Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Accounting Users And Characteristics Of Financial Statement Accounting Essay

1.0 IntroductionSai Kim, T. et al. , 2001, pg 1, said that â€Å" accounting is the procedure of recording, coverage, and construing fiscal information pertaining to an organisation. Accounting is frequently baffled with book-keeping, which involves merely the recording of economic events and is hence merely one portion of the accounting procedure † . Undertaking 1 is about the different users and their demands for Continental Limited fiscal statements. Accounting users divided into two users, it is internal users ( people within the organisation ) and besides external users ( people outside the organisation ) who use history to deduce fiscal information for their demands. Besides that, the features of these fiscal statements will supply utile information to the users. Continental Limited has an authorized portion capital of 1 million ordinary portions RM1 each. It operates sweeping and retail concern of selling a consumers merchandise. In undertaking 2, prepare the income statement and balance sheet of Continental Limited for twelvemonth stoping 31 Dec 2010 for the internal usage by company manager or publication. Income statement it is made by company at the terminal of each twelvemonth to cipher the net income and loss incurred in concern during the twelvemonth. While, balance sheet it is made by company at the terminal of each twelvemonth to enter the capital, assets, and liabilities of company at the terminal of the twelvemonth. In undertaking 3, prepare the income statement and balance sheet of Continental Limited for twelvemonth stoping 31 Dec 2010 in the recognized format for external coverage or publication. Distribution cost normally defined as the costs incurred to present the merchandise from the production unit to the terminal user. Besides that, administrative disbursals is refer to the costs of runing a concern that are non straight attributable to the production of goods or services. In undertaking 4, must establish on the income statement and balance sheet made in undertaking 2 and 3. Then, cipher the appropriate accounting rations for twelvemonth stoping 31 Dec 2010 and besides necessitate to compare them with the industry norms provided to measure the profitableness and liquidness of Continental Limited.2.0 Accounting users and Features of fiscal statementAccounting information helps users to do better fiscal determinations in the organisation. There have two different types of users in the fiscal information, there are internal users ( people within the organisation such as direction, employees, and proprietors ) and besides external users ( people outside the organisation such as creditor, revenue enhancement governments, investors, and clients ) who use history to deduce fiscal information for their demands. There besides have five regulative features of fiscal statement that will supply utile information to the users. These standards must be fulfilled to do the fiscal statements and histories that are utile to the users. Therefore, company should seek to fulfill the undermentioned standards when choosing and following the accounting constructs in fixing concern fiscal histories.2.1 Accounting usersThere have five different users and their demand for Continental Limited fiscal statements. The fiscal histories supply a wealth of information that is utile to assorted users of fiscal information. Investor is worried about hazard and return in relation to their investings. They need accounting information to cognize whether it is deserving for them to put in a concern or purchasing portions of the company. In add-on, client and debitor are the people who purchase goods and services provided by the company. They need accounting information about the company ‘s fiscal stableness to guarantee that the company is a unafraid beginning of supply and no danger of holding to shut down. As a clients of the company ‘s merchandises, they have a long-run concentration in the company ‘s scope of the merchandises and services. They may even hold to depend on the concern for certain merchandises and services. Besides that, a director is the individual appointed by the company proprietors to responsible for planning and directing the work of a group of persons, supervising the daily work of the company. They need accounting information about the company ‘s fiscal state of affairs as it is presently and as it is expected to be the hereafter to enable them to pull off the concern expeditiously and to do effectual control and planning determinations. Another accounting user is providers or creditor, the people who provide merchandising goods and services to the company on recognition. So, they need accounting information about the company ‘s ability to pay its debts for guaranting their aggregation from the company. The creditors include providers every bit good as loaners of the finance such as Bankss. Furthermore, employee of the company is people employed by the company to transport out concern activities. Therefore, they need accounting information about the company ‘s fiscal state of affairs. This is because, their future callings and the size of their rewards and wages depend on it. Therefore, employees need information refering the stableness and go oning profitableness of the organisation. In the decision, accounting users is of import to the organisation. This is because, the fiscal histories supply information that is utile to assorted users of fiscal information.2.2 Features of fiscal statementFirst is understandability, it means that the fiscal statements must easy to comprehensible. Users of fiscal statements are assumed to hold adequate cognition of concern, economic activities and accounting to analyze the information decently. Harmonizing to Helium.com ( 2010 ) , said that â€Å" understandability ensures that a user equipped with the basic cognition can spot information refering to the public presentation and fiscal place of an endeavor † . Besides that, the feature of the fiscal statement is comparison. The fiscal histories made based on accounting constructs should be comparable within the entity and across entities. Comparability within the entity is means that the fiscal statements can be compared with the old twelvemonth fiscal statements of the same company. While, comparison across entities is means the fiscal statement can be comparable with the history of other company. Another feature of the fiscal statement is relevancy. The fiscal histories prepared based on accounting constructs and policies should show relevant fiscal information which is capable of act uponing the economic determination of the users. Therefore, fiscal statements are for users to do economic determinations, the information must be relevant to the determinations that those users have to do. In add-on, relevant fiscal statements are seasonably, if the histories are prepared to supply required information in clip, it is relevant to the determination devising of the user. Contrary, if the histories are no prepared to supply information in clip, it is non relevant to the determination devising of the user. Furthermore, the feature of fiscal statement is dependability. Fiscal history must show dependable information to the users for determination devising. Harmonizing to SpiffyD ( 2012 ) , reference that â€Å" harmonizing to ACCA, â€Å" dependable † information does non incorporate mistakes that affect the economic determinations of users, nor is it biased or partial. This property is linked to faithful representation, since users should be able to handle with it as such. Users have assurance in dependable fiscal statements. Such statements are non misdirecting or intentionally constructed in a mode that could skew determinations or perceptual experience of the fiscal place or public presentation of an entity. It is deserving observing that the importance of auditing is increasing because it reinforces dependability † . In add-on, the feature of the fiscal statement is accuracy. The fiscal history must supply accurate fiscal information to the users for determination devising. The ground is, the inaccurate history information will take to inaccurate determination made by the user.3.0 Income Statement and Balance SheetIncome statement it is made by company at the terminal of each twelvemonth to cipher the net income and loss incurred in concern during the twelvemonth. Harmonizing to Steven Mark, L. , 2003, pg 25, he said that â€Å" the income statement besides referred to as a profit-and-loss statement, summarizes the company ‘s grosss, disbursals, additions, and losingss for a period of clip, such as three months or one twelvemonth † . While balance sheet it is made by company at the terminal of each twelvemonth to enter the capital, assets, and liabilities of company at the terminal of the twelvemonth.3.1 Working for note inquiry a to hClosing stock should be recorded at cost or net r esale value which one is lower. Since cost RM65000 & lt ; net resale value RM70000, the cost RM65000 should be shuting stock value put in the trading history of income statement and under the current plus in balance sheet. Cash Account RM RM Gross saless 5000 Purchase 4000 Stationery 700 Electricity 300 5000 5000 Gross saless in trading history of income statement = RM360000 from TB + RM5000 = RM365000 Purchase in merchandising history of income statement = RM200000 from TB + RM 4000 = RM 204000 Stationery as disbursal put in P/L history of income statement = RM7000 from TB + RM300 = RM7300 Gross saless committee as disbursal put in P/L history of income statement = RM18000 paid from TB + RM1500 accrued at terminal of twelvemonth = RM 19500 Then, accrued gross revenues committee RM1500 is recorded under the current liability in balance sheet Office wages as disbursal put in P/L history of income statement = RM28000 paid from TB – RM 2000 prepaid at terminal of twelvemonth = RM26000 Then, prepaid office wage RM2000 is recorded under the current plus in balance sheet Debtor Account RM RM Balance b/d 75000 ( – ) Bad debts 5000 Balance c/d 70000 75000 75000 Balance b/d 70000 Bad Debts Account RM RM Debtor 5000 P/L history 5000 ( Bad debts as disbursal put in P/L history ) Provision for bad debts shuting balance = 10 % ten Debtor shutting balance RM70000 = RM7000 Provision for Bad Debts Account RM RM 31 Dec 2010 Closing balance c/d 7000 1 Jan 2010 Opening balance b/d 5000 Increase different 2000 ( As disbursal put in P/L history ) 7000 7000 1 Jan 2010 Balance b/d 7000 and degree Fahrenheit ) Vehicles Account RM RM Balance b/d 300000 Vehicles Account a/c ( cost sold ) 50000 Balance c/d 250000 300000 300000 Balance b/d 250000 Provision for Depreciation on Vehicle Account RM RM Vehicle disposal history 12500 1 Jan 2010 Opening balance b/d 60000 ( Cost sold RM50000 x 5 % x 5 twelvemonth from 1 Jan 2005 to 1 Jan 2010 ) 31 Dec 2010 Balance c/d 60000 Depreciation as disbursal put in P/L 12500 history ( Vehicles shuting balance RM250000 x 5 % ) 72500 72500 1 Jan 2011 Balance b/d 60000 Vehicle Disposal Account RM RM Vehicle cost sold 50000 Provision for depreciation on 12500 vehicle sold Returns from disposal of vehicle 35000 Difference for Loss on disposal of 2500 vehicle ( As disbursal put in P/L history ) 50000 50000 Provision for Depreciation on Premises Account RM RM Balance c/d 5400 1 Jan 2010 Opening balance b/d 40000 Depreciation as disbursal put in 14000 P/L history ( Premisess cost from TB RM350000 x 4 % ) 54000 54000 Balance b/d 54000 g ) Taxation charge RM15300 is deducted from net net income at the underside of income statement. It is besides recorded as accumulated revenue enhancement RM15300 under current liability in balance sheet H ) Proposed divided to be deducted from net net income at the underside of income statement = 2 % x RM500000 Share capital from TB = RM 10000 Then, the proposed divided RM10000 is recorded under current liability in balance sheet.3.2 Income statement of Continental Limited for twelvemonth stoping 31 Dec 2010 for internal usageIncome Statement of Continental Limited for Year Ending 31 Dec 2010 for Internal Use RM RM RM Gross saless 365000 Less Return inwards 10000 Net gross revenues 355000 Less Cost of gross revenues: Opening stock 50000 + Purchases 204000 – Tax return outwards 15000 + Carriage inwards 5000 194000 Less Closing stock 65000 179000 Gross net income 176000 Add Income: Dividend received 5000 181000 Less Expense: Stationery 700 Office electricity & A ; H2O 7300 Office salaries 26000 Gross saless committee 19500 Bad debts 5000 Addition in proviso for bad debts 2000 Loss on disposal of vehicle 2500 Depreciation on vehicles 12500 Depreciation on premises 14000 Vehicle expense 12000 Interest charges 3000 104500 Net net income 76500 Less Taxation charge 15300 Less Proposed dividend 10000 Net income for the twelvemonth 51200 Add Retained net incomes brought frontward 100000 Retained net incomes carried frontward 1512003.3 Balance sheet of Continental Limited as at 31 Dec 2010 for internal usageBalance Sheet of Continental Limited as at 31 Dec 2010 for Internal Use RM RM Fixed assets / Non-current assets Office premises at cost 350000 ( – ) Provision for depreciation on premises 54000 296000 Vehicle at cost 250000 ( – ) Provision for depreciation on vehicle 60000 190000 Long-run investings 100000 586000 Current assets Closing stock 65000 Debtors 70000 ( – ) Provision for bad debts 7000 63000 Bank 42000 Prepaid office wage 2000 172000 758000 Issued portion capital Share capital 500000 Add Reserve Retained net incomes carried frontward 151200 Stockholders ‘ equity 6512000 Add Long-term liabilities / Non-current liability Loan 55000 Add Current liabilities Creditors 25000 Accrued gross revenues committee 1500 Accrued revenue enhancement 15300 Proposed divided 10000 51800 7580004.0 Distribution costs and Administrative disbursalsDistribution costs besides known as distribution disbursals. Distribution cost normally defined as the costs incurred to present the merchandise from the production unit to the terminal user. The distribution cost is points such as gross revenues staff ‘s wages and committee, passenger car outwards, depreciation of bringing new waves, advertisement and show disbursals. Harmonizing to Readyratios.com ( 2011 ) , reference that â€Å" administrative disbursals refer to the costs of runing a concern that are non straight attributable to the production of goods or services. Administrative disbursals are related to the organisation as a whole as opposed to the single sections † . Administrative disbursals consist of such points as wages, legal and accounting charges, the depreciation of accounting machinery, public-service corporations, rent, and housework charges.4.1 Classify the disbursals into distribution cost and administrative disbursalsDistribution costs Administrative disbursals RM RM Stationery – 700 Office electricity – 7300 Office salaries – 26000 Gross saless committee 19500 – Bad debts 5000 – Addition in proviso for bad debts 2000 – Loss on disposal of vehicle 2500 – Depreciation on vehicle 12500 – Depreciation on premises – 14000 Vehicle disbursals 12000 – Entire 53500 480004.2 Income statement of Continental Limited for twelvemonth stoping 31 Dec 2010 for external coverageIncome Statement of Continental Limited for Year Ending 31 Dec 2010 for External Reporting RM RM Employee turnover 355000 Cost of gross revenues 179000 Gross net income 176000 Distribution cost 53500 Administrative disbursals 48000 101500 Operating net income 74500 Dividend received 5000 79500 Interest charges 3000 Net income on ordinary activities before revenue enhancement 76500 Taxation charge 15300 Net income on ordinary activities after revenue enhancement for the twelvemonth 61200 Proposed dividend 10000 Retained net income for the twelvemonth 51200 Retained net income bought frontward 100000 Retained net income carried frontward 1512004.3 Balance sheet of Continental Limited for the twelvemonth stoping 31 Dec 2010 for external coverageBalance Sheet of Continental Limited for the Year Ending 31 Dec 2010 for External Reporting RM RM RM Fixed Assetss Tangible Assetss: Premisess 296000 Vehicle 190000 486000 Investing: Long term investing 100000 586000 Current Assetss Stock 65000 Debtors 63000 Prepaid office wage 2000 130000 Cash at bank 42000 172000 Less Creditors: Sums Falling Due Within One Year Creditor 25000 Accrued gross revenues committee 1500 Accrued revenue enhancement 15300 Proposed dividend 10000 ( 51800 ) Net current Assetss 120200 Entire Assets Less Current Liabilities 706200 Less Creditor: Sums Falling Due After More Than One Year Loan ( 55000 ) 651200 Capital and Reserve Called up portion capital 500000 Net income and Loss history 151200 6512005.0 Accounting ratiosAccounting ratios is used to specify of import relationship between the figures shown on a balance sheet, in a net income and loss history or in any other portion of accounting organisation. Therefore, accounting ratios shows the relationship between accounting informations.5.1 Table of ratio computationRatio with expression Ratio computation for twelvemonth 2010 Industry norm Percentage of gross net income on gross revenues = Gross net income x 100 176000 ten 100 = 49.58 % 30 % Net gross revenues 355000 Percentage of operating net income on gross revenues = Operating net income x 100 74500 ten 100 = 20.99 % 18 % Net gross revenues 355000 Capital employed = Closing capital + Long-term liabilities = ( Fixed assets + Current assets ) -Current liabilities = ( RM586000+RM172000 ) -RM51800 = RM758000-RM51800 = RM706200 Tax return on capital employed ( ROCE ) = ( Net net income + Interest charges ) x 100 76500 + 3000 x 100 9 % Entire assets – Current liabilities 758000 – 51800 = 79500 tens 100 706200 = 11.26 % Current ratio = Current assets = 172000 2: 1 Current liabilities 51800 = 3.32: 1 Stock turnover = Cost of gross revenues Average stock value = Cost of gross revenues = 179000 ( Opening stock + Closing stock ) / 2 ( 50000 + 65000 ) / 2 = 179000 57500 =3.11times Stock turnover period 365 yearss = 365 yearss 90 yearss Stock turnover 3.11 times = 117.36 yearss Debtor aggregation period = Debtor = RM63000 Net recognition gross revenues RM365000 – RM 10000 = Debtor = RM63000 Gross saless – return inwards RM355000 = 0.1777: 1 Debtors collection period = Debtor ratio x 365 yearss =0.177 x 365 yearss 45 yearss =64.6 yearss Creditor ratio = Creditor = 25000 Net recognition purchase 204000 – 15000 = Credit = 25000 Purchase – Tax return outwards 189000 = 0.132: 1 Creditors payment period = Creditor ratio x 365 yearss = 0.132 ten 365 yearss 60 yearss = 48.18 yearss5.2 Profitableness of Continental LimitedThe per centums of gross net income on gross revenues is 49.58 % is higher than industry norm is 30 % because the company is uneffective and inefficient in buying goods and services from the providers doing higher purchase cost and besides uneffective usage of stuff and labor causation higher production cost to diminish gross net income. In add-on, per centum of operating net income on gross revenues is 20.99 % and industry norm is 18 % . Higher per centum of operating net income on gross revenues indicates that company is uneffective in its outgo control. Besides that, ROCE besides higher than industry norm is 20.99 % and 18 % . This is because, it is bespeaking the lower net net income generated in relation to the capital employed.5.3 Liquid of Continental LimitedCurrent ratio of company is higher than industry norm is 3.32: 1 and 2: 1which is much that the thought ratio of 2: 1, the current ratio is higher or equal to 2: 1, th e larger sum of current assets can be used to finance current liabilities, bespeaking that company is financially stable and able to finance its short-run debts. Furthermore, the stock turnover period is higher than the industry norm is 117.36 yearss and 90 yearss. The higher stock turnover period indicate fast stock turnover in concern where the goods and services purchased are kept in stock for a short clip and the fast stock for short clip and so fast taken out from stock for resale. In add-on, debitor aggregation period is higher than industry norm is 64.6 yearss and 45 yearss. Higher of debitor aggregation period indicate that company has given longer recognition clip to let debitor ‘s owing, causation, longer clip taken by company to roll up money. While, the creditor payment period is lower than industry norm is 48.18 yearss and 60 yearss. The lower creditor payment period show that company has obtained shorter recognition clip for having and paying creditors.6.0 Conclu sion and RecommendationIn the decision, making this rule of accounting assignment I have learnt a batch of cognition about the rule of history. I already know the different types of accounting users and besides the features of the fiscal statement. Besides that, making this assignment besides has larn how to fix the income statement and balance sheet. The benefit I get from this assignment is larning accounting will assist us to makes concern or personal fiscal determinations. Another benefit is accounting cognition will assist us to understand the significance of the fiscal information.

Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Sprint Financial Condition

Sprint Nextel Corporation is the third largest wireless communications company in the United States offering a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications products and services that are designed to meet the needs of individual consumers, businesses, and government subscribers. Sprint Nextel Corporation has seen revenues shrink from $35. 6 billion to 32. 3 billion, though the company was able to grow net income from a loss of $2. 8 billion to a smaller loss of $2. billion. A reduction in the percentage of sales devoted to selling, general and administrative costs from 31. 5% to 29. 30% was a key component in the bottom line growth in the face of falling revenues. Although debt as a percent of total capital increased at Sprint Nextel Corporation over the last fiscal year, it is still in-line with the wireless telecommunication services industry’s norm. Additionally, there are enough liquid assets to satisfy current obligations. Accounts Receivable is typical for the industry, with an average 40 day average collection period. Last, inventories seem to be well managed as the inventory processing period is typical for the industry, at 18 days. In tough economic times, Sprint is generating substantial cash and reducing costs to ensure to remain financially sound. They have cash on hand to be able to meet their debt requirements. The company is expected to continue generating positive free cash flow during 2009. Sprint Nextel Corporation has been having a rough time trying to keep up with its competitions, AT&T and Verizon. Sprint Nextel has been posting loss after loss, loss in profit, loss in number of subscribers, and so on, but despite how things appear on the surface, analyst appear to be optimistic with the future outcome of Sprint Nextel financial position. There is no indication as to how long it will take Sprint Nextel to accomplish this goal, the numbers are consistently moving in a positive direction.

