New media technologies, ICTs, convergence and digitisation

Introduction The modern economic development is largely dependent on the investments in new media technologies. New media technologies, ICTs, convergence, and digitisation are seen as the new engines of economic growth for many countries from the perspectives of labour transactions and trade.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on New media technologies, ICTs, convergence and digitisation specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The digitisation together with technological convergence era have marked a new era for economic development through alteration of the traditional approaches to organisational governance, production systems, forms of labour organisation, and alterations of means of surveillance coupled with business counter surveillance strategies. One of the peculiar advantages of new media and digitisation convergence akin to boosting economic development of many nations is attributed to the capacity of new digital com munication developments. The argument is the capacity to make it possible for media organisations and or individuals to deliver various audio, text, and even video materials over the same wired, fibre optic, and or wireless connections to a myriad of destinations within seconds or fractions of seconds. This way, the technological developments of the twentieth century have made it possible for multiple products to be merged together to one product that carries the advantages possessed by all other products. However, as argued in the a paper, although these changes have been instrumental in the propagation of many countries’ economies in terms of effectiveness and efficacy in the management of organisational communications systems, there are still dominant challenges that are associated with any form of convergence. Such challenges include increased risks to which an organisation can be susceptible to among them being cyber security threats. With this challenge and many others notwithstanding, the main focus of the paper is to discuss and analyse why new media technologies, ICTs, convergence, and digitisation are seen as the new engines of economic growth for many countries coupled with offering an explanation of how countries have responded to the challenges. New media technologies, ICT, digitisation and convergence as engines of economic growth ICT encompasses a myriad of services coupled with networks, which facilitate the accumulation without negating the flow of both private and public crucial information. With regard to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (2004), ICT involves â€Å"internet service provisions, telecommunications, and information technology equipment and services, media and broadcasting, libraries and documentation centres, commercial information providers, network- based information services and other related information and communication activities† (p.11).Advertising Looking for essay on business communic ation? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Scrutiny of this definition for ICT reveals that it is quite similar to the definition offered for information technology (IT). Chowdhury (2000) also notes this similarity but further makes a distinction that ICT comprises technologies, which capacitate the process transfer of a myriad of information such as data, audio, and textual. Akwani (2005) notes the importance of ICT in the economic development using case example of Nigeria by claiming, â€Å"The fastest growing employer of labour in Nigeria is the telecommunications industry† (p.45). Growth of the telecommunication industry underlines the growth of other sectors of economy by virtue of the fact that telecommunication is an enhancing tool for ardent inter and intra- organisational communications and information sharing. Researches on how investments in ICT and new media technologies can boost economic development have been advan cing over the last two decades (Awoleye 2012). In 1950s, Lau Tokutsu (1992) argues that the economic development recorded in the US is widely instigated by technological changes as opposed to factors such as capital and labour. Guided by this perception, several studies have also been advanced in the developing world to determine the implication of technological changes on economic growth. Such studies present contradictory findings since, while some people find positive correlations between investments in ICT and economic growths, some others record a negative correlation between the two. For instance, Berndelt et al. (1998) conducted a research on the implication of ICT capital investments on the productivity growth of selected industries of the US. He found that a negative relationship existed between the two. These findings were reproduction of similar findings by Parsons et al. (1990) who argued that, in the Canadian context, â€Å"banks did not yield good benefits from their ICT capital investments† (p.23). From the US context, Morrison (1997) reported that ICT investments had minimal implication on economic growth of the US-based organisations. However, Chowdhury (2000) contested these findings by claiming, â€Å"Many sceptics have not seen the roles of ICTs in the efforts intended to alleviate poverty and bring food security to developing countries† (p.425). Nevertheless, the author acknowledged that the challenges of alleviating poverty are incredibly complex. However, he insisted that, for this to happen, nations must invest in efficient production systems. Investments in the ICT infrastructures are one of the noble strides to put up such systems.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on New media technologies, ICTs, convergence and digitisation specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Despite the negative relationship between economic growth and investments in ICT findings, many co untries have not brought to a halt their efforts to invest in the ICT capital. The justification for this endeavour is pegged on the positive findings in the relationship between ICT and new media communications with economic development. For instance, Lau Tokutsu (1992) investigated roles of investments in ICT in the economic growth of the US between 1960 and 1990. Among the contributors of the growth listed by the scholars, â€Å"nearly half of the growth aggregate national output in the US was attributed to ICT investments than the non-ICT or labour† (Awoleye 2012, p.25). Schreyer (2000) who sought to study the effects of investments in ICT on productivity of G7 nation’s labour echoed similar findings. By employing samples from nations such as Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan, and Canada, he found out that the tremendous growth in the labour productivity of the nations registered between 1990 and1996 was attributable by large proportion t o the investments in the ICT infrastructures. On a more general scale, Poh (2001) sought to know how investments in the ICT influenced Singapore’s productivity in overall. His findings indicated that investment in the ICT capital produced substantive rates of economic returns in the end. Kim (2003) sought to confirm the validity of these findings though he based his research on the Korean context. According to Kim, â€Å"ICT capital contributed 16.3% to the output growth of Korean economy and has had strong positive effects on the growth of labour productivity in the long-run† (2003, p.57). Although the findings are based on research conducted a decade ago, they are significant in the discussion of the current impacts of digitalisation era on economic growth of nations. In fact, the advents of social media have created an immense opportunity for organisations to reach large numbers of potential consumers who would otherwise be impossible to reach using the conventional forms of media. Surprisingly, the operational platforms for these new media forms are principally rested on ICT and information technology developments.Advertising Looking for essay on business communication? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Many nations, both in the developed and the developing world, have been implementing policies emanating from such research findings discussed above with the noble aim of ensuring that their countries keep at pace with new technological developments in the effort to raise their GDP. Availability of digital-enhanced connectivity is an essential factor that investors consider in the making of decisions to make investments in any country especially the developing nations. Broadband technology being one of the means of interconnecting digital computers across the globe is a major engine that drives economic growth of many nations especially in the era of offshore business, technical support, and manufacturing outsourcing. Awoleye (2012) contends with this argument by further maintaining that developing nations, which have better ICT infrastructure, are better placed to secure outsourcing, foreign investments, and or off shoring business (p.28). In this sense, internet connectivity is a m ajor enhancing factor for fostering globalisation. With regard to Paltridge (2008), internet interconnectivity enhanced through broadband is â€Å"beginning to have a fundamental impact on how economies work and on the global allocation of resources especially in the developing countries due to their greater integration in the global value chains than ever before† (p.13). In the same extent, governments in many nations have hiked their investments in the internet and web-based service delivery in the public sector through an endeavour termed as the e-governance. The goal of investments in the e-governance is aimed at ensuring cost effective, efficient, and reliable service delivery in the public sector with noble objective of increasing attractiveness of e-business environments for both local and foreign investors. E-governance fits within the theory on ICT systems, convergence, and new media technology theory on economic development since it is a tool for boosting economic d evelopment through the provision of integrated data centre, shared operation networks, and business processes coupled with one stop service delivery centres to all public consumers. Another important facet for economic growth tied within the paradigms of the rapid development in the information communication systems developments recorded within the last two decades is the E-commerce. E- Commerce has boosted economic growth of many nations by enabling them to achieve higher levels of development through the creation of a fertile investment climate, which is an incredible catalyst for economic growth. From national levels, studies, for instance, of Indjikian and Siegel (2005) show that e-commerce can create diverse and valid revenue streams to the governments through the development of new markets and products to trade in the markets. Meeting new challenges for propelling economic growth requires channels for information sharing. This argument infers that organisations whose growth is influenced by the developments in ICT and new media communications systems deserve to be largely knowledge based. The implication is that they need to be constantly innovative and creative to meet the dynamics of the markets characterised by the influx of products and services that are availed for sale in a competitive mode on a daily basis. E-Commerce as tool for economic development is immensely effective in this end since, through it, â€Å"new channels of knowledge diffusion and human interactivity in the work places are opened with an enhanced flexibility and adaptability† (Indjikian Siegel 2005, p. 682). The contribution of e-commerce in the economic development of nations is not restricted to specific industries. Rather, all industries ranging from production to service delivery benefit. For instance, the US recorded improvements in 2005 in productivity in healthcare to the tunes of $6.9 billion from hefty investments in the communication convergence accruing from so lutions of mobile broadband. Similar success has been registered elsewhere in the developing nations including India and Nigeria. While the technological developments and convergence are significant in enhancing economic growth as discussed above, the endeavour not only presents technical issues and difficulties but also has the capacity to generate developmental issues. For instance, Olauwuyi and Mgbole (2012) assert that technological convergence â€Å"has a different meaning according to aims, interests, and roles of different stakeholders such as government, policy makers, regulators, civil society, private sector, and customer† (p.4). Nevertheless, an opportunity for propagation of economic growth is also presented by technological convergence in enhancing understanding coupled with the creation of awareness among various stakeholders through sufficient communication avenues, enhancement of multi-stakeholder interactivity at global fronts, and collective participation. C ontinuous economic growth in any competitive market needs the creation of a means of reduction of costs. This barrier may exist while attempting to penetrate markets and or to create of avenues for responding quickly to new business opportunities. These elements stand out as some of the merits that are availed by technological convergence in its impact on economic growth. Olauwuyi and Mgbole (2012) support this line of view by further arguing, â€Å"in addition to the evolution of infrastructure, privatisation, liberalisation, and competition in telecommunications evolved in response to trends in globalisation† (p.5). In this extent, it is arguable that the interplay between telecommunication and economic development is evident since it acts a tool for expansion of available markets to an organisation by permitting the organisation in question to trade in the global sphere with optimal cost checks. How Countries have Responded to the Underlying Challenges It is vital to note that, despite the merits that technology has brought in terms of boosting economy, various challenges have been evident ranging from insecurity, hiked competition and costs, and addiction in the adoption of the technology-driven businesses. Various countries in the world have been faced with the problem of ICT, media convergence, media technologies, and digitalisation. These factors have become the engine through which the economic wheel of the world revolves. They have made it very difficult for any country in the world to do without ICTs in its economy. Various economies have therefore put in place mechanisms to counter the effect of digital revolution. This section of the paper discusses the responses that various countries have put in place in responding to media technologies, ICTs, convergence, and digitalisation challenges. The first response that is visible in most countries is the evolution of e-commerce as argued out before. Many countries of the world have realised that tr ade in the current world of globalisation cannot escape the impact of information technology. The adoption of information communication technology by most nations of the world today has made the world of economics a small business village. Communication technologies have reduced the geographical boundaries between trading partners hence reducing transport cost. Besides, it has increased the quality and quantity of information flow. For example, in China, one can order for goods online, pay for them online, and wait for delivery within no time. This strategy has been made possible by the use of e-commerce. According to Bonsu (2008, p.356), e-commerce has empowered customers in the world of business. Customers have become more informed especially in making choices. In China, the roles played by buyers and sellers before the inception of e-commerce have drastically been altered. The period of passive buyers and very active sellers was eliminated in the Chinese economy through informati on communication technology. According to Gronroos (1994, p.9), the e-commerce strategy has made the consumer an active player in the whole business transaction. Customers can choose from a variety of goods and services advertised online. Besides, they can trade with the business partner that they think is the best according to the information posted on their website. All these provisions have been made possible by various governments to their citizenry. E-commerce has also promoted