7 Tips to Learn New Skills Fast

7 Tips to Learn New Skills Fast Everybody has their own reasons to learn new skills. Some need them for work, some because of the changes, caused by various life events, some choose to do it just because its fun. Wherever your motivation lies, mastering a new skill in a quicker and more efficient way will certainly benefit you. Weve collected 7 tips to help you do this. Pick the one to your liking or try combining all of them! Stare Steal In the vast majority of cases learning a new skill is not a matter of being naturally gifted. Its rather a combination of perseverance and practice. The research suggests, that to get started on this way you are to do two highly important things: stare at people doing something you want to learn and dont hesitate to use your observations in practice. Go to master classes, recitals or tournaments and turn them into a study session from an entertaining activity. Staring means close examining of what helps a person do something proficiently. Stealing is using these little details in your own activities. For instance, if you aim at learning how to play the piano – watch the moves of the musician and do your very best to notice special tilt of the wrist and the way they touch those ivories. And when you go back home, mimic the manners. This principle applies to lots of spheres of activities. Take it and use it. Deconstruct Learning a new skill gets far more manageable when you dissect it into several constituents. A functional model of doing this in an effective way was suggested by Tim Ferris, an expert on learning issues. He has come up with DiSSS system: Deconstruction, Selection, Sequencing and Stakes. So, first you have to break down the skill into small bricks. Then you choose the way of applying 20% of effort, thats going to bring 80% result. Next, you are to think of the best order to learn the blocks of the skill. Last but not least, you need to come up with a system of praise and punishment, thats going to motivate you to actually go all the way through. Lets say your goal is learning how to play the guitar. To begin, you need to learn a set of chords, necessary to play a couple of your favorite songs. Having looked through the list, you may range them from the easiest to the most complicated ones. Then, start practicing, gradually increasing the difficulty level. Dont stop until youve come to the first evident result. Once youre there – throw a little party and perform for your guests. If youre not – dont go out until you reach the needed result. See? DiSSS in action! Dont Be Afraid to Be Stupid Thats one of the most common fears. Dont let it stand in the way of your learning new, amazing things. Ask questions and make mistakes – thats a sure recipe of getting not theoretical knowledge, but hands-on experience, which is a much shorter way to succeeding in a new area. Dont hesitate to take risks and make scary decisions. Going the safe, correct way may deprive you of the opportunity to engage into an interesting journey, that will actually be far more beneficial in the end. Who knows, maybe the stupid question you ask on the forum will lead to unexpected fascinating circumstances? Maybe the way you cook that meal is even better than the original recipe? Be a daring explorer and have fun with it. â€Å"No† to Routine The study has shown, that changing the way of practice is more advantageous than mere repetition of the action. The participants were asked to attend several training sessions, aimed at teaching them to move a cursor with the help of a device, that responded to squeezing. Representatives of one group were asked to perform different exercises during the sessions, while people from the other one stuck to a single exercise pattern. In the end, participants from the first batch showed better results, having demonstrated higher level of ability to adjust to new conditions as well as better overall performance. Although the research concentrated on motor skills, the approach is applicable to other ones just as well. For example, when you learn a new language, you may either simply repeat and revise new words or use them in different constructions or word games. In fact, youll see the benefits of the second method quite soon. Dont Make Things Difficult Thats simply a matter of common sense. The best practices of learning the skill youve chosen have probably already been established. So dont reinvent the wheel. Watch a couple of YouTube tutorials or go through articles, devoted to the topic. It never hurts to use others experience. Once you learn the basics, youll get a chance to create your own routes. Be a Doer, Not Just a Learner Going through theoretical basis is definitely a good start. However, if youve decided that to learn the skill you need to read 10 classic books, devoted to the topic, you are most probably wrong. If you dont see the first result of your practice soon, youre very likely to lose all the interest. Dont let this happen. So, if you want to learn how to cook, for example, get down to business as soon as possible. You may seek inspiration from different sources later. However, at the starting point you need to be as down-to-earth as possible. Cook that salad and youll get to the bouillabaisse faster. Discomfort Is a Friend People love being comfortable. Nevertheless, relaxation is not good if you want to master a new ability quickly. Your brain feels that the environment is safe and warm, thus, you shouldnt try any harder. Thats why putting yourself in rather tough conditions is actually good. The best-performing schools and training facilities often look pretty basic and definitely are far from luxury. So, dont get too comfy and try to avoid distractions. This technique will facilitate learning, enhance your performance and make you even happier, when you praise yourself with a little something, having made progress. Learning is an adventure, where the prizes are guaranteed, in case you pay enough effort and diligence. Have an awesome one!

