The Manchurian Candidate

Films have always been an outlet for a confused society; with themes of politics, religion, relationship and illness movies are the way the modern world deals with its hardships and examines its own motives and actions.   â€Å"The Manchurian Candidate† is one of the more controversial films in this eye-opening genre, with political themes running strong throughout in such a way as to seemingly point fingers and make strongly opinionated remarks about our current political situation. The 2004 film was remade from an earlier 1962 version, which before taking that format was actually a novel written by Richard Condon in 1959.   Its political premise was originally based on the Cold War; the book and the original film shied away from the usual opinion that it was Communists who were solely misguided and instead portrayed a world where Communists, Capitalists and everybody in between was faulted ideologically.   The people in Condon’s book existed within a conspiratorial net that saw brainwashed operatives of the Communist Party seeking to take office and exploit their position for monetary gains (Gianos 1998). The 2004 version, by contrast, has been quite clearly adapted for the age of the War on Terror, with Communists replaced by the new perceived enemy, corporate giants, in this case â€Å"Manchurian Global†.   It becomes clear as the movie progresses that the main characters have been brainwashed by Manchurian Global to protect and grow the interests of the corporation. One character, under the direct influence of his power hungry mother, seeks election into office, while the other is representative of an entire section of the military in supporting his campaign.   This latter character, Marco, becomes suspicious of his own actions concerning the vice-presidential candidate, Shaw, when he realizes that he and every other military officer who served with his is using the exact same words to describe their support of the man; basically that he is a wonderful man and an excellent soldier who will make the best vice-president. Marco believes he is suffering from a mental illness, and seeks help from the military doctors who are pledged to offer comprehensive care following service in the army.   They seem willing to help until Marco finally refuses the pills they keep giving him.   He claims they don’t work and that he wants something different, however the doctors won’t do anything for him – in fact they are very concerned about his refusal to accept their treatment.   In the end, Marco pieces together the entire story that he has forgotten: while serving together in the army, he and his companions, including Shaw, were brainwashed by Manchurian Global to support the candidacy of Shaw while Shaw himself was groomed to take the vice-presidency. Through the brainwashing, the corporation expected to gain high level contracts and a huge amount of money and power.   It falls to Marco to expose the plot and explain it to Shaw before he gives the company and all the people connected to the plot exactly what they want.   It is a story of corruption in government and the overall will of those in powerful places to exploit whoever is necessary to stay on top and bring in the cash. The reverberations of this film in current American politics is very strong and very controversial.   Political controversy in film is of course not a new thing; Brian Nerve explains that Hollywood has been a refuge for the suspicious world since its earliest days, and that movies like â€Å"The Manchurian Candidate† are not the product of unsound minds but of a lack of transparency throughout the political world (Nerve 1992). This movie in particular has been built upon that ever-present facet of the American public: the conspiracy theory.   Whether it’s a Presidential assassination or a corporate cover-up, Americans want to know every detail and whether or not there are real conspiracies of this magnitude actually occurring is difficult to tell when questions constantly go unanswered and the imagination takes over.   More than anything, Manchurian Global has a startling likeness to American corporations like Halliburton, who have in recent years been harshly chided for their role in global inequality and exploitation in the name of money. The people in league with Manchurian Global are portrayed as basically heartless, inhuman and scandalous; these elements of scandal can always be found in political films according to Gillespie and Lerner (2000).   The producers were well aware of the parallels they were drawing between their characters and the members of America’s present government, and the audience was generally predisposed to believe the worst of its government before seeing such a shocking story of manipulation played out for them onscreen.   They wonder if they are being brainwashed to accept a fabricated reality, or if they are simply not seeing the whole picture. In its entirety, â€Å"The Manchurian Candidate† has questioned the accuracy of media portrayals of events in such a way as the American public truly wanted to see – however the movie was so undeniably outrageous in its plot details that instead of reinforcing the idea that the government is hiding something from the public all it really did was make the audience question their current beliefs concerning conspiracy. Few people are prepared to believe blatant military brainwashing, and this is the major weak point in the film.   â€Å"The Manchurian Candidate† is a movie that sets itself far apart from mainstream entertainment in its political aspects and ideas.   It has drawn an audience mostly intent on getting angry at the state of government and politics, though unfortunately in the end it falls short.   Instead of solidifying current thought patterns or expanding on them, the film merely sparks doubt in the minds of those most willing to believe its plot.   All in all, â€Å"The Manchurian Candidate† is quite unworthy of the hype. Works Cited Gianos, Phillip. Politics and Politicians in American Film. CT: Praeger Publishers, 1998. Nerve, Brian. Film and Politics in America: A Social Tradition. New York: Routledge, 1992. Schultz, David. It's Show Time!: Media, Politics, and Popular Culture. New York: Peter Lang, 2000.      

Aliens, Go Home

Should illegal immigrants be sent back to their countries, or should they be granted amnesty? Is this a question of morality or of uncomplicated national policy?Granting amnesty for illegal aliens forgives their acts of illegal immigration and implicitly forgives other related illegal acts such as driving and working with false documents (www.usamnesty.org). Why should a national policy be bent to such extremely unreasonable extent?If the matter is about morality, it will be highly subjective as morality is prone to being understood from too many various perspectives, the result of which can be too complicated to deduce into a single stand.However, if the matter is about uncomplicated fundamental national policy, which states that illegal immigrants should be punished because they clearly broke the law, the matter becomes very basic and very easy to see.Illegal immigrants are lawbreakers. Why spare them of the punishment that they have prepared themselves for in the moment that they decided to break the law? It does not make sense.Even though statistics from various polls illustrate that most Americans are in favor of granting illegal immigrants the amnesty (USA Today) they need to subsequently get a green card, it is still not a good thing to do.For one, granting amnesty to illegal immigrants is tantamount to admission of a weak national policy, ergo, a weak national system. Why create a law that you’re ready to break?If you’re changing your laws for the convenience of people who were ready to break them, what is now the distinction between the ruler and the subordinates? Much worse, who is now ruling in the country that had created the laws in the first place? Aliens?Second, granting amnesty to illegal immigrants is unethical. At the risk of crossing the borders of morality issues, illegal immigration is first and foremost an issue of ethics. Illegal immigrants might argue that they have the right to exercise freedom of movement; however, freedo m of movement only applies to movement within national borders (Wiki).Third, granting amnesty to illegal immigrants is a crystal clear invitation to future lawbreakers. Regardless of any reason for such an act, which others deem reasonable and humane, the truth of the matter is that it will eventually backfire and bring forth more trouble than ever. Future offenders are watching.If they see that there’s a way to get away with being an alien, then they will fear less about breaking in borders and entering a different country. Then the weak system will be subjected to an unimaginable, albeit invited chaos, coming from different nationalities, into one nation. What good will it do, considering all the possible clashing of cultures and vanishing centuries-old traditions?Each country has had a way of living that is distinct from the other. One way of preserving this is restricting the number of immigrants and standing guard against the destruction of old and protected cultures. No country will succeed in doing this if illegal immigrants are tolerated beyond what national laws provide for.Fourth, an increasing threshold for the tolerance of illegal immigrants will inevitably give way to the entrance, proliferation and perhaps subsequent tolerance of human and drug trafficking, which is a nightmare for a country that is supposed to protect its constituents. (americas.org)Having said the four major reasons for eliminating the possibility of granting amnesty, this paper will now enumerate reasons why illegal immigrants should be sent back to their countries with a definitive malicious record of being an alien at least once.Immigration amnesty can potentially benefit a massive 12 to 20 million illegal immigrants currently living in the United States. (www.usamnesty.org)This number of people should be sent back to their countries because, for one, they are law breakers. Second, if they could ignore their own countries laws, what good can they do for the country th ey moved in? Considering this massive number of people, would it be much surprising if criminal acts increase in a nation?This is not to say that undocumented aliens are automatic criminals. But consider this, won’t any one of them be suspect?Some EU member states are currently receiving large-scale immigration. Spain, for one, has created more than half of all the new jobs in the EU over the past five years, and is now a destination for undocumented aliens. These jobs should go to the people of Spain, not to the aliens!The thing is, the matter is not about what majority thinks, but simply, it is about what is right. Illegal immigrants should be sent back to their countries and be marked, so that other countries will take note that they were lawbreakers once, and so the undocumented aliens could feel the magnanimity of the offense they have done.It is bad enough that some people have trouble following the law. How much worse could it be if a country creates a system where law s can be break and amnesty can be granted such that any potential offender could feel free to follow in the footsteps of those who had broken the law before them?

I am happy Essay

I think, happiness lies in living a plain life within one’s own means. If you follow the dictum ‘cut you coat according to your cloth’ and live within your own means, you will not need to trouble your head to get a loan of money or to pay back loan. Besides, you will not be a parasite or a dependant on others and your free mind will bring you immense happiness. Happiness lies not only in the life of plain living but also in the life of high thinking. So, a saying goes on ‘plain living and high thinking’. If you live a life of high thinking the trifling worldly troubles will not disturb your mind. With your high mindedness and broad heartedness you will be able to excuse your small complaints and thereby you will be free from a lot of troubles. High-mindedness depends on plain living. If you do not be plain in your living you will fall in constant wants and you will become a self-seeker which will lead to low mindedness and meanness. So, in order to live a happy life, you should follow the dictum ‘Plain living and high-thinking’. Health of body and peace of mind are necessary for living a happy life. You can get health of body and peace of mind by following the principles of hygiene and ethics. Idleness, is the greatest enemy of happy life. So, you should cast off your idleness if any and do some useful and productive work. Adjustment, understanding, co-operation and tolerance are necessary for leading a happy life. So, also love, affection, sympathy and fellow feelings are necessary on your part for making your life happy. Now, I point out a very important thing for keeping a happy life. That is you cannot live happily if your neighbors are unhappy and sad. You cannot enjoy your full meal if a neighbors of your lies in starved condition. Conversely, if you find that your neighbors are happy, happiness will automatically come to your mind. So, my idea of happy life is that one should conduct in such a way and live in such a manner that his neighbors will not suffer in any way on one’s account. you should not hurt them either in mind or in person or in property. Besides, you should sincerely try to alleviate their sorrow. Here lies the true sustenance of one’s happy life. So, you should try to make others happy in order to live happy life for yourself. These are the sum  total of my idea of happy life.

