Strategic Choice and Evalulation Essay Example for Free

Strategic Choice and Evalulation Essay In the strategic management process the company mission gives a general idea of what interests and goals the company has. These goals need a more specific target to evaluate the firm progress towards achieving that goal. The strategic management purpose is to define a general goal to sustain the corporate growth and to be profitable. There are different approaches to get there. Companies establish long-term objectives; usually over three to five years and by formulating grand strategies they achieve those long-term objectives. Following the value discipline model or Porter’s generic strategy model companies had successful achievements. As this paper will explain, the formulation of grand strategies that follow generic strategies to provide specific actions will help companies to maximize their competitive advantage. As an example, the company JetBlue Airways has implemented several of the strategies in their strategic management approach and the results show their continuous growth in the airline industry. The analysis of those value discipline, generic strategies and grand strategy alternatives will give a general idea of their importance for business growth. JetBlue Airways incorporates in their operations some these strategies at all levels which resulted on their rapid growth. JetBlue Grand Strategy, Generic Strategies and Value Discipline The definition of grand strategy refers to the means, how is going to be achieved the long term objectives. The principal responsibility of developing the strategies falls on the corporate managers and business managers. Grand strategy consists of the selection of different approaches, which executives understand is the best approach. Some of the grand strategies discussed in business are, growth, innovation, concentration and joint ventures (Pearce 2011). The selection of any of them or a mix of them should maximize the company profits. A combination of generic strategies will also support the company goals. Generic strategies are several â€Å"fundamental philosophical options for the design of strategies† (Pearce 2011). This type of strategies are based on two different philosophies on how to develop those strategies, following Michael Porter’s generic strategy idea or the Michael Treacy and Fred Wiersema alternative approach of value disciplines. Michael Porter, expressed the importance for the companies to develop strategies, he said, â€Å"strategy delineates a territory in which a company seeks to be unique† (Hammonds 2001). Porter generic strategies focus on cost leadership, differentiation and focus. Experts say this approach help the firms to produce above average returns for the organization and the starting point to get there is the grand strategy â€Å"the means by which objectives are achieved† (Pearce 2011). Michael Treacy and Fred Wiersema, business consultants, recommend a different method to generic strategy, they called it, value disciplines. They believe that strategies must center on â€Å"delivering superior customer value through one of three value disciplines: operational excellence, customer intimacy, or product leadership† (Pearce 2011). Even though there are similarities between the two models, their difference is that in the value discipline model â€Å"one discipline will be the focus of attention while the other two that are not selected must be maintained† (12 Manage 2013). Reviewing David Needleman’s decision to start JetBlue Airways constructed at New York’s JFK Airport it shows that from the beginning his business developed based on the strategy of concentrated growth. This grand strategy reflects the management decision to â€Å"direct the resources to profit on one single product, in a single market† (Pearce 2012). The company started by offering high quality customer service. As a result, they became a great competition to Southwest Airlines and American Airlines. JetBlue Airways used the low cost generic strategy to reduce cost and this gave them the advantage to charge lower prices for the same routes of competitor Southwest Airline. In a short period they gain market share and benefit from returns, as the 2001 annual report shows. When all other competitors showed financial reports with loss, JetBlue reported $38. 5 million in net income (JetBlue Annual Report 2002). In the case of JetBlue, concentrated growth is in fact a grand strategy. This firm placed all their investments to get profits out of a single product, airline service at low price to new routes. The goal of providing economical air service has been met by minimizing costs by installing more seats into the planes, selling tickets directly to customers no agent needed to complete this task (JetBlue 2013). Another area were they worked to minimize costs is by shortening ground delays. This discount airline is well-known by their new planes, the radio and satellite television on every seat and the leather sitting. JetBlue vision of product innovation and excellent service provides a low fare and low cost to passengers, it’s an airline that provides high quality customer services (JetBlue 2013). Differentiation is a business strategy that gives competitive advantage with its service. Being different from the competition also gave the company the distinction of being the airline with low cost with amenities for passengers. This was possible due their startup capital of $100 million (David 2011). The