The Uses and Gratification Theory Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

The Uses and Gratification Theory - Case Study Example In previous eras, the main sources of entertainment for people tended to be festivals dedicated either to harvesting or in praise of one god or another. In the western perspective, this came to be replaced by theatre and with the modern age came the development of television and the television networks which continue to offer a wide variety of visual entertainment. The advancement in technology has increased the demand for entertainment from individuals, and because of the wide variety of entertainment being offered, it is not a surprise that many of the entertainment companies involved are competing heavily to capture audiences. Because of this, the audience has gained great influence in controlling the type of media they would like to view, and this can be likened to the individual’s lifestyle as well as mindset (Napoli, forthcoming). From the very beginning of the development of media, the main question that has concerned the developers is whether the media has any influenc e on the audience. It has been proven that different types of media can influence the audience, so that in some cases when an individual sees an advert of a product on television, he or she will likely purchase the product. On the other hand, there are those of the view that media has no great influence on its audience since it is they who choose what to watch (Allison, 2006). This article makes a focus on the motives behind the choice of a particular media type as a basis of the Theory of Audience especially uses and Gratification theory. In the past few decades, the invention and development of the internet have revolutionized the lives of many people in the world and one would argue that it is one of the biggest developments in mass media. Every decade of the twentieth century presented its own theories concerning media communication, and while at the beginning, it was thought that media had an effect on the audience, later with the advancement in media communication, researchers found that audiences only used media for their own benefit (Rossi, 2002). Theory of Audience Uses and Gratifications Katz first proposed the theory of Uses and Gratification and the notion behind this theory is, it focuses on a question of why and how people use particular media. In contrast to the effect model view which is what media do with people, U & G is considered as a broader aspect among media researchers who are more concerned about finding what people do with a media (Chandler,1994). This theory is contradictory to the older approach of Audience of a passive group. This theory views the audience as an active group which means individuals have power and selects that media text that best suits her needs and her attempts to satisfy the needs. This theory represents the use of media in terms of gratification of social or psychological need of the individual. This theory shifted the approach of gratification from the functional paradigm to social sciences (Katz, Blumler and G urevitch, 1974).  Gratification can be derived from three distinct sources which are media content, exposure, and social content. The mass media compete with other sources of gratification, but gratifications can be obtained from a medium's content (e.g. watching a specific program), from familiarity with a genre within the medium (e.g. watching soap operas).

Choose one of the three Flexible , Fearful, or Feisty Essay

Choose one of the three Flexible , Fearful, or Feisty - Essay Example I always enjoyed to get engaged in a range of activities most often involved art activities. This activity pattern and craze towards colors polished my creativity. So, in the later stages of my childhood I proved to be a good cartoonist. I participated in many inter school events and won several prizes. Later on, I came to know the fact that being a flexible personality; I was really blessed as I was more adaptive towards new situations. I always enjoyed creativity and innovative ideas. I always liked to show positive attitude and this approach of my childhood has, definitely, affected my current life in a positive way. My flexible personality trait brought up confidence, optimism and tolerance in my personality. It is amazing to note that I never argued like younger siblings while mother used to serve some new food. It always made me curious to have new tastes and flavors. However, sometime ambiguous situations made me confused. As I have told that I was flexible at one end but I was not so clever. I was not very good in decision making as well. This was the basic reason why I most often adopted what my parents felt better for me. I was quite adaptive and bendy towards the decisions they put forward. And now when I am a grown up guy, I can differentiate that my intentions were not wrong. For me, my parents always did what they thought the best among all. From my childhood behavior, I analyze that living with flexibility and adjustment always offers a right path. Life is a continuous process offering give and take relationships. It goes on and on. So, those who prefer to adjust and accommodate with new situations always get the full benefits. This is what I really learn from my childhood. 1. Hanns M. Trautner, Diane N. Ruble, Lisa Cyphers, Barbara Kirsten, Regina Behrendt and Petra Hartmann. â€Å"Rigidity and Flexibility of Gender Stereotypes in Childhood: Developmental or Differential?† Infant and Child Development (2005): New York University,

