Disadvantages of Genetically Modified Food Products Essay

British scientific researchers demonstrated that genetically modified DNA from crops can find its way into human gut bacteria, raising possible health concerns. This is because antibiotic-resistant marker genes are inserted with GM material, which could cause a person to be resistant to antibiotic medicines. The study was conducted at Newcastle University on seven human volunteers who, in the past, had their lower intestine removed and now use colostomy bags. After eating a burger containing GM soy, researchers compared their stools with 12 people with normal stomachs. They found â€Å"to their surprise† that â€Å"a relatively large proportion of genetically modified DNA survived the passage through the small bowel. † None was found in people who had complete stomachs. To see if GM DNA might be be transferred via bacteria to the intestine, they also took bacteria from stools in the colostomy bags and cultivated them. In three of the seven samples they found bacteria had taken up the herbicide-resistant gene from the GM food at a very low level. Michael Antonio, a senior lecturer in molecular genetics at King`s College Medical School, London, said that the work was significant because the researchers demonstrated that you can get GM plant DNA in the gut bacteria, which was previously considered to be not possible. Antonio said the research suggests that antibiotic marker genes could spread around the stomach and compromise antibiotic resistance. If this were to happen, a person could be immune to beneficial antiobiotic medicines. Marker genes are inserted into GM plants to allow identification of GM cells or tissue during development. The House of Lords has called for them to be phased out as swiftly as possible. The research was conducted at the request of the UK’s Food Standards Agency, which released a statement saying the research, â€Å"concluded that the likelihood of functioning DNA being taken up by bacteria in the human or animal gut is extremely low. † * Genetically modified foods may gain undesirable properties. * The preservation of genetic variety in one specie is difficult. The technology make farmer to produce only one type fertile plants. * The technology may cause undesirable degeneration. So, surprisingly, low quality products may be obtained. * Genetically modified foods may change the microbial flora of the soil. It may cause deperdition of essential microorganisms on soil. This ruin natural balance. * When genetically altered microorganisms are consumed with food products, they may consolidate with human or animal organism. His combination may cause deperdition, metamorphosis, or any other strange organisms. * If the foods which were made antibiotic resistant by gene technology are consumed, it may give the same property to human. This cause failure of antibiotic-based treatments. * By this technology transferred genes may contaminate to other organisms undesirably. This may cause biologic disaster. * As a ring of nature chain, insects may be influenced by genetically modified foods and insects can develop resistant mechanism. * Even beneficial foods that carry toxic effect genes can cause human illness. * There is a risk of formation one kind of flora. * Other organisms in the same medium may be influenced by genetically modified foods. Video Transcription. This transcription will have some mistakes because it is partially automated. Hey guys! This is Heather from HealthyEatingStartsHere. com. Today I wanted to talk to you about the disadvantages of genetically modified food. I do mention genetic modification every so often and to be on the lookout for it and that’s one of the reasons why I buy organic foods. And whenever I mentioned I always got a lot of question what it is? Why is it bad? All that kind of stuff! So first of all let’s look out what exactly it is. Genetic modification is when a scientist, genetic engineer goes into the actual DNA of a seed and changes something about the DNA. What it is depends on what they are trying to do. Often in food crops what they’re doing is they’re slicing in a little bit of some other species of plant or animal into the seed for certain traits that they want that plant to have. So if you are a vegan and you’re concern about animal rights and the use of animal products in your food, you wanna be really careful about genetically modified food because they might have some animal genes place in. And that involves not only the animal gene but obviously they are taking it from somewhere so there is some kind of animal experimentation going on. Aside from that, another thing that often comes up in question of what’s the difference between genetic modification and hybridization? Because people have been making hybrids for a long time, is that bad? Well, the difference is with hybrid foods what they’re doing is that they are taking two plants and they’re putting them together, kind of like mating them and producing a slightly different second generation off spring. So, it’s different because they’re not going actually on the actual DNA of the seeds and changing things mechanically. They are cross breeding and hybridization have been going on for a long long time since the beginning of agriculture really and genetic modification is very very new. It only started being experimented with in the late 1980’s and then it’s only been on the commercial scale since the late 1990’s. So not a lot of time they have been gathering data on what the long term effects are and that is one of the main disadvantages that people talk about with genetic modification. Today I want to focus more on the positive and look at what can we come up with as better solutions to whatever it is that people are trying to which are like genetic modification. If you want to read more about the disadvantages, I did write about them in my blogs, you can check that out at HealthyEatingstartsHere. com but again let’s take a look on the positive. The benefits that people are going for in genetic modification, one of the first one is the resistant to pesticides and herbicides. What happens there is well let’s take the biggest example which is Roundup ready crops. Roundup is a chemical that is a herbicides so it kills plants. You probably heard of it, people use it on their lawn, stuff like that and basically just wipes everything out. And what’s the company that produces Roundup called Monsanto wants to do is allow farmers to go out and spray field of crops and have Roundup kill all of the weeds that they don’t want but leave the crops growing. So what they do is they go onto the seeds of these major crops and changed it so that Roundup does not kill them. So that’s one of the biggest and first uses of genetic modification and the solution there if you look at organic food production, the bases behind the whole process is about making plants healthy, making the soil healthy first so that it grows healthy plants and those healthy plants won’t have diseases won’t get pests and will grow in healthy soil and the weeds won’t even be a problem. So it eliminates the need for these Roundup ready crops, I mean it’s more complex than that but that’s the – the basic idea is let’s look at what we want and create that rather than taking how things are and kind of putting a band aid on it and trying to make it better. So you can read a little more about this over at my blog, go check that out but I wanna hear from you guys. Leave me a comment and let me know what you think about genetically modified foods. And whether you think there are some major disadvantages, whether you think they’re important, what you think are some good solutions that would be really awesome thing hear from you guys, what you think some better ways of doing things would be so let me know and I’ll see you guys next time. < p>Hey guys! This is Heather from HealthyEatingStartsHere. com. Today I wanted to talk to you about the disadvantages of genetically modified food. I do mention genetic modification every so often and to be on the lookout for it and that’s one of the reasons why I buy organic foods. And whenever I mentioned I always got a lot of question what it is? Why is it bad? All that kind of stuff!   first of all let’s look out what exactly it is. Genetic modification is when a scientist, genetic engineer goes into the actual DNA of a seed and changes something about the DNA. What it is depends on what they are trying to do. Often in food crops what they’re doing is they’re slicing in a little bit of some other species of plant or animal into the seed for certain traits that they want that plant to have. So if you are a vegan and you’re concern about animal rights and the use of animal products in your food, you wanna be really careful about genetically modified food because they might have some animal genes place in. And that involves not only the animal gene but obviously they are taking it from somewhere so there is some kind of animal experimentation going on. Aside from that, another thing that often comes up in question of what’s the difference between genetic modification and hybridization? Because people have been making hybrids for a long time, is that bad? Well, the difference is with hybrid foods what they’re doing is that they are taking two plants and they’re putting them together, kind of like mating them and producing a slightly different second generation off spring. So, it’s different because they’re not going actually on the actual DNA of the seeds and changing things mechanically. They are cross breeding and hybridization have been going on for a long long time since the beginning of agriculture really and genetic modification is very very new. It only started being experimented with in the late 1980’s and then it’s only been on the commercial scale since the late 1990’s. So not a lot of time they have been gathering data on what the long term effects are and that is one of the main disadvantages that people talk about with genetic modification. Today I want to focus more on the positive and look at what can we come up with as better solutions to whatever it is that people are trying to which are like genetic modification. If you want to read more about the disadvantages, I did write about them in my blogs, you can check that out at HealthyEatingstartsHere. com but again let’s take a look on the positive. The benefits that people are going for in genetic modification, one of the first one is the resistant to pesticides and herbicides. What happens there is well let’s take the biggest example which is Roundup ready crops. Roundup is a chemical that is a herbicides so it kills plants. You probably heard of it, people use it on their lawn, stuff like that and basically just wipes everything out. < p>And what’s the company that produces Roundup called Monsanto wants to do is allow farmers to go out and spray field of crops and have Roundup kill all of the weeds that they don’t want but leave the crops growing. So what they do is they go onto the seeds of these major crops and changed it so that Roundup does not kill them. So that’s one of the biggest and first uses of genetic modification and the solution there if you look at organic food production, the bases behind the whole process is about making plants healthy, making the soil healthy first so that it grows healthy plants and those healthy plants won’t have diseases won’t get pests and will grow in healthy soil and the weeds won’t even be a problem. So it eliminates the need for these Roundup ready crops, I mean it’s more complex than that but that’s the – the basic idea is let’s look at what we want and create that rather than taking