Human Sexuality- Film Analysis on movie “Shame” (2011)- APA

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Film Analysis on movie “Shame” (2011)

Film Summary

The film “Shame” is a drama film that is British. Steve McQueen is the director of the film, with Carey Mulligan and Michael Fassbender being the starring in the movie. The film was co-produced by Sea-Saw Films and Film4 and was rated NC-17 in the United States of America due to the sexual addictions that eventually resulted as a result of the films explicitly sexual scenes. The film was opened on a limited release in America on 2^nd of December the year 2011.

Characters

In the film, Michael Fassbender stars as Brandon Sullivan. Brandon is a guy whose sexual proclivities seem to be insatiable and extreme. He is a man who is addicted to prostitution, has his computer filled with pornographic content and is always in masturbation blissfully. Sexual lust, masturbation and pornography have totally taken over Brandon’s life and he is isolated totally without any close friends. Brandon’s boss, David is a married man. James Badge is the guy who plays the role of David. David is found of hitting on the chicks like breathing in a second manner. “Shame” makes one understand why Brandon’s time is spent so much on sex. Brandon’s relationship with his sibling Sissy who is singer by aspiration creates another twist. Sissy is unreserved ant went to an extreme end of showing up at Brandon’s apartment without notice went to the shower and stepped out t greet Brandon on his arrival back.

Through covering few days of Brandon’s life, author MacQueen allows for the development of the relationship of the character hence deflating before the eyes of the viewers. Brandon’s date with Marianne, a coworker, creates a further connection as Fassbender seems to squirm a little. In fact, Brandon seems not to be too sure about the date or whether it is a plan for another sex, leaving the viewers in suspense.

Critical Analysis

The film ‘Shame’ is a movie that is very controversial. Consequently, the film has merit or value that must be given to it. However, the level of sexual abuse and trauma that is exhibited in the film cannot be ignored. This is especially based on adolescent sexual abuse and the effects that are caused by such actions to the lives of individuals. Brandon’s life is full of lack of intimacy as exhibited by the “I want your love” subtitles, forming the basis of the narrative and sound track. Addiction to drugs and sex is viral in the film. Throughout the film, there is no exhibition of the working of the diseases on Brandon’s life.

MacQueen in his movie uses copious nudity of both male and female to prove its braveness. However, this does not mean that the performance by Fassbender or Mulligan lacks the necessary focus.

The film ‘Shame’ focuses mainly on the life of man who is embattled with the acceptance of his addiction to sex. Brandon gets desperate every day as he tries to suppress his sexual urge. This urge of having sex takes over his life and controls him completely. The theme of sexuality is dominant in the film ‘Shame’. Brandon feels guilty and bad about his sexual actions and struggles to hide his sexual urges. This condition makes him struggle daily and he gets it very hard to be like the other people who are around him. Subsequently, the sexual situation he is in gets out of hand when his sister arrives. Sissy appears at his house and requests if they can stay together. At this juncture, there is the rise of tensions attached to sexual desires. Brandon eventually drowns in the sexual addiction and ultimate shame. He ends p affecting the lives of the people who greatly care for him. (Coconi, 2013)

Themes presented

Social alienation strongly presents itself in the film. Right from the start of the film, there is an outright alienation where Brandon seeks to be separated from the other people in the movie. He struggles very hard to distance himself from the rest of the people in the film. The distance in the film is further exhibited by the long, lingering shots and the soundtrack which basically show the level of social alienation. The audience is left to watch and judge the film and everything that is happening in the movie. This alienation is as a result of the addiction of Brandon. Sex addiction is generally frowned upon by various people of the society. Brandon has a constant feeling that he is different from other people in the film and that everything he does seems to be wrong. An instance of alienation is when Brandon sits in a room and then someone tells him, “I find you disgusting. I find you inconsolable. I find you invasive.” The zooming of the camera takes us to a meeting where Brandon is sited and the boss is speaking about a topic that seems irrelevant according to Brandon. Brandon seems to have a lot of fear on hearing the words at the meeting. The author, MacQueen, at one point becomes open and tells the audience of Brandon’s paranoid and shame and even indicates the fact that those around Brandon are likely to find about his own state of mind. (Cladwel, 2009)

Accuracy of the themes.

Sexual addiction is used to refer to the urge, thoughts and behaviors that are usually exhibited by an individual, driving him towards wanting sex or engaging in sexual activities. Scientists view sexual addiction as a sexual behavior that is compulsive. Sex addiction affects the social alienation of an individual. The ability of an individual to function normally is reduced. Medical experts, clinical sexologists, psychologists among other experts have indicated that sex addiction is a psychological and physiological addiction. This can greatly lead to destruction of an individual.  The film has masturbation, intercourse and nudity. The accuracy of the theme can be said to have been achieved. Basing on what Brandon feels the extent of sexual addiction’s effect is exhibited. Brandon’s relationship with his sister and other people close to him is difficult, a proof to the fact that sexual addiction is destructive.