Differences Between Terrorism And Organized Crime Criminology Essay

Differences Between Terrorism And Organized Crime Criminology Essay In this assignment, we will be analysing both security issues of terrorism and organized crime as national and international security threats. Terrorism and organised crime, both two different forms of criminal activity and an equal threat to human security. It is important that establish the precise definition of both these activities, so we can categorically differentiate each act committed. The definition of organized crime is widely debated term. Organized crime is generally focused mainly on economic profit, acquiring material benefits and obtaining as much of an illegal market share as possible, by the use of serious crimes such as Drug trafficking, fraud, violence etc. (Baylis J and Smith S (2001) p480-481) Whilst terrorism motivated chiefly by ideological aims and by a desire for political change, by the use of violence, in the form of hijacking, bombing and other indistrimintory acts. We can already see the difference, by looking at the definition. However as we do develop details of the differences between these criminal activities, it is also important to analyse the similarities. (Collins, A (2007) p352-353) Both Organized crime and Terrorism differ in motivation and objective. In Shelley, L and Picarelli, JT (2002), states Yet, while the crimes committed by these two groups dont differ in substance, they differ in motive. Terrorists are in essentially political groups; even if they are inspired by religious fundamentalism, their behaviour is designed to bring about political change. While organized crime groups conduct profit-driven criminal activities, through the use illicit and illegal means. Another interesting point, in which they both differ, mentioned by Schmid, A (2005) is Terrorist groups usually seek media attention; organized crime groups do not, Criminal organisation, do not directly attack infastrurer or indiscriminately attack normal citizens, like terrorism does, however there doings bring harm to those involved and create fear amongst people surrounded by there illegal activities. Therefore the magnitude of attack will be confined to small, domestic and under the radar attacks, whilst with terrorism when it blows ups, it is instant and devastating in its impact. Williams, P(2005) I believe that a criminal is not concerned with influencing or affecting public opinion; he simply wants to earn money in the quickest, easiest and most efficient way possible. Whilst, the essential aim of the terrorists violence is eventually to change the political system , about which the organised criminals, couldnt care less. However in some cases this is not true, Shelley, L and Picarelli, JT(2002) go on to discuss about organised criminals that direct contact with the political system and politicians who they seek to influence for their own goals. Phil Williams and Ernesto Savona (1995) gives us a excellent example that Colombian drug cartels and the Italian Mafia were both using terrorist attacks against the state and its representatives for four different reasons, disrupt investigations; to deter the introduction or continuation of vigorous government policies; to eliminate effective law enforcement officials, to coerce judges into more lenient sentencing policies. I believe fundamental is to create an environment more appealing to criminal activity. But this only can occur in weak countries, where the government is weak, which we will discuss later in the essay. Bjà ¶rnehed, E(2004) concludes that based on their objectives they Constitute quite different types of security threats with regard to magnitude of attack, choice of target and weapons. In summary they both have a common enemy, and that is the state in general and in particular its law enforcement agencies. Both types of criminals function in secrecy, in the underworld, and they use the same or similar infrastructures for their activities and the same networks of corruption. Both use the same type of tactics: they engage in cross-border smuggling, money laundering, counterfeiting, kidnapping, extortion and various kinds of violence. Narco-Terrorism, was the first identification of the link between Terrorism and organized crime. This discovery began in the 1980s when it was found that drug trafficking was also used to advance the political objectives of certain governments and terrorist organizations, the attempts of narcotics traffickers to influence the policies of government by the systematic threat or use of violence Bjà ¶rnehed, E(2004) Since then, much stronger and broader statements have been made, especially in Security Council resolution 1373 (2001) wherein the Council Notes with concern the close connection between international terrorism and transnational organized crime, illicit drugs, money-laundering, illegal arms-trafficking, and illegal movement of nuclear, chemical, biological and other potentially deadly materials.