Analysis of Education in California Research Paper - 1

Analysis of Education in California - Research Paper Example The state plans to bring back some programs that were eliminated during the great recession denying many learners many high-quality services enjoyed by learners in the other states. There are other reforms by the government and the education sector in the 2014-1015 budgets to aid the ailing education sector. The reforms will help reinstate confidence in the education system in California state and assist students to acquire competitive skills like their colleagues in the other states. The education system in California has both public and private schools such as the University of California, California Community Colleges, public and private elementary schools, private colleges and universities, and, any high schools. California has the highest population in the US with many school students at all education levels. According to the 2005-2006, the state had around 6.2 million scholars in all school levels exerting pressure in public schools (McClanahan, 2011). The state lags behind in staffing and funding of education especially in the District of Colombia. The teacher-pupil ratio is also big with one teacher handling 21 students according to the 2005-2006 school year reports. Students from African America families are living below the poverty line and cannot fund their education fully. California public schools quality of education has declined in several dimensions since the 1970s with little intervention (Newfield &Lye, 2011). The state of education in California has declined greatly especially in public schools. The state and the local districts many very huge cuts in the budgets of various schools due to the hard economic times. The leaders mostly try to find short-term solutions to the problems hoping that the economy will recover and do not want to make the hard reform choices.  Ã‚  

Design and Technology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Design and Technology - Essay Example I will accomplish this survey by walking around the bank and interviewing those related to my area of concern. For instance, the head of banking security in your facility may help me answer a few questions. Those in charge of monitoring surveillance facilities will also be interviewed. Entrance guards will also be important in this survey by answering a few questions regarding their place of operation. I recognize that banking security is a critical area of study. Because the security of the bank forms the basis of operating the bank in this locality. Compromising the security of this facility may lead to a failure of the whole banking system. Due to this proper care will be exercised during this study. All information obtained from this survey shall be kept confidential. I will ensure that the data obtained from this survey is restricted to class use and no other malicious use. I will not discuss or share your bank information with any third party as this is likely to compromise the security of your bank. The Bank of Kentucky definitely is among the largest commercial banks in the region. The bank has a sole aim of providing the best financial services to each customer they serve each day. Over time, the bank has grown attaining its targeted 100000th deposit account in 2010. The bank is celebrating over 20 years of service since it first started receiving deposits from its customers. The services offered by this bank include saving accounts, fixed deposits accounts, lending services, foreign exchange among other banking and financial services.

Political Science Syria Government Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Political Science Syria Government - Essay Example However, this was not the case because in a rare show of unity between the Republicans and Democrats, there was widespread opposition to any strikes against the Syrian government, or any direct involvement of the United States in the conflict, hence ensuring that the government remains accountable to the American people. The fact that there was widespread opposition to United States involvement in Syria from both parties is a true statement of the sensitivity towards this issue that the American public feels (McDonnell). In a rare instance of unity, the representatives of both parties seem to have, almost unanimously, chosen to set an agenda that represents the true feelings of their constituents, who are for the most part weary of war. In fact, polls showed that the United States should stop concentrating on the solving of external conflicts and instead concentrate on solving the growing number of problems on the domestic scene. Despite the seeming unity of the two parties concernin g Syria, the fact has all along remained that the United States government does not have a clear policy concerning Syria and this is perhaps the reason why the conflict has continued for the last two years. This conflict has, however, also created a situation where it has become difficult for the United States to deal with the diverse consequences such as the development of the refugee problem (Sly). It is more likely than not that the continuation of the Syrian conflict will create a refugee problem, as Syrian refugees seek to settle in the United States. The fact that Syrian refugees will likely seek asylum in the United States has become a worrying subject in both parties and this is likely to be another issue which will unite the Democrats and the Republicans in a bipartisan way. In addition, the Syrian war has caused the allies of the United States in the region, such as Turkey and Jordan to have an influx of refugees which has created a sad situation in these countries (Araabi ). The fact that the Democrats and the Republicans, despite proving that they can work together, have yet to coordinate their efforts to come up with a clear policy concerning Syria, which should involve the ouster of the Syrian government and president, is most disturbing. The United States Congress should put pressure on the government to ensure that it creates a clear policy that will enable the bringing the Syrian conflict to a conclusive end that will provide lasting peace for the Syrian people. Both the Democrats and the Republicans believe that the Assad regime has lost its mandate to rule over the Syrian people and because of this, it must go. This has been a standing position of both of these parties since the beginning of the conflict, but despite this, there has yet to develop a clear means through which the Assad regime can be ousted (Kostyaev 54). In addition, both parties have found that the continued rule of the Assad regime will be detrimental to the refugee situatio n in the country. This is mainly because of the fact that there will be an increase, not

The Case of the Performance Appraisal Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The of the Performance Appraisal - Case Study Example At the very beginning of the hiring process, discrimination maybe avoided through adequate training of individuals involved in the selection process on age discrimination laws and regulation, creation of a well-structured criterion that is not biased heavily towards younger applicants. Like all problems revolving around the workforce, age discrimination is also an issue that is best handled as early as it occurs. A strong commitment by the management and a proactive attitude towards the elimination of this problem is essential. This involves a careful review of job descriptions to analyze the scope of responsibilities at each position and ensuring the existence of a good compensation system. Additionally a clear and transparent performance appraisal system is necessary in communicating a just and fair management that bases its decisions for layoffs on performance indicators as opposed to controversial factors such as age.(Jenny Cromie, 2008). Experts propound that decisions that are based on â€Å"the position and not the person† are less likely to be received as discriminatory by the workforce (Jenny Cromie, 2008). In a study on age discrimination in stimulated employment settings it was found that older people are less likely to be rated favorably in the absence of job relevant information (Finkelstein, Burke & Raju 1995) In order to discourage discrimination by coworkers, managers must ensure the clear communication of company policy on age discrimination highlighting its commitment to providing equal opportunities and maintaining a fair approach towards the entire workforce. Section III An increasing number of employees are covered by the Age Discrimination and Employment Act (ADEA) which overs employees over 40 years of age. Such laws in addition to a relatively sluggish world economy has contributed to a large number of older workers preferring to stay in their jobs for longer than some employers may expect (Jenny Cromie, 2008). Under such conditio ns it is not uncommon that corporations are often drawn into lengthy lawsuits by laid off employees in addition to facing the lack of morale in the workers that remain. It is therefore useful to consider alternative options that allow organizations to retain their elderly workers without experiencing an increase in costs. A mutually beneficial arrangement in the form of ‘Job Sharing’ appears as a useful tool for employers who wish to retain older employees. This could effectively make it possible for the business to make part time work available and hence attract applicants while still retaining the full time coverage of a job. The combination of different perspectives and experiences on the same job can be fruitful in generating new and creative ideas and speedy problem solving techniques. Encouraging professional development of the work force in general and ensuring adequate training of older employees as newer systems are adopted can also help in reducing the gap bet ween

The control of legionnaires disease in water handling systems Essay

The control of legionnaires disease in water handling systems - Essay Example More than 90 per cent of the exposed persons become ill, but pneumonia does not take place and full improvement can be expected. Legionella bacteria are obviously dispersed in ponds, streams, lakes, rivers, soil, mud and underground water. In 1976, a conference held at the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel, more than 182 Legionnaires developed pneumonia and more than 29 people died from what was then an unidentified disease. Finally, the bacterium that was accountable for the disease was inaccessible and named Legionella pneumophila, and the disease related with it became known as Legionnaires disease. The cause of this particular bacterium was at last exposed to be the hotels ventilation and humidification system. Under favorable circumstances, Legionella bacteria may build up in cooling towers, evaporative condensers, hot water systems, spas and humidifiers. The quick expansion of Legionella pneumophila is supported by a wet, warm atmosphere, stagnation or low water return, high microbial attentiveness including algae, amoebae, slime and other bacteria, existence of biofilm, scale, sediment, sludge, corrosion products, existence of certain materials such as natural rubber fittings which may be a nutrient cause. Legionnaires’ disease is generally passed on when aerosol mists holding high attentiveness of Legionella bacteria are gulped into the lungs. Drinking water and washing in water having small numbers of Legionella is not acknowledged to result in infection. Person-to-person diffusion is also not acknowledged to occur. Sporadic and epidemic types of Legionnaires disease take place in Australia. Legionella infections are thought to account for 5-20% of community-acquired pneumonias. Occurrences in Australia are usually related with man-made water systems as well as water-cooling towers and spa baths. Home and institutional warm water systems are prospective causes of Legionella infectivity but are only infrequently implicated

Business in South Africa Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4250 words

