Music Argumentative Essay Example For Students

Music Argumentative Essay The Justice Department has intensified its antitrust investigation of the music industrys licensing practices, demanding that industry organizations and online companies submit a slew of documents related to Internet music services. The department recently began sending out civil investigative demand letters, hunting for evidence of collusion by record companies and affiliates to impede competition. The recipients of the letters include the Recording Industry Assn. of America, at least two Internet companies and MusicNet, an online music distributor jointly owned by three major labels and RealNetworks Inc. A copy of one letter obtained by The Times indicates that antitrust investigators are looking at all the terms proposed by the record companies and music publishers for their licenses, as well as the lawsuits they threatened, brought or settled over online music. Another issue being explored is the contentious negotiations over online radio services. The major labels control the copyrights to most of the recordings that consumers buy, while the publishers control the songwriters copyrights. That control gives the labels and publishers the power to dictate which companies can offer interactive or on-demand music services online, as well as influencing their prices and terms of use. The growing demand for online music services has led the conglomerates that own the major record companies to create their own channels for distribution. AOL Time Warner, Bertelsmann and EMI Group formed MusicNet, and Universal Music Group and Sony Corp. created Pressplay. The inquiry appears to revolve around two questions: Why are MusicNet and Pressplay the only ventures to receive licenses for a significant amount of major-label music? And what, if anything, did the labels do to inflate their royalties from online radio services?The record companies defenders say the labels have been cautious in licensing, but they havent colluded to limit competition. I dont see it, and I havent experienced it, said Robin D. Richards, chairman and chief executive of MP3.com, a maverick online music company that was acquired in August by Vivendi Universal and has a distribution deal with Pressplay. But executives at several online companies say they have had mixed experiences with the labels and that some act fairly and some dont. The result, they say, is that the labels online venturesMusicNet and Pressplayare launching this year without any real competition. The industrys licensing practices also have drawn criticism from some influential lawmakers, including leaders of the House and Senate Judiciary committees. In addition, the federal judge presiding over the industrys copyright-infringement lawsuit against Napster Inc., the embattled online song-sharing service, recently said the labels licensing actions could make them vulnerable to accusations of copyright abuse. The law doesnt force a label to grant other companies the rights to its song, copyright experts say. What investigators are probing is whether the labels have used their exclusive rights over music to slow or stop competitors in a new field, namely, the distribution of songs over the Net. The Justice Department could not be reached Sunday for comment. A spokesman for the RIAA said, We intend to cooperate fully with the investigation. Spokesmen for two of the major labelsUniversal Music Group and BMG Entertainmentdeclined to comment on the investigation. Officials at two othersSony Music and Warner Music Groupcould not be reached. Those companies have announced few deals with online music distribution services comparable to the ones theyve made with Pressplay and MusicNet. The only major label signing significant licensing deals is EMI. Ted Cohen, vice president of new media at EMI Recorded Music, said, I think weve been very fair in our negotiations, giving the big guys and the little guys a chance to launch. Weve worked very hard to make sure its a competitive landscape.Justice Department attorneys started conducting interviews about the labels licensing practices more than eight months ago, responding to complaints from online music companies. The investigators interest picked up in early April, sources said, when the owners of MusicNet announced its formation. .ueb17fbf28fb36d68d2f43a1a8e006a8d , .ueb17fbf28fb36d68d2f43a1a8e006a8d .postImageUrl , .ueb17fbf28fb36d68d2f43a1a8e006a8d .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ueb17fbf28fb36d68d2f43a1a8e006a8d , .ueb17fbf28fb36d68d2f43a1a8e006a8d:hover , .ueb17fbf28fb36d68d2f43a1a8e006a8d:visited , .ueb17fbf28fb36d68d2f43a1a8e006a8d:active { border:0!important; } .ueb17fbf28fb36d68d2f43a1a8e006a8d .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ueb17fbf28fb36d68d2f43a1a8e006a8d { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ueb17fbf28fb36d68d2f43a1a8e006a8d:active , .ueb17fbf28fb36d68d2f43a1a8e006a8d:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ueb17fbf28fb36d68d2f43a1a8e006a8d .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ueb17fbf28fb36d68d2f43a1a8e006a8d .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ueb17fbf28fb36d68d2f43a1a8e006a8d .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ueb17fbf28fb36d68d2f43a1a8e006a8d .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ueb17fbf28fb36d68d2f43a1a8e006a8d:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ueb17fbf28fb36d68d2f43a1a8e006a8d .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ueb17fbf28fb36d68d2f43a1a8e006a8d .ueb17fbf28fb36d68d2f43a1a8e006a8d-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ueb17fbf28fb36d68d2f43a1a8e006a8d:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Child abuse EssayA more formal probe didnt begin, however, until the government resolved a jurisdictional battle between the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commissions antitrust investigators. The Justice Department completed a final round of interviews with industry executives and online companies last month, then sent out a wave of civil investigative demand letters last week. Among other things, the letters demand copies of all the proposed

