The Development of Musical Literacy in Relation to the Learning of a Primary Language :: Musical Education Music Essays

The Development of Musical Literacy in Relation to the Learning of a Primary Language Many parents demolish their child’s chance to succeed before they send them off to their first day of kindergarten. So much of American society believes more or less that the talent and abilities of a child can only be as good as what was passed onto them from the genes of their parents. Therefore, before they even enter the school system, parents, teachers, and students alike hold high, average, or low expectations for the success of the child. These expectations can be held for all areas of school subject matter, but they tend to especially apply in areas where society considers talent instead of persistence to be one of the chief attributors of success. Such an area is music. I am always amazed at the amount of parents who are willing to say â€Å"Well, I’ve never been able to understand music, and my child certainly could not have inherited any kind of musical ability from me. Therefore, even if they really want to try to learn music, they probably won’t be very good at it.† This kind of rationality can at best set up the child to believe that they have a very small chance of being good at music, and cause them to give it a try anyway, and to keep persisting if they are met with a moderately surprising amount of success. Typically, a child will be resistant against any musical instruction they are faced with if they have been told either verbally or indirectly that they have not inherited any talent for it, and thus continue the cycle of â€Å"Well, I was never good in music, therefore my children won’t be either†. What would happen, however, if children were all raised from birth with the attitude that regard less of their background, they could all achieve amazing measures of success in whatever they tried to do? What would be the outcome of a society that believed talent was something that could be developed upon entrance into the world, instead of a set amount being instilled into a child based upon what they inherited from their parents? First, I would like to show that talent, especially musical talent, can be developed. Second, I would like to offer more successful ways of teaching children to develop these talents.

Innovation and Change Management

| Companies that successfully innovate also successfully manage change | INNOVATION & CHANGE MANAGEMENT MHN221935-12-A| Malgorzata Glowacka S0915718 International Tourism & Hospitality Enterprise | Innovation and change management have been and continues to be an important study on a number of levels. It plays significant part in economic growth as well as it is vital for firms’ survival and development. New ideas, new approaches and new products become critical guidelines in organisational strategy, especially for managers and business leaders.According to The Boston Consulting Group (2010) employers’ ranked innovation as a strategic priority with 26% citing it as a top priority and a further 45% ranking it as a top-three priority. Organisations such as Apple or Google adapted this tactic and thanks to their right management of change, now are recognized as one of the most revolutionizing and prosperous companies in the world (Business Week, 2010). It proves that succe ssfully innovating companies are the winners and they play major role in industry market.Therefore, this essay aims to critically evaluate the connection between innovation and change management. The term of innovation is hard to define as it can mean different things for different people. According to Druker (1985) innovation is the specific tool of entrepreneurs, the means by which they exploit changes as an opportunity. West and Farr (1990) pointed out that organizational innovation can be characterized as a tangible product, process or procedure within company and something what is new to the social setting within which it is introduced although not necessarily new to the individual introducing it.They also exanimated innovation being more intentional rather than accidental, mainly aimed at producing benefit to the organization. Traditional categorizations of innovations divide them into four types (Tidd and Bessant, 2010, Fig1): -product innovation can be a change in the functi on or feature of a product such as Window Vista replacing XP. This kind of innovation is intended to improve the function of the offering to make sales more likely -process innovation is based on transformations in the ways products/ services are created and delivered like for e. g. nline banking system which allows customers to manage their finance. This kind of invention introduces new, or significantly improved, method for production or delivery of output that adds value and better performance -position innovation target changes in market or customer base for a product or service. This kind of strategy change meaning of a product in customer’s eyes like for e. g. four-wheel cars which originally were used for off road work became fashionable family car -paradigm innovations are based on changes in how companies frame what they do; for e. . Air Canada (the largest airline of Canada with scheduled and charter air transport) launched a discount, new low-cost international car rier in Vancouver (The Globe & Mail,2012) Fig 1. Types of innovation. Adapted from Tidd and Bessant, 2010 Innovations are often classified as either radical or incremental (Gallouj and Weinstein, 1997). Radical innovations are generally based on a big change in development that modifies the competitive market and it may results in new markets and product opportunities.Good example of radical innovation is Apple with their first PC Lisa which had graphical interface. The innovation, despite its limited success, was universally recognised as being far ahead of the competition and it took years for some of the advanced features of its operating system to be incorporated in competitors’ operating system (Rayna and Striukova, 2009). An incremental innovation is a term used when there was a minor change to an existing technology like for e. g. in case of Apple and their iPod.MP3 players had been present in the market before Apple introduced iPod but the company still succeed becaus e they made better product, which was easier to use, looked more solid and more appealing compared to other MP3 players (Rayna and Striukova, 2009). Organizational change, like innovation, is hard to specify. It can be described as any alternation or modification, which occurs in the overall work environment of an organization. Moran and Brightman (2000) defined it as the process of continually renewing an organization’s direction, structure, and capabilities to serve the ever-changing needs of external and internal customers.It tend to focus on the management of formally planned changes and it is indicating a macro- level approach, which is concerned with organisation as a whole (King and Anderson, 2002). Due its complexity, many researchers categorised organizational change in different ways, for e. g. Pettigrew (1987) separated it into strategic and non-strategic change while Goodstein and Warner (1995) divided it into incremental and radical change. However the starting p oint for discussing variations of change is Grundy’s (1993) three variations of change. The first, smooth incremental change changes slowly in a systematic and predicable way.The second variety of change Grundy terms ‘bumpy incremental change’. This is characterized by periods of relative calmness disrupted by rushing in the pace of change. Grundy’s third variety of change is ‘discontinuous change’, which he defines as ‘change which is marked by rapid shifts in strategy, structure or culture, or in all three’. There are several drivers and models which clarify the need for change. Most of them are grouped into external drivers or internal drivers (Proehl, 2001). External are those forces that are outside the organization, usually it is an economic, political, socio-cultural or technological driver.The internal drivers are those forces within the organization, which may include finance, limited skill level of employees, changes in leadership etc. Another example, presented by Anderson and Ackerman Anderson (2001) describes seven main drivers of change, which move from what is external (environment, marketplace, organization) to what is internal (culture and people). This model mainly focuses on leaders and management role as they are clearly more aware of external domains and thy play the most important part in internal domains.This is their job to implement any changes in culture, behaviour and mind-set within