus was on the computer industry as they were introducing innovative products. Apple continues to introduce innovative products in the computer industry, but recently has focused a great deal of strategic attention and resources on entering into the digital electronics and computer markets. This, along with the successful entry into the personal media player industry, marks a clear evolution in Apple’s strategy. Also, Apple’s entry into the tablet computer industry with its iPad and the mobile phone industry with its iPhone are evidence of a further evolving strategy. (2012, 02)What Are the Chief Elements of Apple’s Overall Competitive Strategy? Study Mode.com. Retrieve 02, 2012 References Examine Apple’s Core: Will CSR Prevail? (2012). Business & the Environment, 23(3), 7-8. Forbs (2014) Lisa Jackson Vice President of Environmental Initiatives www.insidebusiness360.com †º Management †º Management Ethics Two Faces of Apple PRAKASH SETHI APRIL, 2012 The Secret Behind Apple’s Loyal Customer Base Apr. 11, 2007 9:32 AM ET| About: Apple Inc. (AAPL) By Carl Howe (2012, 02)What Are the Chief Elements of Apple’s Overall Competitive Strategy? Study Mode.com. Retrieve 02, 2012 from htt1://www.studymode.com/essays/What-Are-The-Chief-Elements-Of-928263.html .

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Redbox

Management Policy November 19, 2012 Red Box Red Box is the industry leader in DVD rental kiosks. It has established itself as an inexpensive and convenient method for customers to rent DVDs. Although Red Box is a cost leader in its segment, it is threatened by the slow but impending disappearance of the DVD format. Threat of New Entrants RedBox has a cost performance advantage over possible new entrants since it is owned by a publicly traded company and already has an established distribution channel relationship. RedBox has an advantage over new entrants in that it already has a well-known brand image amongst movie viewers.People often say â€Å"why don’t you go just rent it from RedBox† during conversations. However, consumers can readily switch over to Blockbuster or cable pay-per-services. Porter’s Five Forces I. Bargaining Power of Buyers The bargaining power of buyers is high since it is extremely easy and inexpensive for the consumers switch viewing medium s. II. Threat of Substitutes The thread of substitutes is high due to competitors such as Netflix, Blockbuster, cable and satellite T. V. companies. III. Bargaining Power of Suppliers The bargaining power of suppliers is high since there are only a handful of movie studios that are able to supply the DVDs.Movie studios can limit the quantity, as well as increase the price and royalty payments of DVDs. Other wholesalers can also increase the price and limit the supply of DVDs. IV. Intensity of Rivalry among Existing Competitors The intensity among existing competitors is fierce since Blockbuster has the ability to install more rental kiosks at existing stores and sign new contracts with existing retailers. Customers can buy new movies for $5 at retailers such as Walmart or get them shipped to their homes from retailers such as Amazon. V. The Threat of SubstitutesThe threat of substitutes is high. A motion picture DVD is difficult to duplicate unless it is burned illegally. However, d igital formats of movies are becoming more prevalent and as the smart phone population grows. Cellular signal carriers are also rapidly increasing their bandwidth and it is predictable, soon mobile signals will be as strong as or stronger than current broad band signals offered by cable providers. Automakers will eventually install TV monitors in each family vehicle that will allow children to watch movies downloaded or streaming live, instead of viewing DVDs.S. W. O. T. I. Strengths Redbox is owned by a publicly traded company and has the funding of its shareholders. Redbox has pre-existing retail contacts that were established by its parent company, Coinstar that enables them to expand faster than competitors who need to establish new contacts. II. Weaknesses Redbox is under the mercy of the movie studios. Should any movie studio decide to terminate their contract with Redbox, it will lose a significant percentage of its suppliers considering there are only a handful of movie stud ios.The movie studios also have influence on wholesale distributors, which can affect Redbox’s supply chain. III. Opportunities Redbox can enter the home digital rental market to directly compete with Netflix. It can also start selling other products, such as popcorn and soda, with its DVDs, in its vending machines. IV. Threats Redbox is threatened by the ever growing population of mobile users who will be able to download movies to their portable devices at speeds greater than DSL in the near future. Redbox is also under threat from pirated copies of movies that are prevalent worldwide.

