Cinderella vs. Danielle de Barbarac Essay -- essays research papers

Cinderella vs. Danielle de Barbarac   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Throughout history, women have been portrayed as the weaker sex. Truthfully, many women are just as physically and emotionally strong as men. Cinderella’s strengths have been shown in the movies Ever After and Cinderella. In Ever After, a woman lost the only person that she ever really loved, but later found true love through the hardships of her lonely life. In Cinderella, a woman eventually found the love that she had always dreamed of throughout her slave-driven life. In both versions of this classic tale, Cinderella is strong, self-reliant, and fearless.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Cinderella’s true strength was shown in Ever After and Cinderella. One major part in both versions is that Cinderella attends the Prince’s ball alone. In Ever After, Danielle was persuaded by all of her friends to go to the ball, against her stepmother’s wishes, in order to tell the Prince that she is really a peasant girl. She was only pretending to be a countess to save a friend’s life. Danielle’s friend, Leonardo DaVinci, finally said to her, â€Å"If you don’t go, the Baroness wins,† (Tennant). This changed Danielle’s attitude because she was not about to let her stepmother win. In Cinderella, Cinderella just wanted to go to the ball because she had always dreamed of it. The Prince’s invitation said that every girl in the kingdom was allowed to come to the ball, so Cinderella thought that she was going to be able to go too. Aft...

The Indigo Spell Chapter Seventeen

ALTHOUGH OUR MAGICAL PLANS had been derailed, Ms. Terwilliger had asked me to come by her room before classes started in the morning so that we could talk strategy and future assignments. I had just enough time to swing by the cafeteria for breakfast and found Jill, Eddie, and Angeline sitting together. It felt like it had been a long time since we'd all been together in some kind of normal setting, and I welcomed this small moment of bonding. It was a refuge in the storm that had been my life recently. Jill was grinning about something that Eddie didn't seem to find so funny. â€Å"He didn't say anything about it to me,† he said. â€Å"Of course not.† Jill laughed. â€Å"He's too embarrassed.† I sat down with my tray. â€Å"Who's too embarrassed?† I assumed any â€Å"he† they were talking about must be Adrian, though it was hard to imagine Adrian embarrassed about anything. â€Å"Micah,† said Jill. â€Å"I talked him into modeling for our sewing club again. And then he got Juan and Travis to do it too. â€Å" â€Å"How'd you manage that?† I asked. Jill had originally gotten involved with Lia through the school's sewing club. Back when Jill and Micah had dated, she'd convinced him to model some very badly made clothes. He'd done it out of adoration, though I wasn't sure he'd really enjoyed it. Jill leaned forward, an excited sparkle in her eyes. â€Å"Claire guilted him into it! It was hilarious. But I don't know how he talked Juan and Travis into it. Maybe they owed him a favor.† â€Å"Maybe they have ulterior motives,† said Eddie. His tone surprised me until I remembered his lesson about the latest social developments around here. What was it? Claire was Micah's new girlfriend. Juan and Travis were his friends, who liked Jill. Eddie didn't like that they liked her. Got it. Apparently, Eddie hadn't kept his opinions to himself because Jill rolled her eyes. â€Å"Will you stop worrying about that?† she asked. She was still smiling but sounded just a little annoyed. â€Å"They're good guys. And I'm not going to do anything stupid. You don't have to lecture me about humans and Moroi. I get it.† Her jade eyes flicked over to me, and her smile faltered a little. She studied me for several long, troubled moments, and I wondered what she was thinking about. Was she still hoping for some romantic resolution between Adrian and me? Was she wondering why Adrian and I kept getting into intimate situations? I kind of wanted to know that too. She finally dragged her gaze away, letting her happy mood return. â€Å"I'm just looking out for you,† Eddie said obstinately. â€Å"You look out for assassins. I can handle these guys. I'm not a child, and besides, these are the most male models we've ever had. It's great. If we could score a couple more, our club could do a whole project on men's clothing.† Eddie still looked way too serious for this discussion. â€Å"Maybe Eddie would volunteer,† I suggested. â€Å"I bet guardian posture would be great on the catwalk.† He blushed, which even I had to admit was adorable. If Jill had been irritated by his earlier overprotectiveness, it was no longer obvious. From her dreamy expression, you'd think Eddie blushing was the most amazing thing she'd ever witnessed. I think he was too overwhelmed at the thought of strutting down a runway to notice. Angeline had been completely silent so far. I glanced over at her, expecting her to have something funny to say about her boyfriend being encouraged to model. But to my surprise, she wasn't paying attention to the conversation at all. She had a geometry book open and was furiously trying to draw some circles freehand. It killed me to watch, but after Kristin's comment about Angeline stabbing someone with a compass, freehand might be best. â€Å"What do you think, Angeline?† I asked, just to see how engrossed she was. â€Å"Do you think Eddie would make a good model?† â€Å"Hmm?† She didn't look up. â€Å"Oh, yeah. You should let Jill try some clothes on you.† Now Jill blushed. Eddie's deepened. Just when I thought this meal couldn't get any more surreal, Trey stopped by. He nudged Angeline's chair with his toe. â€Å"Hey, McCormick.† He nodded toward her graph paper. â€Å"Time to check out your curves.† Rather than answering with some biting response, she looked up instantly, a big smile on her face. â€Å"I've been working on them all morning,† she said. â€Å"I think they're pretty good.† â€Å"They look good from where I'm standing,† said Trey. They were actually the worst circles I'd ever seen, but I guessed Trey wanted to encourage her. I was amazed at how seriously she was treating this math grade. It seemed to me that she was putting it above everything else, even her personal life. She gathered up all her things so that she and Trey could go to the library. Eddie looked disappointed but couldn't protest, lest it give away the truth about Angeline and him. Trey knew we weren't all actually related, but Eddie and Angeline's relationship was still kept secret. I realized then that it was almost time to meet Ms. Terwilliger. I hurriedly finished a banana and told Eddie and Jill I'd see them later. Whether they would talk about male modeling or Jill's dating life, I couldn't guess. I showed up right on the dot for my meeting but found Ms. Terwilliger's room locked and dark. Even in crisis mode, I supposed she was entitled to run a little late now and then, so I settled down on the hallway floor and read ahead for my English class. I grew so absorbed that I didn't realize how much time had passed until I heard the warning bell ring and realized students were starting to fill the halls. I glanced up just as the same harried substitute teacher from before came scurrying up to the door with a set of keys. I scrambled to my feet. â€Å"Ms. Terwilliger's out today?† I asked. â€Å"Is she okay?† â€Å"They don't tell me the reasons,† the sub said brusquely. â€Å"They just ask me to be here. I hope she left an assignment this time.† Knowing Ms. Terwilliger, I had a feeling it was going to be another â€Å"homework† day. I shuffled into the classroom after the sub, feeling a knot of anxiety in my stomach. The next hour was agonizing. I barely heard as the sub told us to work on homework. Instead, I kept sneaking glances at my cell phone, hoping a text would come from Ms. Terwilliger. No such luck. I went from class to class but was too distracted to give anything my full attention. I even shocked myself in English when I nearly mixed up Henry IV with Henry VI while answering an essay question. Thankfully, I caught myself before committing that embarrassing mistake to paper. When I returned to Ms. Terwilliger's classroom for my independent study at the day's end, I was expecting the sub to tell me I could leave early again. Instead, I found Ms. Terwilliger herself, rifling through papers on her desk. â€Å"You're back!† I exclaimed. â€Å"I thought something had happened to you.† â€Å"Not me,† she said. Her face was pale and drawn. â€Å"But someone else wasn't so lucky.† â€Å"No. Not again.† I sank into a chair, and all the fears I'd been carrying around today came crashing down on me. â€Å"I'd hoped we'd protected those girls.† Ms. Terwilliger sat down opposite me. â€Å"It wasn't one of them. Last night, Veronica targeted one of my coven members. Alana.† It took me several moments to truly process that. â€Å"Your coven . . . you mean, like a full-fledged witch?† â€Å"Yes.† â€Å"Someone like you?† Her face gave me the answer before she spoke. â€Å"Yes.† I was reeling. â€Å"But you said she only went after young girls.† â€Å"Normally she does. That way she can capture youth and beauty along with power.† Ms. Terwilliger didn't look like she had to worry about someone stealing her youth anytime soon. Fatigue and stress were taking their toll on her, making her look older than she was. â€Å"Now, some magic users who perform this spell are only concerned about power, not getting younger. That's never been Veronica's style, though. She's vain. She always wanted the superficial benefits – not to mention easier victims. Someone like my coven sister would be more difficult to take, so this is surprising behavior.† â€Å"It means you could be a target,† I said. â€Å"You've been saying all this time that you're safe, but now everything's different.† Ms. Terwilliger shook her head, and a bit of steely resolve flashed in her eyes. â€Å"No. Maybe she did this to throw me off, to make me think it's someone else behind the spells. Or maybe to make me think she's not interested in you. Whatever the reason, she won't target me.