Business in South Africa - Coursework Example With the aid of the SWOT and PEST analytical models, it was determined that the South African e-commerce sector is indeed a lucrative one, despite the ongoing global financial crisis, which started way back in 2007. Therefore, it is recommended that Google penetrates the South African market by creating an online community portal only, while maintaining its main operations in the United States. Module 1: IDENTIFYING GLOBAL BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES Business Idea As one of the world-renowned providers of information through search engine services, Google is trying to expand its coverage not only in the Asian subcontinent, but into the African territory as well. That is why, the current paper will study the various points for consideration, particularly the strategic implications of such a move on the company’s operations and financial conditions. The service will not just include providing Internet for the community per se, but it will also include providing the community with a p lace for socialization online, complete with business advertising, contacts, community information and the like (Modise, 2011). Such type of service would be a novel package for Google because the pioneer for such business venture is ITEC with its Portal de Ciudad website package in Spain (â€Å"Interview with†, 2010). Utilizing the simplest, yet one of the most valuable analytical tools, such as SWOT analysis, PEST analysis and Porter’s Five Forces model, the different key merits of conducting such a market penetration strategy would be identified and later incorporated into a strategic implementation process, which would also be outlined in the current paper. Potential Markets Google has a large variety of products and... Determining and analyzing Google’s opportunities in the South African market would require the utilization of two analytical methods, namely SWOT and PEST. Analyzing the immediate environment using the SWOT model would allow for a better understanding of the company’s strengths, opportunities and threats, all of which are vital for the success of our business venture in an entirely new locale of operations.The current paper discusses various political, economic, socio-cultural and technological conditions that have an impact on Google’s international strategy, particularly in maintaining its spot as a well-known search engine service provider all over the globe, while endeavoring to penetrate the booming South African e-commerce market. With the aid of the SWOT and PEST analytical models, it was determined that the South African e-commerce sector is indeed a lucrative one, despite the ongoing global financial crisis, which started way back in 2007. Google network ing system in South Africa will be a vital factor in the development of this country. As a result everything will be improved. From the finding of cheaper products will enhance the profits of our harbors because of the lower outside influences on countries to trade within our harbor, thus creating a larger market of opportunity. The adaptation of Google falls into a demand whereas not to many family have access to the internet. The solution in this case will be a decision whereas charity will grow for the potential use of schools in almost every region of South Africa.

Nursing Initiatives in Global Health Promotion and Education Assignment - 1

Nursing Initiatives in Global Health Promotion and Education - Assignment Example Health education is a function of various health professionals, but more so for nurses who often spend the most time with patients and their families; and who are often deployed in the community setting. It is therefore important to conceptualize a program which can maximize the role of nurses in health education and community activism. Hence, this program is being conceptualized as a means of improving the health outcomes in China. Goal: To conceptualize a health education plan which will be taught by the hospital nurses to their patient during the latter’s stay in the hospital and by community-based nurses in the community setting a. Teaching the patients and the members of the community (especially those with children of immunizable age) the importance of participating in the government’s EPI (expanded program of immunization). a. Teaching the patients and the community the different benefits of adopting a healthy diet and exercise in one’s life. This includes teaching the patients the different essential foods which can provide optimum health and resistance to diseases. c. Teaching the patient and the community the importance of avoiding excess intake of alcohol and/or drugs; the benefits of quitting smoking; and the different ways they can avoid the transmission and the acquisition of sexually-transmitted diseases. b. Teaching female patients how to properly conduct breast self-examination and male patients how to conduct prostate self-examinations. This also involves teaching patients the different early signs and symptoms which can indicate the presence of diseases. Nurses are at the very forefront of healthcare delivery. Among all the members of the medical team, nurses spend the most time with patients. They are present at almost every stage of the treatment process – from admission to assessment to treatment, and on to discharge.

Compare the management of a public service in the UK to that of one Essay

Compare the management of a public service in the UK to that of one other country of your choice. What does the comparison tell you about the factors that shape public management in each country - Essay Example igned to provide specified benefits, financial risk cover, and improved access to health services with the goal of improving the health outcomes (Baum, 2009). The healthcare programs are not meant to provide coverage for all people of the country and neither are they meant to provide treatment for all ailments. The healthcare policies are decided by three important dimensions. These refer to the people who are covered, the services that are covered along with the extent of costs that are covered. The topic of healthcare is selected since it affects all citizens of a nation. While rich people can afford to take private medical treatment and healthcare, the poor and middle class people, retirees and those with disabilities depend on the social healthcare systems to survive and lead a meaningful life. These are the reasons for selecting the topic. UK and USA are two nations that have a very effective and much debated healthcare system that are advanced and equitable in the application ( Rogers, 1997). Hence, these two nations are selected. Next chapters will examine various issues related to this subject. As a matter of policy, NHS collaborates and works with international organisations such as WHO, UNO, UNICEF and other health and social care agencies. NHS has a sustainable development unit called NHS SDU and this department takes up projects with WHO to develop support packages for WHO European Member States. NHS provides projects help on two components. These are the technical guidance for sustainable health systems and the international route map. As such, NHS does not obtain any funds from international organisations and its activities are guided by the NHS board (NHS SDU, 2012). Hofstedes cultural dimensions provide an indication of the national culture of a nation. It indicates the manner in which citizens of a country would respond to certain situations, the manner in which they react to positions of authority and power and the manner in which they react as a