Saturday, September 14, 2019

Currently At A Population Architecture Essay

Presently at a population of 6.8 billion people, and increasing by a million and a half people every hebdomad, things are get downing to look really crowded for the hereafter. It is estimated that by 2050 we will be at 9.2 billion people. We must get down life in a different manner – its no longer a inquiry of keeping our criterion of life, but of lasting on a planet that is losing its basic ecological substructure. We use our formidable engineering to consistently foul our air, our H2O, our dirt, and our nutrient concatenation. We are besides sing the effects of planetary warming – heat moving ridges, drouths, deceasing coral reefs, runing glaciers, lifting sea degrees, unstable conditions forms, rapid spread of diseases, and accelerated species extinction. With our insatiate demand for nutrient, fuel, edifice stuffs, and useless debris, unreplaceable natural resources are consuming. In an attempt to last, people are merely pass overing out everything else, destructing the ecological substructure that gave us the comfy life conditions in the first topographic point. The exponential addition in birth rate depletes natural resources faster than they can be replaced, take downing the criterion of life and making economic force per unit areas both here in the UK and throughout the remainder of the universe. We are losing our life support, our place.The Solution To The ProblemWe urgently need a solution to the universe ‘s overpopulation job, our continued endurance requires a healthy and working planetary ecosystem, on in which worlds live in harmoniousness with all other signifiers of life. We must educate ourselves, acknowledging the job and work together towards a solution. The planetary overpopulation job needs to be resolved, or n ature will decide it for us in a mode that we would non inquire for. It is clip to populate in an wholly new manner – we must encompass alteration.The CityPeoples need to work together for a solution covering with metropoliss and the inflow of people wanting for a higher quality of life. Natural resources that are readily available must be managed better for our journey towards a greener hereafter, and metropoliss that accommodate everything. The addition and trust on engineering is making concentrated urban Centre ‘s that are happening it harder and harder to get by with the mass inflow of people. We must inquire ourselves whether metropolis ‘s can maintain turning and turning to suit the life we are used to populating in this modern universe. The metropolis now is a life being, a topographic point that contains everything and that is of all time turning. Significant progresss in public wellness and medical specialty, phenomenal agricultural outputs and the spread outing planetary economic system contribute to the population detonation as the lifespan norm continues to increase from this, many live in metropolis ‘s for better chances, increasing traveling multitudes from one topographic point to another.In 1900 merely 1 in 10 people lived in metropolissBy 1994 the figure had grown to 1 in 2 people, making megalopolis of 1000000s to 10s of 1000000s dwellers, all utilizing up waste and resourcesNow there are more than 400 metropoliss that have a population of more than a million peopleIt is further predicted that 2/3rds will populate in metropoliss by 2050Pull offing such big metropoliss, and better direction of the planet ‘s resources, could go the most hard job of this century. As the universe ‘s population grows it becomes more hard for the planet to back up all its dwellers.ResourceAs the resources diminish, what w ill be done?Changing MindsOld ages ago no 1 gave much thought to how much of the Earth ‘s resources had gone into doing the points in the first topographic point and whether those resources would finally run out. What happened to rubbish after it went into the family bin and was collected by the bin lorry was of no concern to consumers. Green life is non merely about seeking to devour fewer of the Earth ‘s cherished resources and populating sustainably. It is about sing the greenest option in everything you consume, whether you are purchasing nutrient, apparels, cleaning stuffs, or cosmetics. You are responsible for the energy and resources used in the devising of everything you buy. If you keep utilizing an point you already have, you are non responsible for the harm caused by the industry of a new 1. However, if you throw your old one off, you fill up landfill sites and are responsible for any toxic chemicals in it leaking into and polluting the land around the site every bit good as