This House believes dumbing down Essay Example for Free

This House believes dumbing pass EssayIs harming children. It is my belief that video recording has overstepped its boundaries. It is my belief that children argon becoming desensitised towards violence. It is my belief that this is to stop. What if I was to tell you that there argon, today, half as many art programmes as there were in 1992? What if I was to tell you that current affairs programmes have locomote by more than a third? The truth is that all television receiver executives want to do is make money, they do not want to provide a service, and they do not want to make the world a better place. And the reason that these programmes do not make money is the change of our childrens cultures.They no long-life want to watch a programme that is educational they would rather watch meaningless rubbish that caters for the intellectually challenged. I know this because I am chargeable of it. I would much rather watch the ninth series of friends than watch the news, and I wo uld much rather watch the Simpsons than watch an art programme. permit me make divulge to you a period. In this time period television is useful shows provide a public service whilst still maintaining good ratings. In this time television has a purpose, which it lacks in this modern time. This time was when television was first produced.Its maker intended it to inform the masses about day-to-day events and problems, but this ideal has spiralled out of control. Your children argon becoming desensitised, not only to sex, regularly displayed before the watershed, but to violence as well. Children growing up will become novel men, and these young men will copy what theyve seen on television. You all know what impressionable young children are capable of. It has happened recently a trio of gangsters, barely twenty, gunned down two innocent girls at a New Year party as a result of gang warfare.These people have to get their ideals somewhere, and if they are not in a strong family the y will look to other mediums for guidance, like television, like videogames, and they will think the things are idols do are alright. Let me tell you this is not the case Just recently there has been a story running in Coronation Street of a murderer and a drug dealer, and in the final episode two people were graphically murdered with a crowbar And this was at seven thirty, well before the watershed. We are in the year of the couch potato. 78 % of people under sixty in the United Kingdom watch more television than read books.And if this television is of the aforementioned quality then this disturbs me. What about the literary skills that will be wasted? TV Quiz shows such as the weakest link and Who wants to be a millionaire, which value, random factual knowledge over, deeper understanding are creating a generation of vacuous teenagers, according to a leading Headmaster. Dr Giles Mercer, head of Prior park College in Bath believes that unless teenagers are fed a more demanding diet by the media they will become cynical about politics and apathetic about voting.So television is actually harming your children. So think of the children brought up to watch soaps rather than read a good book, which provides entertainment whilst also benefiting the child involved. But as long as we are entertained, right? Wrong television has pushed its limits certainly there have been some events worthy of recognition, but in the main the programmes shown are demolishing our morals, they are making us complacent about the world around us. Not many people could argue Jerry Springer has a commanding impact on our nations youth.If we were to believe everything television told us then we would all be certain that bombing Iraq is the right thing to do. The remaining factual programmes are often biased and do not show the big picture, e. g. what about the refugees, what about the children, are they part of Saddams regime? There are people who believe, as I do, that television could be beneficial for us Tess Alps, deputy chairman of the media agency writes, I believe that the recent dumbing down of programmes and relaxation of censorship is wrong. Television could be successful, and informative but Television chiefs just dont want to see it.

Environmental issues and policies in Madagascar Essay Example for Free

Environmental issues and policies in Mada spoilcar EssayWith the worlds population emergence constantly and with human needs and desires growing pretty fast, we feel like both year there is less and less room for us to die on and it takes more and more effort for us to calmly and amicably share room and resources with our neighbors. In fact, it is too early to speak about international overpopulation, since there are still vast expanses of yet uninhabited land, to say nothing of the ability of humans, with the help of innovative technological facilities, to promptly acclimatize downst sends extreme conditions. However, in many countries (particularly in third-world countries) virtually emigrational tendencies that are closely dictated by economic and social factors, are creating quite a slick picture of our future world, revealing the nearly belike and formidable phenomena we may face in future. Some large cities are experiencing serious problems related to rapidly in creasing inflow of orbitmen who, for various reasons, are forced to leave countryside and look for a better life in cities.Over the past few decades, most economies have been developing in such a way as to provide propitious conditions for rapid urbanization. Industrial development plus numerous rotatory technological breakthroughs that took place in the twentieth century have resulted in the appearance of large factories. The growing demand for paid workforce has attracted country dwellers, confidential information to massed shootal of human resources from rural areas. In terms of personal affluence, the concentration of social and economic activity in the metropolis has made urban milieu more attractive and promising.Although governments of some countries have realized the danger of such economic tilts, most rural lands are still