trade between far nations. For example, trade between Russia and China is more conducted online. Gronroos (1994, p.9) also affirms that e-commerce has also made many economies turn from 12 hours to 24 hours economies. Such is the economy of China. Through e-commerce, customers can carry out business transactions at any time of the day or night through the internet (Gronroos 1994, p.9). It is from such economic revolutions that the economy of China has become very powerful. The second response to ICT, con vergence, and media technologies by governments of the world is through e-governance as hinted above. With the exploration of information technology in the world, many nations have adopted e-governance. E-governance enables the citizens and foreigners to access government services online (Palvia Sharma 2007). Such services include filing of tax returns with the government, clearing of cargos on seaports, accessing various government documents and certifications. E-governance has enabled the economy of the United States of America to grow. All these outcomes have been made possible through technological convergence that delivers services closer to the customers (Gronroos 1994, p.10). In the United States of America, traders can carry out government certification processes online and or continue with the other business transactions within the confines of their houses. The possibility is attributed to technological advancement. Businesspersons can register companies with the registrar of companies in the United States without having to travel to his or her office. After registration, the businessperson will then proceed to open and operate the business. All legal requirements and regulations for such a business can be done online through the internet (Constaninides 2004, p.111). The other response by nations on the evolution of ICT, convergence, and media technologies is the adoption of e-democracy. Governments of the world have put in place mechanisms to ensure that people get their will to rule through information communication technologies. Services that the people require from the government are currently available for the people. The people of various occupations can now access information about their leaders through various information communication technology platforms. For example, people get information about the leaders they elected through the internet, television, and radio. According to Aghion (1997), it is from these media platforms, people can eva luate the performance of their leaders. For example, in the United States of America, the parliamentary debates from both the upper and lower house are televised live on the national media. This strategy has been adopted by many other nations of the world. From such broadcasting, the citizenry can evaluate the performance of their leaders in congress and or when they carry out other duties. According to Foss (2001), the media has been so active in monitoring the behaviour and conduct of leaders in various nations. This case has brought the power of the people to the people. When the population gets information about immorality or underperformance of their leaders, they can go on and recall the leaders from either senate or house of representative. One can therefore argue that information communication technology has brought the power of the people to the people. Aghion (1997) also affirms that people are also exchanging information through the social networks about how their nations are being governed. Foss (2001) affirms that various government corporations and public facilities have established websites that they post information necessary for the citizens. The citizens can also access every bit of information they want from such websites hence acting as a great response to information communication exploration in the world today. The United States has the federal communication commission that checks on the flow of information in the United States. According to Holmstro (1998), these communication commissions act as the watchdogs for the government on the happenings on the ICT and media. The communication commissions will act when there is a hate speech on the internet especially on the social networks for example Facebook. It will also follow up the allocation and utilisation of broadcasting frequencies to television stations and radios. This close monitoring also ensures that children are not exploited in such media. For example, it ensures that there are reduced pornographic overtones on the internet that are accessible by children (Holmstro 1998). This attention controls the morality of the nation. The commissions are also charged with the responsibility of monitoring what televisions broadcast especially in advertising. Any content that is harmful to the children is then filtered hence maintain the good title of the particular company in terms of all economic parameters. References Aghion, P, Tirole, J 1997, ‘Formal and Real Authority in Organization’, Journal of Political Economy, vol. 1no. 105), p. 29. Akwani, O 2005, Telecom Operators Creating New Employment in Nigeria, Abuja University Press, Abuja. Awoleye, M 2012, ‘Economic value of ICT investment in Nigeria: is it commensurate?’, International Journal of Economics and Management Sciences, vol.1 no.10, pp. 22-30. Berndelt, R, Morrison, J, Rosenblum, S 1998, ‘High Tech Capital Formation and Labour Composition in US Manufacturing Industries: A n Explanatory Analysis’ NBER’, Working Paper no.4010, vol. 1 no. 1, pp. 1-12. Bonsu, A Darmody, A 2008, ‘Co-creating Second Life: Market–Consumer Cooperation in Contemporary Economy’, Journal of Macromarketing, vol. 28 no. 4, pp. 355-368. Chowdhury, N 2000, ‘Poverty Alleviation and Information and Communication Technologies: Towards a Motif for the United Nations ICT Task Force’, International Journal for Economic Development, vol. 3 no.1, pp. 423-457. Constaninides, E 2004, ‘Influencing the Online Consumers Behaviour: the web experience’, Emerald Research Journal, vol. 14 no. 2, pp. 111-126. Gronroos, C 1994, ‘From marketing mix to relationship marketing: Towards a paradigm shift in marketing’, Management Decision, vol. 32 no. 2, p. 9. Holmstro, B 1979, ‘Moral Hazard and Observability’, Bell Journal of Economics, vol. 1 no. 10, p. 74. Indjikian, R Siegel, D 2005, ‘The Impact of Investment in IT on Economic Performance: Implications for Developing Countries’, World Development, vol. 33 no. 5, pp. 681–700. Kim, J 2003, ‘Information Technology and its Impact on Economic Growth and Productivity in Korea’, International Economic Journal, vo. 17, no. 3, pp. 55-75. Lau, J Tokutsu, I 1992, The Impact of Computer Technology on the Aggregate Productivity of the United States: An Indirect Approach, Working Paper Stanford, CA: Department of Economics, Stanford University. Morrison, C 1997, ‘Assessing the Productivity of Information Technology Equipment in US Manufacturing Industries’, The Review of Economics and Statistics, vol. 79 no. 3, pp. 471-481. Olauwuyi, J Mgbole, F 2012, ‘Technological convergence’, Science Journal Of Physics, vol. 12 no.6, pp. 1-7. Paltridge, S 2008, Global Opportunities for Internet Access Developments, OECD , Paris. Palvia, S Sharma, S 2007, E-government and E-Governance: Definitions/Domain Frame work and Status around the World, Long Island University, Brookville. Parsons, J, Gotlieb, C, Denny, M 1990, Productivity and Computers in Canadian Banking, University of Toronto, Dept. of Economics. Poh, K 2001, Globalisation and E-Commerce: Growth and Impacts in Singapore, University of California, Irvinel, Centre for Research on Information Technology and Organisations. Schreyer, P 2000, The Contribution of Information and Communication Technology to Output Growth: A Study of the G7 Countries, STI Working Paper 2000/2, Paris, OECD. United Nations Economic Commission for Africa 2004, Indicators of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT): The Impact of Information and Communications Technology at the country level, SCAN ICT, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This essay on New media technologies, ICTs, convergence and digitisation was written and submitted by user Kimberly Whitley 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.

