Artifacts and Technology essays

Artifacts and Technology essays An artifact is any object that was made by or altered by humans for some purpose or task. I personally think that all artifacts can be classified as technology. One article that I have found, entitled Analyzing the Past, talks about stone artifacts. These stone artifacts date back some 2.6 million years to the Stone Age. The people of this age forged these new items out of stone. This was something that had never been done before, so it was a new technology. Today, we may not consider this stone work as technology because we have become further advanced. These artifacts help us to better understand the way things were used and the way people lived in these past times. We of course cant talk to anybody that lived back then, so we have to use the technologies that we have today to help us to identify technologies that were used then. Many years from now, when people may possibly find artifacts at Ground Zero in New York City, will they classify this as technology? I think yes, even though the way they build their buildings in future times will more than likely be far more advanced, they will see that our people had become more advanced when those buildings were built than say the times when the Carlyle House in Alexandria, Virginia was built in 1752. The World Trade Centers had a new technological design that was to make them collapse in upon themselves if they were to ever fall. This technology held true when they did collapse. ...

Building Sentences With Adverb Clauses

Building Sentences With Adverb Clauses Here well practice building sentences with adverb clauses. Like an adjective clause, an adverb clause is always dependent on (or subordinate to) an independent clause. Like an ordinary adverb, an adverb clause usually modifies a verb, though it can also modify an adjective, an adverb, or even the rest of the sentence in which it appears. Adverb clauses show the relationship and relative importance of ideas in our sentences. From Coordination to Subordination Consider how we might combine these two sentences: The national speed limit was repealed.Road accidents have increased sharply. One option is to coordinate the two sentences: The national speed limit was repealed, and road accidents have increased sharply. Coordination with and allows us to connect the two main clauses, but it doesnt clearly identify the relationship between the ideas in those clauses. To clarify that relationship, we may choose to change the first main clause into an adverb clause: Since the national speed limit was repealed, road accidents have increased sharply. In this version the time relationship is emphasized. By changing the first word in the adverb clause (a word called a subordinating conjunction), we can establish a different relationshipone of cause: Because the national speed limit was repealed, road accidents have increased sharply. Notice that an adverb clause, like an adjective clause, contains its own subject and predicate, but it must be subordinated to a main clause to make sense. Common Subordinating Conjunctions An adverb clause begins with a subordinating conjunctionan adverb that connects the subordinate clause to the main clause. The subordinating conjunction may indicate a relationship of cause, concession, comparison, condition, place, or time. Heres a list of the common subordinating conjunctions: Cause asbecausein order thatsinceso thatExample:Im not a vegetarian because I love animals. Im a vegetarian because I hate plants.(A. Whitney Brown) Concession and Comparison althoughasas thougheven thoughjust asthoughwhereaswhileExamples:You will find that the State is the kind of organization which, though it does big things badly, does small things badly, too.(John Kenneth Galbraith)It is a waste of energy to be angry with a man who behaves badly, just as it is to be angry with a car that wont go.(Bertrand Russell) Condition even ififin caseprovided thatunlessExample:If you have ever lain awake at night and repeated one word over and over, thousands and millions and hundreds of thousands of millions of times, you know the disturbing mental state you can get into.(James Thurber) Place wherewhereverExample:Read over your compositions, and wherever you meet with a passage which you think is particularly fine, strike it out.(Samuel Johnson) Time afteras soon asas long asbeforeoncestilltilluntilwhenwheneverwhileExample: As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live.(Johann Wolfgang von Goethe)Practice in Building Sentences with Adverb Clauses These five short exercises in sentence combining will give you practice in developing sentences with adverb clauses. Follow the instructions that precede each set of sentences. After you have completed the exercise, compare your new sentences with the sample combinations on page two. Combine these two sentences by turning the second sentence into an adverb clause beginning with an appropriate subordinating conjunction of time:In a Junction City diner, a sunburned farmer comforts his squirming son.His wife sips coffee and recalls the high school prom.Combine these two sentences by turning the second sentence into an adverb clause beginning with an appropriate subordinating conjunction of place:Diane wants to live somewhere.The sun shines every day there.Combine these two sentences by turning the first sentence into an adverb clause beginning with an appropriate subordinating conjunction of concession or comparison:Work stops.Expenses run on.Combine these two sentences by turning the first sentence into an adverb clause beginning with an appropriate subordinating conjunction of condition:Youre on the right track.Youll get run over if you just sit there.Combine these two sentences by turning the first sentence into an adverb clause beginning with an appropriate subo rdinating conjunction of cause:Satchel Paige was black.He was not allowed to pitch in the major leagues until he was in his forties. After you have completed the exercise, compare your new sentences with the sample combinations below. Sample Combinations Here are sample answers to the exercise on page one:  Practice in Building Sentences with Adverb Clauses. In a Junction City diner, a sunburned farmer comforts his squirming son  while  his wife sips coffee and recalls the high school prom.(Richard Rhodes,  The Inland Ground)Diane wants to live  where  the sun shines every day. Even though  work stops, expenses run on. Even if  youre on the right track, youll get run over if you just sit there.(Will Rogers) Because  Satchel Paige was black, he was not allowed to pitch in the major leagues until he was in his forties.

Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 4

Marketing - Essay Example Question # 1- Target Market Initially facebook has its membership restrained to college students only so the target market covered only the youngster till 2006 after which it was opened for all after two years in 2006. The users comprising the target market fell under the psychographic segmentation. The target market includes those youngsters who wish to keep connected with their folks and friends all over the world. Their attributes relating to values, attitudes, interests, personality, or lifestyles matter to them. Facebook new exciting offers target markets users who want to download everything they have posted from Fb to computers. Any sort of information would definitely be updated at personal computer including social status, profile, wall post etc. Whereas the dashboard helps provide more flexibility for users wishing to control better their applications. The new grouping feature targets those groups who wish to share comments, pictures and other links with acquaintances based on ones relationships and interests. For instance, one can now group Facebook friends by college, family, work, sports teams. Question # 2 - Facebook Competitors Facebook has already achieved competitive edge as social networking sites. It does not have strong competitors. ... Tumblr It provides blogging platform with many kids sharing content with each others however, still the tumbir cannot surpass the area coverage by facebook. Twitter It is a micro blogging platform with features of Facebook except 140 assymetric follow patterns and character messages which is a new feature however, this is not such a big threat to Facebook. LinkedIn This is specifically for the business gentry and is therefore covers only certain individuals while Facebook is for everyone else. Path Path works against the principle of Facebook as it talks about smaller groups of friends. Path let you share pictures and information with close circle of friend. Still social networks matter today so facebook still out do. Question # 3 – Product’s Position Facebook is the world's largest social networking online web. On average there are 700 billions minutes spent in a month by facebook current users. The company has been increasing at a meteoric pace, doubling size since af ter 2009 and pushing competitors like Orkut and Twitter aside. Through it is social networking world wide still it has wider customer acceptance due to set define standards of privacy like no other websites provide. There are defined privacy laws governing facebook actions due to which at times it has even been sued. But, so far it has the greater sale’s popularity with over 500 million users in the year 2010. The largest social network worldwide has been rapidly increasing its membership at a steady pace for over the so many years gone by, however even Facebook is almost touching saturation level for several of its age demographics. The good news that remains for Facebook is that it has still future potential to increase and retain its market share. E Marketer statistics

Five Stages of International Development Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Five Stages of International Development - Essay Example Phase number one is usually called Domestic Company. A business is regarded as a domestic company if its business operations are solely carried out in the nation where it originates. Its commodities are set for domestic market and the sourcing of factors of production is also domestic. A typical domestic company, thus, makes no dealings beyond its nation of origin’s boundaries. It, therefore, follows that such a business’ management is the easiest and domestically emanating challenges would also be resolvable with minimal effort. (Dlabay, et al, 2010 p263) Anaren Company befitted this description in year 2006. (forbes.com, 2006) The second phase of international development is Exporting Company. This business type has dependence upon the home-market merits like reputation as it opens wings to the external markets. Its major focus is on sales of its familiar commodities in a small number of foreign markets. Exporting businesses rely on their independent agents in the man agement of their operations in the foreign or even utilize distributors to do the same work. This is due to the fact that agents and distributors alike know the abroad based market places and thus success can be achieved through them with more probability. An example of a business in this stage is the Goscinski Enterprises which exports food commodities in three nations.