their company and if they will fail in that, the change will also fail. It can be assumed then, that change is about innovation and innovation is about change. Williams (2006) stated that to successfully manage innovation, company need to be good at managing source of innovation and managing innovation during discontinuous and incremental change. Once again Apple is the perfect example of company effectively handling innovation and change at the same time. They do it for e. g. y managing leadership wit hin organization. Tidd and Bessant (2005) noted that leadership strongly influences the success of change and innovation. For Apple the key role in the company played Steve Jobs and his visionary leadership: My passion has been to build an enduring company where people were motivated to make great products. Everything else was secondary. Sure, it was great to make a profit, because that was what allowed you to make great products. But the products, not the profits, were the motivation. Sculley flipped these priorities to where the goal was to make money.It’s a subtle difference, but it ends up meaning everything—the people you hire, who gets promoted, what you discuss in meetings. Isaacson, 2012 According to Hughes (2006) leading change is fundamentally about influencing groups and individuals, therefore leaders of change need to understand people. And that is what Jobs could do. He understood that customers don’t know what they want until it is shown to them. H e implemented among his employees the desire of perfect design as to him ‘’†¦nothing could be further from the meaning of design. Design is a fundamental soul’’ (Isaacson, 2012).To conclude, the concept of innovation and change is fundamental to business success. It is viewed as being extremely important for company survival and future development. Organisations such as Apple can prove the point that companies which successfully innovate also successfully manage change. References Anderson, D. , Ackerman Anderson, L. , 2001. Beyond Change Management: Advanced Strategies for Today's Transformational Leaders. USA: Jossey-Bass/Pfeiffer Drucker, P. F. , 1985. Innovation and entrepreneurship: practice and principles. New York: Harper ; Row Gallouj, F. , Weinstein, O. , 1997. Innovation in services.Research Policy 26, 537–556 Goodstein, L. D. and Warner, W. , 1995. Creating Successful Organization Change. In: Managing Organizational Change. Warner (e d. ). pp. 7-9. New York: American Management Association Grundy, T. , 1993. Implementing Strategic Change. London: Kogan Page Harsh, P. , 2011. Organizational Change. India: Dorling Kindersley Hughes, M. , 2006. Change Management: A critical perspective. CIPD. King, N. , Anderson, N. , 2002. Managing Innovation and Change: A Critical Guide for Organizations. Singapore: Seng Lee Press Isaacson, W. , 2012. The Real Leadership Lessons of Steve Jobs. [online] Available from: http://www. atheeqa. com/App_Themes/watheeqa/pdf/The%20Real%20Leadership%20Lessons%20of%20Steve%20Jobs%20-%20HBR%20l%20Apr-2012. pdf [Accessed 15th October] Moran, J, W. , Brighman, B. K. , 2000. Leading organizational change. In: Journal of Workplace Learning: Employee Counselling Today Vol. 12 (2), pp. 66-74 Pettigrew, A. M. , 1987. Context and action in the transformation of the firm. In: Journal of Management Studies, Vol. 24 (6), pp. 649–70 Proehl, R. A. , 2001. Organizational Change in the Human Service s. USA: Sage Publications Ltd. Rainey, D. LA. , 2005. Product Innovation: Leading Change through Integrated Product Development.UK: Cambridge Rayna, T. , Striukova, L. , 2009. The curse of the first-mover: when incremental innovation leads to radical change. In: Int. J. Collaborative Enterprise, Vol. 1(1) The Globe and Mail. Air Canada shuffles small-plane fleet, adds wide body jets. [online] Available from: http://www. theglobeandmail. com/globe-investor/air-canada-shuffles-small-plane-fleet-adds-widebody-jets/article4580211 [Accessed 15th October 2012] Tidd, J. , Bessant, J. , 2011. Managing Innovation: Integrating Technological, Market and Organizational Change. England: John Wiley ; Sons Ltd. The Boston Consulting Group, 2010.Innovation 2010. A Return to Prominence – and the Emergence of a New World Order. [online] Available from: http://tobiaslist. files. wordpress. com/2010/06/innovation-2010-bcg. pdf [Accessed 15th October 2012] The Business Week, 2010. The 50 Most Inn ovative Companies 2010. [online] Available from: http://www. businessweek. com/interactive_reports/innovative_companies_2010. html [Accesses 15th October 2012] West, M. A. and Farr, J. L. , 1990. Innovation at work. In: Innovation and Creativity at Work: Psychological and Organizational Strategies. UK: Chichster Williams, Ch. , 2006. Management. Canada: Thomson South-Western

Different Techniques For Providing Fresh Water To Arid Regions Of The World

IntroductionThe problem of water every year is becoming increasingly important, forcing scholars and political scientists talk about the inevitability of future conflicts over ownership of this strategic resource. Indeed, the population in the Middle East and Africa is growing at a rapid pace, and the sources of the water almost as quickly exhausted. Arid climate, uncontrolled population growth and other factors make water a truly â€Å"transparent gold » XXI century. Stocks worldwide oceanic and continental waters are 1.5 billion cubic kilometers; they are extremely high salt content and are not suitable for drinking. The share of fresh water in the world's total water is 2.53% or 31-35 million cubic kilometers. But those waters enclosed by the glaciers, which are in the form of air and soil moisture in the underground seas, are not available for development.Thus, humankind has conditionally 0.3% or 93.0 thousand cubic kilometers fresh water, which could be used for industrial an d economic goals. (USGS, 2011) According to figures published in August 2004 in a joint report by the World Health Organization and UNICEF more than one billion people still use unsafe sources of drinking water. Those most at risk are developing countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa area. African Bank experts estimate that for a radical improvement of rural water supply for the people of Africa to 2015 need to find at least $ 10 billion. In this case, 80 percent of Africans will be able to enjoy clean water, while continuing to be as massive investment in 2025 to normal water around the black continent.As pointed out by the International Water Management Institute, to solve the problem of water, it is needed to take urgent measures. In particular, to build reservoirs, use the rainwater harvesting, etc. The most acute problem of water shortage is for Africa and Asia as an arid regions and the purpose of this essay to provide and compare two possible way of solution such as desa lination and recycling.Backgroundâ€Å"Globally, water consumption over the past 100 years has increased by six times and will double again by 2050. Some countries have already run out of water and cannot produce food. The consequence will be even more widespread water shortages and soaring prices for this resource â€Å", – said the director of the International Water Management Institute Frank Rijsberman. (APEC  Water, 2011)Population(FAO Water, 2012)In the twentieth century the world's population has tripled. During this period, the consumption of fresh water has increased in 7 times, including at the municipal water needs in13 times. With this rise in consumption become the lack of water resources in many regions of the world. According to the World Health Organization, more than two billion people in the world today suffer from a shortage of drinking water. In the next 20 years, given the current trends of population growth and the world economy is expected to increa se demand for fresh water for at least 100 cubic kilometers per year.Water sources(IMSD, 2012)The 97% of water in our planet is saline water, the other 3% is fresh water. The surface water resource consists of ground water (30.1%), icecaps and glaciers (68.7%), and others (0.9%), such as water vapor and clouds. The biggest part of water that is used is found in lakes (87%), swamps (11%) and rivers (2%). Unfortunately, water problem in Asia and Africa are closely related to another equally important problem as food. Arab countries annually spend $ 50 billion just for agricultural irrigation. As the Minister of Egypt Water Resources Mahmud Abu Zeid said by 2025 90% of the Arab countries would fall below the â€Å"poverty of water resources.