detrimental gases given off during the clip it takes for the point to decompose off.WasteWaste from metropolissCities now have everything we need within them, comfortss and services that are unfastened 24/7. Our coevals now is anticipant on ‘ holding things now ‘ , nutrient, vesture etc, but with our addition in hold ing everything we have started excessively gain that the hereafter may be really different. Waste is being produced in much higher measures, how will the metropolis header, how will it be used to a far more consequence beginning. With the addition in population these jobs must be addressed and dealt with.Who will cover with this waste?Where will it travel or be decomposed?Can we change over it into something more utile?Presently in the UK we produce a monolithic sum of family waste that is sent straight to landfill. New solutions such as separation waste techniques and disposal Centres allow people from place to make their spot. Home – waste – sum of waste produced?The UK produces 28 million metric tons of family waste each twelvemonthIn merely one hr we create adequate to make full the Albert Hall to overruningThe unreleased energy contained in the mean ashcan each twelvemonth could power a telecasting for 5,000 hoursAgricultural and industrial waste, solids from sewerage intervention workss, ashes and refuse are all causes of land pollution and add to the turning concern. The accretion of inorganic wastes in dirt airss a menace to the works and carnal life. Garbage is heedlessly dumped into the dirt. Non-biodegradable wastes such as plastic and rubber turn out deadly to the life in the dirt. Plastic and glass bottles, tins, gum elastic tyres and electronic points dumped in the dirt make up the chief cause of land pollution. How rubbish will increase by 2050 We are bring forthing increasing sums of waste each twelvemonth, which means we are utilizing natural resources at a faster rate than of all time and seting more strain on the environment ‘s capacity to cover with our waste merchandises. While a bulk of this trash is disposed at landfill sites. â€Å" We need to halt thought of rubbish as a job to be buried in landfill and get down thought of it as a resource to be used â€Å" â€Å" Populating within the bounds of the Earth ‘s natural systems will intend utilizing less and being more efficient â€Å" Pull offing Waste, the deductions of this urgency for waste direction are that we must take advantage of attacks that ca be quickly implemented e.g. bar, recycling, composting, stabilisation prior to landfill. We have to do large alterations, including the authorities concentrating policies and inducements on the best attacks, non merely those that are somewhat better than what were making at the minute.RecyclingRecycling – waste stuff Every twenty-four hours ‘waste ‘ stuff is thrown off when really it is a valuable resource. Paper, metal, glass, green waste, plastics and fabrics can all be recycled into new merchandises. Recycling reduces waste traveling to landfill and besides reduces the demand for natural stuffs, saves energy in the production procedure and reduces emanations to air and H2O in the production procedure. Increasing sums of waste are being recycled across the UK – packaging waste recycling increased from 28 % in 1998 to 55 % by the terminal of 2005 ; 51 % of building and destruction waste is recycled or re-used and 45 % of commercial and industrial waste is recycled. The authorities estimates that recycling of family waste in England has now increased to over 33 % in 2007, more than quadrupling over 10 old ages. The waste direction industry is working to supply new installations to handle and recycle waste to make these marks. The industry is working peculiarly closely with local governments to increase family waste recycling and composting rates. Recycling and recycling By recycling more of the waste, we can:Save landfill – cut downing the demand to happen new sitesSave energy – cut downing global-warming gases and pollutionSave natural stuffs – cut downing pollution and spoil tonssSave H2O – reduction deficits and taintFactsUK families produced 30.5 million metric tons of waste in 2008/09, of which 17 % was collected for recycling1 recycled Sn can would salvage adequate energy to power a telecasting for 3 hours1 recycled glass bottle would salvage adequate energy to power a computing machine for 25 proceedingss1 recycled plastic bottle would salvage adequate energy to power a 60-watt visible radiation bulb for 3 hoursPull offing Waste How much waste? Uk packaging waste recycling increased from 28 % in1998 to 55 % by the terminal of 2008Presently about 43 % of all UK waste