† I admired Ms. Terwilliger for thinking so well of her sister, but I couldn't share her confidence that sisterly affection would overcome an evil quest for youth and power. â€Å"No offense, ma'am, but isn't there a slight chance you could be wrong about her coming for you? You said she'd only go after young novices, but obviously, that's not the case. She's already doing things you didn't expect.† Ms. Terwilliger refused to back down. â€Å"Veronica may do any number of terrible things, but she won't face me unless she's absolutely forced to.† She handed over a new spell book and a small drawstring bag. â€Å"Just because she went after an older witch, it doesn't mean you're out of danger. I've marked some pages I want you to go over. There's a spell there I think will prove particularly useful. I've gathered some components for you, and you should be able to cast the rest yourself – just make sure you do it somewhere remote. Meanwhile, I still need to make you that secondary charm. There's just so much to do lately.† A mix of emotions swirled within me. Once again, I was amazed that Ms. Terwilliger would go to such lengths for me. Yet I couldn't shake my fear for her. â€Å"Maybe you should make one for yourself, just in case.† She gave me a wan smile. â€Å"Still pushing that, hmm? Well, once I've secured yours, I'll see about another. It may take a while, however. What I have in mind for you is particularly complex.† That made me feel even worse. She always looked so worn out lately, and all these things she was doing for me were only intensifying the situation. But no matter how many arguments I made, she refused to listen. I left her classroom feeling upset and confused. I needed to vent to someone. Obviously, my choices were limited in this matter. I texted Adrian: V attacked a real witch last night. Ms. T won't protect herself. She's only worried about me. As usual, I received a quick response: Wanna talk about it? Did I? I wasn't the type to sit and analyze my feelings, but I did actually want company. I knew I shouldn't spend more time around Adrian than I had to when my feelings for him were already so mixed. But he was the only person I wanted to talk to. I have to cast some spells for her now. Want to pick me up and come along? My answer was a smiley face. She'd told me to go somewhere remote, so I picked Lone Rock Park again. When Adrian and I arrived, it was smoldering in the late-afternoon heat, and I found it hard to believe Christmas was only a couple weeks away. I'd dressed in layers, just like before, and took off my Amberwood hoodie as Adrian and I trekked across the rocky terrain. He took off a coat as well, and I had to do a double take when I saw what he was wearing underneath. â€Å"Really?† I asked. â€Å"Your AYE shirt?† He shot me a grin. â€Å"Hey, it's a perfectly good shirt. I think I'm going to see if I can start a chapter on Carlton's campus.† Carlton was the college he took art classes at. It was pretty small and didn't even have fraternities or sororities. â€Å"A chapter?† I scoffed. â€Å"Don't you mean the only chapter?† â€Å"Gotta start somewhere, Sage.† We reached the same spot where I'd practiced with Ms. Terwilliger, and I tried to ignore the scorch marks on the ground. Adrian had decided to turn this into a desert picnic and had brought along a basket containing a blanket and a thermos of lemonade. â€Å"I figured we could stop at Pies and Stuff on the way back since I know how much you like that place,† he explained, deadpan, as he poured me a cup. â€Å"Hopefully this'll tide you over after the spell.† â€Å"I wish this was over,† I said, running my hand over the weathered leather of Ms. Terwilliger's latest book. It was an old handwritten one called Summonings and Conjurations. â€Å"I hate living with the uncertainty, worrying that Veronica's lurking behind every corner. My life's already complicated enough without witches coming after me.† Adrian, face serious, stretched out on the blanket and propped his head up with his elbow. â€Å"If she's even coming after you.† I sat down cross-legged, careful to keep a lot more distance than in the Velvet Suite. â€Å"Ms. Terwilliger won't listen to me. She just keeps stressing over me.† â€Å"Let her,† he suggested. â€Å"I mean, I totally get why you're worried about her. I am too. But we have to accept that she knows what she's talking about. She's been involved with this stuff a lot longer than we have.† I couldn't help but smile at that. â€Å"Since when are you involved with magic?† â€Å"Since I started looking after you and being all manly and brave.† â€Å"Funny, I don't remember it that way.† I worked to keep a straight face. â€Å"If you think about all the rides I gave you, me getting you into college . . . well, it kind of seems like I'm looking after you.† He leaned toward me. â€Å"I guess we look after each other.† We locked eyes and smiled, but there was nothing sensuous about it. There was no trick here, no sly move on Adrian's part to advance on me. And there was no fear on my part. We were just two people who cared about each other. It reminded me of what had initially drawn us together – before all the romantic complications. We connected. Against all reason, we understood each other, and – as he said – we looked out for each other. I'd never had a relationship quite like that with anyone and was surprised at how much I valued it. â€Å"Well, then, I guess I'd better get to work.† I glanced back down at the book. â€Å"I haven't had a chance to look at what she wants me to do. It doesn't sound like a defensive book.† â€Å"Maybe you're graduating from fireballs to lightning bolts,† Adrian suggested. â€Å"I bet it'd be a lot like throwing ninja stars. Except, well, you could incinerate people.† When I found the page Ms. Terwilliger had marked, I read the title aloud: â€Å"Callistana Summoning.† â€Å"What's callistana mean?† asked Adrian. I scrutinized the word, making sure I was deciphering the elaborate script correctly. â€Å"I don't know. It's kind of like the Greek word for ‘beautiful,' but not quite. The spell's subtitle is ‘For protection and advanced warning.'† â€Å"Maybe it's some kind of shield, like the one Jackie had,† suggested Adrian. â€Å"An easier one.† â€Å"Maybe,† I agreed. I wouldn't mind a little bit of invulnerability. I opened up the bag Ms. Terwilliger had given me. Inside, I found dragon's blood resin, a small bottle of gardenia oil, branches of juniper berries, and a glittering smoky quartz crystal, rutilated with lines of gold. Although she'd provided the ingredients, the spell's directions required that I use and measure them in a very specific way, which made sense. As usual, it was the caster's work that powered the magic. Adrian sat up and read over my shoulder. â€Å"It doesn't really say what happens when you cast it,† he pointed out. â€Å"Yeah . . . I'm not really excited about that part.† Presumably, the caster was supposed to just know what she was doing. If this was some kind of protective shield, then maybe the shield would materialize around me, just as it had for Ms. Terwilliger. â€Å"Well, no point in wasting time. We'll find out soon enough.† Adrian chuckled as he watched me walk over to a clear piece of land. â€Å"Am I the only one amazed that you now perform magic blindly?† â€Å"No,† I assured him. â€Å"You're not the only one.† I had to pluck the juniper berries off one by one and make a small ring with them, saying, â€Å"Fire and smoke,† each time I placed one on the ground. When I finished, I anointed each berry with a drop of the oil and recited, â€Å"Breath and life.† Inside the circle, I lit a small pile of the resin and rested the smoky quartz on top of it. Then I stepped back and reread the spell, committing the words and gestures to memory. Once I was satisfied I knew it, I handed it to Adrian and shot him a hopeful look. â€Å"Wish me luck,† I said. â€Å"You make your own luck,† he replied. I tried not to roll my eyes and turned toward the circle. I recited the spell's complex Greek incantation, pointing in the four cardinal directions as I spoke, per the book's instructions. It was startling how quickly the magic welled up within me, filling me with that blissful power. I spoke the last words, pointing at the juniper circle as I did. I felt the magic pour from me and into the quartz. Then I waited for something to happen. Nothing did. I looked back at Adrian, hoping he noticed something I hadn't. He shrugged. â€Å"Maybe you did it wrong.† â€Å"It worked,† I insisted. â€Å"I felt the magic.† â€Å"Maybe you just can't see it. At the expense of getting myself in trouble here, you should know how amazing you look when you do that stuff. All graceful and – † His eyes went wide. â€Å"Um, Sydney? That rock is smoking.† I glanced back at the circle. â€Å"That's just the resin that's – â€Å" I stopped. He was right. Smoke was coming out of the quartz. I watched, fascinated, and then slowly, the quartz began to melt. Rather than dissipate into a puddle, though, the liquid began to re-form into a different shape, one that soon hardened into something new and unexpected: a crystalline dragon. It was small, able to fit in a palm, and glittered just like the dark brown quartz had. The dragon looked more like the serpentine kind usually associated with Chinese culture rather than the winged types of European myth. Every detail was meticulously carved, from the tendrils of its mane to the scales on its hide. It was stunning. Also, it was moving. I screamed and backed up, running into Adrian. He put an arm around me and held me as protectively as he could, though it was clear he was just as freaked out. The dragon opened its crystal eyelids and peered at the two of us with tiny golden eyes. It elicited a small croak and then began walking toward us, its small claws scraping against the rocks. â€Å"What the hell is that?† Adrian demanded. â€Å"Do you really think I know?† â€Å"You made it! Do something.