Saturday, August 31, 2019

Frederick Life and Times of Frederick Douglass Essay

Frederick Douglass (born Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey, February 1818 – February 20, 1895) was an American abolitionist, editor, author, salesman, and reformer. Douglass is one of the most prominent figures in African American history and a formidable public presence. He was a firm believer in equality of all people whether they were black, women, native Americans or immigrants. He was fond of saying â€Å"I would unite with anybody to do right and nobody to do wrong. † Frederick was born a slave in Maryland. He was only with his mother for a couple of weeks, he was raised by his grandparents. His mother, Harriot Bailey, died when he was only seven years old. The identity of his father is obscure. It was said that his father was a white man, perhaps his owner. He later said he knew nothing about his father. At the age of six his grandmother took him to the plantation and left him there. At the age of eight he was sent to Baltimore to live with his owners brother Hugh Auld. It was shortly after he arrived that Mrs Auld started to teach him the alphabet and how to read. Her husband thought it was wrong saying that he would become dissatisfied with his life and have a desire for freedom. Hugh forbid his wife to continue so Douglass took it upon himself to learn. The white kids in the neighborhood helped him learn and in return Douglass would give away his food. At the age of twelve he purchased a book called The Columbian Orator. It helped him to gain a different look and understanding on the power of the written and spoken words. Frederick returned to the eastern shore at the age of fifteen he became a field hand. During this time he had an encounter with the â€Å"slave breaker† Edward Covey. Covey restored his sense of self-worth after the fights. At the age of eighteen he was sent back to live with the Auld family. In September 1838 he succeeded in escaping from slavery by impersonating a sailor. he then moved to New Bedford, Massachusetts where he and his newly married wife Anna Murray begin to raise a family. When he had a chance, he went to abolitionist meetings. In October 1841 after one of the meetings he became a lecturer. He became partners with William Lloyd Garrison. This work led him to public speaking and writing. He also participated in the very first woman’s right conventions. He also wrote three autobiographies starting with Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass followed by My Bondage and my Freedom in 1855 and ending with Life and Times of Frederick Douglass which he wrote after the civil war in 1892. When he returned to the United States he published his own newspaper â€Å"The North Star†. Douglass was recognized all over the world as an uncompromising abolitionist, indefatigable worker for equal opportunity and justice. Douglass fought for equality for his people. He was also recognized for a defender of women’s rights. Douglass became a trusted advisor of Lincoln, recorder of Deeds for Washington, D. C, United States Marshal for the District of Columbia, and Minister-General to the Republic of Haiti. In 1872 Douglass was the first African American to receive a nomination for Vice President of the United States. During the campaign, he neither campaigned for the ticket nor even acknowledged that he had been nominated. In 1877 he was appointed to United States Marshal. He was appointed to the Recorder of Deeds for the District of Columbia in 1877. After his wife died in 1882 he was in a state of depression until his associate Ida B Wells brought meaning back to life for him. Douglass remarried in 1884 to Helen Pitts, a white feminist from New York. The couple faced a storm of controversy as a result of their marriage since she was a white woman and nearly 20 years younger than him. Later in life Douglass was determined to find out his birthday. He adopted February 14th because of his mother, she used to always call him her little valentine. On February 20th 1895 Douglass attended a meeting of the National Council of Women in Washington D. C. Shortly after the meeting he returned home, Douglass died of a stroke or a massive heart attack in his adopted home town of Washington D. C. He is buried in Mount Hope Cemetery in Rochester, New York. Frederick Douglass was sought to exemplify three keys for success. Believe in yourself, Take advantage of every opportunity, and Use the power of spoken and written language to effect positive change for yourself and society. Douglass also stated that † Whatever is possible for me is possible for you†. By taking these key words and making them his own, Douglass created a life of honor, respect and success that he never would have dreamed of when he was a younger boy living on the plantation. Works Cited http://www. frederickdouglass. org/douglass_bio. html Douglass, Frederick Life and Times of Frederick Douglass, Christian Age Office. 1895 Fight for Emancipation. Accessed April 19, 2007.

Friday, August 30, 2019

Porters 5 Generic Strategies Essay

One of the greatest tools of use for a firm is being aware of it’s position within an industry. When a company is knowledgeable of where it stands, it can more accurately assess its strengths and weaknesses and what is, or has the potential to be, it’s competitive advantage. Michael Porter, believed that the basis for this advantage falls under 3 base strategies of Cost leadership, Differentiation and Focus. With the use of his generic strategy model, a firm, understanding where its competitive advantage lies, can then formulate and implement an effective business strategy geared towards the sustainability of this advantage. The 3 bases, formed 5 generic strategies : Cost Leadership, strongly speaks towards the production of a lower price product. It appeals to consumers because of low cost. Type 1 strategy is Cost Leadership : low cost, that offers the product at the lowest price available on the market. Type 2 is best value, that offers the lowest price for value available on the market. A firm seeking to become a cost leader then, is attempting to gain a competitive advantage by producing at the lowest cost. For example, the automobile sector, in formulating a strategy must attempt to cut costs at every step of their value chain, whether it is using word of mouth over advertisements or engaging in vertical integration strategies in an attempt to control costs. They must improve the efficiencies of their processes and because of its low cost nature, be prepared to be highly leveraged, if necessary, to maintain its position. Malaysia’s car makers Perodua and Proton are examples of cost leaders, but also of how this position is used to formulate strategy. The rival low cost maker, Perodua, entered the market and lowered prices further in retaliation and assumed market control, but then because of limitation of supplies and new government regulation Proton once more overtook Perodua. Thus the cost leader must constantly stay aware of the 5 forces, and it environment of business in order to maintain its competitive advantage. Differentiation, Porter’s Type 3, calls for a product that possesses certain attributes that the customer perceives as both valuable and better than competitors. This position allows firms more leniency with regards to price as the focus is more heavily on value. This strategy will not only aid but  guide a firm’s management activities as they incur greater costs which should be offset by sales revenue. This should allow the firm, in carrying out its strategic activities to realise the importance of brand loyalty, cost associated with aggressive sales and marketing tactics to establish that perceived value to consumers and the significance on the value chain of research and development. General Motors, at a time when Ford dominated the market, offered new features at premium prices to a higher class of public. The mission, a car for every purse and purpose, was exceeded as they became the leading company. New entrants were discouraged, buyers had low bargaining power due to the lack of alternatives, supplier increases could be passed on through sales price and substitutes and rivals were deterred because of the loyalty consumers had to GM’s exciting features. A great example of how Porter’s strategy guided their activities and secured their competitive advantage. Type 4, low cost focus and Type 5, best value focus, offers products and services to a niche group at the lowest price available on the market and the lowest price for value available on the market, respectively. Type 4, for example the used car dealership, offers bargain hunters low cost vehicles for a few inconveniences such as their own maintenance. Type 5, for example Corvette, offer a higher price to niche group and maintain loyalty by offering an experience unlike any other. For this reason, Type 5 is sometimes referred to as focused differentiation. For types 4 and 5, strategic management must focus on the development of core competencies and use it as a potential barrier to entry and base for minimizing threats of substitutes, extensive analysis of the 5 forces, value chain and financial capabilities as targeting a niche group may be costly for a Type 5 strategy or may not produce enough revenue for the focused cost leader (Type 4). Porter’s strategies, coined generic, because they are exactly that, have no particular application process but rather the firm using these strategies must develop the best way to sustain their competitive advantage. The firm must define its position and analyze its industry, after a strategy is selected, the firm must develop a plan to implement it then continuously monitor the market signals in order to keep up with the ever changing environment of business. Strategic management’s activities then will take  into account the external environment, the organisation’s capabilities and select and develop strategies always bearing in mind the organisation’s purpose and direction. These strategies, closely paired with the 5 forces, focus on continuous improvement for an organisation to meet the challenges of global change, exactly what strategic management is centered on, the formulation, implementation and evaluation of plans to achieve organisational success .

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Approaches To The Broken Windows Policy Explained Criminology Essay

Approaches To The Broken Windows Policy Explained Criminology Essay 1. Explain the Broken Windows theory of policing. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this approach. Detail the two most important benefits and the two pitfalls of such an approach to policing. Police departments, in the past twenty years, have adopted a theory that says by resolving minor disorders serious crimes can be reduced. It is called the broken windows theory, â€Å"also known as â€Å"order-maintenance,†Ã¢â‚¬ zero-tolerance,† or â€Å"quality-of-life† policing.† (Harcourt & Ludwig, Winter 2006, p. 282) It came to the forefront after a 1982 Atlantic Monthly article by James Q. Wilson and George Kelling. The article argued that when low-level quality-of-life offenses were tolerated in a community, more serious crime would follow. The broken windows theory says that â€Å"the variation in disorder in neighborhoods that explains the variation in crime, holding structural disadvantage constant. The real trigger is disorderliness itself.â₠¬  (Harcourt & Ludwig, p. 281) According to this view, broken windows, abandoned buildings, public drinking, litter and loitering cause good people to stay in their houses or move out of the neighborhood entirely. The theory argues â€Å"that the minor events and incivilities that frightened people, far from being a distraction for police departments, should be identified as key targets of police action.† (Moore, 1992, p. 138) It leaves criminals free to roam and send a message that law violations are not taken seriously. â€Å"The focus of the broken windows policing strategy is to address community anxiety about public safety. Broken windows advocates argue that the role of the police is fundamentally to maintain public order.† (Dammert & Malone, Winter 2006, p. 39) Some of the advantages of the broken windows policing are that it reduces social and physical disorders, furthers joint safety endeavors, and bring communities together. â€Å"Broken windows theory assu mes an essentialist notion both of disorder and its connection to perception: visual cues are unambiguous and natural in meaning† (Sampson & Raudenbush, Dec. 2004, p. 320). The theory’s biggest test has been in New York City, where a dramatic decline in crime has been attributed in large part to â€Å"order maintenance.† Rundown parts of the city have been cleaned up, and police focus more on such problems as panhandling, turnstile jumping, and public drinking. Police have even cracked down on people who clean the windshields of cars at stoplights with squeegees (Parenti, 1999, p.77). Among the first and hardest hit were the homeless, who travel, beg, and live in the political and physical basement of the class system: the city’s six-story-deep concrete bowels. Advocates of such tactics argued that in order to address these crimes, the police must be afforded wide discretion and should not be hamstrung by constitutional rules. Still â€Å"broken windowsâ €  enforcement has won a proper place among trends in criminal-justice reform. But in doing so, the police ignored the principal lesson of their own theory. If the toleration of minor law violations leads to more serious crime on the street, it would also follow that the toleration of minor law violations by the police will lead to more serious crime on the force. And that is precisely what has happened. â€Å"The broken windows theory suggests that minor disorders, both physical†¦and social†¦is causally related to serious crime.† (Harcourt, 2001, p.68) â€Å"Broken windows gives rise to â€Å"wars† on the poor, racism, and police brutality.† (Weisburd & Braga, 2007, p. 80) As mayor, Giuliani appeared to show his eagerness to impose law and order at all costs with the implementation of the zero tolerance policy. This led to a dramatic increase in arrests for such crimes as riding a bike on the sidewalk and playing loud music.