Anne Bradstreets Poem

William Bradfords Biblical Themes/Anne Bradstreets Poem William Bradford's Biblical Themes/Anne Bradstreet's Poem Contemplation – Coursework Example William Bradford is one of the leading colonials in USA. He was a man encompassed with wisdom and spirit and dedicated all his activities in God. In reference with the history of Plymouth Colony, he is a man of quality leadership. Just like the patriarch in the Old Testament who were summoned by God, Bradford recorded People’s calling as a result of his wonders. However, they knew that they knew that they were pilgrims. His role in this place was to gather people, while giving them oral advice and courage. The author compares the situation with the occurrence during the Exodus. This was the time when the children of Israel were moving to the promised land of Canaan. From the readings, we can depict that Branford was smart in different ways; this is from his capability to write in Hebrew after living 12 years in Poland. From the above, it is evident that there are similarities between the themes in the writings and the bible (Bradford 23).Anne’s writings depict different themes, as they revolve around chronicles and discourses. These were elements which were agreeable in that period. In reference with the contemplations by Anne, we learn that they were poems arresting integrity. There is also some emphasis of generosity spirit and wisdom in the contemplation. This is because she had the mentioned virtuals, as well as lived in a life style encompassed with simplicity. It is evident from the contemplations, that the nature of her poems is highly effective and lyrical. The last stanza of the Contemplations drew my attention, as it illustrates the real meaning of technical skills. She also inspires me through her principal stern principals in the contribution to the success of poetry of the 1st generation of New Englanders (Bradstreet).Works citedBradford, William. Of Plymouth Plantation. USA: The Vision Forum, Inc., 2005. Bradstreet, Anne. Contemplations. Available at: poetryfoundation.org/poem/172955

Describe elements of power and quote work from Weber, Bachrach & Essay

Describe elements of power and quote work from Weber, Bachrach & Baratz & Lukes - Essay Example Power and control are two concepts highly analysed by theorists and researchers. The works that are most known in this field are those of Weber, Bachrach & Baratz and Lukes. Their views on power and control have certain similarities; still, differences exist at the level that each one of these theorists uses different criteria for evaluating human behaviour. In any case, it has been proved that the relationship between power and control is strong at such level that each of these concepts cannot be fully explained without referring to the other. However, there are also cases where the above concepts can be independent, but these cases are rather the exception and not the rule. In order to understand the relationship between power and control, it would be necessary to check the elements of these two concepts, as explained by theorists who studied the particular subject. The view of Weber of power is quite important for understanding the relationship between power and control. In accord ance with Goverde et al. ... The above description of power has been derived by the view of Weber on the specific concept, meaning that the elements of power, as perceived by Weber, could be slightly differentiated from the description given above. In other words, the interpretation of the view of Weber of power cannot be considered as standardized, reflecting the personal view of the theorist who has tried to explain the concept of power using the work of Weber. The definition of power, as given by Weber, is the following one: ‘power is the possibility of imposing one’s will upon the behaviour of other persons’ (Weber 1954, p.323 in Vahabi, 2004, p.2). The approaches used by Weber for interpreting power are analysed in the study of Breiner (1996). The above study helps to understand also the relationship between power and control, as perceived by Weber. Breiner (1996) notes that the view of Weber on power seems to have the following form: power is considered as an advantage of political auth orities; in other words, power is not so much a right of all individuals, but primarily, a right of governors to decide on critical issues of their state. From this point of view, power is depended on control in the following way: the control on the social/ political and economic affairs of a particular state reflects the power of its governor to rule (Breiner 1996(. In other words, control is a means of governors – or politicians – in order to show their power to govern. This power is related not just to various political issues, but it can be expanded on all aspects of citizens’ daily life, including culture, sciences and business activity. In accordance with Vahabi (2004) the above description of power is quite effective, reflecting the characteristics of power when being

Engineering Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 4

Engineering Ethics - Essay Example ether to tell the vice president about the revolving condition he feel blame worth for not seeing the problem at much earlier date which could have helped to counter the problem at an earlier date. Though it shall be a sign of incapability Tim should take the obligation and take the issue to the vice president of the company for more help. Tim should wait for the right material to be availed to the company so that he can start the manufacturing here he should assume no deadline exist within the order. Through diverting other resources to the said venture it becomes possible to have the supply in shortest time possible (Graham, 2008). In the case where Tim calls Arnold and he says that it’s his duty to take care of things Tim should weigh option he has at hand, Tim should use the old components instead of new ones. He shall have something to deliver though it’s not fair to the customers its just having in mind on the urgency of the situation Tim should be bold enough to call the customers end explain to them that due to unforeseen machine supply shortage, they should expect a slight delay. After the agreement is reached between him and the customers, to avoid the impurities that would have been there if the work was done on much higher speed, Tim should instruct the process to be done with the appropriate speed to eliminate impurities (Wallace, 1998). In the case where Arnold learns that Tim substituted the old components he should explain that it was an unintentional negligence which did arise due to shortage in machine supply, additionally the customer was very clear on the time factor which was a must to be meet. Tim should say that he has taken matters to have periodic inspections to avoid such future happenings. Tim should be ready to take the blame of giving the wrong materials without consulting others; he should argue that he is not morally responsible for it was not his fault that the machine failed to work since if it would have worked he would

