Internet Technology, Marketing, and Security Research Paper - 2

Internet Technology, Marketing, and Security - Research Paper Example It is based on some basic set of assumptions. The general conception is a well-built confidence in amplified sales for a mature business that promotes good quality products, excellent pricing, fine ads, and even improved social repute if they decide to run the correct advertisements for the correct audience. The fundamental paraphernalia was almost always accessible to mark demographic categories on social media. This one concept was embedded with the ever mounting number of people using social media sites from their machines and their personal digital assistants gave the momentum for management to agree on the fact that the only reasonable way to succeed is to go ahead via social media, and if accomplishment was not attained during their anticipated time frame then the resolution had to be more assets that must be invested into the project ( Belch, 2012). This ended up as a fuel to new development for social media corporations assisting them to build up even more tempting networks i n accordance to their clientele. Facebook, being one of the largest social media company is a result of the above described phenomenon. There are also some that worked on user data mining as Flow Town that is under Demand force, went forward with the objective to put up user information for sale to companies that opt for express mail while thinking to better deal with their end user links using custom notifications exclusively customized for each depending on their social media action on all sites. (Bloch, 2010) It is a hoax with numerous admirers still hoping for a marketing magic land. But as many failed events commence to come up generating new ideas, a novel way of thinking, an innovative estimation is at the moment offered to the community at large that evidently recognizes the imperfection of the procedure and predicts an opposite way to move for the now imagined business. Answer:2 There are several advantages and disadvantages when social media is used by business entrepreneu rs. The obvious advantage comprises of  data collection from media users via internet and then arranging data through software that eliminates manual activity of sorting data. Initially developing customized applications will be costly and take some time but it is worth the effort and money because a lot of time and resources are saved in the future and important data including market content is being provided (Smith and zook, 2011). Other advantages of social media comprise of Low costs, builds credibility, and the augmented number of associations (DAS, 2009) and modifying an existing business to make it efficient or making a new business (Mercer, 2009) . A noteworthy benefit of social media advertising is growing experience and growing traffic. almost two-thirds of marketers are utilizing social media to increase marketplace intellect.(65%). Attached for fourth place, 58% of marketers specify producing front and increasing devotees are repayment of social media (Stelzner, 2012). Shortcoming would contain, from a marketer's perspective, protection apprehension, particularly those relevant to Internet privacy and security concerns. Marketers may also be anxious about expenses of considerable quantity of resources to give guarantee  for building trust to media users to reassure the users that all information taken

Nature vs. Nurture essayPosted by admin as Essays Essay Example for Free

Nature vs. Nurture essayPosted by admin as Essays Essay The natural characteristics of a person can either be quite similar or quite different to the unnatural characteristics of a person. The natural characteristics of a person are the traits that come from their parents; the ones that people are born with which are genetical. These traits are developed biologically. The unnatural characteristics of a person, or the nurtured characteristics, are the traits that people develop themselves after they are born. The environment of a person’s life greatly determines their personality. The traits a person has that they weren’t born with are the traits that the environment has influenced on them. There are many traits that I have inherited naturally through genetics from my mom and dad. I can tell that my work ethic has been inherited from my dad because he is a very hard worker and I also strive to achieve my personal best. My mom tends to be very sensitive at times and concerned for other people’s feelings, which I know, I have inherited. I have also inherited my dad’s super mathematical skills and my mom’s artistic abilities. I can also tell that I have inherited a good sense of well being from my mom. There are also many behaviors that I have developed from the environment I grew up in. I have learned to respect all people from being influenced at school and by my parents. I’ve also been trained to be responsible of things such as doing my work. I learned that if I am not responsible and don’t do my work, then I must pay bad consequences. I have also learned from experiences that if I do what I am supposed to do, I may be rewarded for it. I have been influenced to do something that will benefit myself and be rewarded for good things done. My environment has influenced me in many ways to act upon certain things automatically. Things like looking both ways before crossing the street, or other things that appear to be common sense are learned from nurture. I believe that my personality is a combination of both nature and nurture. I think that I am probably more nurtured though. I have gone through many experiences in which I have learned different lessons. These lessons have taught me how to act in my life. I know that I am a very different person than my mom or my dad. I don’t have very much in common with either of them. Although we do share some of the same aspects, I feel that I am more different from them than alike. I have developed the majority of my social skills from my friends and not my parents. Most of my social life revolves around my friends, who have influenced me in a lot of the decisions I make and in the way I act. I don’t socialize with my parents nearly as much as I do with my peers. I don’t think I know my parents well enough to say if I am like them when they are around their friends or not though. My personality is also partly nature though because I find that I do think like my parents sometimes. Most of the time I find that I think more like my friends because I am around them a lot more. My parents and I share a lot of the same opinions too, and not just because I grew up thinking the same way they do. The nature and nurture of a person can vary greatly. Sometimes there are certain things that are hard to decide whether they are inherited or learned. I might share some qualities with my parents, but they could just be characteristics that I learned in my life that my parents also learned in their lives too and weren’t inherited. I believe that genes indicate the potential for one’s behavior and personality, and that the environment helps create the extent as to how that behavior is carried out.