Modernization Essay Example for Free

Modernization Essay As we begin to ponder the future of modernization, and the possible consequences that are apt to occur, perhaps we should first revisit the definition of modernization. To this end we can start by saying that modernization is thought of as a concept that states that the development of societies can be considered as a standard evolutionary pattern that has a tendency to stimulate growth. It can also be considered as the concept that refers to the process where society goes through several stages, including industrialization, urbanization, and various other social changes, that tend to completely transform the lives of individuals. One must first take into consideration that modernization, taken in-and-of- itself, should not be considered either good or bad. Modernization is not limited to the geographical bounds of the United States but actually affects people worldwide, and has wide ranging effects including politically, socially, economically, and environmentally throughout the entire populated world. Of course, as in most things, there are positive aspects of modernization as well as several consequences. Perhaps it could be posited that Industrialization began the social changes in the United States society that could be referred to as the modernization of the United States. Although there were many changes before industrialization they were perhaps not as wide-ranging or as monumental. For the purposes of this discussion we can say that modernization refers to the changes of social patterns since the time of the industrial revolution (Macionis, J. J. , 2011). These changes are going to continue, so that we can have better and more efficient technology. Our buildings are even being built to endure certain circumstance based on location. We have advanced so much there would be no reason to take a step back now. We are finding more and better ways to improve our everyday lives and makes things easier for an everyday commute. We have changed the way we think and treat people as well. Since we are a more diverse society people don’t judge each other based on their race, gender, sexual orientation, or ethnicity. The way we treat others in the workplace and sexual harassment has changed also sexual harassment is now a serious crime and has consequences. Modernization is a world-wide trend. We often use conference calling for business meetings in foreign countries. Most countries now have access to the World Wide Web as well. Countries are looking for ways to modernize and adapt to the new technology we have available. There are societies and religions that do not believe in modernization such as the Amish. In some societies socialization has become closer among residents while others societies have grown further apart. Schools are adapting to other cultures and standards. Education is changing as well as work ethics and duties. Countries want to find new ways to expand and progress. Japan and China are two countries that have shown major modernization in the last few decades. All countries can benefit from the progression of modernization. Modernization helps to societies as well as has its negative aspects. We will discuss the negative effects later. Technology blends with our society and traditions are often lost. With more technology we find less need for backbreaking labor and many jobs are replaced with machines. Modernization has even affected our environment with pollution. There are positive aspects to modernization as well. As mentioned before the technology helps in the workplace by making things more efficient, faster, and less costly. Modernization has also change the way be build. Many of our buildings are now modernized and more appealing to onlookers. We can now see other parts of the world just by searching the internet. We can socialize with others that are across the globe without leaving our homes. Modernization has led to social, political, economical, cultural changes, and more. We have brought change in society in numerous ways. Modernization has helped to legalize same-sex marriages, abortions and other things that were considered forbidden before. Some fear with the advance in modernization that we may lose sight in religious values. The great thing about modernization is more people are thinking for themselves, and fighting for what they believe in. A study done in china had found that people in underdeveloped areas where more likely to get lung cancer because of smoking in their homes and using solid heat to cook and heat. The study found it was better on their health to live in a more modernized society. The wood and coal used to make their heat and warm their food was also a cause of lung cancer. So modernization, even though it has also caused pollution in the past, can also help us to become more environmentally friendly. This study shows that we are learning from our mistakes and making better choices to make a better future. Modernization has its good qualities as well as its bad. Technology will continue to advance and societies will continue to adapt. We will continue our want and need for something faster, better, and more efficient than the technology we already have. Countries will continue to compete with each other to come out with the latest technology and best advancements. We will continue to accept new trends, ideas, and values. Some traditions will diminish though we will have new advancements to take their place. The U. S. alone has grown to accept new things such as same sex marriage, rights to vote and more. With as advance as we have become worldwide there is no reason for modernization to stop where it is. We can always learn new things, make new things and come together as better communities. We can also learn to adapt and make better choices for our environment to ensure a healthier world for generations to come.

Eric Eazy-E Wright A Life Interrupted by Taylor Evans :: essays research papers

Eric Eazy-E Wright A Life Interrupted by Taylor Evans Born September 7, 1963, Eric "Eazy-E" Wright's early reputation on the streets of Compton, California, was a hustler eager to apply his street knowledge to his legitimate game. He dropped out of high school in the tenth grade, but refused that to interrupt his success. In the late `80's he turned to rap music. Along with Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, DJ Yella, and M.C. Ren established the most successful and controversial rap group in history. As N.W.A, they blasted police cruelty and challenged the establishment. They eventually took their message of inner-city struggle to millions of fans worldwide. As a soloist, Eazy's career was even more incredible. He launched Compton/Ruthless Records in 1987 and by 1988 had two hit acts-JJ. Fad and Michel'le. During the summer of the same year, N.W.A's Straight Outta Compton LP frightened the media into labeling the group "gangsters". This was a label the group wore and exploited with such force that by the time Eazy released his solo project Eazy-Duz-It that fall, the stage of musical funk and lyrical fight had long been set. "Boyz-N-The-Hood" , "We Want Eazy", "Eazy-Duz-It". His voice fueled a legion of hits. In the early `90's, he joined other West Coast rappers, including M.C. Hammer, Ice T, Tone-Loc, and Young MC, in a stop the violence campaign led by the single "We're All In The Same Gang". With N.W.A, Eazy broke down all the doors of mass exposure previously closed to rap music. Attempts to rock the young musician's foundation were generally useless. Arrests for performing N.W.A's biggest hit "F*** The Police", and other attempts at censorship only helped pave the way for his success. By the time the group had released its last album, Efil4zaggin, in 1991, they had sold more than six million records. As a businessman, Eazy had built a solid commodity with his Ruthless Records label. Some of his more famous signings were: Above The Law, Bone- Thugs-N-Harmo ny, and D.O.C. His ability to promote and market these acts was on the strength of his radio show, "Ruthless Radio Show". As an on-air personality, Eazy gave his audience tickets to his performances, talked to fans, and also became more famous with the young black Americans. Few really knew the man behind the scenes. His charitable nature benefited such organizations as Athletes and Entertainers For Kids, United Colors, and the Make A Wish Foundation.