Corporation Taxation Foreign Tax Credit Research Paper

Corporation Taxation Foreign Tax Credit - Research Paper Example However, there are four tests which one requires in order to qualify for the foreign tax credit (Rousslang, 1). It follows that foreign tax credit cannot be more than a company’s tax liability multiplied by a certain percentage thus maximum allowable foreign tax credit. Carrying back of the foreign tax credit is a common practice especially when the credit is more than the maximum limit (About.com, 1). It is usually carried to the future or previous year depending on the situation. Credit for Foreign Income Taxes Irs.gov (1) reveals that income tax systems across the world are known to provide credit for similar income taxes that are usually paid to foreign countries. A limitation of credit is usually subjected to the kind of taxes which are of a similar nature to the taxed being credited. There are a number of rules that govern the eligibility of a tax credit. They include basis and nature of the levy; availability of a tax treaty between the two countries; form of payments; political influence; similarity of credit between the two countries; conditions relating to the levy and property or services that accompany the taxes. A typical example is the United States tax system which allows foreign tax credit on the basis of limitations. These limitations are usually in relation to compulsory levies on gross receipts or net income. The countries that require participating in boycotts are not awarded the credit. This exemption also applies to taxes that are subjected to services and goods according to the relevant taxing authority. In the UK, foreign tax credit is allowed on foreign tax similar to corporation tax; subject to limitations (Irs.gov, 1). This... This essay is the best example of comparison tax system of different countries. The United States tax system which allows foreign tax credit on the basis of limitations. These limitations are usually in relation to compulsory levies on gross receipts or net income. The countries that require participating in boycotts are not awarded the credit. This exemption also applies to taxes that are subjected to services and goods according to the relevant taxing authority. In the UK, foreign tax credit is allowed on foreign tax similar to corporation tax; subject to limitations. This situation is provided for in the respective tax treaties. Canada is known to limit the credit by way of deductions in relation to gas or oil businesses. A common observation has been that most tax systems across the world indicate the specific time when a foreign levy is eligible to receive credit. This has to be in accordance to the agreed requirements of the foreign tax credit. Rousslang further reveals that so me tax systems offer credit simply because the tax can be taxed according to the existing domestic tax system. Other systems offer the credit on the basis of the time when the particular foreign item is being subject to income tax requirements. Some tax systems offer credit on the basis of recognition in their financial statements. The government plays a vital role when it comes to developing tax treaties. It is therefore expected that various countries across the world have different methods of approaching this issue.