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Terrorism Causes, Motivations and Reccomendations Essay

Terrorism Causes, Motivations and Reccomendations - Essay Example 81). Terrorist entails any plan to raise unnecessary fears and exert economic social and economic control. Being a global issue, the understanding of the main motivators and causes of the attack is critical and necessary as it can help in offering an effective solution to the problem. Therefore, the attack in Floola can be squarely associated with existing cordial relationship of Floola with United States of America as well as wayward individual beliefs and religious extremism. Moreover, adequate understanding of individual, groups/ national issues as well as international stages can aid in reducing the ever increasing terrorism impacts. Terrorism: Causes and Motivations In the analysis of terrorist attacks in Floola, it is complex to draw a line between the causes, motivations, and reasons behind these attacks. The four facets of terrorism are intertwined and it may be hard to distinguish. The motivations and causes of terrorist attacks in Floola can be studied in three main stages, international, national or group level as well as individual level (Yaqub, 2005, p. 67). Individual Causes Referring to the theory of frustration-aggression, terrorist aggressions are driven by the existing discrepancies between human demands and fulfillment of the demands. In most cases, terrorist groups address their unfulfilled demands through such activities as physical and psychological violence. The attack in Floola may be influenced by a need to fulfill unmet needs and for identity purposes. Conventionally, terrorists are absolutely loyal to their sponsoring networks and willing to commit crimes of any nature to protect their religion, language, native homeland, and group membership. Mostly, families affiliated to terrorist networks are held hostage to affirm their commitment to the group. Therefore, the attack in Floola can as well be associated with an attempt to protect the Muslim religion in the country. Additionally, terrorist group leaders are often driven by extremist political ambitions. A good number of terrorists or terrorism sponsors have made prosperous transition from terrorist group leaders to political leaders. These leaders are well educated and have prosperous families and intra-global investments networks. As a result, these leaders may have used their political powers, flourishing business connections and intelligence to motivate terrorist attack in Floola. National or Group Level Terrorism Specified groups, national institutions and social systems play a critical role in provoking terrorist activities. Frustrations caused by increasing basic need deprivations at individual level can lead to creation of criminal organizations (Shchedrovitsky, 2005, p. 89). The emergence of modern terrorist attacks can historically be likened to the emergence of liberal states. This is due to the fact that, most of the anarchist terrorists are mostly associated with â€Å"Propaganda of the Deed†. Terrorism in Floola can be taken as advocacy act ivities for propagating anarchist message to the general public by creating terror on the people and the government to create a socio-political insecurity in the country. Religious beliefs also play an exceptionally essential role in the promotion, motivation, legitimization and increasing the intensity of criminal activities in the world. In the case of Floola, religious beliefs may have contributed and legitimized the attack through imposition of religious ideologies,

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Global Exploration and Global Empires 1500-1700 Essay - 1

Global Exploration and Global Empires 1500-1700 - Essay Example The use of African slaves was very favorable for planters. First, Blacks were better adapted to wearisome physical work in the hot climate than white Europeans or Indians; secondly, taken out far from the habitats of their own tribes, not having any idea how to come back home, they were less inclined to escapes. In the middle of the XX century almost all the black population of the American continent was the descendants of the slaves taken out from Africa. In total about 13 million African slaves were imported to the British North America and later to the USA. On average, only one from 3-5 captured slaves was brought to a plantation, the others perished during the capture and transportation. According to the estimates of researchers, as a result of a slave trade Africa lost about 80 million lives (Slavery Timeline). In Europe the use of a slave labor was resumed and mass slave trade, which prospered up to the XIX century began. Africans were captured in their native lands, loaded on ships and sent to destination. The Irish captured by British during the conquest of Ireland in 1649 — 1651 prevailed among "white slaves". Intermediate position between exiled and free colonists was occupied by the "sold in a service": people sold their freedom for the right to move to colonies and to work it off there again. Considerable part of the Irish population, including women and children, was turned into white slaves and took out to English colonies in West Indies. During this period People in Ireland cost less than wolves: English soldiers were paid 5 pounds for the head of "the rebel or the priest" and 6 pounds — for the wolf ‘s head (Slave Trade Statistics). In the XVII—XVIII centuries Dahomey played a significant role in a slave trade and conducted fierce fight against the rivals: Allada, which was attacked by Dahomey in 1724 for the first time and captured in 1730, and Whydah captured in

Monday, August 26, 2019

The Role of Tracking in American Schools Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

The Role of Tracking in American Schools - Essay Example He further explains that tracking may take place within a specific grade, as well as extend to grade levels. To illustrate the former, Loveless talks about eight graders who can hardly read and students who enjoy Shakespeare plays being placed in different English classes. The latter may be well illustrated by the practice of students’ assignment to math courses starting with fundamentals and ending with abstraction of calculus (Loveless, 1999, p. 1). Theoretically, the purpose of this practice is grounded on the belief that tracking promotes learning thanks to its provision of a good fit between the instruction level and needs of students regarding their learning. The tracking theory asserts that tracking allows tailoring the instruction according to students’ ability levels (Hallinan, 1999, p.79). This is thought to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the overall instructional process. These claims, however, have been widely criticized by opponents of tracking , who mention a number of negative effects of tracking on students’ academic, social and emotional development, thus questioning the relevance of this practice to the school setting. For example, Jenny Oakes, a professor from University of California at Los Angeles, believes that among other aspects, tracking practice is related to racial segregation in modern American school (Oakes, 1994, p.91). My goal in this paper is to discuss the role of tracking in modern American school. To achieve my goal, I have divided the essay into four parts. The first one aims at highlighting the historical background of tracking in American schools. The second section discusses the positive effects of tracking on school practice, focusing on the proponents’ views regarding this phenomenon. The third part of this paper looks into criticism of tracking by its opponents and possible negative effects tracking has on the school practice. Finally, I conclude my paper with the fourth part whic h sums up the role of tracking within an American school. Historical Background of Tracking The history of tracking within American school system can be traced back to the turn of the 20th century. Since that time, believes Oaks, schools have used tracking â€Å"to address social, personal, and workforce needs, as well as cognitive ones.† (Oakes, 1994, p. 86). In Rubin’s research â€Å"Detracking in Context: How Local Constructions of Ability Complicate Equity-Geared Reform†, it is stated that tracking with a variety of its modifications has been one of the major organizing practices typical for American public schools for nearly a century (Rubin, 2008). Tracking started to come into use at the beginning of the 20th century when G.Stanley Hall’s notions about the inclinations and emotional peculiarities of adolescents were taken as the theoretical ground for implementing a non-scholarly curriculum at American school. At the same time, at the outset of the previous century schools were known to enroll lots of immigrant kids.In this respect, the statement made by Lewis Terman should be mentioned that despite the fact immigrant pupils could not be expected to develop mental abilities that allowed mastering abstractions, they could be enrolled to separate classes, which might help them become well-qualified workers. This is how tracking became a means of sorting out children who were noticed to have limited preparation or