How it has reshaped the World Essay Example for Free

How it has reshaped the World Essay The history of science is marked by discoveries or inventions, great or small, which have, as a characteristic feature, refined humanity’s existing understanding of the world. Though many of these discoveries were accessible, and appealing, to those that had the knowledge and expertise to comprehend them, ever so rarely came a discovery (or invention) which redefined the world as we understood it with their remarkable scope, explanatory power, functionality or clarity. As the process of scientific discovery and technological development progressed, such moments of redefinition became genuinely rare, and it necessitated that only an invention of unparalleled accessibility could have as profound an impact on human society as, for example, the invention of the telescope or the discovery of Cartesian coordinates. The invention of the internet was one such event in the history of science. During an address in September 1999, Jeffrey Cole, (the then) Director of the Center for Communication Policy at UCLA, remarked that in 1996 â€Å"[he] discovered that television viewing among kids under the age of 14 was down for the first time in the history of television. For the first time in the 51 years of television, since 1948, kids had found something they liked as much or more than television – computers and the Internet. † (Cole, 1996, p. 1) That the interest in television had waned in itself was a startling fact. But, there are greater ramifications of this observation; the television was a source of information and entertainment, not a primary medium of communicating or doing business. It operated along regional, national and international networks, with varying accessibility. The internet, on the other hand, is expressly a global gateway (albeit with some restrictions, which we shall encounter below), characterized by the free flow of information with hitherto unknown swiftness. The ‘World Wide Web’, as the internet is sometimes called, has been an irreplaceable tool of the process of globalization, while the globalizing world has increasingly depended on the internet for faster communication, spread of information and economic transactions. The upshot here is that this mutually reinforcing dynamic has had a deep and lasting effect on human society; while we have witnessed an economic and communications transformation, the emergence of a global, homogeneous culture along with a global polity and risk culture cannot be denied (Aronson, 2004). Also, partly due to the internet revolution, time and space seem to be collapsing (Harvey, 1990; Agnew, 2001). We shall continue, now, to survey these various effects that the internet has had in â€Å"reshaping† the world. II. The Internet, Culture and Our Daily Lives To assess the impact the internet has had on culture in general, and the habits and practices of our daily live in particular, we must start by making am important qualification: the rise of the internet has meant that a â€Å"digital divide† is created between those who are comfortable with using the new technology and those who are not (Aronson, p. 635). The sharing of information and ideas through virtual communities also gives rise to â€Å"smart mobs† (Rheingold, 2003), meaning that individuals now interact with institutions in novel ways. The growth of technology subjects culture to pulls in several directions. A positive aspect of the internet is that it provides an inexpensive medium of communication, allowing individuals the possibility of maintaining their familial, cultural, religious or ethnic ties across geographical spaces. Equally, however, the exposure the internet grants also develops shared affections for things such as movies, music, cuisine, etc. So, identities become increasingly cross-cutting rather than remaining segmented; global citizens today share multiple identities (Aronson, p. 635). This leads to urban cultures resembling one another, with differences between people diminishing. In our daily lives, the advent of the internet has had many penetrating effects. For instance, communication through â€Å"social utility† websites such as Facebook, a concept inconceivable in the past, has now become an everyday activity, supplanting postal mail and (even) e-mail. Things such as buying groceries and movie tickets to paying bills and looking for a new place to stay can all be done instantly through a computer with internet access. Without expending a great deal of physical effort, many routine tasks can be performed from the comfort of one’s home. The perceived benefits, or lack thereof, of these changes vary from person to person, though there is no denying the convenience of completing everyday jobs online. The impacts of internet use are even more pronounced in areas where communication was previously a challenge; a recent study shows the positive changes in the Shippagan Area in Canada by easing daily operations and improving access to required information (Selouani and Hamam, 2007). However, the use of internet technology depends a lot on context; a study based on micro-level sampling in the Pittsburgh, PA, led scholars to suggest that â€Å"[using] the Internet generally predicted better outcomes for extraverts and those with more social support – but worse outcomes for introverts and those with less support. The studies suggest that many people, especially those with good social resources, have integrated the Internet into their ordinary lives to their advantage. † (Kiesler et al. , 2002. ) This takes us back to the qualification of the digital divide we made at the beginning of this section. A cultural connotation of the same could engender a concept of the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots’, fueling the process of otherization between cultural perspectives. However, with the intermingling of cultures – meaning cross-cutting identities – as discussed above, such a turn of events looks unlikely in reality. III. The Internet and the Economy The biggest upshot of the internet is that it tends to promote economic growth, by way of increased trade, information on investment opportunities, expanding the range of options for consumers and providing an easy reach to products across the globe. Companies, as well as countries, that make use of the technological advantages of the internet may enjoy an â€Å"information edge as they compete and grow† (Aronson, p. 633). Locally, this means that any business can have instant global marketability, by setting up a website informing prospective customers of their products and employing an online transaction system. Globally, due in part to the proliferation of the above local phenomenon, and due also to the growing public awareness of the convenience of e-businesses, there is an increasing reliance on doing business through the internet. Over time, this inexpensive structure leads retailers and distributors to also take their businesses online. As this process intensified over the last (roughly) two decades, some sweeping expectations were fielded by analysts about the effects of the internet on specific industries in the economy. In a report published by Statistics Canada in November 2006, four key identified areas of change were analyzed: the paperless office, the end of postal mail, the demise of professional travel and the end of traditional retail. Upon surveying the facts, it was found that paper production and consumption in the world increased from 1983 to 2003, as did the volume of postal deliveries. So is the case with professional travelers and retailers in that time frame (Sciadas, 2006). This derives two important conclusions: firstly, the advent of the internet has had a great impact on the world, no doubt, but it is yet to supplant traditional means of conducting business totally; secondly, and more importantly, the changes in the economy effected by the internet shows the increase in the volume of transactions, business establishments and opportunities the world has experienced. Consumer adaptability to this new situation has also thrown up novel ideas. Online money transfer systems, such as PayPal, offer effective alternatives to traditional banking, especially for transactions online. The possibility of being cheated by fraudulent companies and retailers has spawned various kinds of consumer safety initiatives, like the Internet Crime Complaint Center and the Internet Fraud Watch. A study in 2001 showed that, among other things, internet users frequented retail stores more than non-users; they had access to a far greater range of products and services, and were more quality conscious (About. com, 2001). Importantly, the use of the internet does not guarantee an equitable distribution of growth within or among countries. In fact, global uneven development in a globalizing world is a recurrent theme in scholastic research; the gap between the rich and poorer countries has only widened after the internet revolution (Agnew, 2001), reflecting another facet of the â€Å"digital divide,† this time among countries. E-commerce may even go so far as to undermine national economic policies, while facilitating crime and corruption. Global networks, Aronson contends, are the glue which holds together transnational criminal activities, ranging from drug smuggling and weapons trafficking to the smuggling of nuclear weapons-grade material and human body parts, as well as human trafficking and money laundering (p. 635). IV. The Internet and Access to Information The internet revolution supplied a corresponding information revolution, which has meant that, on the whole, retrieving data and information on any subject is almost instantaneous. This virtual store of information, which is open to anyone interested enough to find things out, has been another great boon on the internet. Aside from the economic benefits of greater access to information, there are several socio-political benefits of such access. The distribution of public documents online has made it easier for people to use these resources and be more informed of public policies, legislations and the conduct of government. Due to this easy availability of information, the possibility of the emergence of a more aware civil society is greater than before. Individuals and groups, cutting across the political spectrum, can agitate administrations and influence decision-making precisely because they are armed with an increased access to vital information. However, some studies do suggest that this kind of political transformation still has a long way to go; though political mobilization has not grown as expected, while political balkanization has indeed risen (Cornfield and Rainie, 2006). In addition, the internet has had a huge impact on education and learning. The wealth of information online, along with the digitization of library resources, offers students the latest and most relevant information on any subject of study. Moreover, the utility of the internet in learning is valid vertically through K-12 education to graduate studies. The internet offers access to new methodologies in teaching and verbal communication in class, while for students there is a plethora of resources related to help them through their coursework, and aid preparations and strategies for tests. Students tend to use the internet to supplement their studies, using it for research, completing and submitting assignments and to find additional study materials (Machotka, Nedic and Nedic, 2002, p. 1). Of course, this increased access to information does not come without its disadvantages. Access does not equal internalization, and thus, having greater access does not mean a corresponding increase in knowledge. Gaining knowledge is a completely singular process, where the wealth of information can never be helpful without the ability to process and analyze the same. Further, the ready availability of much information, rare and treasured in earlier times, runs the danger of evaporating their value and depreciating their utility. For example, the excitement in encountering a classical text, of which libraries would carry few copies previously, is entirely lost when the same is available across the internet as a digital document. Though this enhances the possibility of a greater readership, it dramatically reduces the aura surrounding a great work. Apart from the more aesthetic perspective elaborated in the preceding paragraph the access to information also facilitates the dangers of which Aronson informs us above. Transnational crime feeds off the increasing web of information that is available, and uses the same to circumvent law enforcement agencies and employ new strategies of deception. V. The Internet and Social Interaction As briefly mentioned earlier, social communication websites (for example, Facebook, Orkut, Bebo, NetLog and many others) have redefined the way in which we keep in touch with our friends and family. These websites allow users to update personal information, upload pictures and moderate how much information they wish to make available about themselves online. These are not only popular among high-school and college-going students, but also among working professionals, providing an informal environment of communication. In fact, websites such as LinkedIn are now using similar architecture to create virtual networking portals where professionals can establish industry contacts. Craig’sList, on the other hand, is an effective tool which lists local classifieds. The global scale of such ventures is clearly evident in the increasing popularity of websites such as CouchSurfing, which allows registered users to offer or obtain free (or cheap) accommodation while traveling abroad. Another means of social interaction spawned by the internet has been the phenomenon of web-logging or â€Å"blogging† as it is more popularly known. There are literally millions of blogs on the internet, with many of them being sources of deep and insightful observation, commentary and analysis. Message boards are yet another means of communication, where individuals can anonymously socialize on the internet. With this expanding notion of social interaction, many believe that it is possible to involve and use technology strategically to bring about positive social changes. This argument is largely in view of the global civil society movement, in which the internet could be used as an effective tool for collaboration, mobilization, publishing reports and findings, and observation (Surman and Reilly, 2003). For researchers, the internet holds the key for the development of the social technology movement, and the differing views about the internet – the internet as an open network vis-a-vis the internet as a closed, commercial network – have stunted its growth. The variegated means of social interaction have also drawn detractors. Ru Guangrong, at the Chinese Information Center and Defense Science Technology, has a lengthy list of problems with the internet movement as a whole. (Though these issues pertain to all sections of discussion in this paper, we choose to highlight them here because they lead to the larger question of censorship on the internet. ) Guangrong claims that the internet: propagates Western beliefs and values; â€Å"degrades and repudiates† opposing viewpoints; can be used against national sovereignty; advocates Western lifestyles; assists â€Å"dominant cultures†; corrupts people’s minds and morals; is a waste of time and resources (1998, p. 5). As a remedy, Guangrong suggests, among others, a system of restrictive access and the moderation of available information. While this take on the World Wide Web may strike one as extreme, it does inform the reader on the climate of internet-related restrictions that prevail in the People’s Republic of China. It also poses the question of whether those in power should reserve the right of censoring information on the internet, however harmful or inappropriate they might consider the same. Indeed, there are compelling views on either side. On one hand, censorship on the internet encroaches upon the freedom of expression, a right which is universal in free societies. It makes no sense, for those sharing this view, for the internet to be censored, not least because it has no territorial underpinnings and is not governed across geographical spaces according to the laws of different countries. On the other hand, supporters of censorship argue that if there can be laws protecting consumers against internet fraud, the there could also be laws that restrict the flow of information online. The latter appears to be a paternal argument, claiming to secure internet users from unknown dangers; though it is difficult to support it, the jury is still out on the question of internet censorship. VI. Conclusion There are fears that because of the growing influence of the internet, an overwhelming commoditization of values, where one’s existence is measured in terms of possessions and acquisitions, shall tend to supplant societal values that have developed over centuries. A generalization of this, along with a rapid spread of the â€Å"demonstration effect† could mean the evaporation of cultures and cultural identities, which would only be preserved in nomenclature. However, such a view is unduly (and overly) pessimistic; it does not take the good of globalization, be it the advancement of scientific enquiry and discovery, empowerment of civil society, or greater accountability and transparency in governance. The internet, regardless of its detractors and many negative effects – as discussed above – remains a tool which carries the potential of bringing people together by making them more tolerant of different cultures and worldviews. Future generations will come to depend on the services of this great invention more heavily; indeed, there shall come a time when life without the internet would seem inconceivable. The use of internet technology has made life increasingly simpler; it is this aspect of the internet that one must focus on to contemplate the paths to the future, rather than magnifying its ill effects. References About. com. (March 12, 2001. ) Americas New Consumers: How Internet Use is Redefining the Marketplace. Retail Industry, About. com. Retrieved 28 May, 2008, from http://retailindustry. about. com/library/bl/bl_rsw0312. htm Agnew, J. (April 2001. ) The New Global Economy: Time-Space Compression, Geopolitics, and Global Uneven Development. Center for Globalization and Policy Research, School of Public Policy and Social Research, University of California at Los Angeles. Retrieved 28 May, 2008, from http://www. sppsr. ucla. edu/cgpr/docs/workingpaper3. doc Aronson, J. D. (2004. ) â€Å"Causes and Consequences of the Communications and Internet Revolution. † In Baylis, J. and Smith, S. (Eds. ). The Globalization of World Politics (3rd ed. ). Oxford: Oxford University Press, 621-644. Cole, J. (September 21st, 1999. ) Speech: How the Internet Is Changing Our Social, Political and Economic Lives. The Milken Institute Forum, 1-12. Cornfield, M. and Rainie, L. (November 5, 2006. ) â€Å"The Impact of the Internet on Politics. † Pew Internet American Life Project. Washington DC: The Pew Research Center. Guangron, R. (1998. ) â€Å"The Negative Impact of the Internet and Its Solutions. † The Chinese Defense Science and Technology Information Monthly, 121, 1-9. Harvey, D. (1990. ) â€Å"Pt. III: The Experience of Space and Time. † In The Condition of Postmodernity: An Enquiry into the Origins of Cultural Change. Cambridge, MA: Blackwell Publishers, 201-325. Kiesler, S. , Kraut, R. , Cummings, J. , Boneva, B. , Helgeson, V. , Cra