Gladiators Roman General Maximus History Essay

Gladiators Roman General Maximus History Essay The movie Gladiator begins with the Roman General Maximus leading the Roman army to victory against the German barbarian tribes, ending a perpetuate war. The victory won of this battle ends with Maximus earning the esteem of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius. As the battle ends, the Emperors son Commodus and daughter Lucilla arrive from Rome. The emperor Marcus Aurelius is dying and his last wish are to give power back to the people of Rome and end the corruption that cripples it. This is the reason why Aurelius decides to appoint leadership to Maximus, with the desire that Maximus will return power to the Senate and revive the Republic. Aurelius tells Maximus that he has not been corrupted by the politics, were as Commodus is not a moral man and he must not rule. Maximus is the son that Aurelius wished he had and he favours him over his son Commodus, this formulates Commodus jealousy and rage. Maximus expresses that his greatest desire is to return home to his family and that he is unsure to accept Aurelius wish to be the protector of Rome. Maximus returns to his tent and asks the gods for guidance and to watch over his family with a ready sword. Aurelius then informs Commodus of his decision to leave Rome in the hands of Maximus. This infuriates Commodus with envy, betrayal and rage and he murders his father. Commodus then declares himself emperor and asks Maximus for his loyalty, Maximus realizes that Commodus is responsible for the emperors death and he refuses. Commodus orders Maximus to be executed and demands the guards to murder his wife and son. Maximus escapes by killing the guards and he quickly races home only to discover that his wife and son have been cruelly slaughtered. After Maximus buries his wife and son, he grieves succumbing to exhaustion and collapses on their graves. Slave traders find Maximus and take him to a Roman province in North Africa. There he is purchased by Proximo, the head of a gladiator school and former gladiator. Maximus is tormented over the death of his family and the betrayal by h is empire, he refuses to fight, but as he defends himself his impressive combat skills are awe leading to a rise in popularity with the audience and gaining respect among the other fighters. Maximus becomes known as the Spaniard as he trains and fights, he becomes friends with Juba (hunter) and Hagen. Maximus and Juba develop a potent friendship, both inject each other with courage to which face death bravely. Juba proclaims that Maximus will meet his family again in the afterlife; this fills Maximus with hope and valiance. In Rome, Commodus has reintegrated the gladiatorial games to commemorate his fathers death and gain favour of the people of Rome. In a recreation of the Battle of Carthage at the Colosseum, Maximus leads the gladiators to an incisive victory in an appearance of Hannibals forces against a more powerful force of Scipio Africanus legions. Maximus victory causes the crowd to cheer with amazement over his clever and unique battle tactics. Maximus hides his identity through a helmet that had a face guard. Commodus demanded that he must meet this gladiator, the crowds echoes and cheers surrounded the Colossuem and the Emperor descended to the arena, Commodus asked the Spaniard for his name and Maximus responded with an act of defiance. This act stunned and provoked Commodus with anxiety, he angrily instructed Maximus to reveal his identity. Maximus wrathfully turned to face his enemy and proclaimed in a clear and proud voice My name is Maximus, a loyal servant to the true Emperor, Marcus A urelius. The crowd froze silent as Maximus vowed revenge for the murder of his family. Commodus was stunned to discover that Maximus was still alive after he commanded his death. Commodus humiliated left the arena after the crowd roared for the approval to spare his life. The crowd chanted Maximus name vigorously, this act showed that Maximus, a slave had become more powerful than the Emperor of Rome. Lucilla was grateful to see Maximus alive and arranged a to secretly meet him. That night, Lucilla meet with Maximus expressed that she feared for the life of her son and that she has an allied in the Senate who wants to see Commodus overthrown. Maximus denied Lucillas help and proclaimed that the man she once knew was gone. The games continued celebrating the 64th day, Commodus had a surprise arrange for the crowd and for Maximus. Commodus had arranged Maximus death against Tigris of Gaul, Romes only undefeated gladiator. The crowd cheered with excitement as they desperately thirsted for death. Suddenly, Maximus confidently appeared from his gate carrying only a small sword and a shield. Four chained tigers came out from a door and now Maximus had five enemies to fight and he desperately looked for a weak point. The intense battle between these two strong and fast gladiators ended with Maximus defeating Tigris. Maximus turned to Commodus and awaited his decision to kill or spare Tigris. Commodus approved for Maximus to kill Tigris, but Maximus spared Tigris, therefore insulting the Emperor and gaining the audience approval. The audience chanted and cheered Maximus, and bestowing him with the title Maximus the Merciful. Commodus was infuriated by the fact that he is unable to kill Maximus and stop his po pularity from soaring. Cicero, Maximus servant meets him and proclaimed that his army was camped at Ostia, and that his army remains loyal to him. Maximus agreed to meet Lucillas politician (Senator Gracchus) and they plotted a plan to reunite him with his army and overthrow Commodus. Commodus suspected of his sisters betrayal, secret and lie; he therefore threaten her son Lucuis life, in order to force her to reveal her plan on helping Maximus. The Praetorian guards immediately stormed to obstruct Maximus plan, while the gladiators fought, this caused a distraction and helped Maximus escaped. During the raid, Proximo was killed and Juba and the other gladiators were imprisoned. Maximus escaped the city walls only to witness Cicero being slain and he is captured to be turn over to Commodus. Maximus was restrained and chained under the floor of the Colosseum arena. Commodus came in smiling and snickering proclaiming that Maximus was the general who became a slave, the slave who became a gladiator and the gladiator who defied an Empire. Commodus explained that this was a good story and that the people want to know how it ends; only a great death will be good enough. Commodus explained that what could be better than to fight the Emperor himself. Maximus is man that knows no fear and was not threaten by Commodus assimilations. Commodus reached out to hug Maximus as a brother, and suddenly Maximus let out a cry of pain. Commodus had a small knife in his hand and had wounded Maximus in the side, cutting him deeply. This was a cowardly action that Commodus had performed because he knew that Maximus was prominent to excel him in combat. All eyes were focused in the Colosseum as they watched Commodus and Maximus enter. Maximus was weak and he fought on instinct as he struck Commodus, as he dropped his sword he order Quintis for another sword, but he order the guards not to assist him. Maximus finding the strength and power killed Commodus; the crowd fell silent and watched Maximus slowly dying. Maximus fell in a deep trance and began to see visions, he saw his own hand on the gate, pushing it open and reuniting with his wife and son as they smiled at him. He ordered for Quintis to release the gladiators and Senator Gracchus, he then collapsed onto the bloody sand, Lucilla quickly ran to help him, there dying