Salvador Dali and the Surrealist movement

Salvador Dali and the Surrealist movement Salvador Dali is perhaps one of the most recognized artists of the Surrealist movement. His art is mass produced in prints, and it is not a rare occasion to see them in homes of adults and on the walls of college students. His most famous work, The Persistence of Memory (1934), is taught in art classes to children as young as 7. Most of these people feel a connection with Dalis work and feel compelled to display these posters. It is safe to say, however, that few of these fans know anything about Surrealism, and the inspiration behind his most beloved works. The Surrealist movement evolved from the Dada movement of the 1920s. Its leader, Tristan Tzara, aimed to eliminate art because society created war and therefore does not deserve art. He instead aimed to shock the public through works of anti-art, which did not shock the public as intended, but was accepted by the art society. Dada embraced nihilism, a philosophy centered around nothing, meaning nothing, or anything. Dada rejected reason and logic while hating life. In William Bohns article From Surrealism to Surrealism: Apollinaire and Breton he states that Dada Was actually a protest movement, protesting bourgeoisie values in art and life(Surrealism, 198). Instead, Dada actually bridged art in life by displaying objects that allowed the viewer to realize that life is in fact art. In order to bridge life and art, Dada artists applied humor to art which provided a playfulness not reached by realism. Dadas aim was to juggle away, to parody, and to ridicule all accepted ideas, all forms of social activity (Surrealism, 199). Dada seems to have been a contradictory movement, one that produced wildly creative pieces, while discrediting creativity in theory. The constant contradictions of the movement could be why followers so readily embraced Surrealism, a movement which seemed to make more sense, but provided a smooth transition for even the most devoted Dadaists, such as Tristan Tzara, the movements leader. Surrealism, as defined by Anton Breton is Pure psychic automatism by which we propose to express either verbally or in writing or in some other manner- the true functioning of thought, in the absence of all control, excerased by reason, outside all aesthetic and moral preoccupations(The Surrealist Manifesto, Surrealism, 205). His definition of Surrealism as a philosophy is as follows, Surrealism is based on the belief in the superior reality of certain forms of previously neglected associations, in the omnipotence of dream, in the disinterested play of thought. It tends to ruin once and for all other psychic mechanisms and to substitute itself for them in solving all the principal problems of life (The Surrealist Manifesto, Surrealism, 205). Anton Breton was the founding father of Surrealism. He introduced samples of his writings which were called automatic writing. This automatic writing is also known as free association writing in which the author begins to write whatever comes to mind in hopes of unlocking the unconscious mind. The point of unlocking the unconscious was to reveal truth in the art form. This form of Automatism was a underlying application in surrealistic art, be it visual or literary. Surrealism, therefore, was not restricted to visual art, but was also a popular movement among authors of the period. Surrealists were greatly influenced by the works of Freud, whose radical theories in psychoanalysis and the importance of the subconscious in regards to not only mental health, but to truth and life, would inspire artists and authors to unlock their own subconscious. Surrealists incorporated Freuds theory into their art work through the belief that dreams are as important, if not more so than reality. Therefore characteristics of Surrealist art include dream like images. Surrealism aimed to draw the eye to one object and then to distract it with another object. Surrealism called for a deliberate disorientation of the mind (Frey, 15). In doing so, the artists was able to create a dreamlike experience for the viewer. To the Surrealist, beauty was not the goal because beauty, while aesthetically pleasing, does not necessarily represent truth. As the movement gained momentum several visual artists and authors began to identify themselves as Surrealists. They embraced the the philosophy of Surrealism and applied to their respective art. Some of the most well known artists that joined the movement include: Paul and Gala Eluard, Pierre Naville, Max Ernst, Man Ray, Marcel Duchamp, and Yves Tanguy. Picasso is sometimes considered a follower of the movement, but overall his involvement was minimal. Perhaps the most recognizable name aligned with the Surrealist movement is Salvador Dali. Salvador Dali was born in 1904 in Figueres, which borders Catalonia, Spain. By the age of 12 he showed much promise as an artist. He attended drawing school at this age and fell in love with art. In 1922 he attended the Academy of Fine Arts, Madrid. As a youth at the academy he proclaimed himself an anarchist and was privy to rebellious activities. The many shenanigans he pulled were evidence to his desire for attention and his quest for fame. Such rebellion eventually got him kicked out of the academy. In response to his expulsion he continued his artwork, dabbling in Cubism and Purism. He eventually met Pablo Picasso, whose work he highly respected. Finally, he met Anton Breton, the leader of the Surrealist movement. He felt a draw to the philosophy of this movement and quickly joined forces with the other members of the movement. Dali used a method in his artwork called paranoiac critical method. He developed this method in 1929, the same year that he officially proclaimed himself a Surrealist. The paranoiac critical method was a self hypnosis which would allow him to hallucinate freely. Under this hypnotism he would create art that involved double images. These double images acted as an optical illusion. The viewer immediately would see one object, but given further review would notice a hidden image inside of the main object. Often, the hidden image would be erotic or create a feeling of discomfort for the audience. These images were also dreamlike, not only created in the subconscious of the painter, but unlocking the subconscious of the audience. About these double images Dali said, Such a representation of an object that is also, without the slightest physical or anatomical change, the representation of another entirely different object, the second representation being equally devoid of any deformation o r abnormally betraying the arrangement (Stinking Ass). Upon joining this Surrealists he met Gala Eluard who was ten years his senior. She is heralded as the muse of the Surrealist movement as she not only inspired Dali, but many other artists and authors of the movement. At the time of their meeting she was married to surrealist poet and friend of Dalis Paul Eluard. He immediately fell in love with her, and her love was reciprocated. Her husband Paul, Eluard, surprisingly did not object, he was intrigued by the intricacies of relationships, and therefore not too hurt by her choice to be with Dali. They moved in together and she became his muse, they married in 1934. She seized power over his career and aided in marketing not only his artwork but his persona. Without her, he may not have gained the notoriety that he had so craved since a young age. In 1931 Salvador Dali painted perhaps his most famous and recognizable piece, Persistence of Memory (1931). Regardless of his success, by the end of the 1930s the Surrealists were no longer champions of Dali or his artwork. He refused to take sides during the Spanish Civil War, which cost him life long friends. Anton Breton, who had once revered Dalis work, assigned him the derogatory nickname Avida Dollars which means eager for money. His greed, and hesitance in aligning with the Marxist revolution severed many ties between him and his colleagues. At the beginning of World War II Gala, and Salvador Dali moved to California, upon reflection of his Surrealist days he said this, Surrealism will at least have served to give experimental proof that total sterility and attempts at automatizations have gone too far and have led to a totalitarian system. Todays laziness and the total lack of technique have reached their paroxysm in the psychological signification of the current use of the college. Dali was nothing if not a master artist, and he displayed discontent for the current state of art. After 1949 he and his wife moved back to Catalonia where they would live the rest of their lives. Gala passed in 1982, with Salvador following in 1989. As previously stated, Dalis most recognizable and celebrate work is the Persistence of Memory painted in 1931. The canvas of this painting is quite small, measuring 24.1 cm X 33 cm, and it is currently housed in the Museum of Modern Art in New York, where it has hung since 1936. It has three soft watches that are placed on the landscape of Port Lligat. Port Lligat is a small village on the Mediterranean coast of Spain, in which Dali spent much of his life. He also included in this landscape and in many of his other works. The enormous cliffs in the background are evidence that it is in fact the cliffs of Port Lligat. The former curator of MOMA, James Thrall Soby, says of the painting the space is manipulated to suggest and infinity against which the drama of his objects and figures is projected (Clocking, 3). The telltale cliffs of Port Lligat constitute only a small portion of the painting. The majority of the space is dominated by the giant melting clocks. One clock is closed, and the other three are draped over a creature in the center, steps, and an olive tree. The eyes are first drawn to these clocks, and according to an analysis on salvadordalimuseum.org, the clocks clearly represent time, but create a dreamlike effect by bending the rules of reality, which is characteristic of Surrealism. Simon Wilson says of this painting, The theme of this truly bizarre and mysterious painting is mans obsession with the nature of time ( Clocking, 4). Dali, himself, remarked that Soft watches are nothing else than the tender, extravagant and solitary paranoiac-critical Camembert of space and time (Clocking, 12). The reference of Camembert may seem offhandedly strange, however this is a reference to the cheese that actually inspired the soft watches on the evening that he painted this picture. Although the main draw to the painting is the melting watches, there are other important symbols in the painting. The ants on the closed watches, the olive tree, the steps and the amorphous creature each have a special memory which contribute to the aesthetics of this painting. Upon further examination the creature in the center of the painting has eyelashes and a closed eye. The creature appears to be sleeping. This creature is actually a self portrait of Salvador Dali. It is a form that he has used in other paintings to represent himself. Upon further review, the viewer can make out the profile with a nose, and mouth. The next symbol in the painting is the olive tree in the upper left comer. The olive tree was a significant symbol for Dali. Olive trees symbolize peace, and olives were a major export of Catalonia. Later in life he even refereed to his wife Gala as his little olive. In this particular painting Dali has presented a dead olive tree. This dead tree may symbolize the inevitable death that time will bring. Death and decay is a common theme in this painting as Dali uses ants and flies to indicate decay. The Ants are on the closed watch in the bottom left of the painting. The final symbols to discuss in this painting are the steps. There is one step, prominent in the foreground on the left side. In the distance, along the horizon there is another step, on the edge of the water. These steps could possibly represent the Freudian explanation of steps and the act of going up and down them. Freud explains that steps in dreams represent sexual acts. It is unclear whether or not this what Dali intended to present, symbolically speaking, the use of steps is unclear. Twenty years after painting Persistence of Memory, Dali presented a new painting called Disintegration of the Persistence of Memory (1952). During the period between these two paintings Dalis life had greatly changed. He and Gala moved to the United States to flee the Spanish Civil War. While in California he worked with Disney and Alfred Hitchcock as a consultant for various films. His artwork was transformed after World War II. The scientific strides that had been made regarding the discovery of DNA and the advent of the atomic bomb influenced Dalis style. In 1948 Dali and Gala sought to move back to Spain. The new government was staunchly Roman Catholic and Dali had to prove that he had changed his ways and was now a pious Catholic. Ultimately he would call himself a nuclear mystisist. Nuclear mysticisms mixture of physics, math, science, religion, art history, and Spanish culture was to stress technique, rebirth, faith and tradition (Clocking, 17). Dali saw God in mathematical ratios and in atomic science. Dalà ­ wrote: In the surrealist period I wanted to create the iconography of the interior world-the world of the marvelous, of my father Freud. I succeeded in doing it. Today the exterior world-that of physics-has transcended the one of psychology. My father today is Dr. Heisenberg. (Clocking, 17). The Disintegration of Persistence of Memory is the same size as the original Persistence of Memory. Upon examining the painting the viewer will notice that the clocks are no longer the first thing the eye is drawn to. They are overshadowed by the mathemematical dissasembly of the steps, tree and painting overall. As the watches are less relevant, the them of time also become irrelevant to this particular painting. All things, the painting seems to be saying-even the persistence of memory-are overcome by, or incorporated into, one atomic reality (Clocking, 18). This painting, once resembled a still life, now seems to have a sense of movement to it. The swimming fish and even the disintegration of the steps and tree have movement that make the painting feel alive. The Disintegration of Persistence of Memory is housed at the Salvador Dali museum in St. Petersburg, Florida. In 2000 the two paintings were united in an exhibited where they were shown side by side, so that the viewer could see the difference in style and meaning behind each painting. The Dali museum in St. Petersburg, Florida was established March 7 of 1982 and is made up of works from the private collection of the Mr. and Mrs. Morse, who began collecting Dalis work in 1940. One of the most celebrated artists of the 1900s, Salvador Dali and his artwork remain ingrained in the minds of anyone who has so much as glanced at one of his pieces. He provided the art world with a zany character who was himself, a walking art form. Although his style evolved throughout his life, his most memorable period was that of his Surrealist paintings. His mastery allowed him to remain at the forefront of the artistic community, and evolve along with the tastes of his fans.

The Reality Of Choice Essay -- essays research papers

The term philosophy encompasses various meanings and raises many questions for example, it seeks to explore the true meaning of reality, truth, values, justice and beauty. ( Lexicon Universal Encyclopedia, 240 ). There are many terms used by philosophers that are often interpreted differently by other philosophers . Free will is an example as well as an important debatable issue. Some philosophers view free will as non existent , while others argue that it really exists and I strongly agree with the latter . Every philosopher view the world according to his own culture and religion and that's why each of them created different hypothesis and theories . Some argue that the environment plays a major role in shaping a person's personality and therefore is held responsible for all his actions . Others claim that nature in itself has the upper hand with regard to the actions of human beings. While Blatchford stressed that predicting a person's actions proves the non existence of free will . ( 105 ) However, Stace contrverted that there are both free and unfree will acts (112) but I disapprove with all the previous theories because my religious upbringing allows me to believe that free will determines our destiny. Philosophers like Mill believe that a person's environment is the major shaper of his character . He believes that everything around the person affects his personality in some way or another and thereby directing his actions to reach a certain goal previously identified for him. He believes that a person has little power over forming his own character , since his character is formed by the circumstances surrounding him and since one of these circumstances is his desire to change . This desire is awakened when the person experiences painful consequences associated with his previous character ( Mill , 477: 481) . Mill also states that " A person feels morally free who feels that his habits or his temptations are not his masters , but he theirs ; " ( Mill, 480) .Free will is the ability of deciding freely what to do without fearing anything or being influenced by a habit , a temptation ,an earlier experience or tendency. For example , I know two twins who come from a very religious and conservative family they were both brought up properly and lived in the same environment . One of them chose to conform with her f... ...e always stemming from his soul . In addition , to be fair we should reward good behavior and punish bad behavior . To sum up , man possesses free will in every aspect of his life . Through the past decades many philosophers emerged each having his own sets of ideas regarding the concept of free will . Some argue that nature was the most influential factor , others stated that a person's environment and experiences are the major factor that affects people's choices . Some thought that free will exists but it is affected by both heredity and environment . Another group of philosophers claimed that free will exists and in not affected by any forces because every free act stems from a person's conscience and every person is totally responsible for his actions . God gave us the ability to choose between right or wrong and good or bad . It is up to us whether to choose this way or the other . Ofcourse , God knows our choices in advance yet , God did not make our choices we made them ourselves . I believe in God's justice and fairness . Our choice determines our fate ; whether we should go to heaven and enjoy it's delights or hell and experience the torture we deserve .