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Bjà ¶rnehed, E(2004) Emma Bjornehead has written a whole chapter on this topic because it is a relatively new phenomena and I believe it is relevant to this composition because it shows that Terrorism and Criminal activity have found a common ground. Various authors keep referring to more or less the same examples, where this new phenomena is occurring. For example Hezbollah engaged in criminal schemes, such as cigarette smuggling, counterfeiting. Al-Qaeda cells in Europe conducting credit card fraud. We see it domestically happening in countries such as Colombia and Afghanistan where opium produces are funding Taliban, to carry out there war against US forces. Williams, P(2005) describes terrorist, using criminal organisation methods to raise funds for their activities as very dangerous. This reliance between each other makes it difficult and a bigger domestic and international security threat because they can share their tangible and intangible resources, to achieve their objectives. Giraldo, J and Trinkunas (2005) puts simple. They try to uncover whether it is a strategic alliance formed by these group, or is it simple marriages of convenience. For example, the language school that provided some visas for the 9/11 hijackers are also reported to have provided visas for prostitutes of a human trafficking ring. This indicates sharing networks, each could complement each other therefore making it easier to carry out objectives. An intelligence analyst even describes it as criminal service providers. This means that both in criminal organisations, due to their established networks, act as service provider for terrorists, so they can carry out their terror activities. Another good point made is that this increased self-reliance of terrorist networks makes criminal organisations difficult to detect, especially as they are both bound by secrecy. The Madrid bombing are a great example, Future-occurred in Spain where members of a small but well-established Moroccan drug trafficking organization led by Jamal Ahmidan, became radicalized and were subsequently integrated into the cell that carried out the Madrid bombings. The contribution of the radicalized drug traffickers is difficult to overestimate: they provided the finance, the logistics, the safe houses, and the connections that enabled the cell to acquire the explosives. Indeed, without their resources and expertise, it is unlikely that the attacks on the trains would have taken place, and certainly not on such a destructive scale. Williams, p(2009) This example so shows that both organisations are sharing its man power and those criminals are venerable to being radicalized, like shown above. It can also be seen as method of attracting people with two personality types: one with strong political views, coupled with a desire to become wealthy. In summary that they cross paths; give in to one another which make them reliant on each other. Organized crime can use the power tool of political crime to create the social and economic context that makes its profitable activities viable. Terrorists, on the other hand, need funding to push their own agendas. . Due to the coordination between the two, an integrated counter-terrorism and organised crime should be implemented, to dissolve the creation of a strengthen connection. Law enforcement agencies have to approach this in a different angle because the traditional separate policing of organised crime and terrorism, do not apply. After 9/11, steps have been taken to increased cooperation between law enforcement and intelligence agencies that police domestic and international matters. I can see the huge benefits that increasing the cooperation can bring. The sharing of information on both sources of threats enables governments to penetrate these secret groups and prevent crimes from being perpetrated. Also breaking down one criminal organisation, can lead to discovering other terrorist organisations at the same time, therefore increasing their leads. However according to Bjornehead, E(2010) states that at times war on organised crime, in particular drugs, can sometimes undermine the war on terror. She one of many examples, that of Taliban and how a reduction is poppy field in Europe, increased the price of opium, which Taliban made huge gains, which is helped fund their terror organisations. Questions need to be raised on which one is a bigger domestic threat, politicians may believe terrorism is a threat as they want direct change in governance and how that government acts, for example USA I believe has a stronger stance and policy on terrorism, rather than organised crimes. Whilst organised crimes havent got a direct objective against the political system, it might be the case that for individuals in society that due to its hidden, secretive nature that criminal organizations themselves, pose a threat to society that goes far beyond the harm posed by the profit-driven crimes they commit. Collins, A (2007) We can also see this in a poll in an 11 countries that was conducted showing that what people feared, and the highest was Criminal activities with 27%, whilst terrorism was third with 15%. Human security centre (2005) There a continuous argument in US about what poses a bigger threat US security. Recent Barack Obama states that The single biggest threat to US security, both short-term, medium-term and long-term, would be the possibility of a terrorist organisation obtaining a nuclear weapon. However In a many recently, Antonio Maria Costa, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), recent stated that Drug-related crime biggest threat to public safety in the Americas. This is also backed up by Retiring CIA chief Michael Hayden Mexico could rank alongside Iran as a challenge for Obama perhaps a greater problem than Iraq. UN news