laid the protector Rome in her arms. Maximus reassured Lucilla that Lucius was safe; she gave Maximus a warm and gentle smiled and whispered to him Go to them. Youre home, Maximus then died. Lucilla reminded everyone that Maximus was a soldier of Rome and that his memory should be honoured. Senator Gracchus and the gladiators carried his body silently and proud out of the Colosseum. The Colossuem was empty and silent as Juba walked across the bloody sand; he was a free man again. He buried Maximus small wooden figures of his wife and son on the sand that carried is blood. Juba proclaimed that he would meet Maximus again but not yet. Historical Analysis in the film Gladiator In the film Gladiator weapons, military strategies, government structure and the spectacle of the gladiatorial games are some of the historical components the film analyses. Weapons/Military Strategy: The Roman army, like the armies of the Greek, was a citizen militia (Colliers, 1995, pg.682). This perspective is seen in the movie Gladiator because Maximus was a farmer and he became know as Romes greatest general. The role of the Roman army during the Roman Republic and Empire led to military success and victory. The role of the Roman army played an important role in the movie, in the beginning of the movie when Maximus is leading the army against the German barbarian tribe this portrays tactical, unique and superior weapons that allowed and helped the army conquer and establish the height and power of the Roman Empire. The soldiers fought honourably for the glory of the Empire against the barbarian tribes and this war was the final stand in the way of Roman victory and the promise of peace throughout the Empire. The Romans organized a very similar tactic to the Greek phalanx, eventually this evolved and the Roman armies adopted a more maneuverable tactic that strengthen the armys advantage to conquer and attain success and military efficiency. The major unit of the Roman army was the legion, composed of ten cohorts. The legions produced a tactical flexibility and this was an advantage to the Romans ability to make the best use of ground. When preparing for battle, soldiers equipped with swords and spears would form protective ranks in front of cavalry and archers(Corbishley, 2004, pg.18). This preparation for the battle against the barbarians is portrayed when Maximus is speaking to Quintus about the catapults being out of range and that this is a danger to the cavalry. The heavy infantry tactics developed quickly, striking from the flanks, encircling enemy forces and using the policy of divide and conquer. The legion was known as the backbone of the Roman army creating a more flexible formation for their infantry. The Roman Empire advanced to conquer a vast empire and had a strong army with tactical battle techniques. Roman commanders planned their battles carefully, choosing a site that would make fighting difficult for the enemies, and waiting for the right time and weather to attack. To attack, Roman soldiers advanced in lines, holding their shields in front of them, then hurled their javelins. After this, they charged forward, striking with their swords(Macdonald, 2005,pg.19). This battle tactic is portrayed in the beginning of the movie when Maximus tells Quintus that it is not time to fight, this shows Maximus planning out the outcome of the battle. Government Structure/Politics: In the movie Gladiator government structure and politics are portrayed through the constant struggle between the Senate and the Emperor to gain power. Rome was founded as a Republic and in a Republic the senate has the power. Commodus did not share his fathers perspective that power should be given back to the people of Rome and end the corruption that cripples it. Commodus believes that for the health of Rome, the senate must be annihilated. Commodus believed that the Republic and the Senators scheme and deceive and therefore Rome must be saved from the politicians. Commodus idea of the Senate is what made Marcus Aurelius make Maximus the protector of Rome after he dies, Maximus had not been corrupted by the politics, Commodus is not a moral man and therefore he must not rule. The Senate is the people chosen from among the people to speak for the people; Commodus proclaimed that Rome did not need a Senate and that it takes an Emperor to rule an Empire. In order to gain the approval and admiration of the people of Rome Commodus used a tactical strategy of fear and wonder, this was a powerful combination. Commodus knows what Rome is, Rome is the mob as he conjures magic by reinstating the gladiatorial games, the people are distracted and have no idea of what Rome is going to become. As Senator Gracchus proclaimed the beating heart of Rome is not the marble of the Senate it is the sand of the Colosseum. This proclamation is important because Commodus will bring death and he will be loved for that. Commodus ambition is to make Rome the world of the ages and to overthrow the Senate. When the rules or constitution, of Roman government were first worked out, there was no word for emperor. They wanted a republican rule, which meant rule through elected officials (Corbishley, 2004, pg.36). The rule of an Emperor threatened the idea of democracy because not only did the Emperor have authority over the government but also the Emperor had the power to preside over and to control the Senate at his command. In the movie Senator Gracchus does not pretend to be a man of the people but rather a man for the people, this is the central idea of what the Senate represents. The senate initially is an aristocratic council, an advisory body to the Emperor of Rome; the senate was the power base during the Republic. The name of the Roman Republic under the power of the senate was SPQR; this signature is seen on Maximus arm and it is a symbol of the government and an insignia of the Roman legions. With a strong army behind a General they could be extremely political depicting a threat to the government. In the movie the revolution of threatening the government is seen when Maximus commands the loyalty of the army and this induces that Maximus a slave has become more powerful than the Emperor. Gladiators: The movie focuses on the idea of gladiators forced to fight to death to entertain the crowds. Gladiators were slaves, criminals or prisoners that fought each other or wild animals to amuse the bloodthirsty spectators. The Colosseum was the scene of public entertainment was the deliberate slaughter of human beings was used as a means of entertainment. Some gladiators were specifically trained at gladiator schools (Macdonald, 2005, pg.35). This is portrayed in the movie when Proximo is purchasing the slaves from the slave-seller and brought them to his gladiator school to learn how to fight. The successful gladiators became famous and attracted the crowds; Maximus became the most famous and admired gladiator. Maximus is the gladiator that defied an Empire to protect Rome. Proximo is paid signifying that he profits from the gladiators death. The rare man who survived the arena repeatedly demonstrated his strength and daring could win the wooden sword (rudius) from the Emperor, signifyin g his liberation (Colliers, 1995, pg. 129). This is portrayed in the movie when Proximo proclaims to Maximus that he wasnt the best because he killed quickly, he was the best because the crowd loved and admired him. If you win the crowd you win your freedom. Proximo won his freedom and the Emperor Marcus Aurelius presented him with a rudius (wooden sword), which is a symbol of freedom. Every victory Maximus had been an act of defiance to Commodus because Maximus had the power to amuse the mob and the mob is Rome.