† I started to ask what had happened to him looking out for me, but he had a point. I was the one who'd summoned this thing. No matter where we moved or backed up to, the dragon continued to follow and make a small, high-pitched screeching noise that sounded like nails on a chalkboard. I groped for my cell phone and tried to dial Ms. Terwilliger, but there was no reception out here. Darting over to the blanket, I grabbed the spell book and then hurried back to Adrian's side. I flipped to the index, looking up callistana. There I found two entries: Callistana – Summoning and Callistana – Banishing. You would've thought the two would be near each other in the book, but they were pages apart. I flipped to the latter and found the instructions brief and to the point: Once your callistana has been fed and rested, you may summon and banish it at will for a year and a day. A short incantation followed. I looked up at Adrian. â€Å"It says we have to feed it.† â€Å"Will that make it shut up?† he asked. His arm was around me again. â€Å"I honestly don't know.† â€Å"Maybe we can outrun it.† All my instincts about hiding the supernatural world kicked in. â€Å"We can't just leave it for some hiker to find! We have to get it some food.† Not that I had any clue what to feed it. Hopefully humans and vampires weren't on the menu. A look of determination crossed Adrian's features. In a great show of bravery he lunged for the picnic basket and actually managed to scoop the dragon up in it. He slammed down the lid, and the mewling faded but didn't stop. â€Å"Wow,† I said. â€Å"Manly and brave.† Adrian regarded the basket with dismay. â€Å"I just hope that thing doesn't breathe fire. At least it's contained. Now what do we do?† â€Å"Now we feed it.† I made a decision. â€Å"We take it to Pies and Stuff.† I didn't know if dragons ate pie, but that was the closest food source we had. Besides, I was pretty sure I'd be able to get a cell phone signal there. So, Adrian drove us back to the little diner while I gingerly held the noisy basket. He went inside, and I stayed in the car and tried to call Ms. Terwilliger. I was sent to voice mail and didn't even bother with formalities. Was she never near her phone anymore? â€Å"Call me now,† I said through gritted teeth. The dragon's screeching was really starting to get to me. Adrian returned in about ten minutes carrying two bags. I stared in amazement as he got in the car. â€Å"Did you buy out the store?† â€Å"I didn't know what kind it wanted,† he protested. Between the two bags, we had half a dozen slices of different kinds of pies. Each one's container was neatly labeled. â€Å"I really don't know either,† I said. Adrian sifted through the bags and pulled out a slice of coconut cream. â€Å"If I were a dragon, this is what I'd go for.† I didn't argue, mainly because that statement had no logical argument. He took the lid off the pie and then looked at me expectantly. With a gulp, I opened the basket's lid and prayed the dragon wouldn't climb out and claw my face off. Adrian quickly set the pie down in the basket. Nervously, we both leaned forward to watch. At first, the dragon looked as though it really would climb out after us. Then it noticed the pie. The little crystal creature sniffed at the slice, circled it a few times, and then began gnawing at the pie in teeny-tiny bites. Best of all, the screeching stopped. We watched in wonder as the dragon made its way through a third of the coconut cream pie. Then, without warning, it rolled over onto its back and began to snore. Adrian and I sat there, frozen, and then finally dared to look at each other. â€Å"I guess you were right about the flavor,† I said. â€Å"Do you think you can banish it now?† he asked. â€Å"Is it fed and rested enough?† I retrieved the spell book to double-check the incantation. â€Å"Time to find out.† I recited the words. Smoke fluttered from the dragon's body. He began to shimmer, and within moments, we were looking at an inert piece of smoky quartz. In another valiant display, Adrian picked it up but held it as far away as possible as he studied it. The ringing of my phone startled both of us, and he dropped the crystal back into the basket. I looked at the phone's screen and saw Ms. Terwilliger's name. â€Å"You made me summon a dragon!† I exclaimed. â€Å"I most certainly did not,† she responded. â€Å"Callistanas are a type of demon.† I froze. â€Å"A demon.† â€Å"Well,† she amended. â€Å"A very minor and generally benign kind.† I didn't reply for a while. â€Å"Sydney? Are you still there?† â€Å"You had me summon a demon,† I replied, voice stiff. â€Å"You know how I feel about evil and the supernatural. You've spent all this time trying to convince me that the magic we do is all for some greater good in the battle against evil, and yet you made me summon a creature of hell.† â€Å"Creature of hell?† She snorted. â€Å"Hardly. You know nothing about demons. I told you it's benign, didn't I? Callistanas can be very useful. They'll warn you if dark magic is nearby and will even try to defend you if you're attacked – not that they can do much damage.† I wasn't buying it. â€Å"If they're so useful, then why don't you have one?† â€Å"Oh, well, I'm at a level where I can sense dark magic on my own. That, and – if you'll forgive my language – callistanas are a real pain in the ass. They make the most irritating noise when they're hungry. Cats are more than adequate for my needs.† â€Å"Yeah,† I said. â€Å"I kind of noticed the noise part. I fed it some pie and turned it back into a rock.† â€Å"There, you see?† She sounded happier than I'd heard her in days. â€Å"Look at the progress you've made already. No matter what comes of this mess we've found ourselves in, I'm more convinced than ever that I made the right choice in guiding you on the magical path.† I had too much going on to really appreciate the compliment. â€Å"So what do I do now?† â€Å"It'll disappear on its own after a year and a day. Until then, you can call it when you need it. You can try to train it. And of course, you'll have to feed it. Whatever you choose to do, it will be loyal to you. It bonds with the first person it sees and will need to spend time with you . . . Sydney? Are you there?† I'd gone silent again. â€Å"The first person it sees?† I finally managed to ask. â€Å"Not the caster?† â€Å"Well, usually they're one and the same.† I glanced over at Adrian, who was eating a piece of blackberry pie while listening avidly to my side of the conversation. â€Å"What happens if there were two people there when it opened its eyes? Adrian was with me when I summoned it.† Now she paused. â€Å"Oh? Hmm, well, I probably should've said something before you cast the spell.† That had to be the understatement of the century. â€Å"You should've told me a lot of things before I cast it! What does it mean that the dragon – demon, whatever – saw both of us? Did it bond with both of us?† â€Å"Look at it this way,† Ms. Terwilliger said, after several moments of thought. â€Å"The callistana thinks of you two as its parents.†

Air Pollution Essay - 1322 Words

All living things use air and it must be clean to maintain life on earth. When air pollution becomes the subject, what do you think about? Smog, acid rain, and other forms of outdoor pollution are the common things people think about. Air pollution can also exist indoors as in closed ventilated areas that we surround. This makes the air that we breathe indoors inescapable and the pollution exist both indoor and outdoor. For example, hair spray usage indoor is polluting the air inside because of the emissions of toxic chemicals used to create the product are present within a spray of it. On a typical outdoor summer day in Fresno, the smog from vehicles exposed into the air which makes the air brown and can be seen miles away from highways.†¦show more content†¦The sources used which gives off gases or particles are cooking oils, hair sprays, aerosols, household cleaning products such as bleach and Pinesol have the greater effect or even insecticide sources that kills rats, ro aches, spiders and ants. According to World Health Organizations, â€Å"Cooking and heating with solid fuels on open fires or traditional stoves results in high levels of indoor air pollution. Indoor smoke contains a range of health-damaging pollutants, such as small particles and carbon monoxide.† The inadequate ventilation from using these products can increase the indoor air without outdoor air to dilute the emissions. The relative importance of a source used depends on how much emissions gives out on an object and evaporates in the air surrounding the user. Another factor from using building materials can give off high pollutant in some cases an improperly adjusted gas stove can emit high amounts of carbon dioxide than the properly adjusted one. Air pollution happens when sources are emitted into the air and it is caused by human activities from operating that source. Creating the pollution indoors is more harmful because it affects the air quality inside and it stay indo ors if not ventilated properly. The activities from using the sources are causing these pollutions and we do not know that we are causing these pollutions to occur indoor. In a household with children and theShow MoreRelatedAir Pollution1499 Words   |  6 PagesAir Pollution emissions have been a leading threat to the world, as the world has become more and more industrialized over the past century. However, many fail to realize the threat that air pollution emissions pose to human health. As humans continue to buy gasoline for the excessive amount of cars that are driven on a daily basis, create waste from factories, using coal and biomass fuels to power their daily lives, they will continue to put their own health at risk. China, a developing countryRead MoreAir Pollution : Clean Air1157 Words   |  5 PagesAir pollution: Clean air is vital to our health. Poor air quality can be particularly critical to the health of children, older people and pregnant women. It also affects the natural environment and liveability of our communities. Air pollution in Australia is not as severe as in other countries, however any amount of pollution can be harmful for the body, this is shown