Monday, July 29, 2019

Agenda Setting Theory Introduction

Therefore the main effect of media in agenda setting is telling people not what to think, but what to think of. The policy agenda is the issues that policy makers consider important after the public start to make campaign or petition to show protest against the organizations. Mass Communication plays an important role in our society its purpose is to inform the public about current and past events. Mass communication is defined in â€Å"Mass Media, Mass Culture† as the process whereby professional communicators use technological devices to share messages over great distances to influence large audiences. Within this process the media, which can be a newspaper, a book and television, takes control of the information we see or hear. The media then uses gate keeping  and agenda setting to â€Å"control our access to news, information, and  entertainment† (Wilson 14). Gate keeping is a series of checkpoints  that the news has to go through before it gets to the public. Through this process many people have to  decide whether  or not the news  is to be seen or heard. Some gatekeepers might include reporters, writers, and  editors. After gate keeping comes  agenda setting. Elaboration of the Theory The Agenda-Setting Theory says the media (mainly the news media) aren’t always successful at telling us what to think, but they are quite successful at telling us what to think about. The power of news media is to set a nation’s agenda, to focus public attention on a few key public issues, is an immense and well-documented influence. For example, newspapers provide a host of cues about the salience of the topics in daily news. They will lead story on first page, large headlines and etc. Besides that, television also consider as a mass communication tool. Television offers numerous cues about salience too. Their opening story is on newscast, length of time devoted to the story and etc. As said by Walter Lippmann, Agenda-Setting Theory is â€Å"the world outside the pictures in our heads†. The news media are a primary source of those pictures in our heads about the larger world of public affairs, a world that for most citizens is â€Å"out of reach, out of sight, out of mind. † Agenda setting is divided into two levels where the first level stress on common subject that media thinks the subject is important. The second level decides which part of the subject is important. Both level leads to the concept of agenda setting where the concept is divided into three parts. The first part of the process is the importance of the issues that are going to be discussed in the media. Second, the issues discussed in the media have an impact over the way the public thinks, this is referred as public agenda. Ultimately the public agenda influences the policy agenda. Furthermore, the media agenda affects the public agenda, and the public agenda affects the policy agenda. People would attend only to news and views that didn’t threaten their established beliefs. Agenda-setting will reconfirms the power of the press while still maintaining that individuals were free to choose. The agenda-setting function is a 3 part-process. Firstly, media agenda is the issues discussed in the media. Secondly, public agenda means issues discussed and personally relevant to public. Lastly, policy agenda is the issues that policy makers consider important. Media agenda and public agenda are close to each other. Media agenda is the set of issue addressed by media sources. It is a composite index of media prominence reveled the importance of foreign policy, law and order, fiscal policy, public welfare and civil rights. While public agenda are issues the public consider important. It is the rank of the five issues was identical to the media agenda. The key concept and terms are agenda setting, salience transfer, gatekeeping, framing, priming and determinants of agenda-setting effects. Agenda setting is giving priorities to alternative policy issues but in the early communications studies, shown a mixture about the ability to influence public opinion on the given issue. Salience transfer refers to the capacity of the media to influence the relative importance individuals attached to the policy. Next is gate keeping is a process that control the media content. Framing is the importance and interpretation of people attach to potential items on the public agenda are strongly influenced by how the media present news stories. Priming happen when framing centers on political loading of the presentation of news, it can be conscious and not conscious. Priming basically mean draw attention to certain issue even in a neutral manner. Last but not least is the determinant of agenda-setting effects. Media credibility or also known as media reliance are found that the determinant is weaker than the media exposure and media exposure are more important than media credibility in relation to presidential state of the union addresses. Application of the Theory In Malaysia, one of the case studies was to examine the Malay language newspaper’s media agenda during the general election. (Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, UPM) The study was conducted to examine the use of the Barisan Nasional (BN) manifesto as the media agenda during the general election for the year 1982, 1986, 1990, 1995 and 1999. A model for the study was constructed based on the Agenda Setting Theory. A content analysis was conducted on 50 issues of Utusan Malaysia (UM) and Berita Harian (BH). Throughout the studies, it was found that there were 11 major themes frequently used in the BN manifesto namely: politics, foreign policy, development, economy, social education, security, religion, workers welfare, agriculture and the quality of life. Above were the main themes in the news during the general election for the year of study. The content analysis also found that there were 4461 news with the BN manifesto shown in 11 major news themes with â€Å"politics† in the lead and the â€Å"quality of life† ending the list. It also showed that the BN manifesto was mainly covered in various sections such as the Local News, Foreign News, Special Column, Main Column, Editorial, Advertisement, Economy, Asean, Forum, Articles and others. While the coverage on News, Articles, Photographs, Editorial, Letter to the Editor, Cartoon, Columnist and Comments also showed the present of BN manifesto. There was also a small difference between the two newspapers in terms of its news coverage on the BN manifesto during the general election. The study clearly showed that the media agenda of the two mainstream newspapers in the country was framed by the content of the BN manifesto during the duration of the general election for the year 1982, 1986, 1990, 1995 and 1999 and thus, strengthening the Agenda Setting Theory. The media institution and politic institution are closely linked to each other and are hardly being separated. Both the institutions are interdependent on each other. In Malaysia, we are practicing the democracy system, thus, media are an important instrument to achieve the democracy level; Media play a role in influencing the public in deciding their votes during a general election, either to vote for the specific individual or the party. Besides, media also take control in the politic process as mentioned earlier in the Agenda Setting Theory. In a democratic country like Malaysia, the process in politics often involve media as a tool to spread the news on certain parties’ issues and frame some of the suggestions or views on certain parties or individuals. In order to achieve a country that is practicing democratic system, the general elections were often used as a measurement tool in testing the level of support among the voters toward a specific party. Personal experience interpersonal communication among elites and other individuals So, the process of general election in Malaysia is a very crucial component in a democratic way. There were 12 general elections being held so far in Malaysia which were in the year 1959, 1964, 1969, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1995, 1999 and 2004. Also, there were 6 Prime Ministers that have involved themselves in became the main politic communicators in every general election that have been done. Every Prime Minister has their own plans in collaboration with the media to enhance their communication through media, and utilized it in a proper ways. Gatekeepers’ influential media spectacular news events Policy Agenda Public Agenda Media Agenda Real world indications of the importance of an agenda, issue or event Figure 1: Three Main Components in Agenda Setting Process In political communication, media is one of the aspects to be deal with. Others include media agenda, public agenda and policy agenda. All these three main components form a process (Agenda Setting Process) by which a complete political communication is carried out where the media were used to disseminate the messages or information to mass audiences. This process is involved in the Agenda Setting Process and has TWO levels: The media agenda affects the public agenda, and the public agenda affects the policy agenda. The communication using media has done by the politicians to publish their views and news or in this case, the manifesto of Barisan Nasional in Utusan Melaysia and Barita Harian in the media agenda. However, there are existence of gatekeepers that may influence the news and events to be published. In the case studies on BN manifesto, the gatekeepers here would be the editor and the owner of Utusan Malaysia and Berita Harian newspapers publishers. The purposes of having gatekeepers here is to avoid harmful, negative, sensitive or religious issues being discussed which may cause misunderstanding within the nation According to the research, Utusan Malaysia and Berita Harian used media agenda to influence the public, and this has brought the issue to a broader step which is the public agenda, where the public start discussing about the issue. In the case studies, there are some similarities in the manifesto of Barisan Nasional. During the general election, extensive media coverage on the political issues of BN were published continuously especially in the front page of the newspapers being analyzed: Utusan Malaysia and Berita Harian. Those issues are similar to the manifesto of BN. Therefore, the public can gain most of the information about BN from the newspaper than the other party. After the public has start discussing about the issue, which is the involvement of BN’s manifesto in both the newspapers being mentioned, there were some activists who tried to support or banned the manifesto. The real world indicator will decide the importance of the agenda itself. Then, through the personal experiences and interpersonal communications among the elites and other individuals, there might be changes in the policy agenda. Finally, the policy agenda causes the media agenda to publish about the news and information all over again. The Agenda Setting Process will be repeated. ————————————————- Strengths and Weakness of the Theory We found that agenda setting theory has three strengths. First, agenda setting theory has explanatory power. Because this theory explains why most of the people prioritize the same issues as important. Therefore, most of the people will discuss the same issues at the same time. They will also concentrate discuss the issues because they think that the issues are affecting them. Second, this theory also has predictive power as it predicts that if people are exposed to the same media, they will feel the same issues as important. For example, if one issue be the headline of all the newspapers for one week, people will feel that this issue is very important and it will affect their life. Furthermore, this theory has organizing power because it helps organize existing knowledge of media effects. There are also weaknesses, such as media users may not be as ideal as the theory assumes. People may not be well-informed, deeply engaged in public affairs, thoughtful and skeptical. Media just tell them what to think about the issues. People just know the appearance of the issues and not deeply engage in the issues. They will also think that are the issues reported correct or the media have hide something bad that they do not know about the issues. So, some of the people do not trust what the media have said. Instead, people may pay only casual and intermittent attention to public affairs and remain ignorant of the details. For people who have made up their minds, the effect is weakened. News media cannot create or conceal problems; they may only alter the awareness, priorities and salience people attached to a set of problems. Research has largely been inconclusive in establishing a casual relationship between public salience and media coverage. Suggestions to Improve on the Theory For communication theory to be adopted by researchers and remain viable, it must be able to survive and grow through its ability to adapt to changing environments, encourage further research, and serve as a foundation for studies beyond those in which the founders originally applied their theory. According to McCombs and Shaw (1972) the result of their study shows that fewer voters knew about specific issues. While they found out that media were often effective in raising awareness of issues with undecided voters. They also found that issues presented by media that were new to audiences were better received by the public than issues with which the public was already familiar. The key factor to the ability of media to have an agenda-setting effect upon their audiences depends on the desire of the viewers to become informed about the issues. For example, when the voters wants to know more about their ideal government leaders the public have to search for more information about the leaders and the party as the desired for them to become informed on the issues instills a strong motivation factors for the public’s. Although the theory may seem to be acceptable but the theory still have its own weaknesses and failure which are visible and need to be improved. For example, while the article concentrate on the presentation of the issues during the election campaigns, the willingness of voters to listen to issues presented by the media, they fail to examine the degree to which mass media is able to raise issues and attract information-seeking audiences on its own but they fail to examine the degree of how the mass media is able to heightened public interest of political issues during election seasons to perform an agenda-setting function. Besides that, the media agenda in agenda-setting theory have their own limitations, as media may not be as ideal as the theory assumes. The information from the media may not deliver appropriately, deeply engaged in public affairs, thoughtful and skeptical. Therefore to improve the theory effectiveness of the theory, the media should increase the understanding of the issues by reporting a more detail information about the election with wide range of information. In addition, the media can also carry out a survey to understand better the level of absorption information of the readers, listeners and viewers. The media should also aware of the public acceptance and understanding of the issues as the agenda-setting theory has its own limitations in dispersing the news. Conclusion In conclusion, the Agenda Setting Theory is a very important practice in media industry especially in a democratic country like Malaysia. The media collaborate with government to control what to be think and discussed among the public. The purpose is to shape their perception over certain issues. It can be from a political issue to welfare issue. This theory proved that whatever issue has been discussed shape the importance of that specific issue and bring to the discussion in the public as in the public agenda. If the public or majorities think that there are some dissatisfactions or objections going on, there will be changes in the policy agenda. Thus, agenda setting is a very important tool in media even though there are still some weaknesses in this practice. So, the media should take in to account to improve their practice by injecting more information not only to a specific area but make it more widely than today in order for the public to have more knowledge about our nation and this may create a more critical thinking nation. References Agenda-Setting Theory – Maxwell McCombs and Donald Shaw(n. d. ). Retrieved July 30, 2010, from http://www. ninosoriadeveyra. com/uploads/3/0/1/1/3011660/agenda-setting_ justine_kate_gian. ppt. Agenda-Setting Theory: Presentation paper abstracts (n. . ). Retrieved July 30, 2010, from http://realhomepages. com/wecapps/agenda%20setting. htm Agenda-Setting Theory: Strengths and weaknesses of theory (n. d. ). Retrieved July 30, 2010, from http://www. servinghistory. com/topics/Agenda-setting_theory::sub::Strengths_And_ Weaknesses_Of_Theory Garson, G. D. (2006). Agenda setting theory. Retrieved July 30, 2010, from http://faculty. chass. ncsu. edu/garson/PA765/agendasetting. htm Media Tenor Innovatio – Agenda setting theory (n. d. ). Retrieved July 30, 2010, from http:// www. agendasetting. com/res_theory. php M. Sanchez Spring 2002. (2002). Retrieved July 30, 2010, from http://zimmer. csufresno. edu/~ johnca/spch100/7-4-agenda. htm Spring 2001 theory workbook. (2001). Retrieved July 30, 2010, from http://www. uky. edu/~ drlane/capstone/mass/agenda. htm The Agenda-Setting Role of the Mass Media in the Shaping of Public Opinion (n. d. ). Retrieved July 30, 2010 from http://www. infoamerica. org/documentos_pdf/mccombs01. pdf