use of new planes, their leather seats, individual monitors with DIRECTV programming, was a few of the things they included on their low coast fare. They focused on service and that gave them the competitive advantage. The generic strategies of differentiation and low cost leadership at functional level produced the JetBlue Experience, network expansion, low fares, low operating expenses and investment in new and more efficient planes (JetBlue 2013). Another strategy JetBlue Airways use is focus to what they identified as the underserved but overpriced market (JetBlue 2002). They concentrated on U. S. cities from their main base New York that serves the largest travel market. They have grown from 1 route to serve almost 80 destinations across the US, Caribbean and Latin America (Nasdaq 2013). Pricing is another JetBlue strategy, that’s how they are winning new customers. By developing the image of low fare airline with high quality service, even though they offer only one class services, their high quality service create a new opportunity in the airline travel, including business travelers. Innovation is present in JetBlue company growth; they are the latest airline to give pilots IPads to cut back on paper manuals. The introduction to new technology will bring the capabilities to download weather images, also access updated flight documents (Sawers 2013). JetBlue Airways ability to perform tasks less expensive than competitors also keeps them as the top leaders. The airline fleet of, Airbus 320 and Embraer 190 permits them to offer lots of legroom, great entertainment and leather seats (JetBlue 2013). They keep maintenance and training costs down. For example, management can reinvest in growth opportunities, or commit to their employees training (Pearce 2011). JetBlue has focused on a strategy of serving customers how want low cost flights from place to place. That has been the consistent need of their clients. What JetBlue has done is assimilate new ideas to deliver that service, basically serving the same customers. Conclusion JetBlue competitive advantage is a combined strategy of cost leadership and differentiation. Their low cost position in relation to their competition supports the fact of their efficient operations. The introduction of new planes, allowed them to reduce their fuel costs and maintenance, and with large planes, there is more revenue for the company. They decided not to serve meals; this is another tactic that helped to reduce costs. Differentiation is another part of the combined strategy. Their strong image, TV entertainment, more legroom, and other amenities for the passengers, are evidence of the implementation of this strategy. This combined strategy, provides the company with excellent results, as they keep expanding their operation, partnering with other airlines, and starting new routes and destinations. Even in times of economic crisis and high fuel costs, â€Å"one of aviation’s most acute problems: the price of jet fuel†(Bachman 2012), they maintain their number one (1) ranking for nine consecutive years according to the 2013 North America Airline Satisfaction Study (JD Power 2013). This recognition confirms that all the efforts that JetBlue does by combining strategies to be a low cost airline with excellent customer service, are giving them the leadership in the airline market.

Intellectual Property Statement of Ethics

Intellectual Property Statement of Ethics Akhil Reddy Leburu   Abstract This paper briefly describes about intellectual properties and ethical statements which plays an important role in the society. Intellectual property defines the creativity of a unique skills of an individual. Plagiarism is taking someones work without giving credit to them. This is the most ethical statement that everyone should follow. Keywords: Intellectual property, Plagiarism. Intellectual Property Statement of Ethics Intellectual property is defined creative thinking that is implemented by humans such as images, movies, research etc. Innovators, artists and business owners are granted certain rights to a variety of untouchable assets for the specific period. Intellectual property provides patent to industries, designing, copyrights and for innovative inventions. Intellectual property is an intangible asset to a company; it gives confidence to the business partners and financial institutions to collaborate or to invest with an organization. Intellectual property can be protected by the copyrights, the term original in the copyright law means it is originated with the author so that it protects ones own ideas or creations or inventions (IPOS, 2016). The main purpose of protection of copyrights and related rights is to encourage and reward creative work. Plagiarism Plagiarism is obtaining someones work and not giving back the credit. It can be identified easily and avoided by copyright laws. There are several reasons for plagiarism that include; laziness of the people leads to the stealing of other person ideas and works, people who rush to do things in last minute are meant to do things that would make easier, lack of knowledge on proper citation, various topics availability on internet so that people can easily copy required content in the manner with paraphrasing it that leads to plagiarism, lack of knowledge on understanding the effects of plagiarism and attitude, procrastination are also reasons for plagiarism. It someone copys other information which leads to the loss of their ability to