in the studies I will conduct as well as the meta analysis’s I refer to . Although my model and my studies don’t directly cutRead MoreAir Pollution And Air Pollutants Essay1883 Words   |  8 PagesAir pollution is characterized by the introduction or rise in air gases and particles beyond the standard levels of clean air (EPA, 2016a). Types of air pollutants vary depending on the source, such as industries, motor vehicles, combustion or natural sources; however, certain air pollutants have drawn more attention because of their widespread and health effects (EPA, 2016a). Examples of these pollutants are: ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds andRead MoreThe Pollution Of Air Pollution1199 Words   |  5 Pages Most people never stop to think about the sanitation of the air around them. The only places that people ruminate over air quality are largely populated states and cities. One of these places is California. Ominous clouds of smog and polluted air constantly hover over the citizens. These people d on’t ever look up and worry, because smog is a usual appearance. This issue destroys not only the earth and its atmosphere, but the very center of our lives: our bodies’ health. Particulate pollutants areRead MoreAir Pollution essay910 Words   |  4 PagesAir pollution has become a major problem in the United States. The agricultural industry must help maintain air quality. By doing that the United States has started trying to make machines that will help reduce the pollution in the air which will help the environment. One way the United States has tried stopping air pollution and that is to create a solar powered machine which decreases air pollution. But also there are some ways that the people of the United States can help stop air pollution. Read MoreEssay On Air Pollution1500 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction: Pollution is when a harmful or poisonous gas is emitted in the presence of air that can be very harmful to the environment even for humans, especially when we don’t do anything . We might think that pollution is not really a problem in the world but it is one major problem and some countries are suffering from it now. There are many ways that we can stop pollution about but we just don’t really take matter of it, if people will just observe how pollution is affecting the environmentRead MoreThe Problem Of Air Pollution1142 Words   |  5 Pagesbelieved that the problem of air pollution began with the industrial revolution (circa 1750 -1850) which brought with it the increased burning of coal that fueled the engines upon which the wheels of the industrial revolution were being propelled. Air pollution issues have dominated international discourse in the last couple of decades as a result of its adverse effects on the climate system. But most important is the damaging ef fects that some of these pollutants in the ambient air have in the human bodyRead MoreThe Pollution Of The Air Pollution1679 Words   |  7 PagesMost people have felt or took in the air pollutants coming from a car but little did they know what the consequences that smell or the soot may present. The black smoke, and sometimes invisible pollutants, are causing harm all over the earth without people realizing it. Car pollution can cause disruption to human s health, the environment, and the cities in just a matter of time and in many different ways. The air pollution from cars contains various components that all can factor into harmingRead MoreEssay On Air Pollution1677 Words   |  7 Pages Global Article Analysis 3: Air Pollution There are multiple environmental issues that exist and are constantly harming the planet. Many of these issues have effects that are unique to certain countries, or even effects that are similar to other countries. Overall, these issues can be similar or dissimilar in multiple aspects, such as the biological, physical, and cultural perspectives. The causes and effects, problem severity, citizen perceptions, and proposed solutions and efforts to repair theseRead MoreSolution for Air Pollution1088 Words   |  5 Pagesfor Air Pollution Society as a whole faces many environmental problems, and as a result, environmental awareness tends to be a pressing issue. Every day, people recycle cans, glass bottles, and newspapers. Many people buy bottled water, or own filters for their tap water, as a health precaution from the pollutants in normal everyday drinking water. Air pollution is perhaps the biggest environmental issue the Earth is facing. Automobiles are responsible for a notable amount of the air pollution

Women s Oppression By Margaret Atwood s Handmaid s Tale

Women’s oppression in the USA Themes in the literature refer to universal ideas that an author explores in their literary work to communicate a message. In Margaret Atwood’s Handmaid’s Tale, the author addresses diverse themes in the novel, focusing mainly on the oppression of women by the government, society, and men through sexual abuse, male chauvinism and according to women limited rights (Hammer, 47). In the book, Atwood tells the reader how women were used as political instruments. The state in the story is rigid politically, and its structure is based on controlling reproduction as the birth rates were too few in the state. The women’s’ duties were to reproduce. The state or government here oppresses women by controlling their rights to own property, be employed; voting rights and all other rights that would liberate them from subjectivity were banned. They were not supposed to be independent as it would make them look down on the government or their husbands. The women were thus not treated as human as they were only perceived as owners of a womb and ovaries. Offred, the main character reflects on it and comments that before the state of Gilead she had seen her body as her instrument of desires but now she felt as a mound of flesh that surrounds a womb whose use would make her worthy(Atwood and Martin, 15). The state of Gilead also makes it illegal for women to be employed and further demeans them by giving men titles associated with their military rank and womenShow MoreRelatedThe Handmaid s Tale By Margaret Atwood1249 Words   |  5 PagesDystopian Research Essay: The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood In the words of Erika Gottlieb With control of the past comes domination of the future. A dystopia reflects and discusses major tendencies in contemporary society. The Handmaid s Tale is a dystopian novel written by Margaret Atwood in 1985. The novel follows its protagonist Offred as she lives in a society focused on physical and spiritual oppression of the female identity. Within The Handmaid s Tale it is evident that through the explorationRead MoreThe Handmaid s Tale And Gattaca1106 Words   |  5 PagesA dystopian text is a manifestation of society s deepest fears. How is this explored in The Handmaid s Tale and Gattaca? A comparison of dystopian texts explores contemporary issues of society and integrates them into an alien world. The Handmaid s Tale by Margaret Atwood illustrates the nature of society as far from ideal, and the destructive nature of oppression. Similarly, Gattaca by Andrew Niccol epitomises the characteristics of a dystopian text, by highlighting the subversion of naturalRead MoreThe Handmaids Tale Gender Inequality Essay1067 Words   |  5 PagesJohn Enright Dr. P English 103 3 October 2017 Lack of Difference from Women in The Handmaid’s Tale and Women in Modern Day Society Picture being in a world where women no longer have the freedom to purchase items, instead all of their money can be found in their husband’s account. This is the life of the Handmaids; their lives reflect those of slaves because they can’t go anywhere alone, have no money of their own, and live in constant fear of being sent to the Colonies. Small parts of genderRead MoreOppression Of Women In The Handmaids Tale1732 Words   |  7 PagesThe Oppression of Women that is shown in The Handmaid’s Tale When describing the newly established society in The Handmaid’s Tale, the Commander states that â€Å"better never means better for everyone [...] it always means worse, for some† (Atwood, 244). This accurately describes the nature of patriarchal societies, such as the society that is described by Margaret Atwood in The Handmaid’s Tale. The Republic of Gilead is a patriarchal society that has religious, and patriarchal values that benefit theRead MoreThe Handmaids Tale Men Essay1607 Words   |  7 PagesWomen’s Bodies as Political Instruments and Elimination of Sexual Pleasure: Oppression throughout Society In Margaret Atwood’s, The Handmaid’s Tale, the idea of women’s bodies as political instruments and elimination of sexual pleasure is explored. The republic of Gilead â€Å"depicts a futuristic society in which a brutal patriarchal regime deprives women of power and subjectivity, enslaving them through a sophisticated, ubiquitous apparatus of surveillance† (Cooper 49). Offred is a girl who lives withRead MoreFeminism In The Handmaids Tale1709 Words   |  7 Pagesdystopian world with a patriarchal society, is displayed in Atwood’s, The Handmaid’s Tale. More specifically, the novel takes place in what used to be considered the United States but is now being called the Republic of Gilead where freedoms and rights have been excluded, especially for women. The society nurtures a â€Å"theocratic, patriarchal, nightmare world created by men, with the complicity of women† (â€Å"Margaret (Eleanor) Atwood†). The separation of the freed oms between the genders created female victimizationRead MoreThe Handmaids Tale Men Essay1666 Words   |  7 PagesWomen’s Bodies as Political Instuments and Elimination of Sexual Pleasure: Oppression throughout Society In Margaret Atwood’s, The Handmaid’s Tale, the idea of women’s bodies as political instruments and elimination of sexual pleasure is explored. The republic of Gilead â€Å"depicts a futuristic society in which a brutal patriarchal regime deprives women of power and subjectivity, enslaving them through a sophisticated, ubiquitous apparatus of surveillance† (Cooper 49). Offred is a â€Å"girl† who livesRead More Feminism In The Handmaids Tale Essay1588 Words   |  7 PagesFeminism In The Handmaids Tale      Ã‚  Ã‚   Feminism as we know it began in the mid 1960s as the Womens Liberation Movement. Among its chief tenants is the idea of womens empowerment, the idea that women are capable of doing and should be allowed to do anything men can do. Feminists believe that neither sex is naturally superior. They stand behind the idea that women are inherently just as strong and intelligent as the so-called stronger sex. Many writers have taken up the cause of feminismRead MoreThe Handmaid s Tale By Margaret Atwood1060 Words   |  5 Pagesideologies that select groups of people are to be subjugated. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood plays on this idea dramatically: the novel describes the oppression of women in a totalitarian theocracy. Stripped of rights, fertile women become sex objects for the politically elite. These women, called the Handmaids, are forced to cover themselves and exist for the sole purpose of providing children. The Handmaid’s Tale highlights th e issue of sexism while also providing a cruel insight into theRead MoreThe Handmaid s Tale By Margaret Atwood1256 Words   |  6 PagesFrom the days of the cavemen to now, societies have systematically oppressed people for various reasons. Oppression has happened to Jews in Germany, slaves during Christopher Columbus’s days, slaves in the early 1900s in America, etc. When people systematically oppress one another, it leads to internal oppression of the oppressed. This is evident in Margaret Atwood’s book, The Handmaid’s Tale. This dystopian fiction book is about a young girl, Offred, who lives in Gilead, a dystopian society. Radical

Standardized Testing Should Not Be Poorly Essay - 945 Words

It used to be that one week within the school year children dreaded. The paper and pencil exam that would determine their fate of progress for the next year; now has been turned into weeks or an entire month long of missing class and staring at computer screens to take tests. Standardized testing are used in schools as a way of figuring out benchmarks for students and teachers. These types of evaluations are used to see the progression throughout the year. With the signing of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) in 2001 by President Bush; was the starting appearance for Standardized Testing. These kinds of exams analyze a student’s ability to memorize; rather than expressing the student’s intelligence. Thus, giving teachers a curriculum to teach to the test, and not actually teach students the information the students need to learn. Standardized tests should not be heavily relied on because the exams don’t prove the students intelligence, and teacher’s job s could be extremely affected. To begin, looking at the state of Florida the new curriculum that has been created is Common Core. This new curriculum has been designed to make students think more â€Å"critically†. But, that means the new Florida Standards Assessment (FSA) is coming with more difficult and complex questions for students to answer. These tests are supposed to asses a student’s knowledge on a particular subject. In Dr. Herbert Walberg’s book â€Å"Test, Testing, and Genuine School Reform† he states â€Å"Educators canShow MoreRelatedThe Negative Effects Of Standardized Testing1193 Words   |  5 Pagesnow, standardized testing has been at the forefront of all education and is part of the reason students dread going to school. Although standardized testing has become a significant part of our education, it does have a negative impact on the effectiveness of the instruction we are getting. This topic is essential to many because the use of these such tests are damaging our education system. The question most familiar to students and many others, is why we are subject to standardized testing? SomeRead MoreThere Are Many Types Of Ways Teachers Can Assess Students1218 Words   |  5 Pagesassessment is one of these types. A formative assessment takes place either during the lesson or before, as a pretest. Formative assessments are used to see where students learning is at along the way. A benefit of formative testing is that teachers can see what they should improve on in their lessons to help students learn the content. A drawback is that formative assessments could be seen as busy work if they are not created with students learning in mind. Another type of assessment is a summativeRead MoreNo Child Left Behind Standardization1608 Words   |  7 Pagesperform poorly on tests. This is a common practice among districts, and funding for a particular school is often reliant upon that school’s ranking produced by test scores. The NCLB was put in place as a response to a lack of equality among the nation’s educational practices. Without a common standard set in place for schools, variability from district to district could be cause for concern. This lack of accountability, as professor Wiliam Dylan points out in his article â€Å"Standardized Testing andRead More The Pass Fail System of Standardized Tests Essay1351 Words   |  6 PagesThe Pass Fail System of Standardized Tests Standardized tests have historically been used as measures of how students compare with each other or how much of a particular curriculum they have learned. Increasingly, standardized tests are being used to make major decisions about students, such as grade promotion or high school graduation, and schools. More and more often, they also are intended to shape the curriculum and instruction. Students across America have had to repeat classesRead MoreThe Pros And Cons Of Standardized Testing1177 Words   |  5 PagesStandardized testing is a no Growing up in Chesapeake every student is forced to take a standardized test at the end of every class they take. Standardized testing has been a part of the educational system for so long that everyone is just accustomed to taking these tests or giving them out. Standardized testing does not just effect the students but it also effects the teachers. Chesapeake School Board should get rid of standardized testing in all grade levels because of different learning styleRead MoreIt Is No Surprise That Today’S Education System Is Not1721 Words   |  7 Pages It is no surprise that today’s education system is not in the best shape. In a system where students are more focused on what is going on at home than their school work, testing is the main focus, schools are underfunded, and teachers are underpaid, something has got to change in order to move our system in a positive direction that is necessary for students to get the most out of the public education system. These are just some of the many problems we are faced with in today’s education systemRead MoreThe Rhetorical Analysis Of John Olivers Uses1000 Words   |  4 Pagesshow, John Olivers views   on standardized tests are clear.   Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Standardized test is the fastest way to terrify any child with five letters outside of just whispering the word clown†. Standardized tests are a way of testing a person’s intelligence. Teachers around the country prepare students all year just to fill in bubbles on multiple choice questions, evaluating whether or not they are capable of retaining information and passing the tests. However, a student should not be judged on how well he/sheRead MoreBenefits Of Standardized Tests?1242 Words   |  5 PagesWhat Are the Benefits of Standardized Tests? â€Å"Ok everyone, we are going to have to go through this unit pretty quickly since the SOL’s are coming up soon!† Most elementary, middle, and high school students have heard their teacher say this at least once. The question that this quote poses is, how are standardized tests we had to take at the primary and secondary level beneficial to us? Were they only beneficial to our teachers and schools? Or did they actually prepare us for our future? Or, areRead MoreThe Negative Effects Of Standardized Testing1120 Words   |  5 Pagesadverse effects of standardized testing.† Testing has evolved over time from basic reading, writing, and arithmetic to curriculum based on standardized testing such as the ACT, SAT, and TCAP. Many years ago, students did not have to take as many tests, and there were not as many opportunities for different types of classes. Schools have evolved as standardized test evolved, and this has forced teachers to evolve as well. As time progre ssed, the frequency of these standardized test increased and theRead MoreAmerican Education Vs. Chinese Education Essay1426 Words   |  6 PagesAmerican teachers and parents hold different points of view in terms of the way of encouragement from Chinese teachers and parents. In the U.S. teachers and parents are very kind that they often encourage students in a positive way. That is, if I do poorly in a test, they would say, â€Å"Hey, don’t be frustrated. You will do well in the next test!† If it is in China, the scenario would be: â€Å"Don’t dream to hang out with your friends during weekend until you do well in the next test! This kind of scenario

Real vs Reality TV Free Essays