Film Messages

The film uses a cold color wonderfully portraying the general mood in the story. The director aims to portray the feelings of Brandon in a manner that is very subtle. The style of shooting is that full of melancholy and beauty. The main point of the film is to bring out the effects of sexual addiction and social alienations to an individual. The purpose is to illustrate the extent to which addiction to sex and being socially alienated can cause more damage and shame.

Implicitly, the film portrays the extent to which sexual addiction can drive one, using Brandon as a case study. Explicitly, the idea of sexuality, masturbation and the urge for sex is exhibited. The messages in the film seem negative though there is some positivity. For instance, by Brandon masturbating to satisfy his sexual desires, there is a negative message sent to the audience.

The message in the film seems to be in contravention with the societal ethics and norms. The sex scenes have been too much. The themes and concept presented in the film are those of sexuality and sex.

References

Caldwel, (2009). Cinema Autopsy: Film reviews and discussion. Link: http://blog.cinemaautopsy.com/

 Coconi, A. Movie reviews: Shame (2011)Link: http://www.helium.com/items/2266350-movie-reviews-shame-2011?ref_=ttexrv_exrv_18316^thSeptember 2013

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Gun Control vs. Second Amendment(How does 2nd Amendment and right to bear arms relate to the stand your ground laws of a state like Florida?)

Gun Control vs. Second Amendment

1.      How does 2nd Amendment and right to bear arms relate to the stand your ground laws of a state like Florida?

The Second Amendment and right to bear arms

The Second Amendment refers to a change in the Constitution of the US constitution which was initiated in order to protect the people’s gun ownership rights, and to prevent against the infringement of bearing arms. This amendment was adopted 10 1791 December 15^th. This was alongside the Bill of Rights of the United States of America. The right to bear arms and the right to keep arms were the basis of the Second Amendment, and which was largely influenced by the 1689 English Bill of Rights that was described as an auxiliary right by Sir William Blackstone. This was seen as a right that was essential in acting in concurrence with the state defense, civic duty, the resistance of oppression and the larger support of self defense rights. Generally, the Second Amendment has had varied interpretations. (Doherty, 2008)

The National Rifle Association believes that the Amendment presents a guarantee of carrying and possession of various firearms by different individuals. However, those advocating for gun control insist that the Amendment is purposefully meant for guaranteeing the right to operation by the militias. The right to bear arm has been a subject of controversy in the United States of America over a long period of time. There are those who have held onto the fact that there is need for the gun control in order to control the high crime rates and to make America to be a safer place to live in. there are those who have however held onto the fact that the anti gun control measures would help secure the nation more. There have been arguments that no one would walk into a family’s house with an intention to cause harm if he knew that the family was in possession of an arm. The Second amendment has stressed on the fact that there shall not be an infringement to the rights of a person to be in possession of an arm. This has led to the argument that this Amendment makes everyone feel that owning an arm is right. (Massaro, 2008)

Relationship with ‘stand your ground’ laws.

The ‘stand your ground’ law is basically a law that allows people to defend themselves even if it means through the use of force. From the name, it means that a person can stand his or her ground instead of retreating to a safer place. If one has a belief that there is an impending danger, or that someone wants to harm or kill them, then the person is allowed to stand his or her ground through retaliation. It is a law that is more of a self defense law. The law accords individuals the permission of using force and avoids retreating when faced with an impending danger. It applies within certain sates in the United States of America like in Florida. This relates to the Second Amendment and gun control.  The ownership of arms by individual as spelt out in the Second Amendment has a bearing on the stand your ground law. This is because an individual who has a gun can easily be prompted to apply the stand on your ground law as he or she will feel more comfortable. This means that there shall be an increase in cases of gun killings in the name of defending one’s self. The Second Amendment indicates that one shall not be deprived of his or her right to own an arm. However, this will greatly cause insecurity if the stand your ground law is applied by that person having an arm. At times, the human judgment can fail. One can have a perception that he is under attack or in danger yet the actual fact is that it’s not the case. (Krouse, 2012)

2.      What influence do the NRA and lobbyist have on politics and gun laws in the United States?

The NRA is an organization that since its formation in 1827 has continued to posse’s power and influence over the politics and gun laws in the United States of America. NRA promotes the ownership of firearms, carries out self defense trainings, hunting trainings, marksmanship, firearm safety and police training. This contributes to the fact that the organization yields a lot of power in the United States. The NRA is also the biggest firearm certifying body and safety training in the country. Apart from certifying, the organization is also in charge of proficiency and safety trainings regarding firearms, the safety of child firearm and recreational hunting training.