The Psychology Of Personality Psychology Essay

The Psychology Of Personality Psychology Essay Oprah Winfrey is one of the most influential black American women. She was born on January 29, 1954 in Kosciusko, Mississippi of USA. When she was young, she lived in a very poor surrounding with her grandparents despite her parents were separated. At the age of six, she moved to stay with her mother. Consequently, she was being sexually abuse and molested by male relatives and she endured the hardship. Right until she was fourteen, she moved again to stay with her father in Nashville Tennessee. Living with her father was not the hope she was looking for because that her father was loving and yet a real strict towards Oprah. She created conflict with her fathers high standards by dealing with drugs, rebellious behaviour and even lost a premature baby. She eventually settled down after being awarded with a University Scholarship. Although, her early years in life were filled with hardship, she still graduated as an honours student. Oprah graduated as a BA in Speech and Performing Arts from Tennessee State University. She was highly inspired by her fathers high standard to aim and achieve more from life. She began her career in the media industry and worked as a news anchor and reporter for television station in Nashville on the WTVF-TV station at the age of nineteen. She started to enjoy her work where she was able to be herself and express her own opinions and share her true feelings when she shifted to morning talk show AM Chicago at WLS-TV in Chicago. The show had become the number one ranked right after she started and it was renamed as The Oprah Winfrey Show after a year. Her show went on to become one of the highest ranked television talk show programs in history with twenty million American viewers every week. She had become famous by hosting her own show, which she really enjoyed that as her career (Fry). Section B A theory of human behaviour emphasizing the drive to overcome feelings of inferiority by compensation and the need to achieve personal goals that have value for society. Individual Psychology by Alfred Adler (Mifflin, 2007). Adlers theory talked about birth order and parenting style impact on personality in his assumptions of human nature. Oprah Winfrey was the only child in her family. According to Adlers theory, only child will tend not to lose primacy and power, besides, he or she will mature at early stage of life and may have certain issues in places where they are not the centre of attention. I believe that Oprah never loses her power based on Adlers theory in birth order, thats why she is able to build up herself again after all the hardships she has been through. But what about her parents parenting style? Basically, her parents were separated from each other and she had been put to a very poor environment with her grandparents when she was six. Thus, she was being neglected instead of pampering, in result, she received too little of attention from parents, and being sexually abuse and molested right until she was fourteen. She was able to endure all the hardships because she believed in her power, which I think the power comes from the nature of birth order that she had it. Upon staying with her father, she started to receive parental love for her father, although it was just single parents love, but I guess she would have been very grateful and appreciate the love. But her father was very strict as well, he had a very high standard for Oprah to aim and achieve more from life. Due to high standard, her behaviour had caused conflict with her fathers strict rules. But she eventually settled down everything after being awarded with a University Scholarship. She changed her wild behaviour because she knew she had a goal to accomplish from this university. As Adler said in his theory, behaviour may change throughout a persons life span in accordance with goals. According to Individual Psychology theory, life is a dynamic towards completion, perfection, superiority and mastery, which Adler is referring to human motivation as striving for superiority. Oprah acquired this human motivation from her own power and will, her fathers love and standard, and the scholarship. Striving for superiority is when one overcompensates for the feeling of inferiority and motivates the individual to seek for perfection and drive him or her to the goal for a total future (Mitchell). I believe that Oprahs striving for superiority is what makes her to be a very successful and talented television talk show host. But according to Adler, he said sometimes inferiority complex might happens as well, inferiority complex is defined as people couldnt overcome it and running away from the challenges, I bet this complex happened to Oprah when she was staying with the mother, which she was sexually abuse and molested. Due to unable to against, she developed inferiority compl ex and endured through all this suffer. Adler also described four different styles of life, which can be created by ourselves because we, human beings are non-deterministic and the life style is developed from the creative power of self (Luttrell, 2009). The four styles of life according to Adler are ruling, getting, avoiding and socially useful. Each of the styles is conceptualized in terms of degree of social interest and activity. I think that different people at different stages and environments in life might eventually shape their personalities based on Adlers styles of life. For instance, Oprah was given a very poor environment at the age of six, thus, she would be the getting type at that moment. She wanted to expect to be given everything she needed as a child, such as parents love, hugs, kisses or even being pampered. Unfortunate, she couldnt get it. In spite of that, she compensated her inferiority and developed superiority complex, thus, she has been shaped from getting type to socially useful type. Adler explained that socially useful type exhibits activity in the service of other and they always confront the life problems and endeavour to resolve them in a manner consistent with the needs of other individuals. Up until now, Oprah still belongs to this style of life; she has touched millions of lives in American and other countries. There are few of her achievements and deeds that really opened my eyes. She was the first black person that was being listed in Business Week as one of Americas top 50 most generous philanthropists (Manohar, 2010). She also invested $40 million in the making of Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for girls near Johannesburg in South Africa, which the project was started in January 2007. Even Nelson Mandela congratulated and applauded for her effort of overcoming her own disadvantaged youth to become a benefactor for the people. In my opinion, Alfred Adlers Individual Psychology theory has explained much for me to understand more about Oprah Winfreys background, development, accomplishments and so on. Besides, I would say Oprah Winfrey is a very resilient woman, believing in her own power and healthy striving for superiority to compensate all of her past. As Alder believed that healthy striving is for self-realization, in contributing to humanity, dealing with lifes problems, and in making the world a better place to live. Section C Alfred Adler talked about birth order and parenting style is impactful to the new born babys personality. According to Adler, the only child never loses primacy and power, mature in early stage of life and may have issue in places where they are not the centre of attention. I am the youngest in my family and I have two brothers and one sister, but I would consider myself as the only child. This is because; I had been staying just with my parents since I was 12 years old. My eldest brother pursued his career as a singer, my elder brother is a married man with wife and children and lastly my sister got married to faraway place from our hometown. I believe that Adlers explanation about birth order is reasonable, because Ive been holding up to these primacy and power in my life and I eventually getting mature than other people around my age. For example, I already started to question myself what and how should I end up in my later life, how can I contribute to my parents and Who Am I? Gu ess I found my answer when I was sixteen years old and these primacy and power eventually shaped who I am today. Next, I would classify my parents parenting style as pampering but somehow they are very strict, just like Oprah Winfreys father. So, they are not spoiling or over-protect me as a child. Adler proposed superiority complex and inferiority complex, which I think it happens to everyone at different stages of life. I had developed inferiority complex before when I was a pre-school student. I was discouraged by my teacher due to that I am a very playful child. In result, I tried to seek for acceptance by doing a lot of silly things, but my effort was never come to fruition. I dont have any friends at that time, not even one would be willing to come next to me, unless they want to borrow something. I was running away from any challenges at that time and I gradually withdrew from the community. Fortunately, I came to develop superiority complex when I was seven years old, which Adler mentioned it as striving for superiority. When we ought to have inferiority feelings, we tend to seek and compensate the awful feeling and we motivate ourselves to move away from inferiority and thus strive for superiority. I attended English primary school with multiracial students and teachers. This was the moment; I started to build up myself because I was highly encouraged by my new Indian and Malay friends and school teachers through well-organized co-curriculum in my school instead of being continuously discourage. As I continually to strive for superiority, my life style is developed from the creative power of the self, which Adler explained it as personality types. There are four types of personality, which are ruling, getting, avoiding and socially useful. I believe Adlers style of life will change from time to time and much dependable to the surrounding changes. During my childhood, I belonged to getting type personality because of my parents pampering parenting style. I always expect to be given everything that I need. After that, especially being put into a bad per-school, I guess I am slightly moving into avoiding type as I tried to avoid challenges, problems and withdrew from social interest and activity until I attended my primary school. As I grew older and moving into teen stage, I came to know myself better and I joined many church activities that helped me to find my identity and role. I eventually developed the socially useful personality type. Most of the church activities that I had participated were mostly charity and volunteer works, guess all these had shaped me to exhibit activity in the service of others. Thus, I am able to confront life tasks and attempt to resolve problems in a proper manner with the needs of other individuals. Although, I am a socially useful type right now, part of my getting type and avoiding type are still reside in me, ju st not that influential anymore. Here I am today, a leader for Famine 30 2010 camp in my own college with full of passion to help the poverty children all around the world.