Effective Research and Writing Essay

To be successful in the new market segment, our team must efficiently accomplish the goals set by the company. A leadership approach for each team member was developed based on the theories of leadership and each member’s individual personality. Marie and Teresa’s Personality Assessment Based on the results of the personality assessment, Marie and Teresa possess extroverted, intuitive, feeling, and perceiving attributes (â€Å"What’s My Jungian 16-Type Personality Self-Assessment,† n.d.). They are people-oriented, creative, and highly optimistic. They are motivated by interactions with people and enjoy a large social circle of acquaintances that require social situations to fuel their energy. Their personalities tend to focus their attention on the big picture rather than the details and prefer to have different options should circumstances change. They respond to the need for urgency to accomplish goals and they value proactivity to become a successful part of the group. Leadership Approaches I plan to lead them by using a democratic and participative style of leadership successfully. I will make sure to involve them in my decision-making process, delegate authority, and encourage their feedback. I will also use a transformational approach because of their need to be connected to their leader and their feeling of reaching their optimal potential in the workplace. Jim’s Personality Assessment Based on the results of the personality assessment, Jim possesses extroverted, sensing, thinking, and judging attributes (â€Å"What’s My Jungian 16-Type Personality Self-Assessment,† n.d.). He is realistic, logical, analytical, decisive, and has a natural head for business or mechanics. He is also motivated by interactions with people and requires social situations to fuel his energy. His personality tends to focus on the details rather than the big picture and prefers logical considerations over social ones when making decisions. He is a planner and he gains influence through predictability. He focuses on immediate outlooks rather than future possibilities. Leadership Approaches I plan to lead him by using a democratic and participative style of leadership. I will make sure to involve him in my decision making process, delegate authority, and encourage his feedback. I will also use a contingency style of leadership that focuses on task orientation because of his need to organize and run things in a business. His motivation for urgency will be emulated through his realistic expectations and attaining goals based on analytical and decisive approaches. Mary’s Personality Assessment Based on the results of the personality assessment, Missy possesses extroverted, intuitive, feeling, and judging attributes (â€Å"What’s My Jungian 16-Type Personality Self-Assessment,† n.d.). She is charismatic, compassionate, and highly persuasive. She is also motivated by interactions with people and enjoys a large social circle of acquaintances that requires social situations to fuel her energy. Her personality tends to be more conceptual than practical and she values personal considerations over criteria that are objective. Leadership Approaches I plan to lead her by using a democratic and participative style of leadership. I will make sure to involve her in my decision making process, delegate authority, and encourage her feedback. She tends to plan her activities and possesses outstanding time management skills, so her sense of urgency to complete a task is high. I will also use a charismatic-visionary style of leadership that allows me to articulate the vision and be willing to take risks to achieve it (Robbins & Coulter, 2012). Rick’s Personality Assessment Based on the results of the personality assessment, Steve possesses introverted, intuitive, thinking, and perceiving attributes (â€Å"What’s My Jungian 16-Type Personality Self-Assessment, â€Å"n.d.). He is socially cautious, enjoys problem solving, and is highly conceptual. He prefers interacting with a small group of friends because of his tendency to be quiet and reserved. He is a planner who gains influence through predictability and focuses on future possibilities rather than immediate outlooks. Leadership Approaches I plan to lead him by using a laissez-faire style of leadership because it will allow him to make his own decisions because he has little regard for titles. His tendency to withhold judgment and his delay of making important decisions can create a challenge when deadlines need to be met. His personality prefers to work alone because of his need for independence, so I will be able to manage him effectively when I make sure that his competencies match his interests. By adjusting my leadership style to conform to each member’s personality, I am confident that my team will efficiently accomplish the goals set by the company. Our new department will be effective in the new market segment and fulfill the company’s strategic plan.