According to Spitzer(2009), the influence of the NRA cannot be washed aside. This is due to the fact that firearm handling and policies are part of the fundamental issues addressed by the constitution of the United States of America. Moreover, firearms are associated with powerful individuals like politicians, prominent businessmen among other citizens. NRA has a strong connection and influence on the political activities in the USA. This is basically due to the fact that the ownership of firearms is enshrined under the constitution as a civil right. This was affected by the Second Amendment that was done to the Bill of Rights. The NRA has therefore had a long history of lobbying against or for certain legislations that have been proposed dealing with firearms. Eventually, the NRA refers to itself as the longest standing civil rights group. In Washington, the lawmakers and observers regard the NRA as an influential bobby group. In fact, it is regarded to be among the top three with its membership exceeding 5 million people.

The National Rifle Association has in many cases made its position clear on issues touching on gun policies. For instance, in the gun debate in America, the Association stood its grounds that the laws were already in the books and that all that needed to be done was to enforce the laws. The organization is well known for lobbying for the prevention of legislations preventing the limitations of using firearms and ownership.

Florida case study

The NRA has even had influence among the political circles, influencing the policies made at political levels regarding gun usage. Florida State is a case study of how powerful and influential the NRA is. The legislation that was passed concerning doctors was through the influence of the NRA. The doctors are forbidden from asking the patients they treat and examine as to whether they posses guns. This would lead to the doctors being jailed. On its side, the NRA has insisted that its main objective is to ensure that the taxpayers; money is not channeled into the promotion of certain political agenda, but the money is used for programs that will benefit the people of the United States of America. There have been concerns that the NRA has been overstepping its mandate and using its powers excessively, to the extent of hamstringing the lawmakers. This has been especially on the case of the pro gun NRA lobby team. NRA has been on the spotlight over gun laws and other political policies. The influence of the organization cannot be overlooked by those having interest in politics as their lobbying is usually very intense and influential on the decisions taken by a majority of the civil servants in the Unites States of America. (Uviller& Merkel, 2002)

3.      How do you protect the nation’s right to bear arms and take guns away from criminals?

It is a tough balancing act between the protection of the nation’s rights with regards to bearing arms and taking the guns away from criminals who obviously have harmful intentions with the guns. The government of the United States of America, various lobbying groups and organizations and the NRA has been trying to combat criminals with firearms. This challenge can however be addressed through a comprehensive and well crafted gun policy. For instance, the relevant authorities should be tight on licensing all the firearms in the country and ensure that there is a catalogue of all the individuals with firearms. This will make it easier to track the criminals who have firearms. Moreover, security should be beefed up to make the people of America more secure and shun the need for having firearms. (Carter, 2006)

References

 Carter, G. (2006). Gun Control in the United States: A Reference Handbook. California: ABC-CLIO.

Doherty, B. (2008). Gun Control on Trial: Inside the Supreme Court Battle Over the Second Amendment. NY: Cato Institute.

Krouse, W. (2012). Gun Control Legislation. New York: DIANE Publishing.

Massaro, J. (2008). No Guarantee Of A Gun: How and Why the Second Amendment Means Exactly What It Says.Bloomington: AuthorHouse.

Spitzer, R (2009). Gun Control: A Documentary and Reference Guide. Westport: Greenwood Publishing Group.

 Uviller, R. & Merkel, W. (2002). The Militia and the Right to Arms, or, How the Second Amendment Fell Silent the Militia and the Right to Arms, or, How the Second Amendment Fell Silent. Duke University Press. 

 

 

 

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Anthropological global warming

Introduction

Global warming is used to refer to the increase of the earth’s oceans and atmospheric temperatures which is said to have started in the 19^th century and is projected to be in constant increase since then. The mean temperature of the earth’s surface has since increased by approximately 0.8 degrees centigrade with the major change approximated at two thirds occurring after the year 1980. There have been constant warnings and alarms have been raised by scientists concerning the increase of this temperature which has been attributed greatly to the increase of the greenhouse gases concentration in the atmosphere. These greenhouse gases are said to be on the rise due to various human activities like deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels. The science academies in all the countries that are industrialized have confirmed these claims. The term ‘global warming’ inflicts a lot of sensation and emotion in the world especially because it is attributed to the increase of temperatures which is abnormal and dangerous to the lives of the living things on earth. Te earth is described to be entering a period characterized by warming. There have been arguments concerning the cause of global warming. Many people have believed the fact that global warming is caused as a result of anthropological factors of human and that it is the human being who is to blame for the effects. However, there are others who have stated that global warming is a natural thing and that it is a warming period of the earth that is independent from human activities. This has elicited debates among various quarters including companies and industries in various forums.

