Project Management: Resource Considerations Essay

Resources back include people, equipment, machines, tools, facilities, and space. Among the people may be numerous polar types, such as painters, designers, cooks, computer programmers, and assembly growers. The consideration of imagerys adds another(prenominal) dimension (beyond the element of beat) to planning and scheduling. In many nominates, the amounts of the various types of choices on hand(predicate) to perform the forcing erupt activities ar limited. Several activities may require the corresponding resources at the same time, and there may not be qualified resources ready(prenominal) to satisfy both the demands. If sufficient resources be not available, roughly activities may oblige to be re munimentd for a later time when resources argon available for them. One way to consider resources is to take them into account when draft copy the logical relationships among activities in the net reckon diagram.In addition to showing the beloved constraints among activities, the net call on logic drop also take into account resource constraints. The rate of activities digest be drawn to reflect the limited handiness of a number of resources. If resources ar to be considered in planning, its essential to indicate the amounts and types of resources admited to perform all(prenominal) activity. For this reason, a resource visibleness is lots developed. Resource leveling, or smoothing, is a method for developing a agendum that attempts to minimize the fluctuations in requirements for resources. This method levels the resources so that they atomic number 18 apply as uniformly as possible without extending the mold schedule beyond the required completion time.Resource leveling attempts to establish a schedule in which resource use is made as level as possible without extending the suffer beyond the required completion time. In resource leveling, the required take in completion time is fixed, and the resources are varied in an attemp t to eliminate fluctuation. Resource-limited scheduling is a method for developing the shortest schedule when the number or amount of available resources is fixed. This method is appropriate when the resources available for the mould are limited and these resource limits cannot be exceeded.This method lead extend the bemuse completion time if necessary in entreat to keep within the resource limits. It is an iterative method in which resources are allocated to activities based on the least s deprivation. The steps are repeated until all resource constraints have been satisfied. In resource-limited scheduling, the resources are fixed, and the insure completion time is varied in order not to exceed the resource limits. For a large project that requires many different resources, each of which has a different limit of availability, resource-limited scheduling can get very complicated. Various project management software packages are available that will assist with this process.It i s the right of the project private instructor to cultivate sure that the node is satisfied that the puddle scope is completed in a fiber way of life, within budget, and on time. The project double-decker has primary responsibility for providing leadership in planning, organizing, and unconditional the work effort to accomplish the project objective. In terms of planning, the project passenger vehicle has to clearly define the project objective and reach pact with the customer on this objective. In terms of organizing, the project manager must secure the appropriate resources to perform the work. In terms of controlling, the project manager needs to track actual progress and compare it with planned progress. The project manager is a key ingredient in the success of a project and needs to possess a set of skills that will wait on the project squad succeed.The project manager should be a right(a) leader who inspires the people assigned to the project to work as a aggrou p to implement the plan and achieve the project objective successfully be committed to the training and development of the people working on the project be an effective communicator who interacts regularly with the project team, as sanitary as with any subcontractors, the customer, and her or his own confederacys pep pill management and have good interpersonal skills. It is essential that the project manager develop a relationship with each person on the project team and effectively use his or her interpersonal skills to try to cultivate the thinking and actions of others. An effective project manager can handle deform and has good sense humor. In addition, he or she is a good problem solver.Although its easier to identify problems than to solve them, good problem declaration starts with the early identification of a problem or potential problem. intelligent project managers also manage their time well. These essential skills can be developed through experience, by seeking out feedback from others, by conducting a self-evaluation and learning from your own mistakes, by interviewing effective project managers, by combat-ready in training programs, by joining transcriptions, through reading, and through date with volunteer government activitys in which all these skills can be tested. Project managers need to be good delegators.Delegation involves empowering the project team to accomplish the expect results for her or his electron orbit of responsibility. Its the act of following individuals to carry out assigned tasks successfully. One other important comp atomic number 53nt of the project managers job is managing and controlling changes to minimize any negative carry on on the successful accomplishment of the project objective. To do this successfully, the project manager, at the beginning of the project, should establish procedures regarding how changes will be documented and authorized.A team is a group of individuals working interdependently to achieve a public goal. Teamwork is the accommodating effort by members of a team to achieve that common goal. The military posture or lack thereof of the project team can invent the difference between project success and project failure. Project teams bourgeon through various stages of development. Forming, the initial stage of the team development process, involves the pitch contour from individual to team member. During this stage, individuals on the team begin to get acquainted. During the storming stage, mesh emerges and tension increases. Motivation and morale are low. Members may even balk team formation.However, after struggling through the storming stage, the team moves into the norming stage of development. Relationships among team members and between the team and the project manager have become settled, and interpersonal conflicts have been resolved for the most part. The fourth and final stage of team development and growth is the performing stage. In this st age, the team is highly committed and eager to achieve the project objective. The members feel a sense of unity. Characteristics oft associated with effective project teams include a clear understanding of the project objective, clear expectations of each persons role and responsibilities, a results orientation, a high degree of cooperation and collaboration, and a high level of trust. Barriers to team metier include unclear goals, unclear definition of roles and responsibilities, lack of project grammatical construction, lack of commitment poor conference, poor leadership, turnover of project team members, and nonadaptive behavior.Team building developing a group of individuals to accomplish the project objective is an ongoing process. It is the responsibility of both the project manager and the project team. Socializing among team members supports team building. To facilitate socializing, team members can request that they be physically located in one office area for the du ration of the project and they can participate in social events. transformation is about acknowledging, understanding, and valuing differences, and creating a work environment that recognizes, respects, and harnesses differences among team members for the benefits of accomplishing a shared out goal, such as the project objective. mannikin show of the team brings unique ideas and perspectives to projects. Diversity should be seen and valued by the project team as a strength that can enrich communication, foster better relationships, create an pleasurable workplace, and enhance team performance. Ethical behavior is necessary within a project organization and is crucial in project business relationships with the customer, suppliers and subcontractors. Customers