Technology in the film Contact essays

Technology in the film Contact essays The film Contact addresses the complex question of whether extraterrestrial life exists. In the beginning of the film, the idea that there could be any form of extra terrestrial life seemed ludicrous and Ellie was made a fool for believing in the possibility. Once Ellie and her fellow scientists receive a radio signal from the planet Vega, the government decided to take over the test site and the entire project. Without any information about the intent of the contact, the government made the assumption that it would be in their best interest to respond with violence. This response is not only true in the movie, the urge to respond to an unknown threat with violence can be seen in the way in which the United States solves world conflicts today. The quarrel between the United States and Iraq is an example of responding to the unknown with violence. Although the conflict between the United States and the extra terrestrial life on Vega is a very different from that of Iraq, there a re many similarities. Due to the lack of common laws or ideas, a sense of the unknown emerges between both parties and as this feeling increases a feeling of fear immerges. Unless the lines of communication are opened between the nations of this planet, the United States will always be on the verge of a third world war. The similarities between Contact and the Iraq versus US struggle can be displayed in Paul K Huth's model of deterrence (Huth, P (1999) Deterrence and International Conflict: Empirical Findings and Theoretical debates. Annual review of political science 2, (25-48)) This model demonstrates the connection of how anarchy leads to a security dilemma and evidently an arms race. The major similarity between the two is the idea that anarchy leads to and arms race and therefore a world war. The first point of the chart is that of anarchy. The definition of anarchy in this chart is the absence of any form of common political authority. An ex...