Antigone vs. Juliet

Written by Sophocles, Antigone is an ancient Greek tragedy that discusses two girls’ decision to bury their dead brother despite the fact that the king will execute anyone who tries to do so. Should they honor the god’s laws, but risk their own lives in the process? On the other hand, Romeo and Juliet is a play written by William Shakespeare about two young lovers from feuding families. The play ends in much grief as both of the lovers die due to unfortunate circumstances. While these two pieces of text are very different, they still share certain commonalities. For instance, the two main female characters, Antigone and Juliet, possess similar personality characteristics, such as rashness, loyalty, and courage, which help classify them in the archetype of a tragic heroine. To begin with, both Antigone and Juliet are very brave and rebellious. They are strong characters who fight for what they want and what they feel is right. For example, Antigone is willing to bury her brother Polyneices even though she knows that she is putting her own life on the line. Her sister Ismene warns her of the risks, but Antigone knows that she will put into action what she feels she is morally obligated to do. Similarly, Juliet shows these daring personality traits. During Shakespearean times, parents arranged marriages for their children, and daughters were expected to be obedient and respectful towards their parents. However, Juliet goes against her father because of her love for Romeo. She openly disrespects her authority, which leads to her being threatened of being left out on the streets; these actions certainly take a lot of bravery. Additionally, both of these characters use their fearlessness to rebel against fate when they commit suicide. Antigone is caught for burying Polyneices, but Antigone kills herself first so that she can die at her own hand. Juliet stabs herself with a dagger so that she can die with Romeo, her one true love. Both of these stubborn and defiant women refused to accept their fate, so they took it into their own hands. Clearly, these two ladies are strong and act on their own terms. Added to that, Antigone and Juliet are both impatient in their behavior. Their reckless and impulsive choices lead to misery in their lives. For example, Antigone is being rash when she decides to bury her brother. Instead of thinking of a logical and practical plan, she wants to immediately break the law to get it done. If Antigone had talked to Creon about her thoughts, she might have swayed his decision. After all, they are family, and Creon does understand that it would be the moral thing to do. Unfortunately, Antigone acts too quickly, and the tragic events unravel soon afterwards. Furthermore, Antigone kills herself in the tomb before she can be saved by Creon. She makes the hasty choice to end her life, but is unaware of the fact her life could have been saved just a few moments later. Comparatively, Juliet also shows that she is an impatient person. Firstly, her love with Romeo was very rushed. They meet, pronounce their love, and marry all in just a couple of days. The rational thing to do would be to slow down their relationship; Friar Lawrence advises them to do so because long love prospers. However, Juliet and Romeo disregard his advice, and they quickly profess to each other and become husband and wife. Their hurried actions create problems in the future. Sadly, both of the characters must suffer for the choices that they make. Lastly, Antigone and Juliet are very loyal. While they are rash and rebellious, they are still very honorable people. Being a tragic heroine, it’s important to be respected by the audience. Antigone shows her loyalty when she wants to bury her brother. Firstly, her strong desire to honor her sibling displays the love that she has for her family. Furthermore, she shows how noble she is because she wants to do the right thing no matter what. She chooses to honor the god’s laws instead of King Creon’s law. Juliet is also a loyal character because she always stays true to Romeo. Her love lies with her husband, and she does everything she can to be with him and she never betrays him. For instance, she disobeys her parents by choosing not to marry Paris, and she also takes a potion to fake her death despite her many fears. She fears that she will be killed by the potion, wake up before Romeo arrives to her in the tomb, or go insane because of it, but she throws her fears away and drinks it anyways because of her loyalty to Romeo. This shows a lot of her character and who she really is. Furthermore, she even goes as far as killing herself to be with her husband, even in the afterlife. No one can say that these two characters don’t stay true to what they believe in. In summary, these two characters’ rashness, bravery, and honor demonstrate how they are perfect examples of a tragic heroine. Their flaws have led them to mistakes in judgment and other future complications. In this case, both of these females are rash and impatient. However, they are still respected and are good people despite their faults, so they are still liked by the audience. These qualities, found in Juliet and Antigone, represent the epitome of the tragic heroine archetype.

Ethics: Social Responsibility and Strategic Planning Essay

Strategic planning can be defined as the formulation of plans that will lead to well informed and sound decisions and actions that when implemented will help achieve all short and long term organizational goals. During this process, the creation of well defined mission and vision statements along with organizational values and policies that are directly related to the company’s goals will help the business organization achieve long term success. Because success or failure directly impacts all stakeholders, whether employees, suppliers, investors, the local governments or community in general, special considerations of their needs should be included in the strategic planning process. Because of recent well known corporate scandals, business organizations have incorporated business ethics codes and social responsibility programs as part of their strategy to boost their public image and reputation in the community along with the reduction of potential legal fees or financial settlements resulting from legal actions against the organization. Ethics refer to the fundamental principles of an individual or a group. Social responsibility is how a business performs its activities to meet its wider obligations toward the society and environment, such as by avoiding activities which may be harmful. Strategic planning is an essential preliminary step in the corporate world in which senior management defines the organization’s strategy, direction and decision-making. Ethical values and social responsibility serve an important role in the strategic planning process. Social Responsibility To the Stakeholders o Management must ensure that strategic decisions are reached after taking into account the possible impact on the stakeholders. Stakeholders are suppliers, customers, societies and anybody who is affected by the activities of the business. A socially responsible company treats stakeholders equally. Wider perspectives also have to be considered in terms of environmental and social impact of planned activities. Transparency o Members of management should provide information transparently and honestly to help all involved discuss, debate and reach better decision-making. This enables the team to identify and monitor any potential risks which may arise and find an alternative solution. In terms of social responsibility, transparency also enhances the company’s credibility toward its external stakeholders. Independence o A management meeting provides an opportunity for management team members to raise concerns and come up with new ideas. It should be conducted in a professional and coherent manner and everyone should be independent in providing ideas without fear or hesitance as this helps improve the quality of the discussion and the decisions reached. Respect o Members should respect others’ opinions by giving them the opportunity to speak and by listening to their ideas with interest. Constructive comments develop more intellectual discussion but should be dealt with in a way which does not hurt the other members’ feelings. Discussion in a friendly environment improves the relationship among the members, strengthens the strategic planning process and results in better decision-making. Fairness and Truthfulness o During the planning process, the team should take a fair and truthful look at the possible risks and impact of decisions reached. These need to be thoroughly considered to maintain the welfare of the stakeholders such as employees and the society at large. Members should be truthful and frank in providing ideas and comments. Loss of employment and retirement funds, double bonuses, tax evasion, and the dark side of office politics are some of the challenges affecting organizations like a virus causing professionalism and efficiency to be questioned. Walker and Lanis (2009) found that an organization influences and is influenced by the society within which it operates (Cengage, 2009); therefore, an organization needs to take into consideration issues such as product safety, regulations, legal, ethical and economic responsibilities to the society within which it functions. One of the methods which could be used to do so is to integrate ethical and socially responsible techniques in an organization’s strategic plan whilst taking into consideration the needs and agendas of stakeholders. This concept is supported by Drozdenko, and Jin (2010) who suggested core values and beliefs exhibited at the strategic level influences decision making and outcomes throughout an organization. The objective of this research is to explain the role of ethics and social responsibility in developing a strategic plan while considering stakeholder needs and agendas, including an example of a company which overstepped ethical boundaries and preventative measures which could be taken to avoid this type of situation. Ethics appears to be a subject most people take for granted. According to Ciulla (2004), most people think of ethics as practical knowledge and common sense as opposed to theoretical knowledge. Social responsibility involves operating in a society or environment not only to gain or increase profits but to do so in accordance with legal and ethical standards therefore making a positive contribution by adding to the value of life in an area of operation. What is strategic planning and what is the role of ethics and social responsibility when developing a strategic plan? Strategic planning as defined by Bryson (2004 cited from Olsen & Eadie) is â€Å"a disciplined effort to produce fundamental decisions and actions that share and guide what an organization (or other entity) is, what it does, and why it does it† (p. 6). One of the most important needs of a strategic plan is to determine the long term effects of decision making to ensure accountability. Therefore, if an organizatio n takes into consideration its ethical and social responsibilities to its clients, employees, and stakeholders when developing its strategic plan some important areas to focus on includes: Economic Responsibilities – A business should provide goods and services which the society wants at a fair price that provides adequate profits to ensure its long term survival and growth as well as to reward investors (Cengage, 2009). Therefore, although the main objective of an organization is to make a profit, it is imperative to remember profits made should not be made at the detriment of the society. Legal responsibilities – These are laws and regulations under which the organization is expected to operate (Cengage, 2009), however if the organization does not abide by these laws if needed, there is a mechanism in place to seek redress. Ethical responsibilities – The law, according to Cengage (2009) does not cover every issue or emerging issues which may be encountered by an organization. Ethics covers activities which are prohibited even though legislation may not exist at the time the unethical act occurred (Cengage, 2009). Philanthropic responsibilities – According to Cengage (2009) this is when an organization voluntarily â€Å"gives back† to the society by providing assistance, forming relationships and making contributions to improve the community. Kaufman, Browne, Watkins and Leigh (2003) indicated that one of the issues which caused the collapse of Enron, a giant US energy company was that the focus of its executives was for self profit as opposed to seeing to the well being of the stakeholders. By inflating stocks, presenting fraudulent financial reports, cheating, lying and intimidating employees Enron caused employees to lose their jobs, retirement plans, and stakeholders to lose billions of dollars. Additionally, hundreds of dot.com companies came crashing down, shocking international markets as stocks plummeted when it was discovered that â€Å"stocks were inflated through personal ambitions rather than the value they would deliver to shareholders and external clients† (p. 31). Johannesen, Valde, and Whedbee (2008 cited from Odell) stated â€Å"a society without ethics is a society doomed to extinction† (p. 5). This also applies to an organization. Therefore, an organization that is not ethical or socially responsible is doomed to fail. This is supported by Rhodes, C., Pullen, A., and Clegg, R., S. (2010 cited Verschoor, 2004) who believed there was a need to create moral strength and character by reintroducing personal conscience, responsibility, and values in organizations. The best measures to use in order to incorporate this type of behaviour, beliefs, and values within an organization is to integrate ethical and socially responsible objectives, goals, and activities into the strategic plan. Hence to prevent unethical behaviour and social irresponsibility it is important to put measures in place. Following the implementation of the Sarsbane-Oxley Act of 2002 it is imperative that organizations ensure financial reporting is done in a responsible manner. According to Cengage (2009) this legislation was implemented to minimize the use of fraudulent financial reporting and to protect the interest of all stakeholders. Creating policies and guiding principles are also measures which guides the organization to be ethically and socially responsible to its stakeholders by taking their needs into consideration. Last but not least creating a code of conduct which should be followed by all employees not only sets a standard within the organization but can be used as a criterion to reward and punish employees who adhere to or who do not adhere to the code. Conclusion: To create an ethical and socially responsible atmosphere within an organization it is imperative to put in place optimistic, high, achievable standards which must be incorporated at all levels of the organization. By focusing on legal, ethical, philanthropic, and economic responsibilities when creating a strategic plan which sets the direction and guiding principles of an organization ensures transparency and accountability. The world is changing and stakeholders are becoming more ethically conscious and prefer to develop relationships with responsible organizations. Therefore, employee safety, human rights abuses and other concerns such as bribes, corruption, the abuse of cheap labour, questionable payments and child labour which could negatively affect and organization, its image, and reputation should be at the forefront of the minds of executives when creating a strategic plan for the future of the organization.