Life With Mom Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Life With Mom - Essay Example It was 12 years back in 1998 when my mother and I made our way to Las Vegas; the much celebrated party town of United States of America. Back in 1998, at the Excalibur Hotel where we both stayed looked like a giant medieval castle that swallowed us like a tiny dust particle through a huge vacuum cleaner that we call luxury. From the very beginning of our arrival to Las Vegas the MGM Grand Hotel with all its surrounding myths regarding its sprawling luxurious establishments allured us to make a visit to that place. Hence, in one hot and dry Vegas evening we took a little walk and after a brief period of time stood right in front of the magnanimity of the modern Vegas. A huge golden lion above the entrance welcomed us, but fortunately, without a roar. Soon our already enchanted souls made their way into the hotel and suddenly we found ourselves before a giant television where no other than Elvis Presley was singing and dancing. Wine has a funny thing; it becomes precious as it gets old and so does Presley. Finally a casino parted the ways of my mom and me. The casino was by far the largest we have seen and without any argument took care of individual preferences when it mattered. The blackjack table drew me as light draws an insect to slowly burn itself yet does not forget to allot its share of warmth before it turns it to ashes. My mother had other attractions and soon made her comfortable with the jangling quarter slot machines. One thing you can be rest assured about the casinos, here on one hand you will find jubilant gamblers, screaming their throats out in joy with each coin they win and on the other shouts not so jubilant and rather filled with suppressed anger knock your ears down with each successive loss they incur. Our experience with this particular casino was no different and we somewhat liked it. After 30 minutes of hue and cry I felt my mother’s assuring hands on my shoulder and with a smile and a following tap of praise she declared that sh e had just won $1400.00 and we should leave while we are wining. Frankly speaking, at first I wasn’t happy about leaving so early yet when she showed me the dollars she had just won; I quit my game and left with my joyful mother to seek another adventure in Las Vegas. After all luck is like a southern wind that might change sides with a wink of an eye. If life were only a matter of casinos and parties, perhaps Santa would have lost his job. Two women with age differences and weaved through a social relation called mother and daughter are bound to rub their shoulders against each other but not always because Michal Jordon has put a basket. My mom and me were no exception. As I remember in a summer afternoon that was hot enough to boil our brain we both sat in our kitchen and normal talks were being exchanged. Her eyes were fixed into a magazine yet she was more engrossed on talking about Uncle Tom and Aunt Joanne that I had found unnecessary interference. I never felt being an individual human being one should unnecessarily interfere into my own life and I should respect the same about him. Hence I stopped my mother in doing so and that unleashed her anger upon me. It all started with her harping on my weight that had nothing to deal with it that moment; upset to the brink I threw a cup of cold water to her that was immediately answered by throwing of a cup of

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Sufism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Sufism - Essay Example It is most of the time the basic understanding of Sufis that each situation is an element and the will of God and at the same time the developing of bad feelings as to why it happened is not correct. The main objective of all Sufis therefore is to prevent the entry of all negative attitudes brought about by worldly temptations, including a belief of personal identity, and to value and respect the existence of God (Qushayri 5). Sufis teach in individual set-ups, as the student of the leader is characterized as essential for the development of the student. They make wide utilization of stories, parables, and poetry, and it is stated by Sufis that implications can only be attained through a procedure of searching what is right, and learning of the personal identity. Even though concepts and theories differ among various Sufi sects, Sufism in its entirety is initially concerned with direct individual experience, and as such may be considered similar to different types of religious sects like Buddhism and Christianity (Ernst 6). The founders of different Sufi principles most of the time utilized symbolical language which was hard to be decoded by an ordinary individual to understand these principles (Shah 5). This utilization of symbolical and hard to understand language and the presence of various implications by individuals who possessed inadequate knowledge in Muslim teachings or Sufism itself result to the rejections and disapprovals being cast over the authenticity of Sufism as a component of Muslim tradition. In addition, some sects arose that categorized themselves above Allah and portrayed Sufism as a process of intervening the principles of Islam in order to be saved immediately. This was rejected by modern experts. B. Sufi leaders have established various specific chants and activities into their teaching grounds (Lings 6). The symbolical and often absurd language utilized by Sufis in their teachings when deciphered by ignorant individuals opens channels for various misinterpretations and chaos. Conclusion While Sufism has evidently caused widespread rejections and disapprovals among experts and religious sects all over the world especially the Muslims, Sufism still has the right to exist as an independent body of knowledge no matter how chaotic or confusing their teachings may be. Perhaps, the only time Muslim governments should intervene with stopping Sufism is when there is a clear and serious violation of the rule of God and therefore Sufis must be held accountable. But until that situation happens, there is no valid reason why Sufism must be eradicated from this world. After all, their teachings all point to worshipping God as the Savior and Creator. Utmost respect must still be

Saturday, August 24, 2019

Oedipus the King Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Oedipus the King - Essay Example All this happened because he tried to escape the predictions that he will commit these mistakes. He ran away from his foster parents, thinking that they were his real parents and ran into the horror all by himself. Oedipus represents the basic predicament of human beings trapped in the unknown spheres of their own destiny. In the beginning, he laments the suffering of himself and everyone else in the inflicted city of Thebes, without realizing that the cause for it is his sinful actions: Oedipus can be seen as belonging to the Greek culture which operated on the pragmatic aspects of life which included action at the expense of introspection though the element of piety was a major element in their day-to-day existence. In a broad analysis, it is possible to analyze Oedipus as a Dionysian representation in Greek terms, exhibiting sudden action, excesses, violence, ruthlessness, and so on. The Apollonian representations, on the contrary would depict contemplative action with due emphasis on intelligence over impulse Terry Eagleton, in his Holy Terror (2005) observes how in Sophocles’s Oedipus at Colonus, Oedipus â€Å"is transformed into a tutelary deity, protecting the citizens of Athens from assault† (15) and states that the Dionysian impulse for violence is normally a reaction to â€Å"lack of piety† (16). In Oedipus the King, the question of morality is not strictly the concern of its protagonist, a man of action. He kills Laius where the three roads meet, because he was denied his freedom to proceed further. Even as he was troubled by the need to discover his identity, Oedipus does not try to find out the identity of the people whom he attacked and killed. He did not exhibit any sense of guilt even as he had to narrate this incident to Teiresias, after many years. Even though Oedipus has committed his sins unknowingly, the thoughtless actions from his side are not to be discounted, especially as he was

Friday, August 23, 2019

Specific ways in which the internet has changed the way businesses Essay

Specific ways in which the internet has changed the way businesses operate in the global marketplace - Essay Example This invention is no more a plot for researchers to communicate and exchange information within their own selves, but also seeks access from the innumerous chunks of available data online or from the ever-accessible super-computers placed at offshore sites. Within the global marketplace, Internet has provided a lot of incentives in the present times. Internet has brought about a lot of interest for the different segments of the society and we just cannot pinpoint any single one that represents and manifests its true purpose. In order to find out what the world of Internet, i.e. the World Wide Web (WWW) is all about, we have to examine where it all started, though in a very brief manner and the advantages and disadvantages that it gives to the different users. The same is also seen from the perspective of its news provision and the related contexts. In the global context of current affairs and news reports, the Internet has come out as an agent that has brought a change by providing t imely and up to the mark news. In the academic world, there has been a lot of help and facilitation which credits itself solely on the basis of the Internet and it is because of the Internet that we see programs like distance learning and e-studies coming up and having their rise with each passing day.

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Should Creationism Essay Example for Free

Should Creationism Essay Throughout the world, there is a debate over whether the theory of evolution should be taught alongside the stories of Creation. In some states of America, Christian fundamentalists have succeeded in having the theory of evolution banned from schools and colleges. This shows how far people to get what they believe is right. There are two Creation stories; the P source, and the J source. The P source tells us the story of how God made the world in six days whereas the J source shows God in a more hands on approach (in comparison to him creating things by commanding it to be so). It tells the story of how God created Adam out of dust, and Eve out of one of Adam’s ribs. They are put together in the Garden of Eden. The story of creation is the most popular story as evolution does appears to remove the need for a God in the process of the creation of life.. People who are religious, (who believe in God) feel that they cannot believe the theory of evolution when it contradicts the story told by sources P and J. It does have some weaknesses though. It does not explain the presence of fossils or the geological evidence against this story. So called Creationists dismiss this because God may have ‘panted’ the rocks as a test of faith. Those who believe in the story of Creation are known as Creationists. There are two main types of Creationists; conservative and progressive. Conservative Creationists believe that the Genesis story is to be interpreted in a strictly liberal way. Progressive Creationists take a more liberal interpretation of the Genesis account. They feel that they can accommodate the fossil record through this interpretation. For example, the word ‘day’ in Genesis 1 is taken to refer to a more general period of time rather that 24 hours. During Charles Darwin’s famous expedition to the Galapagos Islands in 1839, Darwin noted that there were variations between animals on each island. Each group of animals appeared to have adapted to the conditions on their island. Darwin devised his theory of evolution to explain how these variations could have come about. This was a strong theory because it is backed up scientific evidence. It is widely known that animals adapt to their specific surroundings. It also explained something that before was just not known. There are also fossils that back this theory up. As with any theory, it has its sceptics. There are many natural phenomenon such as cleaner fish that evolution cannot explain. Cleaner fish are fish that swim into larger fishes mouths and clean parasites and pieces of food out of their mouths. Instead of the larger fishes eating the small fish, we wait calmly, and when finished they swim off to eat other small fish. Why would a little fish want to swim into the mouth of a big fish which usually eats little fish. This suggests that someone Godlike designed these fish to work together in this way. Also some people think there is a fatal flaw in his findings. He said that all living things evolved over many millions of years from the same ancestor, a tiny cell in the ocean. Because, although we can see many differences in the world of nature what we never see is any type of living thing changing into something completely different. Darwin himself admitted there was no evidence for such big changes. Many scientists believe in this theory of evolution as it is commonly seen that animals can adapt. Also, Richard Dawkins created a new strain of Darwinism namely Neo-Darwinism. This introduces the concept of random genetic mutation either giving some advantage to the organism or not effecting the organism. Based from this evidence above, I think that Creationism should be taught alongside evolution as evolution is only a theory and children should not be forced into what to believe but choose themselves. Scientists are happy to work alongside the story of Creation so, even if you don’t believe in evolution, there is no reason why it should not be taught in schools. Obviously, if parents felt strongly, they should be able to withdraw their children from those lessons.