how things are and kind of putting a band aid on it and trying to make it better. So you can read a little more about this over at my blog, go check that out but I wanna hear from you guys. Leave me a comment and let me know what you think about genetically modified foods. And whether you think there are some major disadvantages, whether you think they’re important, what you think are some good solutions that would be really awesome thing hear from you guys, what you think some better ways of doing things would be so let me know and I’ll see you guys next time. A lot of people aren’t clear on what exactly genetically modified food is. Very simply, it’s food that’s been changed on a genetic level through genetic engineering. The process usually involves splicing in a gene from a different species of plant or animal to take advantage of certain traits. Hybridization causes some confusion here, since it’s also a way of breeding plants (or animals) for certain traits. The difference is that hybrid food is created through cross-breeding two plants into a second generation. Genetic modification is done directly in the DNA of a seed. The main benefits producers are going for in genetically modifying food plants is a resistance to pesticides and herbicides, better tolerance of extreme weather conditions (like drought), longer shelf lives, and an increase of certain nutrients (like vitamin A-infused rice). That all sounds good on paper, but there are some serious disadvantages of genetically modified food. The most blatant one is that this GM seeds are already in widespread use in the industrial agriculture food chain without having had long-term testing. They only started small scale experiments in the late 1980’s, and large scale operations started in the late 1990’s. The future effects on our health, our environment and the sustainability of our food crops aren’t easy to predict in the best of times, but GM foods and crops throw a real curveball in the mix. Because they are a fundamentally new organism, there’s a lot of speculation that GM foods are treated as allergens – foreign invaders – by our bodies. There’s also the potential of splicing in a gene that is a natural allergen. The disadvantages of genetically modified food don’t stop at health and environmental concerns. There are some serious social justice issues, where farmers in developing nations (and even those in rich countries) are generating massive profits for large corporations without any gains for themselves. In fact, lots of farmers in India kill themselves because they just can’t see a way out of the downward spiral of paying for seeds that require paying for pesticides and fertilizers and machinery, then paying for more seeds and now having to pay for irrigation systems because their land is drying out†¦ Now, that’s just a quick overview of the disadvantages of genetically modified food. I don’t really like to dwell too long on the negative side of things, but sometimes it’s important to know why you don’t do certain things. What I much prefer looking at is the positive side of what you can do instead. If you look at the benefits of GM crops, there isn’t a need to use genetic modification to get them. Organic methods of growing food are about making plants optimally healthy, so that they don’t need pesticides, fertilizers or herbicides. Growing healthy plants from healthy soil also makes for higher nutrient levels, and getting a variety of healthy foods is a better way of getting nutrients than protein-enhanced sweet potatoes or vitamin A-enhanced rice. Growing food in polycultures (lots of different types of plants together) rather than massive monocultures (like the enormous fields of corn or soy beans you see all over North America), and using different varieties of plants brings biodiversity that can better withstand extreme environmental conditions. It’s like building diversity in your investment portfolio – having a wide variety of stocks helps lessen the impact of one or a few companies crashing. Local food systems make shelf life less of an issue. Besides, do you really want to eat rice that could last for a few years? When the farmers are the ones who are starving, there is something seriously wrong in our food supply chain. My main question is this: If there are so many unknowns and disadvantages of genetically modified food, why don’t we put our efforts into better solutions – ones that address the root of the issues? The best way to avoid the disadvantages of genetically modified food is to grow your own – and if you don’t have space or time for a vegetable garden, a jar of sprouts on the windowsill is still awesome. If you need pointers, you can watch me show just how easy it is to grow alfalfa sprouts at home. Want to know it? Answers to life’s questions Want to know it? This blog has a little bit of everything to challenge your mind and find answers to life’s questions. Home Disadvantages of Genetically Modified Food By: Want To Know It Photo Credit wheat field image by Soja Andrzej from Fotolia. com Genetic engineering has been practiced in the form of selective breeding throughout the history of agriculture. However, the discovery in 1953 of the structure of DNA gave scientists the ability to insert genes from one life form into those of a completely separate life form, thus arriving at the modern genetic engineering movement. Genetic engineering is fraught with controversy regarding its ethical and moral implications and health effects. Cancer Genetically modified foods share certain toxic effects on the liver, pancreas, kidneys and reproductive system that may cause cancer in these organs, according to a Greek study published in the February 2009 â€Å"Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. † The widespread use of recombinant growth hormone — a genetically modified substance — in the agricultural industry is associated with increases in IGF-1, a growth hormone that, in excess quantities, can lead to cancer. Sponsored Links Humanization Special Rapid, Powerful, Full length IgG Short time only End-of-Year Pricing www. BioAtla. com Allergy Allergic reactions to genetically modified foods may arise due to the presence of proteins derived from the plant or animal used to modify the food, according to a U. S. study published in the July 2009 â€Å"Toxicological Sciences. † Current safety standards involve evaluation of the foreign proteins for allergenic potential, and a database of known allergenic proteins has been compiled, along with computer programs for assessing potential allergenicity of proteins. Additionally, animal and non-animal testing methods are being developed to assist in the process of screening for allergenicity. Intestinal Immunity Genetically modified corn caused an immune reaction in mice in an Italian study published in the December 2008 â€Å"Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. † Mice fed genetically modified corn for 30 days showed altered levels of white blood cells; interleukins, a category of protein molecules that regulate immune function; and MIP-1beta, a chemical produced by certain white blood cells that initiates inflammation. The researchers noted that young and old mice were similarly affected by the modified corn. Endometriosis Rising rates of endometriosis coincide with increased consumption of genetically modified foods over the last decade, according to a Canadian report published in the December 2010 â€Å"Gynecology, Obstetrics and Fertility. † The presence of pesticide residue and foreign proteins in genetically modified foods may be the culprit, say the authors, citing the â€Å"low-dose hypothesis† that accumulation of toxins, along with added chemicals for the stabilization and delivery of pesticides designed for use with genetically modified foods, multiply the risk factors and could be harmful for their immune-toxic effects and ability to disrupt the endocrine system. Read more: http://www. livestrong. com/article/345554-disadvantages-of-genetically-modified-food/#ixzz2G2YGRNlT. Genetically modified food has been on the market since the early 90’s and since that time has attracted both positive and negative attention. Many people believe genetically modified food to be unsafe for human consumption and a hazard to the natural environment. There have been numerous studies undertaken to determine the risks involved with genetically engineering foods. As yet no set conclusions have been reached about the risk involved with genetically engineered food and strict guidelines have been established to regulate the genetically modified foods that can be sold to the consumer. What is Genetically Modified Food? Genetically modified food is food that has been altered at the DNA level. This is done by very precise genetic engineering techniques developed by scientists. In general the aim of genetically modifying food is simple, either to make the food more marketable or make it easier to produce. Most food that is genetically modified are plant products or vegetables such as soybeans, corn and tomatoes. The genetic modification of crops happened prior to scientific engineering via breeding and cross pollination. This method is still used to create crops that are more resistant to pests or to produce plants that yield bigger harvests. Scientific genetic engineering allows for a specific gene to be taken from one organism and transplanted into another. The gene responsible for making a plant resistant to pests can be quickly and efficiently transplanted into another plant allowing it to gain this resistant property. Disadvantages of Genetically Modified Food. †¢ There have been numerous criticisms leveled at genetically modified produce and it is important that we as the consumer are informed about the possible drawbacks of a product. †¢ Changing plants may have lasting effects on other organisms in the ecosystem. The change in a plant may cause it to be toxic to an insect or animal that uses it as its main food source. †¢ Due to the widespread use of insect resistant genes in crops the insects may become resistant to the genetic modifications. This would cause a widespread loss of crops and plants that have the natural immunity leading to a loss in biodiversity. †¢ Breeding and cross pollination across unintended species could occur resulting in things such as insect resistant weeds. †¢ Cross pollination can also occur across crops that are not genetically modified leading to lawsuits about who owns the GM technology and seed. The same thing can happen between organic crops and genetically modified crops making it difficult to maintain an organic status. †¢ A huge concern is that genetic modification could cause allergies in humans due to gene modification of plants. People may find that they are now allergic to other food products – people because they contain a gene from the allergen they have. One example is the use of a Brazilian nut gene in corn. †¢ Some studies have shown that it may affect the human digestive system in a number of ways. The incorporation of substances that may interact badly with one another in food or in fact be poisonous to people may happen. The modification of certain genes may make some plant substances difficult to digest at all. †¢ A major economical concern is that the control of world food sources may be limited to large companies because they own the GM seeds and have the money to start and finish the accreditation process. †¢ Genetic modification can also make it difficult to know what you are eating, as a plant could contain animals products via genetic engineering. This could cause issues for those with dietary restrictions and religious commitments. Related Articles.