Trends and Fads Love Is a Fallacy

Introduction Trends and fads produce a multitude of social influences on society. Humanity witnessed the emergence and development of various trends and fads. They come and go, changing the ways individuals perceive the surrounding reality.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Trends and Fads: Love Is a Fallacy specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The words â€Å"Charleston†, â€Å"Stutz Bearcat†, and â€Å"Raccoon Coat† date back to the 1920s, when young males sought to re-establish themselves in their culture through fashionable dress codes, expensive cars, and excellent dancing skills. Nothing has changed since then: raccoon coats are no longer fashionable, but trends and fads continue to dominate the hearts and minds of people, giving them a false sense of belonging to a privileged class. In Shulman’s story, as well as in the real world, a raccoon coat used to be a symbol of style and privi lege among male college students. For Petey Bellows, the author’s roommate, a raccoon coat is a matter of life vs. death: he wants a raccoon coat above anything in the world. He knows that to have a raccoon coat means to â€Å"be in the swim† (Shulman). Petey believes that there is no way for him to outperform his peers other than to own a piece of fashionable clothes. He does not realize that being â€Å"in the swim† is the same as being lost in a gray crowd of people. That raccoon coats are unsanitary and weight too much means nothing to Petey (Shulman). He treats clothes as the sign of his privileged position and personal well being. In the 1920s, the revival of raccoon coats was accompanied by the returning popularity of Charleston, which rapidly grew into a social mania. Charleston was inseparable from fashion. Those who did not follow the trend would doom themselves to social oblivion, isolation, and even rejection. At that time, a young student wearing a raccoon coat and dancing Charleston would be a secret dream for dozens of girls. Undoubtedly, a fashionable car added to the picture of personal prosperity. Stutz Bearcat was one of the most fashionable cars in the 1920s.Shulman recalls how his father used to wear his raccoon coat â€Å"in his Stutz Bearcat in 1925†. The car carried a deep, complex social meaning. It was a symbol of prosperity, a sign of privilege, and a symptom of wealth and fashion. Shulman suggests that, back in his college years, his father used to be extremely fashionable. Simultaneously, the author is absolutely indifferent to these things. He tries to show that clothes, cars, and dancing skills have nothing to with personal uniqueness. Unfortunately, he fails to recognize the significance of these social codes, until his girl leaves to Petey, who wears a raccoon coat.Advertising Looking for essay on art and design? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Nothing has changed since then. Raccoon coats are no longer fashionable, but trends and fads continue to dominate people’s hearts and minds. Ferraris, personal airplanes, Armani clothes and fashionable after-parties create an image of enormous material wealth. Like many years before, these items symbolize a social privilege but tell nothing about individuality and uniqueness. The media spread the message of materialism, turning money into a self-goal. Inanimate objects replace individuality and uniqueness. They give a false sense of belonging to a privileged class but leave little room for personal development and growth. Conclusion Trends and fads come and go, but their social significance is difficult to underestimate. In the 1920s, raccoon coats, Stutz Bearcats and Charleston were the symbols of a privileged social position. Thousands of male college students would do anything to wear fashionable clothes and develop unique dancing skills; otherwise, they would doom themse lves to oblivion, isolation, and social rejection. Nothing has changed since then: raccoon coats are no longer fashionable, but trends and fads continue to dominate people’s hearts and minds. The media spread the message of materialism and turn money into a self-goal. Ferraris, Armani clothes, and fashionable after-parties create a picture of wealth and wellness. Unfortunately, they have nothing to do with individuality, uniqueness, self-development, and personal growth. Works Cited Shulman, Max. â€Å"Love Is A Fallacy.† Ask’n’Learn, n.d. Web. This essay on Trends and Fads: Love Is a Fallacy was written and submitted by user Hayes Hendrix to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

List of Shakespearean Sonnets

List of Shakespearean Sonnets Shakespeare left behind 154 of the most wonderfully written sonnets. This list of Shakespearean Sonnets indexes them all with links to study guides and original texts. The list is broken down into three sections: The Fair Youth Sonnets, Dark Lady Sonnets, and the so-called Greek Sonnets. Fair Youth Sonnets (Sonnets 1 – 126) The first segment of Shakespeare’s sonnets has become known as the fair youth sonnets. The poet dotes on an attractive young man and believes that his beauty can be preserved through poetry. When the fair youth ages and eventually dies, his beauty will still be captured in the words of the sonnets listed below. This deep, loving friendship sometimes verges on a sexual infatuation, and the nature of the doting is open to debate. Perhaps it is a female speaker, evidence of Shakespeare’s homosexuality, or simply a close friendship.   