centre(2008) I believe this could be due to drug cartels domince in Mexico, and due it the geography and globalization; it has been spilled in the street of US. Williams, P, (2008) Another difference is Terrorism is a bigger point of discussion in the wider world due to the fact that they seek media attention and not shy to hide its terror activities, Whilst Organized crime is very secretive and behind closed doors. Hence why it is people may perceive it to be a bigger threat. After the post cold war era, there was a huge shift from in national security threats, from communism, to terrorism and organised crime. What the fall of communism did, was not only did it leave eastern countries, lawless and poor, it left it venerable to radical ideologies and organised crime, including what we call globalization. I also believe that ideological terrorism has severely since the cold war, and a new breed of ethnic and religious inspired terrorism. Collins, A (2007) p356 I a published paper by Stephens, M (1996) on globalized crime, and describes why organised crime was on the rise after the Cold war era and in summary; Post-Cold War opportunities such as the lowering of economic and political barriers; the end of communist regimes and the founding of fragile new democracies. Stephens, M(1996) A Report Prepared by the Federal Research Division,Library of Congress(2003) discusses areas on the world that are venerable to organised crime and terrorism, and states that in reference the In the former Soviet states, progress toward the rule of law has been hindered by the sudden disappearance of national authority (the Soviet state) in areas having no individual tradition of state authority or civil society but having very well developed traditions of underground criminal activity. Federal Research Division(2003) Both types of organizations lean to enlist the majority of their members from the same pool of an insignificant sector of the population, which are subject to social, cultural or political frustration. This is backed up by Rosenau(1990), Galleotti (2001), Cusimano-Love (2003), and Castells (2000) who have compared transnational crime and terrorism as malicious non-state actors that take advantage of failures in the state-centric global system, such as the limitations of sovereignty, legal jurisdictional boundaries and the opportunities that failed or weak states create for safe havens. As much as globalization ha s been beneficial for many nation states, it has also been disastrous in reference to Organised crime and terrorism, which Williams, p(2002) describes as a motivator and facilitator., opening a way for transnational activity. In this era of accelerated global interaction, transnational organized crime and international terrorism are flourishing. In Baylis, J and smith, s(2005), James D kiras writes has a whole chapter dedicated towards to Terrorism and globalisation, he writes the technology and processes linked with globalization have enabled terrorism to grow from regional phenomenon, into a global one. He also means that the use of Globalization has also lead to changes in the means of conducting terrorism and organised crime. For example in Freedman (2002) Prior to 11 September 2001 most acts of terrorism had depended on the conventional explosives. And then compares it to current situation where the ability to mount simultaneous attacks, commitment and choice targets, using aircraft as guided missiles. I believe that globalisation has a part to play in this change because it has opened up the world. The borders have faded or are no longer as well guarded, the market is globalized, financial and commercial mergers and the deregulation of state intervention provide new opportunities, and communication technology is presenting unexpected innovative technological possibilities. I also believe globalization has spread national crime to international organised crime because large-scale migration across the globe has created new emigrant refugee communities that can serve as recruitment bases and as hiding places, especially as they live a poor lifestyle, they have no alternatives, apart from turning to crime. Organised crime actors share the same objective as legal corporations in a sense that In a increasingly global marketplace, illicit actors, like licit counterparts, take advantage of business opportunities wherever they occur. For organised crime, going across borders, increases their wealth and profit just as it does for legal businesses, as they have new customers and can take advantage of infrastructure to cover their illegal activities. An example used in Collins, A (2007) was after the creation of North American free trade area, trade grew in the billions, and however it was this area, thrived in reference to aid smuggling of illegal goods and drugs. There have been political and economic developments have brought terrorism and organized crime together. There are also clear structural similarities that would appear to make alliance beneficial for both of them and I believe that it is case of marriage of convenience, rather than long term strategic alliance. Collins, A (2007p 361) It is becoming a huge aspect of security, that both organised crime and terrorism are flourishing over one another, and in particular terrorist groups are rely on crime to fund their operation, and criminal expertise is become available to terrorist groups. I believe that in this day of age, where the world become evermore