The Battle of Rhode Island in the American Revolution

The Battle of Rhode Island in the American Revolution The Battle of Rhode Island was fought August 29, 1778, during the American Revolution (1775-1783) and was an early attempt at a combined operation between American and French forces. In the summer of 1778, a French fleet led by Admiral Comte dEstaing arrived on the American coast. It was decided this force would join with Major General John Sullivans command to recapture Newport, RI. Due to intervention by the Royal Navy and damage sustained by a storm at sea, dEstaing withdrew from the operation leaving Sullivan to confront the British alone. Unable to execute the operation without French support, he withdrew up Aquidneck Island with Newports garrison in pursuit. Assuming a strong position, Sullivan fought a successful defensive battle on August 29 before his men departed the island. Background With the signing of the Treaty of Alliance in February 1778, France formally entered the American Revolution on behalf of the United States. Two months later, Vice Admiral Charles Hector, comte dEstaing departed France with twelve ships of the line and around 4,000 men. Crossing the Atlantic, he intended to blockade the British fleet in Delaware Bay. Leaving European waters, he was pursued by a British squadron of thirteen ships of the line commanded by Vice Admiral John Byron. Jean Baptiste Charles Henri Hector, comte dEstaing. Public Domain Arriving in early July, dEstaing found that the British had abandoned Philadelphia and withdrawn to New York. Moving up the coast, the French ships assumed a position outside New York harbor and the French admiral contacted General George Washington who had established his headquarters at White Plains. As dEstaing felt that his ships would be unable to cross the bar into to the harbor, the two commanders decided on joint strike against the British garrison at Newport, RI. Fast Facts: Battle of Rhode Island Conflict: American Revolution (1775-1783)Dates: August 29, 1778Armies Commanders:AmericansMajor General John SullivanMajor General Nathanael GreeneMajor General Marquis de Lafayette10,100 menBritish Major General Sir Robert Pigot6,700 menCasualties:Americans: 30 killed, 138 wounded, and 44 missingBritish: 38 killed, 210 wounded, and 12 missing Situation on Aquidneck Island Occupied by British forces since 1776, the garrison at Newport was led by Major General Sir Robert Pigot. Since that time, a standoff had ensued with British forces occupying the city and Aquidneck Island while the Americans held the mainland. In March 1778, Congress appointed Major General John Sullivan to oversee the Continental Armys efforts in the area. Assessing the situation, Sullivan began stockpiling supplies with the goal of attacking the British that summer. These preparations were damaged in late May when Pigot conducted successful raids against Bristol and Warren. In mid-July, Sullivan received word from Washington to begin raising additional troops for a move against Newport. On the 24th, one of Washingtons aides, Colonel John Laurens, arrived and informed Sullivan of dEstaings approach and that the city was to be the target of a combined operation. To assist in the attack, Sullivans command was soon augmented by brigades led by Brigadier Generals John Glover and James Varnum which had moved north under the guidance of the Marquis de Lafayette. Swiftly taking action, the call went out to New England for the militia. Heartened by news of the French assistance, militia units from Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire began arriving at Sullivans camp swelling the American ranks to around 10,000. Major General Nathanael Greene. Photograph Source: Public Domain As preparations moved forward, Washington dispatched Major General Nathanael Greene, a native of Rhode Island, north to aid Sullivan. To the south, Pigot worked to improve Newports defenses and was reinforced in mid-July. Sent north from New York by General Sir Henry Clinton and Vice Admiral Lord Richard Howe, these additional troops increased to the garrison to around 6,700 men. The Franco-American Plan Arriving off Point Judith on July 29, dEstaing met with the American commanders and the two sides began developing their plans for assaulting Newport. These called for Sullivans army to cross from Tiverton to Aquidneck Island and advance south against British positions on Butts Hill. As this occurred, the French troops would disembark on Conanicut Island before crossing over to Aquidneck and cutting off the British forces facing Sullivan. This done, the combined army would move against Newports defenses. Anticipating an allied attack, Pigot began withdrawing his forces back to the city and abandoned Butts Hill. On August 8, dEstaing pushed his fleet into Newport harbor and began landing his force on Conanicut the next day. As the French were landing, Sullivan, seeing that Butts Hill was vacant, crossed over and occupied the high ground. The French Depart As French troops were going ashore, a force of eight ships of the line, led by Howe, appeared off Point Judith. Possessing a numerical advantage, and concerned that Howe could be reinforced, dEstaing re-embarked his troops on August 10 and sailed out to battle the British. As the two fleets jockeyed for position, the weather quickly deteriorated scattering the warships and badly damaging several. While the French fleet regrouped off Delaware, Sullivan advanced on Newport and began siege operations on August 15. Five days later, dEstaing returned and informed Sullivan that the fleet would be immediately departing for Boston to make repairs. Incensed, Sullivan, Greene, and Lafayette pleaded with the French admiral to remain, even for just two days to support an immediate attack. Though dEstaing desired to assist them, he was overruled by his captains. Mysteriously, he proved unwilling to leave his ground forces which would be of little use in Boston. Marquis de Lafayette. Photograph Source: Public Domain The French actions provoked a flurry of irate and impolitic correspondence from Sullivan to other senior American leaders. In the ranks, dEstaings departure sparked outrage and led many of the militia to return home. As a result, Sullivans ranks rapidly began to deplete. On August 24, he received word from Washington that the British were preparing a relief force for Newport. The threat of additional British troops arriving eliminated the possibility of conducting a protracted siege. As many of his officers felt a direct assault against Newports defenses was unfeasible, Sullivan elected to order a withdraw north with the hope that it could be conducted in a way that would draw Pigot out from his works. On August 28, the last American troops departed the siege lines and retreated to a new defensive position at the northern end of the island. The Armies Meet Anchoring his line on Butts Hill, Sullivans position looked south across a small valley to Turkey and Quaker Hills. These were occupied by advance units and overlooked the East and West Roads which ran south to Newport. Alerted to the American withdrawal, Pigot ordered two columns, led by General Friedrich Wilhelm von Lossberg and Major General Francis Smith, to push north to harry the enemy. While the formers Hessians moved up the West Road towards Turkey Hill, the latters infantry marched up the East Road in the direction of Quaker Hill. On August 29, Smiths forces came under fire from Lieutenant Colonel Henry B. Livingstons command near Quaker Hill. Mounting a stiff defense, the Americans forced Smith to request reinforcements. As these arrived, Livingston was joined by Colonel Edward Wigglesworth’s regiment. Major General Francis Smith. Public Domain Renewing the attack, Smith began to push the Americans back. His efforts were aided by Hessian forces which flanked the enemy position. Falling back to the main American lines, Livingston and Wigglesworths men passed through Glovers brigade. Probing forward, British troops came under artillery fire from Glovers position. After their initial attacks were turned back, Smith elected to hold his position rather than mount a full assault. To the west, von Lossbergs column engaged Laurens men in front of Turkey Hill. Slowly pushing them back, the Hessians began to gain the heights. Though reinforced, Laurens was ultimately forced to fall back across the valley and passed through Greenes lines on the American right. Colonel John Laurens. Public Domain As the morning progressed, the Hessian efforts were aided by three British frigates that moved up the bay and began firing on the American lines. Shifting artillery, Greene, with assistance from American batteries on Bristol Neck, was able to force them to withdraw. Around 2:00 PM, von Lossberg began an assault on Greenes position but was thrown back. Mounting a series of counterattacks, Greene was able to regain some ground and compelled the Hessians to fall back to the top of Turkey Hill. Though fighting began to subside, an artillery duel continued into the evening. Aftermath The fighting cost Sullivan 30 killed, 138 wounded, and 44 missing, while Pigots forces sustained 38 killed, 210 wounded, and 12 missing. On the night of August 30/31, American forces departed Aquidneck Island and moved to new positions at Tiverton and Bristol. Arriving at Boston, dEstaing was met with a cool reception by the citys residents as they had learned of the French departure through Sullivans irate letters. The situation was improved somewhat by Lafayette who had been sent north by the American commander in the hopes of securing the fleets return. Though many in the leadership were angered by the French actions at Newport, Washington and Congress worked to calm passions with the goal of preserving the new alliance.