experiencing severe shortage of financial support resulting in persistent skepticism of many throng about life in the countryside. It is to say, t hat it takes a lot of innovative thinking and political impart on the part of a government to balance out the local anesthetic economy, as well as the realization of the fact that harsh mandatory or administrative measures imposed on people to make them stay in rural areas alone will not suffice.It will be not to begin with we manage to create economically healthy and prosperous environment in the village that we shall be able to speak about things in the countryside taking a turn for the better. We have considered the negative of withdrawal of human, financial, industrial and technological resources from the village from the standpoint of rural life. This long-lasting tendency seems to be making it hot for cities too.In many cities, especially in world capitals, unending inflow of immigrants seeking wealthy and prospect, has contributed to rapid and uncontrolled population growth, resulting in tough and fierce rivalry in the sphere of management and acute contradictions between management and hired staff, entailing collisions of interests, imperfect social stratification and environmental deterioration. All this has led to a anatomy of doubtful achievements and hazards, which appear to be making urban center life far less comfortable than it use to be a short while ago. Today, Mexico city is the worlds largest capital, counting about 22 million people.Mexico is a large industrial city, and it appears to be sharing the fate of most industrial centers of the world, exactly coping with the influx of countrymen. The acceptance by the Mexican government of certain trading rules in line with international agreements, a paramount condition of the countrys participation in the WTO, has impacted rural economy, causing a dramatic economic collapse in the agricultural sector, resulting from the imbalance between local prices and those imposed by WTO regulations. This has triggered a untried spate of internal migration from the countryside to the city.Unfortunate ly, problems that the city of Mexico has accumulated by now are not limited to overpopulation. It is not the overpopulation itself that poses most serious difficulties, but also ineffectual measures taken by the city government. To say the least, with the inflow so intensive and so evident, the citys townplanning committal does not seem to be fully taking into account the migration problem, or they simply fail to keep pace with the time. The city infrastructure fails to keep up with the population increase, so people arriving in Mexico take up residence in shabby makeshift homes on the citys outskirts or in slum districts.These districts lack water system and gas supply, sewage, electricity, services, etc. , and there are no advanced waste disposal systems whatsoever. This has resulted in absolutely unfavorable environmental and epidemiologic conditions. Most of garbage and human wastes remain on or close to the surface of the earth, and large parts of it are carried by winds for m iles away and into the city. unofficial dumping may spoil water and cause massed poisonings or outbreaks of infection.This in turn directly affects the quality of the food, increasing the risk of its contamination with harmful substances and bacteria. there is another menacing phenomenon resulting from uncontrolled population growth and topped off by the citys geographic position. Permanent release of carbodyoxide by factories, united with the release of automobile waste gases is putting the city on the brink of suffocation. Statistically, automobile emissions make up about 60% of all emissions, and, considering the increasing vehicle self-possession, there seems to be no way to reduce automobile emissions.The realization that internal combustion is the greatest contributor to the accumulation of emission gases in the melody has prompted automobile designers to equip vehicles with catalytic converters, but today there are too few such cars to make the effect palpable. The city is placed on a plateau fenced off with high mountain ranges. The cold air arriving from behind the mountains forms a cap over the whole valley preventing the warm and stuffed city air from getting away. This lack of natural convection contributes to the accumulation of harmful emissions in the area and may turn the whole place into a gigantic gas van.The continuing economic growth, extensive factory development and ever-growing population in Mexico urban center are aggravating the pollution problem. The accumulation of heavy metals in the air can undermine peoples health and result in serious progressive hereditary diseases, increasing the occurrence of cancer, chronic poisoning, high infant mortality, cardiovascular diseases, allergic reactions, innate orthopedic malformations, poor cognition and many other physical and mental abnormalities.Progressive intake of harmful substances directly affects the nations patrimonial makeup, and it is hardly possible now to precisely forese e all consequences of these destructive influences. Active use of depths of the earth, resulting from ever-bulging demand for minerals and oil has triggered rapid and unpredictable underground processes, resulting in tender aquifers and causing much water to go deeper into the ground, making it less reachable.As long as the city is situated in a seismologically unstable region with an active volcano in its direct proximity, further deterioration of the bed may result in disastrous earthquakes, which, in turn, are likely to wake up the volcano and plunge the whole area into an apocalyptic calamity. Apart from the destruction of the bedrock, destruction of aquifers is fraught with the disappearance of water in some places and appearance of excessive amounts of it in others. This may cause lack of water supply and actual drying out of some areas and lead to unexpected floods elsewhere.The formation of waste spaces in the bed has caused some areas to sink significantly over the past f ew decades, which increases the possibility of flooding. At the same time, the emptying