Reflecting the Concept of Social Rank in Courtly Texts Methods and Strategies.

Reflecting the Concept of Social Rank in Courtly Texts Methods and Strategies. Analysis Defining the specifics of social relationships and analyzing the principles in accordance with which these relationships develop is, perhaps, one of the most complicated tasks for a writer of courtly texts.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Reflecting the Concept of Social Rank in Courtly Texts: Methods and Strategies. specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Because of a large variety of factors, starting with the complexity of the leadership model adopted by the head of the state, up to the structure of the society in question and the traditions of the time, the means of defining social ranks turns into a major problem. However, with the help of an array of literary tools, the authors of some of the most famous courtly texts, Benvenuto Cellini with his Vita and Baldesar Castiglione in his The Book of the Courtier manage to nail down the specifics of social relationships in a very accurate manner. One of the most fam ous representatives of courtly texts writers, Castiglione used assorted methods of introducing his idea of social ranks in court. Although his concept of social ranks was also largely based on the idea of masculinity, Castiglione used different tools in order to convince the reader in the necessity to follow the principles of gender profiling. The examples of gender based social ranking within the court system can be found throughout the text: â€Å"I bear to women as these ladies think, but for my own good†1. However, some researchers argue that Castiglione was, in fact, the first to suggest that the courtly relationships between men and women should be based on the principles of chivalry, along with the ideas of â€Å"kindness and noble courtesy†2. Therefore, apart from masculinity, nobility principles should be mentioned as the elements required for the court social rankings to base on, Castiglione explained3. Castiglione’s text is a perfect example of humani st principles working their way into the society of the XV century.Advertising Looking for essay on comparative literature? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Another peculiar concept that Castiglione seems to cling to concerns the phenomenon that Bernard4 defined as rhetoric of exemplification. Not only does it allow envisioning the court system in motion, but also link the actual reader and the internal reader. In contrast to Castiglione, Cellini uses more obvious methods to define social ranks. In fact, Cellini disregards the idea of incorporating more subtle literary devices and shifts the emphasis from a slight mimicry of social relationships in his work, as Castiglione suggests, to downright instructing on the principles that social relationships must be based on. When it comes to defining the specifics of Cellini’s writing style, one must give him credit for using the imagery created throughout his work to his advantage. Not only does he mold characters efficiently, but also knows how to use them to make an impression on the reader. One of the most obvious â€Å"instructions† concerns the way in which Cellini envisions male – female relationships. Cellini obviously insists on male superiority, nearly comparing women to objects at some point of his work: â€Å"As a background to the women, there was spread an espalier of natural jasmines in full beauty†5. The given objectification of women often occurs on Cellini’s reminiscences, and is in most cases made by the narrator: â€Å"Now I must make you understand that the woman is mine†6. Another tool used by Cellini in his attempt to describe the system of social ranking within the court system, the transition from an artisan to an artist also deserves a proper mentioning7. In fact, Cellini reinvented the entire concept of being a courtier, stressing the significance of art as the means to separate the p osition of a courtier and any other position that a civilian may possibly take. Finally, such tool as self-representation deserves a thorough scrutiny. Indeed, when considering the approach that Benvenuto Cellini uses to describe the principles of social relationships and the concept of social rank, one will inevitably realize that the author does not analyze the environment that already exists but, instead, molds it in accordance with his vision of society.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Reflecting the Concept of Social Rank in Courtly Texts: Methods and Strategies. specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More As a result, Cellini resorts to the methods that can be defined as mimesis. When taking a closer look at his work, one will eventually note that Cellini creates a model of social behavior for people to comply with and, therefore, defines the existing social ranks instead of providing his commentary on the already existi ng ones. Though hardly being a literary device, self-representation still makes the structure of social rank seem more palatable, since it allows defining the leader and, therefore, tracing the course of the directions that shape the society and grant its members with particular social ranks. According to Gardner, the given model adds an artistic touch to the strategy chosen by Cellini; she states explicitly that Cellini’s Viva broke new grounds as â€Å"an example of an individual’s attempt to mold his own reputation and historical legacy through a cohesive literary representation of his personality and his art†8. One should give Cellini credit for his idea of using masculinity as the key tool for defining the principles of social ranking. The given tool works rather well in the context of the text, yet hardly seems efficient on its own. Another tool that serves its purpose of defining the specifics of the social stratification of the era and at the same time c onvinces the audience is a careful stylization of the text. It is remarkable that the choice of vocabulary made by the author has stood the test of time successfully: â€Å"the autobiography makes things easy by addressing the reader in a comfortable, if stylized, English [†¦]. A measure of the status of these translations has been the fact that no one ties to replace them with fresh, modern ones†9. Thus, the use of masculinity principles defines the roles that men and women are supposed to take within the court by stressing the necessity for the former to participate within the system, and for the latter to remain a part of the background.Advertising Looking for essay on comparative literature? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More It is quite peculiar that the process of objectification of women is practically described in Cellini’s book as he mentions the process of sculpting a lily, which serves as the metonymy for Gismondo’s wife (whose name is actually never mentioned in the book): â€Å"I promised the jewel should be twice as good as the model.†10 Correspondingly, Cellini assumes that women are not supposed to take active part in court meetings, as well as they must not offer and, worse yet, defend their point of view in court; on the contrary, women are viewed as damsels, the pretty faces that are not expected to have any significance of the court processes and course of events. Consequently, the manifestation of the artistic autonomy seems like the next obvious stem in Cellini’s design of social structure within the court. Apart from making it clear that a member of the court has to undergo a transformation from an artisan into an artist, Cellini states that the latter is su pposed to enjoy artistic autonomy for his actions to have a tangible effect on the artist’s subjects. It is worth stressing that Cellini uses a hyperbole to prove his point by claiming that artistic leaders â€Å"made a crown of artistic glory for their city above anything the world had seen†11, which shows that his means of reflecting the social rank were rather harsh and straightforward. The differences in the methods chosen by the authors in question are defined largely by the goals that these authors pursued in writing their books. While Castiglione was clearly trying to shed some light on the events of the epoch and provide a fairly decent account of the latter, Cellini was obviously trying to strengthen his power over the nation even more. As a result, the representation of the social rank in two texts did not quite match, Cellini’s one being more focused on the subordination issue When it comes to defining the differences in the way that Cellini and Casti glione described the social ranks of their time period, it should be mentioned that Castiglione used a wide range of tools that served their own unique purpose and were to reflect the true state of the society. It is obvious that Cellini’s take on the representation of the social ranking in his courtly autobiography is more than obvious – it is a straightforward, in your face manifestation of Cellini’s viewpoint, which is far from being democratic. The author clearly puts his stake on the expressivity of his arguments and the convincingness of his speech, which can be easily traced in the numerous reiterations of certain elements of his argument. The aforementioned masculinity, therefore, ousts the very idea of democratic relationships, as well as democratic attitudes towards women; quite on the opposite, masculinity serves as the means to subdue women to the dominance of men and to subdue any attempts of resistance against it. In many ways, Cellini’s sel f-representation defines the manner in which social ranks were depicted in courtly texts of the time. Castiglione, on the opposite, prefers to express his idea of the court members’ social roles and the position of men and women in court in a more discrete manner12. In addition, Castiglione does not seem to rely on his authority among readers when defining the key principles of social ranking in court. Instead, the author decides to integrate the principle of masculinity, which still remains the key to arranging court’s social ranks, together with the idea of introducing gentlemanly manners, as Hinz defined Castiglione’s strategy13. The given method works rather well with the target audience, even though it lacks the persistence that Cellini’s work has.  Cavallo, in her turn, makes it obvious that Castiglione uses portrait as the key tool in his representation of social ranks in court. In contrast to Cellini, Castiglione adopts – or, at the very least, pretends to adopt – an objective viewpoint by having several narrators in his story and, therefore, drawing a portrait of a courtier by using what is supposed to be several opinions. The efficacy of the given method is amplified by the fact that the narrators do not seem to agree on their visions of a courtier: â€Å"the critics have uncovered tensions on various forms which threaten to disrupt the game and to expose deep rifts under the elegant courtly veneer†14. Defined as the engagement of both the actual reader and the internal reader into the argument, the given method works quite well and is much more subtle than the one that was chosen by Cellini. According to Bernard, â€Å"Hence from the vantage point of the author the limited, indeed parochial, perspective of his texts interlocutors stands in contrast to his own hard-won prudential knowledge† (Bernard 34). However, the aforementioned does not mean that Castiglione disregards the idea of using ma sculinity in his writing. There are evident traces of the chauvinist concepts in his work as well, which signify that the court was still organized in accordance with the idea of male dominance. Nevertheless, Castiglione