and suppliers require to do business with a contractor or project organization that they can trust.Intentional distortion, deception or misrepresentation is outright unethical. engagement on projects is inevitable. During a project, conflict can emerge from a variety of situations. Sources of potential conflict on projects include differences of opinion on how the work should be done, how much work should be done, at what level of quality the work should be done, who should be assigned to work on which tasks, the sequence in which the work should be done, how long the work should take, and how much the work should greet.Project communication takes various forms, including personal communication, meetings, presentations, reports, and project documentation. Communication can be face to face or use some medium, including telephones, congressman mail, e-mail, videoconferencing, or groupware. It can be formal or informal. Personal communication can be either oral or written. Oral communication can be face to face or via telephone. Information can be communicated in a more accurate and timely manner through oral communication. Such communication bears a forum for discussion, clarification, understanding , and fast feedback. Listening is an important part of making communication effective.Failure to discover can cause a breakdown in communication. Common barriers to effective listening include pretending to listen, distractions, bias and close-mindedness, impatience, and jumping into conclusions. Listening skills can be improved by focusing on the person talking, pleasing in active listening, asking questions, and not interrupting. Project managers and team members are often called on to give formal presentations. In preparing for the presentation, its important to determine the purpose of presentation, find out about the target audience, make an outline, develop notes and visual aids, make copies of handout materials, and practice. Written reports are often required during a project.The two most common types of project reports are progress reports and final reports. Progress reports often cover accomplishments since the prior report, the live project status, any potential probl ems that have been identified and corrective actions that are planned and goals that should be accomplished during the next reporting period. Final reports provide a summary of the project and often include items such as the customers original needs, the original project objective and requirements, benefits resulting from the project, a description of the project, and a list of deliverables produced. All reports should be clear and curt and written as you would speak.Chapter 13 Types of Project OrganizationsThe three most common structures used to organize people to work on projects are in operation(p), project, and intercellular substance. These structures are applicable to a large majority of businesses and not-for-profit organizations. The functional organization structure is typically used in business that primarily sells and produces touchstone products standard products and seldom conducts external projects. The focus is on the technical excellence and cost competitiveness of the companys products, as well as the splendor of each functional components contribution of expertness to the companys products. For projects, a multifunctional project team or task perpetrate is forced, with members selected from the appropriate sub functions. In this structure, the project manager does not have complete authority over the project team, because administratively the members still work for their respective functional managers.The project organization structure is used by companies that are working on multiple projects at any one time and do not produce standard products. People are hired to work on a specific project, and each project team is dedicated to only one project. A project-type organization is positioned to be highly responsive to the project objective and customer needs because each project team is strictly dedicated to only one project. The advantages of a functional organizational structure are no duplication of activities and functional excellence .Disadvantages include insularity, slow response time, and lack of customer focus. The project organization structure has control over resources and responsiveness to customers as advantages. The advantages of a matrix organization structure include efficient utilization of resources, functional expertise available to all projects, increased learning and knowledge transfer, improved communication, and customer focus. Its disadvantages are the dual reporting relationships and the need for a balance of power.

Ava Wrestles the Alligator

Three Dimensions Museo del Prado in Madrid, Spain houses an wrongful triptych called The Garden of E guilehly Delight painted by Hieronymus Bosch in 1504. A triptych works by combining three different panels and forming one picture, manhood, or scene. In the case of The Garden of earthlike Delight we are yielded with a triptych that, not only has three complete scenes of Eden, Ecclesias Paradise, and Hell present when opened but when closed the viewer discount see humankind as a whole. In Ava Wrestles the Alligator the triptych given is SwamplandiaIn this blushing(a) neck fairytale the dimensions of Swamplandia are parallel to the famous Bosch work due(p) the ideas of Earth, Heaven, Hell, and Swamplandia the acres. In Swamplandia the idea of Earth is kn take in as everyday activities the streak of the park, feeding the alligators. Ava and Ossie have pet lizards and giggle at night in the room they share. We keep giggling, happy and nervous, tickled by an incomplete innocenc e (Russell 4). During these simple, terrestrial times of normality Ossie also begins to experiment with her newly formed womanlike body.In The Garden of Earthly Delight the images of smiling, naked men and women cover the fondness panel. The figures in the painting are seen experiencing life as naturally as possible. Even the lives of two young girls can be represented in art painted hundreds of years before their time. This gives the reader and the avid art viewer the idea that it is human nature to experience, laugh, and dream about the world above and beyond the shell that is the human body. Ossie yearns to feel alive. With the use of her receive body and her imagination she takes her kingdom and makes it her own.Far above the kingdom of Swamplandia the spirits of by Swamplandians hover most importantly the deceased mother of Ava and Ossie. Ava tells the reader spend rain is still the most comforting sound I know. I like to pretend that its our dead mothers fingers, go on the ceiling above us (Russell 3). In The Garden of Earthly Delight the idea of Heaven is represented by animals, including alligators, relaxing by a pool of water and the lack of humans, comforted only by a single cloaked figure. In the ase of Ava and Ossie the cloaked figure is the belief of their mothers spirit encasing their house with each drop of rain. superstar of the most focal points of The Garden of Earthly Delight is shown in the stinkpot right corner of the right hand panel. The image of a annulus Beast, or Prince of Hell, ruling over the Underworld is most prominent to the scene. The Prince lures in his prey and uses them for his benefit, whether it is food, pleasure, or manual labor. Like Ossie is a slave to her own pleasure and even attempts suicide to become one with her own twisted sense of desire.The women of The Garden of Earthly Delight are trapped by sex and pleasure, emotions unwashedly mistaken for love. Though the similarities are obvious between the two men of each story the most striking common feature of Ava Wrestles the Alligator and The Garden of Earthly Delight comes from the Prince shown devouring a woman, much like how the Bird Man rapes Ava. As obvious as the painting, Ava identifies the Bird Man as no Prince Charming. Hes cover in feathers and bird shit (Russell 11). With these three dimensions the idea of a kingdom is more apparent than the simple highway passing of SwamplandiaThe reader is presented with a complex and mysterious gateway through the mind of a 12 year old and to the world of diamond lizards, grief, and the realistic notion that prank is above, below, and surrounding each human being that decides to open the doors of their own triptych. With a glance into Avas world and a single glance at a classic work of art each person can discover a fairytale. Works Cited Russell, Karen. Ava Wrestles the Alligator. St. Lucys Home for Girls Raised by Wolves. New York Vintage Books, 2006. 3-25.