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Understanding Experiences Blows Away Misconceptions Essay Example for Free

Understanding Experiences Blows Away Misconceptions Essay Grades do not always determine a true understanding of academic concepts. As shown in our discussion, children who seem to have learned their lesson in math well may only have understood the technique in solving a mathematical problem but not the true concepts involved. I, myself, took another sample test and although I scored perfectly, the challenge of seeing through what might be traps for misconceptions was there to help me get a nice score. Misconceptions are easy to assimilate and yet be difficult to detect and even harder to correct. To help others clarify misconceptions, it is important to find out where the error is coming from. In a study conducted over middle school students by the Arizona State University incoming teachers, interviewers realized that children tend to think they know that the mathematical concepts they learned are true because of the credibility of the teacher. However, their memory of what the teacher has taught can be erroneous (Flores, 2006, par. 1-4). One way to help overcome misconceptions is by guiding the person in identifying his or her mistake. In an interview, a researcher had to make a Year 7 student explain her idea of a â€Å"oneths† column in her notion of decimal places. To correct the misconception, the teacher simply guided the student in finding out through her own efforts how it is impossible to have a â€Å"oneths† place in the decimal system (MacDonald, 2008, par. 1-13). True learning involves grasping a concept and using it practically in one’s life. Guidance in understanding the implications of what one experiences can help clarify misconceptions. Teaching techniques or â€Å"spoon feeding† makes learning shallow for people. Identifying the concepts that need to be learned and how they are applicable or happening in one’s life is more effective. References Flores, A. (2006). How do students know what they learn in middle school mathematics is true? School Science and Mathematics. Retrieved 24 May, 2010, from http://www. thefree library. com/How+do+students+know+what+they+learn+in+middle+school+mathematics +is -a0144150616. MacDonald, Amy. (2008). But what about the oneths? A year 7 students misconception about decimal place value. Australian Mathematics Teacher. Retrieved 24 May, 2010 from http://www. thefreelibrary. com/%22But+what+about+the+oneths%3F%22+A+year+7+st udents+misconception+about+ -a0188952628.

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Proposal Of Setting Up A Telemarketing Company Marketing Essay

Proposal Of Setting Up A Telemarketing Company Marketing Essay A business plan proposal of setting up a telemarketing company Contents Introduction The telemarketing at the moment is a growing industry with most companies having an annual growth between 8% and 10% (Anything research, 2013). This is due to the fact that the  businesses are  becoming increasingly aware of the need for market information on ongoing basis and the desire to reduce customer turnover rates in the current hard hit economy. It is the mission of  JH Marketing to provide broad  telemarketing consultation which will help companies increase sales volume and provide customer services to our clients in the Ireland at reduced prices. Thus, helping clients to increase revenue and offering them substantial amount of savings on the operational costs of their telemarketing and customer services functions. JH marketing will be based in Karachi, Pakistan where the company will have access to high skilled labour at lower costs. Idea Selection Process As the recession has hit the profits of the businesses more and more companies have been forced to cut down the operational costs and to make the most out of the resources they have. Many big and small companies look to outsource their telemarketing and customer services operations to emerging markets where they can get skilled labour for lower costs and that is the rationale behind selection of the venture. Ideas such as setting up a PR company and advertising agency were considered as well but costs, skilled labour and the competition were the factors of not going ahead with the mentioned options. The other rationale behind selection of this business is the lower start up cost as well, the costs only include office space, computers and the internet connection and the staff with higher English speaking capabilities to handle the queries of the clients from Ireland. Service Description JH Marketing will be adapting low cost strategy for its venture by setting up its operations in Pakistan to minimise its costs and the clients will be given higher level of service as the company will be focusing on low cost, efficiency and innovation as their core strategic competitive advantages (Lawson, 2003). JH Marketing  offers complete and customized telemarketing campaigns and customer services operations. The most common telemarketing campaigns embarked on are for following purposes: Lead Generation Setting appointments Market research Surveys (Political surveys and statistical analysis etc) Subscriptions Business development or Sales Product promotion In order to create greater effect for the clients JH Marketing provide a comprehensive program for them that may include, but not limited to, some of the following services: Classification of Program Objectives and potential. Creation of tailored lists of leads for sales Market research and analysis Training and development of telemarketing agents Script writing for campaigns Conception of follow-up programs for successful calls. The list above is only a partial list of our services as each campaign and project is customised to the needs of the clients and is different and unique in terms of scope, length, customer reach, depth and costs. Competition in the Market The telemarketing and customer services industry is rather fragmented with companies that vary greatly in size, reach, services offered, and market share. Most of the companies are advertising agencies who offer telemarketing services along with other consultative services. Moreover, there are many companies who do not realise the potential of outsourcing, thus, set up their own telemarketing departments. The direct competitors of JH Marketing include all advertising and telemarketing companies and the call centres across Ireland. Whereas, the indirect competitors are all those companies, big or small, who have developed in-house telemarketing departments to handle their operations. JH Marketing, practically, has great threat from big nationwide consulting companies and the large and well established telemarketing agencies in Ireland such as Capita, Intercall and Conduit who hold significant market share. The industry itself is extensively fragmented, where huge numbers of small companies mainly provide services to small and medium sized firms and there are big companies who tend to seek large and extended contracts with the large companies which make this industry highly intense. With our strategy of greater service at lower cost and having office set up in Pakistan we will be able to offer lower costs to the companies and through our low cost strategy (Greater service at lower cost) we intend to avoid such  a debilitating market competition as price and scope are important reasons for accepting contracts, especially if the company is small or new. Industry Analysis JH Marketing Professionals business strategy is to  offer greater service at lower cost but our company does not intend to be a call centre only,  nor will it  ever become one as we are a consulting firm which will design the marketing and telesales campaigns for its clients and will also execute them to provide the cost advantage to the clients. These services  are  where we can offer a higher standard of quality to our clients. This will allow us minimise the costs, thus higher profit. Rivalry among different telemarketing agencies as stated before is greater and the market is fragmented but the industry as a  whole is  mature with long-term moderate growth with higher number of established companies. The fact that there are so many diverse or general telemarketing agencies; it makes this an aggressive industry. The threat of clients backwardly integrating so as to have their sales and customer services done in-house is one of the major factors used by buyers to indirectly control price in this industry, and increase competition. This must always be foremost in the minds of JH Marketing management when offering services and setting prices. The key advantage for JH Marketing is that they will have access to staff at low costs as compared to their competition which will help them to offer low prices than their competition as the difference between wage in Pakistan and Ireland is huge i.e Average wage per annum in Ireland is à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬35k (Central statics off ice, 2013) whereas, in Pakistan is à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬7k a year (Payscale, 2013). Human Resource Management Plan The company will have two officers: CEO Mr. Jihad Habib and Director, who will be highly skilled with many industry relations to help the company attract clients. We will also hire  an office manager, and 5 staff to do cold calls. The company plans to hire additional consultants and administrative personnel as we begin to get large numbers of contracts. To start off with JH Marketing will need 5 staff to do cold calls to the business in Ireland. As the business does not require highly skilled labour so the recruitment and selection of the staff will depend on the proficiency in English speaking and understanding and some background in sales and marketing. However, people with no sales experience could also be recruited and trained as per the campaign requirement, provided that they have grasp over the language. Operations Plan The CEO, Mr. Jihad Habib will personally schedule meetings and presentations with the perspective clients to sale them the idea of outsourcing their telesales and customer service operations. As per the clients requirement the staff will be taken on board and trained to make outbound calls and handle the inbound customer service calls. As discussed earlier in the plan companies who are new to the market find it hard to attract the clients and to give them the confidence to outsource, for this reason JH Marketing will need the help from an experienced professional (Director JH Marketing) who have experience of convincing the clients to outsource and has great industry connections as well. As per the requirements of the clients and volume of the business the staff will be recruited and trained to start off operating from the Karachi office. As discussed earlier, for the operations the company will need an office space, computers and the VOIP (Voice over internet phone) Software to start calling the customers in Ireland to sell the clients products and services. Marketing plan In order to attract clients, JH Marketing will begin to contact promising organizations and offer free initial consultations, and initial contracts at reduced  prices. These promotions will allow us to begin to make our reputation within the market. In addition, Mr. Jihad Habib and the Director will be travelling to different parts of Ireland during the first year of operations where we will have booths to advertise our services. Finally we will be setting up cold calls to potential companies and have half- and full-page advertisements in various  publications catering to  local businesses and organizations. JH Marketing will be focusing on cost leadership strategy to win the contracts and will be paying greater attentions to quality of the services as well to reiterate the mission of the company, Greater quality at lower prices. Mr. Jihad has been actively seeking to acquire a large contract with Resource International Consulting Ireland over the past 2 months. This company is the largest recruitment and tax solution company which deals with UK freelance contractors and provides them tax advice and recruitment services over the telephone and internet. JH Marketing believes that its chances  of acquiring this contract are excellent. Location Plan JH Marketing will have its office situated at Karachi, Pakistan for the sole reason of having access to quality labour at cheaper prices to main the low cost strategy of greater service at lower prices. As all the transactions will take place over the phone so location in itself does not have any advantages or disadvantages associated to it for the clients but it will play a vital role for the growth of JH Marketing.