† To prevent this, need for a unified Arab strategy of water use. (5th World Water Forum Secretariat, 2009)Options of solutionsIn the oil-rich Arab countries went through the right, but expensive, deciding to allocate billions of dollars annu ally for the desalination of sea water. By some estimates, the Arabian country's now use about 70% of desalinate water.( NRC, 2010) However, the governments of most countries in Asia and Africa, such costs obviously can afford. Another way to save water is recycling. For example, for many years in Singapore does not throw waste water into rivers and the sea. All dirty water is recycled and cleared. Singaporeans are not only purifying sewage water. They desalinate sea water  and collect rainwater.DesalinationThe UN agencies, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the National Organization of more than 15 countries are engaged in desalination of ocean and sea water. This allows the most efficient way to absorb the wealth of the ocean water. Desalination of salt water is perspective because a large numbers of arid areas adjacent to ocean coast, or are close to it. Thus, ocean and sea water are raw materials for industrial use. Nowadays exist about 30 ways to of desalination of sea w ater. All methods of turning salt water into fresh water require more energy.In general, the share of electricity accounts for about half of the cost of desalination, the other half goes to the maintenance and depreciation of equipment. So, the cost of desalinated water depends mainly on the cost of electricity. (FWR, 2011) However, where is a lack of fresh water and exist the conditions for the desalination the cost factor recedes into the background. In some areas desalination is environmentally advantageous than bringing water from far away. Desalination of salt water is developing quite rapidly. As a result, every two or three years, the total capacity of installations doubled.RecyclingCleaning and recycling of industrial water is a key point in the cycle of water supply and sanitation. Standard cleaning contaminated industrial water will significantly improve the quality of water before re-use and avoid inappropriate use of potable water and a costly drain collection system in municipal wastewater. (Anglogold Ashanti, 2010) A problem that can be found this denial by people using of purified sewage water as the main source, but in the world there are countries which do not enjoy much of a choice.The only salvation for those countries is recycling water plants. In the case of the location on the coast, desalination is the option but if the sea is far and the country cannot afford the costs of desalination the recycling sewage plants is the good choice. Water passes membrane cleaning and disinfected with ultraviolet light: it is sufficient for industrial use. That portion of the water that goes into the water, further purified and mixed with water reserves in reservoirs, which are filtered and supplied to the taps.For instance, in Egypt they have Nile River and use its water but dirty water is  drained from the waste back into the Nile. (Ecopreneur, 2011) This kind of water cannot substitute drinking water but will significantly reduce the cost of transpor tation of drinking water and provide an opportunity for the use of recycled water in industry and agriculture for arid regions.ConclusionNowadays Asia, the Middle East and the most part of Africa has unstable supply of fresh water. Over the past forty years, the number of fresh water at the rate per person decreased by almost 60%. The main consumer of water is agriculture. Nowadays this sector accounts for over 85% of all available fresh water. Needs are increasing and the amount of water decreases. Today, almost 2 billion of people in more than 80 countries have a limited supply of drinking water. By 2025 nearly 50 countries with a total population of 3 billion people will face water shortages. (World Bank, 2007)Even with the abundance of rain that falls in China, a country half the population is not provided properly with drinking water in the regular mode. In such an acute shortage of fresh water is becoming especially popular desalination and water recycling as an alternative wa y to recharge. For the health and tone, people need clean and fresh water. Crude raw water is the cause of many human diseases, so people should not drink it. Water treatment is one of the most promising solutions to meet the needs of the population in the drinking water because groundwater resources are reduced, and rivers and lakes are on the verge of its existence.The ability of countries to solve problems related to climate change, and the issue of water, in particular, like many in the Middle East, is directly dependent on the will and determination of the political leadership of the region. (STS, 2012) Once, the King Hussein of Jordan argued that â€Å"the only question that Jordan would plunge into a war – is water.† The same opinion is shared by the former UN General Secretary, Boutros Ghali, the Egyptian, stated that â€Å"the next war in the Middle East will be over water.†

Globalization and Stereotypes Essay

The purpose of globalization is to offer other countries their ideas, and values, and attitudes, about the world. The effects of globalization will lead to stereotypical views thrown in based on what we think we know because we are trying to control other countries by telling them what is wrong with their system and how our way is better for them. The United States is considered to be a world power and deem that the rest of the world needs our guidance to become what we feel would be a better and more unified country. Globalization is in fact a major contribution on cultural stereotypes. The United States is so intent on globalizing the rest of the world that we are not taking the time to understand and know the facts about foreign countries. The U.S tends to falsely stereotype these countries based on what they believe they know even if it not all true. By globalizing other countries, false accusations are being made because we are so caught up on trying to help improve these countr ies that we tend to get blindsided by the truths and facts about these countries. We ignore all the good and positive things about countries and we only see what is wrong with their systems because we are so eager to â€Å"fix their problems†. The United States tend to be pushy and unaware of foreign countries because they do not see things from their point of view. They are constantly comparing other countries with the U.S because they are convinced that everyone is supposed to live their lives similar to the United States. The U.S has a hard time believing that other countries are happy with the way they do things because they do not compare to how the U.S functions. For example, the United States has made assumptions toward Muslim woman about how they live their daily lives. From the outside looking in, they judge them and assume they need our help because to us they look like they cannot do things on their own. As Lorraine Ali writes in Not Ignorant, Not Helpless, â€Å" †¦the United States considers them helpless victims of a backward society to be saved through military intervention (27).† The United States feel that they have to intervene to help rescue Muslim woman because they cannot protect themselves. The U.S sees them as these timid women who cannot stand on their own two feet and have very limited freedom. That was not the case because they were actually making a change on their own. Muslim woman were becoming more than what they were being portrayed as from an outsiders way of seeing things. They were doing things that were not expected from Muslim women like having white-collar jobs and going to school. Globalization causes the U.S to expand their ideas and views to other countries that they feel need change. But they are not taking the chance to become aware of the changes that have already taken place within other countries. The United States is naà ¯ve when it comes to other cultures because they are so self-absorbed in their own country that they overlook what is going on in other countries around them weather it is commendable or not. The U.S assumes that everyone is supposed to automatically be acceptant of their ideas and values that they throw at them without questioning it. The United States do not realize that every country is unique in many different ways and their ways of doing things may not work for other countries that they are trying to help. For example, many Fijian women were accepting and comfortable of their body and how they looked. But when they received access to television, which received only one channel that broadcast programs from the United States these women started second guessing themselves about whether they truly admired how they looked. The United States had influenced these women into thinking that in order to feel and be beautiful they had to be as skinny as the women t hey see on television. Fiji had their own view on what beautiful is until the U.S implemented what they viewed as beautiful. As Susan Bordo, writer of â€Å"The Globalization of Eating Disorders† mentions, â€Å"They speak to young people not just about how to be beautiful but also about how to become what the dominant culture admires, values, rewards.