globalized, any security threat that is national, ends up spilling over the borders, and becoming a international problem. Schmid, A(2005) Links between Terrorism and Drug Trafficking: A Case of Narco-terrorism? Galleotti, M. (2001) Underworld and Upperworld: Transnational Organized Crime and Global Society, In Josselin, D. and Wallace W. (Eds.). Non-State Actors in World Politics, Palgrave: New York, pp. 203-17. Ciment, JD and Shanty FG(2008) Organized Crime: From Trafficking to Terrorism, Volume 1, ABC-Clio, Califonia Berry, V. et al(2003) Nations hospitable to organized crime and terrorism[online] Available from: http://www.loc.gov/rr/frd/pdf-files/Nats_Hospitable.pdf [Accessed May 2010]. Shelley, L and Picarelli (2001) Methods Not motives: Implications of the convergence of international organized crime and terrorism [online] Available from: http://www.law.syr.edu/Pdfs/0methods_motives.pdf.[Accessed May 2010] Stephens, Mora(1996) Global organized crime as the threat to national security [online] Available from: http://www.fas.org/irp/eprint/snyder/globalcrime.htm. .[Accessed May 2010] Williams, P(2009) Strategy for a New World: Combating Terrorism and Transnational Organized Crime. In Balyis, J(eds.) Chapter 9 Bibes, P(2001) Transnational Organized Crime and Terrorism.Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice, Vol. 17, Sage Publications Bjà ¶rnehed, Emma(2004) Narco-Terrorism: The Merger of the War on Drugs and the War on Terror, Global Crime, 6: 3, 305 324, Routledge, London Kiras, JD(2001) Terrorism and Globalization. In Baylis, J and Smith, S(eds.) The Globalization of work politics: An introduction to IR, Chapter 21, Oxford, Oxford university press. Lutz, B and Lutz, J(2007) Terrorism. In Collins, A (eds.) Contemporary security studies, 2nd edtion, chapter 20, Oxford, Oxford University press. Lutz, B and Lutz, J(2007) Transnational crime. In Collins, A (eds.) Contemporary security studies, 2nd edtion, chapter 25, Oxford, Oxford University press.

Religion Accroding to Class Structure :: Islam Religion Religious Class Essays

Religion Accroding to Class Structure In The Arab World: Society, Culture and State, Halim Barakat discusses the effect religion has on society within the Arab world. â€Å"Religion is the most significant force shaping Middle Eastern societies,† For Barakat (119). This is because religion is both revolutionary and pacifying. The Middle East is divided into rigid social and economic structures, which creates tension between upper and lowers classes. One tries to perpetuate a system of inequality, which forces the other to cope with poverty. Religion is used to serve the needs of both classes, â€Å"to repress and to resist repression,† in this way (130). The duality of religion can help explain the way modern societies in the Middle East function. Over the course of time, â€Å"Islamic conquests resulted in the accumulation of a great deal of money in the hands of Muslims, so they lost the purity of the prophet† (133). This divided society into classes: the rich were content with their status but the poor were not. Religion was used to,perpetuate the rich’s existence as a class. The economic hardship the poor faced was justified through religion and the possibility of a better afterlife. Egypt’s twenty four districts, for example, were divided between the king, the military and the princes, leaving no land for the people. To justify his class’ status, the king told the people they did have land: â€Å"It was the twenty fifth district, and its place is in the kingdom of heaven† (134). In this instance the king used religion as a â€Å"coercive and repressive force,† to serve his intentions (129). Rationalizing the poor’s poverty and the rich’s power through religion wa s a way Muslim rulers â€Å"legitimize(d) and maintain(ed) the prevailing order† (129). The way classes in the middle east practice religion is highly illustrative of class difference. Barakat makes a distinction between what he labels â€Å"official religion,† and â€Å"popular religion†: the former is practiced in rich, urban areas, and the latter in less affluent, rural ones (126). He says official religion stresses the value of strict interpretations of religious texts, monotheism, an absence of intermediaries between believers and God, and a close connection between religion and the ruling class. Popular religion, on the other hand, values interpretations of religious texts, personified sacred forces, spiritual inner selves, and does seek intermediaries between believers and God. Religion Accroding to Class Structure :: Islam Religion Religious Class Essays Religion Accroding to Class Structure In The Arab World: Society, Culture and State, Halim Barakat discusses the effect religion has on society within the Arab world. â€Å"Religion is the most significant force shaping Middle Eastern societies,† For Barakat (119). This is because religion is both revolutionary and pacifying. The Middle East is divided into rigid social and economic structures, which creates tension between upper and lowers classes. One tries to perpetuate a system of inequality, which forces the other to cope with poverty. Religion is used to serve the needs of both classes, â€Å"to repress and to resist repression,† in this way (130). The duality of religion can help explain the way modern societies in the Middle East function. Over the course of time, â€Å"Islamic conquests resulted in the accumulation of a great deal of money in the hands