Studying The Journey Of Mango Season English Literature Essay

Mango season is an indefinable chef-d'oeuvre of Amulya Malladi. I am really impressed and proud to be a Telugu myself. This whole journey of Mango Season had been truly fantastic. I have ne'er thought that there would be a book on Telugu civilizations and we would be analysing the narrative for our literature surveies. But at the other terminal of the twine, even though I am an Indian, I had ne'er known all the civilizations and traditions of my really ain civilization and this is an eye-opener for me to turn over a new foliage and get down cognizing all the civilizations, and why do we pattern such civilizations in our Telugu community. Coming back to Mangifera indica season, I had identified 3 chief issues which are truly closed to my bosom. One of the chief issues I would wish to foreground in this novel is arranged matrimony versus love matrimony. This had ever been an issue debated in every Indian household when it comes to marriage. The daughter/ boy love person else but were asked to get married the individual chosen by their parents. This issue can clearly been seen in this novel as this whole narrative reflects on Priya who is confronting a struggle in taking an arranged or love matrimony. Arrange and love matrimonies have their ain advantages and disadvantages. Arranged matrimony shows a sense of regard and trust of the younger coevalss towards their seniors by obeying them in make up one's minding our future life spouse. While, on the other manus, love matrimony portrays our bravery and finding in contending for our love and to be with the individual we love. Priya, the chief character in this novel is a Telugu miss who comes from the highest caste which is from a Brahmin household. So, it is a must for her to g et married a Telugu Brahmin. The struggle begins when Priya is in love and is already engaged with a black American, Nick. When she tells her parents and her grandparents about this issue they wholly disagree and would ne'er desire an American cat to be Priya ‘s hubby. Here, she has a struggle with the household where none of them are to back up her except Nate and Sowmya. When, Priya decided to get married Nick, no affair what happens, Thatha replied that if you marry this adult male, so you are non my household. This shows how rigorous older coevalss are in prohibiting a love matrimony. In my sentiment, I would instead hold an arranged matrimony. The chief ground is because, parents know what is the best for their kids and have the wisdom and wherewithal to choose the best campaigner, the matrimony will profit from the support and encouragement of their seniors and hence will be lasting and lasting. There are significantly fewer divorces or separations between people of ordered matrimonies. Based on Noreen, who wrote in Indiamarks web site, he stated that Indians look at get marrieding a individual they do n't cognize, gives one â€Å" a life-time to larn to love them † . He besides included that an Indian adult female described it as â€Å" Here, we get married without holding feelings for the individual. We base our matrimony on committedness, non on feelings. As our matrimony progresses, the feelings develop. And yes! I genuinely agree with it. At the same clip I would wish to emphasize that, when people think of ordered matrimonies, they frequently pictu re a male child or miss forced into a relationship in which they have perfectly no pick. However, in world, this is merely non the instance ; before the matrimony becomes official the bride and groom have the chance to run into each other. It ‘s non like the twosome see each other on the nuptials twenty-four hours for the first clip or merely one time before the nuptials. There is normally a period of months after the twosome is engaged, where the twosome gets to cognize each other, run into, talk and discourse the hereafter. This clip after the battle to the nuptials twenty-four hours is kind of the dating period for the twosome. The 2nd issue I would wish to foreground from this novel is the version of western civilization. In the context of Priya we can clearly see tonss of alterations in her in footings of life style and how she perceives things in her mundane life when she is back in India after 7 old ages populating in The United States. At the same clip, we can see that she has a different mentality now as she is much liberalized and modernized. She thinks traveling through Pelli- chupulu is merely a waste of clip. This is really common in most of the people. Change is lasting, and you can non state no to alter. When we are in the land of the westerners, earlier or later we will certainly acquire adapt to the life style at that place. For illustration, populating together before matrimony is wholly prohibited in India but non in the western civilization. Here, we can see that Priya ‘s life style had changed when she went to The States. She lived together with Nick in the same roof even though they are non married yet and on top of that she had besides made love with Nick. Besides that, the westerners call people by their names even though the individual is much older than them. In this novel we can see that Priya calls Nick ‘s Dendranthema grandifloruom by her name, Frances, even though she is much older than Priya. So, based all this facts from the narrative I can infer that we will acquire adapted to the civilization where we are, like how the phrase goes, when in Rome do as the Romans do. Priya was in The States for 7 old ages. This is a long phase for her to truly acquire to cognize all the civilizations of the westerners and thereby acquire assimilated with the civilization at that place. In one of the article by The Associated Press stated that when you are in America being Indian and being here, you shy off from it or conceal from it because you want to be like everyone else. It is really difficult to keep our ain civilization and belief when all around us are Americans. That ‘s what Priya went through, Indians in America were non every bit many as in India and she found it really hard to pattern her ain civilization and traditions at that place. Priya told that when she foremost saw Nick she ne'er expected to prosecute a relationship with him, subsequently on dating him and worst of all life together and started doing love. Here we can deduce that Priya ne'er wanted to confront all this in America but she did, and why? The chief thing is because she got adapted to the civilization at that place.My 3rd issue in on inter-caste matrimonies. Inter-caste matrimony means girl and male childs are from different castes where one member belongs to take down caste. In this novel, inter-caste matrimony can be seen in the matrimony of Anand and Neelima. Anand is a Telugu Brahmin while Neelima is a Maharashtrian Brahmin. Even though we can see that both are Brahmans but they are from different caste. Neelima is a Maharashtrian which is a lower caste from Telugu. Priya one time stated that being Telugu was really indispensable. Telugu was the official linguistic communication of Andhra Pradesh. Being of the same caste was non plenty to consecrate a matrimony. To get married person, that person had to besides be from the same province. So, Maharashtrians are from the lower caste because they are non Telugu. At the same clip, we can see that thatha was besides is a love matrimony, he was really arranged to Ammamma ‘s cousin, Ratna. But after thatha saw Ammamma, he wanted to get married ammamma alternatively of Ratna. So here we can see that thatha himself pattern love matrimony but with the lone different that he married in the same caste. Their matrimony was successful because they are from the same caste. If ammamma was from a different caste, so certain thatha was forbidden from get marrieding ammamma.Inter-caste matrimonies have the pro and con ‘s based on which century our position is. As written in Brahmans Within the Caste System byA Andrea Pintane, he stated that Inter-caste matrimonies was really critical in those yearss because different caste pattern different civilization. For case, Harmonizing to the ancientA Hindu scriptures, there are four different caste. TheA Bhagavad Gita ( Hindu sacred book ) A says caste is decided based onA Karma. The four caste ‘s are the BrahminsA ( instructors, bookmans and priests ) , theA KshatriyasA ( male monarchs and warriors ) , theA VaishyasA ( agriculturalists and bargainers ) , andA ShudrasA ( craftsmans, service suppliers, labourers ) .Brahmins which is the highest caste are forbidden from devouring onions, Allium sativum, tomato and should be vegetarians while the other caste such as the Kshtriyas and Vaishyas are non-vege. So, if they marry a individual from different caste, so they have to confront jobs based on the nutrient they consume. Besides that, the 4 caste are from different businesss. Parents those yearss find it easier to be in the same businesss so that they wo n't hold any jobs in their jobs. But now it ‘s different. With more globalisation and addition in educational installations, there is great alteration in the positions of people. As modernisation has affected every subdivision of society, inter-caste matrimonies have besides received credence from the people in urban and modern societies. There has been broad alteration in the societal scenario. Parents and relations of the lovers have been coming up with more unfastened heads with broad credence of matrimonies outside their ain castes. So, based on this narrative, we can deduce that Priya comes from a household who still have the older coevalss mindset on the in ter caste matrimonies.As a decision, I would wish to state that America and India are manner apart. America is a developed state while India is still a underdeveloped state. It ‘s really difficult to compare a state which has so different in every individual thing. India faced so much agony during those times that they find it so hard to come up. Personally, I enjoyed reading this book. This had given me a opportunity to research the unknown and at the same clip increasing my cognition on my ain civilizations.

Genetically Modified Foods Essay

Genetically Modified Foods (GMO) are crops that have had changes made to their genetic material (DNA) in a way that does not occur naturally through the introduction of a gene from a different organisms. The use of genetically modified foods has been debated about for some time now. One side argues that GMO is more sustainable and economically efficient. It is also argued that GMO has not been properly tested for any negative effects on humans, other animals and the environment. GMO foods are seen as the future in agriculture by scientist as it solves so many worldwide problems. Industries claim GMO foods have been changed to make the food last longer, give the crop herbicidal tolerance, resistance to insects and different climates, taste better and the crop will produce more food. This results in more food for the rapidly growing population of the world as less crops will spoil as a result of insects, while also increasing the nutritional value of the food. Foods that previously weren’t able to grow in varying climates will now be able to, this will especially benefit countries such as Africa where their climate is very harsh. It has been argued that scientists have not done enough research and have not fully tested their products properly. This has been the concerns of many people all over the world. Do the benefits really outweigh the negatives? While GMO products may be very beneficial to society in theory very few have been properly tested for how they impact humans and other organisms in the long term. Tests have been done on rats testing the effects of GMO products on their health, in all cases rats feed GMO products were more likely to develop tumours and suffer server liver and kidney damage. Recent studies also show that despite the claims of GMO food supporters GMO crops don’t produce larger amounts of food. In addition to these problems it has been found that weeds have crossed bread with these GMO plants resulting in herbicide resistant weeds which mean stronger pesticides are needed which possess a huge threat to none GMO plants. In 2010 Germany introduced a ban on Monsanto genetically modified corn as it was considered dangerous. In 2011 Peru passed a law banning genetically modified crops for 10 years, the same year Hungary also destroyed 1000 acres of corn that was found to be grown with genetically modified seeds which are banned. If countries are going to such lengths to keep GMO foods out there must be an issue with them. The main issue with GMO is that it is big companies that are creating GMO foods. They only care about making a profit. This results in sloppy long term tests and in some cases false information being provided to the public to promote their product. In most cases the negatives clearly outweigh the positives of GMO foods although that does not rule out all GMO products. If governments got involved more and incorporated better restrictions on the production of GMO foods results will improve. With more research and tests maybe GMO foods really will be the way of the future.

Elephant (2003)

On Tuesday, April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School near Denver, Colorado, two senior students embarked on a massacre, killing twelve students, one teacher, and injuring over twenty more students. The two troubled students then committed suicide. It is the fourth deadliest school massacre in United States history. The phrase â€Å"elephant in the room† is used as a metaphor to describe an obvious truth that goes unaddressed, or simply ignored. Everyone knows it is there, but no one will say what needs to be said, or acknowledge the problem that is in front of them.Gus Van Sant’s, Elephant, is a cinematic response to the 1999 Columbine High School shootings. Van Sant’s open-ended treatment of the Columbine event is one example of how his creative strategy is able to focus the social complexity behind the incident, and stimulate curiosity from the audience. This style of film steps far past the traditional boundaries to the point, demonstrating that this is only s cratching the surface, suggesting that there is much more depth than what is shown in plain view.Elephant refuses to adjust to conventional views of cause and effect, and instead weaves an inescapable spell on its audience with its distinctive long takes, diegetic and non-diegetic sounds, and an interweaving, realistic narrative structure, all contributing to its remarkable visual harmony and an everlasting emotional affect on those who witness it. One creative strategy that Van Sant employs throughout the movie’s entirety is its distinctive, but unique long takes. This unconventional way of filming helps determine the atmosphere of the film as a whole.Van Sant takes the audience on a trancelike journey as the camera follows each character around the school. The action is moved along by the continual course of the camera tracking behind different students as they navigate the school halls, cafeteria, library, and football field. During these long takes, the audience is given the perspective of a passive witness to the action as it unfolds unavoidably. As a result, it becomes a slow-moving film with a snowballing and powerful impact. As Van Sant puts it, â€Å"No cutting is better than cutting.A fabricated story isn't as good as something that's more organic†(Van Sant). These long scenes are repeated, but through the eyes of different characters each revealing a new perspective of the scene, which increases the sympathy for these students who have no idea what is coming, but was already revealed to the audience. With these distinctive and realistic long takes, the scenes become preserved in the audiences memory due to what seems like a first hand experience of the traumatic event.Another key component to this movies inescapable spell that it places on its viewers is the use of diegetic and non-diegetic sounds. Throughout the movie there is always a constant sound, whether it is the echoes of voices in the hallways and locker room, or the sound of Beethoven playing beneath the diegetic sounds. The use of these diegetic sounds help create a more realistic perspective for the audiences. As they follow behind each character closely, Van Sant makes sure to add every little detail he can to ensure that the audience gets as raw and as authentic of a view as possible.For example, the group of young girls in the cafeteria or in the locker room, there are no sound affects added, what you see is what you hear, creating a naturalistic atmosphere. As another way to increase the tension, Van Sant strategically places the non-diegetic sound of a piano playing classical music to create an ominous mood in the selected scenes. There are only a few scenes at which the piano is played, and it easily goes unnoticed. The sounds of classical music playing beneath the diegetic sounds places the audiences in a dreamlike state, as all they can do is sit back and watch as the story unfolds.The interweaving and realistic narrative structure of this fil m helps show the multiple points of views of this tragedy, giving the audience the ability to become â€Å"the ideal imaginary observer† and feel as close to the real thing as possible. After reviewing the film, Manohla Dargis of the LA Times states, â€Å"Every so often, Van Sant repeats a scene from another perspective, as if he were winding back time, and decelerates the bustling to put the film into slow motion so we can pay witness to this heartbreaking animation, to the aliveness of these children.I think this is why Van Sant made â€Å"Elephant† — he wants to honor the lives of the Columbine dead, to remember all the kids in their radiant, burning life. †(Dargis). The same scenes are replayed multiple times from different perspectives to show the magnitude of the situation, and just how powerful what is taking place really is. Instead of casting big name actors, Van Sant casts regular high school teenagers, who improvise their dialogue to make it s eem as realistic as he could.By keeping this narrative structure away from the glamour and artificiality of classic Hollywood films, Van Sant allows the story to unfold naturally and is able to preserve the films true meaning, which is to focus on the traumatic event that is right in plain view, but yet no one wants to address. Throughout the film, the audience is given an in depth look at what took place that tragic day. As far as authenticity, this film is as realistic of an interpretation as there can be without dipping into the glamour of Hollywood, and distortion for the sake of a better script.This film is as real as it gets, and it is because of the creative, non-traditional style that Van Sant employs throughout it. There are several different elements that go into creating this film, such as an interweaving narrative structure, or the use of creative and unique shots that help make it extremely impactful. Some elements can be seen with the naked eye; others require a little bit more intellect. Regardless of whether or not the audience can see why this film is more creative and spell bounding than the next, they at least know something is there like the elephant in the room.