1: From Fairest Creatures We Desire Increase 2: When Forty Winters Shall Besiege Thy Brow 3: Look In Thy Glass, And Tell The Face Thou Viewest4:  Unthrifty Loveliness, Why Dost Thou Spend 5:  Those Hours, That With Gentle Work Did Frame6:  Then Let Not Winters Ragged Hand Deface7: Lo! In The Orient When The Gracious Light 8:  Music To Hear, Why Hearst Thou Music Sadly?9: Is It For Fear To Wet A Widows Eye10: For Shame Deny That Thou Bearst Love To Any11: As Fast As Thou Shalt Wane, So Fast Thou Grow 12:  When I Do Count The Clock That Tells Time13:  O! That You Were Your Self, Buy, Love, You Are14: Not From The Stars Do I My Judgement Pluck 15:  When I Consider Everything That Grows16:  But Wherefore Do Not You A Mightier Way17:  Who Will Believe In My Verse In Time To Come18: Shall I Compare Thee To A Summers Day? 19: Devouring Time, Blunt Thou The Lions Paw 20: A Womans Face With Natures Own Hand Painted21: So It Is Not With Me As With That Muse 22: My Glass Shall Not Persuade Me I Am Old 23:  As An Unperfect Actor On The Stage24: Mine Eye Hath Playd The Painter and Hath Steeld25:  Let Those Who Are In Favour With Their Stars26:  Lord Of My Love, To Whom In Vassalage27: Weary With Toil, I Haste To My Bed28: How Can I Then Return I Happy Plight29: When In Disgrace With Fortune and Mens Eyes30:  When To The Sessions Of Sweet Silent Thought31: Thy Bosom Is Endeared With All Hearts32: If Thou Survive My Well-Contented Day33:  Full Many A Glorious Morning I Have Seen34: Why Didst Thou Promise Such A Beauteous Day35:  No More Be Grieved At That Which Thou Hast Done36: Let Me Confess That We Two Must Be Twain37:  As A Decrepit Father Takes Delight38: How Can My Muse Want Subject To Invent39:  O! How Thy Worth With Manners May I Sing 40: Take All My Loves, My Love, Yea Take Them All41:  Those Pretty Wrongs That Liberty Commits42: That Thou Hast It Is Not All My Grief43: When Most I Wink, Then Do Mine Eyes Best See 44:  If The Dull Substance Of My Flesh Wer e Thought45:  That Thou Hast It Is Not All My Grief 46: Mine Eye And Heart Are At A Mortal War47: Betwixt Mine Eye And Heart A League Is Took48:  How Careful Was I When I Took My Way49: Against That Time, If Ever That Time Come50:  How Heavy Do I Journey On The Way51: Thus Can My Love Excuse The Slow Offence 52:  So Am I As The Rich, Whose Blessed Key53:  What Is Your Substance, Whereof Are You Made54:  O! How Much More Doth Beauty Beauteous Seem55:  O! Not Marble, Nor The Gilded Monuments56: Sweet Love, Renew Thy Force; Be It Not Said57: Being Your Slave What Should I Do But Tend58:  That God Forbid, That Made Me First Your Slave59:  If There Be Nothing New, But That Which Is60:  Like As The Waves Make Towards The Pebbled Shore61: Is It Thy Will, Thy Image Should Keep Open62:  Sin Of Self-love Possesseth All Mine Eye63:  Against My Love Shall Be As I Am Now64:  When I Have Seen By Times Fell Hand Defacd65:  Since Brass, Nor Stone, Nor Earth, Nor Boundless Sea66:  Tired For All These, For restful Death I Cr y67:  Ah! Wherefore With Infection Should He Live 68:  In Days Long Since, Before These Last So Bad69:  Those Parts Of Thee That The Worlds Eye Doth View 70: That Thou Art Blamed Shall Not Be Thy Defect 71:  No Longer Mourn For Me When I Am Dead72:  O! Lest The World Should Task You To Recite73:  That Time Of Year Thou Mayst In Me Behold74: But Be Contented When That Fell Arrest 75:  So Are You To My Thoughts As Food To Life76:  Why Is My Verse So Barren Of New Pride77: Thy Glass Will Show Thee How Thy Beauties Wear 78: So Oft Have I Invoked Thee For My Muse79: Whilst I Alone Did Call Upon Thy Aid 80: O! How I Faint When I Do Write Of You 81: Or I Shall Live Your Epitaph To Make 82: I Grant Thou Wert Not Married To My Muse 83: I Never Saw That You Did Painting Need 84: Who Is It That Says Most, Which Can Say More 85: My Tongue-Tied Muse In Manners Holds Her Still 86: Farewell! Thou Art Too Dear For My Possessing 87: Farewell! Thou Art Too Dear For My Possessing 88: When Thou Shalt Be Disposd To Set Me Light 89: Say Tha t Thou Didst Forsake Me For Some Fault 90: Then Hate Me When Thou Wilt; If Ever, Now 91: Some Glory In Their Birth, Some In Their Skill 92: But Do Thy Worst To Steal Thyself Away 93: So Shall I Live, Supposing Thou Art True 94: They That Have Power To Hurt, And Will Do None95: How Sweet And Lovely Dost Thou Make The Shame 96: Some Say Thy Fault Is Youth, Some Wantonness 97: How Like A Winter Hath My Absence Been 98: From You Have I Been Absent In The Spring 99: The Forward Violet Thus Did I Chide 100: Where Art Thou, Muse, That Thou Forgetst So Long 101: O Truant Muse, What Shall Be Thy Amends 102: My Love Is Strengthend, Though More Weak In Seeming 103: Alack, What Poverty My Muse Brings Forth 104: To Me, Fair Friend, You Never Can Be Old 105: Let Not My Love Be Called Idolatry 106: When In The Chronicle Of Wasted Time 107: Not Mine Own Fears, Nor The Prophetic Soul108: Whats In The Brain That Ink May Character 109: O! Never Say That I Was False Of Heart 110: Alas! Tis True, I Have Gone Here And There111: O For My Sake D o You With Fortune Chide 112: Your Love And Pity Doth Th Impression Fill 113: Since I Left You, Mine Eye Is In My Mind 114: Or Whether Doth My Mind, Being Crowned With You 115: Those Lines That I Before Have Writ Do Lie 116: Let Me Not To The Marriage Of True Minds 117: Accuse Me Thus: That I Have Scanted All 118: Like As To Make Our Appetites More Keen 119: What Potions Have I Drunk Of Siren Tears 120: That You Were Once Unkind Befriends Me Now 121: Tis Better To Be Vile Than Vile Esteemed 122: Thy Gift, Thy Tables, Are Within My Brain 123: Thy Pyramids Built Up With Newer Might 124: If My Dear Love Were But The Child Of State 125: Weret Ought To Me I Bore The Canopy 126: O Thou, My Lovely Boy, Who In Thy Powr Dark Lady Sonnets (Sonnets 127 – 152) The second segment of Shakespeare’s sonnets has become known as the Dark Lady Sonnets. A mysterious woman enters the narrative in Sonnet 127, and immediately attracts the poet’s attention.   