Projections

The global warming is projected to increase in the future, with changes and warming set to vary in various regions around the world. The effects of that increase in the temperature of the glob are set to affect the temperature of the sea to rise and lead to a precipitation pattern and amount change. The sub tropical deserts are also set to expand and to cover vast areas. At the Antarctic, the warming is expected to be higher and more intense and this is related to the glaciers’ retreat, the retreat of sea ice and the permafrost. Expected effects of global warming include weather that is extreme which include heavy rainfall, droughts, ocean acidification, and the extinction of certain species as a result of the shift in the temperatures and the increase of heat waves. These effects are also extensive and prone to affect the humanity as there is set to be lack of food

Human causing global warming

There have been raging debates as to the contributions of humans in the global warming scenario. This has been in several forums where carbon energy based companies and green companies have held arguments on the cause of the increasing global warming effect. According to various scientists, the earth experienced the cooling effect’s end in the 19 century. This was then followed by a shift in the trend and warming started taking effect. This sudden shift in the temperature trend cannot just be explained using the variability that is natural alone.

Civilization and global warming

The 18^th century and the 19^th century are said to have been cooler than the 20^thcentury. There have been arguments that these warming effects could have been caused by natural factors. However, there are some scientists who insist that this sudden and drastic change could not have been caused by natural factors alone but there must have been other human factors that contributed to this situation. The argument has been that if anything, those natural factors which led to the cooling of the earth are still present which is supposed to lead to the same cooling effect but the global temperatures are ironically rising. This has pointed out to civilizations a contributing factor to the global warming.

Temperature variations in different regions

There is a distinguishing feature on the temperatures across the globe with there being variations in different areas. The Medieval Warm Period was a period that there was a rise in the global temperature. This was later followed by the Little Ace Age in which there was a cooling effect on the earth in North America and in Europe. The Southern Hemisphere has less cooling effect at that time. This exhibits the nature of the regional reconstructions in the temperatures. It is also asserted that the regional variability is visible in a response to the global climate forces as a result of the human activities that involve the burning of fossil fuels and a number of volcanic eruptions. There has been a lot of efforts pt towards the mitigation of the global warming effects.

Hockey stick

The temperature reconstructions are in tandem with the records, exhibiting a lot of consistency in the records showing a reversal in the cooling that is long term and that coincides with the greenhouse gas emission acceleration due to various activities of the humans during the end of the 19^th century’s industrial revolution. The recent studies are in similarities to the consensus that is emerging on the cooling effect that was gradual between the years 1000 and 200. This was later followed by a process of warming which came abruptly after the year 1900. These findings from the ‘hockey stick’ paper fifteen years ago are corroborated every year with other new evidences. This has therefore left no doubt that the hockey stick paper was indeed correct in its assertions. In the ‘hockey sick’ paper, Michael Mann indicates that there is an unprecedented warming in the recent times which can be established further in the past times. The causality of the warming is not directly indicated in the study but a research points extensively to the fact that the warming effect in the recent years can only be attributed to various anthropological activities. These activities include the fossil fuels burning and the constant increase in the emission of greenhouse gases.

Other human activities

By driving the cars, voluminous fossil fuels are burnt during combustion. The emissions from these fuels have a carbon effect that accumulates and have great effects over the years, possibly thousands and millions of years. The burning of carbon results to the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere which in turn increases the effects of global warming. Buying of homes in the suburbs also has a contribution to the global warming. This is because trees which are instrumental in the storage of carbon dioxide are usually cleared to pave way for the building of such houses. The trees are burnt bringing a hault to the storage of carbon dioxide and causing them to release the carbon dioxide which they have stored for thousands of years.

Mitigating anthropological global warming

There are various mitigation measures that both my team and the public can take in order to reduce anthropological global warming. The biggest contributor to global warming is the release of carbon dioxide during the burning of the fossil fuels, like coal and oil, for energy. Reducing the emissions, adaptation and geo engineering are possible solutions to the challenge of global warming. There is need to enact laws that prevent the excessive emissions of the greenhouse gases causing the global warming effect.

Industries and the entire public should be engaged in the use of renewable energy. The public should pick on energy suppliers who have gone green and who generate their power from solar, wind and other clean energy sources, at easting contributing to half of its energy. The public should also support the renewable energy in a given way. Weatherizing the apartments and homes can also be a mitigation step. By heating and cooling, 40 percent of the energy is consumed. There is needed to be energy efficient. This can be done through sealing houses to ensure that there is saving of energy through insulation. The public should buy appliances that are energy efficient so as to save energy. People should also use public transport and avoid driving as much as possible. This will ensure that there is a reduction of the burning of the fossil fuels which eventually produce a lot of greenhouse gases.

Conclusion

These mitigation steps are supposed to be embraced by both the public and the industries. If the industries that deal with carbon based energy shift their sources of energy, there will be a great reduction in the greenhouse effect. The green energy companies should also intensify information passing and campaign for green energy. This should indeed be done with the support of the government.