think, knowledge on research work or task and loss of improving their written skills (Plagiarism.org, 2014). Ethical and responsible uses of intellectual property The main purpose of using intellectual property is encouraging people towards learning and to provide opportunity towards new inventions. Intellectual properties can be protected with different tool which include; copyrights, trademarks and patents. Copyrights provides protection to the works of creators such as books, music, songs, films, computer programs, paintings, databases, advertisements, maps and technical diagrams. The patent is only right granted for the innovations. It helps to decide the owner of the patent. So, the owner can have the right to exchange their copyrights in the market. Unethical uses of intellectual property Most of the organization or individual persons used others creations or brand names without taking any permission from authorized persons that leads to destroying of civilization, it cant be used for illegal activities such as creating cultural differences, illness, spread diseases which result in human death and unethical usage of ones intellectual property creates legal issues so that intellectual property should be utilized in specific manners. Many people download the content like music, movies and games etc. from the unknown source without taking from the original sites that affects the people who dedicate their time and money for in making those happen. Four statements of self-best practice I do not just copy and paste the data from any source, I will quote the statement which is referred and name the source. I will use the plagiarism tools that are available online and review the text. I will think in a creative way that is unique from others. I will make a copyright of my work for future purposes. Actions for ethical usage of intellectual property I will share the details of original author while using their writings in prescribed format. I would like to identify the unique work of others and share. Plagiarism tools can help to identify the text format whether it is copied or not. I would like to protect intellectual property to give credit for the authors and to encourage creative thinking. Actions to avoid unethical usage of intellectual property I wouldnt encourage the plagiarism by destroying the rules and regulations which are formed by the university. I wouldnt use intellectual property when writing a paper or for the research work. I wont use un-copyrighted prints or movies to respect of original authors or makers. References Government of United Kingdom. (2014, November 18). Exceptions to copyright. Retrieved January 27, 2017, from www.gov.uk: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/exceptions-to-copyright IPOS. (2016, Sep 21). What is Intellectual Property and what are the different types? Retrieved Jan 27, 2017, from ipos.gov.sg: http://www.ipos.gov.sg/AboutIP/TypesofIPWhatisIntellectualProperty.aspx Plagiarism.org. (2014). WHAT IS PLAGIARISM? Retrieved Jan 27, 2017, from plagiarism.org: http://www.plagiarism.org/plagiarism-101/what-is-plagiarism/ WIPO. (2016). What is Intellectual Property? Retrieved Jan 27, 2017, from wipo.int: http://www.wipo.int/about-ip/en/

Examining Theories On Deviance And Deviant Behavior Criminology Essay

Examining Theories On Deviance And Deviant Behavior Criminology Essay The conditions under which deviant behavior exists have presented an enduring question for researchers. Within the literature the majority of definitions of deviance share one commonality: that social norms and values subjectively label behaviors as deviant. Similar to the number of theories of deviance there exist a number of motivations why individuals choose to engage in deviant behavior. Existing theories-general strain, anomie, labeling, control, and learning-examine these factors and attempt to clarify the hows and whys of deviant behavior. The most common factors which facilitate individual deviance include personal strain, social disorganization, a lack of self-control, and the perception that the benefits for engaging in deviance outweighing the potential costs. Because of these variations there is currently no universally-accepted theory of deviance. Introduction An urgent question in contemporary social sciences is how and why certain behaviors, attributes, or classes of individuals come to be defined as deviant.  [1]  Since social groups make the rules, deviant behavior results from individuals who fail to adhere to said rules. When behaviors are defined as deviant it is assumed that they will either promote or inhibit individual motivation to engage in such acts and will evoke certain social responses which serve to influence subsequent behavior by those within said society.  [2]  A number of theorists attempt to identify a commonality to the different types of deviant behavior. The underlying theme is that this type of behavior offends societys normative order and deviance becomes a theoretical construct of this consensus. There exist a number of theories which seek to define how individuals and their behavior are identified as deviant. Definitions of and Motivations for Deviant Behavior Despite a wide variety of definitions of deviance there is consensus that deviance refers to behaviors or attributes manifested by specified kinds of people in specified circumstances that are judged to violate the normative expectations of a specified group.  [3]  This consensus perspective serves to promote collective agreement as to what core values, norms, and goals should be. Behavior that falls outside of the specified parameters are deemed deviant. The degree of deviance is directly correlated to the perceived serious of the punitive response it elicits. Many questions abound as to individual motivations to engage in deviant behavior. Fundamentally, if one anticipates that satisfaction will ensue from engaging in the behavior then he will do so. Hirschi (1969) asserts that the motivation for deviance is always present and that research should examine the circumstances which permit individuals to act on these motivations.  [4]  In another view, Merton (1938) argues that societal strain increases motivation for deviance in order to achieve certain unattainable culturally-sanctioned goals.  [5]  Where the majority of individuals will embrace conformity as a response to strain others resort to deviance. Similarly, Tittles (1995) control balance theory assumes that individuals have a strong need to exercise control over themselves and to escape having control exerted over them by others while Katz (1988) argues that the motivation to deviance occurs to protect ones self esteem, encourage a desired reputation, establish autonomy, [ or] demonstrate competence, for example.  [6]   These theories all share the presumption that deviance is motivated by the need to adapt to psychological distress which results from the failure to achieve desired goals through conventional means. Accordingly, when pushes, or psychological impulses which compel an individual to engage in deviant behavior, and pulls, or the attraction of deviant opportunities, interact then motivation for deviance increases.  [7]  Deviance results from individuals motive to engage in deviant behavior being stronger than the motive not to amidst the existence of the opportunity to do so. Theoretical Foundations There are two primary types of theories to explain deviance: structural and processual. Structural theories are labeled sociological theories while processual ones are termed social psychological theories due to the differences in goals and scope.  [8]  Structural theories emphasize the relationship of deviant behavior to particular structural conditions within society and attempt to explain why deviance is higher in certain areas, such as those with lower socioeconomic status.  [9]  On the other hand, processual theories seek to describe the processes by which people engage in deviant behavior by attempting to explain the conditions which lead to the commission of deviant acts.  [10]  With respect to scope, structural theories address the epidemiology, or distribution in time and space of deviance and processual theories focus upon the etiology, or specific causes, of deviance.  [11]   Specific Theories of Deviance General Strain Theory (GST) GST addresses the interrelatedness of strain and its emotional response, individual coping mechanisms, and deviance.  [12]  As a theory it focuses not upon strain itself but upon individual responses to strain and seeks to identify those characteristics which enable non-deviant responses amid strain. Sharp, Brewster Love (2005) argue that certain types of strain create certain actions which influence delinquent behaviors. Anger, for example is an emotional response which has a high likelihood of encouraging deviant behavior. Therefore, where there is a strain-particularly one perceived as unfair-low social control creates pressure which, in turn, causes deviant behavior.  [13]  Research indicates that gender is a strong predictor of strain-induced deviance with males more overt in their responses than females who tend to internalize strain. GST has been used considerably in the study of juvenile deviance. Repeated exposure to stressful life experiences has been found to both escalate and accelerate juvenile delinquency and depending upon when during ones life-course trajectory the strain occurs different implications ensue. The literature suggests that involvement in delinquency begins to increase during early adolescence, peaking around age 16 and 17, and followed by a decline in such behavior.  [14]  Agnew (1997, 2006) claims that this life-course trajectory highlights that adolescence is a period of high transitions, that adolescents perceive their environment as negative more so than adults, and that there is an increased propensity for juveniles to react to adversity through deviant behavior.  [15]  The lack of useful coping mechanisms in juveniles makes it difficult to react to strain more effectively. Anomie Theory According to anomie theory-much like GST-deviance results from social disorganization in that elements in society promote deviant behavior by making such behavior a feasible adjustment to society. Where the earliest form of this theory hypothesized that anomie results from a failure to achieve positively-valued goals Agnew (2001) expanded upon this theory by including that anomie can also result when positive stimuli are removed and when negative stimuli are applied.  [16]  One criticism of anomie theory is that it assumes universality in what should be defined as deviant and how most individuals should behave; however, in reality, deviance is a relative concept so this universality is erroneous.  [17]   Labeling Theory Labeling theory presents an interactionist perspective to the study of deviant behavior by stressing the importance of the processes through which society labels a particular act as deviant and the subsequent negative social sanctions which influence the individual to engage in further deviance.  [18]  Becker (1973) claims that deviance is a consequence of the application by others of rules and sanctions to an offender.  [19]  Therefore, while the act or the person may not be inherently deviant, existing social controls create deviance by defining acts that the majority believes to be so and, consequently, labeling individuals who engage in such acts as deviant. This creates a self-fulfilling prophecy by amplifying the very phenomenon that it is intended to suppress.  [20]  Of primary importance is that subsequent events serve to reinforce the deviance because an individual internalizes the label attached to him by societys stigmatizing and creates secondary, or tertiary, deviance. The labeling itself serves to ensure that every society has a percentage of deviants which is critical to maintain the majority consensus.  [21]   Control Theory Control theory is similar to anomie and social disorganization theories to the degree that deviance results from the lack of social controls on individual restraint to engage in deviant behavior.  [22]  Durkheim (1933) asked why people conform to social norms instead of why they engage in deviant behavior. Under this theory it is assumed that everyone would engage in deviant behavior if given the chance, that a small amount of social controls will increase deviance, and that there exists a central value system which defines deviance in society.  [23]  There are four components of an individuals societal bond which serve to prevent deviance: attachment to specific groups through affection, respect, and socialization; commitment to accepting conforming behavior; involvement in non-delinquent behavior; and a belief in the dominant value system of any particular group.  [24]  When social bonds are reestablished or strengthened then the deviant behavior ceases. Accordingly, individuals who engage in deviant behavior do so due to low self-control. Under this theory low self-control is comprised of six personality traits: anger, impulsivity, preference for simple tasks, risk-seeking, being more physical than mental, and being self-centered.  [25]  Gottfredson Hirschis (1990) self-control theory asserts that inadequate child-rearing results in lowered self-control which facilitates a predisposition to engage in deviant behavior.  [26]  They also claim that individuals who engage in one type of deviant act will commit other deviant acts. Learning or Socialization Theory These theories suggest that deviance is a learned behavior similar to how non-deviant individuals learn conforming behavior. By attempting to distinguish variations in behaviors theorists assume that differences in rates of deviance among various groups can be determined. One of the most widely-cited learning theories is Sutherlands (1947) differential association theory which postulates that deviant behavior results from normative conflicts in neighborhood structures, peer group relationships, and the organization of family in society.  [27]  The fundamental tenets of Sutherlands theory are that criminal behavior is learned, that learning is a result of personal interaction, that primary learning occurs in intimate group settings, that people learn that socially-normative attitudes are either favorable or not, that deviant behavior results when conditions favorable to deviance exceed those unfavorable to violating the law, and that deviant behavior cannot be explained by general needs and values.  [28]  Accordingly, an individual learns various motives which are favorable to engaging in deviant behaviors as well as rationalizations and techniques for achieving them. While the behavior may be defined as deviant to the rest of society, within a particular individuals in-group the behavior may adhere to the groups norms. Akers (1985, 1989) expanded upon Sutherlands work by adding that deviance results when a person learns definitions that portray some conduct as a desirable, even though deviant, action.  [29]  If an individual is rewarded for a deviant act by his in-group then he becomes socialized to continue the behavior under the expectation of similar positive experiences for subsequent acts. Other Theories Deterrence theory asks whether the expectation of certain, severe, and swift punishment for engaging in deviant behavior would deter such behavior.  [30]  Rational choice theory addresses an individuals anticipated cost-benefit ratio of acting on deviant impulses. A greater expected or perceived benefit increases the likelihood that the individual will commit the act. Finally, conflict theory asserts that the development of formal social controls and laws are legitimized by the more powerful societal groups.  [31]   Conclusion The wide variation of social psychological theories of deviant behavior seeks to answer why individuals become motivated to engage in deviant behavior, how behaviors and attitudes are defined as deviant, what factors facilitate deviant behavior, why some deviant behavior is escalated, and what consequences exist.  [32]  Despite the number and variety of theories of deviance the commonality is that this concept is a socially-defined construct utilized to maintain a societys normative values. The disparities in definitions of deviance among societies make it difficult to establish an all-encompassing theory to explain the existence of deviant behavior in contemporary society.