(19)† The United States prides itself on image. Many Americans believe that you have to look a certain way to be considered beautiful, cool, and poplar. Before Fijian women were introduced to these images they were happy with the way they looked and it was working for them but when the United States globalized that being thin was the right way to go that is when things drastically changed. The U.S purposes for broadcasting these programs were to change how Fijian people viewed looks. The U.S felt like Fiji needed change and introduced them to it through television broadcast. Fijian woman were just fine the way they were before these television broadcasts brainwashed them. Globalization is causing many cultural traditions to fade away and adapt to new changes because of the forces around them. Globalization is on the rise due to the fact that we are making a lot of new advances in many different things and the fact that everyone is starting to adapt to changes around the world. Paul Kennedy defines globalization as economies and societies coming together as a whole because of the advancement of different ways to communicate with one another. He feels that globalization is becoming more effective because countries and different cultures are producing newer and more efficient trade and investment patterns. It is not bringing the world together as a whole it is in fact changing the world to be something that it is not because it is forcing countries to be exactly like the others. Globalization is taking away everything that makes a certain country unique. By expanding our ideas, values, ideals and attitudes about the world around the world we are opening doors to some controversial things because not everyone feels the same way that we do. Globalization can be seen as an exceptional concept but it can also be seen as a poor one depending on the situation and topic at hand. The U.S believes that other countries are not well-off as they are because they constantly compare them with their own country. The United States fails to realize that every countries standards of living is different and you cannot compare each other because there is no such thing as the perfect country. Americans conclude that the United States has the ultimate world power, which is somewhat true because we have the power to influence other countries to accept what we believe in and do what we want them to do. The United States assumes they are of a higher power like they are the parents and other countries are their children. Other countries see that the United States is doing well and they believe that in order for them to do well they have to follow in their footsteps and do what they do. They think that other countries need their guidance and help and try to westernize them and make them more like the U.S. Because the United States happens to be one of the countries that seem to be perfect on the outside, they to like other countries face many problems. The United States assume that they are the perfect country but there is no way to define a perfect country. Cultural stereotypes can have a negative effect on our international relationships. By constantly making assumptions about countries and their cultures without knowing our facts can cause us to have communication barriers with other countries. It is impossible for countries to see eye to eye on things if their relationship is based on what they believe they know about each other. We cannot have progress and reach a mutual agreement on issues if we do not even know the truth about other countries. Stereotypes not only cause miscommunication but it will also lead into countries arguing which will lead into disagreements. By stereotyping other countries and cultures just makes it much harder to expand our ideals and values. I never thought that globalization and stereotypes go hand in hand with one another. When we think of globalization we automatically think of the outcome as being good but that is not always the case. Globalization can take a negative toll on countries and can cause them to completely develop in a new way. Globalization is supposed to be benefiting countries so that they can improve and introduce them to new things that they have not been exposed to before. We are supposed to be helping them to come up not bring them down. Globalization contributes and relies on stereotypes, which are not a good thing. Stereotypes are not accurate and therefore are not a valid point to rely on when we are trying to offer new ideas to different countries and cultures. The United States needs to find a new approach when it comes to globalization because our current approach in not the correct way to go about different situations and topics which have to deal with other countries. We have to learn to stop assuming things about other countries and start improving our communications with them and then there will be no more false notions between each other. If globalization is a network of communication between countries there should not be any false stereotypes between each other. This means that we are obviously doing something wrong to deal with other countries. So in order for the United States and other countries to improve on the way in which we handle globalization we have to start by working with each other and getting to know each other and understanding what works for us and what does not. Work Cited Alli, Lorraine. â€Å"Not Ignorant, Not Helpless.† The New World Reader. 3rd Edition. Gilbert H. Muller (ed.) Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2008. 26-27. Print Bordo, Susan. â€Å"The Globalization of Eating Disorders.† The New World Reader. 3rd Edition. Gilbert H. Muller (ed.) Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2008. 17-21. Print

History based on the life of the original Macbeth Essay

Eleventh century Scotland was a violent and troubled country. Family and supposedly loyal friends rebelled against one another for trading and territory purposes. The threats of an enemy invasion or an attack on fortresses were extremely common. Rampant Vikings and local Scottish men raided constantly to weaken and more importantly drive out the stubborn opposing forces that lay in their way. Macbeth was born into this dangerous environment in 1005, son of the victorious family that stamped its authority on ‘Moray’ and ‘Ross’ [significant areas in Scotland]. The family itself betrayed themselves as being loving and caring to one another, however, internally they were scarred mentally, as a consequence of their father’s death who was evidently murdered by his cousins. Macbeth obviously emotionally distracted by his father’s death, concentrated his thoughts on leading a comparatively normal life, supported by ‘Brauch’ his new partner [granddaughter to a ‘High King of Scotland’]. Subsequently they had no children of their own. The present ruler of Scotland was Duncan, an ineffectual and seemingly unpopular person amidst the civil problems. Not surprisingly someone assassinated him at the age of thirty-eight. Historians believe that it may have actually been Macbeth, but there is no conclusive evidence to confirm their theories. Macbeth seized this unique opportunity, and was elected ‘High King of Scotland’ in 1040; he ruled for seventeen years. As predecessor of the reviled Duncan, his first priority during his initial ten years in power, was to bring peace and relative stability to his problematic kingdom, notably he was fairly successful at doing-so; he became a reforming King accordingly. He managed to balance out and annihilate the majority of the negative feelings amongst the population. Unfortunately for him, his greatest and most fatal hurdle materialized in the form Duncan’s son Malcolm, who was absolutely determined to take control of Scotland. He ingeniously invaded the region in 1054, aided by the English King ‘Edward the Confessor’. Macbeth himself was brutally exterminated on the 15th of August 1057 at ‘Peel Ring Lumphanan’ in ‘Mar’. He was buried at Iona, respectively; the sacred burial place of the Kings of Scotland. Was this epic period of Scottish History the basis for Shakespeare ‘Macbeth’? Shakespeare was a talented playwright, not a historian. However, the past provides an excellent source for basing a flourishing play. It is exciting factual material with