of the aquifers due to extraneous inlet of water by the growing city has led to a dramatic reduction of natural water resources, threatening to leave the whole city without water in the foreseeable future. According to last estimates, every second the city of Mexico takes 7,250 gallons of water, which amounts to an Olympic-size swimming pool per minute.With the consumption of water so intensive, there is a sculpt possibility that the amount of water remaining in the aquifers will be insufficient. Needless to say, this is much more serious a threat that inability to give way a car or a TV. In some areas, shortage of water is already tangible, and it has resulted in social upheavals. Changes in bedrock structure and the progressive subsidence of the ground can also result in the destruction of sewer and drainage systems, increasing the risk of contaminating fresh water and consequently threaten ing to impair its quality.As we can see, all the aforementioned threats arise from one major phenomenon overpopulation. Needless to say, increasingly intensive use of water and resources is due to population growth and human thirst for relative prosperity and every individuals desire to occupy his or her niche in the prospering economy. However, this brief outline of most significant problems and dilemmas shows that if we continue to use natural resources in the current fashion, the place we live in will soon befit absolutely un habitable.In this respect, the city of Mexico can be presented as a small replica of our entire planet, which, with the same tendencies and phenomena persisting, will soon be confronted with same problems. There is less and less room for industrial and vehicle emission gases and, like it is with the aquifers under Mexico city, the increasing encroachment upon minerals and oil resources is affecting the earths bedrock, creating pre-conditions for unpredi ctable and destructive earthquakes and massive destruction.With the situation so serious and menacing tendencies so evident, many governmental authorities of Mexico City, as well as express authorities express their concern about the countrys future and come up with lots of ideas, which are likely to prove helpful and useful in overcoming these negative tendencies. Whichever idea is the best, just one thing is evident today, and this is the necessity to create positive incentives and favorable conditions for people to live and work in the countryside in order to stem the growth of city population.As air quality issue appears to be the most evident one, the city government has unquestionable a number of solutions aimed at reduction of industrial and vehicle releases into the atmosphere. By incorporating advanced technological systems and usage of higher quality fuel, it is possible to significantly reform air quality. Recently, a state-of-the-art air quality monitoring system ha s been implemented, so government officials and specialists have obtained control over air quality. Now every vehicle is required to feature advanced converting devices that are capable to cut down the release of toxic substances.In November 1989, the city Government introduced the so called No Driving Day (NDD), when car owners are supposed not to use their vehicles on certain days. The results of this innovation were a considerable reduction of traffic over-crowding and gasoline use. The use of refined types of fuel and the installation of waste gas purification and vapor recovery equipment are innovative measures regulated by the receptive Air Act Amendments of 1990. Hypothetically, these measures can be instrumental in reducing the amount of vehicle-related chemicals in the air and thus improve air quality.However, these ideas, though effective theoretically, have proven less feasible in reality. As a rule, advanced technological solutions are something than few people can affo rd, and most people find it less expensive to bribe authorized inspection employees and use old vehicles than purchasing new automobiles or applying expensive technologies. Not infrequently, the cost of implementing new equipment exceeds the size of fines by far, so people prefer to pay fines rather than spend money on equipment.For this reason, the results of the latest innovations have turned out to be less tangible than expected. The NDD policy has also revealed a number of unexpected actions on peoples side. Instead of increased usage of public transportation, Mexico City dwellers found a way around it by purchasing more vehicles in order to have a reserve automobile to be used on No Driving Days. Actually, this nullified the immediate positive tendencies that showed during initial stages of the NDD policy. Other attempts to limit air pollution include increased vehicle ownership taxation and boosting the price of fuels.The advocates of these measures believed that this would di scourage people from using cars and thus reduce the impact on the environment. All these measures have proven less effective than expected, since most Mexico residents simply cannot afford new vehicles, to which the new regulations actually spread, and prefer to use old vehicles without having to purchase new equipment. Now, having discussed a few measures that have been taken over the last several years in an attempt to solve the ecological problem, we can see that they are not always applicable or effective.As there is just one major problem that all these issues stem from the overpopulation all efforts to change things for the better must be concentrated on declaration overpopulation problem. Although mandatory measures, such as inspections, bans, taxation and can have a temporary effect, there is no way to achieve significant improvement in air and water quality but by using wise economical and political instruments. Once again, in order to encourage city dwellers to carry o n to rural areas, healthy economic environment must be created in agricultural regions.This is only feasible through establishing price standards acceptable for country dwellers and creating an broad ground for agricultural business. In other words, in order to stop the growth of city population, we have to make the village no less livable than the city. Unfortunately, very little is being done to improve life in the country, since it would take a decision by the Mexican government to unilaterally withdraw from the WTO, which can entail a conflict with the USA, the founder of the WTO.Today, the Mexican government still prefers to use doubtful methods of forcing the poor to leave the city by vulturine their encampments, as it did in the late 1990s. 1. Phil Hearse. MEXICO CITY Environmental Crisis, Socialist Solutions. Environment and Urbanization, Vil. 11, No 1, 53-78 (1999) 2. Ramiro Tovar Landa, 1995. Mobile Source Pollution in Mexico City and Market-Based Alternatives Publishe d by the Cato Institute. Editorial and business offices are located at 1000 Massachusetts Avenue, N. W. , Washington, D. C. , 20001

Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) Research Validity

Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) Research inclemencyInternal, External and Construct lustinessIntroductionComputer Assisted Instruction (CAI) has been utilized with success in students with or without learning disabilities and it is mainly attributed due to increased time concentrated on reading materials or exercises on the computer. It offers productive practice and time management and is an centerive tool to used as a supplement to providing drills (Williams, Wright, Callaghan, Coughlan, 2002). Some of the advantages that the CAI provides indoors the classroom include one-on-one exercise with minimal supervisory time involving the teacher. In many cases, instant feedback to students allows mistakes to be rectified immediately. Certain programs offer features that monitor speed and accuracy of answers and the regularity of breeding for subject mastery (Wong, 2008).Internal Validity ThreatsIn a research study done by Coleman-Martin, Heller, Cihak, Irvine (2005), a slower acquisition rate score was recorded when a different Windows version (i.e., XP versus Windows 98) was used during one of the test sessions. The variation of the platform caused the PowerPoint slide entry to run slower than the prior sessions that resulted to disrupting its timing and consistency. Computer skills, familiarity with the software programs, and prior knowledge in the question format (i.e., multiple choice) are factors to consider that talent have influence the rate at which the students learned words identification (Coleman-Martin, et al., 2005, p. 90). Similarly, according to research study conducted by Fuchs, L., Fuchs, D., Hamlet, C., Powell, S., Capizzi, A., Seethaler, P. (2006) on the effects of CAI on human activity combination skill in at-risk first graders, their procedures did not take into consideration the keyboarding skills of at-risk first graders and the possibility that errors related to the learners typing skills reduced the effectiveness of the CAI. External Threats to ValidityAccording to Savage, R., Deault, L., Abrami, P., Hipps, G. (2009), one limitation found on their research regarding a randomized maintainled trial study of the ABRACADABRA reading intervention was that students with inferior literacy and associated skills during pretest were more likely not to show up for testing at follow-up. The researchers believed that this is an issue of experimental mortality insinuating that the postponement of posttest outcomes are almost certainly less generalizable to typical lector samples than the more immediate posttest statistics ( Savage, et al., 2009, p. 602).Threats to Construct ValidityBannert (2000) and Van Gog (2005) research study suggested that giving the students control over portions of their instruction allow them to better negotiate the cognitive challenges placed on them as students. They further noted that learner-control participants performed better on a test of transfer than the participants who received no control. Van Gog (2005) hypothesized that over time, improve effect would be visible during training situations along with the capability of the learner to assess and rectify future problematic situations when learners are progressively awarded with more control over their instruction as their skill level intensified. In contrast, Eom and Reiser (2000) revealed that junior high students who were given the opportunity to control their instruction displayed considerably worse performance than those who were not allowed to control their instruction. The same results were reported by several researchers (Farrell and Moore, 2000 and Swaak and de Jong, 2001) who stated that providing students control over their instruction concludes in trivial or insignificant advancement. It whitethorn be a case of poor construct definition where a construct may have been mislabeled or defined at a wrong level either too general or too specific. In this case, it is possible that establishing the t ypes of control given to the students will be a polar factor.Impact of Validity IssuesSeveral validity issues could affect the envisioned research regarding the effectiveness of the type of CAI programs that are currently used as a indemnification tool for at-risk students. One limitation is the inclination for technology difficulties because technology can be unpredictable. In accomplishing particular learning objectives, the learning tool such as the software programs used in conjunction with the CAI should be developmentally appropriate.ReferencesBannert, M. (2002). Managing cognitive load recent trends in cognitive load theory. Learning and Instruction, 12, 139-146. Retrieved February 16, 2010, from EBSCO innkeeper database. Creswell, J. (2009). Research externalize (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA SAGE Publications, Inc. Coleman-Martin, M., Heller, K., Cihak, D., Irvine, K. (2005). Using computer-assisted instruction and the nonverbal reading approach to teach word identific ation. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 20(2), 80-90. Retrieved February 15, 2010, from EBSCO Host database. Cozby, P. (2009). Methods in behavioral research (10th ed.) New York, NY McGraw-Hill, Inc. Eom, W. Reiser, R. (2000). The effects of self-regulation and instructional control on performance and motivation in computer-based instruction. International Journal of Instructional Media, 27(3), 247-260. Retrieved February 16, 2010, from EBSCOHost database. Farrell, I. Moore, D. (2000). The effect of navigation tools on learners achievement and attitude in a hypermedia environment. Journal of educational Technology Systems, 29 (2), 169-181. Retrieved February 16, 2010, from EBSCOHost database. Fuchs, L., Fuchs, D., Hamlet, C., Powell, S., Capizzi, A, Seethaler, P. (2006). The effects of computer-assisted instruction on phone number combination skill in at-risk first graders, 39(5), 467-475. Retrieved February 15, 2010, from EBSCOHost database. Savage, R. , Deault, L., Abrami, P., Hipps, G. (2009). A randomized controlled trial study of the ABRACADABRA reading intervention program in grade 1, Journal of Educational Psychology. 101(3), 590-604. Retrieved February 15, 2010, from EBSCOHost database. Swaak, J. de Jong, T. (2001). Learners vs. system control in using online support for simulation-based discovery learning. Learning Environment Research, 4, 217-241. Retrieved February 16, 2010, from EBSCOHost database. Trochim, W., Donnelly, J. (2008). The research methods knowledge base. Mason, OH Cengage Learning. Van Gog, T. Ericsson, K. Rikers, R., Paas, F. (2005). Instructional design for advanced learners Establishing connections betwixt the theoretical framework of cognitive load and deliberate practice. Educational Technology Research and Design, 53(3), 73-81. Retrieved February 16, 2010, from EBSCOHost database. Williams, C., Wright, B. Callaghan, G., Coughlan, B. (2002). Do children with autism learn to read more readily by computer-assisted instruction or traditional book method? A pilot study. Autism The International Journal of Research and Practice, 6, 71-91.Retrieved February 16, 2010, from EBSCOHost database. Wong, B. (1991). Learning about learning disabilities. New York Academic Press.

Understanding Of The Caste System In India

Understanding Of The Caste System In IndiaThere is a vast literature on Caste establishment in India with a long and diverse background. This chapter aims to review some of the relevant literatures pertaining to the clan system prevailing in India. Different authors might conduct varied perceptions slightly this item topic for discussion.M.N.Srinivas (1962) in his book Caste in new(a) India and Other Essays, highlights the part played by set in democratic processes of modern India in administration and education. The author came across legitimate conflicting attitudes among the people of the elite crime syndicate whereby superstar group wanted legislation to eradicate the social evils pertaining to the club system and on the former(a) hand, there were people who were non only determined not to fight the evil but as well tried to get along this system. In his work he tries to explain the concepts of two social processes namely Sanskritization and Westernization. Sankrit ization is the part of social mobility as well as the idiom in which mobility expresses itself. This is tell to occur within the framework of clan whereas Westernization happens outside the framework of circle. However, Sanskritisation may lead to comp boths becoming unpopular with their neighbours whereby the leaders of upper or dominant set may show their bitterness by even torturing the members of the lower circles. In independent India, the reservations and safeguards granted to the backwards sections especially the Scheduled Caste and Tribes claim helped in the uplift custodyt of the lower clique. He also brings into notice the effects of British rule on the caste system which in a way helped in taking over the power previously exercised by the caste panchayats. A new principle of justice was introduced by the British which said all men are equal before the law, and that the nature of a wrong is not affected by the caste of a person who is committing it, or by the caste of the person against whom it is committed (M.N.Srinivas, 1962). This has not been fully come ined in the rustic areas where caste panchayats are liquid functioning strongly. The author argues that the Varna system has certainly warped the caste but it has enabled ordinary folks to comprehend the caste system by providing them with a simple and candid system that is applicable to all parts of India. To the examination of can castes exists in the India of tomorrow the author opines that only a minority considers caste as an evil to the whole nation and that this minority is gradually gain every day. Moreover in rural areas it is possible to come across urbanized young people who consider caste detrimental to healthy transaction between people. He concludes by construction that nothing else but the people themselves must understand that caste necessarily means casteism and that benefits it offers are bought at a heavy price for the country as a whole.Taya.Zinkin (1962) in her bo ok Caste Today describes the caste system in India. She considers its introduction, the way it works, what democracy is doing to caste and vice versa. In her work she states that caste is not class and that every caste has educated and uneducated, rich and poor, well born and ordinary born. The author also says that caste is not dependent on colour because a Brahmin will not stop being a Brahmin if he is cruddy skinned nor does an untouchable stop being single if he is fair skinned. She also argues that caste is not based on occupation, however various opposite literatures may not completely agree to what this author states. According to her caste is a way of lifespan which divides hostel into small groups, each of which lives in a rather different way from the rest. Due to these differences, tiny groups and important thoughts of life like marriage take place within them, these groups wipe out immense learn of power and thus a better survival. Before she goes into the detai ls of castes, sub- castes and untouchability she tries to explain the concept of re- incarnation. It is said that the whole system is based upon a combination of side fixed by birth and rebirth. This means that a persons birth in the