Causes of the Euro Debt Crisis, Its Impact on International Financial Assignment

Causes of the Euro Debt Crisis, Its Impact on International Financial Markets, Including the US, the Eurozone and Asia, and Ways to Resolve It Euro Debt Crisis Causes and salient events leading to the present crisis Euro debt crisis is a financial situation facing the euro zone comprising of 17 member states that use the euro currency where some member countries have worsening sovereign debts borrowed from financial institutions. These countries pose a credit risk if they default on their obligations to the detriment of the monetary union. The case is more severe for member countries like Greece, Italy, Ireland and Spain. Various causes and events have been pointed as leading to the present crisis. For example, according to the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe- ALDE (2008, 11) structural factors that encouraged free market, deregulation of markets, self-regulating market virtues and increased use of new global financial instruments as a major cause. Extensive leverage on a large scale by market participants and enhanced systemic risk due to reduced transparency and contagion effects. The extensive sovereign bor rowing, slow or stagnant economic growth rates by Greece and Italy and lowering of credit rating for Greece from A- to Triple B plus are some of the events that have worsened the crisis (VoA news, 2011). How does the debt crisis in some countries within the Euro zone, such as Greece, Italy etc. impact on the international financial markets, including US, Euro zone and Asia? As indicated on the figure on nytimes.com, the world has become a global village and is much interconnected. Severe debt crisis shocks in Greece and Italy are likely to result into continental contagion because financial institutions holding their sovereign debts have origins and investments in different continents (New York Times, 2011). Both US and Asia heavily trade with Europe and the euro debt crisis is likely to slow down their economic growth and possible down-grading of financial institutions that hold sovereign debt instruments. Due to possibility of high credit risk, interest rates are also likely to go up for both the private and public sector complicating the case further. High sovereign debts among Greece, Italy and Spain could force financial institutions to write off some debts or a bailout plan by able countries like Germany and France. Possible collapse of the euro would result into financial loss for among banks (Yahoo news, 2011). How does the crisis impact the valuation of Euro as against other major currencies in the world? Worsening debt crisis would mean slow economic growth among member states and high credit risk associated with holding the Euro resulting to low demand. This makes the euro to depreciate among the major currencies and players prefer to hold safer currencies like the US dollar and Swiss franc. For example, the euro lost 25% of its value against the U.S. dollar since November 2009 to June 2010 (Kolb, 2011, 389) How, in your opinion, would the crisis be resolved? First, the countries have to embrace better fiscal management to avoid unnecessary national expenditures among. Rationalization of fiscal income, better tax collection and cuts in civil servants salaries among member states to avoid higher heterogeneity should be embraced (Kolb, 2011, 390). Member states should also allow the central European authority to have some control over their sovereign budgets in order to create better fiscal and monetary policies. Currently, the monetary policy is joint while fiscal policy is not creating a mismatch. Allowing the European Central Bank (ECB) to have control over spending taxation would help the union to monitor and influence recovery among debt ridden countries (Yahoo news, 2011). High political goodwill and financial transparency among member states to support each other would help to reduce the global fear of a possible collapse. Initiating policies that boost economic growth in countries where its slow or stagnant would also ease the cris is. Finally, issuance of a single euro bond where member states co-guarantees their debt would lower borrowing as strong economies like Germany and France would reduce default risk. Work Cited ALDE. The international debt crisis: its causes and what to do about it. Liberals and Democrats workshop, February 27th , 2008. www.alde.eu/fileadmin/webdocs/key-docs/finance-book_EN.pdf, 2008 Keller, Greg, Pylas, Pan and Wiseman, Paul. Euro in danger, Europe races for debt solution. Yahoo News. www.news.yahoo.com/euro-danger-europe-races-debt-solution 29th Nov. 2011 Kolb, R.W. Sovereign debt: from safety to default. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, 2011 Marsh, Bill. It’s all connected: An overview of the Euro crisis. New York Times www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/10/23/sunday-review/an-overview-of-the-euro-crisis.html 29th Nov. 2011 Melvin, Don. Eurozone ministers meet to build Euro rescue plan. Yahoo News www.news.yahoo.com/eurozone-ministers-meet-build-euro-rescue-plan. 29th Nov. 2011 VoA News. Key dates, events in European debt crisis. VoA News. www.voanews.com/english/news/europe/keydates-events-in-european-debt-crisis.html 29th Nov. 2011

A Managerial Strategy Essay Example for Free

A Managerial Strategy Essay Health care (764) , Manager (226) company About StudyMoose Contact Careers Help Center Donate a Paper Legal Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Complaints ? The principal purpose and function of healthcare organizations is to ensure that their services. Above all their duties is geared towards caring for their patient’s health and emphasize the ability of the organization to serve their patients skillfully and responsibly. Further, they offer different types of services which include medical and behavioral health care services, accordingly, this includes public and community health care programs and in the contemporary scenario, corporate power. As a matter of fact, it has been stressed in The Well-Managed Healthcare Organization that in order to ensure that a healthcare organization is really doing its task of safeguarding the health of its patients (and not really attracting them to be its client), a health organization should improve the quality of its services (Griffith & White, 2006), which strengthens the argument of harnessing the managerial skills of healthcare practitioners. Moreover, it should also maintain a well-facilitated plant in which the patients are being accommodated.   Given with such instances, it highlights the perception that healthcare organizations are mandated to implement certain administrative methods to meet the mounting complications derived over by societal challenges (Griffith & White, 2006). One of the cited feasible and efficient techniques in achieving managerial success is proper organization of the activities and the developmental plan of the entity.   It is through the alignment of program objectives that the goals are obtained and prevents the rise of problems which deals with conflicts or miscommunication. If the programs are aligned well, then the members of the organization shall have a clear vision on what to expect, and oversee necessary changes so as to improve their performance.   Simple logic basically revolves in the verity of the strategy; common problems arise when the organization has no definite goals which lead to disorientation. Similar to that of business entities, healthcare practitioners must also take the challenge of facing the waves of managerial confrontations. Griffith, J. R., & White, K. R. (2006). The Well-Managed Healthcare Organization (6th ed.). New York: Health Administration Press. A Managerial Strategy. (2017, Feb 17).

Summary Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 122

Summary - Essay Example The speech "I have a dream" is chronologically crafted through the saddening history of the black people staying and living in the US. The speech begins by identifying the African-Americans as slaves. The speech also starts by celebrating the Emancipation Proclamation that set the black Africans legally free. In his speech, Martin Luther King quickly reflects on the present times and points out that the black people are still in poverty and face injustices, segregation, and police brutality. All the vices are present despite having passed the Emancipation Proclamation 100 years ago. In his "present day" part of the speech, the King urges the people not retaliate by bitterness, physical violence and hatred while trying to solve the injustices he points out in his speech (Teaching American History n.d.). "I have a dream" part which is most famous, speech, the King hopes for a better future through quotations from the bible. American songs and the declaration of independence further reinstate his hopes for a better future that is to come. King speaks poetically and with power and gives the reflection of the country where all people are equal. The white and black people work together with equal

University Learning Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

University Learning - Essay Example University degrees may range from undergraduate degree, post graduate degree, doctoral degree and master’s degree. All these qualifications help one to take charge of their future by building confidence and skills thereby opening up new opportunities to the graduand at whichever step in life. University students are always offered trainings that are tailored to meet the expectations of the job markets. They are equipped with skills required to meet the challenging demands of the job market according to Fleming J and Owens (2010) and Garcà ­a (2010). They engage in specific skill acquisition in a field that they have special interests in. It is a common practice for one to engage more vigorously in a field he is most interested rather than a field one has got no interests in. Going to a university exposes one to rich cultural and social diversity. Making friends from various regions and countries is something that is of paramount importance to the student. This makes the student ready for the international market. Attaining university education opens one to the international market and therefore one can work with international organizations like the World Food Programme, United Nations Organization and World Bank as noted by Enders and Fulton (2002). This advances his/her career further. Working in any of the international organizations will always result to increased earning potential, range of opportunities and a career that is rewarding. Graduates always tend to earn more than those who have only A level education (Direct.gov.uk, 2010). Taking into consideration the vast resources in universities including supporting industries and training and research facilities among many others, there are always practical trainings related to one’s field of study. Also there is a lot of collaboration between the industry players and universities in research work. This gives

Information Managment Challenges for Ford Motor Company Research Paper

Information Managment Challenges for Ford Motor Company - Research Paper Example From this paper it is clear that there are new challenges in the IT department of Ford Motor Company every year. ... â€Å"Though our work is with people, our tool is with the computer.† With both of these critical components in mind, and along with the integration of technology, Ford has become a leading developer of â€Å"green† automobiles. This is a clear challenge for the new millennium, in which the drive to produce cleaner fuel and decrease dependence on foreign oil is huge. Thus, this paper will examine the challenges Ford faces by striving to create greener products, utilizing technology to create a better product and prove to consumers that the company promotes the ideals of a cleaner, healthier world. Ford Motor Company Introduction The Ford Motor Company has the second highest level of sales of automobiles in the United States, with a global presence in more than 500 companies across the globe. More importantly, the innovation that the company has dedicated themselves to accomplishing gives hope that dependency on fossil fuels might someday be a thing of the past. As the paper outlines that the manufacturing plants are tooled to be flexible, the vehicles that roll off of the assembly line geared toward the fuel option of the country of intended delivery, thus providing their customers with the best options available for fuel economy. As the company is award winning for their ethical policies and implementation of sustainability, the potential for collaborative efforts toward advancing automotive technology seems to be a real possibility within the company. Henry Ford When Henry Ford created the Model T automobile, it was the beginning of a revolution in industry. The philosophies of industrial management that came from his innovative thoughts on the sociological aspects of his business created changes in the way in which workers, business financial strategy and the machinery of work were integrated.