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Mathematical Economics - Alfred Marshall

Introduction

Born in 26th July 1842, Alfred Marshall stood out to be one of the economists who were influential during his days. This was later to be strengthened by his book, ‘The Principles of Economy’ which was published in the year 1890, and which became a prominent book that was widely used across England for several years. The main idea in Marshall’s book was the principles of demand and supply, costs of production and the marginal utility. He is among those referred to as being the founders of economy. After his inaugural book on economy, Marshall’s works further advanced when he wrote his second volume of the same book, this time dealing with matters of collectivism, taxation, trade fluctuations, money and foreign trade. However, this book was never published. Through his book, ‘Principles of Economy’, Marshal established a reputation globally as it appeared in eight different editions ranging from 752 to 870 pages. This book was instrumental in the shaping of economics across nations that spoke English. Other wide range issues that the book addressed include increasing and decreasing returns. A lot of these ideas were later developed by Jevons among other economists.

Marshall’s quest

Broadly, Marshall was interested in reconciling the modern and the classical value theories. Earlier, John Stuart Mill explored the relationship that exists between the cost of production of commodities and their values. This was based on the theory that the effort that is put on the manufacturing process affects the value of the commodity. Later, the Marginal Utility theorists like Jevons explored the theory that was founded on the relationship between value and maximizing of utility. Marshall in his work amalgamated both the two approaches but put more focus on the issue of cost. Marshall held onto the idea that supply cannot be altered and the market value is dependent on the demand. His main idea was that there is a possibility of expanding production through the facilities that are in existence. This can be done in an intermediate period of time. The facilities that can be used in this verge include machinery and the buildings but there is very little influence on the products’ sale price due to the fact that there is no need for renewing them in their costs intermediate time period. He further pointed out the fact that variable costs or prime costs recur constantly and influence the price of the sale in this period. The replacement costs of buildings and machines that wear out are usually replaced by high sale price of the product. Among Marshall’s main contributions towards the theory of economics was the classification of the costs into variables and fixed and the time element. In his work, the models of partial equilibrium were his commitment as opposed to the general equilibrium on the grounds that the former was more practical given the fact that economics is dynamic in nature. (Marshall, pg. 101-103)

Marshall and mathematics in economics

Marshall was keen in the improvement of the mathematical rigor in economic issues and in the transformation of economics into a more scientific discipline. This led to his writing about the protectionism and international trade tracts in the 1870s. These works were compiled in ‘The Theory of Foreign Trade and the ‘Economics of Industry’ together with his wife Paley. Despite the fact that Marshall viewed and contributed to the taking of economics to a level of rigorous mathematics, he was always keen to ensure that economics is not overshadowed by mathematics hence rendering economics an irrelevant discipline to the laymen. In most of his books, the mathematical contents were placed in the appendices and the footnotes for the professionals. This was further evident by a letter which he wrote to Bowley instructing him to apply shorthand while using mathematics and not to make it as an enquiry engine, to translate into English, to use illustrations from real life so as to make economics easier and to ultimately burn the mathematics.

Marshall’s contributions to economics

Marshall is far much accredited for the success he achieved in his books and teachings. These are overtly based on his successful use of diagrams, a fact that most economists emulated later in their various works globally. The development of the standard supply and demand graph is accredited to Marshall. He was the proponent of the graph in which he explicitly demonstrated various fundamental issues attributed to the aspects of supply and demand which includes the demand and supply curves too. In the same wake, Marshall also introduced the law of diminishing returns, producer and consumer surpluses and the marginal utility law. This contribution has led to a model that is widely used by several economists across the globe and the application of different forms by applying various variables in trying to demonstrate other several principles of economics. Through this model, Marshal proponed and made it possible for there to be a representation that is visual of the fundamentals of economics that were otherwise abstract and complex, making them a little bit more easier for anyone to understand. These models that he introduced have proven to be vital in the study and teaching of current economics as there is a concise and clear representation of the theories and the economic fundamentals that are explained. (Reisman, 199)

Microeconomics

The contribution of Marshall was vast and prominent. In the British economies, Marshall established himself as a force to reckon with as he ventured into the microeconomics. This was later to be his specialty. In this aspect, he was able to study and inherently analyze the industries and individual markets as opposed to studying economy as a whole. The concept of the elasticity of demand is accredited to Marshall.