uses other tools apart from masculinity principle in his work, which can be explained by his lack of certainty regarding the efficacy of masculinity in his persuasion. It should be noted, though, that the given authors were not the only ones who resorted to the integration of masculinity ideas into the principles that the court was guided by; as recent researches show, a number of theorists considered masculinity and the dominance of men in the court as the only legitimate principle that the latter could be organized by. Apart from the concept of masculinity and the gender issue in general, the authors make efficient use of a range of literary devices, including hyperbole and reiterations of the argument throughout the work. However, compared to the aforementioned d istinctive feature of both works, the given devices can be seen as minor ones. Conclusion It would be wrong to assume that the methods of reasoning used by the two authors are impeccable; more to the point, they are rarely objective. However, what one cannot deny these authors with their methods is the efficacy of the latter. Although the emphasis on masculinity as the necessary feature of court social relationships is being stressed by both authors, Cellini seems to be more persistent with his chauvinist concepts, while Castiglione clearly attempts at introducing the elements of chivalry into the courtly relationships between men and women. In addition, Cellini, being obsessed with the idea of power, sees the social ranking system as the means to reinforce his influence among the representatives of the court, thus, stating blatantly that he needs to use the existing court system to his advantage. While the given principle works bizarrely well on the target audience of Cellini, Cast iglione understandably avoids black-and-white judgments, preferring to introduce the principles of courtesy into his system of social rankings. Each work clearly serving its purpose, it can be assumed that the tools used by both writers to represent the concept of social ranking within the court system are fully justified, though not quite appropriate in the XXI century. A product of their time, the given tools perform their social function well enough for their authors to be credited as innovators. Bibliography Bernard, John, ‘Formiamo un Cortegian’: Castiglione and the Aims of Writing,’ MLN 115 (2000), pp. 34–63. Castiglione, Baldesar, Ct. ‘Book of the Courtier,’ in Project Gutenberg http://archive.org/stream/bookofcourtier00castuoft/bookofcourtier00castuoft_djvu.txt. Cavallo, Joan, ‘Joking Matters: Politics and Dissimilation in Castiglione’s Book of the Courier,’ Renaissance Quarterly 53 (2000), pp. 402–424. Celli ni, Benvenuto, ‘Autobiography,’ trans. By John Addington Symmons, in Project Gutenberg gutenberg.org/dirs/etext03/7clln10h.htm. Creighton, Gilbert, ‘Cellini’s Other Medium: His Writings and Their Reception,’ Studies in the Decorative Art 14 (2006–2007), pp. 19–25. Gardner, Victoria, ‘Homines non Nascuntur, Sed Figuntur: Benvenuto Cellinis Vita and Self-Presentation of the Renaissance Artist,’ The Sixteenth century Journal 28 (1997), pp. 447–465. Hinz, Manfred, ‘Castiglione, Gracin, and the Foundation of Gentlemanly Manners in Early Modern Europe,’ in Dietmar Schloss, ed. Civilizing America: Manners and Civility in American Literature and Culture (Heidelberg, Germany: Universittsverlag Winter, 2009), pp. 2-18 Richards, Jennifer, ‘Assumed Simplicity and the Critique of Nobility: Or, How Castiglione Read Cicero,’ Renaissance Quarterly 54 (2001), pp. 460-486. Saccone, Eduardo, ‘The Portrai t of the Courtier in Castiglione,’ Italica 64 (1987), pp. 1–18. Footnotes 1 Castiglione, Baldesar, Ct. ‘Book of the Courtier,’ in Project Gutenberg http://archive.org/stream/bookofcourtier00castuoft/bookofcourtier00castuoft_djvu.txt. 2 Castiglione, Baldesar, Ct. ‘Book of the Courtier,’ in Project Gutenberg http://archive.org/stream/bookofcourtier00castuoft/bookofcourtier00castuoft_djvu.txt. 3 Richards, Jennifer, ‘Assumed Simplicity and the Critique of Nobility: Or, How Castiglione Read Cicero,’ Renaissance Quarterly 54 (2001), pp. 460-486 (p. 462). 4 John Bernard, ‘Formiamo un Cortegian’: Castiglione and the Aims of Writing,’ MLN 115 (2000), pp. 34–63 (p. 35). 5 Cellini, Benvenuto, ‘Autobiography,’ trans. By John Addington Symmons, in Project Gutenberg gutenberg.org/dirs/etext03/7clln10h.htm. 6 Cellini, Benvenuto, ‘Autobiography,’ trans. By John Addington Symmons, in Project Gut enberg gutenberg.org/dirs/etext03/7clln10h.htm. 7 Gardner, Victoria, ‘Homines non Nascuntur, Sed Figuntur: Benvenuto Cellinis Vita and Self-Presentation of the Renaissance Artist,’ The Sixteenth century Journal, 28 (1997), pp. 447–465. 8 Gardner, Victoria, ‘Homines non Nascuntur, Sed Figuntur: Benvenuto Cellinis Vita and Self-Presentation of the Renaissance Artist,’ The Sixteenth century Journal, 28 (1997), pp. 447–465 (p. 447). 9 Creighton, Gilbert, ‘Cellini’s Other Medium: His Writings and Their Reception,’ Studies in the Decorative Art 14 (2006–2007), pp. 19–25 (p. 19). 10 Cellini, Benvenuto, ‘Autobiography,’ trans. By John Addington Symmons, in Project Gutenberg gutenberg.org/dirs/etext03/7clln10h.htm. 11 Cellini, Benvenuto, ‘Autobiography,’ trans. By John Addington Symmons, in Project Gutenberg gutenberg.org/dirs/etext03/7clln10h.htm. 12 Saccone, Eduardo, ‘The Portrait of t he Courtier in Castiglione,’ Italica, 64 (1987), pp. 1–18 (p. 1). 13 Hinz, Manfred, ‘Castiglione, Gracin, and the Foundation of Gentlemanly Manners in Early Modern Europe,’ in Dietmar Schloss, ed. Civilizing America: Manners and Civility in American Literature and Culture (Heidelberg, Germany: Universittsverlag Winter, 2009), pp. 2-18 (p.2). 14 Cavallo, Joan, ‘Joking Matters: Politics and Dissimilation in Castiglione’s Book of the Courier,’ Renaissance Quarterly 53 (2000), pp. 402–424 (p. 402).