Food Accessibility in Urban Communities Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Food Accessibility in Urban Communities - Essay Example They assert that these systems have caused environmental, social, and economic implications. Overview of the policy paper This is a synopsis of discussion paper number 3 on â€Å"Access to Food in Urban Communities†. The paper highlights the main obstacles to food accessibility by the urban residents; therefore, implementing the possible solutions to those obstacles. It discusses how economic factors may present obstacles to the accessibility of healthy foods. It also confers the main issues that face urban food production. Furthermore, it addresses the explanations on why it is tricky for urban communities to access local foods and information concerning healthy foods (Access to Food in Urban Communities, 2011 p. 3). According to this discussion paper, food is a commodity; therefore, there should be a non-market manner of distributing it, as many cities in Canada depend on market activity for them to access healthy foods. The discussion paper asserts that everyone has a right to access healthy foods but most people in urban communities fail because of diminishing funds. In urban communities, accessing healthy food is a chief problem because of economic barriers; furthermore, urban residents having fewer opportunities of practicing urban farming and due to lack of educational programs to teach urban residents on approaches to improve food accessibility (White 2007 p.100). This discussion paper also deliberates ways, which can help residents with low income to access healthy foods and how introduction of urban agriculture can enhance accessibility to inexpensive and healthy food. The challenges that this discussion paper highlights include the issue of gender inequality in the market place. Furthermore, many people believe that city land is not for farming. Therefore, the paper recommends that there should be improvement of food programs for the urban communities in US and other relevant areas. These programs should encourage farming in urban centers. Fro m this discussion of paper number 3, my research will focus on the method of improving healthy food accessibility by the low-income urban communities (Access to Food in Urban Communities, 2011 p. 5). Literature Review In 1960s, most of the white people who inhabited urban localities vacated to their homes in suburbs, which negatively affected the production of healthy foods in cities (Bolen & Hecht, 2003 p. 4). Food outlets, which were offering healthy and affordable foods, also vacated hence, leading to distribution of unhealthy and expensive foods in cities. Numerous urban families have a meager income, which makes them incapable of accessing local healthy foods, hence, disabling them from balancing their diets (White 2007 p.101). Furthermore, these individuals have less transportation opportunities, which force them to purchase their foods from local cafes and corner shops that sales unhealthy foods. In addition, these food joints are in poor conditions and, they sell their edibl es expensively (Rose, 2010, p. 1168). Urban residents should also raise funds to support urban farming, and encourage their fellow dwellers to participate in it. White (2007, p. 104) states there are barriers that prevent pitiable individuals worldwide from accessing organic and local foods. These impediments encompass the financial problems, as the main obstacle blocking the low-income individuals from purchasing healthy foods are their cost (Burns, Bentley, Thornton &

Global Operation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Global Operation - Essay Example Moreover, there may be disagreements between the local community and PPQ (Cateora and Graham 19). This is because PPQ will introduce new employees who will be accompanied by their family members in the host foreign country. The host foreign country will experience strain in its communities and social amenities, for example, schools. This is because the communities and social amenities where PPQ is situated will experience an enhancement in number of individuals largely from PPQ. Also, the host foreign country will experience issues associated with the unfamiliar characteristic of the dealings between employees of PPQ and the existing people of the region where PPQ has decided to establish its stores to sell their products. It is imperative that PPQ anticipates any issues that may have a negative impact on the host foreign country and device ways of dealing with them before it starts its process of expansion. Question 2 International organizations frequently go through abundant cultur al issues when they extend their activities into diverse and new territories. When a company expands to new territories, its employees may have difficulties dealing with clients who are from a diverse and different culture. There is the issue of cultural sensitivity which requires the employees of the international company to accommodate the cultural practices of their clients. In addition, workers of international organizations may face difficulties in overcoming language barriers in the new areas of operation (Cateora and Graham 122). These may pose a severe challenge to the ability of workers providing adequate and sufficient services to the customers. Individuals with an identical value system, religion, beliefs, and language share a similar culture. As a result, this is imparted to every individual in the cultural system. Therefore, workers of international organizations, who are not from the same cultural system as the customers, find it difficult to comprehend the customersâ €™ cultural system, hence affecting the process of interaction. Question 3 Diversity has become an extremely essential subject in the international field. Any knowledgeable businessperson or manager should be aware that the universe is decreasing in size due to opportunities and services facilitated by globalization. Inventions, for example, the internet has made diversity an extremely essential subject in the international field because it has made engaging in business activities in different parts of the world less complicated, and trade is making the most of the opportunities caused by being diverse. In addition, diversity has made a number of financial restraints that were in existence in the past to be eradicated as organizations are attempting to engage in business activities all over and across the universe (Cateora and Graham 159). Also, diversity has become a significant subject in the international field because people are moving from their native lands to look for emp loyment opportunities in other areas. This is evident in areas, for example, Europe and North America where there are individuals of mixed ancestries and races. Therefore, diversity has enable individuals preserve their original identity while being part of different geographic regions. Question 4 There are a number of things that may happen if issues relating to diversity and multiculturalism are not paid attention to in a global organization. One, the international

Final Personal Statement Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Final - Personal Statement Example The employees got a chance to know each other better while they shared food in those short breaks. There are many theories of motivation that can be used to increase employee performance. Three theories of motivation that can help increase employee performance are Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, equity theory, and expectancy theory. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is based on a pyramid that ranks the five most important needs of workers. The five needs in order of important from least to most important are physiological, safety, social, esteem, and self-actualization. By identifying the needs that drive each employee a manager can better find the things that motivate each of his employees. Equity theory was developed by John Stacey Adam in 1963. Equity theory states that, â€Å"when people feel fairly or advantageously treated they are more likely to be motivated; when they feel unfairly treated they are highly prone to feelings of disaffection and demotivation† (Yourcoach, 2010). Eliminating income discrepancies among workers with similar work experience and educat ional credentials is a great way to motivate workers since the staff will feel they are equally valued. Vroom’s expectancy theory is based on the assumption that motivation is associated with the belief of the employee in regards to effort and performance considerations. I was in the middle of an ethical dilemma a few years ago due to misbehavior by my supervisor. There was a promotion in the firm and several in-house candidates applied for the position including myself. A rumor surged that the son in law of one of the executives was going to get the job due to preferential treatment based on family connections. The supervisor denied the rumor, but at the end of the day he gave in to political pressures within the firm and gave the job to the son in law of the manager. I did not like the lack of ethics illustrated by this firm. When my contract expired I stopped working for that firm. In the

Health epidemiology & statistics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Health epidemiology & statistics - Essay Example n the course of analysis, the researchers can see whether the variables in a given site have less absenteeism as well as lower health costs as compared to non-wellness sites (Stotmeyer. Et. Al 2010). The outcomes are restricted based on the co-relational study nature. While the study focuses on pre-existing groups, there are other differences within the groups above the absence or presence of a dependent variable. For instance, the programs are significantly newer and more attractive building for purposes of managing elements from a given program site. The ultimate research technique decision is made based on a compromise between the sites due to presence and absence of dependent and independent variables. The study specifies the research question through a well-stated objective. The study reports on the hypothesis. The hypothesis in the research study is directional and complex. The study progresses to test the hypothesis through stipulated parameters. One of the major challenges of the process is foreign elements hindering success in the sampling process. Elements that are not included in the article’s population and samples are seen on the sampling list. If the authors were to apply population records in creating a comprehensive list of participants experiencing the conditions, the health care professionals would qualify as foreign elements (Stotmeyer. Et. Al 2010). In such case, the report decoding could miss various elements. Further, duplicates are a representation of other research sampling problem. Such elements appear several times within the sampling frames. For instance, if researchers study patient satisfaction based on emergency room care giving, the authors may in clude various patients based on various studies. If patients complete patient satisfaction questionnaires, the authors should ensure that they have increased awareness that the completed questionnaires should not be redone. Where the questionnaires are completed more than twice, the second

PROJECT ON PROMOTIONAL APPROACHES TO INCREASE STUDENT NUMBER AT M.SC Assignment

PROJECT ON PROMOTIONAL APPROACHES TO INCREASE STUDENT NUMBER AT M.SC. LEVEL - Assignment Example The project is to analyze a promotional approach like Twitter, Faculty website, Faculty YouTube, Facebook and others. Table of Contents Executive summary 2 This is a report project that involves project selection procedure for M.Sc. course enrolment for more students in London South Bank University, UK. The process entails project management structure analysis, business case analysis project and individual plans analysis and individual reflections. Marketing on different platform influences decision on potential students to consider joining the faculty. The project is to analyze a promotional approach like Twitter, Faculty website, Faculty YouTube, Facebook and others. ... This is why it is necessary for London South Bank University to use promotional approaches that are innovative to increase the number of students in M.Sc. Level. To undertake the project tasks it is essential to analyze the component of project management. In this section, project management Project Management Structure To manage the resources effectively, it is necessary to devise management structure that would control project process effectively. A project organization is a structure that enables the management and execution of project tasks. Its main purpose is to generate an environment that improves communications among the team members with a smallest level of disruptions, conflict and overlaps (Moore 2007). One of the significant decisions of project organization is the outline of managerial structure that will be applied for the project. This is a project that involves a team of consultants each individually selecting and working on a promotional technique such as Facebook, Twitter, Faculty website, Faculty YouTube and others. It is necessary to outline project details so as to assist in management process. Project Name: Project on promotional approaches to increase student number at M.Sc. level in London South Bank University, UK. Project Time Frame: 14 days Project Details: Selection of social promotional platform suitable for the college marketing strategy. Project’s purpose: Plan, devise and prepare promotional material for student enrolment in M.Sc. level in London South Bank University, UK. Approximated cost ?10,000 (ten thousand) To facilitate the project activities the following management structure is essential. Fig. Example of project management structure (See elaborate one in Appendix A) The project concerns marketing promotion