Short Story Analysis/ Civil Peace

â€Å"Once you allow your foundation to be restored, not a small or quick task, you will be able, with God's help, to build the life He always intended you to have† (Sandra Celeste). Chinua Achebe, the author of â€Å"Civil Peace,† writes about a stereotypical life in Africa, from struggles to miracles, the story is focused around the main character, Jonathan Iwegbu's, point of view. The main conflict is the bittersweet fact that Civil War has come to an end, but many African families have lost everything they have ever known. Jonathan, is surprised to see that his house is still standing when other structures around it are demolished.The author uses motifs, characterization and plot to further echo conflict through the entire piece. A quote that is repeated throughout â€Å"Civil Peace† is that, â€Å"Nothing Puzzles God† (Achebe 359). This motif helps support the characters, which further helps support the conflict. This recurring quote helps support the theme by giving characteristics to Jonathan. He is being blessed over and over again, and remains humble. At the end of the Civil War, his bike is kept safe and he is able to sell, and then afford a taxi drive back to Enugu to search for his home.In that whole experience, he does nothing but say that God is limitless, â€Å"But, needless to say, even that monumental blessing must be accounted also totally inferior to the five heads in the family. This newest miracle was his little house in Ogui Overside. Indeed nothing puzzles God! † (Achebe 359). This quote gives support to the motif, which then is portrayed as the theme. The motif is also the main supportation for the main character, Jonathan. In the â€Å"Civil Peace,† Achebe describes the main character, Jonathan, as a humble African man, who experiences difficulties after the Civil War.He is directly supported by the theme that, â€Å"Nothing Puzzles God,† because of the amount of times he is heard saying it. Characterization is a big part in this story, and it is used to support the theme, which is the direct backbone to the main conflict. The conflict is based around Jonathan and his struggle to rebuild his home and his life. Through Jonathan the journey is not hard to read, due to the complete humble nature of him and his life. â€Å"I count it as nothing,' he told his sympathizers, his eyes on the rope he was tying.‘What is _egg-rasher_? Did I depend on it last week? Or is it greater than other things that went with the war? I say, let _egg-rasher_ perish in the flames! Let it go where everything else has gone. Nothing puzzles God† (Achebe 364). Even in his worst times, when all he had earned for his family after the war was taken away, he still praised God and put it into a completely different viewpoint. Jonathans character is a great use of conflict supportation, but his character also enhances the plot, which in the end directly reflects the main theme.The plot o f any story is the foundation and the base for all characters, themes, or motifs. Plot is used to portray action throughout the story. In the â€Å"Civil Peace,† the author uses the plot to intensify Jonathans character and magnify the main conflict. The two most important conflicts that happen throughout the story are when Jonathan travels to Enugu and discovers that him and his family will be forced to work and rebuild their home and lives, and when Jonathan has worked and earned money but gets robbed and is left with nothing once again.The plot emphasizes these points when, â€Å"Jonathan and his family were now completely paralysed by terror. Maria and the children sobbed inaudibly like lost souls. Jonathan groaned continuously† (Achebe 362). The author uses syntax and diction in this excerpt, to support the plot. He used words like, â€Å"inaudibly† and, â€Å"paralyzed with terror,† which is called imagery and helps the readers have a direct connect ion to the plot. In many ways plot is used to further the conflict.In many ways the author, Chinua Achebe, uses a motif, theme, characterization through the main character Jonathan, and plot, to support the main conflicts. These literary devices are key factors in the story of the â€Å"Civil Peace. † By examining the authors purpose of writing this piece, it is made clear that the intended theme is that, â€Å"Nothing Puzzles God. † Knowing that this is the theme and the authors purpose is important in determining the conflict and the reasoning behind it. In this case, the author uses the literary devices to further and extend upon the conflict.