string(50) " The numbers climb out of the ring as fast as in\." Television has become a â€Å"member† of almost every single family on our planet. And not just an ordinary member, but a very important one, because the time spent next to it exceeds the amount of time spent together with any other family member. You do not have to apply any efforts to talk or listen to complaints while â€Å"communicating† with it. We will write a custom essay sample on Real vs Reality TV or any similar topic only for you Order Now You do not have to play with your little son after a hard working day. You are SO tired! Can anybody respect that? You can simply turn the TV on and everything is done. The kids are quiet, your significant other is not complaining. It is so simple that it has become an integral part of the culture of every family. It is the only time, when a person can forget about all the family troubles and the failures of the day. The sofa opposite the TV set has become the place of â€Å"reconciliation and spiritual unity† of the family. And what is it that we’re watching? Is it an educational or discovery channel? Although some might, the majority of the shows we consume are reality shows. But â€Å"what is reality television? † one might ask. Reality TV is defined by MSN Encarta as â€Å"television programs that present people in live, though often deliberately manufactured, situations and monitor their emotions and behavior. † Within this genre of television are subgenres such as Game or Elimination, Talent, Talk, Makeover, Documentary, and Spoofs. It was first introduced by Allen Flunt’s 1948 program Candid Camera. The show involved concealing cameras filming ordinary people being confronted with unusual situations, sometimes involving trick props, such as a desk with drawers that pop open when one is closed or a car with a hidden extra gas tank. When the joke was revealed, victims would be told the show’s catch phrase, â€Å"Smile, you’re on Candid Camera. † The show became a top rated TV show in both network runs and syndication. Reality television enjoyed a renewed popularity in the 2000s with shows like American Idol that featured an interactive aspect, asking viewers to call in to vote for favorites. Today you cannot turn the television on without coming across reality television. The final ratings for the 2009-2010 television seasons show that reality TV lead the pack and bring up the rear end. It is everywhere and although it has spread in popularity there is often more negative remarks made against it than positive. Critics of reality TV often argue that the shows promote sex, drinking, violence and racism. Although reality TV may be fun to watch, it is very dangerous for teenagers who don’t have set morals and self-identities. Reality TV is questionable because of the messages some of the shows depict. While these messages can have an effect on everyone who views them, the audience that may be the most susceptible is teenagers. The most contested issues are whether reality TV is, in fact, â€Å"reality† and whether teenagers may develop perceptions from the reality shows that may lead to poor choices and negative consequences. In a 2004 issue of â€Å"Pediatrics,† Rebecca L. Collins, senior behavioral scientist at the RAND Corp. , and her colleagues presented the results of a survey that measured the amount of sexual explicit television that teenagers watched and how much sexual experience the teenagers had had at a one-year follow up survey. They found that teenage exposure to sexual content on television shows increased the likelihood of initiating sexual acts and the effect of shows that depicted sexual behaviors and those that just discussed sex had the same effect on teenage audiences. Similarly, in a 2008 edition of â€Å"Pediatrics,† Anita Chandra, a behavioral scientist at the RAND Corp. , and her colleagues released the results of a survey conducted over a three-year period that measured teenagers’ exposure to sexual content on television and any resulting first-hand experience with pregnancy. They found that teenagers who regularly watch television programs containing a significant amount of sexual behavior are two times more likely to become pregnant or impregnate someone than those teenagers who do not watch programs with sexual content. Reality TV is also dangerous because of the way it depicts the characters as heavy drinkers. Many programs include segments that show the main characters drinking, partying and engaging in rambunctious behavior, but they often fail to show to the consequences that the characters must face for these actions. When teenagers see these types of behaviors, they might be led to believe that they too should consume large amounts of alcohol and act in a similar manner. Television violence in reality TV is another major concern. Studies show that the amount of violence that is watched on television affects the amount of aggression and violence displayed in the individual (Fernandez, Roberto, Juan and Amy 137). Reality shows such as The Bad Girls Club and The Real World have more than its share of the violence. The target viewers for MTV are ages twelve to thirty three, this demographic makes up approximately thirty three percent of the U. S. population (Smith 89). Thirteen year olds are already susceptible to influence, and are more at risk to be adversely affected by violent television than are those of later years (Comstock 1205). If life is really like it is depicted to be on an episode of The Bad Girls Club, the average person should wake up to a side of pointless fight, brunch to a cussing war, and eat supper around the time someone breaks a nose. Studies of US television airings discovered that there was a consistent rate of five to six violent acts per hour (Fernandez, Roberto, Juan and Amy 137). In watching an episode of the Ultimate Fighter, one can expect to see at least twenty to thirty violent acts within the thirty minute airing with three minute commercial interruptions. Arriving at twenty to thirty violent acts in an episode is when you only count each individual match as one act. The numbers climb out of the ring as fast as in. You read "Real vs Reality TV" in category "Essay examples" If this is what young adolescents are taking is as â€Å"reality† than it is no wonder there are problems with violence and aggression in schools and on the streets. In a behavioral science study, it was stated that â€Å"Aggression [†¦ is the product of social categorization† and that it is not a natural phenomenon (Comstock 1206). According to a study conducted at Syracuse University in New York, â€Å"There is a statistically significant, positive relationship between exposure to television or film violence and aggressive and antisocial behavior† (Comstock 1186). The study concluded this theory by stating that by viewing violent television in everyday life, antisocial and aggressive behaviors and tendencies would be facilitated (Comstock 1191). With this outlook, it seems much more likely that the significant amount of aggression present in society today can very well be influenced if not caused by the vast ocean of aggression harbored in television culture. Racism is very prevalent in crime reality television. There is a vast overrepresentation of violent crime (e. g. Kooistra, Mahoney, Westervelt 1998; Oliver, 1994; Potter et al, 1997), crimes cleared (e. g. , Kooistra et al, 1998; Oliver, 1994) and non-whites as offenders and whites as law nforcement officers. In a direct test of the cultivation hypothesis, a social theory which examined the long-term effects of television on American audiences of all ages, Oliver Armstrong (1998) reported that whites who watched more reality TV were more likely to report higher crime prevalence estimates. The construction of these programs is considered from a cultural, qualitative perspective focusing on the ideal perspectives conveyed about law and order, social threats, and audience empowerment (Cavender, 11998; J.  Fishman, 1999). For example, Cavender and Bond-Maupin (1993) argue that these programs make use of story-telling conventions to encourage empathy with an unsuspecting victim who falls prey to evil, which, in turn, primes the notion that no place is safe. They also indicated that reality-based crime shows such as America’s Most Wanted and Unsolved Mysteries depict crime in ways similar to those used in fictionalized crime shows which reinforces existing cultural stereotypes about criminals and victims. The First 48 is one of the most watched non-fiction investigation series which aires on AE. Set in several cities across the U. S. , the series offers an insider’s look at the real-life world of homicide investigators. Each episode picks one or more homicides in different cities, covering each alternately, showing how detectives use forensic evidence, witness interviews and other advanced detective skills to identify suspects. The cops on this show are mainly White, with the exception of a couple of Black investigators that are shown on few episodes. This show is very biased in the fact that it depicts only the black communities across the nation and that which is full of criminals, gang violence drug saturation. One would almost think that there are no White people who commit the same types of crime(s) in those cities. Or is it that the Police Departments in the white communities of those ( other) cities don’t permit the exploitation which is presented by this programming’s directors? The genre has also created a slew of reality stars, as a result of the fame game. It seems that many are random people with no apparent talent. Keeping up with the Kardashians has made famous a whole family who appear to be famous without reason except that they have a reality show. Another reality TV favorite is The Real Housewives of Atlanta. The series has been going strong for three seasons. Everything about the show is a mess. This season has been about even more drama than ever before. Will Cynthia marry Peter? Is Phaedra married to a convict? Will â€Å"NeNe† and Greg get divorced? Will Brice get it together? The craziness and complexity of it all is never ending. Why do we care? These people are just ordinary people with no real celebrity other than what we the viewers give them. The uses and gratifications perspective, the assumption that a media channel cannot influence an individual unless that person has some use for the medium or its particular message (e. g. Katz, 1959; Rubin Rubin, 1985), may be a clear explanation of the genre’s appeal. The uses and gratifications framework includes five primary beliefs. The first is that an individual’s behavior is goal directed and motivated. Second, people select and use media to satisfy biological, psychological and social needs. Third, individuals are influenced by various social and psychological factors when selecting among communication alternatives. Fourth, those media consumers are aware of their needs and