His other contribution was the consumer surplus concept, in which he noted that he each unit of commodity typically has the same price that a consumer buys but there is a decline in the additional units and the value of the consumer. Further, this concept indicates the fact that the consumer is set to buy units again and again until that point when the value and the price will be at par. Therefore, among all the units that are previous to that last unit, the consumer is bound to reap a benefit by a payment that is lower than the original value of that good in question. It further asserts the fact that the difference that exists between the value of the consumer and all the units and amount paid is equal to the benefits therein. This is what Marshall referred to as consumer surplus. The product surplus concept was also a brain child of Marshall. This he said referred to that actual amount that the producer is paid less the amount that the producer would in normal circumstance accept. These concepts were used by Marshall in the measurement of the various well being changes in the government taxation. This approach by Marshall has since been refined by various economies and is currently referred to as welfare economies.

Marshall also made a contribution towards the understanding of how the markets adjust to the various changes in the demand or supply over a period of time. This culminated to his introduction of the three periods. These include the market period which is the time amount in which a commodity is fixed stock wise. His second period was the time period and is the shortest according to him. This refers to the period in which there can be an increase in the supply through the addition of inputs and labor but not the addition of capital. The third period according to Marshall was the amount of time that a capital takes before it is increased. (Marshall, 77)

Conclusion

In his work, Marshall always ensured that he expressed qualifications, used footnotes and exceptions before attempting a statement. He established himself as a prominent and accomplished astute mathematician having studied Math at the St. John’s College in Cambridge. However, he ensured that he was limited in the used of quantitative expressions so that he could appeal and be understood by the layman. There is no doubt that Marshall has been and will continue to be a key player in the field of economics. His neoclassical analysis of economics and veering of the usually classical economics path is a testimony to his acquaintance and deep understanding of economics issues. The current and the future economists have and shall continue to use a lot of Marshall’s works as references and foundation to the development and understanding of economics issues.

  

References

Marshall, A. (1996). The Correspondence of Alfred Marshall, Economist, Volume 3. UK: Cambridge University Press, Feb 23, 1996 pg.77

Marshall, A. (Principles of Economics: Abridged Edition). New York: Cosimo, Inc., Apr 30, 2010 –pg 101

Reisman, D. (2013). Alfred Marshall's Mission (Routledge Revivals). New York: Routledge, Jan 11, 2013 pg 199

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Benjamin Franklin: Experiment with Electricity

Benjamin Franklin: Experiment with Electricity

Abstract

            Franklin stood to be a major contributor in the field of science, especially physics and managed to bring forth a different dimension of lightning. He was instrumental in the enlightening of America and the shape of its science and innovation. The paper has two main sections; the first one dealing with Franklin’s general life and impact in America and the second part exclusively deals with his experiment with electricity.

Introduction

            Benjamin Franklin is among those ranked to have founded the United States of America. Franklin was a versatile player in shaping the human life which saw him get involved in various fields. He was a leading political theorist, author, politician, scientist, inventor, civic activist, statesman, and a diplomat among others. Franklin became a major personality in the quest to enlighten America and with his theories and discoveries in physics; he became a key player in the history of physics. As a scientist, he invented many things among them being a stove, an odometer carriage, the lightning rod, the glass 'armonica' and bifocals. In his lifetime, Franklin engaged in the facilitation of numerous civic organizations, a university and a fire department. In the verge of his campaigns for colonial unity, Franklin earned himself a title as, ‘The First American’. Due to his authorial prominence and being a spokesman for several London colonies, and then being an ambassador of France in America, he greatly contributed to the growth of America.

¹Brands, Harison (2010) The First American: The Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin. Random   House Digital. p. 390.

Franklin’s contributions and inventions

            Franklin was involved in the structuring of the ethos and morals of American such as issues pertaining to marriage, community spirit, education, opposition to authoritarianismin politics and religion. He created a lot of impact in self-governing institutions following his introduction of discoveries vis-à-vis his tolerant and scientific values of the enlightenment in America. Franklin was the most accomplished American during his age and had great influence in the inventions and shaping up the American societal stracture.² Franklin invented prodigiously in his lifetime. He invented a lot of things and had many creations among them being the urinary catheter that was deemed flexible. Franklin was always motivated to have his own inventions and believed that humans should not only rely on the inventions of others but should also seek to invent things that have never been invented. The experiment relating to electricity that Franklin undertook was famously referred to as the kite experiment. This scientific experiment was adopted by Benjamin Franklin and experiment's main purpose was to try and unearth the hidden facts about lightning’s and electricity’s nature. This experiment was mooted by the fact that in 1750, there were public discussions in France concerning the lightning bearing an electrical nature.² During that time, Franklin was interested in the subject and had listed a dozen concepts in relation to electricity and lightning in his notebooks. The experiment with electricity (Kite experiment)

            Franklin then decided to use a kite in his experiment with electricity having realized the dangers posed by using conductive rods. In making the kite, Franklin first made a small cross of cedar forming two light strips, ensuring that the arms were long reaching the four corners of the large thin silk