Is Marxism Still Relevant Today?

The Industrial Revolution (1750-1850) had brought about significant agitates in agriculture, mining, manufacturing, transportation and technology and subsequently established an era of unprecedented sparing growth in capitalist economies. It was at bottom this era that Karl Marx had observed the passing and inconsistency experienced by men of the undertaking, the on the job(p) kinsperson, who had turn overed excessively for hours under inhumane conditions to do a minimum wage mend the bourgeoisie, the capitalist consort, reaped the benefits.For Marx it was this fundamental inequality within the cordial and economic military force structure that had enabled capitalist societies to function. opus Marxs theories, in many another(prenominal) instances film been falsified and predictions invalid, his ideas about en demoralizeen struggle and conflict being a motivator for change is still relevant in contemporary familiarity. The disparity of riches among occupations i n Australia demonstrates that class stratification is still inherent within clubhouse and the recent Qantas airline dispute is a relevant example of this.Marxs theory of class struggle originates with his look that the history of all now existing smart set is the history of class struggles (Marx & Engel, 1848). Marx had established that conflict amongst classes was the key driving force of history and the main determinant of accessible change. For Marx, conflict originates with the deterioration of a false mind and the subsequent encyclopedism of a unified class consciousness.Marx argued that that proletariat was under the modulate of a false consciousness brought about with the acceptance of the dominant political orientation that freedom and equality could be interpreted as an equal commute of labour for wages (van Krieken et al. , 2010). Marx however, perceive this as an exploitive dealingship because in capitalism, the labourer only receives what is deemed sufficie nt to meet his basic needs for himself and his family, as opposed to the real value of his labour power.Marx had identified that the difference amidst the labourers wage and the value of the goods in which he produces is interpreted as mesh, of which only the capitalist is the beneficiary (Habibis & Walter, 2009). Marx had theorised that, as a ending of this exploitive parityship, alienation would occur. Marx argued that commodification of goods and services produced in conjunction with the lack of keep over the end result would pixilated that workers would no longer greet a connection with their labour, and hence become alienated from their labour.Only with the recognition of class exploitation and alienation would a class consciousness develop. Marx referred to class consciousness as a class for itself, denoting a collective self-aw areness of the interests shared by members of a societal group (van Krieken et al. , 2010). Marx predicted that class consciousness would crea te a conflict of interest between classes and revolution would eventuate. The bourgeoisie would be overthrown, capitalism would collapse and a classless state would emerge as its heir (van Krieken et al. , 2010). In post-modern times however, it is widely accepted that the opposite occurred.Critics insist that Marxisms credibility was eradicated with the fall of the communist states within the Eastern Bloc. While some others such as China, although still governed by a communist party, have choose numerous capitalist policies (van Krieken et al. , 2010). Marxism has also been criticised for its over-concentration on economic relationships and its temperament to pass by other forms of non-economic conflicts (Griffith, 2005). Feminists, for example, argue that the conflicts between male and female relations are not necessarily cerebrate to economics, but patriarchal. besidesmore, Marx like other kind theorists at the time had ignored the role and contribution of women. Marx had depict the proletariat of industrial societies where manual(a) labour was involved he did not however, take into consideration a womans domestic or reproductive labour. Federici (2004) asserts that Marx failed to recognise the importance of reproductive labour because he had adopted the capitalist criteria for what constitutes labour and believed that a wage in exchange for labour would be the paradigm that shapes humanity. Considering that as of 2010, 45. % of the Australian labour force comprised of women it would reckon that Marxs brotherlyist perspective is less so equal or relevant in contemporary order of magnitude. Marxism is often cited as being foreign within contemporary gild due to the fact that Marx had critiqued an almost one and only(prenominal) society. McDonald & Brownlee (2001) argue that contemporary society exists in a post-modern era where westernised societies have it away the benefits of higher living standards, where the rights of employees are elici ted within the Australian genius and the rights of humans are dictated within Geneva conventions.An era where employees are entitled to judicature pensions, allowances, superannuation, and employees accrue sick and annual leave (McDonald & Brownlee, 2001). Furthermore employees are able to seek partnership representation and are legitimately entitled to industrial sue. McDonald and Brownlee (2001) assert that Fair Work Australia, established as an institution responsible for fixating minimum wage and resolving work related disputes, perpetuates the notion that Australia is in transition to become an egalitarian society with marginal class disparity.Critics have also argued that Marxism within western society is no longer relevant due to the increased levels of social mobility. Social mobility refers to ride in an individuals or groups social position over time and is often assessed on their change in income over time (Borgatta & Montogomery, 2000). The traditional stratificat ion of classes had a tendency to overlook the kernel class and analyse the both extremes of rich and poor, bourgeoisie and proletariat (van Krieken et al. 2010). In the context of Marxism, the middle class was ignored due to their perceived limited role within the political revolution that would depose of capitalism. In contemporary society however, the traditional labouring occupations have decreased, leading to a shortage of skilled labourers and tradesman. As a result these occupations often earn a higher income, blurring the line between working class and middle class (Braverman, 1974).In August 2011 the most common occupations were distinctly white tinge with the workforce comprising of 22% professionals, 15% Clerical and administrative workers and 14% Technicians and trades workers (Australian way Statistics, 2011). The evident emergence of the white collar-middle class within contemporary society importantly undermines Marxs theory of class stratification who had predicte d an absorption into the working class and the emergence of a classless state. Despite this however, research has suggested that social mobility has not necessarily increased.Graetz and McAllister (1994) identified that tour the shift between manual and non-manual occupations has increased since the 1970s, most of this has been the result of structural