Duncan I of Scotland and Lady Macbeth Essays

Duncan I of Scotland and Lady Macbeth Essays Duncan I of Scotland and Lady Macbeth Paper Duncan I of Scotland and Lady Macbeth Paper Essay Topic: A Woman Killed With Kindness MACBETH SIMPLIFYING THE PLOT Macbeth is an ambitious man who wants to be King but who originally lacks the desire to act upon his ambitions, despite the fact that he is confronted by three witches who predict future glories, including the bestowal of titles and the Kingship. His wife however, is eager for him to achieve his potential, and she plays on his human weaknesses to encourage him to kill the King and usurp power for himself. The involvement of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in the murder of King Duncan at first seems to have achieved its objective. Macbeth and his wife rule Scotland as King and Queen. However, they are plagued by the belief that their reign might be ended in the same way they ended King Duncans. With this in mind, Macbeth, often without his wifes approval, conspires to murder anyone who has the potential to destabilise his reign. This is the rationale behind his murder of Banquo and Lady Macduff, and his attempted murder of Fleance. In the end however, the actions of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth set them on a path of self destruction. Lady Macbeth is driven insane by a conscience that cannot live with her past actions, but also by the indifference of her husband. Macbeth, likewise deals with mental anguish, and is ultimately defeated. He is the victim of his own human weakness and of his mistaken trust in the witches prophecies, which allowed him to arrogantly construct a notion of himself as invincible. With his death order is again restored to Scotland. QUESTIONS ON ROMAN POLANSKI’S ‘MACBETH’ 1. How is Macbeth described early on in the film? 2. Who does Macbeth defeat in the film’s opening scenes? 3. What is the significance of the statement â€Å"never have I seen a day so fair and foul? † 4. What prophesies do the witches make for Macbeth? 5. What prophesies do the witches make for Banquo? . How does Lady Macbeth react to Macbeth’s letter and its revelations about the witches prophesies? 7. How does Lady Macbeth describe her husband? 8. What is the significance of King Duncan’s decree that his son, Malcolm, shall be Prince of Cumberland? 9. How does Macbeth react to Duncan’s decree? 1 0. What does Lady Macbeth suggest Macbeth should do to King Duncan when he arrives? 11. Why does Lady Macbeth call upon the spirits to â€Å"unsex her†? How might an Elizabethan audience react to this? 12. What does Macbeth mean when he suggests that â€Å"bloody instructions return to plague the inventor? 13. What strategies does Lady Macbeth use to persuade Macbeth to kill King Duncan? 14. What is meant by the statement â€Å"Macbeth has murdered sleep? † 15. Is Lady Macbeth proved right when she says â€Å"a little water washes us of this deed? † Explain your response by referring to specific events. MACBETHS PATH TO DISASTER MACBETH CULTURAL CONTEXT The Reign of King James Macbeth was probably performed for the first time in 1605 during the reign of King James. James was crowned King of Scotland at the age of three, when Elizabeth 1 had deposed his mother, Mary Queen of Scots. The early Elizabethan period was characterised by a wave of instability, most notably between Catholics and Protestants, but also by those who lacked confidence in a female monarch. James, like Elizabeth, had to deal with a period known more for its unease than its calm. As King of Scotland, James was forced to contend with a number of plots on his life. The most notable of these occurred in 1605 and was known as the Gunpowder Plot, involving an attempt by English Catholics, with the help of Spain, to overthrow the Protestant ruler of England. Convinced that he was called upon by God to rule, James regarded any attempt of overthrow as the work of the devil or witches. Given this historical context, it is unsurprising that the content of Shakespeares Macbeth was particularly interesting for the King who liked it because it dealt with the act of witchcraft. At the time such acts conjured up a wealth of superstitions. Indeed the instability of the Kings early reign led parliament to pass a law that condemned witches to death for practicing their craft. In addition to dealing with witchcraft, Macbeth also looks at the subject of Kingship. Greenhill observed that the author shows what King James most feared. (Greenhill W and Wignall P, [1996] Macbeth, Heinemann. p5) Shakespeare forces readers to confront issues pertaining to the acquisition of the crown. We are provided with a range of contrasts, including a King who ruled lawfully by virtue of decent and a King who ruled illegally by virtue of a seizure of power. Historical Macbeth While Macbeth is most celebrated as a literary figure, he was nevertheless, historically, a King of Scotland. Coming to the throne in 1040, his reign is consistent with Eleventh century tradition, which saw 11 Scottish Kings assassinated, often by their would be successor. (Aitchison N. [1999]. Macbeth: Man and Myth. p13). Macbeth rise to the kingship came after deposing his cousin, King Duncan. His claim to the throne was threefold. Firstly, he was no less entitled to inherit than Duncan, given he had the same royal grandfather, Malcolm II. Secondly, his wife, Gruoch, was a direct descendant of either King Kenneth II or King Kenneth III. Aitchison observed that Macbeths marriage to Gruoch was fundamental in stimulating his ambition for the kingship. (Aitchinson, [1999]. Macbeth: Man and Myth. P 65) It is highly probably that Gruoch believed that Macbeth was entitled to the kingship based on the fact that she saw Malcolm II (Duncan and Macbeths grandfather) as an illegitimate ruler, since Malcolm II had killed her likely grandfather, Kenneth III, thereby excluding her descendants from eligibility. Thirdly, Duncan had a series of military failures, compromising his ability to hold kingship, while Macbeth was a capable and established military strategist. Macbeth ruled for seventeen years from 1040-1057. Though little is known of his rule, the predominant evidence testifies to its relative militancy. Given his seizure of power and his attempts to eliminate Duncans heirs, this seems unsurprising. Beyond his ability as a war leader, however, Macbeth was also known for his patronage of the church and pilgrimage to Rome. . Lady Macbeth Gruoch While much of Lady Macbeths infamy was carved from Shakespeares imagination, she is equally intriguing as a historical figure. Herself a descendant of Scottish Kings, Gruoch was probably first married to Macbeths cousin, Gillacomgain, who was involved in the assassination of Macbeths father in 1020. Macbeth later went on to avenge his fathers death by killing Gillacomgain and marrying his wife, Gruoch (Lady Macbeth), which, for Wyntoun, was an enduring symbol of the sons comprehensive victory. Beyond this however, it seems that Macbeth married Gruoch to cement his political ambitions, which were improved as a result of a marriage with confirmed monarchical descent. Given her ancestry, Gruoch is considered to have wielded some power within Macbeths court, but little is recorded of the role of Queens in medieval Scotland. We do know that she probably had only one son, Lulach, born of her first marriage to Gillacomgain. Macbeth is believed to have developed a sincere attachment to him, signified by his adoption of him, and by his provision for him as heir. SHAKESPEARE AND THE NATURE OF TRAGEDY Macbeth is considered to be one of Shakespeares greatest tragedy pieces. A tragedy is a type of drama or literature which involved the fall of a great man as a result of: forces beyond his control his own error In the fourth century BCE, Aristotle contemplated the nature of tragedy. He observed that a playwright who wished to write a tragedy had to choose his main character very carefully. For Aristotle, the character had to demonstrate a capacity both for good and evil, and it was in the struggle between these paradoxes that the audience could more effectiv ely reflect upon the source of his fall. In Macbeth and other tragedies, the nature of the fall is not an offspring of pure evil but of human weakness which combined to forge tragic consequences. Macbeth in the context of Elizabethan Society Elizabethan society expressed very definitive views on concepts including nature, the state and humanity. These views are integral to an understanding of the cultural context in which Macbeth was conceived. Nature The universe was nature and was an ordered structure. Every living thing had a place in the hierarchy of the universe. Harmony depended on everything staying at its own level. The State The state was a part of the hierarchy of nature. The King was a symbol of order. Obedience to the King was seen as natural. Harmony was produced by justice. Necessary virtues were justice, kindness and pity. Humanity It was the duty of the mind to keep control over the lower basic instincts of humans. Order within the universe depended on order within the political state and humanity. Analysis of Significance Whenever the system was breached, whenever the natural law was broken, destruction and chaos were let in for example, cruelty would replace kindness. This meant, for example, that to disturb order in the political arena was to lead to the chaos of war. This in turn, led to an erosion of individual humanity and personal chaos. God King Mind Nobles Soul Commoners Animals Base Instinct Inanimates Question In what ways did Macbeth and Lady Macbeth upset the principles that governed the Elizabethan understanding of nature, the state and humanity? What was the consequence of this upset? MACBETH AN OVERVIEW DISCOURSESDOMINANT POSITION Power / Ambition Deceit / Treachery Evil Masculinity Femininity Humanity / Human Weakness Leadership Shakespeares Macbeth provides readers with an enduring reminder of the poisonous and corruptive nature of ambition, by highlighting the tragic fall of the two main characters. Readers are positioned to view both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth as individuals who, governed by their greed for power, set about on a course which leads to their own self-destruction. In this context, Shakespeare also explores the promise of ambition; suggesting that ill-gained ends proffer a hollow reward. Acts taken to secure power and prosperity turn against their maker, leading them on a path of inner conflict and turmoil. OPPOSITIONAL DISCOURSES IN MACBETH Semiotic theorists have argued that the process of meaning making is often constructed in relation to oppositions. In other words, receivers understand what something is, in relation to what it is not. In this context, many of the underlying discourses of Macbeth are constructed through oppositions. The three main oppositions in Macbeth include: Chaos vs Order Light vs Darkness Imagery Appearance vs Reality Chaos versus Order In the early orientation phase of the text, readers are presented with a struggle between order and chaos. In declaring war on Scotland the King of Norway, assisted by the traitorous Thane of Cawdor, had set about to destabilise Duncans rule, bringing about disorder. When the Thane of Cawdor is killed and the Norweigian army defeated by Macbeth, order is temporarily restored. This restoration of order and peacefulness is constructed as a positive, signified by the Kings appreciation of Macbeths achievements and the celebratory gathering of the warring party. From the moment Macbeth and Lady Macbeth decide to kill Duncan, order is eroded and chaos ensues. The intensity of the chaos rises as the plot develops. The chaos exists internally, in the characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, but also externally, within Scotland as a whole. The following quotes attest to the growing nature of chaos and the erosion of order within the text. Macbeth does murder sleep. Macbeth shall sleep no more. (ActII:ii) The night has been unruly. Where we lay, our chimneys were blown down and, as they say, Lamentings heard ithair, strange screams of death. (Act II:iii) Each new morn, new widows howl, new orphans cry, new sorrows strike heaven on the face (Act IV:iii) Light versus Darkness Imagery The use of light and darkness imagery within the text assists the author in the construction of representations of good and evil. A highly superstitious society, the Elizabethans feared the night, associating it with potential evil. This socio-cultural fear is used effectively by Shakespeare to communicate the principal conflict between those who fight for order (the good) versus those who destroy order (the bad). The witches, for instance, are referred to as instruments of darkness and are associated with the evil that occurs in the plot development. Macbeth uses light / dark imagery to alert the audience to his growing ambition. For instance: Stars, hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires.. (Act I:iv). Lady Macbeth, likewise extends this imagery, calling on the thick night, [to] pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell, that my keen knife see not the wound it makes, nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark. (Act I:v) Many of the most violent events of the play take place at night. The murder of King Duncan, for instance, comes when The moon is down (Act II: i), likewise Banquo and Fleance are attacked while the two murderers were waiting in darkness. Towards the end of the play, when Lady Macbeth has been driven insane by her own evil deeds, the gentlewoman attending her tells the readers that she requires the light to be left on, signifying that she is deeply afraid of the dark a metaphor for her own evil. This imagery is continued by Macbeth, who, sick of living observes Out, out, brief candle! (Act V:v) and I gin to be aweary of the sun (Act V:v) Appearance versus Reality Much of the enjoyment audiences / readers derive from Macbeth is as a result of the shock of uncovering the true mask of characters who appear to be what they are not. To this end, the discourse of the deceptiveness of appearances is integral both to our understanding of character but also in the construction of the dominant viewpoint. In the opening phase of the novel, for instance, readers are alerted by the witches to the paradox, Fair is foul, and foul is fair (Act I:i) suggesting that all is not what it seems. As an extension of this idea, Duncan refers to Macbeth as noble Macbeth (Act I:ii), yet later we see him constructed as capable of murder. For Lady Macbeth, the appearance of propriety rather than the possession of it, was a useful weapon. When she advises her husband to look like an innocent flower but