² Leo, Lemay. The Life of Benjamin Franklin: Soldier, Scientist, and Politician, 1748-1757.(Penysylvania: Pennsylvania Press,2008) p. 245

handkerchief he used. The edge of the handkerchief was tied to the ends of the cross to form the body of a kite, which was properly fitted and matched the tail, loop, and string, and was able to rise in the air just like the kites made using paper.  Franklin used silk majorly to allow it to bear the wetness of the rain and to avoid tearing in the thunder and wind. He then attached to it a pointed wire that was very sharp at the top of the stick that was upright, rising more than a foot above the wood. He then fastened the end of the twine. Franklin then raised the kite when a thunder-gust appeared to be coming on while standing within a door to avoid wetting the silk ribbon. He made sure that twine did not make any contact with the door frame. Thunder clouds soon come above the kite, the pointed wire on the kite then drew the electric fire and then the kite was electrified with all the twine. Consequently, the loose filaments attached to the twine stood out in every way and could be attracted by a finger or a close object. The kite then plentifully streamed outwards from the key following the approach of the knuckle once the rain had wetted the kite and the twine. This made it to freely conduct the electric fire. The phial was charged at the key and electric fire was obtained leading to the kindling of the spirits. This elaborated on the similarity as all the experiments relating to electricity are always performed using a glass object that is always rubbed and do bear the same results as  that of lightning. In that experiment, the kite was less to electrocute Franklin because he stayed on the ground as the kite flew higher. He ensured that the kite’ string was dry at the end he was holding for insulation while allowing rest of the string to be rained on to provide conductivity.³ Franklin assumed that the key attached to the string and then connected to a  jar was accumulating electricity from the bolt of the lightning, a fact that was correct. During the experiment, visible lightening did not strike the kite. However, Franklin observed that strings attached to the kite were repelling each other thus concluding that there was some charging of the Leyden jar. ³

³Vladimir, Rakov & Martin, Uman. Lightning: Physics and Effects. (London:Cambridge University Press, 2007)  656.

Conclusion

            At the end of his experiment, Franklin claimed to have received a shock that was mild afterwards when he moved his hand towards the key. He then deduced that the lightning had ultimately charged the Leyden jar and the key with negative charges. This was proof that lightning has an electric nature. Franklin feared that his experiment was bound to fail and thus be ridiculed. That is the reason as to why during the experiment he took his son only and his publishing of the results of his experiment is in third person.

 Bibliography

Brands. (2010) The First American: The Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin. Random House Digital. p. 390.

Leo, Lemay (2008). The Life of Benjamin Franklin: Soldier, Scientist, and Politician, 1748-1757.  Pennsylvania : Pennsylvania Press. p. 245

Vladimir, Rakov & Martin, Uman ( 2007). Lightning: Physics and Effects. London: Cambridge University Press. pp. 656.

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Sample Concert Report- APA

Concert Report

Name:

Institution:

Concert report

                    On November 11^th 2012 at the Lollapalooza concert, expectations were high as electrifying performances were expected from the likes of Black Angels, the Black Sabbath, Sharon, Afghan Whigs among other star performances. The festival of Lollapalooza at the downtown of Chicago is a festival that is well administered and offers perfect entertainment for the fans. The Lollapalooza concert offered a variety of foods and stuffs. The festival is always situated in the interesting town of Chow which always offers a variety of foods at its vendors. Most interestingly, I like the Gibson’s vendor for there are foods that are always made available to all the people going to the festival and at cheap prices. The pizzas at the vendor are always affordable and delicious.

                    At the festival, I was surprised for I saw a group of people try to jump the gate. They did this in order to avoid passing through the required check points which are always at the main festival’s entrance gate. The festival patrons were a good number and were dressed in their popular American Native head dress and some people who were attending the concert were carrying with them animals which were stuffed, a fact difficult to understand.

                    The first performance was by the Black Angels. The performance was interesting to me and I do like their performance. At the show, I was surprised to see teenage boy holding a whisky bottle in his hand and urinating in it. I thought it was very embarrassing though it seemed normal to him. This year, the main fashion for the teens was jeans trousers and t shirts for the males and the ladies opted to have casual trousers. Some were in cowboy hats and to add to the glamour, some had scuffs and colorful ‘bandanas’.

The Black Angels’ performance

                    The festival had a domination of the blacks, with the Black Keys, Black Angels, Black Sabbath among others. The Black Angels took to the floor in a magnificent touch. The singers from Texas were not to disappoint as they has a series of thrilling performances. The present crowd was charged and ready to receive the songs and performance from the artists. High levels of acumen of music were exhibited by the Zach Galifinakis band members who were perfectly assembled by the talented Alex Maas as its front man. The instruments were swapping and were fairly arranged, the moment that I enjoyed most was the drumming of the drum set and the ever bright guitar man who was exciting all along. The solo voices of the Feedbackladen filled the podium to the marvel of the audience.

Performance by Afghan Whigs.