of Muslims, so they lost the purity of the prophet† (133). This divided society into classes: the rich were content with their status but the poor were not. Religion was used to,perpetuate the rich’s existence as a class. The economic hardship the poor faced was justified through religion and the possibility of a better afterlife. Egypt’s twenty four districts, for example, were divided between the king, the military and the princes, leaving no land for the people. To justify his class’ status, the king told the people they did have land: â€Å"It was the twenty fifth district, and its place is in the kingdom of heaven† (134). In this instance the king used religion as a â€Å"coercive and repressive force,† to serve his intentions (129). Rationalizing the poor’s poverty and the rich’s power through religion wa s a way Muslim rulers â€Å"legitimize(d) and maintain(ed) the prevailing order† (129). The way classes in the middle east practice religion is highly illustrative of class difference. Barakat makes a distinction between what he labels â€Å"official religion,† and â€Å"popular religion†: the former is practiced in rich, urban areas, and the latter in less affluent, rural ones (126). He says official religion stresses the value of strict interpretations of religious texts, monotheism, an absence of intermediaries between believers and God, and a close connection between religion and the ruling class. Popular religion, on the other hand, values interpretations of religious texts, personified sacred forces, spiritual inner selves, and does seek intermediaries between believers and God.

Movie Evaluation

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close: An Autistic Childs Perspective Message 1: September 11, 2001:†Are you there? Hello? If you’re there darling pick up. I just tried the office, but no one was picking up. Ah, listen, something happened. I’m ok. There telling us to stay where we are and wait for the firemen. I’m sure it’s fine. I’ll give you another call when I have a better idea of what’s going on. I want to let you know that I’m ok and not to worry and I’ll call again soon. This was the first of six messages on September 11 2001 that 11 year old Oscar Schell (Thomas Horn) heard from his father Thomas Schell (Tom Hanks) that were left on the answering machine as tragedy was unfolding. His father was on the 105th floor of tower one as the first plane crashed into the building. This movie is based on events that took place during the September 11 2001 terrorist attacks. A young boy (Thomas Horn) named Oscar narrates the sto ry of how the day unfolded from his point of view referring to it as â€Å"the worst day. † Oscar comes home after being released from school because of the events that were taking place.At this point he doesn’t really know what is actually happening. He continues in his routine grabbing a snack from the fridge and then pressing the play button on the answering machine. In this scene He listens to the first of six messages his father left as the events unfolded. He then turns on the television as the messages continue to play and witnesses what has happened and realizes his father is in the building. Just as the news camera captures the first tower falling Oscar falls to his knees, the pudding he got from the fridge spews everywhere and he begins to sob.This movie is categorized as a drama. Certain aspects should be within a drama and relating criteria should be established this includes first and foremost emotion, second would be a powerful message, also if the movie is based from real events, such as this one, realistic scenarios should take place and last but not least quality acting and effective casting, which go hand in hand. In a beginning scene from the movie when Oscars mother Linda Schell (Sandra Bullock) gets a phone call from her husband Thomas Schell while she is at work.You can hear the sheer panic in his voice and the chaos of distraught people in the background. Linda Schell now understands how dyer the situation is because he is in the building. She panics and tries to talk him into staying on the phone with her, they get disconnected. The viewer can easily relate to Linda’s fear and helplessness. Throughout the entire movie you can feel Oscars pain of losing his father. After â€Å"the worst day† Oscar refused to step foot in his father’s closet until one day he gathers the courage to do so. He is sorting through his father’s things when he knocks a vase off of a shelf.The vase shatters and he finds a key and believes it was a last â€Å"reconicense mission† his father created for him. He deems it necessary to continue the game they played that consisted of Oscar going on â€Å"reconicense quests† that his father would develop for him so that he would face his fears of being out in society. Loud noises, lots of people and being out in public put Oscar on edge as he has Autism and he has much trouble trying to make sense out of the simplest things in life and understanding why he can’t make sense of them, but his focus of understanding turned to his father’s untimely death.This movie does have a powerful message of how an unexpected tragedy can change lives forever. We may not have answers as to why or no complete understanding of what truly happens, but we must find a way to move on. As far as depicting real scenarios I believe this movie is right on point with one exception, Oscar was released from school as things started to take place. Before these attacks