Twentieth Century Music and Its Reflection of History free essay sample

The Great Depression left its imprint on the music more than any other event Of that time. Most of the music of the 1 sass offered relaxation to the battered soul. Popular songs of the time brought the listener into the despair of the times apparent in songs, such as Stardust, Solitude, and Blue Lovebirds Die Alone. World War II brought along a new attitude in its music. Songs of the WI era showed split ideas about the war. Some works made the American People aware of the dangers of democracy while most songs emphasized its blessings, giving Americans a patriotic, anti-Fascist attitude.One popular song of the time was Earl Robinsons Ballad for Americans which emphasized the strongest support for the war at that time. In the mid-1 9505, a new style of music known as Rock n Roll became prominent. This music was a combination of all the popular styles of music that preceded it. We will write a custom essay sample on Twentieth Century Music and Its Reflection of History or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Three styles of rock: RB rock, country rock, and pop rock; were evident at this time. Culturally, white teenagers were the dominant members of society, but the most popular form of rock was RB rock, which was performed mostly by African-American males.This caused social robbers because many upper class white American males labeled rock as African or race music. Some even charged that it was a conspiracy by the NAACP to corrupt white teenagers. To counter the popularity of RB rock, many record companies found white pop performers to cover popular songs recorded by African-American RB artists. When an African-American performer had a hit song, the record company would have it re-recorded by a white performer. Pat Boone had hits with Fats Dominos Anti that a Shame and with Little Richards Tutu Fruit.One record producer, Sam Phillips stated, If I could only find a white man ho had the Negro sound and the Negro feel I could make a million dollars. By 1 956, a young singer, Elvis Presley, padded Phillips a prophet with his hit song Heartbreak Hotel. Elvis Presley did more than any other artist to promote the style of Rock n Roll with fifty-two top thirty hits in less than ten years, earning himself the title of King of Rock and Roll. By the early sass Rock and Roll was a contributing factor to the Civil Rights movements bringing African-Americans to become equal to whites.White teenagers purchased records released by African-American performers and African-American teenagers did the opposite. Whites and African-Americans sat beside each other at concerts, enjoying music that may not be performed by people of the same race as they were. However, in a society dominated by white males, many minorities were mocked and treated cruelly. Women were looked down upon as second class citizens in the sass; treated as sex objects in songs such as Buddy Nooks Party Doll, Johnny Titillations Poetry in Motion, and Eddie Hedgehogs (Girls, Gi rls, Girls) Made to Love). African Americans were also viewed as comic figures in songs such as the Coasters Charlie Brown, Little Anthony and the Imperials Shimmy, Shimmy, OK-OK Bop, and Mongo Sanitarians Watermelon Man. Native Americans were also depicted as cartoon characters in Johnny Protons Running Bear and Larry Verses Mr.. Custer. The accents of Italian and Hispanic emigrants were made fun of in Pat Bones Speedy Gonzales and Lou Motes Opine the Italian Mouse. To many, the period of 1 964 to 1 974 is the most important period of American music in this century. Rock music reflected attitudes of the youth of that time, the Baby Boomers. In the early ass the youth looked up to President John F. Kennedy. His assassination on November twenty-second of 1963 sent shock waves throughout the country. The youth were disillusioned at this fact and had nobody to turn to. Quickly after, a new group came into the music scene from Europe. The Beetles offered American youth a new identity at the time when they needed it most. Songs of The Beetles such as Want to Hold Your Hand projected optimism, enthusiasm, and fun. The four members refused to take themselves seriously and offered American youth a new way to see their world.The Beetles new music was anything but new, in fact, it sounded more like the RB of the fifties. Rock music was the biggest promoter of the civil rights movement in the united States in the sass and sass. Bob Dylan put it best in his 1964 song The Times They are a changing. Many songs of that time period addressed social and cultural issues of the time in which they were written, in fact, many