Should we all become vegetarians? Essays -- essays research papers

Should all people become vegetarians ? As we can now observe, vegetarianism has become something fashionable, and the number of people who reject eating meat is constantly increasing. In Britain, for instance, over 5 million people have done it so far. It is obviously connected with the recent animal diseases, but this tendency is likely to spread on the other regions of the world. However, it is not only a fashion or fear of illnesses. I myself became a vegetarian about 2 years ago, and I can see a number of reasons why people should stop eating meat. They are mainly of ethic, economic and health type. Those who think in an ecological way should also be aware of how this meat consumption ruins our environment. I don’t have an intention to force anybody to become a vegetarian, but I hope that my argumentation would be strong enough to make some people think about it, at least. In this essay I will try to present this point of view, expressing my personal feelings and showing scientific facts about the problem.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Let me begin with the words by George Bernard Shaw: ‘Animals are my friends and I don’t eat my friends’. This indicates the ethic aspect of meat consumption. In fact, people often don’t realize how animals are treated, but they can see commercial spots in their TV showing smiling pigs, cows or chickens, happy and ready to be eaten. My impression is that there can’t be anything more cruel and senseless. It is no secret that animals suffer ...

Art is Art Essay

What is considered art has been a controversial question for many years in history and today. There are various forms and types of art. Because art is very complex and diverse, it is viewed and conceptualized in many different ways. Nancy G. Heller states even though a type of artwork is hard to understand, it’s considered art, and artwork that people don’t understand shouldn’t be disregarded from other types of art. She feels as though people shouldn’t be intimidated by artwork that’s hard to understand and her main goal is to try to help people feel more comfortable around art they don’t understand. Picasso believes that all art needs to be an original in order to be considerably successful. He states that nature and art are completely different things. Picasso explains that art is a lie that allows us to realize the truth. And finally, John Berger speaks about publicity being a form of art, and how it uses art to manipulate people into buy ing what is publicized. Berger says publicity ads have a way of working because ads focus on the future, which people are attracted to more than the present. Each of these authors have different opinions on how art is viewed and conceived, however they unite from similar points in their views. All art is art, and shouldn’t be dismissed. In â€Å"’Statement to Marius De Zayas,’ 1923,† Picasso states that art has to convince people of its truthfulness. In his article, Picasso defends the art of cubism.—because cubism, like many other types of art, is not understood yet by most people. However, cubism isn’t any different from a type of art someone likes and understands—it shares the same principles or elements as any/ all other types of art. Picasso elaborates on his claims by giving the reader an example of him reading an English book. He says that reading a book doesn’t make sense to him, yet it doesn’t mean that the English language doesn’t exist. He states that no one should be responsible for him not being able to understand what he doesn’t know much about. Picasso believes that an individual shouldn’t say a type of art isn’t art only because they don’t understand it. The individual should, instead, try to understand it, and if he/ she still doesn’t consider it to be an art, the individual should claim to just dislike that specific type of art. Picasso and Heller both agree that art is art and that it shouldn’t be questioned. Nancy G. Heller’s book, â€Å"Why a Painting is Like a Pizza: a Guide to Understanding and Enjoying  Modern Art† starts with the author’s experience making a pizza in Texas. From her experience, she concluded that painting is like a pizza. Just as many people have a variety of taste in pizza that they prefer, when people look at art, they have certain preferences in art as well. Some people usually completely dismiss certain groups of art, saying its not art at all. Heller defends artists who are victims of these cruel remarks by saying, â€Å"anything anyone says is art should be in fact be regarded as art† (Heller 10). All art should not only be regarded as art, but art also is a lie that uncovers the truth. In Heller’s article, one of her examples shows Rosa Bonheur’s painting â€Å"’The Horse Fair’ (1853).