Changing The American Language :: essays research papers

My brother and i are alike in that we both often have very strange dreams. A couple of months back, he dreamed that he was driving in Mexico with his best friend Jacob, when he got pulled over by the Mexican police. When asked if he was drunk, he replied with, "Of course not, sir. I dislike drunk drivers. I disapprove of drunk drivers. I discringe drunk drivers." Hearing this, the police simply let him go. As he was driving away, however, Jacob turned to him and said, "Dude...discringe?" After reciting this story to me the next morning, he asked, "Amber...is discringe a word?" When i told him that it wasn't, he decided that from then on it would be, and ever since has been using it as part of his everyday vocabulary. After hearing him use this made-up word as if it were real for awhile, I realized that he was right. Discringe, although not a real part of the English vocabulary, ought to be a real word, as should many other expressions used in everyday vernacular. There simply aren't enough words to express the many varying and complex emotions we have. Because of the fact that it would add to the creativity of our language, help students differentiate between proper and improper grammar styles, and let us express ourselves in ways that before were very difficult to achieve, the English language ought to be revised to accommodate the changing needs of our society.From "spanglish" to ebonics, the English language is constantly being manipulated into all sorts of different forms to best suit its purpose. This is part of what makes the American culture so unique. Our language comes from three basic sources: what was brought over from the mother country, England, during settlement a mix of different languages and cultures all brought together into what is called the "melting pot" of American society and lastly, experiences and social reforms brought about by the ever-changing needs of a growing country. The third reason, however, has largely been neglected by professors and bureaucrats alike as a viable source of new vocabulary. Although many terms that are commonly used in everyday speech are perfectly functional as well as able to express their intended purpose, they simply are not acknowledged as part of what is considered to be "proper" grammar. For instance, the term "How are you doing?" has evolved into "How are you," then to "What's up," and finally the phrase commonly being used on the streets today, " Å’Sup?

chlamydia Essay -- essays research papers

CHLAMYDIA What is Chlamydia? Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection caused by bacteria. It is estimated that chlamydia is the most common STD with 3 - 4 million new cases each year. Rates of chlamydia are highest in the West and Midwest, part of the contry. How is it Spread? Chlamydia is spread by direct person-to-person contact. It is almost always transmitted through sexual contact. It is also possible for pregnant women to pass the bacteria to their infant during birth. How Do you Know if you are Infected? Because symptoms are not always present, you may be infected with chlamydia and not know it. You can be tested for chlamydia and other sexually transmitted diseases at your local doctor. To test for chlamydia, the physician will use a cotton swab to collect cells from your genitals. What are the Symptoms? If present, symptoms may appear in a week to a month after infection. Seventy-five percent of persons with chlamydia may show no symptoms. Men are more likely than women to show signs of infection. Chlamydia in Men Painful urination. Mild, sticky, milky or mucus-like discharge from penis Testicular pain Irritation around opening of the penis Symptoms may seem to "come and go" Chlamydia is often silent in women, with up to 90% of women asymptomatic. Women can carry the bacteria for months or even years without knowing it. This makes screening very important. When symptoms do present, they include the following: Chlamydia in Women Mild, milky or ...