The Spirituality And Architecture Theology Religion Essay

The Spirituality And Architecture Theology Religion Essay Spirituality  is an ultimate or an alleged immaterial  reality. The essence of spirituality is the search to know our true selves, to discover the real nature of consciousness. In other words, it is a constant discovery of the incredible, our real self, and a quest of our true being, why we are, who we are and where we belong. This has been a part of the eternal quest of man from times immemorial. These questions have been answered differently by many but are subject to ones own belief interpretation and perception. Sri Aurobindo in Indian Spirituality and Life (1919)says Man does not arrive immediately at the highest inner elevation and if it were demanded of him at once, he would never arrive there. At first he needs lower supports and stages of ascent, he asks for some line of thought, dogma, worship, image, sign, and symbols, some indulgence and permission of mixed half natural motive on which he can stand while he builds up in him the temple of spirit.(Sri Aurobindo, Indian Spirituality and Life, 1919) Mans quest of truth, reality and peace has been unending. Overawed with the infinite nature, whatever he could not comprehend he attributed that to the glory of nature. Mans intellect cannot accept anything that is unknown, unseen and has no fixed shape or form. Thus to satisfy his intellectual curiosity man gave physical form to the divine being. Spirituality is our attempt to become aware of our spirit. Spiritual architecture refers to any building system that facilitates this awareness. It is, an act of highlighting or bringing forth the self, not by rejecting matter but by manifesting it in matter, at various levels and in multiple forms. E.V. Walter in Placeways, defines spiritual space as à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ a specific environment of phenomena that are expected to support the imagination, nourish spiritual experience, and convey spiritual truth (Walter,E.V., Placeways: A Theory of the Human Environment, 75). Spiritual spaces can be found in nature or they can be a constructed space. A spiritual space found in nature is a place designated by individuals or groups as such a place. It is a distinct space, a place whose character sets it apart from its surroundings. They are distinct from typical or commonly found places. The designation of a place as spiritual comes from the human need to establish a connection with inner truth. A place that is spiritual to one person or group of people may not be spiritual to others. Architecture of a space can invoke all the senses, help one concentrate ones positive energies to calm a disturbed mind and take a peaceful stable mind beyond the physical. It is an inevitable part of life. It attempts to reflect mans source and the reason of being in several varied ways. Architecture is more than mere physical shelter or symbolic artefacts. They are catalyst towards our dwelling, between our being and the world. Architecture, together with the other arts, has, since time immemorial, been one of the most powerful means to pursue and realize this quest and give it physical-symbolic expression: how to create an identity and a place for our being from within the vast, shapeless and infinite extent of time and space; how to affirm our presences and gain a foothold, in the universe. (Gunter Dittmar, Upon the Earth, Beneath the Sky: The Architecture of Being, Dwelling Building, 2001) Successful architectural expression is one, which is able to do both; provide an enriching experience and an unforgettable image. It becomes more important while expressing spirituality in material to provide for an experience of, both the form and the formless, one perceptible by the senses and other beyond senses. Since sacred spaces are separate from everyday places in a designated precinct, value is placed on the journey and arriving at the sacred place. The path and the ritual journey are part of the sacred experience. It is a universal goal of mankind to seek or to create spiritual spaces. What is a spiritual space, and what are the qualities which describe that space? What defines spirituality and the space it makes and how does this form relate to us today? RESEARCH QUESTION What are the attributes of spiritual spaces? 1.2 NEED FOR JUSTIFICATION The current crisis of environmental degradation is also a crisis of places. People are systematically building meaningless places. We must develop a way of understanding the built environment and the natural landscape. True renewal, will require a change in the way we structure experience for understanding both the natural land and the constructed world. Since, the spiritual dimension and moral obligation have been discarded by the modern. Materialism divorced from ethics has corrupted the society. Therefore, more and more people are turning to Spirituality, Yoga and Meditation. Religious people are searching for the lost grid of spirituality in religion. Thus, there is a growing need of buildings to cater this need of people. There are spatial qualities and architectural elements based on experiential background and emotional attachments. To identify and define these connections, one has to go beyond the basic observation of signs and symbols, and analyse the spatial qualities and architectural elements which stimulate senses. 1.3 SCOPE OF THE STUDY A brief study of design tools, which are capable of making the experience soul stirring. These include form, space, volume, geometry, scale and proportions, light and colour. Historical and symbolic aspects of spiritual spaces have already been discussed. (Stella Kramrisch, The Hindu Temple, Vol. 2; Sir Banister Fletchers a History of Architecture, Sir Banister Fletcher,  Dan Cruickshank; Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Period), Percy Brown) Thus this study will be focused towards the very fundamental architectural criterion and spatial impression on individuals mind. The study does not discuss in detail many issues, like evolution, construction, etc. But focuses on the internal design aspects, concerning the designing of a spiritual space, which are known and acknowledged. Study should avoid commenting on the beliefs and rituals of various religions, but should debate towards the evolution and change of spatial qualities and form. 1.4 LIMITATION FOR THE RESEARCH Study of sacred spaces of all faiths is not possible within the limited time frame. A study of the built environment shall be undertaken which shall include only the spiritual aspect, the qualitative parameters and not the technical evaluation of the built form. Considering the time frame provided for the completion of the study, primary case studies taken are done from Delhi only. It would have been desirable to study how sacred can be woven into the everyday as well. 1.5 METHODOLOGY The study is intended to be broken into subheads that will make it easier to understand the topic that talks about spiritual dimensions in sacred spaces and architectural qualities influencing human behaviour. STAGE 1 IDENTIFYING NEED FOR THE STUDY Trying to find the objectives of study. Setting up the scope and limitations. STAGE 2 LITERATURE SURVEY Through the survey of all possible data related to the topic or on architecture and human behaviour. This stage of the research includes collecting data that is directly or indirectly related to spiritual aspect of architectural spaces. This has been done through the printed form or from the internet, articles and discussions of peoples relating to the study. Literature survey aims at sorting out case studies both inside and outside India and also at getting an review of what are the recent developments and events that are taking place in the field of spiritual architecture. STAGE 3 LITERATURE SURVEY 2 A study has been undertaken to understand the mental conditions of a man in different spaces and its relation with the creator. Through this the topic got defined and the question got framed. STAGE 4 INTERRELATING DIFFERENT SACRED STRUCTURES As our concern is on human being, the structures affecting human mind around the world should have similarities. Search for the overlapping of spatial qualities in sacred structures around the world. STAGE 5 FRAME WORK To make a framework of different issues and principles studied which can be applied on case studies. List of issues formulate questionnaire for the case studies and interviews. List of issues: Open and closed space Portal or entrance Path and surrounding landscape Destination point Form, geometry, proportion and scale Articulation and symbolism Light, colour and sound Touch, smell and taste STAGE 6 Fig 1.1 ISKCON Temple, New Delhi Fig 1.2 Cathedral Church of Redemption, New Delhi Fig 1.3 Jama Masjid, New DelhiCASE STUDIES ISKCON TEMPLE, NEW DELHI CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF REDEMPTION, NEW DELHI JAMA MASJID,NEW DELHI Case studies are selected to understand the sacredness and the spiritual consciousness through the built, the purpose behind it. Case studies will throw some light on the spatial qualities of spiritual spaces. Suitable case studies will be undertaken to examine the need of the topic and its negligence in present day scenario. STAGE 7 CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF CASE STUDY All the information collected so far was then analysed thoroughly. An analysis of experiencing the sacred buildings to out the design tools that an architect can employ to create the desired spiritual experience. STAGE 8 DESIGN IDEA FORMULATION After assimilation of all matter and analysis of material collected, conclusions are derived, as to, how an architect can use design tools to stimulate all the senses and make the experience of a spiritual space spiritual. CHAPTER 2: SPIRITUAL ENVIRONMENT AND HUMAN BEHAVIOR 2.1 SPATIAL QUALITIES AND HUMAN MIND The sacred is never intentionally chosen, but in some way or the other revels itself. -Eliade (1963) The meaning of structured space, a meaning which we believe lies in its dynamic relationship to its human personality and to our mental health. Fig 2.1 The self- Hindu thought (Source: Prof. H.D. Chayya)The environment in which humans operate has an important influence on their wellbeing and performance. Our structured environment is so important and, influence direct or indirect, on the shaping of personality and the choice as well as the attainment of goals. Emotional design and tangible interaction are compelling forms of enhancing user engagement. The combination of these modes of interaction can create a new dimension of human experience when physical movement in space or the manipulation of objects triggers emotions within an individual. By seamlessly integrating expressive tangible interaction techniques with ambient intelligence, that is, by creating environments that are sensitive and responsive to human gestures, meaningful experiences can be constructed. Leon Festinger, Stanley Schachter and Krik Bach found in their detailed studies of one urban situation, that physical spaces play a very large part in the formation of community relationships à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦and even minor architectural feature, such as the position of staircase and mailboxes, had important effects on the social life of people. The architect who builds a house or who designs a site plan, who decides which direction the houses will face and how close together they will be, also is, to a great extent, deciding the pattern of social life among the people who will live in those houses.(Strengthening Weak Ties: Social Networks and Student Housing, Thesis, B. Design in Architecture, University of Florida, 2011) Geoffrey Scotts book The Architecture of Humanism, 1914, he said, The architect models in space as a sculptor in clay. He designs the space as a work of art; that is, he attempts through his means to excite a certain mood in those who enter it. The view has been elaborated by others, among them Bruno Zevi, Architecture as Space, 1957: the facade and walls of house. Church, or palace, no matter how beautiful they may be, is only the container, the boxà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦; the content is the internal space. As Geoffrey Scott suggests, Space itself is not obvious, cannot be visually perceived; one sees only objects in space; or the structural members that encloses the space. Space itself can only be sensed- that is, felt; its quality is apprehended by means of the senses, but its effect is upon the emotions, and cannot readily be rationalized, measured or depicted. One can only gauge and describe accurately enough the adequacy or structural soundness, its provision for warmth, ventilation, sanitation, light, and other physical factors. One can criticize its components in terms of proportion, texture, colour and other aesthetic considerations. Fig. 2.2, 2.3, and 2.4 (Source: F.D.K.Ching, Architecture Form, Space and Order 3rd edition) Fig. 2.5 Non-sign II-art installation by  Annie Hans  and  Daniel Mihalyo But beyond all of these, there is an overall effect exerted upon ones consciousness by architectural space which defies precise definition.(Scott, Geoffrey, The Architecture of Humanism, 1914) Architecture truly conceived, is nothing less than the conscious and careful determination of our whole structured environment and leaves an impression on individuals mind, which can be controlled. Like a stage setting that controls the movements of actors and defines where and under what circumstances they can meet, our habitat channels our movements and influence our contacts. If we think of buildings at all, it is usually when we are jolted by some outrage, such as a stalled elevator or a leaky roof, long columned corridor, a double height space. (Walter, E.V., 1988, Placeways: A Theory of the Human Environment) Table 2.1 The concept of the spirit of a space (Source: Author)Some of the architectural integrant which affect human psychology are: Five senses Hearing Touch Sight Taste Smell The basic elements Space Air Fire Water Earth Instruments of perception (to acquire inward) Ear Skin Eyes Tongue Nose Work organs (to act outwards) Speech communication (exit) Hands work (finger) Feet mobility Anus discard Genitals procreate Control centre force Mind (flow of thoughts and emotions) Intellect (power of discrimination) The presiding force (PRANA or the life force) The cosmos consciousness or the supreme energy Architecture Silence Climate Light Plumbing Landscape transformation Acoustics Weather Colour Cooling Related technological fields Vibrations Texture surfaces Texture forms Repose odour Emotional Design Emotion is a fundamental aspect of what makes us human; it shapes our cognition, perception, memory, and learning and it colours our past, present, and future experiences. Emotional value is important in design for enhancing user experience as Donald Norman explains: Our attachment is really not to the thing, it is to the relationship, to the meanings and feelings the thing represents. Emotional design then, provides an aesthetic interaction that engages users on an emotional, meaningful, and psychological level. Whereas affective computing focuses on the system recognizing and adjusting to what it believes the user is feeling, emotional design focuses on the emotional experience. Physical and Tangible Interfaces Human movement is often spurred by intention and motivation within people. Tangible user interfaces allow users to interact with virtual information by sensing and manipulating physical environments through objects, surfaces, and spaces. Relation of architecture and human psychology is far interrelated. Appropriate use of various architectural components has the capacity of enlightening the atmosphere whereas inappropriate use does the opposite. The building forms, the functions incorporated in it, colours, negative and positive spaces in and around it may be the few points but architecture is directly attached with human psychology from conscious to subconscious level. 