† This painting is very realistic like a photograph. On the contrary, the painting is just very convincing. Bonheur’s painting of the galloping horses lie to the viewer, because the horses aren’t actually galloping in front of the viewer. However, it helps the viewer recognize the truth from the artist’s lies. All art lies, which help the viewer, uncover the truth. Nature and art aren’t the same. Only something real can be natural. Picasso agrees with Heller by saying, â€Å"nature and art, being two different things, cannot be the same thing. Through art, we express our conception of what nature is not† (Picasso par. 5). Picasso states that art needs to be an original idea—otherwise it is useless. An artwork being orig inal allows the viewer to notice the truth. He suggests that art isn’t actually what the artwork portrays. â€Å"Art is not truth. Art is a lie that makes us realize the truth† (Picasso par. 3). Although paintings aren’t real, it can symbolize something that is real. In â€Å"Ways of Seeing† by John Berger, the author talks about all art (publicity ads or paintings) must be convincing to the viewer. â€Å"Publicity begins by working on a natural appetite for pleasure. But it cannot offer the real object of pleasure and there is no convincing substituted for pleasure in that pleasure’s own terms. The more convincingly publicity conveys the pleasure of bathing in a warm, distant sea, the more the spectator-buyer will become aware that he is hundreds of miles away from that sea and the more remote the chance of bathing in it will seem to him† (Berger 132). The author gives an example of how publicity ads work by suggesting if a publicity ad was to show the pleasures of bathing in a warm  and distant sea, the viewer (or buyer) will realize that he is many miles away from the sea that the ad is portraying, and the chance of bathing in that sea will seem far to him. If the viewers aren’t convinced from art, whether it’s a publicity ad or a painting, that artwork is not successful. If a viewer thinks that the representation of whatever the ad is trying to sell is intangible, the viewer will be less convinced. John Berger and Picasso share the same beliefs that art should live in the present. Since there is constant exposure of publicity ads, Berger believes that ads live in the present. Publicity ads are located almost anywhere in this world. From magazines and TVs to buses and billboards, ads are everywhere. Publicity ads are not only constantly around a person’s surroundings, but also are always updated and/ or renewed. Although Berger talks about publicity ads living in the moment, they never represent the present time. Picasso similarly states, if a painting is looked at and appreciated by the viewer, it’s alive, living in the present. Picasso’s work has been echoed in his own idea. All of his work â€Å"was made for the present and with the hope that it will always remain in the present† (Picasso par. 11). Picasso gives an example of the Greek and Egyptian art. He proclaims that Greek and Egyptian art is more alive today than it was when the artwork as cre ated. People are intrigued about how the artwork was made back then, and that alone keeps the early Greek and Egyptian artwork alive in the present. All authors have common beliefs on how art should be viewed and conceived. Art is art and it shouldn’t be questioned. If art is hard to understand, it shouldn’t be dismissed as not art†¦ it should categorized as a type of art an individual dislikes. Furthermore, paintings don’t tell the truth; however it is filled with lies that help an individual recognize the truth through the painting being convincing. And lastly, an artwork lives in the present time—even if the artwork was made in the past. Work Cited Berger, John. Ways Of Seeing. London: Penguin Book, 1977. Print. Heller, Nancy G. Why a Painting is Like a Pizza: a Guide to Understanding and Enjoying Modern Art. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2002. Print. Picasso, Pablo. â€Å"Statement to Marius de Zayas.† The Arts. NY, May 1923. Translation approved by Picasso. Web. 18 September 2012. .

Slavery in Texas essays

Slavery in Texas essays In the book, "An Empire for Slavery", Randolph B. Clark describes the way in which Texas slaves coped with life under oppressive circumstances. Some of the topics discussed in the book include how slaves approached daily chores and provided for their material and physical condition. Also, it is demonstrated how slaves tended to their psychological and spiritual well being and how they displayed their feelings towards this "Peculiar Institution." Some slaves in Texas approached responsibility for work in such a manner that they were given a great deal of leeway for their own daily job assignments and were even given supervisory positions over other slaves. Some bondsman, working as managers, tended to plantations and farms in the absence of the owners. This practice is quite remarkable when we sometimes visualize a slave as a blackman with a chain and heavy ball attached to one foot. The conception of manager slaves apparently was propagated in such an encompassing manner that some proponents of slavery found it to be very disconcerting. Some slave owners felt too much liberty was being given to the interned hoard. In 1858, state senator Henry E. McCulloch introduced a bill to outlaw the practice. The bill passed, but had little effect because it had little support in the white community. Some blacks, if not managers, were more in the order of middle managers known as "drivers." Drivers were specialty supervisors who oversaw operations related to "chopping" cotton (cultivating), plowing, planting and harvesting. As slavery progressed many slaves graduated to other jobs that required a different degree of responsibility, such as carpenters, blacksmiths, personal valets, and housekeepers and the like. So it would appear bondsmen were perfectly capable of accomplishing any task given to them by their tormentors. Material conditions and physical treatment of slaves can be broken down into five main categories: food, housing,...