YMCA by Village People as example of disco Essays

YMCA by Village People as example of disco Essays YMCA by Village People as example of disco Paper YMCA by Village People as example of disco Paper Essay Topic: Casablanca â€Å"YMCA†, released in the fall of 1978, has become one of the great survivors of the disco era not only because it followed to the letter the motto of disco: ‘anyone could dance to this song’, but also because the Village People, looking so vigorously American in their costumes, turned it into a crossover hit. The events that led to this success were varied: sociological, political and cultural. The purpose of this paper is to analyze how the song â€Å"YMCA† reflects the events of the decade that nestled disco music and how it fits into this genre which has opened minds up to a new experience that has remained unimpaired to this day.OverviewIn order to understand the Village People phenomenon we must consider some of the relevant facts of the decade (70’s). Although disco was born to suit marginalized audiences (blacks, latinos and gays), it soon crossed over to the mainstream. The most diverse audiences accepted it and adopted its ideals of comm unal harmony. The Stonewall Riots of June 1969, which started with one more police raid into a Greenwich Village gay bar, developed into a series of violent protests that went on for weeks and finally marked the beginning of the gay rights movement in the United States (Kelly Boyer Sagert 31) As a consequence of the Stonewall Riots, the gay community won, among others, the right to dance and interact in their own bars and clubs away from police harassment. Discotheques became the main site of gay liberation. As Robert Walser points out, the music of the 70’s was, in many ways, an answer to the frustrated ideals of the 60’s. Punk and heavy metal took over the economic slump, the chronic social problems and the political distrust but â€Å"the new gender identities and communal ideals† were taken up by disco (â€Å"The Rock and Roll Era 374)As its primary aim was making people get together and dance, disco became in many ways, the studio-created ‘product of producers’, relegating performers to a state of near anonymity and making dancers the stars. In the case of Village People, this was the job of two French music producers: Jacques Morali and Henri Belolo who fell in love with disco and decided to move to the United States to be part of the great movement. They wrote and co-produced for the female trio The Ritchie Family. By the end of the seventies, Morali’s genius for the business spotted an American Indian who danced in a gay disco down in the Village, as they watched him dance they noticed a cowboy who was waiting for his turn to perform. Both producers had the same idea: mixing together in one disco band the male stereotypes of America that the gay community responded to. They placed an ad and eventually filled the roles of cowboy (Randy Jones), cop (Victor Willis), construction worker (David Hodo), soldier (Alex Briley), leather-clad biker (Glenn Hughes), and Indian (Felipe Rose).Description and analysisJacques M orali came up with the idea of writing a song about the â€Å"YMCA† after visiting Randy Jones who was staying there as he moved to New York in 1975. According to what the members of the Village People said in an interview for SPIN Magazine, Morali wrote the song in fifteen minutes during a lunch break without realizing it was to become a disco anthem (Jeff Pearlman 74)YMCA was the first of the five songs which formed part of the LP Cruisin released by Casablanca Records in 1978. As most disco songs, it was meant for dancing in a club. The song reflects the interaction and identification of the individuals with a community. Some authors suggest that such experiences are essential to the disco music: â€Å"To understand this music it is necessary to understand (and respect, and probably love) the sensation of being one among hundreds of others on a packed dance-floor, dancing because dancing is what we enjoy most, and because dance music (like sex) binds us intimately.† (Watney 9)â€Å"YMCA† is sung almost entirely as a set of recommendations to partners who have just arrived in New York with no money and nowhere to stay. In this song the group vocals can be understood as representing the community and the soloist, the individual. Every line of the song is in a call-and-response format. First all the members of the Village People sing a short word or phrase, then Victor Willis, with his broad-chested lead vocal, adds a longer line.The song consists mainly of six stanzas, each pair followed by the same chorus. The song tunes are closed, self-contained. This is achieved by an almost strict musical structure (AABB) and the word by word stress of the last verse in a stanza, punctuated by synthesizers. There is a modest textural crescendo after the first chorus, but the intensity level pattern remains basically the same throughout the song. All choruses are virtually identical not only lyrically but also in terms of instrumentation. The song star ts with a brass introduction which is immediately followed by the four-four pulse beat of disco as the band begins to sing.   Many different instruments are used: clavinet and electric piano (Nathanial Wilke), drums (Russell Drabney), lead guitar (Jimmy Lee), rhythm guitar (Rodger Lee), synthesizer (Richard Trifan) but brass instruments stand out. Before each of the choruses we can hear five bursts of brass which seem to announce the important message:It’s fun to stay at the YMCAThe rest of the stanzas are there to explain why it is so much fun:They have everything for you men to enjoy,You can hang out with all the boys You can get yourself clean, you can have a good meal,You can do what about you feel Having taken off in gay discotheques, the Village People managed to make their songs’ associations with gay lifestyle obvious but somehow hardly noticeable. They simply chose not to say much about the topic and let everybody believe what they wanted.It was this strateg y, together with their charisma and the right social circumstances which made â€Å"YMCA† sell 12 million internationally and be constantly reissued and repackaged.ConclusionDisco sound was ultra-inclusive. Jazz, classical, calypso, rock, latin, soul, funk were mixed in a perfect recipe within a studio to create an innovative sound. It, in turn, influenced 1990’s and 2000’s rhythms like house, techno and hip-hop proving efficiently that disco is a really dignified link of the chain of music.Although in 1977 it might have been hard to believe, the Village People occupied an extreme place in the history of music. It was a brief, frenzied moment when the cultural principle was ‘if it feels good, then it’s ok’, but with their picturesque looks and their contagious rhythm, they became one of the disco decade most enduring phenomena. There is not a sporting event, wedding reception, biker meeting where â€Å"YMCA† is not played confirming it as one of the disco anthems of all times.As Richard Dryer wrote â€Å"disco can’t change the world or make the revolution† but it did open up experience and changed definitions (â€Å"In Defence of Disco† 151)