Sunday, July 28, 2019

Buddhism And The Reductionist Approach Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 11250 words

Buddhism And The Reductionist Approach - Essay Example In the context of religion, Eliade saw religion as an entity that is autonomous and special, that it cannot be reduced mainly to the spheres of the social, economic and psychological spheres. Based upon his approach to everything that is sacred, Eliade has stated that there’s something special and unique about the religious experience. The religious ritual of Perahera is a ceremonial religious experience. It is one of the biggest Buddhist celebrations of the year and it is a ritual where devotees get together and pray for the rains to fall bountifully so that they will be able to cultivate their crops. It is a ceremony that is no more than a grand parade, wherein the sacred tooth, which is one of the most precious and sacred relics of Buddhism, is removed from the Temple of the Tooth and is paraded through the streets of the various cities of Sri Lanka, along with the Kandy Perahera. Following the Kandy perahera are several other festive events and included among the crowds wh o are following the Kandy perahera will also be jugglers, dancers, and fire breathers. It is an experience that is profoundly moving for most of the devotees who follow in the parade and they express their devotion and religious solidarity by following the Kandy Perahera. Pirith chanting is also an essential part of the Buddhist religious dharma. Music is believed to be closely related to physical health so that the chanting of pirith is believed to have a very soothing effect. Chanting of the pirith is also believed to invoke the blessings of the gods. Thus, it may be noted that there are very strong spiritual and religious connotations associated with both of these religious ceremonies, which are an essential part of Buddhism.  

Ethical Dilemma Abu Ghraib Abuses Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Ethical Dilemma Abu Ghraib Abuses - Essay Example Conversely, the individuals who have been devoted to the Bush administration have been given rewards for their attempt with medals or promotions. This paper will highlight the leader’s ethical dilemma and give a personal opinion on the actions the leader should have taken during the Abu Graib Abuses in Iraq during 2004. Kant’s categorical rule will assist in highlighting the leader’s ethical dilemma. Firstly, the rule states that a person should assign a principle to all behaviors he develops and assess the outcome if all people act out on the basis of that principle. Secondly, the rule asserts that all human beings have a value past price. This means no individual should make use of another individual to realize a task of self-interest. Finally, all individuals in a group should deal with others as they would demand to be treated. From this perspective, it is clear that the torturous activities employed by the leaders through the prison guards did not abide by Kant’s categorical rule. To violate a person till he breaks is not a rational, universal standard. Also, the guards used every prisoner as a way of getting information. If the leader through the guards would realize every human is valuable past price, he would not torture prisoners to get information. On the other hand, the soldiers’ activities may be perceived to be ethical. The social responsibility theory asserts that the executive is responsible to the employees. This means the soldiers who perform acts of torture are engaging in an ethical activity because they are serving the concerns of their leaders. The leaders of the army or administration promote the inhumane treatment of Iraqi captives (Hersh 96). The soldiers associate their activities with their employers’ desire, regardless of whether the actions are ethical or unethical. In my opinion, the Abu Graib indignity cannot be ethically defended. The way the

Saturday, July 27, 2019

Helping to cope with school violence tragedies Essay

Helping to cope with school violence tragedies - Essay Example Unlike the usual stresses and conflicts that are a part of everyday life at home and at work, acute crisis episodes frequently overwhelm traditional human coping skills and result in dysfunctional behavior. This creates a state of disequilibrium that results in intense fears and highly anxious states (Stephens, R. D., 1994). There is growing awareness by school administrators that school violence could occur at their school. Planning and preparation will be necessary to manage those crises and to attend to the emotional as well as physical needs of staff and students. School administrators have a tendency to underestimate the initial and long-term impact of trauma. Children's reactions to trauma, however, would not be impacted by this underplay, and they would typically fall into the following key areas, fear of the future, academic regression, behavioral regression, nightmares and sleeping difficulties. Teachers and parents who are provided with emotional support and who are educated on children's typical reactions to trauma will be much better prepared to assist their students and children. These violent tragedies would not affect the children only, since the school population of students also comprises of adolescents. Adolescents, in particular, who have been traumatized, are more at risk for depress ion, suicide, reckless behavior, and substance abuse. This population demands help to cope up with the disaster or the trauma from the violence. Unfortunately, the mental health services provided by professionals in schools are extremely inadequate (Canada, M. et al., 2007). The CDC reports that 15% of the male students are involved in physical altercations, and males are more likely to fight on school property. Students in lower grades, ninth grade and below, are more likely to be in a fight on school property than students in higher grades. Assaults against teachers are a form of school violence that needs serious attention. Bullying, which has become a serious concern as of late, may include relatively benign forms of social interactions or may even include more serious forms which threaten bodily harm (Poland, S., 2003). School shootings are significant in that they get publicized, and many students are indirectly affected with such a tragedy, and this needs to invoke coping skills to survive the trauma. Literature is sparse in this area, and in 1993, Lockwood had a study done on middle and high school students. This study examined the reasons for, and circumstances of, violence at school in this age group. The findings are significant. The first finding revealed that most violence was the results of minor insults or altercations that escalated until it resulted in extreme violence. The major goal of the violence was revenge or retribution for the insult. Most students polled in this study stated that such use of violence for retribution was morally acceptable and was not considered to be an indication that the violent student had an absence of values (Lockwood, A. T. 1993). This is a matter of concern, and this immediately points to moral values that act as etiologic agents for such incidents. Exami nation of all shootings between 1996 and 1999 reveals a pattern. The shooters are all male. This is not inconsistent with the majority of