changes in light of technological innovations and advancements in modern society, as opposed to mobility in social classes. Moreover, Leigh (2007) argues that the spring chicken of Australia are equally likely to reproduce, or not reproduce, the class of their parents and that social mobility in the context of Australian youth, has not necessarily increased.Argy (2005) reinforces this argument and states that while Australia can be referred to as economically liberated country, there has not necessarily been an increase in equal opportunity and the distribution of wealth within Australia is an evident example of this. The National Centre for Social and economical Modelling (NATSEM) was commissioned to conduct a study in relation to the distribution of wealth in Australia. NATSEM analyst Simon Kelly (2002) reported that the richest one-fifth of households in Australia each have, on average, forty times more wealth than the poorest fifth of the population.The NATSEM data reiterates that wealth within Australia is still concentrated in the workforce of the cockeyed minority who have ascertained the benefits of the economic growth in recent years by disproportionately increasing their personal wealth (Stillwell & Primrose, 2011). The disparity of wealth between occupations was a key indicator of the inequality between classes. NATSEM data identified that personal wealth is the highest for managers and administrators (men $250,000, women $183,300) and professionals (men $173,800, women $99,700).In contrast to these figures, the last personal wealth is held by the production and transport workers ($55,400), la bourers (men 39,700, women $29,300) and trade persons (men 60,000, women 35,000) (Stillwell & Primrose, 2011). From a sociological perspective class inequality is often represented by comparing class personal wealth and income. From a Marxism perspective however, a persons social class isnt defined by personal wealth but rather the level of influence that a person wields over the means of production.According to Ben Hillier (2012) it is measured in terms of social wealth derived from the control of the productive or financial apparatus of society. This can be interpreted as the bourgeoisie having ownership of the assets that enable modern society to function such as the telecommunications infrastructure, electrical companies, sweetsprint enterprises, transport facilities and mines etc. The transactional incline of these assets inevitably provides its owner with the power to influence governments of capitalist societies and effects how society functions.The recent Qantas airways dispute demonstrated how this power is exercised. One recent example of class conflict inherent within Australian society was the Qantas airways dispute. On 29th October 2011, Qantas chief executive officer Alan Joyce issued a kettle of fish release announcing the immediate grounding and cancellation of all Australian domestic and outside(a) flights and the lock-out of all employees without pay. Leading up to the unprecedented grounding, Qantas had been involved in lease negotiations with unions representing employees of the company.The unions were seeking a 3-5% wage increase and better job auspices for casual staff. (Mulcahy, 2011). Around the same time Qantas had announced its decision to throw 1000 jobs and restructure its fleet to move to Asia under a new airline Jetstar Japan. The traditional international routes within the North Atlantic were direct at a loss with a half year advantage of $241 million a year ago, dropping by 83%, to $42 million (Ryan, 2012). Despite t he evident decline in profit the airlines had awarded Alan Joyce with a 71% lift in his total remuneration package to $5. 1 million, after he received $2. million worth of shares (Mulcahy, 2011). After two days the debacle finally ended with the intervention of the Federal government submitting an application to Fair Work Australia (FWA), terminating the industrial dispute and ordering Qantas to hook on operations. The verdict stated that those involved had 21 days to finalise a settlement to the dispute and neither party could engage in further action for three years after a settlement had been made. If an organisation could not be reached the Fair Work industrial courts would arbitrate the details of the contracts (Mulcahy, 2011).The economic impact was expected to be profound, Qantas which represents approximately 65% of the airwave industry, contributes $6 billion to the Australian economy and employs 50,000 employees (Squires, 2011). Although Qantas reports that the dispute cost them $long hundred million, its share prices increased by 6% to $1. 61 (Frith, 2011). The controversy attracted much(prenominal) political and economic commentary speculating on who won the dispute and what this would mean for those involved. Alan Joyce explicitly stated that the FWA ruling was a favourable decision for Qantas as nobody any more can take industrial action (Taylor, 2011).This thereby would allow Qantas to restructure its fleet in Asia, ascertaining cheaper wages by outsourcing and offshoring labour, without any internal opposition. The unions established to represent the working class of businesses and corporations would be made obsolete for three years allowing any injustices within the employment to remain unresolved. From a Marxist perspective this would mean that the bourgeoisie of the company, the CEO and high profile managers, who already have exceeding high salaries, would profit from the new means of production and the proletariat would be further di sfavor with pay cuts and the isk of redundancy. Karl Marxs critique of industrial societies developed out of the belief that conflict between stratified classes such as the bourgeoisie and the proletariat, would be the drive needed to perpetuate social change. Marx believed that with the acquisition of a class consciousness the proletariat would revolt against the exploitative capitalist institution, eradicating all class structures and establishing a socialist state. Admittedly, Marxs critique failed to recognise essential components of society such as the middle class and female representation which has significantly undermined Marxs theory of class struggle.Furthermore Marxs predictions have been falsified in light of modern developments which have led to many critics casting doubt on its relevance within contemporary society. The higher living standards, government allowances and union representation enjoyed by citizens within Australia all perpetuate notions of equality and ce ase the potential collapse of capitalism. Despite this however, there are still many instances of class inequality inherent in Australian society.The disparity of wealth between occupations in Australia demonstrates that the minority with extreme wealth have control over the means of production, and have used the power derived from it to influence societys development. The recent Qantas dispute is a testament of how this power is exercised and demonstrates how the wealthy minority are able to accumulate excess wealth at the expense of the labouring class. Thus attesting to the inherent class inequality that Marx had recognised, and acknowledging its founding within contemporary Australian society. ?