happened no one felt there was a real threat to humanity, but in a real situation such as this one, school districts, in my opinion, would not have released the children off on their own.Even if no one quite knew what was happening. It is the facilities responsibility to protect and care for those children while they are under their care. This was the only scenario I didn’t agree with. It almost gives a misconception of how schools would react, I think. Last but not least a drama should have quality acting which would foresee effective casting. Someone might seem right for the part but cannot portray the character effectively, which doesn’t make it believable or relatable. If the wrong people are casted, who aren’t quality actors, it would create a different atmosphere for the movie.It may not do so well if the characters aren’t portrayed effectively. I look for actors/actresses who have been awarded for their work and those I’m familiar w ith because there is a good chance the movie will be worthwhile. Overall Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close is a captivating, emotional and heartfelt movie about a boy with autism whom has just lost his father and learning to cope. With its quality acting and effective casting, powerful message and real life scenarios this movie is a must see.

American Dream Short Essay Essay

Since the United States of America was born the â€Å"American Dream† has been alive. When it was first established the â€Å"American Dream† was defined as the ability of having freedom, democracy, and financial stability. Today it appears that the â€Å"American Dream† has faded there is poverty, crime, government taking full control, and the social classes have a larger margin than ever. According to the article â€Å"More people express uncertainty in chance to achieve the American Dream† the Washington Post-Miller Center Poll found that â€Å"almost two-thirds of people express concerns about covering their families basic living expenses, compared with less than half the public four decades ago.† The thought of working hard, studying, and being able to retire use to be easy but now this has become a hardship. As values have changed and the pace of society has increased Americans want everything right here and right now but don not want to put the effort forward, those that still have the working mentality are those who achieve the true â€Å"American Dream.† People are becoming less motivated and more lazy. We try to finding an easy solution to all of our lives complicated problems, we no longer want to go to school, for it has become a â€Å"nuisance† and children are following in the footsteps of those that are not wise. Reading this article really opened our eyes. It’s not that the American Dream is unachievable, Americans just don’t want to work for it. We have become lazy and feel like everything should be handed to us, instead of believing that we should work for our accolades and make our opportunities. Bibliography Morello, Carol, Peyton M. Craighill, and Scott Clement. â€Å"More People Express Uncertainty in Chance to Achieve the American Dream.† Washington Post. The Washington Post, 28 Sept. 2013. Web. 14 Oct. 2013.

Research Proposal on E-Commerce vs Web Store Front

Research Proposal on E-Commerce vs Web Store Front E-Commerce vs. Web Store Front Research Proposal: With the advent of internet technology, organizations have greatly improved in certain ways. One of the most important facets of the computer and internet technology that have undergone rapid change is the E-commerce (Umar, 2004). Ecommerce or electronic commerce is the act of doing business over the internet through the aid of remote computers linked to each other to form a network. Specifically, it allows the users to transact business over the internet, where very little or no physical contact between the two parties is involved (Umar, 2004). Companies throughout the modern world are increasingly changing from traditional in-store format due to the increased opportunities with online business, as well as reduced cost of doing business (Umar, 2004). Currently, most retail businesses maintain a web storefront, while others have completed deviated from their physical location and moved permanently to the online business location. Traditional Versus Online Shopping It is not necessary that the word shopping have the meaning of exchange of goods and services in a specific physical location, as it was the common definition (Columbus, 2009). For instance, it was the only way for the shopper to leave the physical location and visit to the physical market or store in order to shop. However, in the modern world, shopping has greatly been revolutionized primarily through the internet technology. However, there are facets of this revolution that has brought in certain weaknesses with the shopping method, which are not common with traditional in-store method of shopping (Umar, 2004). Traditional in-store shopping method requires that the buyer and the seller meet in a certain area to do the transaction. The buyers must pay in cash or credit card. This method is very time consuming because all these activities requires time. In addition, in any case where the buyer and the seller have to negotiate on the price and nature of the service or commodity, they must do so within a given time, which increases the time spend on the process. For the buyer to choose the right product, he or she must take time seeing the product or