Unlike the fair youth, this woman is not physically beautiful. Her eyes are â€Å"raven black† and she is â€Å"not born fair†. She is described as evil, a temptress and a bad angel. All good reasons to earn a reputation as the dark lady. She is perhaps having an illicit affair with the fair youth, perhaps explaining the poet’s jealousy. Sonnet 127: In The Old Age Black Was Not Counted Fair Sonnet 128: How Oft When Thou, My Music, Music PlaystSonnet 129: Th Expense Of Spirit In A Waste Of Shame Sonnet 130: My Mistress Eyes Are Nothing Like The Sun Sonnet 131: Thou Art As Tyrannous, So As Thou Art Sonnet 132: Thine Eyes I Love, And They, As Pitying Me Sonnet 133: Beshrew That Heart That Makes My Heart To Groan Sonnet 134: So Now I Have Confessed That He Is Thine Sonnet 135: Whoever Hath Her Wish, Thou Hast Thy Will Sonnet 136: If Thy Soul Check Thee That I Come So Near Sonnet 137: Thou Blind Fool, Love, What Dost Thou To Mine Eyes Sonnet 138: When My Love Swears That She Is Made Of Truth Sonnet 139: O! Call Not Me To Justify The Wrong Sonnet 140: Be Wise As Thou Art Cruel Sonnet 141: In Faith I Do Not Love You With Mine Eyes Sonnet 142: Love Is My Sin, And Thy Dear Virtue Hate Sonnet 143: Lo, As A Careful Housewife Runs To Catch Sonnet 144: Two Loves I Have Of Comfort And Despair Sonnet 145: Those Lips That Loves Own Hand Did Make Sonnet 146: Poor Soul, The Centre Of My Sinful Earth Sonnet 147: My Love Is As A Fever Longing Still Sonnet 148: O Me! What Eyes Hath Love Put In My Head Sonnet 149: Canst Thou, O Cruel! Say I Love Thee Not Sonnet 150: O! From What Power Hast Thou This Powerful Might Sonnet 151: Love Is Too Young To Know What Conscience Is Sonnet 152: In Loving Thee Thou Kowst I Am Forsworn The Greek Sonnets (Sonnets 153 and 154) The final two sonnets of the sequence are very different from the others. They move away from the narrative described above and instead draw upon ancient Greek myths. Sonnet 153: Cupid Laid by his Brand, and Fell AsleepSonnet 154: The Little Love-God Lying Once Asleep

Critical Perspective on Management and Leadership

Critical Perspective on Management and Leadership Introduction Critical Management Studies (CMS) form a substitute to a number of conservative administration presumptions and approaches. The key reason behind the development of CMS was to provide a transformative approach to traditional management. CMS is a sceptical look at the management and organisational structures that are currently in use.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Critical Perspective on Management and Leadership specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More These structures are evaluated and criticised based on their demonstrated social and ecological sustainability (Adler 2007). Contrary to the popular belief, CMS is not rooted on the focus on individual organisations and their managers’ poor management practices (Adler 2007). This belief, which is propagated by the outsiders of CMS, is largely untrue. CMS stands for the critical assessment of the wider organisational and management structures. Adler state s that CMS focuses on ordinary elements such as ecological pessimism, public discrimination, and pitiable management that are displayed in the wider social and economic structures whose traditions have been simulated by long-established administrators and the evolving conformist organisations. The current framework of CMS entails the critical assessment of issues in management such as marketing, organisational strategies, information systems, accounting, organisational relations, and international networks (Clegg, Dany, Grey 2011). CMS focuses on fundamental matters such as the use of uncertainty and analysis of the ubiquitous organisational administration speculations, the prevailing organisational configurations and traditions in the effort to propose changes. The use of criticism and critique in CMS is also aimed at illustrating how the contemporary organisational patterns and structures are disruptive and conflict ridden, with this situation being propagated and nourished by ou t-dated beliefs and practices in management (Sim Van Loon, 2005).Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More CMS does not only offer critique to the management issues, but also goes a step further to offer solutions and alternatives. The aim is also to prove that the practices and beliefs are essentially changeable, with the change being dependent on the attitudes, thoughts, and knowledge of the management (Sim Van Loon, 2005). CMS has developed from the works of a number of theorists and scholars who have contributed in the development of theories and structures that are essential to the recommended management changes. Some of the people who contributed significantly in the creation of CMS include Foucault, Weber, and Hegel, with the theorists and scholars contributing to, ‘contemporary developments that stretch beyond the realm of academic theory and philosophical or social thought’ (Adler, 2007, p.1316). The modern-day business enterprise serves different functions in the modern society and a critical assessment of these functions is necessary, with different social avenues of critique developing. Some of the contemporary issues in the global economy that have influenced the modern business environment include the introduction of the European Union and its market, the rise of China and India as global economic and social forces. These developments have provided a basis of comparison to the largely traditional and dominant Anglo-American organisational values and models. CMS is very broad, with the major concepts, theories, and thoughts being significantly many. This report applies the CMS theories to assess a case study on call-centre labour in a global economy by Premilla D’Cruz and Ernesto Noronha (2009).Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Critical Perspective on Management and Leadership specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Case Set Up Bullying at the workplace has been a topic of concern for a long time for managers and human resource departments in organisations. This account, which is based in Indian, looks at the use of CMS in the analysis of D’Cruz and Noronha’s scenario examination on call centres. These individuals performed an investigation on the workplace occurrences of workers in some intercontinental call hubs in Mumbai and Bangalore. The two managed to assess the role of organisational sources of bullying at the workplace, thus providing some recommendations to the same (D’Cruz, Noronha 2009). Case Study Analysis Human resource management policies that are adopted in different organisations are displayed in the call centre working analysis above. There is a significant gap in HRM roles. Most organisations state that they apply soft policies, with the case study showing that hard HRM policies are actually th e ones being practiced. Most studies that have evaluated relationships between employers and their