Monday, August 19, 2019

Essay --

The respiratory system is an ingeniously constructed system to carry out it’s cardinal function, oxygenation of blood and exhalation of carbon dioxide, with minimal energy cost (McCance et al., 2014). Situated in the thorax, respiration is efficiently carries out the processes of inhalation and exhalation air - also known as ventilation, in which lung is central unit. The whole respiratory system is divided into distinct zones: the upper and lower respiratory zones, also known as conducting and respiration portions respectively. The conducting portion comprises a series of open, unobstructed tubes for the movement of gases in and out of the lungs. The air conducting part begins as a system of cavities comprising of the nasal cavity, para-nasal sinuses and nasophyrnx - which begin the cleaning, warming, and moistening of the air entering the anterior nares. These cavities are lined by respiratory epithelium with two cell types, which line nearly all the airways pathways. Goblet cells are the one which secretes mucus that traps particulate matter, and the pseudostratified columnar ciliated cells that bear surface cilia that beats in a unidirectional rhythm only i.e. towards the mouth – known as the epithelial ciliated cells. The finger-like projections, cilia, move the debris and mucus full of pathogenic material to the oral region, where it coughed out or swallowed. The abundant blood vessels beneath the epithelium layer warm the inhaled air. The serous glands in the submucosa layer and the mucous secretions of the goblet cells aid in the entrapment of the particulate matter and in the absorption of harmful gases such as SO2 and bacteria. It also moistens the inhaled air. The air then enters a single tube - the trachea - that div... ... allows the lung to carry out its function efficiently. The thin-walled alveoli allow gaseous exchange to take place efficiently, and the small area allows increased surface area for diffusion to take place rapidly. The blood vessels and capillaries enable the lungs to have a good blood supply which transport oxygen around the body. There is a major structure of the lung referred to as the pleural sac that protects the lungs structure, prevent any damage its morphology. The lung is soft, it’s a delicate tissue that is easily damaged by its surroundings such as; bones, muscles and even connective tissues. Each lung is protected with this pleural sac which is a double layer or moist tissue. Between the two layers of tissue there is a microscopically thin layer of water that acts as a lubricate which makes the two tissues adhere to each other (Brooker et.al 2011).

Huck Finn :: essays research papers

Chapter 33 Huck meets Tom Sawyer on the road and stops his carriage. Tom is frightened and thinks he is seeing a ghost, but Huck reassures him and they settle down. Huck then tells Tom what has happened at the Phelps's and Tom thinks about what they should do. He then tells Huck to return to the farm with his suitcase while he returns to the town and starts the trip over. Huck gets back and soon thereafter Tom arrives. The family is excited because they do not get very many visitors so they make Tom welcome. Tom makes up a whole story about his hometown and then impudently kisses Aunt Sally right on the mouth. She is so shocked that she nearly hits him over the head with her spinning stick until Tom tells her that he is Sid Sawyer. Silas then explains that Jim revealed to him what a scandal the Royal Nonesuch really was. Silas says that he told the rest of the town, and he figures they will ride the two cheats out of town that night. Huck and Tom climb out of their windows in a last minute attempt to warn the Duke and King, but they are too late. They see the two men being paraded through the street all covered in tar and feathers. Huck remarks that human beings can be awfully cruel to one another. Chapter 34 Tom and Huck think about ways to break Jim out of his prison. Huck plans to get the raft, steal the key to the padlock, unlock the door and then float down the river some more. Tom tells him that plan is too simple and would work too well. Tom's plan is much more elaborate and stylish, and takes a great deal longer to implement. The boys go to the hut where Jim is being kept and search around. Finally Tom decides that the best way, or at least the way that will take the longest, is to dig a hole for Jim to climb out of. The next day he and Huck follow the black man who is delivering Jim's food. Jim recognizes them and calls them by name, but both boys pretend not to have heard anything. When he has a chance, Tom tells Jim that they are going to dig him out. Jim is so happy he grabs Tom's hand and shakes it.

Sunday, August 18, 2019

Le Morte Darthur: The Seven Deadly Sins Essay -- essays research paper

The seven deadly sins are spoken of often and frequently in every day life for that is what they are affected with. All of these sins can intertwine to form a domino effect of actions and reactions that link to all of the sins. Once one is committed, it becomes easier to fall into the others for they are all interlinked. This is prevalent in Malory's Le Morte D'Arthur as proven by the acts committed by the various characters throughout the book.When looked at as separate words, the definition of the phrase, the "seven deadly sins", becomes clearer. Starting with "seven", being the chosen number of dealings, following with "deadly", meaning fatal, proceeding to die, or to become deceased and finally "sins", wrongful doings according to religiosity. So from the breakdown of the specific words it can be said that the expression, the seven deadly sins, means that there are seven, not two, not four, but seven wrongful doings that upon execution bec ome fatal.Now that the phrase has been fully explained and hopefully understood, it is time to move on to the actual seven sins that are deadly. The first of the seven sins is greed, being the insatiate longing for or the keenly intense desire for something being of material value or not, that is usually not thought of to be achieved in an moral way. The second sin is gluttony, meaning the overindulgence in anything, great appetite for anything, such as food for example. The third sin is wrath, meaning extreme anger or feeling of vengeance. The forth sin is sloth, being severe laziness or lack of enthusiasm to do anything. The fifth sin is envy, meaning the coveting of anything that is not rightfully owned by the coveter, grudging contemplation of more fortunate people and of their advantages. The sixth sin is lechery, being sexual lust or lust for anything, to live in gluttony. The seventh, and last of the sins is pride, being the overweening opinion of one's own qualities, merits, often personified as arrogant. All of these are classified as sins because they are morally wrong and can make a person unpure.Le Morte D'Arthur is a tale of many knights and endless battles. In this legend, many of the seven deadly sins surpassed and this is what will be looked at. With the first of the sins being greed, it is evident that many of the knights committed this sin. These knights wer... ...me; fortunately Tintagil is only ten miles from here.' Merlin helps Pendragon fool Igraine into sleeping with him. He has sexual lust for her as defined in sin number six, lechery.The seventh and final sin is pride which can been seen when Gwynevere casted Launcelot out because of her foolish pride.Good Sir Launcelot, do not be discouraged! Remember that you are the greatest knight living and that many important matters at this court lie in your hands. It is well known that women are inherently changeable, and often repent of their anger. Therefore I suggest that you ride no farther than the hermitage at Wyndesore, where the good hermit Sir Brastius will care for you, and wait there until we have better tidings for you. Because of Gwynevere's foolish pride, she cannot forgive Launcelot for having to be with other women to avert the attention from his relationship with her.The seven deadly sins can ruin one's life, as it did many characters in Le Morte D'Arthur. The sins are in place to warn people of their outcome, and yet still they commit them. The seven deadly sins may not lead to immediate death, but have definite malevolent products that should be taken into account by all.

Saturday, August 17, 2019

Things Fall Apart Uchendu’s Speech

Uchendu’s Speech: Saving Ourselves My friends and fellow Ibo, I come to tell you the evils of the abomination called Christianity. To see what I have seen in my homeland Mbanta, I cannot look upon these people with respect and camaraderie. They have stolen our brothers and sisters, angered our gods, and assaulted our age old culture. As a member of this tribe, I cannot stand by and watch the destruction of our people’s traditions. My son-in-law, Okonkwo, was known throughout his fatherland and all neighboring villages as one of the greatest men of his time.His achievements were famous, and he had always hoped his son would carry on his legacy. His oldest son, Nwoye, had betrayed Okonkwo by converting to the new religion. You may ask how one can ignore the lessons of his father and the examples of hard work, dedication, and loyalty to our customs. But the even the protective mother lion can lose her young cub who runs after a little bug. Nwoye was intrigued by the new pe ople, and unfortunately he had been tainted; he did not want to return to us.I understand the Christians say they teach our people civil behavior, but to take a young boy away from his own father is just inhumane. We must raise our children right and protect our sons and daughters from being taken by the Christians. They tear families apart. They have soiled our tribe, our traditions, and our hopes. If this continues, Mbanta, Umuofia, and Mbaino will be no more unless we stick to our customs. If our sons and daughters convert to the new religion, any hopes of preserving our history will be ruined.