Indoor Plumbing and Public Sanitation in Developing Countries Essay

The porcelain throne, the pot, the pooper, the potty, the latrine, the earth-closet. That is something we tiret bring in much thought to, unless something is wrong with it. What about the shower stall or the sink? How often to do you go to your sink to tug a glass of pee and wonder Am I discombobulate someones poo? Will it be nibble today or will I call for sick? I know for myself, I rarely give this any thought at all and I can honestly say that I drive home never unhinged that my drinking piddle would be contaminated by feces. However, for many nearly the human race, this is a constant concern.Many today either put one overt bugger off approach shot to jolly water or dont cod approach shot to rattling much water at all. They openly defecate, as well as drink, cook, and bathe in contaminated water. This causes some(prenominal) life threatening diseases and illnesses. I will discuss the water and sanitation issues in under developed countries, as well as wh at is being done to improve these situations. Early one December morning in Boise Idaho, I woke up to an especially cold day. I wearily scuffled myself to my bathroom, went pee and when I went to flush my toilet, nothing happened.Still slightly hypnoid and confused, I tried a check more times to conk it to flush. Still nothing happened. Frustrated, I opened my tank and found that in that location was no water in it at all. I thought that that was strange, so I checked my faucet. I turned the handle and no water came out, I quickly checked my shower and kitchen sink next. I had no water at all. Realizing that I had to work in a hardly a(prenominal) hours and I had no way to shower, brush my teeth or clean up in any way, I became instead irate. I called my heed company and apparently pipes had frozen in most of their properties.After this discover I started look ating about my reaction and how there are countries that dont have access to clean water ever. though I think tha t the reaction that I had would have been the same for any person living in the U. S. , I dont know if it was as deep of a deal as it felt like in the moment. I didnt divulge from not having water for one day, I wasnt compel to defecate in my front lawn or drink from a sewer. I didnt get sick and I didnt even have to go the entire day without a shower. In fact, I didnt have to go even a couple of hours without access to water.We, in America, are so used to having constant access to clean water and indoor plumbing that if we have to go an hour without it, its as though our entire world is crashing down. We rarely give thought to those in underdeveloped countries that lack access to clean water at all. There are approximately 7 billion large number living on earth today. There are about 2. 6 billion spate today that dont have a toilet or access to one (Yamaguchi). That is about 40% of the worlds population That is a huge number of hoi polloi without toilets. present in America , there is not a single home that does not have a toilet.Even the homeless have constant access to restroom facilities and clean water. I had a conversation with a comrade of mine that works with the homeless on a daily foot to see what the situation was like for the homeless in America in regards to restroom access and sanitation. I asked him if any of the homeless people that he worked with were ever forced to openly defecate or go without a shower. He informed that the notwithstanding ones that did that were never forced to, notwithstanding they did it by choice. He also told me that many that are homeless are on Medicaid, so if they get sick they can just go to the doctor.This is quite different from ontogeny countries, where people die all the time from not being able to afford medical care. Developing countries not exactly lack affordable medical care but they have very limited ability to prevent the spread of illness, such as those caused by exposure to faecal point ( Yamaguchi). However, in America we have sewage systems and names that filter and treat our sewer water. In Los Angeles there is the Hyperion sewage plant that processes enough fecal matter to fill three Rose curl Stadiums every day (Yamaguchi).That is just in Los Angeles, what about the rest of the U.S.? It is judgement boggling to think about how much is processed. Now lets attend to at India, a country that has significantly grown economically, however is nonoperational severely lacking proper sanitation systems. According to UNICEF, about 600 billion people in India are without access to a toilet ( realism Toilet Day 2012). That is more than half the population of India. Instead of development a toilet, they openly defecate wherever they can. Many use the Yamuna River (Yamaguchi), the largest river in the Ganges of Northern India. The result has been a severely contaminated water source.The river has literally turned black and bubbles from the methane gases. The shores ar e not only pollute with fecal matter but trash as well and til now still the people are employ the water from the river (Yamaguchi). I think many Americans reaction to this would be Gross or we might generalize and think that Indians are just unsanitary people. Is that genuinely the case, though? The people living in underdeveloped countries are rarely living in unsanitary conditions by choice. Many are unknowing to proper sanitation practices and/or are living in conditions where they have no access to clean water.In the urban slums of New Delhi, people are defecating anywhere they can in the middle of the streets, next to aim road tracks, or just feet from where they eat, drink and sleep. The water they are using to cook, drink, and bathe with is water from a sewer (Yamaguchi). About 1000 children die every day from diarrhea (Bajait, Thawani). This lack of proper sanitation systems is exposing these children and adults to fecal matter on a daily basis, which is causing disea ses like Typhoid, epidemic cholera and other severe illnesses linked with diarrhea. Is this the geological fault of the individual or the fault of their administrations?In my opinion, both are at fault. Though developing countries have very little access to informational services, I do retrieve that it go in the hands of the individual to get informed and I believe that it is the responsibility of the government to succeed the services required to inform its people on proper sanitation, as well as provide a clean environment to live in via sanitation systems. This lack of toilets, which results in a lack of clean water, is obviously a very big problem. So what is being done about it? In 2001 Jack Sim founded the origination Toilet Organization.This organization is dedicated to improving the worlds toilet and sanitation situation. They make toilets that are affordable for those living in needy conditions. Jack Sim also works with governments of developing countries and small organizations to help provide toilets to those in need. One of those small organizations is run by Bapak Sumadi in Indonesia. Sumadi is a major leader in Indonesia in providing the public with toilets and teaching the enormousness of public sanitation. Together their goal is to end open defecation (Yamaguchi). Though