and about 64 % of the UK ‘s municipal waste is sent to landfill. Landfills play an indispensable function in the safe disposal of certain wastes, but most wastes could alternatively be recycled, composted or used to bring forth energy.2/3 of the salvors live in ill constructed places made from clay, plastic bags and boxes. Some sheets of corrugated Fe are donated and funded by the authorities, most have no furniture and bedclothes is besides collected from the site in the signifier of old apparels and covers3RD WORLDDifferent people populating around the universe Across the Earth waste is seen in different visible radiation, while the more developed universe consumes and wastes far more, the 3rd universe maximises and utilizes all that they waste and use. And as people move towards a better manner of populating the remainder of the universe chiefly 3rd universe live in poorness and lack the basic human necessities to last. Case surveies Garbage Dreams Garbage Dreams follows three teenage boys born into the rubbish trade and turning up in the universe ‘s largest refuse small town, on the outskirts of Cairo. It is home to 60,000 Zaballeen, which means Arabic – â€Å" refuse people. † When their community is all of a sudden faced with the globalisation of its trade, each of the teenage male child is forced to do picks that will impact his hereafter and the endurance of his community. The Zaballeen have created the universe ‘s most effectual resource recovery system, recycling 80 % of everything they collect. They are really salvaging our Earth. From out of the rubbish, they lifted themselves out of poorness and have a solution to the universe ‘s most urgent crisis. Leaderships are besides trusting that their run for beginning separation – in which occupants sort organic from non-organic waste before it reaches trash aggregators – will derive authorities support and take root among Cairo ‘s 20-million citizens. With the transnational companies authorities contracts set to run out in 2015, the Zabaleen are concentrating on overhauling their trade so they can repossess a topographic point for themselves in the system. While the current economic mentality is black, there is turning international involvement in the Zabaleen ‘s hardworking and advanced recycling patterns. Leaderships besides note that the Egyptian authorities is eventually admiting the Zabaleen as a valuable and skilled resource. As for the Gates grant, which has yet to be confirmed, the money will apparently be used to back up the Source Separation run, train workers and overhaul recycling installations. Peoples that live on landfill – Zabelleens Where do they populate? 2/3 of the salvors live in ill constructed places made from clay, plastic bags and boxes. Some sheets of corrugated Fe a roof is provided by the authorities. Most have no furniture and bedclothes is besides collected from the site in the signifier of old apparels or covers. Those who live in the caves around the country screen themselves with plastic bearer bags when it rains. The caves become unsafe and sometimes walls prostration. Why they live on site A study was done in 2005 to inquire people why they live on the site. The findings were that:Many were unemployed and could n't afford the basic human demands of nutrient, H2O, shelter and apparelsSome had been born there and it was the lone place they knewSome were orphans and had no household to assist them and had no manner out of the landfillWidows ended up at that place when the money earner of the household diedDifferent tribal groups became refugees in there ain statesSome were thrown out of the slums they had lived in when Governments tried to unclutter the countries upWhat do they roll up and what is done with it? The salvors themselves use some of the stuffs collected, such as the nutrient dumped by hotels in Cairo and fabric, which is used for vesture and bedclothes. The remainder of the stuffs are sold to jobbers who in bend sell to recyclers. These include castanetss, plastics and bit metal. How earn life through recycling There are so many people populating on the garbage dump now that the salvors are holding to look for alternate beginnings of income. These include:Working on local farms – Subsistence agriculture ( turning harvests to eat themselves ) entirely the roads and trim land around the garbage dumpMaking wash for peopleWeaving baskets and mats utilizing scavenged polyethyleneSelling H2OMajor issues – deficiency offThe salvors have hapless entree to H2O and sanitationThere are no lavatories, no bathrooms and no clean H2O to imbibeThey have to purchase H2O from sellers to imbibeSome of the salvors collect