Noëls Vocabulary, Traditions and Decorations

Noà «ls Vocabulary, Traditions and Decorations Whether you are religious or not, Christmas, Noà «l (pronounced â€Å"no el†) is an important holiday in France. Since the French don’t celebrate Thanksgiving, Noà «l is really the traditional family gathering. Now, many things have been said about Christmas in France, and its particular traditions such as the thirteen desserts, but many of these traditions are regional, and unfortunately tend to disappear with time.   Right now, across France, here are seven traditions you could be expecting: 1. Le Sapin de Noà «l - The Christmas Tree For Christmas, traditions asks that you go get a Christmas Tree â€Å"un sapin de Noà «l†, decorate it and set it in your house. Some people would plant theirs back in their yard. Most will just get a cut tree and throw it away when it is dry. Nowadays, many people prefer to have a synthetic tree you can fold and reuse every year. â€Å"Les dà ©corations (f), les ornements (m)† are more or less precious but it is mostly in the US that I’ve heard the traditions of passing on ornements through generations. It is not a very common thing in France. Its not really clear when to set up the sapin de Noà «l. Some set it on Saint Nicks day (December 6th) and remove it on the 3 King Day (lEpiphanie, January 6th). Le sapin de Noà «l - Christmas treeLes aiguilles de pin - pine needlesUne branche - a brancheUne dà ©coration - a decorationUn ornement - an ornamentUne boule - a ball / an ornamentUne guirlande - a garlandUne guirlande à ©lectrique - an electrical garlandL’à ©toile - the star 2. La Couronne de Noà «l - Christmas Wreath Another Christmas Tradition is to use wreaths on your doors, or sometimes as a table centrepiece. This wreath may be done of twigs, or of a fir branch, may have glitter, feature fir cones and if placed on a table, often surrounds a candle. Un centre de table - a centrepieceUne couronne - a wreathUne brindille - a twigUne branche de sapin - a fir branchUne pomme de pin - a fir coneUne bougie - a candleUne paillette - a glitterDe la neige artificielle - artificial snow 3. Le Calendrier de l’Avent - Advent Calendar This is a special calendar for kids, to help them count the days before Christmas. Behind each number is a door, which reveals a drawing, or a nook with a treat or a little toy. This calendar is usually hung in a communal room as to remind everybody of the countdown before Christmas (and keep an eye on the â€Å"door† openings so that the kids won’t just eat all the chocolate before Christmas...) Un calendrier - a calendarL’Avent - AdventUne porte - a doorUne cachette - a hiding spotUne surprise - a surpriseUn bonbon - a candyUn chocolat - a chocolate 4. La Crà ¨che de Noà «l - The Christmas Manger Nativity Another important Christmas tradition in France is the nativity: a little house with Mary and Joseph, an ox and a donkey, the star and an angel, and eventually baby Jesus. The nativity set can be larger, with the 3 kings, many shepherds and sheep and other animals and village people. Some are very old and in the South of France, the little figurines are called â€Å"santons† and can be worth quite a lot of money. Some family make a paper crà ¨che as a project for Christmas, others have a tiny little one somewhere in their house, and some churches would have a live nativity scene during the Christmas mass. Traditionally, baby Jesus is added on December 25th in the morning, often by the youngest child of the household. La crà ¨che - the manger/ nativityLe petit Jà ©sus - baby JesusMarie - MaryJoseph - JosephUn ange - an angelUn boeuf - an oxUn à ¢ne - a donkeyUne mangeoire - a mangerLes rois mages - the 3 kings, the 3 wise menL’à ©toile du berger - the star of BethlehemUn mouton - a sheepUn berger - a shepherdUn santon - manger figurines made in the South of France 5. About Santa, Shoes, Stockings, Cookies and Milk In the old days, children would place their shoes next to the fireplace and hope to get a little present from Santa, such as an orange, a wooden toy, a little doll. Stockings are used instead in the Anglo-saxon countries.   In France, most new houses do not have a fireplace, and the tradition of placing your shoes by it has totally disappeared. Although he does bring the presents on his sleigh, in France what Santa does is not that clear: some think he comes down the chimney himself, some believe he sends a helper or just magically places the gifts on the shoes (if he is an old-fashioned Santa) or under the Christmas tree. In any case, there is no clear tradition of leaving cookies and milk for him†¦ Maybe a bottle of Bordeaux and a toast of foie gras? Just kidding†¦ Le Pà ¨re Noà «l - Santa (or Saint Nicolas in the North-East of France)Le traineau - the sleighLes rennes - reindeersLes elfes - elvesLe Pà ´le Nord - North Pole 6. Christmas Cards and Greetings It’s customary in France to send out Christmas/ Happy New Year cards to your friends and family, although this tradition is disappearing over time. If its better to send them before Christmas, you have until January 31st to do it. Popular Christmas greetings are: Joyeux Noà «l - Merry ChristmasJoyeuses fà ªtes de Noà «l - Merry ChristmasJoyeuses fà ªtes - Happy Holidays (more Politically Correct since not Religious) 7. Les Marchà ©s de Noà «l - Christmas Markets in France Christmas Markets are little villages made up of wooden stalls (called chà ¢lets) which pop up in the center of towns in December. They typically sell decorations, local products and vin chaud (mulled wine), cakes, biscuits and gingerbreads as well as many handcrafted items. Originally common in the North-East of France, they are now popular throughout France - there is a huge one on les Champs Elysà ©es in Paris.