spousal violence essays

spousal violence essays Violence against family members is something women do at least as often as men. There are dozens of solid scientific studies that reveal in a startlingly different picture of family violence than what we usually see in the media. For instance, Murray Straus, a sociologist and co-director for the Family Research Laboratory at the University of New Hampshire gave some statistics that blew my mind away. He concluded saying that women were three times more likely than men to use weapons in spousal violence. He also said that women hit their male children more than they hit their female children and women commit 52 percent of spousal killings and are convicted of 41 percent of spousal murders. There are also some misleading statistics about family violence. One, men do not usually report their violent wives to police, because they have too much pride. Two is that children do not usually report their violent mothers to the police. A reason why we do not see many women get reported is because the media does not encourage men to report the crime. Women are the ones who are encouraged to report the spousal violence by countless media reminders. The media always portray the woman to be the victim and the male to be the perpetrator. Men and children may not report when a woman injures them, but the dead bodies of the men and children who are the victims of violent women are usually reported. There is much confusion about whom to believe in the debate about spousal violence. On one side we have the womens feminist groups whom rely on law enforcement statistics. On the other side we have social scientist who rely on scientifically structured studies, which do not get any media attention. Americas press is more concerned with the political correctness than scientific accuracy. That is why our society is so screwed up now, because of the media. It is important to note that there have been the same kind of studies d...

How did abolitionism, women's movement rights, and immigration change Essay

How did abolitionism, women's movement rights, and immigration change the nations of the Western Hemisphere - Essay Example (http://www.infidels.org/library/historical/robert_ingersoll/civil_rights.html) The 13th Amendment built up for the country, after the amendment was adopted the slave pen at that time was destroyed and in its place they put the Statue of Liberty. The amendment wasn't just about freeing slaves, but more on the side of making equal rites for everyone, making colored and whites the same. The amendment caused the damage of every incriminating evidence of 'slaves', ignored the reports against freedom, took away the word 'white' and its meaning, and took away the right to own a man. Prior to the Civil War, the constitution didn't have specification for voting because laws weren't governed by the constitution or the federal law, but only a few of the northern states allowed the free 'colored' men to register and vote. But right after the War, congress adopted the Military Reconstruction Act of 1867, which let the confederate states be a part of the union under the condition of universal male suffrage. The 14th Amendment, in 1868, gave citizenship to everyone born in the US, which in turn meant that only males could vote.

Organisational Change Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words - 10

Organisational Change Management - Essay Example At this stage the employees and the employers were inquired about the reason for absenteeism and then they were also informed about the type of change that should be undertaken by them. This assignment describes the five stages of â€Å"Appreciative Inquiry (AI) 5D framework† - definition, discovery, dream, design and destiny. It gives a holistic view of the difficulty faced and modifications needed (Cooperrider and Whitney, 2005). The framework was developed by David Cooperrider and his team mates in mid 1980’s. The five stages are described are as follows. Definition The first stage is â€Å"define† which focuses on the awareness of the developmental activities. During this stage the topic of inquiry becomes the organization’s main agenda for learning as well as innovation. The questions asked are affirmative in nature and it focuses on the topic valuable to the people who are involved and directed at topics and issues for the success of organization. Th is inquiry identifies â€Å"the area† where the organization needs to change. The changes can be strategic, structural, people and process change. In Silkeborg Council case, the main problem was absenteeism for which the elderly care department faced a lot of problems. ... Small-scale or incremental people changes include sending of management workers to team-building workshops and classes. These changes can be planned or unplanned, which may impact the employee’s attitude towards work, behaviours of the individual and their performances. The changes are made to help the employees and the employer to reduce absenteeism. It can either be planned or unplanned, which may impact the employee’s attitude towards work, behaviours of the individual and their performances. The area of change once identified should be worked upon to bring productivity in the Council. The factor which is preventing long-term change is the attitude, behaviour and performances of the employees towards their work and that’s why the number of absentees increased during that period. The possible reason for absenteeism can be personal problems health problems or job dissatisfaction. These are the possible areas where the management should work upon to bring in disc ipline and proper working of the organization without lost time. The changes implemented during that period could not remain for long time because of the fluctuating behaviour and attitude of the employees. The management could not mange properly which led to these disturbances in the council. Kurt Lewin’s Change Model can be applied to the Silkeborg Council case. The model elaborates the modifications of some forces keeping the whole system stable. He examined that a set of behaviour at any moment is the outcome of two groups of forces. These forces are attempting to maintain status quo and is forcing for change. When the two sets of forces are equal, the current behaviours are preserved in a state known as ‘quasi-stationary equilibrium’. For