Analysis of “Seeing” by Annie Dillard

Max 11/5/12 Eng. 101 9:30-11:00 â€Å"Seeing† by Annie Dillard: 1) According to Dillard, lovers and the knowledgeable can see well. Yet she also suggests that those who are knowledgeable on a topic, such as people who have been blind from birth and can suddenly see (due to an opperation), can perhaps view more objectively the world around them, and see it in a way that those with vision from birth cannot.Infants, she says, can see very clearly, for they are viewing the world for the first time, and can observe the colors and the light with no prejudgments, but we forget this experience as we grow older, and only occasionally catch glimpses of this phenomenon. 2) Lovers can see well, because their vision transcends the obvious, if they love a lake, they do not merely see a lake, but also see what the lake represents for them, they see meaning.The knowledgeable can see because as small children we are constantly learning, but those who are knowledgeable continue to learn through out their lives, which enables them to keep discovering new ways to view the world and allows them to keep an open mind and open eye. Those who know little can see, but only if they are open to knowledge, even if that knowledge is self taught, they just must be open to experience and to wonder. ) Seeing contributes to happiness because when we allow ourselves to see, we allow ourselves to open our minds and our hearts, and to see the wonder in the world, which we often close ourselves off to as we grow older. Perhaps when we begin to learn of all the sufferings of reality, we close ourselves off to seeing, because we don't want to know, but if we do not allow ourselves to see and feel suffering, we shut the door to the joys and wonders of this world as well. ) The part of Dillard's essay which struck me the most was her retelling of the experiences of those who had been blinded from birth and were then granted sight, and how they did not have a sense of visual space or distance. It made me realize how my perception of the world is a combination of all my senses, and I can't really distinguish them. If I see an apple, I don't only see it, but I imagine how it feels, tastes, smells, sounds as I bight into it. It is hard to separate each of those from each other, but the sound of n apple being bitten into without the knowledge of it being an apple or knowing what it tastes or smells like, is a novel idea. To think of it separately is difficult, but if you can isolate it, it is truly fascinating, exciting even, for it is like a whole new experience. 5) When Dillard uses the term seeing, she means seeing something beyond the obvious. When looking at a tree, not seeing just a tree, but seeing it as if you were seeing it for the first time, and seeing it for all that it entails. ) A person may â€Å"see† not with the eyes, if they were to feel something deep within themselves that could not be attributed to any of the senses. Seeing in this case means to under stand what the view means to the individual. 7) See is most closely a synonym with understand and appreciate. What Dillard means is to appreciate, for often we go through life not â€Å"seeing† because we are ungrateful. However, one cannot truly appreciate unless they understand. One can look at the stars and not know what they are and still see them and understand.What I mean by understand, is not to be able to scientifically explain, but to wonder about and to be able to understand what it means to the the individual. Death of a Moth- Annie Dillard 8) The indefinite article article â€Å"a† in Dillard's title suggests that when she speaks about the vulnerabilities and fragilities of one moth, she speaks for the whole species. She observed â€Å"a† moth burn in the candle, but it could have been any moth, for they all are vulnerable to fire. Humans as well, are all connected in this way, when one person dies, we are reminded of our own vulnerability and our ow n lack of power in the face of death. ) In Dillard's essay the moth dies by flying into the flame of the candle while Dillard is camping. 10) I think the moth is significant to Dillard because it reminds her of her own vulnerability. Death is one thing which connects all life forms, irronic, but true. When she speaks of â€Å"a† moth, she speaks of all moths, and not only all moths, but all life forms, including herself. The moth stands out to her as well because the moth essentially surrenders it's life in order to allow her to read through the night, not knowingly or on purpose, but Dillard benefits from the death of this moth.This is sort of an example of the circle of life, for though one life form dies, another is able to flourish, this is of course on a small scale, but the concept is the same. 11) Dillard retreats to the hills because she is going through writer's block and is trying to re-motivate herself to write. She brings with her The Day on Fire by James Ullman, a book which she read as a young person which inspired her to write. 