Maia, Greek Nymph and Mother of Hermes

Maia, Greek Nymph and Mother of Hermes The Greek nymph Maia was  the  mother of Hermes (in Roman religion, he was called Mercury) with Zeus and was associated, by the Romans, with the goddess of spring, Maia Maiestas. Background and Personal Life A daughter of the Titan  Atlas  - he of the big muscles and carrying the world on his shoulders - and Pleione, Maia was one of the seven mountain nymphs known as  Pleiades  (Taygete, Elektra, Alkyone, Asterope, Kelaino, Maia, and Merope). Her sisters went on to marry some bigwigs in ancient Greece, but Maia snagged the biggest of them all - Zeus himself!   Her son  Hermes was proud of his heritage, saying in Euripides  Ion, Atlas, who wears away heaven, the ancient home of the gods, on his bronze shoulders, was the father of Maia  by a goddess; she bore me, Hermes, to great Zeus; and I am the gods servant. Although Zeus was already married to Hera, that didnt stop him from loving on nymphs and mortal women alike. He  and  Maia had a fling. In the, their affair is recounted: Ever she avoided the throng of the blessed gods and lived in a shadowy cave, and there the Son of Cronos [Zeus] used to lie with the rich-tressed nymph at dead of night, while white-armed Hera lay bound in sweet sleep: and neither deathless god nor mortal man knew it.   This  caused Maia to give birth to their precocious baby boy. She hid out from Hera in a cave on Mount Cyllene. In the Virgil has Aeneas mention, Mercury: Your sire is Mercury, whom long beforeOn cold Cyllenes top fair  Maia  bore.Maia  the fair, on fame if we rely,Was Atlas daughter, who sustains the sky. When I Grow Up... In Sophocles play  Trackers, the eponymous nymph of the mountain recounts how she took care of baby Hermes: This business is a secret even among the gods, so that no news of it may come to Hera.  Cyllene adds, You see, Zeus came secretly to Atlass house ... to the deep-girdled goddess  ... and in a cave begot a single son. I am bringing him up myself, for his mothers strength is shaken by sickness as if by a storm. Hermes grew up  really  fast. Cyllene marvels, He grows, day by day, in a very unusual way, and Im astounded and afraid. Its not even six days since he was born, and he already stands as tall as a young man. Half a day after his birth, he was already making music! The  Homeric Hymn (4) to Hermes  says, Born with the dawning, at mid-day he played on the lyre, and in the evening he stole the cattle of far-shooting Apollo on the fourth day of the month; for on that day queenly  Maia  bare him. How did Hermes steal Apollos oxen? The fourth Homeric Hymn recounts how the trickster was really into stealing his older half-brothers herds. He  picked up a  tortoise, scooped out its meat, and strung sheep gut across it to create the first lyre. Then, he cut off from the herd fifty loud-lowing kine, and drove them straggling-wise across a sandy place, turning their hoof-prints aside by sweeping them away. So he took fifty of Apollos best cows - and covered his tracks so the god couldnt find them! Hermes killed a cow and cooked up some  delicious steak, but when he came  home to Mama Maia, she wasnt too thrilled with his knavery. Hermes replied (no doubt in baby talk), Mother, why do you seek to frighten me like a feeble child whose heart knows few words of blame, a fearful babe that fears its mothers scolding? But he wasnt a baby, and Apollo soon  discovered his misdeeds. Baby Hermes tried to fake sleep, but Apollo wasnt fooled. Apollo brought the baby before Zeus - a tribunal of their dad! Zeus forced Hermes to show Apollo where the cows were hidden. In fact, the infant deity was so charming that Apollo decided to give his domain as lords of herdsmen   - and all his cattle - to Hermes. In exchange, Hermes gave Apollo the lyre hed invented - and thus lordship over music. -Edited by Carly Silver

Quality and Performance Excellence Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Quality and Performance Excellence - Essay Example It is evidently clear from the discussion that Baldrige focuses on the performance excellence for all aspects of an organization in an overall management framework. Six Sigma deals with the internal quality with an aim of improving the standards and reducing the costs. Overall, they are all similar since they deal with quality improvement in the workplace.ISO 9000, on the other hand, pay more attention to the quality and conformity of the products and services according to the set guidelines to provide equity in the market. The system is more concerned with fixing the issue with the products and service non-conformity and quality system problems. For the Six Sigma, more emphasis is laid on measuring the quality of the products and working on process improvement design to reduce the overall costs. All these processes, however, are management-led, data-based, process focused and aims at helping the organization improve performance and increase customer satisfaction. The level of emphas is and how these processes of operations are carried out causes variation within an organization such as the quality of the processes policies instituted, and the review of these policies. TecSmart Electronics dwell on quality, service and to meet the customers’ expectations which in turn help the organization grow. The management of the company followed some of the quality and performance excellence models which help it maintain a clear focus. One of the quality and performance models the company has focused on is the Deming’s 14 points. Some of the plans instituted include framing company policies such as an emphasis on quality and services. Imparting skills to the employees and dissemination of the information; information gathering for quality control; analysis of the obtained data to assess the areas where to rectify; standardization of the products and services; quality assurance of the entire processes and having future plans about the organization.

History of Theatre Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

History of Theatre - Research Paper Example The spectacle is the inclusion of effects such as costumes, scenery and everything else to do with the fact that a player has a visual element and is watched and not just heard. (Bryson) Aristotle quells such questions and explains that music creates and enhances the mood that compliments the emotion being depicted by the characters in the play. Music’s major function in a play is to reinforce the emotional content (Aaron). Music has been forever championed as an effective mode of communication. (Lipscomb and Tolchinsky)Even when played in the background when at many times one doesn’t even notice that a melody is being played, music is still effective in setting the mood and creating an environment that compliments the theme of the play. Music at times has also been called the ‘fourth dimension’ that magnifies the impact of a particular scene or setting within the play (Drama Music). The famous novelist Victor Hugo stated that music can be used to put across thoughts and emotions which need to be expressed but there are no words to describe them. Also mentionable is the fact that audiences, once they leave the theatre, do not remember the dialogues but can definitely recall the songs and re-live the entire play through the songs and melody recollection in their minds (Mackintosh). All evidence supp orts Aristotle views that ‘music is a form of imitation’ and that different types and tones of music can easily help and elicit different types of responses from individuals. It has been suggested that theatre and drama fell into total crumble during the early 17th century. In the late 16th century, renaissance drama evolved during the period of Queen Elizabeth 1. During this time, neoclassicism was almost completely ignored. The  drama focused more on forms that were popular with the audiences.