Women Discrimination in Business World Research Proposal

Women Discrimination in Business World - Research Proposal Example According to the sex and power report submitted by the UK Equality and Human rights commission in 2008, women hold only 11 positions in the FTSE directorships. The study revealed that even though anti discrimination legislations have been constituted to help women and it had been implemented long ago, still the position of the women has undergone only little improvement as they are not represented in many of the occupations especially in senior positions (Broughton and Miller, 2009). Very recently BBC news has reported that women discrimination is wide spread in Europe (Viewpoint: A fair deal for women, 2009). It was also revealed that the chances of a woman to get a job in Europe is only 47% because of discrimination against women (Discrimination in the European Union, 2009) Business world is the area where women discrimination is prevalent even today (Peiss,1998). This could be understood from the fact that only a very few number of women are running their own business. When it comes to the senior management only very few women are there in the scenario. This is true through out the world irrespective of the level of development. In USA and in most of the countries in Europe although there are many organizations that draw attention at a global level, only very few have a female in the board level position (Brougton and miller, 2009). Many reasons are attributed to this like women are reluctant to take up such positions, people at the senior management level as well as public have negative opinion on women coming to such high positions, etc. But there might be several reasons behind these main reasons. So there is a great need to understand the full range of reasons, which discourage women to take up promotions to the board level positions to find out s olutions to this problem. In fact one of the key objectives of executive coaching is to encourage women to take up these positions. The reasons why they are not preferred by their employers when it comes to the senior management positions also has to be clearly understood so as to take appropriate measures to encourage these employers to give opportunities for women at least to prove themselves. For this, such studies are highly essential to develop strategies that could help women to achieve progress in their career. So the present study is intended to find reasons for less representation of females in the business world of Europe especially at the senior positions. Review of literature 5.1. Effect of discrimination in Child hood According to Wolfe (2009) stereotyping from the childhood onwards results in women becoming less confident to enter into the business world. From the childhood

Johnstown Flood Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Johnstown Flood - Research Paper Example It goes without saying that the Johnstown Flood was both a human and economic tragedy. More than 2,200 Americans were killed in this flood and it caused a huge economic damage amounting to $17 million (Foote 94). One peculiar thing about Johnstown Flood was that it turned out to be the first of its kind disaster relief operation that was handled by the American Red Cross, under the leadership of Clara Barton. Not to mention that the support for these relief operation emanated from across the United States of America and many foreign countries. International Red Cross to begin with was essentially meant to be a battlefield relief organization that was designed to provide help and relief to the victims of wars (Ritter 15). The American Red Cross in consonance with the spirit of its parent organization, also primarily intended to be a war relief organization (Ritter 15). The founder of the American Red Cross that is Clara Barton though had some experience in the battlefield relief opera tions during the American Civil War, it was her heartfelt belief that the American Red Cross could also evolve to be a major instrument of help during the peace time catastrophes and disasters (Ritter 15). In that sense the Johnstown flood came as an opportunity for the American Red Cross to extend help, aid and relief to the victims of an unprecedented peace time disaster. Thereby, the role played by Clara Barton in these relief operations does deserve a salient mention. The 67 year old founder of the American Red Cross determinedly rushed to the scene of disaster, once she came to know of it (Burton 118). She not only helped organize the requisite supplies and material donations, but also beckoned the friends, acquaintances and the citizens of America to accompany her in this relief cause (Burton 118). As it happens in most of the relief operations, the American Red Cross did not act alone to extend relief and help. Before Barton and her crew arrived on the scene, a group of dedic ated Johnstown residents had already initiated a relief operation intended at taking care of a number of local necessities like clean up and repairs, food distribution, restoring the local government, arranging the necessary supplies, etc (Douglas 336). Help and funds poured in from various sectors and voluntary organizations like citizen groups, The Children’s Aid Society, Yellow Cross, and foreign relief organizations (Douglas 336). The primary contribution of the American Red Cross was that it extended the emergency relief and help to the impacted people, before more permanent and elaborate relief distribution could be initiated and organized by the government and voluntary organizations. The role played by the American Red Cross was not merely limited to the immediate aftermath of this disaster, but rather happened to be prolonged, dealing with the provision of shelter and household supplies to the victims (Johnstown Flood Museum 1). Going by the fact that at the time of Johnstown Flood, the American Red Cross was not the exclusive local chapter of the International Red Cross, the organization did much to help and aid the survivors of this disaster (Johnstown Flood Museum 1). It helped nearly 25,000 people and distributed goods and supplies worth $211,000 (Johnstown Flood Museum 1). The American Red Cross also built the Red Cross Hotels that sheltered large

Money Growth and Inflation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Money Growth and Inflation - Essay Example Several economists have repeatedly observed that continuous increase in prices of goods is directly attributed to the nominal quantity of money. This essay will major on the subject of money growth and inflation. For instance, it will analyze economic news reports like the News Release by the Bank of England (The Financial Express, 20) which sought to establish the role played by monetary policy regarding Inflation and Growth. Discussion Monetary inflation is an economic terminology that refers to sustained rise in the supply of money in an economy of any given country. It normally leads to price inflation, that is, general increase in price levels of products. Economists generally agree that there exists a causal relationship between the demand and supply of money, as well as prices of services and goods often quantified in monetary terms. However, there is no overall consensus pertaining the exact relationship and mechanism between monetary inflation and price inflation. There is a sophisticated system and various arguments put forward towards the issues that are involved, for instance how accurately determine monetary base, and or how other factors like money velocity impact the relationship and the most appropriate monetary policy. Review of previous literature shows that price levels and nominal money quantity variations are closely interwoven. Although the debate has been going on for long with substantial evidence being given, there still remains some dispute between the predicted link between inflation and money. One of the possible explanations given towards this is that the said relationship holds only over periods of time which are so long thus making the relationship uninformative for policymakers and practitioners, who concern themselves with inflation in the future, say like the next five months or a year ( «Business Report: U.S. hyperinflation? The markets know better.†23). However, the said relationship can not be overlooked because it h as been backed with substantial evidence. Economists have to make monetary policies bearing in mind this consideration. Monetary policies have to play significant roles in enhancing economic growth and development in any economy. Spenser Dale, when addressing the Chinese Business Association and Asian Business Association of London Chamber of Commerce and industry, gave out his opinions regarding the monetary policy objectives. Particularly, Dale considered the monetary policy’s flexibility to support employment and growth and also control inflation. He also considered the possibilities of presently having scope for additional growth without creating extra price inflation. Spencer welcomed the present interest in such crucial issues, and noted that the financial crisis was partly associated with failure of the monetary policies. In many nations like the UK, monetary policies failed to activate the growth people longed to have. Some players have often asked if the UK’s regime that targets inflation does force the MPC to emphasize too much on inflation, instead of supporting growth recovery. In tackling this, Spenser noted that from its generation the core mission of MPC was to hit a target of 2% inflation, but in manner that it will support employment and growth. The MPS, he explained, has always done achieved that and brought recovery after the economic financial crisis aftermath. According to his report, Consumer

Evaluation of Batman Begins Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Evaluation of Batman Begins - Essay Example Plot summary The plot revolves around Bruce Wayne’s past (childhood and life in exile), his return to Gotham City to achieve his aim. He joins Carmine Falcone’s group and gets trained at the League of Shadows. When he came to realize that the evil forces are trying to destroy Gotham City, he decides to save the same. With the help of Lucius Fox, Bruce Wayne transforms himself to Batman, a superhero. The following events include Batman’s fight with evil forces like Dr. Jonathan Crane, Ducard, and his ultimate victory. Three criteria and its importance to evaluate the movie Three criteria used to evaluate the movie Batman Begins are: Story Line, Light effects and Sound effects. This standard to evaluate the movie is important because it helps to have deeper understanding of the same, beyond a typical superhero film. Julian Darius describes the sound effects of the movie Batman Begins as â€Å"echo that of horror movies† (82). In the movie Batman Begins, the director gave ample importance to the Storyline (human beings with superhuman powers, fight between good and evil and the ultimate victory of good over evil), Light Effects (to portray a virtual real environment) and Sound Effects (to portray a superhuman world).

History and Development of Air-conditioning Research Paper

History and Development of Air-conditioning - Research Paper Example A close ancestor to the modern air conditioner units made in 1902, by an American engineer by the name of Willis Carrier. The machine at that time called "Apparatus for Treating Air" and built for the Sackett-Wilhelms Lithographing and Publishing Co. in Brooklyn, New York. Chilled coils used in machines to reduce air and lower humidity to 55%. Although the apparatus made with enough precision that the humidity level desired was adjustable. ("History of Air Conditioning") The article explains how air conditioners started becoming a commercial product as it became increasingly in use for industrial purposes. The real breakthrough achieved when Carrier had the benign dielene together with a central compressor replacing the ammonia thus reducing the size of the unit. Willis Carrier's invention came late in the 1900s, but before that, several attempts to air conditioning existed. In 180 AD, Ding Huan discovered the first ventilation system that was fan powered. The fan passed air from cold water and the air then spread in the house manually (Paventi). Later fountain water used to power the engine of the fan, thus reducing manual labor. Apart from the cooling effect of the water, the air became humid too (Paventi). In 1820 Michael Faraday, a British scientist, made a compressor that used ammonia (Paventi). Exhaustion of the toxic ammonia fumes became difficult and thus the cooling effect was unsafe. However, up to date his compressing technology is still in use.