Friday, August 16, 2019

Further Reflections on the Public Sphere Essay

The text is about relationship of state and civil society, the origins of and prospects for democracy and the impact of the media. A kind of rethinking of Habermas’ first major work, The Structural Transformation of the Public Sphere published in 1962 and translated into English in 1989 which describes the development of a bourgeois public sphere in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries as well as its subsequent decline. Habermas admits, his theory has changed since then and he reminds readers of these changes. 1.The Genesis and Concept of the Bourgeois Public Sphere The public sphere (Ãâ€"ffentlichkeit ) is an area in social life (standing in-between private individuals and government authorities) where individuals can meet to freely discuss public matters, exchanged views and knowledge and through that discussion influence political action. A vibrant public sphere serves as a positive counterweight to government authorities (are out of the state control) and happens physically in face-to-face meetings in coffee houses and public squares as well as in books, theatre etc. The public sphere emerged first in Britain and in the 18th century in Continental Europe. The newspapers, reading rooms, freemasonry lodges and coffeehouses marked the gradual emergence of the public sphere. Habermas mentions Geoff Eley’s objection to his earlier depiction of bourgeois public sphere is an idealized conception. Habermas admits now the coexistence of several competing public spheres and groups, that were excluded form the dominant public sphere – the so called „plebianâ€Å" public sphere (like Jacobins, Chartist movement). Habermas influenced here by Guenter Lottes and greatly by Mikhail Bakhtin, who opened his eyes to the culture of common people as a violent counter project to the dominant public sphere. Habermas now views quite differently the exclusion of women as well. Habermas asks himself – were women excluded from the dominant public sphere in the same fashion as the common people? He answers himself with „noâ€Å" – the exclusion of women had structuring significance, as it was happening not only in the public sphere, but also in the private sphere. At the end of this chapter Habermas summons up: his bourgeois public sphere was formerly conceived too rigidly. In fact, from the very beginning a dominant bourgeois public collided with a plebeian (and female) one. As a result, the contrast between the early public sphere and the today’s decayed public sphere is no longer so deep. 2.The Structural Transformations of the Public Sphere: Three Revisions This chapter traces the transition from the liberal bourgeois public sphere to the modern mass society of the social welfare state. Starting in the 1830s, a transformation of state and economy took shape. Clear borderlines between public and private and between state and society became blurred, as a result of interventionist state policies. The increasing re-integration and entwining (mà ­senà ­ se) of state and society resulted in the modern social welfare state. In the subchapter 1 Habermas deals with the impact of these developments on the private sphere. Civil society was formerly totally private, there was no difference between social and family life. This changes with the emancipation of lower strata (workers), a polarization of social and intimate sphere arrives. Habermas describes a dispute among two schools in the 1950s, that of conservative Carl Schmitt school (and Ernst Fortshoff) and Marxist Wolfgang Abendroth, that influenced his considerations at that time, though today he distances himself from his approach. In the subchapter 2 Habermas is concerned with changes in the structure of the public sphere and in the composition and behavior of the public. The infrastructure of the public sphere has changed due to changes in media, advertising and literature that has become oriented to new social groups (workers) as well as due to the collapse of the liberal associational life. Since the 1960s, when Habermas book was published, the opportunities for access to public communication became even more difficult. The public sphere is today dominated by the mass media., which turned the critical public into a passive consumer public and caused a decay of the public sphere. Nevertheless, Habermas says his old concept of a unilinear development from a „culture-debating to a culture-consuming publicâ€Å" was too simplistic and pessimistic. Habermas explains this by general situation of media effects studies at that time – he relied on Lazarsfeld’s behavioristic research and had no information brought later by Stuart Hall (audience does not simply passively accept a text). Subchapter 3 deals with the legitimation process of mass democracy and two diverging concepts of public opinion – an informal, nonpublic opinion and a formal quasi public opinion (made by mass media), that often collide. 3.A Modified Theoretical Framework The mass democracies constituted as social-welfare states can continue the principles of the liberal constitutional state only as long as they try to live up to the mandate of a public sphere that fulfills political functions. It is necessary to demonstrate how it may be possible for the public to set in motion a critical process of public communication. Habermas asks himself, weather there can emerge a general interest of the kind to which a public opinion can refer to as a criterion. Habermas could not resolve this problem before. Today he is able to reformulate the question and give an answer. The ideals of bourgeois humanism function today as a utopian vision, which makes it tempting to idealize the bourgeois public sphere too much. Therefore Habermas suggests the foundations of the critical theory of society be laid at a deeper level and beyond the threshold of modern societies. In the 1960s Habermas believed that society and its self-organization was a totality (celek) controlling all spheres of its life. This notion has become implausible today – e.g. economic system of a society is regulated independently through markets. Later emerged his dual concept of society – the internal subjective viewpoint of the â€Å"lifeworld† and the external viewpoint of the â€Å"system†. The aim today as he sees it is to erect a dam against an encroachment (naruÃ… ¡ovà ¡nà ­) of system on the lifeworld, to reach a balance between the social-integrative power of solidarity (lifeworld) and money + administrative power (system). Communicative action serves to transmit and renew cultural knowledge, in a process of achieving mutual understandings. It then coordinates action towards social integration and solidarity. This can be met in traditional societies. Less often in posttraditional societies with their confused pluralism of various competing forms of life. Habermas criticizes Rousseau for his utopian concept of the general will of citizens in a democracy as a „consensus of hearts rather than of argumentsâ€Å". Habermas sees the solution in the process of public communication itself. Therefore democracy is rooted in public reasoning among equal citizens. State institutions are legitimate only when they establish a framework for free public deliberation (debata). Such a rational debate is the most suitable procedure for resolving moral-practical questions as well. The question remains how such a debate can be institutionalized so that it bridges the gap between self-interest and orientation to the common good (between the roles of client (private) and citizen (public)). Such a debate must meet two preconditions: presumption of impartiality and ability to transcend initial preferences. These conditions must be guaranteed by legal procedures (institutionalized) and they themselves shall be subject to the law. New institutions should be considered, that would counteract the trend toward the transmutation of citizens into clients (i.e. toward alienation of citizens from the political process). Democracy shall be not restricted only to state institutional arrangements. They shall interplay with autonomous networks and groups with a spontaneous flow of communication, that are the one remaining embodiment of the altogether dispersed sovereignty of the people. Democratic public life cannot develop where matters of public importance are not discussed by citizens. However, discourses do not govern – the responsibility for practically consequential decisions must be based in an institution. 4.Civil Society or Political Public Sphere Political public sphere is characterized by two processes: 1) the communicative generation of legitimate power 2) manipulative power of mass media. A public sphere need more than just state institutions – it requires a populace accustomed to freedom and the supportive spirit of differentially organized lifeworlds with their critical reflection and spontaneous communication – voluntary unions outside the realm of the state and the economy (church, independent media, leisure clubs etc.) They are not part of the system, but they have a political impact, as was seen in totalitarian regimes, e.g. in the communist states of Eastern and Central Europe. In Western-type democracies these associations are established within the institutional framework of the state. Habermas asks himself the question, to what extent such a public sphere dominated by mass media can bring about any changes. This can be answered only by means of empirical research. He concludes with reference to a study No Sense of Place by J.Meyrowitz, who claims that electronic media dissolve social structures and boundaries (like in primitive societies). Habermas disagrees – new roles and constraints arise in the process of using electronic communication.

Thursday, August 15, 2019

How are individualism and collectivism presented in Ayn Rand’s “Anthem” and Yevgeny Zamyatin’s “We”? Essay