be the serpent undert (Act I:v), she alerts the reader to the potential for deception despite the appearance of bravery and nobility. This is confirmed by Macbeth who observed, False face must hide what the false heart doth know. (Act I: vii) In this sense, the reader is aware of what King Duncan is not, and we quickly become acquainted with the horrible price of his ignorance. In addition to alerting readers to the potential for duplicity, the construction of the appearance versus reality discourse also encourages a re-examination of initial conclusions. This is particularly true of the witches prophecies, which clearly demonstrate a gap between appearance and reality. Macbeth for instance assumes that he will not be beaten by any man born of woman (Act IV:i), yet he later discovers that all is not what it appears to be. Similarly, while readers are more likely to judge Lady Macbeth as a conniving villain lacking feminine warmth we come to view her as a tragic character whose duplicitous resolve is undermined by her husbands disregard. Macbeth Act I : vii If it were done, when tis done, then twere well It were done quickly; if th assassination Could trammel up the consequence, and catch, With his surcease, success; that but this blow Might be the be all and the end all here, But here, upon this bank and shoal of time, Wed jump the life to come. But in these cases, We still have judgement here; that we but teach Bloody instructions, which, being taught, Return to plague the inventor; this even-handed justice Commends the ingredients of our poisond chalice To our own lips. Hes here in double trust: First, as I am his kinsman and his subject, Strong both against the deed; then, as his host, Who should against his murderer shut the door, Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan Hat borne his faculties so meek, hath been So clear in his great office, that his virtues Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongud, against The deep damnation of his taking-off; And pity, like a naked new-born babe, Striding the blast, or heavens cherubin, horsd Upon the sightless couriers of the air, Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye, That tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur To prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting ambition, which oer-leaps itself And falls on the other. TASK 1. What dominant viewpoint of Macbeth is the reader being encouraged to adopt? What aspects of his character have been privileged within this scene? 2. Establish a modern context for this scene. Transform it, in keeping with the discourses, by using modern language. LADY MACBETH Of all the characters in the play Lady Macbeth is arguably the most controversial. Her infamy can be attributed to a range of factors including: Her role in the assassination of King Duncan, and subsequently, her husbands downfall Her relinquishing of quintessential female attributes Her path to self destruction and insanity Consider the following scenes to assess Lady Macbeths impact on her husband and her role in creating Shakespeares dominant position. SceneSubjectLady Macbeths actions / positionTechniques of persuasion Act I: vThe reading of the letter Act I: viiPersuading Macbeth Act II: iiThe night of the murder Act II: iiiThe discovery of the murder Act III: iiThe conversation before the feast Act III: ivThe banquet and Banquos ghost Act V: iThe sleepwalking scene CHARACTER QUESTIONS LADY MACBETH 1. What aspects of Lady Macbeths character have been foregrounded in the text? 2. How do the relationship roles of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth transform, as the plot develops? 3. To what extent does the characterisation of Lady Macbeth encourage readers to accept Shakespeares dominant viewpoint on the corruptible nature of ambition and power? THE WITCHES The role of the witches in Macbeth has been hotly contested for a number of years. While some suggest that the witches compelled Macbeth to act in a way he otherwise would not others see them as characters who merely led him where he was already wanting to go. Shakespeare deliberately constructs them as enigmatic figures who occupy an important role in the communication of the discourses. This importance is underscored by the fact that they are the first characters of the play the reader is confronted with. Beyond this, they talk in paradoxes that the receiver does not entirely understand. Their use of phrases Fair is foul, and foul is fair and When the battles lost and won, suggest that they have the potential to offer greater insight into future events. The sense of their mysteriousness is further conveyed by the fact that they appear against the backdrop of thunder and lightning, so the audience immediately understand them to be suspicious characters who portend evil. This is confirmed in their meetings with Macbeth, when they demonstrate a power for prophecy that upsets the Elizabethan idea of a natural order. Complete the table below to analyse the affect of the witches prophesising on Macbeths attitude and actions. The Witches PropheciesMacbeths Reactions 1. Thane of Glamis 2. Thane of Cawdor 3. King hereafter 4. Beware the Thane of Fife 5. None of woman born shall harm Macbeth 6. †¦ Never vanquished be until Great Birnam wood marches to Dunsinane POSITIONING IN MACBETH Shakespeares Macbeth positions readers to accept the dominant discourse on the corruptible nature of power and ambition by highlighting the human affect it has on two of the leading characters. By the end of the play, we are presented with two tragic figures Macbeth and Lady Macbeth; and, while we recognise their role in their own destruction, we nevertheless cant help feeling some level of sympathy for them. For literary theorists, this sympathy was intended by the author to achieve a specific purpose to make us identify with the discourses on a broader level and to see their relevance to our own lives. By presenting Macbeth and Lady Macbeth as human, flawed characters with a propensity for evil, rather than as inherently evil, Shakespeare alerts us to the possibility that each of us must confront our own inner demons. Nevertheless, we are positioned to recognise the shortsightedness of their actions and to be horrified by the level of duplicity of which they were capable. By contrast we know nothing about the kind of King Duncan was, the circumstances in which he assumed the throne or his earlier treatment of Macbeth. This dominant viewpoint has been achieved primarily as a result of the privileging and foregrounding of some material and the silencing and backgrounding of other material. From the outset, for instance, Shakespeare introduces scenes that highlight the ambitious nature of the main characters and the extent of the deceptiveness that they enter into. There is an inference that Macbeth and his wife have had conversations about the kingship long before the witches have prophesised it for him. Moreover, the inclusion of scenes which privilege Macbeths propensity for, and direct involvement in violent acts, contribute to our understanding of his growing relinquishing of humanity. TASK What scenes have been included to encourage a negative interpretation of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth? INTERTEXTUALITY, POSITIONING AND LADY MACBETH All kinds of texts whether poems, novels, films, even jokes gain meaning through their similarities to other texts. If this were not true, readers would be astonished and puzzled by every new text that confronted them. The term intertextuality describes the way texts of all kinds are bound together by the broader reading and writing practises of a culture. (Moon, 1992, p69) Authors have used the character of Lady Macbeth in modern texts to make an intertextual link which allows for the adoption of an unfavorable viewpoint about a particular subject. In recent times, for instance, this intertextual link has been made in relation to analysis of the r ole of former First Lady, Hillary Clinton. Consider the article below. HILLARY CLINTON: THE LADY MACBETH OF LITTLE ROCK (in The Weekend Australian, July 25-26, 1994, p21-23) Her public image is one of consuming ambition, inflexibility of purpose, a lack of human feeling. The image of Hillary that has crystallised in the public consciousness is, of course, that of Lady Macbeth; consuming ambition, inflexibility of purpose, domination of a pliable husband and an upsetting lack of tender human feeling, along with the affluent feminists contempt for traditional female roles. The surprising thing about Hillarys image problem is self-generating †¦ The only big scandal to blow in her direction concerned her errant husband, and that should have earned her general sympathy. Hillary Clinton is a self-detonating explosive. The condescending comments and snide comments have landed her in such trouble †¦ she always seems to be one smart remark away from getting in trouble. Friends of the Clintons say there is a very powerful bond between them, a bond immediately apparent to anyone who sees them together. Powerful though it may be, there is a pattern of details about their relationship that suggests it is not fully fused†¦ †¦ Hillary suffers from a massive misunderstanding of the function of parents. Hillary has been likened to Eva Peron but its a bad analogy. Evita was worshipped by the shirtless ones, the working class, while Hillarys charms elude most outside of an elite cohort of Left-liberal baby-boom feminists the type who thought Anita Hill should be canonised and that Thelma and Louise was the best movie since Easy Rider. Questions 1. Identify three intertextual connections that have been used by the author to construct meaning in the text? 2. What is the affect of these connections in terms of the construction of an overall opinion about the character of Hillary Clinton? . What dominant viewpoint of Hillary Clinton has been constructed by this author? 4. Given your reading of the play, do you agree with this authors assessment of the character attributes of Lady Macbeth? MACBETH : PRACTICE ESSAY To what extent does the characterisation of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth encourage readers to accept Shakespeares dominant viewpoint on the corruptible nature of ambition and power? INTRODUCTION = THESIS STATEMENT + EXPLANATION + SIGNPOST By privileging scenes which highlight the transformation of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth from noble and worthy characters, to individuals who are overcome by anxiety and disquiet, Shakespeare highlights the idea that ambition for power can result in the corruption of otherwise good characters who are susceptible to human weakness. The journey of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth throughout the play focuses on their acquiescence to ambitious impulses which has the affect of altering both their regard for each other and their natural identity. For Macbeth the price of power and ambition is the destruction of valor and morality. For Lady Macbeth it is the destruction of purpose, strength and, by the end of the play, sanity. This essay will explore how the two leading characters were overcome by ambition, and the manner in which Shakespeare foregrounds their undoing in order to construct an impression of the corruptible nature of lust for power. PARAGRAPH ONE = TOPIC SENTENCE + ELABORATION + EVIDENCE + CONCLUDING SENTENCE In highlighting Macbeths transformation from a noble individual esteemed for his valor to a butcher whose death is celebrated by the masses, Shakespeare constructs in readers an awareness of the trappings of ambition. At the beginning of the play the audience sees Macbeth as a worthy figure who has restored the disorder brought to Scotland as a result of the treachery of the Thane of Cawdor. He is referred to by King Duncan as valiant; the King goes so far as to suggest that he is a peerless kinsman. Yet, despite the bravery for which he is renown, Macbeth is also constructed as a flawed character whose major weakness is an ambition for power. His association with the witches at the beginning of the play highlights the fact that he is tempted by unnatural influences. Beyond this, he is described as overtly ambitious for power and the prestige of office associated with it. In Act I:vii, he refers to his own vaulting ambition. He also confesses his deep desires. Any subsequent downfall that Macbeth experiences, therefore, is attributable to his ambition. This idea is reinforced by Shakespeare when he constructs and causal relationship between Macbeths growing state of disquiet, Methought I heard a voice cry, Sleep no more! Macbeth Macbeth does murder sleep. nd the growth of disorder, both for Scotland, and for Macbeth personally. Evidence of this external disorder can be seen in the assassination of Banquo and Lady MacDuff. It is also manifested in the increasingly bloodthirsty nature of Macbeths regime and the growth of opposition, led by Malcolm, Donaldbain and MacDuff. Furthermore, Shakespeare constructs the impression of evil doing within the narrative itself, highlighting the extent to which Macbeths ambition has led to the increase of chaos and darkness. The night has been unruly. Where we lay our chimneys were blown down and, as they say, Lamentings heard ithair, strange screams of death. (Act II:iii) From a personal perspective, Macbeth is defeated by his own lust for power. He admits to being â€Å"steeped in blood so far†, and is plagued by the vision of Banquo’s ghost. Beyond this, the health of his marriage is compromised by a growing indifference towards his wife, who, in the early scenes of the play, takes an active role in the conspiracy. Towards the end of the play Macbeth’s original character has been corrupted to the extent that he admits being weary of life and attributes this weariness to his acquiescence on the night of Duncans murder. â€Å"I ‘gin to be weary of the sun. † Out, out, brief candle! Lifes but a walking shadow. Thus, it can be seen that Shakespeare privileges scenes which highlight Macbeths transformation from valiant war leader to evil King, thereby confirming Macbeth’s early prediction that â€Å"bloody instructions return to plague the inventor. (Act 1:VII) He further creates an impression of the negative consequences of ambition by associating it with growing disorder in Scotland as a whole. This is also the case for Lady Macbeth. Activity 1. Underline in a different colour pen, each of the features of a paragraph. 2. Evaluate the evidence used in the text. Does it prove the argument? 3. What other words or phrases can you think of, to begin the concluding sentence? 4. Write a paragraph that follows this structure, dealing with the part of the question that asks for an analysis of Lady Macbeth.