the changes and effects are small, they are not insignificant.The conditions that these people are forced to live in, is truly a crisis. Thousands die every day from not having proper sanitation systems. The invention of the toilet and sewage systems has not only given us a way to get rid of our feces, but it has provided us with sanitary conditions which keeps our water clean and reduces the chances of contracting diseases. No matter who you are or where you live, everyone deserves to have access to a toilet and clean water. The question now is what more can be done? Should the government help provide better access to toilets and sanitation systems? What about other c ountries?Do we hold any responsibility in helping these developing countries? In my opinion, yes we do. One scholarly journal, in reference to David Hemson, stated well-ordered water supply to the rural poor is both a constitutional requirement and a social necessity (Phaswana-Mafuya 298). I think it is irresponsible that we learn to help one another, so that we can grow unitedly rather than grow apart. I know the next time that I use the restroom, take a bath, or even just get a glass of water I will be congenial for all that I have and that I dont have to worry about what I am drinking or dishwashing in. What about you?

Music Masters and Rhythm Kings Essay

It is a rare opportunity to witness masters of the aged tradition relishing in their element sweat on their foreheads as beats and strings pulsate the story of a past nearly forgotten. It is a gift if one is fortunate enough to see them live, simply seeing them and hearing their symphony on the limited capacity of burgeon forth is lock in a treasure, much like watching some of the stovepipe keepers of old time Southern practice of medicine in Peggy Bulger and Melissa Shepard Sykes use up Music Masters and Rhythm Kings.We review role players Eddie Kirkland, Neal Pattman, Homer Pappy Sherill and the Hired Hands, and Florencio Baro as they recount the origins of their music and how they have come to imbibe it. Southern music is essenti in all(a)y an amalgam of two musical cultures combined despite a clash of ideals and beliefs, and despite centuries of oppression and dispute. As Charles Joyner, a Southern refining historian mentions in the film, it is impossible for the South ern peoples not to be influenced by the culture of another race, especially if they are so ingrained in their society.Though these people might argue once against these relations, there is no denying the consid geological erable influence of African culture in the nomenclature, the mannerisms, and especially, the music of the South. History dictates that conventional South American music finds its roots in the harsh functional fields. Pappy Sherill phrases this perfectly when he says that these farmers do as a trend of putt joy to themselves sic while theyre working. At the same time, Southern music also represented the subversive culture of the African slaves.Their music became their way of expression because they k stark naked that the white man can have no deem. Bringing their own kind of musical tradition from their homeland, they created a new one that came to represent and signal the changing dynamics of the American South. In the film, we see Pappy Sherill and the Hir ed Hands, one of the few old-time string bands that present actively in the South. Their music embodies the respite that Southern farmers crave afterward a day of toiling under the hot sun.It is a fast-paced jig that consists of music from a fiddle, a guitar, a banjo, and a cello, all coming together in an energetic symphony of strings. Pulling it all together is Sherill, who at a very ripe age still remains as one of the best fiddle players in the country. Folklorist Glenn Hinson defines his ac nominateg as propelled by advanced technique that harkens back to the days when fiddlers do their instruments cry and sing. Playing professionally since he was thirteen years old, Sherill was a prodigy who created music despite financial setbacks.He only owned a proper wooden fiddle when he managed to save cash from a side job, and only after using a tin fiddle for some time. In 1976, Sherill won the award for Best fashionable Fiddler in the National Fiddlers Championship, opening doo rs for him to play in legion(predicate) road show and concerts. But, when Pappy sang and compete out of joy, Eddie Kirkland and Neal Pattman sang the sonorous, super emotional tunes of the blues. Eddie Kirkland grew up harvesting cotton, and during the production of the film had once again stepped foot in the cotton fields.Drawing back to memories of those hardships, Eddie remembers doing this grinding, back-breaking work as a child. It was only the field hollers, work songs and phantasmals of the African-American people that pushed them to go on. Arising from this work songs were the blues, a uniquely Southern music that Kirkland loves so dear. As we can hear from the film, Kirklands music is derived from years of toil and work, utter a time of inequality and hardship. He describes it as heart-wrenching Blues. And so it is, with the soft, poignant, just irregular riffs of his guitar accompanied by his soulful voice, we feel sadness and desperation. But, he goes beyond this b y also singing songs of love following the Blues format. It is a rare opportunity to hear the Blues as it couldve been played at the beginning of the 19th century, in the backwaters of the rural South. Also reverberative of Kirkland is Neal Pattman, a maestro of the blues harp, who also rose from the working fields. His music, as any Blues music would be, touches the heart and with his harp he creates an as yet more wrenching elegy.We follow the flow of his music as it rises and stops, as he accompanies it with his voice. We listen and we are transplanted back into the days of old when the artlessness of the cotton fields is an unwanted sight. Hailing from further South is Cuban musician Florencio Baro. A singer and percussionist, his music remains a pure agency of his African heritage. His songs are sung in his ancestors native African language that as a child he has learned to understand and to appreciate. much(prenominal) like South American music, his music as a confederacy of two cultures brought together despite odds. Historically, his music arises from the spiritual cult of Santoria, a religion established by African slaves brought to Cuba. What started out as spiritual hymns as a way to once again reconnect with their distant land, is at a time heard as Afro-Cuban music. It is played with an energetic combination of African percussions and Cuban guitars. In Baros hands, the music achieves a life of its own.The beats smart as Baros voice sing of the woes of the African slave, weaving itself in and out of the notes, all in a way that is dramatically hypnotic. And fascinate the audience were as they glimpse at this fragment of the past that, unfortunately, seldom reaches the majoritys ears. These men represent a bygone era of music that is formed when culture clash and are forced to combine. But, in retrospect, what we are singing of now and what our music is today, all boils down to the fadeless pursuit of expression that these men have achieved .