singer/songwriters Of that time period such as Joan Base and Bob Dylan were active participants and sometimes the main speaker in various political rallies.Bob Dylan, however, was probably one of the most important political voices in America from 1963 to 1969. Songs Dylan wrote such as Blowing in the Wind, later recorded by Peter, Paul, and Mary; became the unofficial anthem of the Civil Rights movement, while other songs such as Like a Rolling Stone and All Along the Watchtower voice d the dissatisfaction, anger, and concern of the troubled youth at that time period. Come writers and critics and prophesier with your pen. And keep your eyes wide, the chance wont come again. And don t speak too soon for the wheels still in spin.And theres no telling now where its leading. For the loser now will be later to win. For the times they are a changing. Bob Dylan The Times they are a Changing The mid-sixties also helped promote the civil rights of African-Americans with the introduction of Mouton Records established by Berry Gorky. One song, Retreat Franklins Respect expressed the demand for racial equality. While others such as the Impressions Keep on Pushing reflected the early civil rights movement of African-Americans and Say it Loud-Im Black and Im Proud by James Brown established African-American pride.Racial minorities were not the only groups preaching equality in America during the sixties. American women also obtained a better standing as their ole in society advanced beyond second class housewives. Songs like Roy Ribbons Pretty Women, The Rolling Stones Stupid Girl, and the Occasions Girl Watcher presented an image that many women resented. Women fought back against songs such as these with their own songs such as Leslie Gores You dont Own Me, Nancy Sinatra These Boots are Made for Walking, and Helen Redeyes l am Woman.Although there were many important events in the decade from 1 965 to 1975, none were more remembered than the Vietnam War. Many music artists, at this time began to write and sing songs about world peace and ending the Vietnam War. Many of these songs were very popular, in fact, the music performed at Woodstock was primarily protest songs such as these. Artists who stood out as the war protest singers were Bob Dylan; Country Joe and the Fish; Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young; Janis Joplin; Joan Base; and Jim Hendrix.Artists such as John Lennox of The Beetles wrote and sang songs voicing world peace like Give Peace a Chance, Imagine, and Happy Christmas (War is Over). Well come on all you big strong men. Uncle Sam needs your help again. Got himself in a terrible jam Away down yonder in Vietnam Put down your books and pick up a gun Were goanna have a whole lot of fun. And its One, Two, Three, What are we fighting for? Dont ask me dont give a damn Next stop is Vietnam And its five, six seven, open up the Pearly Gates Well there anti no time to wonder why, Whoopee!! Were all goanna die. Country Joe McDonald The Fish Cheer During, and the time soon after, the Vietnam War many illegal drugs became very popular in the United States. Substances known as hallucinogens were pushed by a form of music called acid rock featuring lyrics about psychedelic hallucinogenic) drugs, mostly LSI (lysergic acid thalidomide). Artists who influenced the use of such substances were The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin, and Jim Hendrix. Until recently, with the death of their lead singer, Jerry Garcia, The Grateful Dead was the only acid rock band still performing.Some music of the past two decades has been a reflection on past events. Frankie Avail released a solo record GREASE in 1 978 which looked back on the past fondly. Other artists have written music which reflects on the past with bittersweet nostalgia such as Bob Eagers Against the Wind and Don Honeys End of the Innocence. Billy Joel looked at the Vietnam war in Goodnight Saigon and summed up forty years Of pop culture from 1949 to 1 989 in his song We Didnt Start the Fire. Eighties songs also viewed the social problems in America.Bob Eagers Making Thunderbird and Billy Joules Allentown drew attention to hard times in American manufacturing. Other artists helped out through benefit concerts such as Live Aid to help assist drought stricken African countries, Farm Aid to help farmers facing bankruptcy. Money from these benefit concert Band Aid was donated to combat hunger in Ethiopia. There are in the eighties and nineties very few songs which links to world events. Michael Jackson, though, through songs such as Heal the World, has been able to show how there are places in the world where people are going hungry.