A Rose For Emily - In Memory Of Emily Grierson Essay -- essays researc

In the short story  ¡Ã‚ §A Rose for Emily, ¡Ã‚ ¨ (1930) William Faulkner presents Miss Emily ¡Ã‚ ¦s instable state of mind through a missed sequence of events. Faulkner arranges the story in fractured time and then introduces characters who contribute to the development of Miss Emily ¡Ã‚ ¦s personality. The theme of isolation is also presented by Faulkner ¡Ã‚ ¦s descriptive words and symbolic images. Faulkner uses anachronism to illustrate Miss Emily ¡Ã‚ ¦s confused mind. The story is split into five sections. The first section begins with Miss Emily ¡Ã‚ ¦s funeral and moves on to her past. Faulkner first recaptures the dispensation of Miss Emily ¡Ã‚ ¦s taxes in 1894, he continues by illustrating Miss Emily ¡Ã‚ ¦s nature no to accepts new concepts. When the  ¡Ã‚ §next generation, with its more modern ideas ¡Ã‚ ¨ comes along, Miss Emily refuses to accept them (1009). Miss Emily ¡Ã‚ ¦s mixed feeling about the past is reflected in the structure of the story. Unlike most stories, the narrator does not continue the plot with the next chronological event rather presents one that happened two years earlier. This switch once again mirrors Miss Emily ¡Ã‚ ¦s unclear state of mind. The story ¡Ã‚ ¦s disjointed time frame not only reflects a puzzled memory but it also suggests Miss Emily ¡Ã‚ ¦s unwillingness to move along with time. While the reader reads through time and expects the story to be in sequence, Faulkner deliberately switches the time back and forth to emphasize Miss Emily ¡Ã‚ ¦s desire to stay in past. After the author introduces the character of Miss Emily, he goes back even further into the past to explain why Miss Emily possesses her unique personality. He also contributes to the development of Miss Emily ¡Ã‚ ¦s personality through the introduction of her father, Homer Barron, and Miss Emily ¡Ã‚ ¦s great aunt who all influence her maturity and experience of life. The primary figure in Miss Emily ¡Ã‚ ¦s life is her father. Faulkner uses this relationship to reveal Miss Emily ¡Ã‚ ¦s reserved nature. Because her father is an upper class figure, some of his ways of thinking has  ¡Ã‚ §thwarted [Miss Emily ¡Ã‚ ¦s] life ¡Ã‚ ¨ (1013). Miss Emily has always been kept in confined environments that only her father knows what she will do. The event of her father ¡Ã‚ ¦s death is a shock to Miss Emily because the guidance of her father is gone. This explains Miss Emily ¡Ã‚ ¦s behavior after her father ¡Ã‚ ¦s death as well as her reaction to another ... ...ulkner ¡Ã‚ ¦s short story  ¡Ã‚ §A Rose for Emily ¡Ã‚ ¨ uses many literary devices such as plot to emphasize the theme of mixed memory. While most stores are written in chronological order, this story is broken up into characters to build up Miss Emily ¡Ã‚ ¦s personality both externally and internally. While Faulkner uses Miss Emily ¡Ã‚ ¦s father and homer Barron to affect miss Emily in her environment, Faulkner also old lady Wyatt to suggest the possible inheritance of this unexplainable behavior from her family. Descriptive words are another big part of the story since Faulkner uses them to describe the themes of old age and isolation. While  ¡Ã‚ §coquettish decay ¡Ã‚ ¨ and  ¡Ã‚ §tarnished gold head ¡Ã‚ ¨ is used to compare old to new,  ¡Ã‚ §noblesse oblique ¡Ã‚ ¨ is used to reflect Miss Emily ¡Ã‚ ¦s past. Not only does Faulkner use descriptive words to describe Miss Emily, but he also uses symbolism. Throughout the story, Faulkner uses the description of Miss Emily ¡Ã‚ ¦s house to refer to Miss Emily herself. Miss Emily ¡Ã‚ ¦s once normal behavior and deterioration is captured in the house ¡Ã‚ ¦s old-fashioned look and the decayed look. Faulkner uses all these literary devices to present the themes of mixed memory, old age and isolation.

Elizabeth I Versus the Stuart Monarchs

Elizabeth I versus the Stuart Monarchs Kayla Christie 3rd Block The difference between Elizabeth I and the Stuart monarchs defines the way they ruled and their actions. When comparing Elizabeth I and the Stuart monarchs, one should take in factors such as each individual’s personality, religious views, and views on parliament. Elizabeth I was intelligent, and wanted religious unity in her country. She also believed that parliament was essential during her reign. The Stuart monarchs such as James I, James II, Charles I, and Charles II were not so intelligent, and wanted a definite religion whether it is Catholicism or Arminianism. The Stuarts also wanted to enhance their authority at the expense of losing parliament. Elizabeth I was intelligent, and would work to keep her reign. In Elizabeth’s speech to the troops before the battle of the Armada she states â€Å"†¦Spain, or any prince of Europe should dare to invade the borders of my realm†¦ I myself will take up arms†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Elizabeth clearly says that she would fight for her country. Being intelligent, she exercised frugality in the expenses of the government and increasing taxation, which showed a sign of a strong and efficient state. She wanted to achieve religious harmony. On the other hand, the Stuarts were stubborn. They refused to extend religious toleration. Like his father, Charles I believed in the Divine Right of Kings (that he was answerable to God alone and could not be tried by any court), and he upset the Scottish citizens of his country, many of whom were Puritans, by insisting that they follow the same religion as his English subjects. The result was the two wars that ruined England’s financial state and that would lead to the civil war and his execution.