The eNotes Blog The AlgonquinMarriott

The AlgonquinMarriott This week it was announced that the infamous Algonquin Hotel has been purchased by the Marriott hotel chain. In June of 1919, a group of writers,  critics,   journalists, and actors- among them, Dorothy Parker, Robert Benchley, Edna Ferber,   Alexander Woollcott, and  Harpo Marx- began meeting for lunch at the Algonquin Hotel.  The hotel was a short distance from the offices of The  New Yorker where many of the members worked. Jokingly, the members coined themselves The Vicious Circle, as they delighted in gossiping about and criticizing fellow artists. They did indeed meet at a round table for their banter and cooperated on projects there together.  The group members contributed to hit plays (No Sirree! by Robert Benchley), wrote best-selling books, and popular newspaper articles. Dorothy Parker, perhaps the groups most-often quoted member, coined many of her most memorable jabs while in session at the Algonquin Roundtable: This is not a novel to be tossed aside lightly. It should be thrown with great force. If all the girls who attended the Yale prom were laid end to end, I wouldnt be a bit surprised. If you want to know what God thinks of money, just look at the people he gave it to. There were those who did not support the group.  A number of writers found the Vicious Circle far too mean-spirited. The noted critic H. L. Mencken once commented to writer Anita Loos that their ideals were those of a vaudeville actor, one who is extremely in the know and inordinately trashy.   Groucho Marx was not a fan either.  The price of admission is a serpents tongue and a half-concealed stiletto, he said. Despite its detractors, the gatherings lasted for nearly ten years.   However, by 1929, the  members had largely disbanded. Edna Ferber realized it was truly over when she arrived one day in 1932 and found a family from Kansas lunching at their table. The group split up, but its fame remained. As for the Algonquin, the management remained committed to supporting writers. Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe composed My Fair Lady while staying at the Algonquin, even though it is said that some guests complained about the noise. Will the Algonquin Marriott maintain its committment to supporting the arts? It remains to be seen.   There is a sign that perhaps they will continue the tradition, however. All guests at the hotel are  offered an Amazon Kindle, preloaded with the book of their choice.

A Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

A Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde Essay Oscar Wilde, author of The Picture of Dorian Gray, makes Basils life change drastically by having him paint a portrait of Dorian Gray and express too much of himself in it, which, in Wildes mind, is a troublesome obstacle to circumvent. Wilde believes that the artist should not portray any of himself in his work, so when Basil does this, it is he who creates his own downfall, not Dorian. Wilde introduces Basil to Dorian when Basil begins to notice Dorian staring at him at a party. Basil suddenly became conscious that someone was looking at . turned halfway around and saw Dorian Gray for the first time Wilde 24. Basil immediately notices him, however Basil is afraid to talk to him. His reason for this is that he does not want any external influence in life Wilde 24. This is almost a paradox in that it is eventually his own internal influence that destroys him. Wilde does this many times throughout the book. He loved using paradoxes and that is why Lord Henry, the character most similar to Wilde, is quoted as being called Price Paradox. Although Dorian and Basil end up hating each other, they do enjoy meeting each other for the first time. Basil finds something different about Dorian. He sees him in a different way than he sees other men. Dorian is not only beautiful to Basil, but he is also gentle and kind. This is when Basil falls in love with him and begins to pai nt the picture. Basil begins painting the picture, but does not tell anyone about it, including Dorian, because he knows that there is too much of himself in it. Lord Henry discovers the painting and asks Basil why he will not display it. Lord Henry thinks that it is so beautiful it should be displayed in a museum. Basil argues that the reason he will not display the painting is because he is afraid that has shown in it the secret of his soul Wilde 23. This is another paradox because he has not only shown the secret of his soul, but the painting eventually comes to show the secret of Dorians soul also. In the preface to The Picture of Dorian Gray, Wilde explains that to reveal art and conceal the artist is arts aim Wilde 17. Basil realizes that he has not concealed himself in the painting and therefore feels the painting is not worth anything. After Lord Henry sees the painting, he asks to meet Dorian. Basil says that would not be good because his influence would be bad Wilde 31. Basil is correct in saying this because Lord Henry is the main person who helps Dorian to destroy himself. Lord Henry disregards Basils request and meets Dorian anyway. This is the beginning of the end for both Dorian and Basil because Lord Henrys influence pollutes Dorian. Lord Henry taunts Dorian and continues to remind him of all the sin that is building up  and that even though his body is not aging, his soul is deteriorating fast. When Basil notices that Dorian has not changed physically in many years, he is curious to know how Dorian stayed beautiful, but also wants to know why Dorian has changed so much emotionally. Basil does not have the painting on display, but rather keeps it in the attic. When Dorian comes over one day, he and Basil are talking when Basil asks, I wonder do I know you? Before I could answer that, I should have to see your soul. Wilde 216 Dorian goes into a rage and takes Basil upstairs to see his soul which is concealed in the painting. When Basil sees the painting which is bloody and atrocious looking, he cannot believe that he painted it. Dorian reassures him that it is indeed Basils painting. In that painting is all of Dorians hate, fear, and sadness reduced onto a canvass. READ: The Tempest Epilogue AnalysisWhen Dorian sees the picture, he blames Basil for it and picks up a knife laying on a nearby table and stabs Basil. He then takes the knife and stabs the painting in the heart, killing his soul, and returning the painting to its original form. Wilde constructs this in an interesting way because after Dorian stabs the picture, which is a representation of his soul, Wilde shows Dorian laying on the ground, wrinkled and disgusting, with a knife in his heart. Wilde did this to show that when Dorian stabbed the painting, he was actually stabbing himself. Oscar Wilde first portrays Dorian Gray as a sweet, sensitive man whom everyone admires. When Basil, however, began admiring Dorian, he changed. Lord Henry moved into his life, and the painting showed a form of beauty that he could never be able to achieve again in real life without the help of magic. With this, Dorian conceals his morbid soul with the painting and continues living as beautiful as he ever was, physically, but spiritually he is rotting inside. Wilde creates an animal out of the seemingly perfect man and has him destroy himself and his friends along with him. All of this happened because of the picture of Dorian Gray.