rainwaterHealth and bad life conditionsA new survey by the New York State Department of Health studies that adult females populating near solid waste landfills where gas is get awaying hold a quadruple increased opportunity of vesica malignant neoplastic disease or leukaemia. The new survey examined the happening of seven sorts of malignant neoplastic disease among work forces a nd adult females populating near 38 landfills where of course happening landfill gas is thought to be get awaying into the environing air. The wellness of these people is hapless. Malaria is common due to the pools of dead H2O, which allows mosquitoes to engender. Diarrhoea. Pneumonia and skin infections are common. Scavengers can non afford to see a physician. They have developed other ways of get bying with their unwellnesss, such as utilizing herbal redresss, purchasing inexpensive drugs across the counter or borrowing money from friends.Vision FOR THE FUTUREMy thought is to better efficiency through a mobile shelter By making a device that maximise the end product of landfills and the usage they have to utilize we can explicate a solution for the hereafter.My design – NewDealDesignA various safety for rubbish victimsAdjusting to this alteration by utilizingEveryone holding the chance for a better lifeThis is what people still needLife after – better lifeEnergy solutions algae Biodiesel from algae is here!Oil has been one of the most efficient and effectual fuel beginnings for decennaries. But due to the unrenewable nature of oil and the pollution ensuing from C emanations, scientists have raced to happen a new fuel beginning. Hydrogen, biodiesel, solar, electricity and even H2O have been considered as possible fuel beginnings. Now, one of the newest renewable energy beginning aspirant is algae biofuel. Algae gather energy from the Sun through the procedure of photosynthesis. A by-product of this procedure is oil, which can be utilized to make biofuel. The algae itself can be transformed into ethyl alcohol through the procedure of agitation. During photosynthesis, algae and other photosynthetic beings gaining control C dioxide and sunshine and change over it into O and biomass. Up to 99 % of the C dioxide in solution can be converted, in large-scale open-pond systems. The production of biofuels from algae does non cut down atmospheric C dioxide ( CO2 ) , because any CO2 taken out of the ambiance by the algae is returned when the biofuels are burned. They do nevertheless extinguish the debut of new CO2 by displacing fossil hydrocarbon fuels. Algae is an improbably big and diverse species. Algae can be found in most organic structures of H2O including lakes, watercourses, ice, snow, and the ocean. This works reproduces quickly and would be really hard to over-farm. Algae can bring forth 15-300 times more oil per acre than conventional harvests, such as rapeseed, thenars or soya beans. As Algae has a harvesting rhythm of 1-10 yearss, it permits several crops in a really short clip frame, a differing scheme to annually harvests. Algae can besides be grown on land that is non suited for other established harvests, for case, waterless land, land with overly saline dirt, and drought-stricken land. This minimizes the issue of taking away pieces of land from the cultivation of nutrient harvests. Algae can turn 20 to 30 times faster than nutrient harvests Algae fuel production does non impact fresh H2O resources, can be prduced utilizing ocean and effluent, and are biodegradable and comparatively harmless to the environment if spilled. Inputs-CO2 + Water + Nutrients + Algae Strain + Sunlight â€Å" This Algae biofuel substitutes 100 % traditional fuel, without necessitating to be assorted and can be used in assorted biofuel applications. † â€Å" Algae Oil Farming for Biodiesel Algae Biofuel uses the surpluss of C dioxide produced by industrial activities, in a manner that does non pollute, but contributes to cleaning the atmosphere. â€Å" Dystopia The frequently futuristic vision of a society in which conditions of life are suffering and characterized by poorness, subjugation, war, force, disease, pollution, ensuing in widespread sadness, agony, and other sorts of hurting.DecisionThe universe will necessitate to reapportion its energy and resources off from simply prosecuting economic growing to turn toing issues of poorness, equality, gender equality, and entree to wellness attention and instruction alternatively authorising all who wish to take part in finding their hereafter with the right to make so. Today the universe is focused on the person. In 2050, communities, relationships between people, and personal duties to the society will be