HOMEWORK 8 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

HOMEWORK 8 - Essay Example The investor acquires a significant influence when he/she a stock of 20 & 50 percentage of the total stock. The report indicates the investor’s equity in relation to that of the investee on the income statement after carrying out all the necessary adjustments on the investment balance before determining the dividends received. According to Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, (2011) the equity recorded on the investee’s income is the investors’ share in the report income after carrying out the amortization on the net investment. The report also indicates the losses incurred in the income.The investor also gain the control when the rights offer an opportunity on the current ability that coordinates the relevant activities in the firm. The power of an investor is determined basing on the concepts of relevant activities and the existing rights in the firm. The investor gains the control through the voting rights and the other contractual arrangements in the firm. In general, the investor acquires full control when the existing rights provide current liability that directly affects the investee’s returns. In the assessment process, all the substantive rights are put into consideration. Bartzokas & Mani states that the investor has total control on specific assets of the investee in the firm. The voting rights must not dominate the control of the stock as all the administrative tasks must be put into

Effect of Texting on Teens Essay Example for Free

Effect of Texting on Teens Essay Cell phones are becoming a modern day necessity, to the point that they are a must have for every teenager and adult. Human beings are growing increasingly attached to these devices, depending on them more and more for their communication with other people, job duties, and other daily activities that they must accomplish. One way that we are taking advantage of cell phone technology at a rapidly growing rate is through the use of text messaging. It seems that anywhere you are likely to see people glued to phones screen, fingers typing away. In schools, malls, and cars we see them. On sidewalks, streets, and in crosswalks we see them, heads down typing away. Sometimes we may be one of those people with our fingers glued to our phones keyboard or touchscreen. Does this really affect our day to day activities? This research paper, against contrary belief, concludes that texting does not affect teenagers adversely. Many people believe that texting affects teenagers in many ways. On the contrary, teenagers believe that they can keep a balance between texting and social interaction. They know when to use text language and when to use regular English (Edutopia). Noting that there are some negative aspects of texting, such as- phone addiction, social awkwardness e.t.c. It has many positive aspects to it also. Many would argue that texting has dampened their children’s ability to interact on a face-to-face level with their peers, but others would argue against that, and say that it allows people more freedom to contact those that they do not see regularly. Many teenagers have cell phones now and that is seen as a blessing and curse by both parents and children. Often, a child will get a cell phone as a means to communicate more easily with their guardians, which gives them some measure of freedom that they hadn’t had before. Teens appreciate that freedom and they also feel a sense of being connected to their parents, since they can be contacted at any time. Parents are thankful that they have that connection. When parents feel that their children are using their phone  too much, they may put restrictions on the usage of phones. This keeps, both the parents and the children happy. With the uprising of technology many are concerned about the social ramifications that texting holds, particularly on younger generations. Between teenagers and their friends â€Å"cell-phone texting has become the preferred channel of basic communication† (Lenhart) and it’s becoming commonplace for children at younger and younger ages to communicate with their friends via text messaging as opposed to phone conversations or even face-to-face. A majority of modern teenagers, defined by the Pew Research Center as ages 12-17, will text their friends at least once a day. A smaller percentage call theirs friends daily and an even smaller number talk to friends face-to-face. Though texting might take some kids away from social interactions, it also opens the door for many other children to communicate with their peers through a way that makes them feel safer. Texting can be a good alternative for children that suffer from: * Social anxiety * Loneliness * Shyness As texting does not looking at the person you are talking to, directly, it boosts confidence of children and helps them to become socially active. â€Å"I think it’s possible to say that the electronic media is helping kids to be in touch much more and for longer. It is also helping lonely children to make more friends and making children feel socially involved† (Hilary Stout) After discussing several points raised above, one major question arises, does texting have any negative effect on literacy of teens? The answer to this question is very debatable, but using two studies, this research paper will prove that texting does not have any negative effect on literacy of teens. The first study, â€Å"The effect of text messaging on 9- and 10-year-old children’s reading, spelling and phonological processing skills† proves that there is no significant evidence that texting was good or bad when the researchers compared the two groups that were tested. However, it did find  that by using texting, children improved their spelling skills when compared to other children in the intervention group. It also found that the number of messages sent and received was positively correlated to lexical retrieval skill. (Wood, C) The second study, â€Å"Txt lang: Texting, textism use and literacy ability in adolescents with and without specific language impairment† Forty-seven typically developed (TD) and 47 adolescents with specific language impairment (SLI), all age 17, were used in the study. The adolescents with SLI had developmental problem in understanding and expressing language that were not related to other developmental disorders, such as mental retardation. The study was conducted by K. Durkin, A.J. Walker, and ContiRamsdent from the School of Psychological Sciences and Health. All adolescent completed tests that included the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence to test for their IO. To test their language ability the CELF-4 was used. Reading was assessed by the Test of Reading Efficiency test. And lastly, to test their reading and spelling abilities, the sub-tests of the Wide Range Achievement Test were used. Evaluation of texting frequency was done by asking how often the participants texted per week and marked on a five–point scale. The participants were also sent a text message asking them what they usually do on Saturdays. After receiving their response, it was coded for structural characteristics, such as number of messages. The study found that the adolescents sent fewer text messages than their typically developed peers. They also responded in lesser amounts. Sixty-eight of the SLI adolescents compared to 87% of the TD adolescents responded. The adolescents with SLI that responded scored higher in reading than the non-senders. The study also found that the senders and non-senders in the TD group were similar in language and literacy.(Durkin, K) Majority of people thought that text messaging would have a negative impact on students writing and literacy, however, the studies analyzed show a different story.If taken as a whole, these studies seem to indicate the opposite of the concern that text messaging is bad for literacy. Both the studies found a positive relationship between reading and spelling. The first study found that those who used texting had better spelling skills, and the number of text messages sent and received was related to the ability to retrieve words from memory. The second study found that those with specific language impairment sent less text messages. This suggests that in order to get into texting, you have to have better reading skills. In the end, these studies don’t support the concerns that texting is harmful to literacy. After scrutinizing the positive and the negative aspects of texting, It is very clear that the positives weigh more than the negatives. texting may not always make teens socially awkward, but can help any children to be socially more active and confident. If the amount of phone usage of children can be regulated to an extent where both the parents and the children are happy, it can be very helpful for the both of them. children can always stay connected with the parents and parents can know the whereabouts of their children. Texting is also very important as it does not disturb a person as much as a phone call would. Teens have to socialize, and phone calls are much more distracting than sending text messages, both for the children and the people around the children. Teens tell us how texting is more efficient, how they don’t have to go through the preamble and niceties of a phone conversation.(Lenhart) It is a very clear from the above discussion, that if texting can be regulated, it helps a lot. children do not feel unsafe while travelling alone as they can text their parents anytime, they do not get disturbed by phone calls, they can contact people they do not see regularly, texting also helps improve spellings, e.t.c. Against popular belief, texting does not harm teens adversely, rather, it helps teens in many ways mentioned above. So, if done in a regulated manner, texting is not bad for teens. Bibliography Internet sites: Hafner, Katie. â€Å"Texting may be taking a toll.† The New York Times, May 26, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/26/health/26teen.html?_r=0 Lambert, Victoria. â€Å"Docs’ fear for text mad teens.† The SUN, November 30, 2010 http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/woman/parenting/3251846/Studies-look-into-risks-and-effects-of-texting-for-children-and-teenagers.html â€Å"Teens, Cell phones and Texting.† pewresearch.org, Pew Research Centre, April 20, 2010 http://pewresearch.org/pubs/1572/teens-cell-phones-text-messages Elyse,Toribio. â€Å"Textings effect on grammar.† NorthJersey.com, August 13, 2012 http://www.northjersey.com/news/business/tech_news/165943756_Texting_s_effect_on_grammar_is_debated.html â€Å"How has texting affected the social life of teens.† Livestrong.com, Livestrong, September 1, 2011 http://www.livestrong.com/article/532976-how-has-texting-affected-the-social-lives-of-teens/ Stout, Hilary. Antisocial Networking? The New Y ork Times 30 Apr. 2010: ST1. Web. 27 Feb. 2012. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/02/fashion/02BEST.html?. Does text messaging harm students’ writing skills, No publisher, edutopia.org http://www.edutopia.org/poll-text-messaging-writing-skills Lenhart, Amanda. Teens, Cell Phones, and Texting. Pew Research Center Publications. Pew Research Center, 20 Apr. 2010. Web. 25 Feb. 2012. http://pewresearch.org/pubs/1572/teenscell-phones-text-messages Studies/ Researches: Wood, C., et al. â€Å" The effect of text messaging on 9- and 10-year-old children’s reading, spelling and phonological processing skills.† Journal of Computer Assisted Learning (Feb. 2011): n. pag. Academic Search Premier. Web. 24 Feb. 2012. Durkin, K., G. Conti-Ramsdent, and A.J. Walker. â€Å" Txt lang: Texting, textism use and literacy abilities in adolescents with and without specific language impairment.† Journal of Computer Assisted Learning (Feb. 2011): n. pag. Academic Search Premier. Web. 23 Feb. 2011

What Are the Humanities and Why Do We Study It Essay Example for Free

What Are the Humanities and Why Do We Study It Essay I went around asking multiple people what they thought Humanities was. Most of them kind of hesitated before they would come to a conclusion. I asked my friend, Gabe, what he thought humanities was. His response was, The study of humans and where they come from? He asked it in a question like he wasnt quite sure. Another person I asked was my friend, Amberly. She thought it was the study of humans health. She was also very hesitant when she responded to my question. My friend, David, response was, The study of cultures and how they express themselves. He was very quick to respond when I asked him. It didnt even take him a second to think about it. I finally looked up the word Humanities in the dictionary to find out the correct definition and this is what it read: a.the study of classical languages and classical literature. b.the Latin and Greek classics as a field of study. c.literature, philosophy, art, etc., as distinguished from the natural sciences. d.the study of literature, philosophy, art, etc.  Studying Humanities is important because individuals should be aware of the differnt cultures around them and be open to how people express themselves. There is a lot of judgemental people out in the world. I dont believe anyone should be given dirty looks for having piercings/ tattoos, dressing differently, being over/ under weight, etc. Everyone is unique and beautiful in their own way. Individuals should not have to change themselves because someone has made fun of them or looked at them differently.