employees have concluded that although managers consider workers their most precious resources, they instead apply inflexible HRM guidelines and controls that are detrimental to their workforce. This shows that the organisation is considered more important in relation to employees. In the call centre, employees have no working union to safeguard their interests. They are however paid well with regard to the existing labour markets in the country. Another positive assessment of the HRM policies in the organisations shows that employees feel important while working there since adequate measures are in place to influence their self-interest and self-esteem. The organisations also participate in the inculcation of values to their employees to ensure that they put the organisational interests ahead of their own. Such organisations incorporate group work and collaboration at their workplaces . However, there are several negative policies in these call centres, including the hard and extended running hours. The operational circumstances are also complicated based on the many and frequently cruel customers that they encounter every day in their job.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More These employees also have very high organisational targets, with the managers being harsh in the workplace. Harassment to these employees has contributed to conditioning, with D’Cruz and Noronha (2009) terming it as depersonalised bullying, which is created by the harsh policies, managers, supervisors, and a forceful working environment. HRM practitioners as displayed in the case can be described as disguising hard working conditions provided at the workplace with soft rhetoric. Critical theory is important in this expression. It states that rhetoric has dominated over reality in the current HRM mandates (Guest 1990). According to Guest (1990), HRM roles act as a smokescreen where the management teams can evade union formation and function in organisations, thus turning employees into working slaves, where they can work against their own will in the belief that the organisations are benevolent. Another researcher who is opposed to the displayed organisational rhetoric is Tada jewski (2011) who states that this rhetoric introduces HRM tasks that consider organisational benefit before employee welfare. Gane and Kalberg (2013, p. 26) also observe, ‘organisations use rhetoric to communicate an inherently attractive image of people who trust each other, share risks, and rewards and are united by common feelings of identity while providing little indication of the remote economic rationalism that distinguishes management in the real world’. Other researchers and analysts have also claimed that the softness displayed by the management is a way of ensuring that employees are subjective to the interests of the organisation. Managers also use the softness to wade off discontent from the displayed organisational control. The Indian Call Centre analysis provides results that reinforce critical perspectives. The analysis of the case study can also be done using the theories on transformational leadership and bureaucracy advanced by Max Weber. Bureaucracy In organisations, some officials are appointed to carry out specific duties and functions. They are awarded specific powers to carry out these functions (Budhwar, Varma, Singh Dhar 2006). Bureaucracy in the ideal form is the organisational arrangement where specific individuals are involved in the giving and receiving of commands, which are based on the existent rational system of rules, with no involvement of external influences (Morrison, 2006). The fundamental features of the bureaucracies described by Max Weber define the running of some organisations, with control vesting on specific individuals (Cox 2009; Cooper Burrell 1988). He claims that this form of bureaucracy leads to the ‘iron cage’ phenomenon in organisational management although the ideal application of bureaucracy would lead to greater organisational efficiency and effectiveness (Cox 2009). In the operations at the call centre, both the supervisors and junior employees are obedient to the existing di fficult and intolerable conditions at the workplace. The acceptance to working in these conditions demonstrates the iron cage phenomenon described by Weber (Cox 2009). These workers have been deprived of their privileges to dispute and to set right the circumstances at the administrative centres, with the reason being that they have acknowledged depersonalised maltreatment. In this case, CMS can be used to show how organisations can use bureaucracy to change the meaning and use of teamwork. In the organisation, the traditional and mainstream management perceptions practised include teamwork as a tool for mobilising employees to achieve organisational goals and improved organisational performance (Adler, Forbes, Wilmot, 2007). CMS on the other hand demonstrates that teamwork is abused in the present day organisational dispensations. Research works indicate that teamwork is effective as a management aid. However, in the recent years, the poor performance of well-staffed teams to perfo rm and deliver on the organisational goals has cast doubts on this notion. CMS, therefore, suggests that teamwork in the modern context is a tool for the exploitation of employees by organisations, with management and HRM mandates using teamwork to oppress team members in the name of improving organisational performance (Adler, Forbes, Willmott 2007). Transformational Leadership Transformative leadership as suggested by Max Weber (Cooper Burrell 1988) and/or advanced by Bass can be considered in terms of the ‘I model’ (Bass, 1990, p. 19). This model of transformational leadership consists of four components, including intellectual stimulation, inspirational motivation, individualised consideration, and idealised influence (Bass 1990). The model states that leaders should act as role models in organisations. According to Bass (1990), the intellectual influence that demands leaders to act as role models causes the generation of trust and the foundation of ethics in orga nisations. Intellectual stimulation entails the