                    The group took the better part of the afternoon with Dulli Greg being busy alongside the Afghan Whigs. It was great to have him back with the group. The guitar’s buzzing seemed ok especially in the presentation of ‘Gentleman’ and the band ensured it was to the beat.

                    The Black Sabbath never disappointed with Tommy Clufetos leading the band with his terrific drumming skills, standing in for Ward Bill. Wakeman Adam effectively blended in to create the rhythm with his keyboard. This rocking by the Black Sabbath went on for close to two hours without tiring the audience.

                    There were a series of other performances from the wizard of harmonica, Ozzy, Snow-blind and Butler. The flop at the festival was the Sweet Leaf who dented the good musical atmosphere of the festival. The festival was generally exciting and the new fans were glamorous that night. The festival at Lollapalooza came to a close successfully, with a lot of excitement and content. I was absolutely satisfied with the festival. (Buckley, 2003)

Reference

Peter Buckley (2003). The Rough guide to rock: the definitive guide to more than 1200 artists and bands. London: Rough Guides

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Writing A Personal statement

Personal statement

This age of global transformation has advanced in all aspects. This has seen the changes in the information system as a result of the economic globalization which has become irresistible. All the nations currently are in a potential situation of realizing the expansion of their domestic markets and the realization of optimum allocations of the human and natural resources to a level that is of an international status. For instance, a country like China has utilized its resources and developed to fit into the competition in a multinational phase thus developing its access into the world trade markets. This has therefore led to an ultimate integration of its mainstream economies to the realization of the potential of its development. However, there is a bounding obligation of China in ensuring it abides by the regulations and rules pertaining to trade and as have been consented.

There has been virtually the elimination of the concepts of geographical and physical backgrounds in the enterprise world. There has been an intense competition nationally therefore creating a situation of resource allocation in a scale that is global. The main challenge to countries like China remains in the implementation of the management systems that are trans cultural and cross populations in a comprehensive way that will effectively evaluate the competition that is there internationally. This is the base my reason for seeking to pursue an undergraduate program and eventually pursue a course in my masters in management so as to be able to research, study and understand the operations in the international economy and the application of effective management in the multinational  companies.

Having said that, I have previously been able to acquire insights that are acute, practical experiences and an open mentality throughout my four years of study in an undergraduate program in the Department of Journalism and Information Communication in the field of Television and Broadcasting. This was at the University of XXX. In my class, I was in the top position among other students. This was not only in academic work but also due to the fact that I was always in the limelight during the organizations of extra curriculum activities in college especially in journalism related activities.

Being the deputy head of our college’s television station greatly added value to my career. I was actively involved in the production of a number of programs of special features. I consequently grew to establish an academic foundation which was very important . this was during the time that I played different roles working as a television produces, as a  journalist and also as a student. I was able to sharpen my interpersonal communication skills, skills of effective management and ultimately achieving a degree in Science and Technology- English. I consider these factors to be greatly useful even as I seek to further exploring a degree program that is more advanced. This is the main reason as to why I seek to join XXX University and further mt studies and experience.

My goal is to ultimately develop and be a specialist in matters of human resource management. I hope to achieve this in one of the world’s best institutions of training in the field of human resource management. I strongly believe that through the quality education and training that I will get at the XXX University, I will be able to achieve my desired goal of advancing in as far as my career development and personal development is concerned vis-à-vis fulfilling my aspirations that I have cherished over a long period of time. This has led to my determination in applying for the Master’s program in the XXX University. I specifically have absolute confidence that the university is the best among the western universities as far as the offering of the economics and political science courses are concerned. Apart from getting enfranchised in human resource management, I also aim at having some knowledge concerning the political implications in human resource planning and management ant the various strategies that are always applied in the multinational companies in order to experience immense success in their enterprises.

As a young learner and boy, I used to spend most of my time with my father in his company. I got to learn a few things in relation to business as my father’s company had seven employees. They would feel a lot uneasy when my dad, their boss, was present at work though I could often notice the relief that they had in his absence. As a pupil in school, I developed a lot of interest in business and in that particular subject I was known to be a kingpin. Whenever the teacher asked any question and no one could answer, all eyes would be flashed on me for the whole class knew I was best at business related issues. This greatly motivated me to keep on revising all night long in attempts to get prepared just in case there were some questions which I would have to deal with during classes. This experience uniquely taught me to master the concepts of management which I further developed and believed will be instrumental in my studies. I believe that I will have great contributions to my class during my study and I will employ some experiences and knowledge that I have gained from my previous studies and interests.

I strongly believe that XXX University is the best training institution that I can learn and and acquire the knowledge that I need in order to pursue my aspirations and dreams in the human resource management field. I am in great trust that the university has one of the best infrustructure and effectively trained personel to help me nurture my ultimate goal.

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