Friday, July 26, 2019

European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) Essay

European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) - Essay Example n Foundation ‘the EFQM (European Foundation Quality Management) Excellence Model was introduced at the beginning of 1992 as the framework for assessing organisations for the European Quality Award; it is now the most widely used organisational framework in Europe and it has become the basis for the majority of national and regional Quality Awards’ (European Foundation for Quality Management, 2007). In fact, EFQM Excellence model has become quite known in organizations operating both in the public and the private sector. Its effectiveness regarding the measurement and the evaluation of organizational performance has been the main reason for the expansion of this model in many countries around the world; EFQM Excellence model has been proved to be equally effective in the private and the public sector. Current paper examines the particular aspects of EFQM Excellence model and the applicability of this model on modern organizations around the world. In order for the structu re and the role of this model to be clearly understood, the application of the specific model in a particular case is examined. In this context, the application of European Foundation Excellence model in Dubai has be considered to be a characteristic example of the effectiveness of this model both on the private and the public sector internationally. In order to understand the role and the development of European Foundation for Quality Management, it would be necessary to refer primarily to the general characteristics of this model the main aspects of its application (positive and negative – if any – aspects of the application of EFQM in firms operating within the international market). In this context, it is noticed by the European Foundation of Quality Management that ‘the Excellence model is a management model for excellence which can be applied to any organisation to evaluate qualitatively its performance; it enables private, public and voluntary sector organisations to compare their

Thursday, July 25, 2019

Business Globalization in China Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Business Globalization in China - Essay Example To be able to create a comprehensive business report, we need to evaluate the background of business dynamics by keeping in mind the social fabric. Accumulating all necessary data regarding China's business prospects will require careful study of the government's past and present policy. We need to assess China's history to completely comprehend the progress and development of the Chinese economy. China offers a lot of compelling reasons that make it an attractive business destination and hence it is imperative that business entities have local knowledge about China and the different cultural, economic and business idiosyncrasies. To get a first-hand experience about the local business dynamics, we will administer a comprehensive interview with local entrepreneurs to get the essence of China's business environment. Additionally, we want to interview both successful and unsuccessful local and international entrepreneurs who have done businesses in China so as to get unbiased views. In addition to qualitative analysis of Chinese business customs, this report will have a quantitative analysis that will have statistical data and in formation that support our hypothesis. Surveys will also be carried out to create graphic and numerical representations with regards to the economic condition and the market system of China. The process of shifting from closed, protected and government regulated economy to a globalized economy is generally a turbulent one. However, the decision to shift had been a compulsion and not a luxury. The importance of globalization and integration with the world economy was in critical for the growth of any economy. Globalization has led to numerous improvements and innovation in technology and business, and has touched our everyday life. Globalization has not only opened the doors to foreign markets for Chinese goods, but it has also created numerous avenues of growth for other economies. Through globalization, we have experienced a balance of global economic and technological activities between countries from the Far East and countries from the Far North. Additionally, globalization has positively impacted small and micro enterprises all over the world. Regardless of how big or small the business venture is, it is inevitable for any company to adapt to new business dynamics. China's attempt for global expansion has triggered a growth of the country's economy, political and business system. In addition to foreign markets, the local demand has also increased tremendously and that has led to the initiation and growth of many small businesses in China. Due to this fact the standard of living, Gross Domestic Product and income per capita of the Chinese inhabitants have significantly improved over a period of 10 years. Moreover, the rapid abolishing of government regulations by the communist regime has brought countless small and micro enterprises to the forefront of globalization. China has become a string global economic force that other countries need to recognize. Hence, the new look China is a very important player in the new world economy scenario. 3. SOCIAL CUSTOM AND BUSINESS CULTURE Just like any society, China

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

People who are under 21 should not allowed to drive Research Paper

People who are under 21 should not allowed to drive - Research Paper Example These precautions can help saving 1,700 accidental injuries and 200 deaths from speed driving in a year. Rash driving needs to be controlled, as similar driving limits also apply in countries like New Zealand, Australia, and some regions in the US as well (Triggle par. 1-3). Although overall deaths from accidents have been on the decrease but the teenage habit of listening to music while driving is a big accidental risk. This bad habit of listening to music through MP3 players and iPods while driving has been acknowledged for awareness purpose by the Tune into Traffic campaign (Triggle par. 5). Teenagers go a step ahead by not just listening to music while driving, but also texting messages, which is a relatively bigger risk on the road for causing of road accidents. Incidentally, there has been a significant check on road accidents, reaching to an all-time low, but still 2,222 deaths were reported due to road accidents the previous year (Triggle par. 5). Teenage accidents cause loss of gasoline, life, and money, as they develop a habit of driving just for the fun of driving, which is a leading cause of wastage of gasoline. Gasoline being a limited natural resource, a check on its wastage by not allowing driving licenses till they reach the age of 21 can help in saving this resource. The practice of graduated driving licensing can save many accidents from occurring. Otherwise also, road accidents cause huge loss of money as well, as a reduction in accident rates in the UK can relieve the economy from the financial burden amounting to  £890m (Triggle par. 8-11). We should stop teenagers from driving for their own benefit and for the benefit of other society stakeholders. Actually, teenagers have other alternatives to reach their destinations. Teenagers should use the available public transportation system, such as buses to reach their destination. There is no logic in going privately when buses are

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Global War on Terrorism Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Global War on Terrorism - Assignment Example The author of the paper states that the war on terrorism officially started after the 9/11 attacks on the US soil although earlier attacks on US embassies in Kenya, Tanzania and the attempted bombing of the Los Angeles international airport were alarming. The then president, George Bush took the initiative and claimed to fight the war on terrorism on behalf of the whole world. Following the invasions of Afghanistan in 2001 and then targetting Iraq in 2003, NATO forces have been involved in all operations as the attacks of 9/11 were considered an attack on all the 19 member countries of NATO. A very active participant of this war has been Pakistan which has been supporting the US on the matter and fighting against terrorists by allowing US forces along with their own army to carry operations in parts of Waziristan(northern Pakistani territory). Due to this war countries have the highest budget allocated to defense. This is all the taxpayer money we are talking about, which is you, me and us. Do we want to allocate our resources on just fighting terrorists in a war which never seems to end? Do we want to see innocent people being killed like in the case of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan? Do we want this amount of destruction, chaos, and insecurity? Of course, the answer to all of those questions would be no. I refuse to agree with the idea of the global war on terrorism. This war has been a total failure increasing the number of killings, the use of weaponry globally and the doubt in the minds of people if they are being ruled by cruel, self-centered and power hungry leaders.W hat seems to be the idea of the general masses is that the war on terrorism is being used to achieve Uthe S driven goals as it keeps on attacking and killing more and more without eliminating the Taliban forces.T his war has been so much hyped about by the media that it has become part of the headlines of every news channel in the world. The US has gone so far to fight the war that it has created a torture facility in Cuba with the name of 'Guantanamo Bay' which initially held the prisoners of war from Afghanistan and Iraq.  Prisoners are subject to the highest degree of torture from physical remand like electric shocks to psychological abuse, including religious insults such as the Quran being kicked on the ground.M ost of the prisoners kept in this place have been proven innocent but their lives shackled. The war shows the US interest in the oil-rich countries to obtain unhindered sources of oil.T his war is the war being fought by Uthe S alone without the support of the UN, which is the council representing the whole world. If UN does not support the global war on terrorism it is unfair and unjustified for this war to continue as it keeps on creating more and more problems for the whole world(Balken,2005).T the number of bombings and the technology being used by the terrorists is rising sharply,showing signs that this is a never-ending war which will just keep o n causing harm to the environment, the psyche of the people, the insecurity among countries(international relations) and causing unwanted bloodshed and violence(Hancock,2008). The resources of the whole world are being heavily used in a cat and mouse race with a heavy cost of living. Increased expenditures for the global war may come at the expense of consumption expenditures, the classic guns-butter trade-off. These expenditures could come at the expense of outlays for investment, including business fixed investment, residential construction, infrastructure, public and private expenditures on health and education, the primary human capital categories, and research and development(Goldsmith,2007).  

A View from a Bridge Essay Example for Free

A View from a Bridge Essay I feel sorry for Eddie Carbone to a certain extent in A View from the Bridge because what he does is to protect his niece Catherine but in some parts of the play he deserves it. I feel sorry for Eddie Carbone because what he does is to protect his niece. Eddie has taken care of Catherine and he tries to hide her away from the outside world, he doesn’t want her to grow up. At the start of the play Eddie’s character is portrayed as a kind but quite over protective of Catherine, you see Eddie as a caring father-figure to Catherine so you assume he loves her as his own daughter. You can tell by the way he talks to her and how interested he is when she speaks. At the point where Catherine tells Eddie that she has got a job he becomes very concerned because he thinks she can do better but she will also attract a lot of men’s attention where she will work. I feel sorry for Eddie at this point in the play because he finds it hard to admit that Catherine is growing up, I guess I just never figured that you would ever grow up. Later on in the play when the cousins arrive Catherine is taking too much interest in Rodolpho, you see that Eddie is getting jealous. However, I do not feel sorry for Eddie because what he does he deserves it. Eddie is very over protective of Catherine which means that he doesn’t like it when she attracts men especially after she has got a job near the docks. When the cousins arrive Catherine is interested in Rodolpho this annoys Eddie because he is trying to keep her away from.