the cardinal rule in the building of our metropoliss. Provision of necessary metropolis services like nutrient, H2O, waste handling, and energy will be more localised, incorporating these services into the cloth of the metropolis. Bringing these services closer will besides reconnect people with the Earth, giving people better insight into their resource usage and impacts. Waste volumes will be farther reduced through extremely efficient waste sorting, recycling, and composting. My vision of the hereafter is that the World will fall in and devour itself if solutions of re-using and recycling are non implemented. This will bring forth options that can help in quality of life every bit good as supplying the necessities that people need to last. ADD SOMETHING TO LINK QUALITY OF LIFE / SURVIVAL WITH NOMADIC So as we move into the hereafter I predict that we will go more mobile and need to travel about in a more rational manner. By making a shelter that is impermanent, lightweight and self sustainable. A shelter that has been designed for people on the move, a device that can be made readily available in different locations around the universe. It can be rapidly dismounted and constructed to house the resident as fast and efficient signifier of shelter. A self-sufficing shelter that sustains itself, utilizing energy produced by algae. Fuelled on algae bio Diesel, it can bring forth its ain electricity to power the necessities for life.My design – NewDealDesigna various safety for rubbish victims The ‘urban collapsible shelter ‘ is an geographic expedition of mass-produced, easy-to-assemble and quick-to-mobilize recycling hubs. A household of 2 objects, ‘Collector and Case ‘ and ‘HUB ‘ , represent new solutions for shelter, comfort, energy and administration. Equally good as provide varying degrees of protection for different climes and milieus, it provides a more hygienic and safe life environment for the dwellers. HUB is a construct for a portable lodging unit that would assist people in run intoing their immediate shelter demands created by deficiency of lodging and hapless life conditions. This shelter can be really rapidly transported and reassembled with merely few necessary tools and offer dwellers with single life infinite. This shelter is made from from reclaimable and reclaimable materials.The chief HUB must be erected by 6-10 people, this can be designed and manufactured on demand at variable locations. Each of the objects are compressed into space-saving packaging. Easy to fabricate and transport within a few hours. Once they arrive, they can be set up easy by the dwellers to supply instant support structurally, socially, and emotional. Many alternate lodging solutions deal with little graduated table but ca n't get by with big graduated table displaced populations. The shelter:Easily movable, collapsable and able to be shipped levelBuilt of reclaimable stuffs and have the ability to be reusedEasy to raise and piece with few or no toolsAmenable to infrastructure? can be used as a basic construction, but have the capablenesss to upgrade and implement modern comfortssStackable provide comfortss ( electricity for light, compact range and icebox ) .Adjusting to this alteration by utilizing10-Everyone holding the chance for a better life 11-Conclusion This is what people still need Future vision In 2050, our societies will exceed the narrow focal point on stuff goods and wealth coevals that we see today. They will alternatively, strive to run into the deeper demands of human existences, turn toing felicity and religious and emotional fulfilment. Indexs of success, now frequently measured in strictly fiscal footings, will alternatively look at thoughts of felicity and satisfaction. The universe will reapportion its energy and resources off from simply prosecuting economic growing to turn toing issues of poorness, equity, gender equality, and entree to wellness attention and instruction alternatively authorising all who wish to take part in finding their hereafter with the right to make so. Today the universe is focused on the person. In 2050, communities, relationships between people, and personal duties to the society will be the cardinal rule in the building of our metropoliss. Provision of necessary metropolis services like nutrient, H2O, waste handling, and energy will be more localised, incorporating these services into the cloth of the metropolis. Bringing these services closer will besides reconnect people with the Earth, giving people better insight into their resource usage and impacts. Waste volumes will be farther reduced through extremely efficient waste sorting, recycling, and composting.