existing life depends on the consequences of his deeds done in past life i.e. if one performs his duties well complying with what he is supposed to do then he may be reborn in a better situation or not be reborn at all. Marriage customs vary with castes and sub-castes. Untouchables usually make late marriages unlike the Brahmins who make early arranged child marriages. Finally Tan Zinkin(1962) talks nigh the beginnings of the breakdown and the loss of belief of the Hindu society. Change of attitudes among the castes and sub-castes were witnessed. More recently, loss of belief has been the result, of the spread of education to the rural areas. With education came an arousing of new expectations, which through much of the Indian peninsula produced a ne w non-Brahmanical leadership, a leadership which was not only non- Brahmin but positively anti -Brahmin (Tan Zinkin, 1962.pp38).Tan Zinkin has been pretty much argumentative on the concept of caste. She strongly says what caste in not rather than what caste is. The theory about re incarnation has helped me to know more about the birth and rebirth cycle with regard to the caste system.Marc Galanter (1963.pp 544-559) in his oblige Law and Caste in Modern India focuses on caste and laws pertaining to it during the British rule in India. He describes the way in which the legal rules and regulations affect the caste as an institution. The legal view of caste is explained under three headings namely personal law, caste familiarity and precedence and disabilities. First being legal rights and obligations of a person which is determined by the individualism of the caste group to which he belongs. During the British period caste was little used for the occurrence of legal regulation and m oreover all castes irrespective of their ranks had to follow the same rights and duties. However caste customs varied when it came to law of succession, law of adoption and law of marriage. Marriages between different castes or varnas were not allowed. Caste autonomy conferred some right to the caste groups to enforce certain rules which were not disturbed by the government. Precedence and disabilities dealt with the legal interventions with regard to the relations between castes. Courts imposed certain rules such as restriction on the entry of a particular caste into temples. This shows that even though the British did help in reducing the caste discrimination, on the other hand they ended up aggravating it to a certain extent. The author also talks about the independent India where the higher castes have lost their dominance over legal matters and moreover the lower ahs castes have acquired certain government benefits regarding equality and other preferential treatments. Marc Gala nter (1963) concludes this essay by saying that British period may be considered as a period ofSanskritzation in legal notion of caste. (1963.pp559)Caste- based oppression in India lives today in an environment seemingly hostile to its presence a nation-state that has long been labelled the worlds Largest democracy, a progressive and protective constitution a system of laws designed to interdict and punish acts of a discrimination on the basis of caste broad- based programmes of affirmative action that include constitutionally mandated reservations or quotas for Dalits or so- called Untouchables and a war-ridden economic liberalization campaign to fuel Indias economic growth. Says Smitha Narula(2008) in her article Equal by Law, Unequal by Caste The Untouchable Condition in Critical Race Perspective. The author talks about the caste system and the discrimination attached to it and the inequality witnessed in India today focusing on the caste and gender- based discrimination and it s impact on the Dalits of India.Dr.Santosh Singh Anant(1972) in his work The Changing Concept of Caste in India enumerates the psychological aspects of caste, inter- caste relations and of untouchability. He comments on the theory of status consistency and it is defined as the extent to which an individuals rank positions on a given hierarchies are at a comparable take aim (Rush, 1967). A Brahmin working as peon in an office and an untouchable or anyone from the lower caste working as a ranking(prenominal) officer would be an apt example for status inconsistency. This is however happening due to the spread of education. He brings in one of the several views about the origin of caste system which dates back to 1500 B.C with the advent of Aryans from Central Asia. According to Nehru (1960) The Dravdians were the conquered race and Aryans the conquerors. Since the Dravidians were advanced in their civilization, Aryans considered them to be a potential threat to them. This is consider ed to be one of reasons why Aryans tried to push the Dravidians to an inferior position and thus created the theory of four- Varnas or the caste system. The author also points out that socio-economic factors such as education, industrialization, and increase in mobility have abated the rate of discrimination of caste system.Sree Narayana Guru the Ascetic Who Changed the Lunatic Asylum into Gods Own Country is a biography written by Murkot Ramunny about a saint who lived in Kerala state in the Southern part of India. Narayana Guru was a philosopher as well as reformer who immensely contributed to the upliftment of lower castes in Kerala. He helped in bringing about freedom of prayer and education to millions of under privileged in Kerala. It is due to his selfless service to the society that Kerala has bring home the bacon 100 percent literacy rate compared to other states in India. The author in his article informs us that, even the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi paid him a v isit and took earnestness from Guru for the social Upliftment of the lower casts or Harijans (Untouchables). One caste one religion one god for man was his motto. It is years since I left caste and religion. even out then some people are working on presumption that I belong to their community. As a result, a wrong impression has been created in the minds of the people. I do not belong to any caste or religion. In outrank that only