A rhetorical analysis about People Like Us(by David Brooks) Essay

A rhetorical analysis about People Like Us(by David Brooks) - Essay Example This is probably because David Brooks wishes to explain to people about their denial. Throughout this article, David Brooks suggests that people do not accept that they engage in discrimination on a frequent basis (Brooks 1). These people talk about the issue of diversity but they never practice it. For example, the same people who suggest to others that they should appreciate diversity live close to people who resemble them. They live next to people who work in the same places as they do or those who have the same education as they do. David Brooks has a fascinating context for his article because of several reasons. First, David Brooks approaches the issue of diversity from a modernized perspective. He introduces the notion of current neighborhoods in which there can never be diversity. David Brook also admits that he wishes that there would be neighborhoods where people with significant diversity would live together in unity (Brooks 1). David Brooks realizes that he cannot convince his desired audience in an easy manner. He ensures that there are several rhetoric strategies to persuade his desired audience. Brook engages in an intense critic of the existing ideas on diversity. The entire article is a critique of the views, which modern people have on the issues of diversity. For example, Brook blames the nature of all the people who live in the current society. He says that the nature, which these modern people have, encourages them to practice extreme levels of segregation. David Brooks persuades his entire audience that there needs to be less discriminatory cases. This is because Brooks understands the negativity of segregation from his experiences (Brooks 132). David Brooks continues to criticize the ideas on diversity in a strategic manner. In the article "People like Us", Brook mentions some of his personal experiences. The experiences that he mentions in the article clarify certain issues to his audience. For example, readers notice Brooks’

Media kit for small business. Galaxica Media Essay

Media kit for small business. Galaxica Media - Essay Example The role of media in the sustainability of business assumes importance as media largely act as a tool for communication and have a significant role in positioning the firm in the business market. This is completely in tune with the Morgan’s metaphors which states that the business leadership should have abilities to analyze activities and devise alternative strategies. The study would contain the media kit for the firm with regards to its maintenance of sustainability while including elements like company policies as well as financial and human resource strategies of the organization. Company Fact Sheet Company Name Galaxica Media Location & when it was founded Galaxica media was established in November 2010 in London, UK. The company is presently headquartered in London UK. Mission Statement The mission statement of Galaxica media is stated below: The company aspires to be a customized service provider that provides multimedia solutions to businesses. The company aims to provide clear and simple multimedia programs designed to meet the individual needs of retail as well as corporate clients. The company would also provide multimedia solutions at an attractive price and provide continuous customer support to ensure complete satisfaction of the customer. Products Offered Galaxica media is mainly engaged in the entertainment business industry with its main product portfolio being in the area of animations and multimedia. The company’s product offering includes customized support for web design and multimedia effects for the entertainment industry. The company also provides web design support to different organizations. The company also provides 3D visual interfaces to customers engaged in the business of providing fun and entertainment. The web design team helps different organizations to design their websites according to their individual needs. This includes use of high end graphics that are designed keeping in mind the individual needs of the customers. Customers Targeted Galaxica media targets corporate clients which includes participants of the media industry. The company’s customized products are largely being used by media houses for their entertainment programs. The main clientele of the company forms the media a nd advertisement industry players who normally outsource some of their content creation and design to other players that have expertise in the area of graphics and multimedia. The clients of the firm also include business houses that generally outsource their web design aspect to include better graphics and looks. The company also targets different public sector organizations for design and development of their websites. Corporate Social and Ethical Responsibilities of the Company Corporate social responsibilities at Galaxica media would include strategies that tend to