incorporation of views on employees in the operation of the organisation by the transformational leaders. Individual consideration, on the other hand, ensures that transformational leaders consider the welfare of each individual in the organisation irrespective of their levels in the organisational echelon. These types of leaders give attention to workers, thus providing them with motivation and encouragement in the course of their work. Inspirational motivation entails transformational leaders motivating their employees, inspiring them, and providing them with bravery and means of countering any challenges in the organisations’ operations. In the call centres discussed in the case study, leaders have a little display of transformative leadership as evidenced by the occurrences of depersonalised bullying in their respective organisations and their inability to deal with the same. Employees display a labour force that is not moti vated, inspired, or dedicated to their work, and are not involved in the development of policies or their implementation (Adler, Forbes, Willmott 2007). These employees demonstrate the absence of transformational leadership, with the authors stating that the organisation needs the introduction of this form of leadership (Adler, Forbes, Willmott 2007). Recommendations It suffices to make a number of recommendations to the changes that are necessary in the organisations in terms of their management policies with regard to CMS. The organisations should embark on the introduction of a union for employees to cater for their own welfare. A union will be crucial in the development of a better working environment for these employees since it will safeguard their interests in the organisation. Another change that the management needs to adopt is teamwork that is geared towards employee motivation and empowerment. Instead of using teamwork to affect the organisational productivity, organisa tions should apply the same to motivate their employees. The call centres also need to adopt training for their leaders on the principles of transformative leadership to ensure such leadership is practiced in these organisations. The call centres need to introduce policies that are friendly to the workforce. These policies include the reduction of the working hours for employees. Since these employees work in cruel conditions, they are exposed to depersonalised harassment from all sides, including the clients. A reduction of the working hours and the introduction of shorter shifts will act as a cushion for some of these challenges. Other necessary measures include the introduction of new campaigns to enhance collaboration between employees and their supervisors and the creation of a working feedback mechanism. Employees should be allowed to express their views through participation in decision-making processes in these call centres. Conclusion In conclusion, critical management stud ies are important in the changing of the conventional organisational dispensation. CMS provides alternative management theories in the attempt to change the conventional practice in organisations. The report has focused on depersonalised harassment as witnessed in the aforementioned administrative centres in India as discussed by D’Cruzi and Noronha. Several Max Weber’s suppositions, namely civil service and transformative headship, have been used in the assessment to determine the situation at the areas of work, specifically at the said call hubs. An analysis using these theories has shown that the management structures in the contemporary organisations are different from the rhetoric discussed by researchers. The HR customs are oppressive and that workers have adapted to working in these conditions. The report suggests some major changes that should be made at these organisations based on the CMS analysis. The adoption of these recommendations is crucial to improveme nt in the HR issues observed in the call centres. Therefore, human resource managers have a lesson to learn from this report in terms of the way they handle employees who are the key pillars of any organisation. HR managers need to make sure that the environment to which employees are exposed is work friendly in the effort to motivate them (the employees) towards giving their best to the organisations. This strategy will in turn lead to the accomplishment of the formulated targets. References Adler, P 2007, ‘The Future of Critical Management Studies: A Paleo-Marxist Critique of Labour Process Theory’, Organisation Studies, vol. 28 no. 1, pp. 1313–45. Adler, P, Forbes, L Willmott, H 2007, Critical management studies, Annals, vol. 1 no. 1, pp. 119-179. Bass, B 1990, ‘From transactional to transformational leadership: learning to share the vision’, Organisational Dynamics, vol. 18 no. 3, pp. 19-31. Budhwar, P, Varma, A, Singh, V Dhar, R 2006, HRM syst ems of Indian call centres: an exploratory study, International Journal of Human Resource Management, vol. 17 no. 5, pp. 881-897. Clegg, S, Dany, F Grey, C 2011, Introduction to the Special Issue Critical Management Studies and Managerial Education: New Contexts? New Agenda?’, Management, vol. 14 no. 5, pp. 272-279. Cooper, R Burrell, G 1988, Modernism, Postmodernism, and Organisational Analysis: An Introduction, University of Lancaster, Lancaster, UK. Cox, J 2009, Critical Management Studies at Work: Negotiating Tensions between Theory and Practice, Cheltenham, UK, Edward Elgar. D’Cruz, P Noronha, E 2009, ‘Experiencing Depersonalised Bullying: A Study of Indian Call-centre agents’, Work Organisation, Labour Globalisation, vo. 2 no. 2, pp. 24-46. Gane, N Kalberg, S 2013, Presenting Max Weber. (Max Weber and Contemporary Capitalism and Max Webers Comparative- Historical Sociology Today: Major Themes, Mode of Causal Analysis, and Applications) (Book rev iew), Canadian Journal Of Sociology, vol. 3 no. 1, p. 407. Guest, D 1990, ‘human resource management and the American Dream’, Journal of Management Studies, vol. 27 no. 1, pp. 377–397. Sim, S Van Loon, B 2005, Introducing critical theory, Icon Books, Royston. Tadajewski, M 2011, Key Concepts In Critical Management Studies, Sage, Los Angeles, Calif.