whether these needs are being satisfied by a particular medium. Fifth, that different media compete with one another for attention, selection, and use. In sum, uses and gratifications theory states that individuals are aware of their needs, evaluate various channels and content, assess functional alternatives and select the media or interpersonal channel that they believe will provide the gratifications they seek. Reality TV also offers some positive aspects as well. American Idol, which is the leader of reality TV, had over 24,000,000 viewers. The show starts off with thousands of people auditioning in hopes of becoming America’s next superstar. Some can sing, but many just make utter fools of themselves on national television. Just a week ago an American Idol hopeful auditioned in front of the judges with her opera rendition of Justin Beiber’s song â€Å"Baby†. As she belts the notes Randy immediately puts his head down and motions for her to stop. Steven Tyler and â€Å"JLo† look as if they don’t know what is going on and as she hits the high note Steven marks the end with the sound of an explosion. They break out with laughter, just as we do sitting at home watching. â€Å"What the hell was that? † may be what comes to mind. Beside it being purely entertaining because we like to see others humiliate themselves, the show offers stories of success. For the people who volunteer themselves for the likes of American Idol and America’s Next Top Model, winning the show is potentially a life-changing experience and a springboard to a career in the entertainment industry. The reward is there for the taking, but it’s often not just the winners who can make a name for themselves. Jennifer Hudson, a finalist on season 3 of American idol and Tocarra Jones, a participant on season 3 of America’s Next Top Model, may not have won the shows, but they both went on to have major success. Jennifer Hudson made her film debut in the 2006 film Dreamgirls, which won her many awards such as an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and a Golden Globe Award. She also won a Grammy award for her debut album. Tocarra is a working plus-size model today and she is signed to the largest modeling agency in the world. Reality TV can also provide learning on dating, family relations, friendships and dealing with sensitive issues. Pedro Zamora’s 1994 appearance on MTV reality show The Real World was a landmark media event: the first openly HIV-positive gay man on a nationwide TV series. Zamora, who died at 22 just as Real World: San Francisco ended, was a teen when he learned he was HIV-positive, a diagnosis that led the diminutive Miami resident to become an AIDS activist and educator. His MTV fame ultimately drew the attention of President Clinton. Zamora’s role on Real World: San Francisco was memorable not only for lecturing housemates and viewers about HIV and preventative measures but also for his combative relationship with the abrasive Puck Rainey, one of the most polarizing roommates in the show’s 21-year history. Things got so testy between Zamora and the politically incorrect Rainey that the roommates ultimately banned Rainey from their collective home. Even those reality shows that aren’t competitions can still make a name for the stars. Lauren Conrad started her career on MTV’s â€Å"Laguna Beach: The Real OC,† and with subsequent exposure on â€Å"The Hills† has become a best-selling author, spokesperson and fashion designer–not bad for a normal California girl. Watching these successes has also inspired a generation of youngsters to aspire to make something of themselves. They want to better their lives and find inspiration from the success stories after the cameras have stopped rolling. Reality TV also offers a source of distraction and diversion to everyday life. It gives you a break away from your stress and frustration. Of course this does not solve the root case, but it helps take away from the root source of the stress. Although taking a walk or reading a book may be better alternatives for distractions, reality TV still allows you to momentarily forget your problems because you’re consumed in others on television. Although reality TV offers some positive aspects such as success stories, positive learning experiences, distractions and others, the negatives outweigh them all when it comes to the teenagers which the shows are aimed at. They presume that reality TV is actually â€Å"reality†, which it is not by any means. Teenagers do not have the understanding so they could and probably will fall subject to all the negative side it can entail. Some solutions to the problem may be for the parents to parent more and as they should. Parents should have the knowledge about what reality TV is and explain it to their children. Parents or society should not rely on reality TV or any genre of television to teach our children or ourselves for that matter. It will indefinitely lead us in the wrong direction. It is not to teach, but to entertain. If we have the knowledge about what reality TV actually is, in turn, we will be able to keep it in the context of entertainment and not reality. For those who don’t take it seriously it can provide entertainment for 30 minutes or so. But if taken as â€Å"reality†, it then has a danger of harming its audience with unrealistic expectations. How to cite Real vs Reality TV, Essay examples

Impact of Industry Force Factors Strategies - MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the Impact of Industry Force Factors Strategies. Answer: Introduction The communication plan is a policy-driven approach which provides information to the various stakeholders of an organization. It defines who should be given specific information regarding the delivery of content, what information can be delivered and what kind of communication channels can be used to deliver a certain piece of information (Abdullah Ahmad, 2011). The present communication plan will be presented to the top table of Uber Inc. It will include the CTO (Chief Technology Officer), Senior Vice President of Business, Senior Vice President of Operations and Regional General Manager of Australia. The communication management plan identifies what information is needed to be communicated to different audience. The plan contains various elements such as who has the authority to communicate confidential or sensitive information, which communication channels should be used and what are the modes of communication. Communication plan is important in uplifting the image of the organization or in the change management process. In the change management process, the communication plan plays a critical role in breaking down the resistance of the stakeholders or the employees. There are several benefits of the communication plan such as a documented strategy is important in guiding the employees at every point (Gold, Hahn Seuring, 2013). Other than that, with the help of documentation, the organization can assure that the objectives of the organization are met and the communication strategy will be continually improved. In this regard, the present report, is focused on the communication strategy in Uber Inc. The organization is suffering from the communication issues as it has implemented a non-conventional communication strategy. In the recent times, there have been several issues such as the accident caused by Uber driver which invited huge criticism from others. The company will also suffer in th e form of reputation and negative public image. In the present, the organization is struggling with the issue of decreased employee morale as the drivers are not given adequate employment benefits. The drivers are hired as independent contractors who are not given any adequate employment benefits during the time of the employment. In the recent times, the morale of the employees degraded as in the road accidents, the company showed no support for the drivers (Grunert Traill, 2012). Other than that, the drivers acknowledge that as they are hired as independent contractors as they will be not be provided any employment benefits which can be gathered as the permanent employees of the organization. Environmental Scanning The external environment of the organization has a substantial role in the brand image of the organization and its reputation. It is important to identify the external factors which may impact the operations and the business processes of the organization. The business organizations should scan the external factors with the help of frameworks such as PEST analysis. Political Factors: The government of Australia is skeptical of the business model adopted by the company. The company has adopted a shared economy model wherein the taxi drivers are hired as independent contractors and the company keeps a commission for each of the ride. The government is also concerned whether the rights of the drivers will not be snatched with the advent of this new business structure (Haley Haley, 2013). The company also do not want to take any financial burden which comes with the employment benefits. There are certain economic factors which may impact on the operations of the business operations. The business structure of the organization is designed such that it appeals to the price-sensitive customers. Using the ride-sharing services, the customers can reach at their destination at a cheaper price. Social Factors: There are certain social factors such as the lifestyle, psychology and the individual preference which may impact on the operations of the organization. Today, most of the customers prefer using the taxi services; therefore, the social factors are preferable for the organization. Although the drivers associated with the traditional taxi industry are concerned that the company will is taking a commission in the services provided to them. The organization is taking commission for providing customers to the drivers. It has created a dissatisfaction among the drivers. Other than that, the organization has also facing issues related to the brand image of the organization. Technological