Nancy Lancaster and Her Influence on Architecture Essay Example for Free

Nancy Lancaster and Her Influence on Architecture Essay Empowerment. No other word can probably spell out how the women had ever wanted, and will always want to achieve it so long as oppression, discrimination, disparagement, abuse, and the list of scornful issues can go on until this era and so long as the eras to come continue to wreak these issues upon the women. This advocacy grew stronger every decade and the society’s sight falls upon those ‘group’ of citizens kicking up a storm within and against the ‘other’ group called men. What could better explain this outcry than their wonder that despite their membership in what the world or at least most of it recognize as society, they are clustered as ‘the second group’ with the men filling up the first. Even the artistic realm, though mostly associated with women, is predominated by the male species. After all, the great grandmother of all architectural work of art was conceived by men. The Parthenon, begun in 447 B.C., was part of a great plan conceived by the indubitably male Athenian Pericles for decorating the Acropolis in Greece. This temple was designed by three other manly architects Ictinus, Mnesicles, and Callicrates. History tells us that the Greek colonists had established this ever-male-dominated disciplines in literature, art, and architecture. Their neighbors, the Etruscans, were the first to forge practical skills in sanitation, road building, architecture, and pottery making by as early as seventh century B.C. This inequity was brought about by a number of reasons. Generally women were not permitted into the finest art institutions. As a consequence, women turned out deficient in the de rigueur education to go up against men in the field receiving the highest regard for in the scholarly realm, historical and metaphorical painting. This segregation similarly kept women from breaking the glass ceiling and establishing the social and political associates needed to thrive in the artistically aggressive ambit. Juvenile female art scholars supposed they existed in a potential period notwithstanding the several forms of complicatedness they were obliged to prevail over. Private art academe, enrolled in which was a mix of male and female students, were a commonplace, as were art schools exclusive to women. But even these art schools would not permit women to exert themselves from nude subjects until the transition to the new century. The sizeable national exhibitions demonstrated several works by women, to a certain extent for the reason that entries were tendered namelessly or incognito. Halfway through the subsequent centuries, women likewise started to establish their own exclusive expositions. Among them were Americans Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter, Lois Lilley Howe, Louise Blanchard Bethune, Sophia Hayden, and Mabel Keyes Babcock. Twentieth century architects explored new methods and materials in their designs, but the dominant style in city buildings was the angular International Style. A few architects in the United States made use of ideas found in German architecture and in the Savoye House. Although office and public buildings are impressive, it is the house that provides the most immediate architectural experiences for most people. There is a huge variety in the houses in the United States. This is seen in the thousands of buildings erected in housing developments since World War II. At one extreme, are the multiple-unit dwellings. At the other is the house designed for the needs of one family. Thanks to the households headed by women, the need for more female architects and designers were born. And together with dwellings is the widened variety of furniture and housewares that peppered the household pioneered by Nancy Lancaster. A woman designer who made a redrafting of a historic edifice was Rebecca L. Binder. The five-story academic institution she was commissioned to remake a 40,000-square feet addition, which she beautified with concrete with horizontal belts in brickwork. How she made it happen could not be sufficed with either superlative words or this magnum opus itself:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Perhaps, Nancy Lancaster’s words could better explain the beauty that Rebecca L. Binder and the rest of the fabulous woman designers emanate through their masterpieces:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   â€Å"I was always searching for beauty. I wasn’t as interested in the houses as I was in their ambience. In the furniture, in the history, in the garden. You never could put your finger specifically on whatever created the beauty, it was too elusive, but houses were where I found it the most†¦Ã¢â‚¬    Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Indeed, Rebecca L. Binder is but one of the many designers especially the female ones to have perpetuated the influence of one of the breakthrough designers of the modern era Nancy Lancaster. Nancy Lancaster’s words could echo the own feelings of these female designers for interiors and architecture. The revolutionary Scandinavian boomerang shapes had descended en masse upon the abodes of the more progressive of the Western population. The fifties era had set in, but in other homes, homebodies were still clinging to Victorian values, Dickens, and Puccini, while everyone else was worshipping the new gods names Elvis and Rock, and had been lured by the pale Danish furniture, delicate paper Noguchi lamps, and wretched wallpapers. The new household names were unpronounceable Sigrun Bà ¼low-Hà ¼be, Victoria Van Dyke, Itsuko Hasegawa, Signe Lagerborg-Stenius, Annette Hoyt Flanders, and Hanna Adamczewska-Wejchert.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The sixties heralded a great struggle between the love for Grand-Mere’s romantic world and the growing interest in all things modern. Out went the sweet remembrance of the old coachman’s house with its exquisite, old-fashioned rooms and in came the exciting iconoclasm of the Mary Quant, the provocative mini-skirt, and false eyelashes by the yard. Plastic reigned supreme, and inflatable transparent furniture and chairs, lamps, kitchen utensils in screaming, vile colors took over from the natural Scandinavian look. Eileen Gray, Le Corbusier, and their much-favored combination of steel, chrome, and black leather had yet to be rediscovered. For the moment, the design-conscious sat decorously in the pop designer Verner Panton’s â€Å"Champagne Chair† and in Knoll’s pristine white and curvilinear furniture, or tried to look very futuristic and 2001 in a foam and stretch-jersey construction made by Monsieur Mourge. This variety may seem to have been impossible decades ago. Back then, Expressionism was a movement that proved to be an enduring force in 20th century art, exercising a strong influence on New York painters of the 1940s and 1950s. This period also promoted the concept of neoplasticism, a plastic idiom equally applicable to painting, architecture, and the decorative arts, and was known to have influenced the Constructivists in New York. Constructivism is one of several idealist abstract art movements that arose in Europe and Russia between 1913 and 1920. It stressed total acceptance of technological, scientific society and the possibility of an ideal world based on the perfect functionalism of the machine (Frascina et al., 1982). More futuristic Vasarely patterns, the revolting combination of chocolate brown and orange and the dangerous juxtaposition of apple-green and geranium-red proved that the seventies were all about color. And about color-blindness. Walls covered with panels of brushed steel, long-haired flokati carpet that looked like the curly fur of a wet sheep, and anthropomorphic furniture ran riot. To be really in meant having plexiglass all over the place: a plexiglass coffee table, plexigllass side tables, plexiglass obelisks (with uplighters cleverly hidden in their bases so they glowed mysteriously at night), and little plexiglass supports to add drama to the objets d’art and emphasize their qualities and value. Indeed, these innovative designs were all a product of the revolutionary state of affairs during the time they were made. Thus, the artists’ revolt against the classic codes of composition, careful execution, harmonious coloring, and heroic subject matter. One museum in New York today nostalgically reflects this revolution. The Museum of Modern Art puts across the messages of women’s success, fame, power and glory with their latest exhibit Digitally Mastered: Recent Acquisitions from the Museum’s Collection. Digitally Mastered stresses total acceptance of technological, scientific society and the possibility of an ideal world based on the perfect functionalism of the machine. This modern variety in the arts springs to life with a surprising sense of alertness, as if it had a personality. Joie de vivre is what every New Yorker can describe of himself. After all, New York is the busiest city in the world. The progressiveness of women designers is entertainingly described in the most relevant movie last year. In the movie/novel The Devil Wears Prada, the highly modish corporate garb, seen on people going to work in the course of a fashion runway and doing a catwalk along the busiest business districts of New York, is still an understatement. Not only does the movie depict women progressive in the arty world but in the economic world as a whole. Women have always been the tops in the fashion world, both locally and internationally. Somehow the androgyny seems to have the advantage of knowing what their fellow women want and what men consider attractive in terms of etiquette and dress. If interior design in the eighties had a color scheme, it was mainly black and white. It was launched and cleverly promoted by the Black Widow of design, Andree Putman, a gifted talent-scout and orchestrator of striking and severe interiors, who founded the firm ECART which reproduced original designs, mainly from the thirties. As a result, a large number of tables, chairs, and lams by the totally forgotten Irish designer Eileen Gray, and creations by giants of the Art Deco period, such as Robert Mallet-Stevens and Jean-Michel Frank, were re-edited. Re-edition was the clever description that covered up the eighties’ frantic and boundless copying of originals. Design fanatics, who would never have invested any money in the acquisition of a common copy, seemed to be proud to be living with the same Fortuny Lamr, the same Eileen Gray carpet, and the same sleek Frank sofa as their neighbors. Gae Aulenti and Rebecca L. Binder very well know this. Those who thought that living among vulgar copies showed little originality seemed to find solace in the sublime and very esthetic emptiness of minimalism, reassured by the fact that if one possessed very little, one could never be accused of having no taste. Andree Putman, always light years ahead of trends to come, had already pointed a warning finger at the threatening despotism of design and at the constant fear of not being of the latest fashion. Of course, the multifaceted world of interior design had also had a string of adepts who would only take inspiration from great classical examples. In the fifties, when the boomerang fever had rise to its most dangerous level, the prominent Madeleine Castaing was filling the pages of the leading magazine Connaissance des Arts with images of rooms that looked deceptively period. Her love of white and gold and her penchant for velvets and damask silks and a flamboyant use of antiques seemed, at that time, only accessible to the moneyed few. Madame Castaing’s subtle concoction of le style Anglais, bourgeois Viennese biedermeier, and sever Frencg directoire reached its zenith at her own chateau near Chartres. But her cleverly composed â€Å"windows on the past† were like wines that do not travel, and remained imprisoned in their own country. This description could equally well apply to the formidable Nancy Lancaster herself, whose memories from her Virginia childhood transcribed in her splendid dwellings in England became the â€Å"English country† look. Her â€Å"buttah-yellah† room above the shop was the epitome of relaxed chic, and some of her statements, such as â€Å"I never thought twice about using bright colors in old houses, and â€Å"Mahogany is lovely when it’s been faded in the sun,† illustrate her loose interpretation of the past when she was attempting to create a period look. An inspired artist who spend her whole life doing up houses, Lancaster has left a most delightful description of the decoration of the staircase in her London townhouse at 28 Quen Anne’s Gate: â€Å"When you walked in, the staircase was on the left: it was the loveliest architectural feature in the house. I left the staircase a tobacco color but painted the paneling along the stairs a pale, pale green. On the window in the stair hall, I put curtains the color of a cigar, with a fringed pelmet and along the floor I had a very pretty Bessarabian runner with the same brown in it†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Her words convey something of the excitement involved in creating this prologue to a ballet performance. On the other side of the Atlantic, an equally formidable lady was also freely borrowing elements from the past. Lady Mendl, also known as Elsie de Wolfe, who invented the profession of â€Å"interior decorator† was making a risky cocktail of Louis styles in different shades of white and combining them with Venetian baroque, forties’ stucco, engraved mirrors, and walls decorated with silver leaf. The setting for a period recreation does not always have to be grand, the expenditure exorbitant, or reflective of only the sentimental female’s work. It is imagination rather than money that is the first requirement for originality.   Large amounts of money are not always needed: a room can be assembled from inexpensive finds in the flea market, a pair of old curtains, and a table found in a street or on a dumpster. All these could be found in grandma’s basement while the men in the family, leaving their women at home, rummage through the streets for the money. The likes of Nancy Lancaster prove that even the homebodies can be exorbitantly creative. Ancient patinas have their own romance that could only come from the empowered womanly instincts: crumbling walls and peeling paint can be the epitome of sophistication, and touches such as the elegant folds of draped fabric, a candlestick on an antique table, or the presence of a canopied bed all contribute to a style that has been inspired by the past but will, in the end, be timeless. References Frascina, Francis, Harrison, Charles, and Deirdre, Paul. (2002). Modern Art and Modernism: A Critical Anthology. Grosenick, U. (2002). Women Artists in the 20th and 21st Century.