Renaissance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Renaissance - Essay Example All these paintings are extremely soothing as they, "appeal to both the mind and spirit" (Portrait of the Artist). These paintings reflect the artist's unique and personal style. The painting that I have chosen, 'Madonna and Child with Adoring Angel' (Tempera on panel, Norton Simon Art Foundation), is exceptional for its three dimensional effect as obtained by the view of the country-side in the background as seen through the window arches. Equally brilliant is how the artist has captured the expressions of love, tenderness and adoration on the faces of his three subjects. The attention paid to the surroundings in the form of the pillars and arches also lend authenticity to the entire composition. All these aspects combined give depth and perspective to the painting as well as a sense of realism, which was a hallmark of art of this period. The artist has gone in to minute detail in every aspect of the painting - be it the main subjects, the overall setting and even the decorative aspects. For example, the depiction of the decorations on the panels and arches makes one fell as if one were actually present in the room.

How is cell phone affectin our daily life Research Paper

How is cell phone affectin our daily life - Research Paper Example The overall effects and contribution of cell phones, taking the benefits and hazards of daily life into consideration, helps to understand the impacts of cell phone in daily life. Introduction The advent of cell phones has revolutionized our daily livelihood. Cell phone has become an integral part of our daily life and is one of the basic needs of the life. In every step of our daily life starting from eating, talking, working and sleeping, cell phone is involved in numerous functions that we undertake. It has become next to impossible to imagine about our lives without the use of cell phone. This could be evidenced from the fact that if our cell phone is damaged or lost, we do not wait or think twice but immediately take actions of either buying a new one or repairing it as soon as possible. The availability of cell phones in the market is also has been an area of achievement by the manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers. A wide range of cell phones are available in the market in terms of quality, style and price. Even high quality and branded cell phones are available in the market at affordable cost. The marketing channels used by the sellers are also of a wide range that varies from multiple shopping channels, electronic channels, etc. The cells phone are electronic gadgets that offer multiple benefits on different situational circumstances to the user. Apart from the communication aspect of cell phones, cell phones are used for the purpose of entertainment, watching and listening to videos, music, songs, etc. Apart from this, cell phones serve as life saving instruments for the user in order to rescue themselves under dire circumstances. Cell phones have the passive attitudes of life into aspects of talking initiative. Rather than waiting for an event to happen or information to be retrieved, cell phones allow the user to take the initiative of reaching to the happening place of the event or to acquire the desired information. Apart from the benefits, ce ll phones also affect our daily lives through environmental and health hazards (Katz, 23). The launch of new mobile phone with upgraded technology draws many users who scrap their old devices and buy a new cell phone. Thus the debris of cell phone is piled up in the society. The toxic metals like cadmium, lead, nickel, mercury, manganese, lithium, zinc, arsenic, antimony and copper and other heavy metals present in the cell phones add to the environmental wastes and cause pollution. The health hazards that are caused by the cell phones include cell phone elbow, malignant gliomas, acoustic neuromas, heart ailments, etc. Research Problem The research problem defined for this research is, â€Å"How is cell phone affecting our daily life?† The research problem has been designed to explain the positive and negative impacts of cell phone in our daily life along wit the changes that have been brought about by its usage. Literature review The communication channels of the world have developed through ages. The technologies have produced its fruits which have revolutionized the ways of leading life. The ways of communication are, however, classified as passive and active. The passive ways of communication is not under the control of the user. The user has to wait for initiation of the communication or has to wait for the information for a particular period of time. The