Factors: There are several technological factors which may impact on the business operations of the organization. The technology and the infrastructure of the company influences the operations of the organization (Kavishe, 2015). Although the company has adopted a simple business model, a few factors are important in the business operations. These drivers must have a smart phone, a mobile application and constant internet connection to communicate with the customers. Other than that, the customer should also have a mobile application so that they can communicate with the customers. It can be concluded from the above section that involving the drivers as the independent stakeholders is creating dissatisfaction among the drivers. It is also creating issues among the drivers as they are considering that despite them being working for the organization, they are not provided adequate safety and employment benefits. In the above section, the communication issue between the employees and the management has been discussed. This issue has created numerous problems between the employees and the employer. In this regard, Uber Inc. should develop a communication strategy which may uplift the morale of the employees and engage them further with the organization. The major issue identified with the organization is that the drivers dissociate themselves with the organization as they consider that the organization do not consider them a part. It is important to establish a communication portal or communication platform through which the organization would be able to regularly and promptly with the drivers (Lang Heasman, 2015). All the drivers of the system should be able to access the portal of the organization promptly. They must be able to login to the systems portal in a quick and fast manner. Other than that, the organization must be able to design a quick and rapid information portal wherein all the information regarding the operations and the business processes of the organization the will be updated. Other than that, it will be made mandatory for the drivers to register into the portal with the help of their email address and the phone number. All the information and the changes in the organization will be updated to the drivers and other stakeholders of the organization. Other than that, the organization will also keep the online portal so that the employees of the organization will be able to communicate and raise their queries to the customers (Matzler, Bailom, Friedrich von den Eichen Kohler, 2013). An online support chat system will be established so that the customers can directly communicate with the organization regarding their queries. It is important that Uber makes all the substantial efforts to promptly respond to the employees of the organization. The communication strategy is developed and established as the employees of the organization are getting demoralized due to the recent accident cases and the response of the organization towards them. In the present case, it is important that the organization design the communication message so that it can directly uplift the morale of the employees (McGrath, 2013). It is important to acknowledge that the communication message is designed such that the drivers get motivated and engaged with the organization. The theme of the communication message should be as such that that the drivers feel motivated with the message and the remains engaged with the organization. Uber should also communicate that it is very much concerned about the drivers as well as other stakeholders of the organization. The business organization should also communicate that engaging in contractual form with the drivers is a win-win situation for both the organization and drivers. The monthly income of the drivers is directly connected to the number of rides they take (Morris, Shirokova, Shatalov, 2013). If a driver take more rides regularly, he can earn more. Therefore, with this scheme of the organization, the drivers can increase their income. The reputation of the organization will be enhanced with the help of this approach. The organization would be able to communicate that it is concerned for the employees as well as the customers of the organization. When this message will be transmitted to other stakeholders of the organization including the customers, it will uplift the reputation of the organization. The organization will be recognized as a socially responsible business organization which takes into consideration the benefits of different stakeholders of the organization (Oraman, Azabagaoglu, Inan, 2011). The business organization should be able to transmit the message that it is concerned about the wellbeing of the employees and other stakeholders of the organization. It should be able to communicate that the organization is concerned about all the stakeholders connected with the organization. Communication Matrix Goal Objectives Message Target Public Channels Tactics The communication goal refers to the objectives which are aimed to be achieved with the help of communication strategy The communication objectives are precise, specified and measurable goals which are needed to be achieved with the help of communication strategy (Paul, Rana, 2012) The communication message is written to inform the public or other stakeholders something. It is the most important part of the communication strategy The target audience refers to the people on which the organizations message is focused It refers to the communication channels through which the company reaches the target audience (Tavitiyaman, Qu, Zhang, 2011) The activities which the organization uses to transmit its message to the audience To increase the morale of the drivers associated with the organization To increase the number of drivers associated with the organization by 10% in the next months To increase the market share by 10% in the Australian market The message will be written to persuade the drivers to remain associated with the organization The target audience of the organization is the drivers associated. The communication channel of emails and online portals will be used. The organization will use number of tactics such as diversified response to address the situation Reach and Impact It is important to determine the reach and the impact of the communication message and the communication strategy. The organization should develop a unique and singular strategy to reach out to the drivers. It should focus on sending a unique message to all the drivers so that a common message is sent to the all the drivers. It should post the message to the social media website of the organization. Other than that, the organization should post the same message to the official website and the blog of the organization. It is aimed that the organization will reach to all the active and the registered drivers of the organization. It will also be able to send a unique to all the drivers. Other than that, the message should have a profound impact on the drivers so that they remain connected to the organization (Tavitiyaman, Qu, Zhang, 2011). The drivers must be able to work for the benefit of the organization. Currently, a large number of drivers employed with the organization are switch ing to the local competitors due to the brand image of the organization. It is important that the organization establishes a brand image such that the drivers want to work with the organization. In the development of the communication strategy, it is important that the organization develops a communication plan through which it can transmit its message effectively. It is important to identify that the message of the organization is effectively communicated to the drivers. The organization can create an evaluation measure to examine whether the communication objectives of the organization are met or not. It can be done with the help of meeting certain evaluation criteria. In the present, the business organization will develop a communication criteria with the help of which it can assess the efficacy of the communication plan. The company will use a survey to assess the opinu8ion of the drivers. A survey will be beneficial to assess the responses and the perspective of the drivers towards the organization (Paul, Rana, 2012). It will also be beneficial in assessing the viewpoint of the drivers and gaining the suggestions which will be beneficial in uplifting the standards of t he organization. The viewpoints gathered from the drivers should be inculcated in the operations of the organization. It will assist the organization in keeping the drivers of the organization happy and engaged. It will also increase the satisfaction level of the employees and they will perform in a much better manner. Other than that, the organization will also evaluate that the communication objectives of the organization are met with the communication plan. Conclusion It can be concluded that the organization needs to create an effective strategic communication plan for achieving the business objectives. The organization should also examine that there are certain issues in the communication between drivers and the management. The business organization should make efforts so that the business objectives of the organization are met. Uber should develop a strategy so that a unique and common message can be sent to all the drivers of the organization. Uber should also create a specific communication plan such that it can communicate with all the drivers in an instant. An online portal should also be designed so that the drivers can communicate their queries and problems with the customers. The business organization should assure that the communication strategy will be able to increase the market share of the organization and increase the driver retention rate. The drivers should become engaged and happy with the organization. They should not seek alli ance with other local competitors. It is aimed that the current communication plan will increase the market share of the organization. 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