12) In â€Å"Death of a Moth†, Dillard seems to be unsure what she wants to write about.She begins by talking about herself living alone in an apartment, then diverges to discuss her trip to the hills to try to get motivated to write again and about watching a moth die in her candle flame, and then in the last paragraph she goes back to talking about living alone. The middle of her essay about her retreat to the hills by herself seems to be about her feelings of loneliness as well though. Even the moth dying is a representation of her solitude, for the moth dies alone. Dillard enjoys being alone, as she clearly states, which I have no doubt is true, but she also seems to want to want company.I find this very relateable, I enjoy my solitude very much, but sometimes I wish that I could be happy and comfortable living with another person, but I feel I cannot be myself unless I am alone. The only time Dillard wi shes to not live alone, is when something is funny, because it is much easier to share joyous times with others than to share ones pain. I would prefer to die alone because then I would not have to worry about how those around me felt, and I would be able to allow myself to feel however I felt, and if I did feel pain when I died, I would want to be able to feel that, and people around me might hinder my ability to do that.I think this is what Dillard may have felt watching the moth die, she pities the moth for dying alone, but the moth goes out majestically and for this reason Dillard envies her. Dillard wishes her death to be real, majestic, and she fears living her life with other people will ruin her death. It is a sad reality to live your life in fear of death, but even more tragic to live your life in preperation for a perfect death.

Amandla Essay

These struggles are depicted through music. Upon further research, I discovered Amandla is a Nguni word meaning power. Amandla was produced by Sherry Simpson Dean and Lee Hirsch. The film is shown in chronological order, and also augmented with archival footage from historical events. Blacks in South Africa were denied many basic human rights while the world ignored. In 1948, the Afrikaner Nationalist arose, and during the 1950’s, apartheid policies were being implemented. Black South Africans were taken from their homes and forced to live in townships, where they had to carry passbooks, were meaninglessly tortured and killed, and also could be arrested for no reason at all. Although their freedom was inhibited, they expressed their pain through song. Currently, despite the lingering problems within South Africa, blacks and whites live amongst each other. The movie pays great homage to the songs of protest that halted Apartheid. Amandla begins with Prime Minister Verwoerd declaring racial segregation in 1948. It is said to be â€Å"a policy of good-neighborliness. † Vuyisile Mini, a composer who’s creation of protest songs eventually led to his hanging, is also being exhumed from his grave. Scenes from the Sharpeville Massacre, the Soweto uprising, and Nelson Mandela’s joyous election to the office of President in 1994 are all depicted in great detail. Mini is given a proper burial at the end of the film. The film explains how the songs touched people different from speeches or demonstrations. Different stages of the struggle for equality brought upon different songs. For example, Mini’s song â€Å"Beware Vorwoerd† and Vilakazi’s â€Å"Meadowlands. † These songs, and many others, showed how diligent the South African people were about their cause, and also was a symbol of the energy they had in completing their mission. Although music is a major aspect of the film, the interviews with those who had first-hand experience to the events. Many (like Abdullah Ibrahim, Hugh Masekela, and Miriam Makeba) were sent to prison or exiled. They spoke in great detail of how homesick they were and how hurtful it was not to be able to return to South Africa. White police officers and executioners are even interviewed. The climax of the film is Nelson Mandela’s release from prison with thousands of people happily singing and cheering his return from prison. He is eventually elected to president of South Africa. Although South Africa has much work ahead of it, it has progressed. People are battle against crime, corruption, poverty and AIDS. Amandla is a great affirmation to the past and gives inspiring hope towards the future of South Africa. It captured moments in history, while still explaining the present problems that exist, including the process of rapprochement. This film also does a good job of explaining that music has, and always will, play an important role in the complicated history of South Africa.