people who do not belong to any caste or religion should succeed me (Narayana Guru, 1091). This piece of literature has helped me in this dissertation to know more about the caste system prevalent in the state of Kerala.According to Harsh Mandir, in his article Burning Baskets of Shame (2010 August 9.pp3), he illustrates a real incident of manual scavenging which had happened in India fit of years back. The statistics shown by him in this article concerning the number of people doing manual scavenging was about 6.4 lacs according to the Planning Commis sion in 1995. He describes about a campaign named Safai Karmchari Andolan (SKA) which was started as a non-violent mass resistance to end this hideous make of Manual Scavenging. This campaign was started by an individual who himself was born into a scavenging family who witnessed this abhorring practice from his childhood. As reported by Harsh Mandir in this article SKA is the first movement to end Untouchability in India. But it should be right to say that this was one of the many movements which had taken place in different part of India during different period.In the article The Indian Caste System by Madhudvisa Dasa (August 9, 2010) he tries to explain the caste system in relation to what has been written in the ancient scriptures. He quotes certain ideas from the Holy Book of Hindus, The Bhagavad Gita. The author sheds some light on theVedas, which says that the Varnas or castes are not differentiated on the basis of birth but my mere qualification (Guna) and work (karma). He assumes that the present caste system has degenerated to the extent that people consider men born in Brahmin families as a Brahmin even if he does not exhibit the qualities of a Brahmin. The author agrees to the fact that one takes rebirth according to his past deeds or karma but at the same time he says that in order to become a Brahmin adequate training is required and that it is not conferred automatically by birth as seen in the present generation.Indias hidden apartheid (UNESCO Courier, 2001.pp27-29) an article written by Gopal Guru and Shiraz Sidhva criticizes the abhorrent caste system in India. The article opens with a note which says Indias ancient caste system persists, subjecting millions to degrading poverty and homo rights abuses. Attitudes die hard, despite government legislations to usher in change. They comment on the caste system as a means of deployment by the upper caste to suppress the lower caste and thus attain a monopoly over the wealth, knowledge, power and education. The extent of discrimination was immense that these so called untouchables were forced to use drums in order to announce their arrival so that the upper caste is not polluted even by their shadow falling on them. This article informs us that the term untouchables was abolished in 1950 under the constitution of India but there still exists a glimpse of discrimination against them. India has however tried to reduce the discrimination by reserving quotas and reservations for the lower castes in education and for government jobs.Caste in doubt The Indian Census and Caste (2010.June 12, pp46), an article which had been recently published in The economist has details about the reservations and quotas being introduced for the lower castes. This article also brings into notice the issue relating to the inclusion of caste system in the census which is to be state in the ten yearly plan in 2011. However this had been faced with criticisms because since 1931 India has not counted caste in the census. Moreover it is impossible for it be included in the census because Indias caste system has not only the four Varnas but also various other sub-castes which may not be evidently recognized by the authorities. In spite of certain obstacles, the economic growth of the country has contributed to the lessening of discrimination on the basis of caste because a number of individuals have moved from the rigid social surroundings to the urban towns and cities in search of jobs where family background is irrelevant. Many Indians are becoming caste- blind and marrying across caste lines. Anidhrudda, a 20 year old software engineer in Calcutta, says his inter-caste marriage was no big deal. But even he concedes that there are limits. If he had married a dalit, he says, my family would not have been able to face the society (The Economist, 2010.pp46).Leaders Untouchables and Unthinkable Indian Business (The Economist.2007.pp17) is an article which highlights the point that says that Indian business does not discriminate against the Untouchables or lower castes. Moreover, it condemns the practice of reservation in private sector because it would damage the whole business system. Responsibility for lower castes want of advancement does not lie with the private sector. There is no evidence that companies discriminate against them. The real culprit is government and the rotten educational system it has created (The Economist.2007.pp17).It is not possible to have reservations in Business like they have it educational systems. This article says that as people get richer their concern about the caste fades. immediately middle class Indian families are to be seen marrying outside their caste than the rural poor and less likely to wrinkle their nose at a Dalit.Harold A. Gould in his work The Adaptive Functions of Caste in Contemporary India (1963.pg427) informs us that caste has not fully disappeared even with the advent of modern technology and other socia l structural changes. His research found out that in rural areas, the existence of caste in the form of ritual purity, occupation, and system of hierarchy still exists in its own way. In contemporary India, however caste system has not disappeared completely but has declined in the urban areas among the educated middle class families.From the above review of Literature and from various other reliable sources it can be understood that it is not possible to witness an India without a small aspect of Caste system. This is because it has been deeply rooted in the minds of Indians since ages and it still continues in certain spheres of their life. Caste system has been a topic of great interest to the Westerners as it fascinates them about the two ideologies- of caste system being important and not being important, existing within the same country and people. Recent articles from The Economist which are mentioned above, primarily talks about the reservations and quotas based on caste rat her than discriminating against them on the basis of ritual purity and occupation. However it is not completely true(p) to say that caste system has vanished from the Indian society. Educated Indians know that caste exists, but they are unclear and troubled about what it means for them as members of the society that is a part of the modern world. No one can say that it is easy to give a clear and consistent account of the meaning and substance of caste in India today (Fuller.C.J, 1996.Caste Today.pp153)