which [if one is intellectually sound], can modify and adapt to conjure up maximum dramatic effect and a truly brilliant and entertaining ‘stage production’. Historical evidence bestows writers with a fruitful background; an imaginative base on which one can construct a sophisticated plot that entices the audience’s mind, body and soul. For Shakespeare this would have been incredibly difficult to originate, hence the gathering below the rostrum; that were either damn right rude or absolutely sloshed. Indeed, it is true to say that some of his dramas were not as appreciated or dominant, fortunately Macbeth proved different, and would be a prevailing theatrical production for hundreds of years. Shakespeare was an independent character, one who thrived on his own personal achievement, and one who was not afraid to alter and develop certain features regarding a story to accomplish ultimate dramatic effect. The epicentre of Macbeth pivoted around the eleventh century ancestors; he obviously acknowledged the great potential in these characters. He evidently thought it necessary to convert, invent and abolish particular characteristics surrounding the events of eleventh century Scotland. He established ‘Lady Macbeth’s’ sleepwalking and death, the banquet scene and Banquo’s ghost, and most of the cauldron scene. With a little imagination and adaptation he reversed King Duncan’s nasty personality into a loved and greatly appreciated ‘role model’. He also eliminated Macbeth’s ten years of good rule to make the scenario and atmosphere more effective; everything he purposely altered was in the interest of the play. Interestingly, King James I was in power, when Shakespeare first presented Macbeth in 1603. I personally find this rather intriguing, because the actual storyline consists of many of King James’s personal comforts and interests. It is obvious that King James was a superior influence on the outcome of the play; he helps to conjure up some fruitful inspiration for Shakespeare; this, and the colourful Scottish pass times, provides a feast of information and ideas for Shakespeare to weave his magic upon. He gratefully accepted this priceless gift, and transformed it into one of the greatest tragedies this world has literally ever experienced. What message is Shakespeare trying to get across? I feel it important for one and me to understand that the play is meaningfully founded on the ‘corruption of power’. Although the supernatural, fascinating individuals and mysterious undertakings create a unique atmosphere to the play, the nucleus consists off events that revolve around the abuse of power. It is true to say that this is present and happening in our modern society, take ‘Hitler’ for example. He was a dictator who possessed a lethal amount of power, he used it to brainwash people, so that he could do what he wanted. He started by wiping out an entire race, known as the ‘Jews’; he and his fixation to be in control was a major factor in triggering the Second World War. A comparison can be made between him and Macbeth, both of which abused their authority. Shakespeare is trying to get this eminent message across to his viewers. Witchcraft and Murderous Schemes. If one is familiar with the tragedy, one will know that Shakespeare wrote and directed it, at a time in which murders and witchcraft were everyday issues. In fact, the majority of the general public seriously believed and feared the paranormal universe, so much so, individuals who were thought to be actual witches were tried, tested and eventually killed. During this time, ‘witch mania’ reached terrifying proportions; hundreds of innocent people [usually women] were condemned to immediate execution, without an adequate assessment. As anticipated, a small minority were against this mass persecution, but they and their justifiable opinions were suffocated without due consideration by the bulk of the general public. Essay Targets. Macbeth has complicated plots that comprise of numerous acts and scenes. I am attempting to devise an essay focusing on three specific scenes. The essay is to be written in a ‘director’s point of view’ – as if I was to direct these three selected scenes: Act I, Scene 3. Act I, Scene 5. Act 5, Scene 5. I feel that these three scenes collectively describe the basic tale and downfall of Macbeth himself. Act I, Scene 3 – meets the witches, which influences his decision to kill the king. Act I, Scene 5 – Lady Macbeth plots to kill Duncan herself and confides her thoughts in Macbeth. Act 5, Scene 5 – As a consequence of his murders, everything has come back to haunt him. He is about to be attacked by the English army, and inevitably faces the decisive punishment for his sins†¦ Death!!! I deem each scene to be off substantial importance, all independently help to develop and illustrate the overall narrative too. Unquestionably, each one has to be directed appropriately, to attain the audiences’ concentration, and to merely get them philosophizing about the story. An enthralling location is also absolutely necessary, the audience needs to be encapsulated by the setting and circumstances. The following essay denotes each scene autonomously, and expresses my feelings and points of view on how I should direct and conduct all three scenes to achieve a stunning atmosphere to mesmerize and amaze the spectators. My main objective is to manipulate selected characters and transform their personality and temperament to improve the play and exaggerate the horror theme. The fact that Shakespeare himself, left no stage directions leaves the doorway open for any willing direct to interpret the actual play, as he/she wants. Over the centuries, several producers have devised their own technique and developed the plot to create their own translation of the enigmatic ventures of the Scottish hierarchy. I have committed my play and essay to a ‘film production’. I have chosen to adopt this particular method, because I feel that it would fit perfectly into a modern day movie, which has the funds and technology to support graphic and suitable special effects. I have observed a modern day interpretation of the play; it was staged on a rough Birmingham estate. For some bizarre reason though, the actors referred to the direct text, but conveyed them in a ‘Brummie’ accent; this was literally diabolical. It simply did not complement Shakespeare’s’ erratic language, the pronunciation was awful- quite positively negative. I on the other hand deem it more appropriate to compose the epic tale of Macbeth’s downfall in its indigenous and traditional generation. Director’s point of view for Act I, Scene 3. Summary of scene: Macbeth and Banquo meet the witches, Macbeth is returning from the battle with his gallant companion and hearty Scottish nobleman, Banquo. Their journey back to the King’s camp takes them over a deserted heath. Here, the witches lie in wait for them, talking as they generally do about an evil spell they have cast upon one unfortunate person. The mist clears Macbeth and Banquo unexpectedly see the witches. They demand that these creatures: ‘so wither’d and so wild in their attire’, explain who they are. When the witches speak, they greet Macbeth as ‘Thane of Cawdor’ and predict that he’ll become king. To Banquo they foretell ‘Your heirs will be kings, although you will not’, they then disappear, before a bewildered and perplexed Macbeth can inquire about their prophecies. I feel it compulsory to point out that this scene is the penultimate in the opening trio, therefore a lot of planning and thought has gone into directing it, hence the fact it’s considerably longer than the other two scenes. Uncharacteristically, I have chosen to direct the third scene instead of the first. Respectively both are of great significance to the outcome of the play, but the third introduces the witches, their first apparition, Macbeth and Banquo. Like the opening scene, this one needs to be just as effective to conquer the audiences’ awareness. In this scene the witches encourage Macbeth to believe that he is invulnerable and indestructible. The intereference of the witches influence Macbeth’s actions; he immediately considers to commit ‘regicide’ against King Duncan ‘ If good, why do I yield to that suggestion/ Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair/ And make my seated heart knock at my ribs/ Against the use of nature’? These four sentences help to describe Macbeth’s feelings, he is basically thinking about the proposed murder, he does this by making references to certain features on his body. For example, your heart pounds when you’re excited or nervous. Macbeth having possession of all the confidence in the world as a consequence of the witches’ predictions and the recent