Early twentieth century literature saw the invention of the dystopian literature genre, which is characterized by a society that has become dysfunctional due to a particular philosophical flaw, in this case, altruism and collectivism. This essay investigates how the themes of individualism and collectivism are portrayed in two early twentieth century works: Yevgeny Zamyatin’s We and Ayn Rand’s Anthem. We was selected as the subject of investigation due to its originality – Zamyatin was considered the inventor of the modern dystopia. Anthem’s selection was due to its common themes with We, but naturally different treatment of the themes. Specifically, the essay addresses how the treatment of these themes fit in context with the writers’ backgrounds and then-current societal trends, how the settings are structured such that individualism is oppressed, the flaws of these settings, as well as how dormant individualism is reestablished in plot and characterization. The investigation concludes with the evaluation that the treatment of individualism and collectivism differs in setting but is similar in characterization and plot, both showing how such societies are dysfunctional in that pure collectivism and altruism are values that are incompatible with the human soul. It also raises questions concerning Zamyatin’s influence on Rand and the converse ethicality of the works. It is almost universally true that in every major culture or religion, selfishness is regarded as a trait undesirable and immoral in its very core. Society labels selflessness a crucial virtue, but in truth, nothing is that black and white. To conform completely to this fallacy ignores what makes up a human being. Individualism is innate, and societies that seek to eradicate it are doomed to fail. The early twentieth century was a significant time in both history and literature. Marxist ideologies were gaining momentum during this time, as the global community saw the birth of the Soviet Union, a controversial manifestation of an altruist ‘utopia.’ These ideas surrounding Marxism and its perspective of utopian society were consequently expressed in literature of the time, birthing dystopian literature, in which the ideas of individualism and collectivism are fundamental. The treatment of these themes in literature is significant due to their human-centric natures. The contextual and philosophical weight of the themes further reinforces its significance. The universalities found in these works also show a common base of the human psyche, in that both works were similarly written in response to then-current world issues. Even though political significance has faded away in time, today there is still plenty debate surrounding the importance of self-recognition in every culture. These works carry with them an insightful ethical message concerning how we ought to live as humans. Although individualism and collectivism is core in dystopian literature, the writers convey these themes differently, each producing their own distinctive portrayal of Marxist ambition gone rogue. Ayn Rand’s Anthem and Yevgeny Zamyatin’s We use plot, characterization, setting, and symbolism to show that the ‘soullessness’ necessitated with collectivism and altruism is incompatible with human nature. CONTEXT Both works were likely written as the authors’ personal criticism of the flaws of Marxist Russia and collectivism. Due to the varying nature of the authors’ personal backgrounds and experiences with Marxism, the treatments of the themes in the works are different. For this reason context is worthy of discussion. We was written by Yevgeny Zamyatin, a Russian engineer, in 1920-21 (Zamyatin). In 1917, Bolsheviks, a Marxist party, took control of Russia, finally establishing the USSR in 1922 (Colton). We is Zamyatin’s own warning of how then-future Marxist Russia would be like once the Bolsheviks were to actually reign. These ideas, which include the rationalization of labor and ambitions for space exploration – both of which indeed, were or became realities – are central to the work. Zamyatin himself was once a Bolshevik before betraying it, and is thus likely to have supported some Bolshevik ideas, since ideas such as space exploration and rationalization of labor are described in positive light in We through the INTEGRAL and OneState’s technological advancement (Kukushkina). Ayn Rand, a Russian-born naturalized American citizen, wrote Anthem fifteen years after the We’s conception. Like We, Anthem is Rand’s personal interpretation of sustained communism in the USSR. The USA, renowned for its principle of individual liberty is likely to have influenced Rand, who herself found Objectivism, a philosophy advocating individualism, the importance of ‘ego,’ while strongly opposing collectivism (Messenger). On objectivism, she states: My philosophy is the concept of man as a heroic being, with his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life, with productive achievement as his noblest activity, and reason as his only absolute (About Objectivism). These ideas are reflected strongly in Anthem, which satirizes society in which productivity and reason are rejected in favor of communism. Rand and Zamyatin’s similarly Russian but different occupational backgrounds are attributable to the works’ thematic similarities but different styles. Although both works satire collective society, We is written in a humorous and sardonic tone, while Anthem’s tone is dark and desolate. Zamyatin’s engineering-background, Bolshevik experience, and future conflicts with the Bolsheviks enabled him to be more objective, contrary to Rand’s idealistic approach against collectivism, influenced by her background as a philosopher. Additionally, the works were written during different times. We’s earlier conception made the industrial revolution a more socially relevant issue, hence We’s industrially-advanced setting. The momentum had likely already disappeared at Anthem’s conception. OPPRESSION OF THE SOUL AND EGO Individualism is core in both We and Anthem, although they are represented differently, as soul and ego, respectively. Both words denote the individual; the sense of self that makes people human. Both works portray societies aimed at removing this soul and ego from its citizens in favor of altruistic collectivism, in which the people serve only one purpose: to serve the collective state. OneState is futuristic and technologically advanced. It stresses the importance of talent and intelligence, shown through the prevalent motif of mathematics, and emphasis on the prestige of D-503’s job as an engineer for the INTEGRAL. In OneState, humans – in which intellect and talent is integral to their existence – are made altruistic and used by OneState as mere tools for the good of the state, as seen in these passages: Everyone who feels himself capable of doing so is required to compose treatises, epic poems, manifestos, odes, or other compositions dealing with the beauty and grandeur of OneState (Zamyatin 3). Zamyatin’s objectivity is seen in OneState’s depiction as an anti-utopia rather than dystopia, as he acknowledges likelihood that then-current political conditions may accommodate rapid technological advancement, albeit with fatal, dehumanizing repercussions. Dystopias and anti-utopias differ in that dystopias literally mean ‘bad place,’ whereas anti-utopia means an originally utopian place with a fatal flaw, and these differences are seen in the two contrasting settings (Dystopia). Zamyatin’s technologically advanced depiction of OneState alludes to the industrial revolution, which itself gave rise to communism with the rise of proletarians. (Engels) With the industrial revolution’s emphasis on productivity, humans in We are literally dehumanized and used as machines for the productivity of the state in order to fulfill this need. They are described as, â€Å"Not men but some kind of tractors in human form (Zamyatin 182).† Oppositely, Anthem occurs in a dystopian, dark, intellectually stunted future where technologies have been abandoned. This primitivism is caused by hazards of inequality and prejudices associated with the presence of any form of intellectual-superiority, as stated here: It was not that the learning was too hard for us. It was that the learning was too easy†¦ It is not good to be different from our brothers, but it is evil to be superior to them (Rand 23). Rejection of intellect is ironic as it reverses what is perceived to be good in conventional norms, and serves to reinforce the dysfunctional nature of a collective society brought to its extreme. In the works’ settings, the application of technological development and intellect define how the sense of self is deprived. Despite contrasting dissimilarities in the technological setting of the works, both are due to society’s false perceptions of what is good, and both dehumanize people into purely altruistic beings. We’s rationalization of labor and high value on utilitarian citizens eliminates D-503’s freedom to think humanly, dehumanizing him into mere force of productivity – OneState’s mathematician. Anthem’s oppression of thought eliminates Prometheus’ identity as an individual – someone with individual intellect, superiorities, and desires. Both works represented altruism as self-sacrifice and a loss of freedom and identity. Anthem and We’s settings’ differences are also influenced by the authors’ personal views. Zamyatin believes that the state does not suffer from selflessness. In fact, the industrialization of human intellect leads into significant progress, but the individuals who constitute for the state are the ones that suffer. Conversely, Rand’s idealism is expressed in her conveying altruism as fatal to both the state and its people. Although OneState encourages intellect and talent, imagination is prohibited, similar to Anthem’s prohibition of innovation. Imagination’s absence in OneState establishes a satirical paradox, which Zamyatin uses to criticize its elimination. Conventionally, imagination and creativity is necessary in the arts, but the opposite is true in OneState, as said by D-503: Why is the dance beautiful? Answer: because it is non-free movement, because all the fundamental significance of the dance lies precisely in its aesthetic subjection, its ideal nonfreedom (Zamyatin 6). Imagination and innovation are incompatible with a collective society because they are strictly individual. Chopin’s compositions are unique to his own musical imagination, as Beethoven’s are to his own. One’s own sense of imagination or innovation cannot be shared with another’s and therefore must be eliminated, as stated in this excerpt from Anthem in which Prometheus’ invention is rejected: What is not thought by all men cannot be true†¦ What is not done collectively cannot be good†¦ Many men in the Homes of the Scholars have had strange new ideas in the past†¦ but when the majority of their brother Scholars voted against them, they abandoned their ideas, as all men must (Rand 73). Like Zamyatin, Rand censures collective society by constructing a case so absurdly opposing what humans typically define as good – in this case, innovation. Like the arts, rigidity is also found in numerical names, which exist in both societies to ensure that individuals cannot be easily differentiated from each other. For example, D-503 would not be easily differentiated with another individual with a name: D-504. Words connoting collectivity, such as Equality, and Union are selected for names with intentions of emphasizing the residents’ non-identities as an insignificant part of a collective society. Numbers are also meaningless and have no ties with emotions that may suggest any singularity, which opposes conventional belief that names are a part of man’s own identity, and for that matter, his existence. Similarly, dealing with speech, censorship of words exists in Anthem. Words connoting individualism, such as ‘ego’ and ‘I’ are removed from their society to make thinking as an individual impossible. However, Prometheus’ ultimate discovery of these obscure words is used to show how ego is too human to be suppressed that censorship would not work: The word which can never die on this earth, for it is the heart of it and the meaning of glory. The sacred word: EGO (Rand 105). Imagination and innovation, which are incompatible with these societies, are suppressed in both We and Anthem through indoctrination. Imagination, which is equated to a soul, is deemed an illness in OneState, and Prometheus’ â€Å"selfish† desire to innovate in Anthem is considered a sin. Absoluteness is equated to happiness in OneState, and D-503 ultimately rejects this idea. Equality is equated to happiness in Anthem, and Prometheus similarly rejects this idea when he disobeys the Council’s schedules to pursue his own intellectual ventures. Imagination and innovation are shown to be instinctive, becoming catalysts for conflict in both works. This again places emphasis on how much innate human behavior must be suppressed for collective societies to ‘function,’ and how even so, this suppression is not sustainable. Although intellect is related to imagination, there is a significant difference between the two. While mathematical intellect is absolute and clearly defined, imagination lacks the absoluteness that is crucial for OneState to function. This absoluteness is reflected in the aforementioned description of the non-free dance. Both settings are strictly planned to ensure the predictability that is necessary for every member of society to be as one. OneState’s residents, for example, begin and end their days at the same time, march in complete unison each day, following the plans set for them by the Table of Hours, similar to how Anthem’s residents also follow schedules set by the Councils. The system of regimented living is, however, flawed, shown when MEPHI revolutions occur in OneState. Systematic predictability conflicts with the unpredictability and spontaneity that are characteristic of humans. When the march during the typically unanimous reelection of the Benefactor is disturbed, chaos occurs in OneState. Slight discrepancies are amplified in an environment ill suited for impulsiveness. The guardians exist to reinforce regimentation, but they cannot with ease. This chaos shows how individualism cannot exist in a collective state, as collectivism necessitates everything’s sameness, despite how different people really are. The revolution was accompanied by I-330’s quote: â€Å"The number of revolutions is infinite,† which reinforces the instability of such totalitarian states (Zamyatin 168). Because predictability and togetherness is needed in both societies, the rationing of sex and the elimination of love is necessitated. Use of in-vitro-fertilization in both societies removes the existence of families. In Anthem, for example, preference is a transgression, and everybody is referred to as ‘brothers.’ Here, the word ‘brother’ does not denote familial relationship, rather equality, since the word ‘brother’ implies likeness to one another. As with other things, sex is also rationed and made technical in We with the use of pink tickets. The presence of multiple sex partners in We serves to make intercourse impersonal and non-exclusive. A monogamous sexual relationship is likely to cause love, which cannot exist in these societies where everyone belongs to each other because love can only occur between two selves. The absence of sex in Anthem’s society is significant, as despite its absence, libido remains extant. Gender segregation is employed to control this, although this is found to be unsuccessful with Prometheus and Gaea’s relationship, which showed how such a system would be unsustainable. This removal of love and sexuality from society contradicts with the conventional idea of happiness. Marriage and family are arguably requisite for mental well-being. Like imagination and innovation, love is universal and found in every culture – genetically predisposed and irremovable from human instinct. Zamyatin and Rand illustrate how collective, loveless societies cannot exist, as love and sexuality are innately human and cannot be eliminated. Like imagination and innovation, the rejection of love in these societies contains an element of absurdity, which leads the readers into believing that collective society is absurd. Additionally, the excessive suppression of human character, which causes these societies to become unsustainable, also shows that collectivism has too many flaws to work correctly. FUTILITY OF PROGRESS AND SYMBOLISM OF TIME Enlightenment philosopher Rousseau once said, â€Å"Slaves lose everything in their chains, even the desire of escaping from them (Rousseau).† Philosophers do not invent ideas, simply stating observations of human nature. It is thus significant to see how despite the centurial time gap between Zamyatin, Rand, and Rousseau, this very same philosophy is mirrored in their works, indicating a universal perspective on human nature. The citizens are able to see clearly past the ‘green wall’ surrounding OneState, where nature has taken control. Despite the people’s awareness of the outside world, they remain in OneState. Similarly, the Dark Forest in Anthem represents a time barrier back to the Unmentionable Times, in which residents can easily go past it, but do not choose to do so, as apparent in this passage: We were in the Uncharted Forest. We had not thought of coming here, but our legs had carried our wisdom, and our legs had brought us to the Uncharted Forest against our will (Rand 75). Both works anticipate that censorship and general indoctrination would cause society to become so unfamiliar with their old, free pasts, that they will not desire their pasts even if they see it. The idle and content nature of the citizens mirror how the general Soviet populace during the time was, in actuality, supporting socialism. These symbolic time barriers allow irony in the plots. D-503’s association with I-330 and rejection of OneState leads him out past the green wall into the MEPHI – who themselves represent naturalness in their nudity. The forest in We represents a more primitive past, and D-503’s desire to move into the forest suggests that a without a soul, technological advancement would be futile and would all eventually go to waste. The stated passage from Anthem supports the idea that despite indoctrination, ‘wisdom’ would ultimately result in ‘returning to the past.’ The forest in Anthem is the opposite of We’s. The hut where Prometheus and Gaea eventually settle in signifies a more technologically advanced past and forgotten knowledge. Their ultimate escape to the technologically superior forest connotes that a collective society such as that found in Anthem would cause progress – represented by technology – to be backwards. The forests’ appropriateness as a symbol of the past is due to its direct relation with nature, which contrasts artificiality. These future dystopias are depicted as socially unnatural and simulated, so it is apt for nature to signify what is natural and normal. Supported by symbolic juxtaposition of forests and artificial society, Anthem and We anticipates an ultimate return to normal, non-collective society, foreshadowed by the protagonists’ escapes from the collective societies in the works. Time alludes to human rediscovery. While We is placed in a setting over a millennium ahead of time, Anthem is likely to have occurred earlier, since it is placed only after typical social systems are rejected in favor of collectivism. Historically, new economic philosophies tend to gain peak popularity in only two to three centuries. Modern capitalism, for example, gained momentum in the mid-eighteenth century and reached its peak popularity in the twentieth century (Peterson). Since Anthem’s society represents the peak of collectivism, its setting is unlikely to have been placed past the twenty-second century. The time settings relates to the social settings of the works. Anthem’s earlier society is shown to be generally content with the collective nature of their lives, because the state hasn’t lived for long enough and the people’s repressed ‘egos’ have yet to reappear. We’s later society is shown to have had more time to become discontented, thus the existence of the MEPHI. Anthem’s plot and protagonist marks the beginning of revolution, whereas We’s plot and protagonist is caught up in the middle of revolution. This trend establishes the fact that in time, the ‘soul’ naturally becomes reestablished. DISINTEGRATION OF ALTRUISTIC ATTITUDES This very reestablishment of ‘soul’ occurs in both We and Anthem as the works’ plot progresses. In fact, plot development in the works primarily concern the protagonist’s discovery of past ideas of freedom, individualism, love, and a subsequent rejection of societal collectivity in this ‘enlightenment’ and realization of the incompatibilities of their egotistic desires with the constraints of their collective societies. We is written as a series of D-503’s journal entries, originally intended to spread OneState’s philosophies in their conquests of space exploration with the building of the INTEGRAL. D-503’s personal pride as a mathematician for OneState is ironic considering his eventual betrayal of the state. Zamyatin employs this irony as means of describing how even the most loyal followers of the state would eventually reject its ideas once ‘enlightened.’ Anthem is similarly written using first-person narration to give personal insight into the development of their ‘souls.’ However, the nature of the conflict differs greatly, which implicates the protagonists’ societal roles, and the works’ settings. Both protagonists in We and Anthem reject their communities because of a desire to be something they cannot be in their societies. These desires are shown to grow coinciding with their discovery of their souls or egos. In We, D-503’s infatuation with I-330 and consequent links to the MEMPHI leads him into abandoning his loyalty to OneState. As I-330’s reintroduces him to love and life outside OneState, he is essentially re-humanized as he develops an imagination and finds life to have more purpose than serving OneState. In Anthem, Prometheus’ initial unhappiness with his role as a street sweeper conflicts with his need to contribute to society. However, Gaea’s relationship only re-humanizes Prometheus partly. Instead, he is mainly reawakened through discovery of his sense of innovation. The plots are structured this way because for conflict to occur there must be an incompatibility between the protagonists and their societies. Both societies cannot accommodate humans with souls, and the souls are developed using love, imagination, and innovation. These motifs are used in the works for ‘enlightenment,’ because they are predominant parts of normal society and are considered key parts of the individualistic soul. They are shown to be inherent as they develop naturally with interaction between chief characters. Women are used as catalysts for ‘enlightenment’ in both works due the exclusively individualistic nature of intimate relationships. Names are also used symbolically in the female catalysts. ‘Liberty’ and ‘I’ denote freedom and individuality, respectively. Both Gaea and I-330 possess individualistic traits and encourage individualism in the protagonists’ part. Gaea, however, is more passive than I-330, who must give more effort to reestablish D-503’s much-dormant soul, compared to Prometheus’ already apparent desire for self-worth. This encouragement of individualistic values is apparent in dialogue from both works, as such in anthem: â€Å"Your eyes,† Gaea said, â€Å"are not like the eyes of any among men (Rand 44),† The statement acknowledges Prometheus’ difference from his ‘brothers’ and marks the beginning of their relationship. OneState does not prohibit intersexual relationship. In fact, it presets them to exist, acknowledging sexual instinct’s inevitability. However, these relationships are kept strictly sexual. D-503’s relationship with O-90 is non-romantic, as was his with I-330 initially. D-503 and O-90 only acknowledge each other as sexual products, and any singularity is disregarded with the presence of multiple sex partners. R-13 is used as an obstruction of exclusivity, which O-90 sees that D-503’s functions can be substituted with R-13’s, therefore disregarding any singularity. I-330’s relationship with D-503 is different in that her character is described as wild and rebellious – distinctly different from other OneState residents and of a strong ego. I-330 acknowledges herself as a singular being – one that wants D-503 as more than just a sexual being – and through her D-503’s dormant soul is reestablished. It is implied that only with the acknowledgement of individuality can love occur, which further emphasizes the importance of individuality for happiness, which is normally associated with love. D-503 and I-330 are a study of contrasts. D-503 represents OneState’s ideals – altruistic, intelligent, and socially beneficial. Contrariwise, I-330 represents the antithesis. Her association with the MEPHI, and her ‘irrational’ nonconformist spirit of self-awareness, independence, and unrestraint – expressed in her smoking and drinking, things deemed forbidden by OneState – contradicts OneState’s ideals. For this very reason, D-503 initially disdains her. However, as their relationship matures, D-503 does not change I-330’s personality. Instead, the contrary occurs. This indicates that I-330’s nature is more in line with human nature. She sees nothing in his nature that evokes a desire for self-reform, but he sees something in her that he comes to desire. Zamyatin shows that the dominant trait is the more human one, suggesting that the characters of individualism and independence are more human than selflessness and confo rmism. CONCLUSION The popularity of dystopian literature in the early twentieth century indicates a worldwide panic of totalitarian states, in which individual freedom is seized that even the freedom to be human is lost to the state. Without doubt, this panic is a sensible one. The societies depicted in the dystopian novels, Anthem and We, where collectivity is rampant, and humans are without their souls and egos, are the quintessence of a repressive Hades. What’s striking is that aside from slight dissimilarities of style, setting, and circumstance surrounding ‘enlightenment,’ both works use similar narration and plot based on the reestablishment of the soul and ego through love, imagination, and innovation, as well as use of females as catalysts for ‘enlightenment.’ For one, these similarities indicate universality on the authors’ perspectives concerning human nature and the inevitability of individualism. Secondly, they raise the question of whether or not We may have, in fact, influenced Anthem, a possibility that warrants further investigation. As said, nothing is entirely black and white. By nature, humans are double-faceted. They are both individualistic and altruistic, and neither trait can be suppressed. D-503’s patriotism and nationalism does dehumanize him, but his lack of individualism does. Prometheus’ innovation is based on both the altruistic desire to contribute to his society, and the need for self-recognition. The extreme collectivism in these works leads to profound introspection of the other end of the spectrum. Here, collectivism has gone unbridled, but how about an individualistic nightmare, for a change? How about a world without â€Å"We,† but only an evil â€Å"I† cancerously devouring man’s own existence? BIBLIOGRAPHY PRIMARY SOURCES Rand, Ayn. Anthem. New York: First Plume Printing, 1999. Zamyatin, Yevgeny. We. Trans. Clarence Brown. New York: Penguin Group, 1993. SECONDARY SOURCES â€Å"About Objectivism.† The Atlas Society. 11 March 2008 . Colton, Timothy J. â€Å"Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.† Microsoft Student 2007 [DVD] . Redmond, WA: Microsoft Corporation, 2006. â€Å"Dystopia.† 28 May 1998. Words at Random. 13 March 2008 . Engels, Frederick. â€Å"The Communist Manifesto.† October-November 1847. Project Gutenberg. 22 April 2007 . Kukushkina, Tatyana. â€Å"The â€Å"Twists and Turns† of Yevgeny Zamyatin’s Life.† The Brilliant Disk (n.d.): 32-42. Messenger, Christian K. â€Å"Ayn Rand.† Microsoft Student 2007 [DVD]. Redmond, WA: Microsoft Corporation, 2006. Peterson, Wallace C. â€Å"Capitalism.† Microsoft Student 2007 [DVD]. Redmond, WA: Microsoft Corporation, 2006. Rousseau, Jean Jacques. â€Å"Rousseau: Social Contract: Book 1.† Constitution Society. 11 March 2008 .