An overview of Electronic Commerce

An overview of Electronic Commerce

Essay on Homers Odyssey - Comparing Odysseus and Telemachus :: comparison compare contrast essays

The Parallel between Odysseus and Telemachos in Odyssey In Odyssey, Homer creates a parallel between Odysseus and Telemachos, father and son. The two are compared in the poem from every(prenominal) aspect. One parallel was the quest of Telemachos, in correlation with the journey of his father. In this, Odysseus is developed from a childish, passive, and untested boy, to a young man preparing to stand by his fathers side. This is directly connected to the voyage of Odysseus, in that they both lead to the same finale, and are both stepping-stones towards wisdom, manhood, and scholarship. Through these voyages certain parallels are drawn concerning Odysseus and Telemachos the physical journeys, the psychic preparations they consent produced, and the resulting change in emotional makeup. These play an immense role in the way the story is set up, due to the purpose of each characters journey, their private challenges, and the difficulties that surround them. As Homer makes it ap parent, there are other underlying themes embedded in the story that would just confuse the reader if they were not there. An slip of this is the emotional aspects of both characters. If one does not understand this key element, their is no way that the sequence of events would cohere. Why didnt Telemachos look for his father earlier? Why did genus Penelope wait twenty years to consider remarrying? How did this affect Odysseus in his journey?. These are questions that would go unanswered unless the reader reaches within the emotions of the character. In the case of Telemachos, his emotions do his well being. For example, had it not been for Athene giving him confidence, by no means would he ever have thought of taking such a voyage, hence, Telemachos would have never participated in his final test against the suitors either. His sorrow and anger from the loss of his father and his mother constantly being attacked and proposed to by piranha-like suitors were also driving forces t owards his journey. around of these are brought out in different situations, both positive and negative, such as Menaleuss touch on of his father, which caused a sudden out-burst of tears, and the proud and accomplished feeling he received from leaving Sparta.. Odysseuss situation was only slightly different. He, like Telemachos had his worries about family-life, and his kingdom at stake, but also had concerns about his wife, possibly triggered by the mention of Agamemnons by Proteus, who was killed by the hands of his own wife.

The Talented Freak Essay -- Music, Lady Gaga, Sex

The music industry has taken a wrong turn, and it affects our new generation music videos becoming more a wish(p) pornographic trailers causing men and women to objectify each other as a sex object. According to Camille Paglia (lecturer, educator, and feminist) in Lady groundless and The Death of Sex, Hollywood discovered that sex was great box office (2). Because sex sells, it is a market technique used by record companies to sell more record. So does sex usage really empower women? In Paglias article, Madonna I Animality and Artifice, she claims that dominatrix (used by Madonna) empowers women, and it should be praised by all female musicians (89). I agree to Paglias claim that sexuality sometimes empower rather than exploit women to act sluttish however, in music, I believe the line amongst a woman using sexuality and promoting herself as an object is unnoticed because it changes depend on who dominate. When male musicians dominate a certain type of genre (hip-hop), many new m usicians (women included) degrade women to startle their career because sex sell. For instance, before Nicki Minaj gets famous, she started her career by degrading women in her mix tape, Sucka Free, cover picture because virtually people think hip-hop is only male profession, and it has little respect for women because mostly men listen to hip-hop. And so for female rappers to get the attention from those men, she has to jumpstart her career by using her sex appeal image. In addition to her degrading cover pose, that might caused young women in our society to accept it as a norm, she was criticized by many because that posture was not only inappropriate, but it was copied from Lil Kim. In fact, it was the same pose Lil Kim uses on one of her older cover... ...a blame Gaga for killing sex. Personally, I think Paglia argument that blames Gaga for not being sexy did not explain enough about Gaga who know how to add piano, write music, sing great live, dance, and make fashion (Needh am 2). It mostly comparison to her long-term crush (Needham 2) Madonna who is, as Paglia stated, the future of feminism (Madonna I Animality and Artifice 90) now seems marooned in the past (Needham 2). Overall Gaga is empowering everyone respect each other and love themselves, unlike Rihanna who exploiting women to be a slave for men. I believe Rihanna not only degrading women but also exploiting kids by sing to them inappropriate song for their age. Regardless if number of musicians like Rihanna increase, I think Gaga will accomplish far more success than musicians who choose to follow rather than lead.