victory in the exasperating battle fears no one. I find it hard to appreciate the reliance and dependence confined in the witches and their prophecies by Macbeth; after all they are absolute strangers. This is why I’ve chosen to portray the witches as attractive housewives, hopefully this will make the scene more believable, because men are easily dominated and controlled by beautiful, seductive mistresses. This needs to apprehend the audience’s interest, so that they can acknowledge the circumstances and understand what’s actually happening. I will set the play on a desolate, open stretch of countryside. It will be nighttime with a low and eerie fog making visibility poor. This will intensify the atmosphere, because the audience will instinctively be weary of the surroundings and the mysterious environment. The witches, Macbeth and Banquo are all dominant and important characters, thus meaning they need to be familiarized and introduced, so the audience recognizes who they are later on in the film. The scene will get underway with Macbeth and Banquo strolling over the motionless fields, discussing the eventful battle, although you will not be able to hear them, because only a sinister genre of music will be heard. They are going to be dressed in war-like clothes; therefore the audience will directly associate them with a battle of some description. In the near distance a lonely farm building will stand [the audience obviously noticing this, should already be imagining what’s in it and are Macbeth and Banquo going to go there]? The interior of the barn will be exceptionally gloomy, but in the far corner three ugly hags are going to be highlighted by specifically positioned lightning. The witches are severely deformed, to leave the audience feeling astonished and expectantly physically sick! The witches will speak in macabre tone of voice, whilst speaking to one another. Their wicked conversations will consist off evil material e.g. ‘Killing swine/ and like a rat without a tail/ Here I have a pilot’s thumb, wrecked as homeward he did come’. The presence of the witches and their repulsive words is a created stimulus that makes the play a great deal more engaging, therefore the overall production benefits and improves considerably. Their physical appearance and cursed lines keep the audience hooked, simultaneously the supernatural element increases the suspense with every scary sound and disgusting illustration produced or described by the witches. Macbeth and Banquo feeling exhausted from their tiresome day will seek deserved refuge beneath the suspicious looking dwelling. The tension and suspense will certainly be enhanced amongst the audience obviously fearing the couplets safety as they cautiously enter. However, they will be treated to a pleasant surprise, this is due to the sexy figures gathered in the corner of the room. Using contemporary technology and realistic special effects, the hideous threesome will magically be converted into gorgeous bitches! The transformed witches disguised as randy and bored housewives will [without doubt], outstand and arouse the audience together with Macbeth and Banquo. This is known as ‘dramatic irony’, when the watchers know something that the characters don’t. The witches dressed in a low, red cut top [showing an outrageous amount of cleavage] will immediately greet the dazed Macbeth and Banquo with verses of factual information and weird prophecies. The amorous ladies will speak in a confident, persuasive, but somewhat devious tone of voice, thus causing the men in the room to absorb these queer predictions. The audience would accept the witches’ original nature and accept the fact that beautiful seductive women are able to force gullible/intelligent men to believe in them and their words. Obviously, Macbeth and Banquo will be confused and amazed, but in some sense enthusiastic about the apparition. As they attempt to verbally challenge the witches, the room will suddenly become silenced, with them both pondering their recent experience, the atmosphere again changes though, as Ross and Angus storm into the equation. Ross and Angus stunned to find their chums under these certain circumstances try to regurgitate the report sent by the king. Gradually, as Ross explains the situation to Macbeth and Banquo [regarding the former ‘Thane of Cawdor’ and him being sentenced to death for treason against the king], the witches’ prophecy is beginning to unfold. Therefore Macbeth needs to act in an astounded manner, altering his body language and facial expressions accordingly best shows this. Macbeth has chosen to renovate his character, and so he keeps his feelings and thoughts to himself. This is aptly shown as he speaks to the audience alone [aside]. His soliloquy refers to and describes his ambition. The prophecy that was revealed by the witches brings a broad temptation to Macbeth that had been his secret all along for being a king, for example: ‘ My thought, whose murder yet is but fanastical’. This purely indicates Macbeth’s great ambition, he is already thinking about killing Duncan. If the audience is reasonably clever, they will detect this too. Another distinctive line is ‘Nothing is, but what is not’. He is referring to the recent events, commenting on the sensational proceedings. During this scene the plot is potentially discovered, it helps to entangle and trigger off the storyline. Although the words are enormously imperative, the characters and their actions are equally significant, in conjunction with one another, the audience understand what’s going on. The scene will end with Macbeth and Banquo standing side by side, contemplating their prosperous future. The camera will zoom in on Macbeth and his cunning visions of murdering Duncan. Unlike Banquo, who is triumphantly imaging his sons being crowned, with him in the background looking on proudly, crying sweet tears of joy? Director’s point of view for Act I, Scene 5. Brief summary of scene: In this scene Lady Macbeth plans a murder. She lives at home in there castle at Inverness. Lady Macbeth has received a letter from her husband; in it he tells her about the witches prophecies. She is interrupted as a messenger arrives telling her of the king’s visit. She realises that this is the golden opportunity to kill Duncan, the king. Her treacherous thoughts are kept to herself, unlike Macbeth who suppresses them. She makes her mind up that the murder must be committed that night. When Macbeth arrives at the castle ahead of the king, she exclaims convincingly that she has arranged everything. Lady Macbeth is the second most dominant influence on Macbeth. As soon as Lady Macbeth learns of the words spoken by the weird sisters, she instantaneously analyses Macbeth’s future i.e. if Duncan were killed, Macbeth and her could acquire Scotland. She vigorously studies the letter and assesses the situation, considering the best and most suitable option to chose, in order to bring her eagerly awaited success. If I were to direct this scene, I would set it in Lady Macbeth’s chamber; this is because bedrooms tend to be a solemn place of privacy and security. The bedroom is to be very grand and ornate, with elaborate walls, preferably in a blood-red colour, this is to emphasis the theme of blood that runs throughout the play. Lady Macbeth dressed in her sexy, soft; silky nighttime gown will try to interpret the epistle relaxing on her mahogany ‘four poster bed’. Under a quiet, pleasant piece of music, Lady Macbeth’s voice is to be sounded above the music, reading out the letter to herself, she will also over exaggerate particular words and phrases, which depict Macbeth’s thoughts. Whilst peacefully examining the letter, succeeding in comprehending it, she will act in a attentive fashion. As the production is a film, I have decided to include visual images of Lady Macbeth’s perceptions of the letter. When reading it, there will be metaphors of Lady Macbeth conjuring up pictures of her and Macbeth sitting gloriously on the throne, with hundreds of spectators gathered below, robustly singing their praises. To accompany this ceremony, a victorious composition will engulf it, however, these false celebrations will be disrupted as she resumes normality awoken by an attendant. Things could just not get any better for Lady Macbeth; the attendant brings delightful news concerning Macbeth’s and Duncan’s arrival. The supernatural is again underlined and called upon, this time by Lady Macbeth. She forms an imaginary conversation with the evil spirits, asking them to assist her murderous plans: ‘Come you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here’. When the conversation commences, Lady Macbeth is going to gaze up at the ceiling and perform actions with her hands where appropriate e.g. ‘Come to my woman’s breasts’ she will be clenching her bosoms as she speaks. Again, faded scenes of wicked witches will corrupt her mind, these will then turn into vivid images of her viciously stabbing Duncan to death with a decorative candlestick, as he sleeps. You will then he totally horrified by her face speckled with distinctive spots of blood. Another will then immediately follow this bloodcurdling incident; her menacing eyes will stare at you, threatening you, frightening you!!! With an ounce of luck, the audience will be completely petrified, thus achieving maximum dramatic effect. Over pictures of gruesome violence, a terrorizing sample of music will be heard. During Lady Macbeth’s deceitful outburst, many references to blood, light and dark and hell are made e.g. ‘Come thick night, and pull these in the durnest smoke of HELL’. All of these factors exaggerate the horror theme and atmosphere. Macbeth then enters the bedroom, instantly Lady Macbeth [being the scheming bovine she is], craftily asks her partner [when he claims that Duncan is coming] ‘and when goes hence?’ In other words when is he going, so I know when to conduct his brutal surcease? Being a woman in all, she is able to change nature and personality whenever she feels it obligatory to fool or persuade Macbeth. Subsequently, she goes on, to subtly describe about disguise: ‘To beguile the time, look like the time/ look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t’. She is relating these lines to the killing of Duncan, in such away that the audience and Macbeth cannot really appreciate or indeed realize. I would instruct Lady Macbeth to deliver these disloyal words in a convincing way, almost as if she’s reassuring Macbeth about the murder. Macbeth does actually distinguish Lady Macbeth’s words, but he fails to comment on them, instead he ignores her, and demands to talk at a later date. By this time, the murder is already almost complete. Directors point of view for Act 5, Scene 5. Brief summary of scene: Macbeth prepares for battle, is busy setting up defenses all around Dunsinane Castle. Most of his noblemen and soldiers have rebelled and joined the other side, but he is certain he cannot be beaten or not until ‘Birnam Forest’ comes to ‘Dunsinane’ [as a consequence of the witches new appairitions]. What he does not know is that his enemies have agreed to meet at ‘Birnam Wood’. When the soldiers gather there, each one is given the branch of a tree to camouflage them as they move forward to launch an attack. As he is organizing for the battle, he thinks how meaningless life is. Just then, a messenger announces that Birnam wood appears to move. After the initial murder of Duncan, Macbeth persists in his violent actions and continues to kill more, in an attempt to become ruler of everyone and everything north of the border. Once the first the killing took place, the ball started rolling and unfortunately did not stop, that is up till now. Macbeth is facing unavoidable death, the ultimate punishment for his many sins; his castle at Dunsinane is surrounded with him at the epicentre amongst the entire calamity, but yet he still have faith in the witches predictions, and why not? The witches prophecies and apparitions have so far proved correct, significantly, the prediction concerning Macbeth’s mortality: ‘No man on earth shall harm him’, is about to prove incorrect. However, the arrogant Macbeth seriously supposes himself imperishable, consequently fearing no one. He is undisputedly emotionless this is shown in line 9: ‘I have almost forgot the taste of fears’, clearly his mental state is severely befuddled, his aspiration has got him where he is and under these particular state of affairs, he cannot turn back the clock, he simply has to face the penalty of his slaughterous actions. Remarkably, he does not sense any guilt either; instead he concentrates his efforts on the seemingly impossible encounter ahead. Even when is once loved wife dies, he fails to physically react, he simply gathers his thoughts and feelings and distributes them into a touching paragraph; yes, even the audience cannot help to feel for the desolate Macbeth. He once walked upon lifeless stretches of open countryside accompanied by his dearest friend Banquo, now he is the dirt on which his predecessors and countless enemies tread. This scene resembles Macbeth’s uncomfortable position, and his feelings; it needs to be incredibly effective to achieve the right atmosphere and tension. A more suitable location could not have been selected; the castle at Dunsinane is the perfect setting under such awkward circumstances. With the castle encircled and the defeated, lonesome, loathed figure stranded at the centre, the scene is an awesome opportunity for a willing director like myself to challenge. The scene will commence with an aerial view of the castle and the environment engulfing it, the audience will now understand Macbeth’s situation. Thousands of infantry will be advancing towards the castle under the natural camouflage off tree branches, a strong drum beat intentionally heard by the audience, will encourage the soldiers to move forwards. Meanwhile, Macbeth seeking what he considers to be relative safety in the castle will burst onto the scene in an aggressive manner. A room sited at the top of the castle [overlooking their boundaries], will suddenly be animated as the door flies open with a terrific thud, followed by a apprehensive Macbeth, Seyton and three rather nervously looking soldiers. A window foreseeing the countryside ahead and the moving woodland will be an important feature in the room, this is because Macbeth will stand in front of it [with his back against the opening], facing the anxious congregation organized below. Macbeth dressed in his gleaming armour tries to rally his troops by expressing valiant words of defiance: ‘Our castle’s strength will laugh a siege to scorn; here let them lie till famine and the ague eat them up.’ This successfully illustrates his current state of mind, he is positive and thinks that he and their stronghold will hold out against the enemy, the audience should sense this by listening to the tone in which he conveys his words; he will do so in a self-assured and powerful manner. During his defiant speech, a high-pitched squeal will be heard, immediately the audience and Macbeth will demand to know what it actually was. Seyton acknowledges that it was a cry of women. Macbeth reflects in a ‘sorry’ tone, his emotions; the way in which he delivers these might effect the audiences opinion of him. The audience realizes that he was once a good fellow, who fought bravely and cared for ones close, they should almost feel a bit of sympathy towards him, but then they compare him to the coward he has become, one who deserves everything coming his way [that is in the form of an entire army, seeking revenge for the futile murders he has committed]. Seyton informs Macbeth that it was his wife ‘Lady Macbeth’. Once more Macbeth expresses his thoughts on the matter, almost as if he is looking back and regretting his actions. The audience will be able to identify the real Macbeth again, as he comments upon ones’ life, comparing it to ‘Lady Macbeth’s’ and his. The atmosphere at this point will be depressive, due to Macbeth’s sorrowful words. However, the mood will revolutionize on the arrival of a messenger bringing shocking, but inevitable news. I will instruct the messenger to act in a stunned manner; he will also find it increasingly more difficult to tell Macbeth of the moving forest, approaching them at a rapid pace. Macbeth purposely rejects this news: ‘Liar and slave!’ even though he knows full well that there true, because the witches told him so. At this meticulous moment, a flashback will occur, this will consist of haunted reminiscences of the raunchy women retelling the third apparition stating: ‘Macbeth shall never vanquished be until Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane hill shall come against him.’ In other words, you will never be hurt or even destroyed until Birnam Wood moves towards Dunsinane [this will help to remind the audience about the apparition]. When Macbeth resumes regularity, he will again, persist in not believing the messengers words of truth, perhaps he does not want to believe them, because he knows that the end is near. Regardless of this, he has come too far, and so he will fight to the very last second. At the conclusion of his final dialogue in the scene, he will turn to observe the view outside, noticing an entire wood gradually moving closer, this signifying that his death is exceptionally near, a vacant expression on his countenance will demonstrate this completely.