Gsis Museo Ng Sining Essay Example for Free

Gsis Museo Ng Sining Essay Museo ng Sining was established in April 1996. Its creation is a tribute to the creative endeavors of the contemporary Filipino. Its vision is to help define the growth and glorious flowing of Philippine visual arts. Its objectives are: To collect Philippine art and artistic expressions from the colonial period to the present . To exhibit and document Philippine and non-philippine art and artistic expressions . To heighten art appreciation among the 6SIS personnel and the general public The 6SlS Museo ng Sining functions not only as an exhibition space but as an ducational technology as well. It has the following activities: Permanent exhibition of the 6SlS Art Collection Changing exhibition in the galleries featuring cultural themes and works of new artists Art activities, lectures, workshops, and films focused on the role of art not only as an aesthetic experience but as a significant factor in everyday life 6SIS MUSEUM HELD ME-DISINING EXHIBIT The Government Service Insurance System (6SlS) held an exhibit in honor of the works of Toribio Herrera, one of the pioneers of Philippine painting in the 1920s who set the tone for modern day artists. The exhibit, titled MediSining: The Art of Toribio Herrera, MD, is held at the Upper Gallery of the 6SlS Museum of Art in Pasay City and ran up to November 30, 2009 In his lifetime, Herrera never exhibited his works to the public nor sold a painting as he did not seek monetary rewards for his art. In fact, his very first exhibition was held in 1972, four years after his death. Born in Tondo in 1892, Herrera first graduated in Medicine at the University of Santo Tomas in 1912. Later, he took a second course in Fine Arts at the University of the Philippines, and as eventually accepted to teach there. Influenced by a deep understanding of both intricate human anatomy and the profound brush strokes and lines that make up perspective, his paintings are a Joy to behold, said 6SlS President and General Manager Winston F. Garcia, in appreciation of the works of Herrera. His scenes are simple yet very moving. Herrera was part of the Amorsolo, Castaneda, Miranda Group of Filipino Genre Masters who set the tone of Philippine painting, particularly during the 1920s. We are lucky that in this country, we have our artists, who keep efining us as a country and as a generation, Mr. Garcia added. SA AMIN MAY SINING The 6SlS Museum, in partnership with Kuta ng Sining, Inc. , also showcased the works of Quezon artists last August 7 to 28, 2009 entitled Sa amin may Sining. The province of Quezon is not only known for its Pahiyas festivity but also for the ingenuity and crea tivity of its home-grown artists. Featured artists in Sa amin may Sining include Noel P. Bueza, Erick Dator, Norman F. Ragudo, Monnar Baldemor, Jowell Gaela, and Efren D. Nantes. GSIS PAINTING COMPETITION cross the country, gives away hundreds of thousands of pesos each year to showcase the Filipinos rich talent in art. For this years competition, the 6SlS decided to have an open theme to encourage artists to explore their best in presenting and conceptualizing their artwork entry. The categories for this years competition include representational and non-representational. The 6SlS will give away Pl . 2 million this year, with the first prize winner for each category going home with P300,OOO. The second placer for both categories will each receive P200,OOO and PIOO,OOO for the hird prize. 6SlS ANNUAL ART COMPETITION The Government Service Insurance System (6SlS) believes in the Filipino artist and his invaluable role in shaping how the country thinks. For the sixth year. , the 6SlS is renewing its pledge to support artists all over the country through the Annual Art Competition, which aims to showcase the best paintings and sculptures of this generation. Beyond ensuring lives and property, the 6SlS also insures national heritage, for a nation that carries its artists is a nation that carries itself forward.