2.2 PLACEBO EFFECT: SCIENTIFIC EXPLANATION For decades, scientists have tried to understand the mysterious power of what is called the placebo effect. Placebo studies prove how powerfully we are influenced not just emotionally but physiologically by how we perceive the world around us. Articulation and architectural conditions in homes can have powerful and long-lasting psychological impact. The placebo effect offers a clue that points to how we might create curative environments. The placebo effect as a therapy, the fact that believers in a wide variety of ancient faith systems also claim similar effects, as have modern scientists who study mind/body medicine. Fig 2.6 Illustration of the interrelationship of stress, belief and how they may impact on the placebo effect and the relaxation response. (Source: http://www.sciencedirect.com)In other words, it impacts an ancient part of our brain which we share with many other species. Endogenous opioids, which are naturally produced by the brain in small amounts and play a key role in the relief of pain and anxiety, have been implicated in placebo analgesia. CHAPTER 3: SACRED SPACE AND SPIRITUALITY 3.1 OPEN SPACES: AS SACRED SPACES Does spirituality needs sacred spaces and vice versa? Does spirituality really is incomplete without architecture? Is it not the quality of the inner life, open to a virtual dimension that transcends the sensible, that matters? Fig 3.1 Lodhi Garden, New Delhi (Source: Author)Open space has two different meanings that work together to create sacred places that are inclusive and aware of many elements that may be exclusive to any potential user of the space. An open space is open to the public, meaning anyone of any race, faith, culture, or belief is able to enter the space. The space is for the whole community of different people rather than just one particular group. Or, an open space is one that feels welcoming and non-threatening to those that spend time in it; it feels like home for the soul. The design of the space and the placement of features such as portals, paths, universal symbols that have meaning across all religions, nations and ethnic groups, lend to the openness of the space by inviting those outside of the space to enter it. The combination of a space being open on both a physical and spiritual level is what makes up Open Spaces, Sacred Places. 3.2 ATTRIBUTES OF A SPIRITUAL SPACE Architecture is the first pioneer on the highway toward the adequate realization of inner self. For this means it levels space for self-realization, informs his external environment, and builds a fit place for the aggregation of those assembled having similar faith, as a defence against the threatening of tempest, against rain, and savage animals. Besides the variety of buildings and design approaches in the effort to create a space where man can feel spirituality, there can be found some common design tools that help to create the soul stirring experience. The following discuss some of these parameters. The portal or threshold is the entryway into the sacred space, which helps to separate the space from the greater surrounding space and invites you to step inside. A portal can be created with a hardscape such as a gate or a portico, or with simple planting. Fig 3.2 Portal to Garden, (Source: http://www.luminous-landscape.com) Fig 3.4 Open space, (Source: http://www.luminous-landscape.com) Fig 3.3 Pathway in a Garden, (Source: http://www.luminous-landscape.com)The path invites exploration and discovery along the route. It meanders through spaces, fuels the imagination and entices one to see where it may lead. The destination point is an end point within a space that inexplicably draws visitors. It may be a resting place, such as a bench, or a beautiful natural feature, such as a gurgling fountain or rain curtain. It is a point within the sacred space where those who visit always end up. Sacred spaces may have more than one destination point. Space and Volume Fig. 3.5 Space defining elements, Source: F.D.K.Ching, Architecture Form, Space and Order 3rd edition) Space, whether of the individual or the universal, possesses a unique quality of experiencing. It is hyper sensitive, besides being super potential. Sense of surround defines the space as separate and apart from the overall outdoor environment. Visitors who enter the space feel as though they are entering into a room. There are natural or man-made boundaries (or a combination of both) that delineate the space within the greater environment. These boundaries provide a subtle feeling of shelter, enabling people to feel safe and enjoy their time spent in the space. (Nicolas, W. Robert Leo A Daly, 2004, building Type Basics for Places of Worship) By generating a continuous flow of spaces, each act movement becomes an experience. Each component of architecture becomes important and provides for this linkage. It can be by repetition of elements, alteration in scale and proportion, staggering, light, texture, and colour and also by using perspective as a device to accentuate the drama. (Robinson,J., 1979, Religious Buildings) Fig. 3.6 Form and Space, Source: F.D.K.Ching, Architecture Form, Space and Order 3rd edition) Form and Geometry Architectural form is the point of contact between mass and space Architectural Form required to fulfil its functional requirements for that is the reason for its being both physical and spiritual. (Saarinen, E., op.cit. pg 14)Every form conveys a meaning. It is important to understand how form can transmit a spiritual meaning. Certain shapes and forms are conventional associated with certain meanings. Scale and Proportion Fig. 3.7 Vastupurusa (Source: Charles Correa, Vistara; Architecture of India) Fig. 3.8 Vitruvius Man (Source: Leonardo Da vinci.stanford.edu)Scale refers to the size of something compared to reference standard or size of something else. Deciding the scale of a sacred space is a common design concern. Some blend into the fabric of the neighbouring community and landscape; others stands out as landmarks, easily recognized for their special purpose. Generally the sacred spaces take monumental scale to create an atmosphere of awe, mystery and magnificence. The scale of the interior spaces, the size and weight of doors, and the exposed structural columns and beams all serve to denote the special quality of the sacred space. Fig. 3.9 LeCorbusier modular Man (Source: Corbusier, The modulor)Proportion refers to the proper or harmonious relation of one part to another or to the whole. While the designer usually has a range of choices when determining the proportions of things, some are given to us by the nature and the man himself. Human body proportions are used not merely as numbers with an inherent harmony, but as a system of measurements that could govern lengths, surfaces, and volumes. It can lend itself to an infinity of combination; it ensures unity with diversity; the miracle of numbers. Proportional buildings and scale link spiritual architecture to the mathematical structure of the cosmos. The building should relate well not only to the human scale but also the psyche. Light and Colour Fig. 3.12 Khajuraho Temple (Source: Kota Kesava Karthik) Fig. 3.11 Prayer at Church (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org)Light is regarded to be the most important component in definition of space or the manifestation of form in an architectural space; it not only defines the space but also gives meaning to it. In this study one looks at how light can create a place of worship; how to make a quiet, enclosed, isolated space, space full of activities, filled with vitality. Fig. 3.10 Khirki Masjid (Source: Jegmet Wangchuk) Colour is the attribute that most clearly distinguishes a form from its environment. We respond to bright colours, for instance red, with the emotional part of our brain. First, our muscles get tense, and then we lean towards the colour. Our respiration and heart rate goes up and the blood pressure starts rising. The opposite reactions occur when we see light colours such as blue. Our muscles relax, the heart and respiration rate drops and the blood pressure lowers. It also affects the visual weight of a form. Gradation of colour exist; from pale to brilliant; from cold to warm. Thus colour expression is also full of meaning. Texture is an important asset of colour. It is the visual and especially tactile quality given to a surface by shape and arrangement, and the proportions of the parts. Texture also determines to which the surfaces of a form reflect or absorb incident light. It gives an expression to the surface, thereby contributing to the overall impression. Color Colors Characteristics Colors Actions Red Stimulating, exciting, provocative, dynamic Increased enthusiasm, interest, and energy Pink Happy, sweet, spirited, romantic, youthful Calm and relaxing feelings Brown Wholesome, rich, durable, rustic, sheltering A connection with the natural earth and the stability this brings Orange Friendly, vital, tangy, energizing, inviting Increases creativity and gives relief from things becoming too serious Blue Dependable, cool, serene, constant, quiet Broadens your perspective in learning new information Green Refreshing, healing, fresh, soothing, nature Gives freedom to pursue new ideas Purple Sensual, elegant, mysterious, regal, spiritual Calms over activity or energizes from depression Black Strong, classic, elegant, powerful, mysterious Opens the door to mystery and prepares for the unknown Yellow Warming, sunny, cheerful, luminous, enlightening Gives clarity for decision making and sharper memory and concentration skills white Pure, bright, innocent, lightweight, pristine Starts a fresh beginning Fig. 3.13 Colours in Culture (Source: www.informationisbeautiful.net) Table. 3.1 Concept of Colours (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org)Symbolism Symbolism We can identify iconography depicted in architecture of these buildings as the signs and symbols and the inspirations taken directly from some other structure or theories and thoughts spread across the world. A symbol is the juxtaposition that is, a co-optation of visible forms brought forth to demonstrate some invisible matter. One needs to identify with ones religion that is where symbols play an important role.( JosePereira, 2004, The Sacred Architecture of Islam) Table. 3.2 Iconography in major religions (Source: JosePereira, The Sacred Architecture of Islam, 2004)Sacred symbolism is considered to be present in every major religious building, around the world. Iconography of sacred geography in three major religions of the world: TEMPLE MOSQUE CHURCH MOUNTAIN Shikhara Minaret Lofty towers STONE Idol One that in Kabba Altar TREE Present in courtyard Cross WATER Sarovar Ritual ablutions in courtyard Place of Baptism But is it signs and symbolism only which draw an impact on our behaviour. When we get in to some space, is the aesthetical and visual perception only gets conceived in our mind. Fig. 3.15 Temple Bells (Source: Author) Fig. 3.14 Prayer at church (Source: http://www.mlive.com) Fig. 3.16 Reciting Quran in Mardrsa (Source: http://www.mlive.com)SOUND The reverberant sound quality created by the proportions and the materials of sacred spaces set them apart from the ordinary. Sacred music, singing, chanting, the ringing of temple and church bells and intoning of prayers characterize specific rituals. The change in sound quality from the cacophony of the street to the harmony resonant silence signifies entry into a sacred space. TOUCH The experience of touch identifies a sacred space; the weight of the door handle, the textures of materials on walls and seating, and the hardness of stone underfoot. A change in temperature, such as the transition from the blazing heat of a busy city street into the cool and solitude of an interior can also denote a sacred space. Most of the textures are touched by vision, iconography, formed an integral part of a temple and a church architecture to convey the complete narrative. Though the following two are not translated into architectural terms, but they form an indispensable part of a complete spiritual experience. SMELL Fig. 3.20 Garlands for devotees (Source: Author) Fig. 3.18 IItr, scented oil Fig. 3.19 Votive Candles (Source: Author) Fig. 3.17 Agarbatti (Source: http://www.mlive.com)Incense is used extensively in the Roman Catholic and Buddhist traditions as a symbol of prayers going up to the deity. The smell of agarbatti and the flowers offered to deity are indispensable parts of the rituals for Hindu as well as many other faiths. The incense sticks are used even in meditation centers as the intoxicating smell stimulates your senses to the positive and calms you down. TASTE Fig. 3.23 Christmas cake (Source: www.google.com) Fig. 3.22 Korma (Source: Author) Fig. 3.21 Laddo (Source: Kota Kesava Karthik)Though this sensory experience is missing in many of the architecture, it still is an integral part of many religious experiences. All the Hindu temples have Prasad and Chanramrit (sweet water) as an indispensable part of the worshipping ritual. Some believe that this custom of sharing sweets is a memorial of the sweetness of the deities. Christians offer holy water in a similar manner. The prasad is obligatory in the Gurudwara too. 3.3 SPIRITUAL DIMENSION IN EXISTING BUILDING TYPOLOGY 3.3.1 THE HINDU TEMPLE The Hindu temple is essentially the House Of God. It is not a place for congregational worship. Though congregation for religious ceremonies do take place, but the worshippers communication with the divine is his own personal experience. The worshipper goes individually to the house of God and invokes his blessings. Stella Kramisch, in her book, The Hindu Temple says, the intellect of the age, absorbed largely in divine contemplation, is reflected in the temple idol