service and verify its worthiness before paying for it. This is an advantage over the modern E-shopping, where even scammers have the opportunity to place fake or unworthy orders or products and feign as honest dealers or buyers. This might be a good way for the dishonest parties to execute their ill-intended actions over the intent (Umar, 2004). The traditional method of shopping is advantageous over the internet as far as this issue is concerned because it allows the two parties to carry out intensive verification of the other party’s intentions and degree of honesty. For example, there is enough time of the two parties to spend together and verify each other’s intentions and degree of honesty. In addition, physical shopping is quick because the buyer does not have to ship, especially for household and other goods, which are required on time and place (Columbus, 2009). Despite these advantages with the traditional method of shopping, several issues are associated with it, which are easily solved with the online shopping methods. For example, this method is highly time saving because it allows both parties to transact business over the internet. In this case, the parties do not need to meet physically, but rather the internet provides the opportunity for the two parties to meet and even discuss from remote places. There are also certain ways to enhance security of the transaction. For example, it is possible to operate secure accounts over the internet provided by trusted companies such as PayPal and iKobo. Ecommerce has increased the ability of doing business in foreign and new places. The internet is perhaps the driving force behind the modern concept of globalization. Globalization is a new dispensation in modern world, which has seen business organizations operate on worldwide scale, rather than dealing in specific regions (Umar, 2004). This new dispensation in business has increased the ability of the business organizations to diversify their business over extensive geographical locations, breaking geographical barriers and thus, distributing their risks and losses. This has further seen business organizations reduce the expense of crossing geographical barriers because they do not necessarily need to have physical outlets or these new offices, and those, which have these offices, are connected effectively the technology (Umar, 2004). Shoppers have the opportunity to go over a large-scale window-shopping before they can settle on the items to buy. Comparison of prices over the internet is also simpler than physical shopping because one needs to browse the prices and products over the computer in a sitting location, which further reduces the time needed to make shopping decisions. Shopping experience at Express Company Express Corporation is an American organization that specializes in clothing, and has several outlets in America, Europe and Asia, most of which were opened and operated before the organization embarked on extensive ecommerce. Currently, the organization operates one of the best and consumer friendly website, from where consumers in any part of the world can browse through the great variety of products and product brands available in the company stores. In addition, it allows the potential customer to use a shopping cart, in which they are free to add or remove any item they wish to or not to purchase. The shopping becomes easy because the online buyers are able to decide on the item they want to buy over a long time, which could even be days. This allows the users to make sound decisions on their purchases. Moreover, the website has extensive list of available and products, alongside their prices, quality and other details. Payment is quite easy because the organization accepts cred it cards online, PayPal and iKobo in addition to E-money services. The transaction can take a number of days, while the shipping can be very quick in cases where the customers are located in one of the 60 countries where the company operates in full scale. In addition to these features, the organization’s website allows the users to define their need and search through the website with just a click, and find their preferred product. Ethical and Legal Issues Concerning the Use of Internet in Business The internet technology has proved to be a tool for improving the methodology for doing business (Columbus, 2009). However, several legal and ethical issues are concerned (Umar, 2004). As a relatively new technology in business, the internet, as applied in ecommerce, has several issues concerning the security of the information, the money on transit as well as the product. For example, the organizations doing business through the internet relies heavily on the information on their website, and the information passed between the two parties. This implies that in case this information is leaked or interfered with, then both parties are likely to lose. Confidentiality of the information is also highly regarded in the business done over the internet (Umar, 2004). Ecommerce further requires high product suitability since there are certain products that are hardly offered on the internet. For example, household products such as sugar, soap, and others may not be sold in retail scale over the internet; rather they need traditional method of commerce. Products such as clothing, vehicles and other machineries, information such as music and games as well as academic materials are highly suitable for internet transaction.