Misunderstanding in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee :: Free Essay Writer

Misunderstanding in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Walter Cunningham arriving and presenting himself at the finch household poses some questions for Jem. Firstly she cannot understand the agricultural terms as Atticus and Walter discuss crops. â€Å"†¦but there’s another’n at the house now that’s field size.† Jem takes this as Walter saying that he has employed someone to help with the cutting and thus asks him if he paid with a bushel of potatoes. Jem’s mindset of the Cunningham’s not paying money but paying in whatever ways they can comes from Atticus’ advice in the previous pages. Jem’s amazement at how Atticus and Walter talked together like two men clearly comes from a misunderstanding of the Cunningham household. Her understanding of the Cunninghams are that they are not the sharpest tools in the shed. Her amazement is highlighted by the quote, â€Å"†¦he and Atticus talked together like two men, to the wonderment of Jem and me.† Again, later on in the extract, Jem does not understand that Walter is equally as human as she is. Once again Harper Lee presents the facts with a little innuendo which touches on discrimination which is basically the heart of the book. â€Å"He ain’t company, Cal, he’s just a Cunningham.† Another of Jem’s misunderstandings is the molasses incident. Again she cannot understand why Walter drenches his food in molasses. It probably will originate from Walter’s upbringing as a â€Å"farm boy†. Molasses was probably cheap as chips on the farm where financial difficulty was rife. The author however employs a skilful phrase used in the South of America when describing Jem’s amazement, â€Å"†¦what the sam hill he was doing.† Jem does however understand that Calpurnia is one coloured person who is educated. Jem realizes this by how good her grammar was during tranquility. Again there is a misunderstanding on Jem’s part. She generalizes by implies that most coloured folk are not educated. The author presents these facts in such a way that it touches a major theme of the book, misunderstanding. As Calpurnia sent Jem off with a smack, Jem remarked that she’ll go and drown herself in Barker’s Eddy. This stresses the fact that Jem does not understand the ways and means of discipline. The author presents Jem almost as a headstrong girl who just cannot accept that this coloured lady could tell her what to do and how to present herself. Once again Miss Caroline Fisher comes into play. Her strict accordance to the rules of the new teaching system does not allow Jem to read or write.

Basic Marketing

There are at least three reasons why some customers are not satisfied with the products of certain firms and why micromarketing on the part of a production-oriented company that is inefficient can cost too much. One is that a firm focusing on micromarketing faces the challenge of producing a wide variety of goods or services to a large number of specific and small markets. If such company is inefficient and focuses mostly on production, it will be unable to produce quality goods and services.As a result, its ability to meet the expectations of its specific clients will be direly affected, thereby decreasing the satisfaction of the customers in the long run. Another reason is that a firm that faces the challenge of producing more goods than what it initially believes it can produce requires more of the raw materials it needs in order to meet that higher target. If the company is inefficient in producing such quantity and quality of goods, it is highly likely that the goods produced wi ll lack the basic quality standards.In order to compensate for the inefficiency in the production of such goods, the firm will be most likely forced to reproduce or repair some of its finished products, increasing expenses in the end. Lastly, customers are not satisfied with certain firms that are inefficient in the micromarketing field because such firms lack the ability to focus on the various goods and services that they offer due to multiple markets. 2.Technology impacts marketing environment including the opportunities, challenges and ethical issues that technology possesses. Technology greatly enhances the opportunities for firms because modern tools enable these companies to produce more and target a wider range of clients across geographical boundaries. The use of computers and efficient machines can also increase the efficiency of companies in the production of quality goods in larger quantities. The internet can also be a stronghold of these firms in advertising their prod ucts.Technology also creates certain challenges for these companies, challenges such as harnessing the technology and using it to its fullest potential. Other challenges include competing with other companies using the same technological strategies in the same market and keeping updated with the recent marketing technologies. Lastly, technology also raises certain ethical issues such as the issue of whether it is morally sound for certain firms to replace human labor with machineries.Another ethical issue is whether it is morally sound for companies to use technological tools in â€Å"spying† on the internal performance of their competitors in order to gain certain advantages. Moreover, technology also raises the ethical issue of whether it is morally fitting for firms to produce goods out of the technology available that can potentially bring harm to the buying public and to its competitors just to gain large profits.