Sociology - PowerElite Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Sociology - PowerElite - Essay Example There is a huge gap between the public and the political will as represented by the elected officials. The truth of the matter is that information is so controlled and the political will so organized that the public actually do not have a say in what goes on when it comes to policy matters. As Mills rightly points out, often the information comes to the public after a policy matter has been long decided by those in power – those our public has elected to represent their interests are quite removed from what the public actually needs. This idea is quite strange to us as we believe that it is only in the politically subversive states that policies are made without considering the public opinion. However, upon closer inspection it becomes quite clear that even in a country like ours, which holds high democratic values, public opinion is not only disregarded in a lot of policy matters, but is often influenced and tampered with by a host of ways. We have only to look at the War on Terror that America has waged as an instance of this. Mass hysteria was created using myriads of methods: mass media was constantly being fed stories of constant and ever present threats by the terrorists, and a nationalistic fervor was created by feeding the public the idea that the terrorists were against the American Way of Life. The public, therefore, wholeheartedly supported the invasion of Afghanistan (we were told Al-Qaeda was responsible for the attacks on the Twin Towers, and Al-Qaeda and its leader, Osama bin Laden, operated from Afghanistan). However, what makes the episode take a totalitarian twist is when our own President lied to us about there being Weapons of Mass Destruction in Iraq – we were told that that the FBI had confirmed this – and the wily dictator of Iraq was just short of using them against us, so we had no choice but to invade Iraq as well. It was much

W4a2-modernism Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

W4a2-modernism - Assignment Example dings constructed during the modernism period were designed to accommodate modern architectural elements including little ornamentation, factory made parts, man-made materials such as metal and concrete. Mies believed that for one to be successfully fulfilled, he or she should co-exist with the culture if his or her time. Emphasis was also put on the purpose of the building being built. Mies designed a simple house that served as a weekend retreat and also intended to create a space whereby life would unfold freely and interdependently with the nature. Mies acted as both the architect and the general contractor (Mies van der Rohe Society). Philip Johnson designed the Glass house in 1949 as a residential house. He was the owner of the building that he built on a dairy farm land he bought in Connecticut. The Glass house is similar to Mies Farnsworth house with only a few differences. He was inspired byMies design of the Farnsworth. Johnson designed the building taking maximum economization and transparency into consideration. The design of the building also employed the modern architectural elements including little ornamentation, factory made parts, man-made materials such as metal and concrete just as Mies design of the Farnsworth. The building has with two parallel planes suspended between the earth and the sky by eight w-shaped steel columns. The design seems simple, but it incorporates a thorough attention to detail. Since, in the design, the floor and the roof of the building were suspended, strong steel structures and high grade concrete were necessary for its construction. Precast concrete slabs formed the roof and the floor and steel frame construction supported the uninterrupted floor and roof planes. The steel frames were accurately welded to minimize their visibility.In the interior, Mies incorporated a continuous curtain rack that allowed for the occupants defined privacy. Mies used an extensive clear glass than span from the floor to the ceiling to

Restoration & Recovery Plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Restoration & Recovery Plan - Essay Example These directives and orders are part of Continuity of Operations (COOP) planning is required for Federal Government Agencies. PDD 63 or the Critical Infrastructure Protection directive and FPC 65 summarize the requirements for COOP information system infrastructure and emergency measures. FPC 65 stipulates that federal agencies are required to get back into operations within 12 hours from any kind of service collapse. OMB CircularA-130 prescribes continuity of operations planning which includes emergency procedures and policies for immediate operations recovery and restoration as well as long-term mitigation of potential services interruption of critical operations (EMC Corporation, 2006). In any kind or emergency, police and emergency services are the most essential. Therefore, the integrity, restoration and recovery of information systems in these branches of government should be the utmost priority. Florida is one of the states that have had to be vigilant regarding these concerns since the 1990's (Mittler, 1995). The Palm Beach Sheriff's Office is no exception to these circumstances. Palm Beach's experience with Hurricane Katrina emphasized not only the need to be prepared for the disasters and the essential role that police and emergency services have to play in recovery (Kam & Gomez, 2005). Restoration and Recovery of Information Systems and Data Breakdowns of information systems and data loss are not limited to the event of disasters. Natural disasters may impact systems extremely and can impair critical functions when they are needed the most but system attacks, hacking and other related crimes that is becoming the most urgent. Restoration of Information System Operations According to the National Security Agency (NSA), through the Information Assurance Directorate (IAD), information assurance refers to procedures designed to safeguard and secure information and information systems against failure, collapse or attacks. Part of this program is the re-establishment of information systems by the development of security, response and resolution competencies into the system (2006). These standards govern feral information systems and have been adopted by industry as well. These measures include providing for restoration of information systems by incorporating protection, detection, and reaction capabilities. Public sector agencies and departments must comply within the prescribed recovery period and point service levels depending on the significance of their operations and information. They have to take into account considerable quantities of paper and electronic data, data storage distribution, necessity for nonstop operations and high data security and integrity measures (EMC Corporation, 2006) Recovery of Data Data backup and replication are the underlying concern in restoration and recovery. The primary factors considered are cost, management, reliability and security Effective back up strategies limit the need to reinstall programs and regenerate data in the events of data loss. However, data loss over a long period of time either by malicious acts or because of inadequate systems is more difficult to salvage and may go unnoticed (Ginty, 2005).

Synoptic Module on Economic Policy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Synoptic Module on Economic Policy - Essay Example The role of FX Trading Analyst is to watch over the market trend of each foreign currency since the market is very unstable. Prior to making any trading decisions, the analyst needs to study the economic foundation of the past, present, and future status of each currency that is tradable. Since the marketplaces are interconnected, a number of different rates (prices) have to be considered depending on what the bank or the market maker is currently trading. Given that there is too little or no available inside information with regards to the foreign exchange markets, the FX Trading analyst needs to determine the actual causes of the monetary flows in the country of the currency being traded. To determine all these information, it is necessary for the analyst to regularly watch the News or read the newspapers. However, large banks have a more competitive edge over the private or individual speculators because banks are able to see their customers’ flow of order. The analyst is free to choose between the use of fundamental analysis or the technical analysis. Both tools are used to detect the increase or decrease of the currency value being traded. Fundamental tools include analyzing the overall macroeconomic environment of the countries with major currency based on the news and currency updates on the GDP, interest rates, investments, international trading, calamities, terrorist attacks, etc. In most cases, a serious terrorist attack is enough to make a sudden change in the trading of currencies.

MGT 3250 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

MGT 3250 - Essay Example She told me that the company has one person dedicated to human resource who also performs the accounting duties of the firm. The HR representative cares a lot about the employees. He has weekly meetings with the staff to discuss any problems the employees might be facing. During the meeting the weekly schedule is created by the HR representative. If any employees need a change in schedule or a day off they must notify it to the HR representative during the meeting. The opinion of Don regarding the HR department was different. He said that in his company the HR department is a waste of money. According to Don they did not do anything to benefit the company. He once went to the HR department to discuss a family problem, and instead of getting help from them the HR people did not take his request seriously and they did not let Don take two days off to accompany his wife to another state hospital for an operation. The HR resource function is very important in all business organizations. The human resource department performs critical functions including recruiting employees, training and development, employee evaluations, scheduling, conflict management, protecting the rights of the workers, and improving the organizational culture (Youngmanager). The HR department can help develop the human capital of a firm. Companies that have ineffective human resource departments will not perform as well as firms that effectively use the HR function to obtain a competitive advantage. HR policies free managers from having to make decisions in areas which they have less competence or on matters with which they do not wish to become involved (Ivancevich). Personally I am interested in the recruiting aspect of human resources. The reason this topic is interesting to me is because recruiting is a critical function that can help a company attract talented employees that can make a difference in the performance of the company. If I worked in human resources I

Restoration & Recovery Plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Restoration & Recovery Plan - Essay Example These directives and orders are part of Continuity of Operations (COOP) planning is required for Federal Government Agencies. PDD 63 or the Critical Infrastructure Protection directive and FPC 65 summarize the requirements for COOP information system infrastructure and emergency measures. FPC 65 stipulates that federal agencies are required to get back into operations within 12 hours from any kind of service collapse. OMB CircularA-130 prescribes continuity of operations planning which includes emergency procedures and policies for immediate operations recovery and restoration as well as long-term mitigation of potential services interruption of critical operations (EMC Corporation, 2006). In any kind or emergency, police and emergency services are the most essential. Therefore, the integrity, restoration and recovery of information systems in these branches of government should be the utmost priority. Florida is one of the states that have had to be vigilant regarding these concerns since the 1990's (Mittler, 1995). The Palm Beach Sheriff's Office is no exception to these circumstances. Palm Beach's experience with Hurricane Katrina emphasized not only the need to be prepared for the disasters and the essential role that police and emergency services have to play in recovery (Kam & Gomez, 2005). Restoration and Recovery of Information Systems and Data Breakdowns of information systems and data loss are not limited to the event of disasters. Natural disasters may impact systems extremely and can impair critical functions when they are needed the most but system attacks, hacking and other related crimes that is becoming the most urgent. Restoration of Information System Operations According to the National Security Agency (NSA), through the Information Assurance Directorate (IAD), information assurance refers to procedures designed to safeguard and secure information and information systems against failure, collapse or attacks. Part of this program is the re-establishment of information systems by the development of security, response and resolution competencies into the system (2006). These standards govern feral information systems and have been adopted by industry as well. These measures include providing for restoration of information systems by incorporating protection, detection, and reaction capabilities. Public sector agencies and departments must comply within the prescribed recovery period and point service levels depending on the significance of their operations and information. They have to take into account considerable quantities of paper and electronic data, data storage distribution, necessity for nonstop operations and high data security and integrity measures (EMC Corporation, 2006) Recovery of Data Data backup and replication are the underlying concern in restoration and recovery. The primary factors considered are cost, management, reliability and security Effective back up strategies limit the need to reinstall programs and regenerate data in the events of data loss. However, data loss over a long period of time either by malicious acts or because of inadequate systems is more difficult to salvage and may go unnoticed (Ginty, 2005).