Tale Of Two Cities Essays - English-language Films, Free Essays

Tale Of Two Cities Essays - English-language Films, Free Essays Tale of Two Cities In the fictitious novel Tale of Two Cities, the author, Charles Dickens, lays out a brilliant plot. Charles Dickens was born in England on February 7, 1812 near the south coast. His family moved to London when he was ten years old and quickly went into debt. To help support himself, Charles went to work at a blacking warehouse when he was twelve. His father was soon imprisoned for debt and shortly thereafter the rest of the family split apart. Charles continued to work at the blacking warehouse even after his father inherited some money and got out of prison. When he was thirteen, Dickens went back to school for two years. He later learned shorthand and became a freelance court reporter. He started out as a journalist at the age of twenty and later wrote his first novel, The Pickwick Papers. He went on to write many other novels, including Tale of Two Cities in 1859. Tale of Two Cities takes place in France and England during the troubled times of the French Revolution. There are travels by the characters between the countries, but most of the action takes place in Paris, France. The wineshop in Paris is the hot spot for the French revolutionists, mostly because the wineshop owner, Ernest Defarge, and his wife, Madame Defarge, are key leaders and officials of the revolution. Action in the book is scattered out in many places; such as the Bastille, Tellson's Bank, the home of the Manettes, and largely, the streets of Paris. These places help to introduce many characters into the plot. One of the main characters, Madame Therese Defarge, is a major antagonist who seeks revenge, being a key revolutionist. She is very stubborn and unforgiving in her cunning scheme of revenge on the Evermonde family. Throughout the story, she knits shrouds for the intended victims of the revolution. Charles Darnay, one of whom Mrs. Defarge is seeking revenge, is constantly being put on the stand and wants no part of his own lineage. He is a languid protagonist and has a tendency to get arrested and must be bailed out several times during the story. Dr. Alexander Manette, a veteran prisoner of the Bastille and moderate protagonist, cannot escape the memory of being held and sometimes relapses to cobbling shoes. Dr. Manette is somewhat redundant as a character in the novel, but plays a very significant part in the plot. Dr. Manette's daughter, Lucie Manette, a positive protagonist, is loved by many and marries Charles Darnay . She is a quiet, emotional person and a subtle protagonist in the novel. One who never forgot his love for Lucie, the protagonist Sydney Carton changed predominately during the course of the novel. Sydney , a look-alike of Charles Darnay, was introduced as a frustrated, immature alcoholic, but in the end, made the ultimate sacrifice for a good friend. These and other characters help to weave an interesting and dramatic plot. Dr. Manette has just been released from the Bastille, and Lucie, eager to meet her father whom she thought was dead, goes with Mr. Jarvis Lorry to bring him back to England. Dr. Manette is in an insane state from his long prison stay and does nothing but cobble shoes, although he is finally persuaded to go to England. Several years later, Lucie, Dr. Manette, and Mr. Lorry are witnesses at the trial of Charles Darnay. Darnay, earning his living as a tutor, frequently travels between England and France and is accused of treason in his home country of France. He is saved from being prosecuted by Sydney Carton, who a witness confuses for Darnay, thus not making the case positive. Darnay ended up being acquitted for his presumed crime. Darnay and Carton both fall in love with Lucie and want to marry her. Carton, an alcoholic at the time, realizes that a relationship with Lucie is impossible, but he still tells her that he loves her and would do anything for her. Darnay and Lucie marry each other on the premises of the two promises between Dr. Manette and Darnay. Right after the marriage, while the newlyweds are on their honeymoon, Dr. Manette has a relapse and cobbles shoes for nine days straight. France's citizens arm themselves for a revolution and, led by the Defarges, start the revolution by raiding the Bastille. Shortly before the start of the revolution, the Marquis runs over a child in the streets of Paris. He is assassinated soon after by Gaspard, the child's father, who is

I need a review of the movie Go Tell The Spartans

I need a of the Go Tell The Spartans - Movie Review Example The men are inexperienced and have no real sense of what the war will entail. They are badly outnumbered by Viet Cong troops and there are reports of fighting in the area. Their commander is named Barker, and he is the heart and soul of the film. Barker has fought in many wars and is world-weary and wise. He knows his men are foolish and outnumbered. He does everything he can to teach them to prepare themselves for battle. But the men at Muc Wa are just one cog in a larger wheel. We see how the bureaucracy of the American armed forces slows things down and prevents soldiers from showing initiative. Even after numerous complaints, Barker is still undermanned. In a sense, he is only awaiting his own death. In order the fully understand this excellent film, it is important to understand America's role in Vietnam during the period. Unlike the Second World War, where the purpose of the U.S. was clear, and its vital interests at stake, the Vietnam War had an unclear objective. Americans ha d trouble understanding why it was in their national interest to send hundreds of thousands of soldiers to this far-away land. Some of the actions taken by their own soldiers ashamed them, and the losses of life were enormous. Many aspects of the war in retrospect seem surreal.

The Secret of Success of Wal Mart Research Paper

The Secret of Success of Wal Mart - Research Paper Example Wal-Mart’s large size and high purchasing power enable the company management to access customers from all over the world and the rest of the US. It also has an incredible team of executives who form its leadership. This has equipped Wal-Mart with the management of high caliber. The Company spends its resources carefully with the aim of maximizing their margins while reducing costs. The company focuses on strategies such as every day low prices that helped it stay ahead of its competitor. More so, the company’s retailer opened new small stores, which helped it overcome its competitors such as Amazon.com and dollar stores. It faced tough competition from these companies but it managed to make profits. The function of Wal-Mart’s reward system is to attract, motivate, and retain skilled and experienced employees. Wal-Mart’s reward is effective since it guarantees fair treatment of all employees. Wal-Mart management announced in 2012 that it was going to disburse close to one million dollars in benefits and bonuses to its workers within the United States of America. This shows a monetary reward that the company is able to give its employees in order to motivate them to work hard as the company continues to come up with new products for its customers. In addition to the total monetary reward system, Wal-Mart has come up with a unique social responsibility culture. Such sense of giving back to the community has been weakened by employee turnover rate. This reward system is effective since the company helps community directly without dishing out money. In addition, as part of Wal-Mart’s employee compensation program, the company pays or offers some premium for its employees or workers. This program aims to ensure that each employee is access to cheap healthcare despite the rising costs of health care. Wal-Mart uses employee compensation based control mechanisms in allevi ating possible employer and worker opportunism.