Ornament in Architecture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Ornament in Architecture - Essay Example Ornament application is one means that may be applied to a building to increase its general outlook, but it may not be the only measure. Sullivan believes that a building without ornaments may be made to look beautiful by using other measures, but the application of ornament decoration may certainly add to its beauty value (Sullivan, 188). This paper seeks to explain the importance of ornaments in architecture and argue whether the entity adds a noticeable value or may be ignored. Ornaments in architecture The incorporation of ornaments in a building as part of its composition may add substantial value upon its perception as beautiful architecture. The careful selection of the mode of design applied matters to its overall composition as compared to the random placement of the ornaments in the structure. Sullivan quotes that both the structure and the ornament benefit from the careful placement of the entities as they strive towards achieving the goal of defining their overall purpose (Sullivan, 189). The careful application of the ornament on the structure should adhere to its structural composition. It should appear that the ornament decorating the building is incorporated as a composition towards the overall physical appearance rather that an addition forced later to improve its look. The ornament contributes significantly towards the total composition of the structure and adds to the beauty quality of the structure, making it a structural material and an additive. â€Å"They are no longer two things but one thing,† (Sullivan, 189). Not all ornaments would look appropriate in a structure. There are definite ornaments to be included in a particular architectural work, and they define the purpose properly if their use is carefully planned. It would look inappropriate and even destroy the beauty of the final architectural structure when little planning is incorporated towards the final composition. Each building possesses a set of ornaments that would app ear appropriate in highlighting the decorative aspect of the ornament. Current implications of ornaments that are successfully incorporated in the buildings are evident in America where buildings shine to give them a definite presentation. There is an overall function of making the building stand out from the surrounding structures, and involve a functional addition of explaining the structure especially if it is viewed for the first time. The picture that is normally instilled within an individual’s mind would involve the critic that revolves around the work of art, and the definition t possesses on the mind of the society. Simply put, the definition derived from an entity according to the majority would be upheld as the proper symbol that relates to the entity. In Loos’ book, Ornament and crime, he states that the tattoo among the Papuan tribe was a body decoration and an ornament applied to most of their necessities, but in the modern society, it is criminals that b ear the mark that are in tattoo form (Loos, 29). Objects that possess ornaments are cherished, but those without this additional entity are easily discarded and forgotten by the society (Loos, 30). He further gives the explanation that those objects in the dumpsters with ornaments are picked and cleaned to be displayed as valuable entities. However, Loos argues that individuals have learnt to overlook the concepts of beauty

Philosophy Voluntary Euthanasia Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Philosophy Voluntary Euthanasia - Term Paper Example â€Å"It’s not life. I’m already dead† said 43 year old Diane Pretty, the mother of two who wanted assistance to die (Barclay, 2002). Diane Pretty was suffering from motor neuron disease and her ‘life expectancy’ as identified by the doctor was â€Å"very poor†. (Verkaik, 2002) She wanted a dignified death for herself. Owing to the distressful life she was leading where her words could only be interpreted as grunts, she along with her husband filed a petition in the court to prevent Brian, her husband from any prosecution if he assisted her in committing suicide. Julie, the mother of Dianne even wanted her to have a peaceful death said, â€Å"I have watched everything go and now I am hoping she will have a peaceful death. You know I’d like someone to give her a pill or an injection† (Barclay, 2002). The court did not provide Brian with immunity and the illness took its expected course resulting Diane Pretty’s death in the hospital under the conditions, which she had wanted to avoid (Tulloch, 2005, p.89). On the moral grounds the result against the petition was a disrespect shown to the individual autonomy of a rational human being and against her free will. Free will and voluntary euthanasia The free will of Dianne was questionable under the ethics of philosophy whether such an action taken by her would justify her on the moral grounds. Considering some of the major characteristics which have been attributed to the almighty by different religions come down to one notion that is the omnipresent of God and that the Almighty has no limit. If that is true then God possesses the knowledge about human actions and the almighty governs the thoughts of individual hence the decision taken by human beings are always guided by the will of the almighty. The free will of a human being must be respected and her autonomy to take decisions must be honored. (Waller, 2008, p.197) Thus on the moral and ethical ground it can be argued that the willingness to die expressed by Dianne to avoid the death of indignity and the distressful condition which she was going through can be justified. Voluntary Euthanasia and Utilitarianism The utilitarian approach specifies that the act like stealing which is termed as immoral is not essentially right or wrong, they are of the opinion that