MGT 3250 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

MGT 3250 - Essay Example She told me that the company has one person dedicated to human resource who also performs the accounting duties of the firm. The HR representative cares a lot about the employees. He has weekly meetings with the staff to discuss any problems the employees might be facing. During the meeting the weekly schedule is created by the HR representative. If any employees need a change in schedule or a day off they must notify it to the HR representative during the meeting. The opinion of Don regarding the HR department was different. He said that in his company the HR department is a waste of money. According to Don they did not do anything to benefit the company. He once went to the HR department to discuss a family problem, and instead of getting help from them the HR people did not take his request seriously and they did not let Don take two days off to accompany his wife to another state hospital for an operation. The HR resource function is very important in all business organizations. The human resource department performs critical functions including recruiting employees, training and development, employee evaluations, scheduling, conflict management, protecting the rights of the workers, and improving the organizational culture (Youngmanager). The HR department can help develop the human capital of a firm. Companies that have ineffective human resource departments will not perform as well as firms that effectively use the HR function to obtain a competitive advantage. HR policies free managers from having to make decisions in areas which they have less competence or on matters with which they do not wish to become involved (Ivancevich). Personally I am interested in the recruiting aspect of human resources. The reason this topic is interesting to me is because recruiting is a critical function that can help a company attract talented employees that can make a difference in the performance of the company. If I worked in human resources I

The Disaster at New Orleans Essay Example for Free

The Disaster at New Orleans Essay The city of New Orleans is one of the most culturally diverse urban centers in North America. It was founded in southeastern Louisiana on the banks of the Mississippi River some 180 km away from the Gulf of Mexico. It was built in 1718 on the east bank of the river and south of Lake Pontchartrain. The city was named for Philippe II, Duc d’Orleans, the regent of France during the era of Louis XV. It soon became one of the most active commercial port centers of the country. Its diverse culture later turned it into an international tourist destination (Hass, 2006). Unfortunately, New Orleans was built on a strip of land on the Mississippi Delta that experiences constant sinking of the land. This coupled with rising seas presents a great danger to the city. Floods and storm surges are the most feared natural disasters that could occur. To prevent this, Billions of dollars worth of levees, sea walls, pumping systems and satellite hurricane tracking have been set in place to allow for the protection of the residents of New Orleans. However, it seems, the problem of New Orleans became even bigger with these remedies (McQuaid and Schleifstein, 2002). In 2002, New Orleans Times-Picayune released a five-part report on what could possibly happen if a major hurricane reached the city. As the world would see in 2005, all the speculations and predictions of this report became painfully true. The situation back then up to 2005 grew only worse. New Orleans was already 3 feet below sea level a century ago. This means the effect of storms is amplified against the city. Furthermore, coastal erosion of barrier islands and destruction of the marshes present a big threat because hurricane winds and flooding could go inland undeterred. The city is surrounded by water and has areas that are below sea level. The levee system built to protect the city made the city a huge bowl ready to receive water that reaches past the levee but unable to drain it somewhere else. The levees also prevent the continued growth of the delta through silt build-up coming from up the river. Huge structures built on the strip of land contributed to the sinking of the land (McQuaid and Schleifstein, 2002). Models way back in 2002 of the possible scenarios if a hurricane did hit the city were already grim at best. Most of the city would be underwater and the levee system that was built to protect New Orleans would be its own undoing. These pushed scientists to try to find ways to avert disaster. One proposed solution was to build a flood wall of up to 30 feet high bisecting New Orleans and Jefferson Parish to create a community haven on the river side of the wall where they could retreat and also protect buildings from invasion of floodwaters from the lake. In 2002, government agencies and other leaders supposedly mobilized themselves to try and address the rising risk from hurricane strikes. The Federal Emergency Management Agency prepared new responses to the flooding of the New Orleans bowl. Some of the findings were that the levees be raised and lost marshes and barrier islands be rebuilt but the efforts would have been worth at least $14 billion (McQuaid and Schleifstein, 2002). In August of 2005, the feared category 5 hurricane finally came. Hurricane Katrina began as a category 1 hurricane in August 25 when it passed southern Florida. It moved west on August 26 to straight to Louisiana. The warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico strengthened it turning it into a category 5 hurricane by early Sunday, August 28. The National Hurricane Center had predicted the second landfall for August 29. By then, around a million people had already been evacuated from the affected areas of southeast Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin had already ordered mandatory evacuation of the city on August 28. However, 100,000 of the 469,000 citizens of New Orleans did not leave either because they were too poor or were too sure that they would not be affected by the impending disaster (Drew, 2006). Katrina suddenly weakened to a category 3 storm just before making landfall and shifting a bit thus sparing New Orleans from the strongest winds. However, the disaster that had long been predicated came still came to pass. Tidal surges of six to eight m or 20 to 25 ft came in from the gulf and destroyed the 18-m or 11 mi long earthen levee system that protected St. Bernard Parish. The tide also surged further inland into the Industrial Canal destroying the concrete floodwalls and making large breaches that flooded one of the poorest neighborhoods, Lower Ninth Ward, by up to four m or 12 ft of water. The strong winds also pushed water from Lake Pontchartrain back up the drainage canals north of the city. Although the city was spared from the worst doomsday scenario predicted, damage that had long been predicated came to pass (Drew, 2006). As New Orleans found out later, the worst was yet to come. After the storm, only eastern sections of the city were flooded and the most obvious damage was to the glass panels of high rise buildings and rips on the skin of the roof of the Louisiana Superdome which also was used as the main evacuation center of the city. After the storm, floodwaters from Lake Pontchartrain poured through huge breaches in the walls of the 17th street and London Avenue drainage canals which were supposed to carry out rainwater from the city. These drainage canals, instead, brought more of the water into the dry center of the city (Drew, 2006). The wealthy and middle-class neighborhoods in the northern side of the city were flooded with the waters of Lake Pontchartrain by nightfall of August 29. Emergency communications that were supposed to be used for rescue and relief operations came down and looting became widespread across the city. The Superdome, that lost power during the storm, was surrounded by flood waters, trapping 25,000 evacuees in a dank sweatbox reaching temperatures of up to 100oF or 38oC by morning of August 30. Although the flood waters did not affect the historical French Quarter of the city, by evening of August 30, the city’s residential areas were inundated with 200,000 homes damaged 50,000 of which were severely damaged. The scenario developing was grim and terrible but much of it was predicted before the actual event. Corpses were trapped inside flooded homes but some floated out the water-filled streets. Thousands were stranded on the interstate, the only evacuation point for New Orleans residents, without food or water (Drew, 2006). Perhaps the most frustrating part of the experience was that the decision-makers were apparently unable to handle the situation properly. As in all disasters, when city and state officials become outmatched and overwhelmed, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) must step in to address the problems. It was obvious that despite the early predictions given by scientists, the city did not have evacuation protocol for the 100,000 people who did not have cars and the preparation of the shelter that could hold the people for a day or two. The buses that could have been used for the evacuation should have been staged at the Superdome but were trapped in flooded garages. The police force that was supposed to respond after the storm was trimmed to only 249 instead of 1,600 further delaying the rescue operations (Drew, 2006). The decision-making structure included the mayor of New Orleans, the governor of Louisiana and the head of FEMA and its ground commander. As was later seen, the structure was ineffective in delivering aid to the city and only resulted in bickering among the many officials. This led to more damage to life and property and made the situation even worse. The governor took two days to commandeer buses around the state to evacuate the city. FEMA did not even begin calling in other buses until two days after the storm. One third of the Louisiana National Guard was apparently in Iraq and it was not until September 1 and 2 that help from the Guard troops from other states came. Though FEMA and the Guard provided food and water to trapped evacuees at the Superdome, the 20,000 people inside the New Orleans Convention Center were given very little aid (Drew, 2006). He flooded areas of the city became infested with molds and water became murky from oily sludge and other chemicals. Months after the storm, only less than 100,000 people returned to New Orleans. Many did not leave the metropolitan areas of much safer cities where they decided to find new jobs and start new lives. All this made Hurricane Katrina the costliest natural disaster in American history and the third deadliest. The cost was estimated at around $125 billion and rebuilding of the levee systems to handle category 5 storms was estimated at $30 billion and would take up to five years (Drew, 2006). More than the hurricane itself that was inevitable, the decision-making structure was extremely flawed. FEMA was unprepared to handle the situation and differences between the state and city officials aggravated the situation. This obviously had huge effects on the private sector especially in New Orleans were everyone found themselves as victims and evacuees. Damage to the city was unprecedented and extensive and resident population declined drastically. The private sector except tourism was inevitably affected by the disaster. Some of the most important lessons include the fact that the levee system must be reexamined to become more effective in its function of preventing flooding inside the city. Decision-making must become more efficient and coordinated among city, state and federal officials to provide quick response to any disaster. It was a disaster made by both natural and man-made causes. It is imperative that the man-made part be solved before the next big hurricane hits the city. Bibliography Drew, Christopher. Hurricane Katrina Disaster. Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2007 [DVD]. Redmond, WA: Microsoft Corporation, 2006. Haas, Edward. New Orleans. Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2007 [DVD]. Redmond, WA: Microsoft Corporation, 2006. Katrina Timeline (n. d. ) Retrieved 7 June 2007 from http://thinkprogress. org/katrina-timeline. McQuaid, J. and M. Schleifstein. (2002). Special Report: Washing Away. Retrieved 7 June 2007 from http://www. nola. com/hurricane/indexQS. ssf? /washingaway/index. html.