My son, my executioner Essay -- Literary Analysis, Donald Hall

From a global viewpoint, the passing of generations of the human race is a smooth and natural cycle, one generation bringing another generation into this world, as they themselves begin to leave it. From the perspective of the individual, however, this cycle can bring about a mixture of feelings, from pride to depression, as they watch their own lives fall second to that of their children. Donald Hall’s â€Å"My son, my executioner† and Rita Dove’s â€Å"Daystar† describe how the birth and growth of a child is a massive turning point in a person’s life and can be looked at as either the continuance of one’s legacy or the withering of one’s own life, depending on the viewpoint. Donald Hall’s â€Å"My son, my executioner† describes the speaker’s acknowledgement that the arrival of the speaker’s son signals the beginning of the speaker’s own coming death, but muses that the child will carry on their legacy. The speaker holds the child â€Å"in [their] arms† (line 4) and reflects upon the situation. The speaker refers to the son as their â€Å"instrument of immortality† (line 6), its â€Å"cries and hunger† (line ...

Erwin Rommel :: essays research papers

Erwin Rommel Jr. was born on November 15, 1891 in a small WÃ ¼rtemburg town of Heidenheim. His father Erwin Johannes Eugen Rommel was a local schoolmaster and former artillery officer. His mother Helena von Luz was the daughter of the local Regierungs-Prasident. Rommel was one of five children, though his brother Manfred had died at an early age. As a child, he was reasonable and very gifted academically and athletically. He was educated at TÃ ¼bingen, a military school in Stuttgart. Rommel planned to apply to the Zeppelin works at Friederichshafen; his father did not approve, and advised him to enter the army. In July 1910, Rommel became a cadet in the 124th WÃ ¼rtemburg Infantry Regiment in the 26th Infantry Division of the German Imperial Infantry. He served as a cadet until March 1911, then began attending the prestigious military academy Konigliche Kriegsschule in Danzig. His eight-month course ended in November 1911, in which time he rose to Lieutenant: Corporal in October and Sergeant at the end of the year. While at the academy he met his future wife Lucie Mollin whom he wrote to everyday during both World Wars, and married in 1916. In January 1912 Rommel rejoined the 124th WÃ ¼rtemburg Infantry. In summer 1914, he served as artillery attachment in drilling practices near Ulm. On July 28, 1914 Franz Ferdinand, the Archduke of Austria, was assassinated. The assassination was a major cause of World War I, Rommel’s first true combat tests. Rommel’s first battle was at Longwy after twenty-four hours of marching and riding. He believed that the only successful way to deploy his troops was to be at the front of them. On August 22, 1914, Rommel spotted a group of fifteen to twenty French soldiers. Rommel and his three-man reconnaissance team opened fire in the town of Bleid. Shortly after, eight hundred yards northeast of Bleid at freshly dug trenches, he charged the French with parts of his regiment. Then assisted by two other men Rommel drove off a whole French column, after all the action Rommel passed out from lack of sleep. The battle of Longwy caused a loss of 15% of Rommel’s men and 25% of his officers. Medical doctors informed Rommel after the battle, that he was suffering from food poisoning, but Rommel would not leave the field.

Telecommuting :: essays research papers

A typical day for most people in today's world starts out with an early commute to work. People working in the city know what a hassle it is to deal with the many thousands of other trying to make their way to work. Dealing with long commutes and traffic congestion is a commonplace in today's fast-paced society. What if you had a chance to do most of your work at home? Would it be beneficial to you and your company? That is a common question one, which more and more companies are finding out is the future of business. For most people, a chance to work at home would be ideal. Paper work and long term considerations for companies may actually be planned better at home as opposed to a busy work office or cubical. Professionals such as accountants, consultants, marketing professionals and other information-age workers can benefit from telecommuting (people who work at home). This is not to say that all work would be completed at home. There will be times when actual face to face meetings will be necessary for such problems as office disputes and responding to co-workers needs. Working at home will allow for any task in which being alone is not a hindrance. Throughout the United States there are over eleven million people working at home at least part-time. In cities such as New York, federal legislation put into effect required a decrease in the amount to commuters that drive the city's streets during rush hour. Forced to make changes, Merrill Lynch decided to give the telecommuting program a try. Merrill Lynch started a program where potential telecommuters working at the firm, go through an extensive training course by taking a two-week stint in a simulation lab where they are isolated from co-workers and managers just as they would at home. Some people find it more productive while others realize that telecommuting is not for them. Most telecommuters will find the job comfortable if they themselves are self-motivated and focused. According to Gil Gordon, a telecommuting consultant in New Jersey, if you would like your firm to offer telecommuting, 'Go in with a proposal, not a request.'; Show you boss why telecommuting will benefit the company. Explain that less office space will be needed and how employees of company's that offer telecommuting often have a better retention rate than company's that do not.