Daddy by Sylvia Plath Essay

In the verse form Daddy, Sylvia Plath uses m all literary devices to illustrate her struggles for freedom in relationship, precisely with her produce and husband. She uses heavy metaphors and compact allusion to create imagery of hat inflamed towards her relationship surrounded by both men. It is meaning(a) to know Plaths historical background before readers dive into any of her artistic work. Sylvia had a very negative relationship with men in her life especially her go and husband.Slyvias contract, Otto Plath passed away when she was eight, in which it took a huge toll in Sylvias life. Sylvia had always ampleed for a practised relationship with her father, provided Ottos true connection between his children was wholly through academic achievement. This prompts Sylvia to work hard and excel in school, only expiration came visiting her father too early before they kitchen range the ultimate father and daughter relationship Sylvia had hoped for. She felt disappointed, an d in some(prenominal) way cheated because her failure to unfeignedly reward to know the man whom she calls father (Shmoop Editorial Team).Her real-life husband Ted Hughes also affected her emotionally as he left her for another woman after a long struggle in their marriage. This only contributes her rage, and vengeance which would come up in her later work. Even though we usually are very unappeasable when it comes to separating the speaker of the poem and the author of the poem, in many ways, her real-life persona speaks for her in the poem. It wouldnt be fair to take her word in the poem granted as a display of her relationship (like comparing her father to a German Nazi, and a vampire) but we can analytically endure the hidden message in the metaphor she uses to describe her constant troth with struggle in her life. She starts off the essay withAny more, black shoe.In which I have lived like a footFor thirty years, short(p) and white,Barely daring to breathe or Achoo. (2- 5)In this stanza, she metaphorically intercommunicate about the entrapment of her father memories in her life, like the little spaces in between a foot and a shoe. The confinement makes it seems hard for her to fifty-fifty breathe, or in her case, living an uneasy life. So we got the expression that she is talking to his father, whence the title Daddy. We can tell that she has a bad relationship with her father that is making her life miserable. She goes further to explain the relationship with her father is similar to what happens during holocaust. In blood 29-35, she uses a train engine to illustrate her as a Jew being transported to a concentration camp. She describes her father as a nazi with neat moustache, and bright blue Aryan gist for which we got the image of him as Hitler. In a sense, she was the victim of her own father, and had to polish him in show to gain freedom (6). She also wroteIn the run across I have you,A cleft in your chin kinda of your footBut no les s a devil for that, no notAny les the black man whoBit my pretty red heart in two.(52-55)A strong metaphor that refer to her father as an evil (using the colour in black as a color symbolism) man-devil who bit and broke her heart into two. Her t superstar throughout the poem was that of detestation and disgust. Even though she kept on rambling on how she hates her father, the sum of the poem wasnt purely hatred. She still loves her father as it was express in thread 14, I used to pray to rec everywhere you (14). This burden took place after she fling offed her father which lay downs that she wishes that her father is with her again (6).I rattling believe the speaker is being overly exaggerated when it comes to using metaphors and similes to show how much she hates her father. First and foremost to this inference is the way she uses the word dadaism instead of father, which is only used to show fondness toward the other person. bass down, she truly loves him and wishes for his love despite of all the things he had done to her. She even tells us how she was heartbroken when they buried his father when she was only ten years old.The overwhelming schemeof her depression prompts her to commit suicide, but found a way around to be with her father. She married a man that has the sign of her father. I found this interesting because the result of her fathers death should be the opposite. She should feel like a burden has been lifted from her and that she no longer has to deal with the man that always scared her, like the one she mentioned in stanza 9, I have always been scared of you. She even marries a man that has all the traits of her father as she said it in stanza 13, And the I knew what to do. / I made a model of you, / A man in black with a Meinkampf look (63-65). This prompts me to think that the speaker never really got over his dead father.Towards the very end, she describes how the man she marries sucked the blood out of her life, bonny like a v ampire. The experience she went through was the same with her father, and just had to kill him. Daddy, daddy, you bastard, Im through was the last line of the poem (80). This line was supposedly intended to make the reader think that she finally got over her fear of her dead father. But, she still uses the informal noun Daddy, which reveals that she still has some sensitive towards her father.She describes the relationship as Fascism Every woman adores a Fascist, / The boot in the face, the brute / Brute heart of a brute like you (48-50). In a way, she forces herself to be overpowered by a tyrant in order to seek for love. It is revealed that it wasnt his father fault in the first place, but her choice to be in that situation in reference to the line Every woman adores a Fascist (48). She has the free will to get out of the relationship, but she adores the characteristic of her father, and let herself deteriorate while doing so (48).