the rightness and the wrongness of any action depend upon the non normal goods like pleasure or happiness or health or knowledge or satisfaction which is derived while being in the action. Hence arguing whether the act is right or wrong is not easy; sometimes the simplest act has the most complicated outcomes. (Waller, 2008, p.52) The utilitarian rules examine the possible regulations on the basis of the expected utility. Euthanasia, also termed as mercy killing, which is an act that involves the intentional killing of an individual who is entirely dependent upon other for the life support and facing a life of distress. In th e case of Dianne Pretty the 43-year woman who was totally dependent on others for her life support the act of her to have a dignified death cannot be taken as against the ethics. The issue is that of a voluntary euthanasia, which is carried out as the person, himself or herself requests for it. The utilitarian approach focuses on the utility that an individual derives from an act. The Hedonistic utilitarian argues in the favor of the voluntary euthanasia. Voluntary euthanasia arises from a critical situation where the person’s existence in pain brings more suffering for the person herself and the people watching her in that situation. In such a situation where the very existence of the person brings distress and anguish for himself or herself, voluntary euthanasia is justified. (Telfer, n. d) Peter Singer being a utilitarian himself argues that if the future life of the human being who wants to take the aid of euthanasia to end her life has more negative impacts than the posi tive impacts then killing can be justified than

As Separate Peace Essay Example for Free

As Separate Peace Essay It has connections between Genesis and the fall of man throughout the book underlining the main story. Genesis and the fall of man are used in the novel solely to understand human nature and the good and evil living inside everyone. Throughout the book the protagonist Gene, puts himself in a competition with his best friend and biggest enemy Finny. Finny is the perfect athlete and caries along innocence and pure thoughts of life itself and others around him. Gene and Finny both show representations of Cain and Abel as well as the creation of man with Adam and Eve. Much like Cain’s jealousy towards his brother Abel, Gene is very jealous and envious of Finny. Abel was the pure and honest brother who carried out all of Gods orders and pleased him very much, while Cain was the complete opposite. He was seen as rather corrupted and sinful. Gene, in this way, is portraying Cain because in the novel Gene realizes the strong hold that sin has on him and the strong hold on it has on his soul, and he says â€Å" It was just some ignorance inside me, some crazy thing inside me, something blind, that’s all it was† (183). Unfortunately, Gene becomes overpowered by his jealousy towards Finny just as Cain did towards Abel. Gene’s jealousy takes control of his mind and body when he finally realizes he will never be as perfect as Finny. He will never be as good athletically or he will never be as good morally and mentally either. Gene says â€Å"there never was and never could have been any rivalry between us. I was not of the same quality as he† (59). Which shows he knows that he will never win with Finny there. The pain of Gene knowing this makes him make a very unreasonable and ridiculous action that he regrets the rest of his life. Holding firmly to the trunk, I took a step forward and I jounced the limb. Finny, his balance gone, swung his head around to look at me for an instant with extreme interest, and then he tumbled sideways, broke through the little branches below and hit the bank with a sickening thud† (52). The story in Genesis of Cain and Abel is exceedingly similar to that. â€Å"Now Cain said to his brother Abel, ‘Let’s go out to the field. ’ And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him† (Genesis 4:8). These two incidents directly parallel each other and unveil much about human nature. When Gene finally admits to the realization that he will never beat Finny or get close to his level he subconsciously lets his jealousy kill the better man inside of him so what is left is an empty soul. The fall of Adam and Eve is also coinciding with Gene’s tremendous fall in the novel. In Genesis, the story of Adam and Eve is set in the Garden of Eden. In the garden there was no sin, suffering or pain. Everyone was happy and had everything they wanted. The one thing God told Adam and Eve was to stay away from the tree of knowledge of good and evil and to not eat the fruit from that tree, yet that was too much to ask. â€Å"When the woman saw the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he also ate it† (Genesis 3:6). This sin had grave consequences such as â€Å"the eyes of both of them were opened and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig-leaves together and made coverings for themselves† (Genesis 3:7). Gene’s sin had similar results from when he shook the tree and Finny fell, his life changed largely. The impact of his actions struck him extremely hard and at once he became ashamed and embarrassed of what he did, just as Adam and Eve were of their nakedness so they hid. Gene’s shame relates to the story of Adam and Eve but not just that, it relates to a large population of people today and this is the point Knowles was making and why he related his book to Genesis. As humans, people are automatically going to hide their transgressions behind something else and that’s just human nature. To be able to fully understand this novel you need to know about creation and the fall of man. In every human there is good and there is evil, it will come out at different times and one might overpower the other, but there is till both. Cain and Abel’s story, along with Adam and Eve’s story equally show how the evil overpowered Gene.