Book Review of A National Party No More

C. he claims that he had hoped that he would find Washington to be â€Å"the place where great issues of the day are debated and solved, and great giants walk those hallowed halls.† Instead he discovered what Washington D.C. was not at all like he had hoped and this angered him â€Å"on behalf of Americans† (Miller 8). In his career Miller has served the State of Georgia as an administrator of a number of â€Å"vital agencies, as an assistant to two governors, as head of the State Democratic Party, as Lieutenant Governor, and then as Governor† (Miller introduction no page number). He also served in the Georgia State Senate from 1965-1969. He failed in his attempts to run for the U.S. House of Representatives from Georgia. In addition Miller served in the U.S. Marine Corps and has taught at four different colleges. It is worth noting that the majority of these positions are executive positions not legislative positions so serving as Georgia’s United States Senator put him into a relatively unknown form of government where he lacked extensive experience and none on the national level. It appears somewhat incongruous that a marine would be a lifelong Democrat since military personnel currently tend to lean toward the Republican Party. Although Miller served only three years in the Corps it is clear that his experiences affected him greatly because he has written a book Corp Values: Everything You Need to Know I Learned in the Marines.† Miller’s book was occasioned by his experiences in the U.S. Senate beginning in 2000, in combination with his advanced age. Miller was born in 1932 according the reverse side of the title page. The book was published in 2003 so Miller was 70 or 71 at the time his book was published. This is certainly not an issue of itself, but one wonders if Miller would make the same claims he had entered the same Senate at the age of forty or fifty. Miller alludes to this when he writes that he has â€Å"arrived at a station in life where I hear the whistle of that moral policeman we all have to answer to . . .† (Miller 1). He takes the occasion to advise â€Å"members of my Democratic Party and other politicians who are so far out of touch with regular Americans to ‘shape up'† (Miller 2). This position, that tacitly assumes he is correct while other party members who disagree with him are wrong, is strongly reminiscent of an elderly gentleman on the brink of retirement who climbs on a soapbox to â€Å"straighten out† the next generation. This is not to say Miller does not make some good points, he just does not prove them nor give the reader sufficient information to determine if Mill is correct. The book suffers significantly because it has no notes, no bibliography and no index. Consequently the reader has no opportunity to check either the statements Miller makes as being either true or false. Many of his claims are supported by anecdotal evidence based on his memory of what happened throughout his career. Miller calls himself a Conservative Democrat, an unusual designation, but not an illogical one. Despite this he is known to have been a supporter of President George W. Bush and announced in 2003 that he would support the Presidents re-election. He spoke at the Republican National Convention in 2004 in support of the President. Such actions hardly indicate a lifelong Democrat. Miller criticizes the Democrat Party because the leaders, he claims, have ignored the opinions of Conservative Democrats in the South, about one-third of the U.S. population, and have told them to â€Å"go to hell† (Miller 9). He appears to assume that all Democrats in the South are Conservative Democrats because he is one and that they all agree with him. He fails to mention the non-conservative Democrats in the South and seems to assume there are none. Miller concludes the Democrat leadership disagrees with Southern Democrats on the critical issues of â€Å"capital punishment, late-term abortion (even with a lot of pro-choice people), trying juveniles as adults, national defense, and the teaching of values in school† (Miller 3). Miller’s reasoning process is suspect for a variety of reasons. First, it is not clear that these are the critical issues, at least on a national level. Capital punishment has been left up to the states and should not be regarded as a national issue, as are abortion laws as long as laws do not restrict a woman’s right to control of her own body. Trying of juveniles as an adult does not seem to be a national issue either nor should it be. The current system presumes juveniles will not be tried as adults unless there are significant overriding reasons for doing so. The decision of where to try a juvenile is judged on a case-by-case basis which is as it should be. As far as the teaching of values as a national issue, it is clearly an important issue that impacts people throughout the country, but the Federal Government has no basis to determine what values should be taught. Miller seems to have completely forgotten the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution that reserves to the states any powers not delegated to the federal government and not prohibited to the states shall be a state power. It is apparent that many of these critical issues are state issues. National defense clearly is a national issue, but federal taxes, the deficit, Medicare, and Social Security benefits are as well, but Miller doesn’t mention these issues. Miller’s has a rambling and folksy writing style that slips from story to story and slides from point to point in a chaotic fashion that defies linear analysis. He chooses his anecdotes by cherry picking stories that will reinforce his position even if they are not related to the Democratic Party; on page 145 Miller quotes The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, Winston Churchill, and Rodney King on the same page in support of a chapter entitled â€Å"Give to Bigotry No Sanction.† Certainly a case can be made for citing Rodney King, but the other two sources were clearly not written in support of civil rights in the United States. To his credit Miller admits mistakes he has made during his career. He points out that during 1964 he had â€Å"proclaimed that there should be an ‘investigation of Communist infiltration in the civil rights movement.’ What an idiot!† (Miller 143). This is remarkably refreshing given the current climate of politicians who consistently hide what they have done and deny they have done it until they are proven to have done it when they will admit and ask for forgiveness. On the other hand this begs the question as to just how much credence one ought to place in the writings of a self-proclaimed idiot. Miller claims that the Democratic Party no longer represents the majority of Americans and has become distinctly too liberal in relation to the United States’ population as a whole. This is an interesting position. Miller does not claim the leadership is wrong on issues, just that they disagree with Southern Conservative Democrats such as himself. This leaves the possibility open that the leadership is correct and the membership is wrong, but Miller fails to allow for this possibility. If this proves to be the case, it appears that Miller is advocating that the Democratic Party concern itself, not with the correct solution, but with gaining power again. A National Party No More: The Conscience of a Conservative Democrat is largely not successful. His conclusion has merit but his treatment of the issues is inferior. The lack of references is a major weakness that could be easily corrected. Miller’s failure to move in a linear, logical fashion in favor of using a disjointed, episodic style greatly reduces the effectiveness of Miller’s writing. Rather than being the scathing indictment he hopes to provide that will help the Democratic Party, Miller’s book feels more like a farewell by a statesman whose party has evolved while he has not. His gloom and doom predictions for the Democratic Party made in 2004 proved him incorrect since the Democratic once again gained the majority in both houses. Although Miller makes some interesting points that have validity, his book should be read with circumspection. Works Cited Barnes, Fred. â€Å"Zell Miller Endorses Bush.† 29 Nov. 2003. The Daily Standard. 20 April 2007. Miller, Zell. A National Party No More: The Conscience of a Conservative Democrat. Atlanta: Stroud and Hall Publishing, 2003. â€Å"Text Of Zell Miller’s RNC Speech.†Ã‚   01 September 2004. CBS News. 20 April 2007   ;http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/09/01/politics/ main640299.shtml;.

High temperature polymers Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

High temperature polymers - Essay Example Introduction: Polymers or most ordinarily known as plastics is used abundantly in a wide range of applications. In fact, they are seen almost anywhere in our daily lives. Polymers are those substances that are composed of individual monomers cross linked with long chains and bonds. They are composed of a long chain of carbon backbone constituted with other elemental contributions such as O,N,S,F, Si and S. Polymers are organic materials. Generally, their basic properties include lightweight, good insulation properties, ductile, low strength, and good noise and vibration dampers. There are plastics used widely in many industries and can even be seen in everyday lives. Majority of the packaging materials seen today uses polymers with varying densities. Polymer molecular structures are large with complex bonds and chains. There are high density polymers and low density polymers. As per molecular structure, these polymers differ in their chain length, chain branching and the inter-chain bonds (Reusch). As a common misconception, polymers are said to be applied in low temperatures as they are known to degrade immediately with the presence of heat and exposure to high temperature. There is however, a special kind of polymer- the high temperature polymer that exudes exemplary properties greatly superior than ordinary ones. Their applications are slowly introduced in the market and little by little replace the more conventional structural materials. High Temperature Polymers: Definition and Properties Plastics as considered with their physical appearance are not known to be used in high temperatures due to misconception that they easily melt with application of heat. This may be true somehow as most plastics found in nature are easily destructed with high temperature. However, there are some kinds of plastics that are designed differently from all the rest. Indeed, there are plastics and polymers that are resistant with temperatures and they are guaranteed to be of bes t application when high temperature and heat are concerned. High temperature polymers are those plastics that can withstand temperatures above 135oC. They are known as the ‘commodity’ plastics and at the moment, it has increased in the percentage in the total plastic usage (Performance 1). These are stable plastic materials derived through lengthy and vigorous research works and innovative inventions of brilliant minds that walked through this life that prove that the synthetic chemistry field has reached maturation. Applications of these materials range widely as there are many technologies where these polymers are used. It is important to note that high temperature polymers have properties that bypassed those ordinary ones. Heat transfer is mostly through conduction. Specific heats have a range of 0.7-2.5 kJ/kg-K. Polymer composites on the other hand have variable specific heats depending on the average weight of the components. Thermal conductivity ranges from 0.1 -0 .2 W/m-K (Tant et al 4). It is also important to note that the value may differ when there is incorporation of other particles in the materials (5). The maximum tensile stress application can reach from 455 kPa or 1820 kPa (6). Properties of composite polymers that are applicable for high temperatures have higher values as compared to other materials. High temperature