Monday, July 22, 2019

History and Memory Essay Example for Free

History and Memory Essay The interrelationship of history and memory show that each is individually limited- memory presents limited perspective while history presents limited account- this conflicting nature ensures that without considering both we have a less reliable history. This concept is portrayed in the prescribed text â€Å"The fiftieth gate† by Mark Baker that involves an individual’s journey into the past to reconstruct his parent’s experiences. Baker’s explores the idea that both history and memory are essential to validate, illuminate and add emotion and colour to the other in order to ultimately form a true representation of history. Through the study of this text one can come to understand that the ultimate role of history is to find self-identity and unlock the barriers of the past. Memory is shaped by and composed of individual emotions and self-reflections; as a result it is influenced by bias and is highly subjective. Therefore memory only provides one bias and subjective perspective of history, making the representation of history to be less reliable and limited. This is portrayed in the line â€Å"It was cold, winter, we had winter boots on, the ones with money sewn inside. He says it was cold. Winter. But it was warm. Autumn†. Here the use of direct speech engages the audience into Yossl’s situation. The audience is then able to realise that the experiences of fear, torment and paranoia that Yossl went through in the holocaust has shaped and influenced his memory. As a result his perspective of history is less reliable and thus highly limited. This is portrayed in the line â€Å"I remember this exactly like yesterday: there was a church with some hills†¦can you see my legs through there? Here through the use of a narrative device, an interview, Baker engages the audience’s attention through the use of first person language and direct speech. This then conveys the idea that memory is limited in representing history because it is influenced by individual experiences that will change their perspective of history. In addition the spontaneous responses add a personal sense to further emphasize the limitation of memory that it can fail at any time. History is shaped by collective memory, providing a common representation of an event, personality or situation. As a result the representation of history is less reliable because it does not account for the views and perspectives of those that are a minority or have been forgotten. Baker uses a wide range of textual features to communicate to the audience how documented evidence paints a picture of the past. The use of archival documents, letters, school reports, council reports and Yiddish and German lullabies engage the reader but also adds a sense of authencity and historical presence. However through Baker’s self-journey in the book, the audience is able to realise that documented evidence cannot account for all stories, this is especially seen with Genia’s story of the holocaust. This is explored in the line â€Å"does history remember more than memory? I only recognise suffering in numbers and lists and not in the laments and pleas of a human being, of a mother, screaming for acknowledgment† The use of a rhetorical question builds suspense as the audience realises that the persona has come to a stage of realisation where Baker has understood that memory is just as important as the documented evidence that validates it. Documented evidence is able to validate as well as illuminate memory, while memory adds self-emotions and reflections to fill the gaps of documented evidence. In collaboration they create a more reliable and truthful history. Baker uses archival documents, school reports, lullabies, council reports and letters to illuminate hidden fragments of his parent’s memory. This is shown in the line â€Å"I thrust his report card under his eyes and command him to read. He obeys, like an intimidated school child†¦He smothers an involuntary laugh, hiding the thoughts that lie behind it. † Baker through the use of a simile compares his father to a child. This conveys the idea that the documented evidence has allowed Yossl to step back into his youth and bring forward the significant memories of his past. In addition the use of emotive and descriptive language through â€Å"Laughing† and â€Å"intimidated† creates a warm and personal atmosphere to emphasises the idea to the audience of how memory can add emotions to documented evidence, and thus together to create a more reliable and truthful history. Together both documented evidence and memory allow for an â€Å"exchange of pasts† to create a more reliable, valid and truthful history. Through this Baker has shown the interplay of history and memory. Baker has shown that the importance of the interplay of history and memory is to create a reliable history allowing one to explore the recreation of the past to make sense of who they are, where they are and the journey they have gone through. In â€Å"The fiftieth gate† the journey into the past of his parents has allowed Baker to undergo a self-journey of learning. At first Baker observed the past of his parents with an historian point of view, seeking documented evidence to validate and make true his parent’s memory. However the experiences with the past of his mother, made Baker realise the importance of memory in the representation of history. This is shown in the juxtaposition of the line â€Å"His was a past written on a page of history shared by other survivors. My mother could not point to anyone with the line What are these papers anyway except echoes of the past, dark shadows without screams, without smells, without fear. The juxtaposition of the lines shows the change in attitude of Baker as he realises the importance of memory in the representation of history. The use of emotive language such as dark shadows† creates a dark atmosphere to emphasise the anger and torment he feels because of his ignorance to listen to his Mother’s story of the holocaust. Baker has used a circular structure to convey the idea that the journey into history and memory is a circular one. This is demonstrated in â€Å"The fiftieth gate† through the repetition of the line â€Å"It always begins in blackness, until the first light illuminates the hidden fragment of memory† at the beginning and end of the book. This conveys the idea that the journey will allow for greater insight and understanding of your past and yourself. This will further inspire a self-journey of change and understanding. This has been shown through the changing attitude of Baker himself in the novel. This is demonstrated through the juxtaposition of the lines â€Å"His was a past written on a page of history shared by other survivors. My mother could not point to anyone with the line What are these papers anyway except echoes of the past, dark shadows without screams, without smells, without fear. This conveys that at first observed the past of his parents with an historian point of view, seeking documented evidence to validate and make true his parent’s memory. However the experiences with the past of his mother, made Baker realise the importance of memory in the representation of history. The use of emotive language such as dark shadows† creates a dark atmosphere to emphasise the anger and torment he feels because of his ignorance to listen to his Mother’s story of the holocaust.