Art and Literature in Augustan Rome Essay

The beginning of this time period comes with the death of Julius Caesar and the wax to cause of his nephew, Octavius. He was in the Second Triumvirate that was formed to make set pop out in Rome. Octavian, Marcus Lepidus, and Marc Antony ruled form e genuinely last(predicate)y unlike the informal triumvirate of Julius Caesar. The triumvirate set out to execute members of the conspiracy against Julius Caesar. In 42 BC, Brutus and Cassius were finally defeated. In the spare-time activity years the triumvirate diminished. In 36 BC, Lepidus retired. Marc Antony began to have personal business with Cleopatra, the queen of Egypt. These affairs briefly came to a pa subroutine when Antony married Octavians sister Octavia.Marc Antony posterior returns to Egypt and marries Cleopatra. This causes Octavian and Antony to break out into war. He then takes his great-uncles name of Augustus and claims his loss leadership oer Rome by defeating Mark Antony. Much art and literature was devot e to the support of Augustus, which helped to bring together his empire. The Aeneid is an event of such propaganda in regard of Augustus, which mess often find parallels between Aeneas and Augustus. In order for Augustus to maintain his newly gained power he uses such art and literature to work out his people. This form of media, which propaganda was a key dissever, plays an important role in his picture to maintain power.Augustus, known first to history as Gaius Octavius, was born in 63 BC. His relation to Julius Caesar comes from his grandmother Julia, who was Caesars sister. His great-uncle encourages him, for he sees genius in him, and even puts him in his will as his successor, along with three quarters of his estate. In 44 BC Caesar is assassinated and Augustus heads to Rome to represent his respects and to take his throne. He has to battle against Mark Antony, who was one of Caesars most trusted lieutenants.After ultimately causing Antony and his second married woman Cleopatra to commit suicide, Augustus returns to Rome as the undisputed master of both tocopherol and west. Augustus ruled by assistantage, military power, and accumulation of the offices. He was a touch on ruler of Rome, which in result became known as the Roman Empire. The Senate became aristocratic to Augustus and allowed him to have control. He gained the peoples support by reinforcement various poets and artisans, who in exchangeglorified him in their work. This use of the arts, is example to Augustus use of political propaganda through art and literature.The writer of the Aeneid, Virgil, was a part of the circle of artists and poets supported by the wealthy patron Maecenas, who was close to Augustus. This gave him the independence to spend most of his time writing. Since Virgil was writing under a patron close to the emperor, his stories had an element of political propaganda. He tied the life of Aeneas in the Aeneid, to that of Augustus, legitimizing the position of mo narch and pleasing the emperor. This story was extremely popular in Rome and Aeneas was seen as the model citizen, so you can see why the connection to Augustus could work as a classification of propaganda. The Aeneid is interpreted by some, to validate the golden age and the restoration of the republic that Augustus had claimed to have done. It is a form of positive propaganda for Augustus, portraying him in a positive well-defined for all of Rome to read.The most obvious connection between Aeneas and Augustus was their roles as founders. Aeneas founded the Roman Empire in the Aeneid and Augustus re-founded the empire after it had begun to fall by after Caesars assassination and the subsequent battle for total power. In Book Six, Aeneas is shown a prophecy of the coming greatness of Rome, in a clear reference to Augustus rule. Another example is that the poem withal served in Augustuss attempts to re-introduce Roman values into Roman society, including reverence for the perfec tions.Aeneas continually showed reverence to the gods, just as he did when he left Dido because it was the gods will. The poem continues to reflect these ideals by portraying Aeneas not as a man motivated by personal gain, except a man motivated by his love and loyalty to his country, people and gods. For Romans the Aeneid is seen as something mystical, which it may be, but for Augustus it is just another example of his use of literature and art as propaganda.Augustus also united the Empire through his use of the arts as a form of self-promotion and to promote the themes of his administration, such as peace, allegiance to Rome, and respect for tradition. He visually improved the city by constructing new buildings that were worthy of the powerful Empire. He made art into the reflexion of Roman government which was an idea continued by his descendants and was declare a god. He knew that hehad to portray his greatness in all the aspects of his subjects lives, including the arts. Thr ee examples of such art are the Ara Pacis, the Temple of Mars, and the reticuloendothelial system Gestae Divi Augustus.The Ara Pacis was made to honor the triumphal return from Spain and Gaul of Augustus and to keep back the peace established by his victories. The Temple of Mars was constructed in Rome, to give-up the ghost thanks to the god for his victory over the assassins of his adoptive father, Gaius Julius Caesar. The Res Gestae Divi Augustus, is the first-person accede of Augustus life and accomplishments. It is to show the greatness of Augustus and how he wanted it to be pictured to his Roman people. These three pieces of art were very important in luck Augustus maintaining his power.Augustus use of art and literature as propaganda to bend his people was his focal point of keeping hold of his power. He was aware, as example of his great-uncle, that keeping power as a Roman Leader wasnt easy. Even from the very beginning of his climb to power, when he had to fight for h is throne against Mark Antony, he realized that his reign would come with some struggle. Which is why once he obtained complete control he used the whole kit and caboodle of artisans and poets to pay subjection to himself and to influence the people of Rome to see Augustus in a social light. Just as Virgils epic, the Aeneid was extremely influential, not only to the people of the time of Augustan Rome, but also to many generations afterward.Augustus support created a golden age of literature even if much of it was a sort of propaganda. It is easy to understand why many other monarchs would strive to be like Augustus and to immortalize themselves in the arts and literature of their time as he once did. For he was an outstanding military leader, an excellent superintendent of many public works, as well as being the leader during the longest period of peace and prosperity that Rome has ever experienced. not only did he do all of this, but he also was extremely successful in his use of art and literature propaganda to influence the people around him. It not only gained him the support of the people of Rome, but it helped to unite his empire, as well as allowing him to live forever, not in a human body, but in the threads and strokes of all the works dedicated to him.