Sunday, July 21, 2019

Key Distinctions Between Positivism And Phenomenology

Key Distinctions Between Positivism And Phenomenology The purpose of research is simple according to Francis Dane (1990: 212) in that it is a means by which we seek to acquire knowledge and understanding by answering questions about the world. Knowledge is a very important concept which is closely related to the concept of epistemology; defined as the study or theory of the origin, nature and limits of knowledge (May, 2001). The theory of Positivism is an epistemological position that concerns the application of the methods of the natural sciences to the study of social reality and beyond (Bryman, 2004). Smith (1998) states that Positivist approaches to the social sciences . . . assume things can be studied as hard facts and the relationship between these facts can be established as scientific laws. For positivists, such laws have the status of truth and social objects can be studied in much the same way as natural objects. The general elements of positivism, adapted from Bond (1989), Easterby-Smith et al (1997), and Hughes (1994) are concerned with methodology, value-freedom, causality, operationalisation, independence and reductionism (cit May, 2001). Basically, all research should be quantitative as it is only such data that can be the basis for valid generalizations and laws. In order for facts to be measured quantitatively, concepts must be operationalised accordingly. The choice of what to study, a nd how to study it, should be determined by objective criteria rather than by human beliefs and interests. Positivism also addresses that the aim of research should be to identify causal explanations and fundamental laws that explain human behavior. Positivists also believe that the role of the researcher should be independent of the subject under examination and also, if problems are reduced to their simplest possible elements then they will be better understood (Bryman, 2004). Positivists therefore most commonly use close ended questionnaires and structured interviews when conducting research as they best suit the requirements embraced within this theory of knowledge. The theory of phenomenology can be used in contrast to Positivism as it concerns the question of how individuals make sense of the world around them. Alfred Schutz (1962) states The world of nature as explored by the natural scientist does not mean anything to molecules, atoms and electrons. But the observational field of the social scientist social reality- has a specific meaning and relevance structure for the beings living, acting, and thinking within it. By a series of common sense constructs they have pre selected and pre interpreted this world which they experience as the reality of the lives. It is these thought objects of theirs which determine their behavior by motivating it. The thought objects constructed by the social scientist, in order to grasp this social reality, have to be founded upon the thought objects constructed by the common sense thinking of men, living their daily life within the social world. (cit Bryman, 2004) This firstly illustrates that there is a fundamental difference between the matter of natural science and social science. It asserts that human action is meaningful and it is thus the job of the social scientist to gain access to peoples thinking and actions to interpret them from the persons point of view. Phenomenology places great importance on Webers concept of verstehen and thus has an empathetic approach towards the research sample (May, 2001). Phenemenologists focus on meaning and understanding and therefore do not generate or test hypotheses (deductivism) as positivists do; nor do they focus on collecting facts that provide laws. An example of a phenomenological study is that carried out by Foster (1995) who used participant observation and semi structured interviews in the Riverside area of London. Official statistics, of which positivists approve, illustrated extremely high levels of crime. Foster however, as a phenomenologist wanted to measure the human attitudes to crime in the area. Her findings can be contrasted to the areas statistics as she found that residents did not perceive the estate to be of a high level crime, nor did they feel insecure or unsafe (Bryman, 2004). Question Two With use of examples distinguish between qualitative and quantitative data analysis. Distinguish between nominal, ordinal and continuous quantitative data and discuss briefly how these might all be used in a research project. Qualitative data emphasizes words rather than quantification in the collection and analysis of data. Qualitative data is mainly carried out by phenomenologists and used for inductive reasoning (Bryman, 2004). It involves collecting written or verbal information of the variables that the researcher is interested in. This data is more descriptive than numbers and can be obtained through questionnaires, focus groups, interviews and discussions (Fulcher and Scott, 2003). As it emphasizes the ways in which individuals interpret their social world, it is rejected by most positivists. Although qualitative research is typically associated with generating theories it can however be employed for testing theories as Adler and Adlers study (1985) on the exploration of educational attainment and sports participation illustrates this (Bryman, 2004). Qualitative data can often be hard to analyze as it involves studying often lengthy and complex documents but overall, it has a deeper richness and me aning than empirical data. In contrast to qualitative data is that of quantitative data. This data describes something in numbers and thus emphasizes quantification in the collection and analysis of data (Bryman, 2004). This numerical data is carried out mainly by positivists and thus embodies the view that social reality is an objective reality. Quantitative data enables information to be easily tested and analyzed in order to provide statistics and facts such as official statistics. Questionnaires and telephone surveys consisting of structured and closed ended questions are ways in which this data is carried out. Although quantitative data enables generalizations to be made and trends to be found, it does however lose the value of meaning as it consists merely of numbers rather than description and explanations. Data can either be nominal, ordinal or continuous. Nominal data consists of a variable with no implicit order such as race, sex or religion. This data therefore can be counted but cannot be ordered or measured (May, 2001). Nominal data can be used in a research project by for example, coding males as zero, females as one or coding the marital status of an individual as Y if they are married or N if they are single. This must however be planned and carried out carefully as confusion and lack of clarity when analyzing the data can occur. Ordinal data however is different to nominal data in that it may counted and ordered but it cannot be measured. Ordinal values can therefore be ranked as they have a natural order; age or level of satisfaction are examples of ordinal variables (Bryman, 2004). For example, if a group of people were asked to taste varieties of biscuit and classify each biscuit on a rating scale of one to five, representing strongly dislike, dislike, neutral and so on, a rating of five indicates more enjoyment than a rating of four, illustrating that such data is ordinal. Continuous data however concerns variables that can take any possible value. This data can be counted, ordered or measured continuous and may include, for example height, weight or temperature. Question Three Discuss the importance of reliability and validity in the operationalisation of concepts in research. Compare a focus group, an individual semi structured interview and survey in terms of the ease with which reliability and validity may be assured. Reliability refers to the extent to which a measurement instrument yields consistent, stable and uniform results over repeated observations or measurements under the same conditions each time (Fulcher, 2003). Validity however refers to the accuracy and truth of the data and findings that are produced. It refers to the concepts that are being investigated, the people or objects that are being studied, the methods by which data are collected and the findings that are produced (May, 2001). A study is valid if and only if it tests what it sets out to test. There are several different types of validity which are face validity, content validity, criterion-related validity, construct validity, internal validity and external validity (Bryman, 2004). Data can be reliable without being valid. Those that support qualitative methods argue that quantitative methods lack validity but are often reliable. Qualitative methods are criticized for being unreliable and unsystematic as there is no way of replicating the study and checking the reliability of the findings. Thus positivists whose concepts need to be operationalised in a way that enables facts to be measured quantitatively, place great importance on the reliability of data as it enables them monitor trends over time and to use them as a future secondary data source. Surveys such as questionnaires are considered as being reliable as there is a much lower risk of subjectivity or bias when compared to, for example, interviews or a focus group. Surveys, whether they consist of closed ended questions or matrix questions, often lack in validity however as the researcher might not have measured exactly what was intended to be measured. For example, if a researcher posted out questionnaires on the perception of crime, applicants might not be able to answer to answer questions fully only by ticking certain boxes. On the other hand however, a semi structured interview would be more valid than a survey as it specifically aims to allow the respondent to voice their opinion and have an equal input into the conversation. Personal interviewing is also better suited for difficult or sensitive issues rather than for example a focus group as an interview is more intimate and provides the respondent with the opportunity to open up. A semi structured interview howe ver can be unreliable as well as unrepresentative as if the interviewer approached another individual to participate in the same interview, their views may be completely different to that of the original interviewees. As there are a multiple people in a focus group, however, the data attained is often therefore more valid than in an interview. An advantage of a focus group is that challenges can be made to contrasting view points which cannot be done in an interview. The validity of a focus group can be challenged however if a number of people dominate the conversation as it does not provide everyone with an equal opportunity to speak. Focus groups are slightly more reliable than a semi structured interview but not as reliable as a survey. Therefore, for research to both reliable and valid many researchers employ more than one method of research such as carrying out surveys and conducting focus groups. This is known as triangulation (Fulcher, 2003). Question Four Select one of the three sets of research case studies presented at the end of the module guide. Critically assess the research presented. Your answer should make reference to validity and reliability of methods; it should detail any additional information you might require, why this may be required and what if any reservations you might have regarding the study. (Please refer to appendix One for the details of case 3) It is evident that case three entitled Do we need to educate people to question authority more carefully given evidence of inappropriate obedience is valid, as it quite simply tests what it was set out to test. The mere fact that ninety percent of subjects were prepared to apply shocks of up to 450 volts because they were asked to do so by a person of authority of which over half (twenty six out of forty) of them did just that confirms the cases validity. Internal validity is prominent in this case as the independent variable that is the distribution of electric shocks, has an effect on the dependent variable that is the subjects. The validity of the study is also increased as the sample is quite large since it consisted of forty subjects. Had it have been a smaller sample, there would have been a high chance that a completely different set of results could have been obtained. Given that the reported data was qualitative as the research method employed was that of observation and thu s that the likelihood of stable or uniform results being produced in a repetition of the experiment is low, it is clearly evident that the study lacks reliability. However, if for example the researcher had asked the subjects to complete a questionnaire after the experiment, then the data would have been classed as being reliable. There is one major ethical concern with this experiment as the subjects were informed that they were required to give electric shocks to other human beings. This is clearly inhumane treatment; therefore the researcher should have altered the experiment in order to avoid this. Another concern with this experiment is that there is no mention of a control group as we are only informed of the experimented group, that being the forty subjects. This is necessary to monitor the effectiveness of the variables in an experiment. Another concern is that although some of the subjects may have been sweating and were nervous this may have been due to the fact that they were being observed in an abnormal environment and not due to the effects of the carrying out of the experiment. Being in such an environment may therefore affect the validity and reliability of the data. Additional information on the comments made by subjects concerning the experiment would be beneficial as would more information o n actually educating people on questioning authority. Overall, the study was a success in that it sought sufficient data in relation to answering the proposal. The reliability of the experiment however was threatened because of factors such as the research method employed (observation). More information could have been disclosed in the data regarding the subjects reactions and comments. The experiment should also have not focused on the unethical issue of giving electric shocks.

Saturday, July 20, 2019

Essay --

Curating has a traditional meaning and context of collection, preservation and presentation. The word curate is derived from the Latin verb curare, to care or to cure. A curator is tasked to organize, filter, preserve, store and occasionally present art and artifacts in a gallery, museum or library. Historically, curators were not seen as creators of content, but simply as keepers of important objects. In the remix culture of creative commons, fair use and copyleft, the concept of a creator has expanded to include those who reasonably transform and present existing content as something educational, interesting, new or satirical (Cariou v. Prince, Universal City Studios v. Sony Corp., Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music). Curating is the greatest example of remixing content. While designing the presentation of objects by making strategic choices considering audience and understanding goals, a curator gathers pieces that already exist in order to provide an interesting or new perspective on a subject. A curator is creating a sensory learning experience to aid in understanding and conversation. A curator is not simply a collector and preservationist, but rather a contributor to the story and plays an important role in learning and understanding. Albert Einstein recognized the traditional concept of the collection and cultivation of established theories in science by practicing recombination of knowledge to enlighten new ideas. In a letter to colleague Jacques S. Hadamard in 1945, Einstein wrote: The desire to arrive finally at logically connected concepts is the emotional basis of this rather vague play†¦ taken from a psychological viewpoint, this combinatory play seems to be the essential feature in productive thought ¬Ã‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬â€ before there is... ...logy supports the notion that understanding involves creating links in the mind and that making sense of something depends on these links. Isolated pieces of information do not have links to existing mental frameworks and so are not easily retained. The identification and creation of links to existing frameworks depends on the active participation of the learner and on the familiarity of the context of the material to be learned. (James) Rearranging the objects through significance and meaning and creating tags, that can be arranged themselves to tell a story, which begins to emerge almost naturally from the new interaction. These core concepts emerge fluidly and motivations come out of assessing one's body of learning objects in a way for the student to find their interests and understand their entire learning experience through their intrinsic motivation (Pink).

Abortion-An Ultra-Conservative View :: essays research papers

My best friend is a 26-year-old woman in Medical School at the University of South Florida who has had two abortions. Through each one, I have stood by her as a faithful and loyal friend. This is not something she wishes everyone to know, but this woman is not bashful about it if asked. As a matter of fact, she has discussed it several times in front of me. In these cases, her birth control failed, and she aborted her unborn children early in the pregnancy. Simply, she made the decision to abort because she just wasn’t ready. Honestly, being a successful medical student, would you blame her? I found myself beginning to judge her after twenty years of friendship, and I think, she would not be pleased with my judgment. But, after wondering what I would do in her shoes, I have asked myself, â€Å"Is abortion justified†? My view, No. Abortion is immoral in every circumstance, which makes me an ultra-conservative person. Before I begin to discuss Marry Ann Warrens’ article, â€Å"Abortion is Morally Permissible†, I wish to define the different views of abortion. The first view of abortion is a called, â€Å"Ultra-Conservative†, which state regardless of the reason, having an abortion is immoral. This, as I stated in my introductory paragraph, is my personal view of abortion. The second view is referred to as, â€Å"Moderate-Conservative†, which states that abortion is permissible in some instances, but, overall, not moral in others. In society, many people believe this view to be accurate. But, who can judge what is permissible or not? The third view is the â€Å"Ultra-Liberal position†, which is the view that Mary Ann Warren wishes to provide support for in her article, â€Å"Abortion is Morally Permissible.† This position states that abortion is fine in all instances, regardless of the circumstances. Although many people have different views, Mary Ann Warren does hold the view of Ultra-Liberal. In Warrens’ article, she believes that a child is not a â€Å"person†. She believes that before the fetus reaches a certain point in the mothers’ pregnancy, the child cannot understand the concept behind abortion. Warren (2000) mentions in her article the following about the development of a fetus:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"In the ways that matter, from a moral point of view, human fetuses are very unlike human persons, particularly in the early months of development.†Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Generally, Warren defines that the forming of a fetus into a â€Å"person† can only come after the first trimester.

Friday, July 19, 2019

Croce :: Design and Technology

Croce Intuition, Expression and Communication BA 3D Design. Benedetto Croce (1866-1952) perhaps the most important philosopher of the twentieth century lived most of his life in Naples born in the Abruzzi hills a elder son of an ancient and wealthy Neapolitan family was for decades Italy’s exemplar of the indispensable link between intellect and conscience, a philosopher, historian, and critic his approach is one usually termed neo-idealist his aesthetic derives principally from earlier idealist G.W.F. Hegel (1770-1831) and Giambatista Vico (1668-1774). Croce’s possibly best-known work was published in 1902 Philosophy of the spirit which was divided into four parts â€Å"Aesthetic as the Science of Expression and general Linguistics, Logic as the Science of Pure Concept, Philosophy of the Practical, and History: Its Theory and Practice† But my main concern is with Estetica come scienza dell’ espressione e linguistica generale or â€Å"Aesthetic as the Science of Expression and General Linguistics† within his analysis he states that â€Å"â€Å"intuition† is only intuition in as far as it is, in that very act, expression†. In other words he argues that intuition is one and the same as expression what he means by this is all genuine examples of intuition are in fact examples of expression, and all genuine examples of expression are examples of intuition one is a complex of feeling and thought, while the other is the image that derives from it but for Croce they are the interior and exterior views of the same thing. Plausibly, we cannot have an intuition without an equivalent expression; in other terms that is like talking about a piece of art work or sculpture inside us that we are incapable of expressing in form. Although people do talk that way from time to time, of course, but others are entitled to doubt whether the art piece is really there inside the person or not. The reason we may think we have intuitions that we cannot express is that most of our intuitions like our memories are cloudy and vague, when we come to actualize them; we realize this and put the fault down to poor technique or skill. What distinguishes artists from the inartistic and the rest of us that artists’ intuitions have become much clearer than ours and have also become much clearer still in the process of expression within their art work itself. But he does make a distinction between expression and communication the third factor in the artistic process which in itself is quite unimportant. Croce argues that expression does not basically involve communication. A person can have an intuition in their head and it will count as a genuine expression even if they never try to

Thursday, July 18, 2019

Good Will Hunting Essay

Sometimes our past can cause pain that doesn’t allow us to trust others. People we trust can cause us to put up a wall and look to other things for comfort. In the movie, Will Hunting found his comfort in books. Will Hunting needed a real friendship to help him open up his mind in order to discover that there is more to life than living through the books he reads. In the movie, there are four main characters, each different in many ways, that form individual friendships in the movie. One of the characters, Will Hunting works as a janitor at a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He is a foster child and is living life through his experience in books and lacks real life knowledge. This is holding him back from becoming intimate with anyone. While working there he sometimes writes on the school’s math department blackboard and is soon discovered as a genius. Will gets caught fighting and is arrested and in leau of incarceration is put under the supervision of Gera ld Lambeau, who attended and is now a professor at MIT. Under his supervision, per court order he must see a therapist and stay out of any trouble. Sean Maguire is a professor at a local community college and also grew up in the same town as Will and went to MIT. He is Will’s therapist and in the sessions challenges him to open up and stop living life through a book. A friendship develops and Sean tries to guide him to break his fear of intimacy. Chuckie Sullivan is a character in the movie that Will refers to as his brother. Chuckie is a nice guy with an aggressive attitude from being brought up in the rough side of Southie, Boston. Then there is a girl named Skylar, cute with a British accent and goes to Harvard University. She gets involved with Will Hunting and soon asks him to move with her to California where she will be attending at Stanford’s medical school program. Unfortunately, fear of intimacy prevents him from forming a relationship with her and breaks this friendship apart. Eventually, Will starts to see his true friendships with Chuckie, Sean and Skylar and starts to open up. He begins to trust others and takes a risk at experiencing life first hand outside the covers of a book. Will Hunting came from poverty, raised as a foster child in Southie. He didn’t trust people because he always looked at every angle of the relationship and assumed that in the end they wouldn’t be there for him. Professor Gerald Lambeau, who took pride in himself because of a Field Medals award which granted him public status, comes around to try to build a friendship with Will. Will soon realizes that Gerald is using him to gain social status, public recognition and to solve his difficult math problems. He then ends his relationship with Gerald because of his intensions. Then Sean, seeing what his former classmate, Gerald, was up to, soon becomes more than just Will’s therapist. Sean becomes a friend and tries to prevent Will from taking the same path as Gerald by only wanting social recognition. As Will’s Friend, Sean didn’t want him to fail. He wanted Will to succeed in life and take a chance and not just live it through a book. The doctor-patient relationship soon becomes a very close friendship. Towards the end of the movie Will leaves a note for Sean, â€Å"I had to see about a girl,† this was a quote from Sean’s story of his courtship with his wife. This lets Sean know he had decided to take a chance on life and to attempt to form a lasting relationship with someone he could trust. Will’s â€Å"brother† Chuckie, who is really Will’s best friend, also wanted him to succeed in life. He tries to encourage Will to take a chance in living a real life and tells Will, â€Å"You know what the best part of my day is? It’s for about ten seconds when I pull up to the curb to when I get to your door. Because I think maybe I’ll get up there and I’ll knock on the door and you won’t be there. No goodbye, no see you later, no nothing. Just left. I don’t know much, but I know that.† Will then sees that Chuckie might have a point and takes his friend’s advice. A few people come into Will’s life, some for real friendships and some just to gain public status. After discovering his true friendships, Will begins to enjoy their company and wants them in his life. He begins to build relationships he can count on. He is willing to take a chance and succeed in life and relationships, no longer needing books to fulfill this for him. He finally decides to trust and to look at the positive things life has to offer. On his 21st birthday, with the car, Chuckie and his other friends gave him, he packs up to head to California to pursue life. In the end, Will finds true friendships and decides to live his life outside of just a book.

Wednesday, July 17, 2019

How The Internet has Affected the Music Industry Essay

When Tim-Berners Lee dreamt up the, then, macabre idea, of an inter-global nedeucerk, Im sure precise few people had the same optimism in believing that it could happen in the future. everyplace the last ten years, the network has evolved from honest web pages to e-mail, to online gaming, to viewing sport and take on previews, and to buying and batchloading unison online. The profit has forthwith become one of the symphony exertions greatest markets, estimated to reach everywhere 25% of sales in pentad years. This may be true, yet the profits is also one of the euphony industries greatest enemies.For some years flat online shop has been functional to anyone with a credit table and an lucre connection. E-commerce retailers much(prenominal) as Amazon.com swap everything from garden tools, to C.Ds and mini-discs. It is besides in the last couple years however, that online induce has taken off. Before this the public and businesses kindred had not been taking ful l returns of this phenomenal asset, which has been proven to save companies millions. It was only with the creation of Windows 98 and other meshwork programs that people were sure that their credit tantalise numbers and personal details could not be viewed by another person, or hacked. Once this huge hurdle was overcome, the track we used the Internet and the effect it had on the practice of medicine pains had changed forever.The close affinity between the Internet and the music industry has led to many dramatic revolutions. offset printing of on the whole it has changed the way in which we purchase music. It has also opened up a new medium for record companies and musicians to conjure their music, and now consumers can beware to music via technology such as RealAudio. Also, with peoples Internet connections pushting faster totally the time, and now with the invention broad reverberate Internet, you can take heed to music through Internet intercommunicate Stations w hilst still surfing the Internet, a new technique called streaming.From a consumers point of view this is all startle-class news, and I am sure there is yet more to come. But from the music industrys perspective, not all of this new technology is helping their cause. some(prenominal) areas of the musicindustry have been put oned in a bad way, areas such as musicians and record companies worry around procures, poesywriters and music publishers also worry roughly procures, and distri hardlyors and high street retailers worry well-nigh sales, and they should be worried as C.D shipments went down by 7% in the first six months of 2002. Copyrights are based on control of the market how and when a procure work is used. So the Internet has changed the foundations of the music industry.Because it is so easy and inexpensive to constitute a website, this makes it easy to put psyches secureed work on to your website and the Internet, therefore making it available for anyone to l isten to or copy. As many consumers give still download this copyrighted music for free it is obvious that they do not believe that copyrights stand for much. This is all quality of a much larger problem, despotic the distribution of copyrighted music on the Internet, a task that surely is closelipped impossible with so many websites committing copyright fraud.The most famous example of copyright fraud occurred on June 1, 1999. With Microsofts ultimate dominance over the computing industry and the Internet, not many other companies get a look in. In the nullify it took a first year university educatee called Shawn Fanning with the help of funding from his uncle to disrupt the proportionality of power. It was with the creation of an MP3 website called Napster that the public really took to downloading music from the Internet. Up until the formation of Napster, the technology had been available but had not really make it into the mainstream. You might say that it was Napster t hat revolutionised the way we obtain music from the Internet, not the new technology. there was however, one fatal flaw with this website. whole the music that was being shared, had copyright to its name, and Napster was utilise these songs without paying the record companies. So on December 7, 1999, The Recording application Association of America sued Napster for copyright infringement. They were asking for damages of $100,000 each time a song was copied. This however did not law of closure Napster operating as normal, it was only when they were sued by the hugely popular rock band Metallica that Napster was prompted to take action, or at least look like they were taking action. It was on October 31, 2000 that Napster announced a new confederacy withBertelsmann-RCA in which Bertelsmann put 26,000,000 into Napster to keep it going. accordingly on July 26, 2001 a federal hazard ordered to shut down Napster, but the music industrys nimbleness did not last long, just two days later it was up and caterpillar track again.Now Napster is working together with study record companies EMI, Sony Music Entertainment and frequent to develop a system where consumers using the service will pay per song or a monthly subscription fee. This is a new system, which will attempt to get everyone.So despite the early indications that all this technology would go to waste, Microsoft, the record companies and Internet companies seem to have sorted themselves out. The Internet may have once been a huge enemy for the music industry, but it seems like the Internet is now on its way to having an extremely positive affect on the music industry.