Discussion on Peet's coffee Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Discussion on Peet's coffee - Essay Example this matter, proper interest of customers is needed because company can attain its marketing goals with the support of professional persons and effective promotional plans. Cause of trends is different for various conditions because people are living with unpredicted financial and social conditions. Same condition is linked with Peet`s Coffee and Tea product as customers can attain this product after attainment of sensational status in the society. In case of trouble, people are unable to buy this product and this scenario is realizable for all humans without any complexity. So, companies should be careful in this matter and they should use proper marketing sources to gain attraction of people as customer to enhance the financial status. There are two common challenges which are faced in market by those firms which are offering already existing products. First challenge is linked with quality matter as it is basic element to enhance the financial power of any firm in the market. Accordingly, second challenge is linked with price adjustment that should be performed with observance of market and other relevant firms. This scenario is helpful to make Peet`s Coffee and Tea products successful in the market. Cash and capital resources should be used for promotion of firm and this technique is the cause of making financial tasks achievable and winning without any reservation. With these resources, companies can enhance attraction level of consumers and this scenario is supportive to achieve success in financial backgrounds without any intricacy in the communal way of life. Concern of latest technologies is sensitive in the present age because this is related with production of favorable results in the social and commercial surroundings. This is fact that Peet`s Coffee and Tea product can be made fame in the market by the use of efficient technological innovations that are reachable for all humans without any complexity. This scenario is realizable with the instance

Review On The Banc One Finance Essay

Review On The Banc One Finance Essay Banc One was founded in 1863 and headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. The bank has accumulated a total of $76.5 billion assets and produced revenues of $4.3 billion by 1994, being the 8th largest in the country. Banc One can be seen as a three tiered organisation. The first tier controlling five state banks and holding 42 subsidiaries, the second being a regional affiliate group and holding 36 subsidiaries and finally ten non-banking organizations, varying from insurance to data processing. Its parent company employed around 100 workers, of which 12 were working in the Asset and Liability management which is going to be explored in this report. (Kusy et al., 1986) How does Banc One manage its interest rate exposure? In this question it will be necessary to determine how Banc One hedges itself against changes in interest rate levels and what the possible risks it faces from such changes. As a foreword, it has to be understood that if a bank was to be perfectly matched in terms of its assets and liabilities, then any change in the interest rates would have offsetting impacts on both the asset and liability side. Hence the bank would never feel the effect of changing interest rates. However, in a real world situation, especially for a bank this size with its big asset and liability portfolio (assets $76.5 billion), it is quite impossible to be perfectly matched, nevertheless this must be attempted. (Saunders et al., 2006) Prior to 1980, Banc One was seen to be improperly measuring its interest rate exposure by trying to add assets to its investment portfolio until it was felt that the fixed rate investments offset the fixed rate liabilities. As well as to this, they were evading long term investments, in the belief that such prolonged investments will bring pointless risks to its investment portfolio. (Esty et al., 1994) By 1980, when the second oil shock hit hard and volatility exceeded in the market, Banc One finally understood that they have to adhere to the task of measuring their interest rate risk due to some investments bringing losses to the organization. Hence in 1981, they started measuring their maturity gap, which grouped all of its assets and liabilities into categories, adjusted to their repricing-adjusted maturities (amount of time an interest rate remains fixed on a contract). The repricing-adjusted maturities was split (12 months) and a value of assets minus liabilities derived to. This was a key figure for the bank to understand their net interest margin, i.e. interest rate received on assets minus interest paid on liabilities and therefore earnings. This was great for the bank to play around with and to understand how interest rate changes could affect its earnings. However, a problem was faced, which was that this task was far too time consuming, taking a year to produce a single gap management report which by the time of publishing would be out of date already. (Esty et al., 1994) In the same year, Banc One was generating 13% in money market short-medium term investments, 21% in longer-term securities, such as municipal bonds, which had a larger spread due to no tax incurred. As of 1984, Banc One started using asset and liability simulations to improve its prediction for interest rate exposure. By indicating the exact asset and liability portfolios they were able to estimate how interest rate changes would affect their earnings. The procedure was that, firstly, a so called online balance sheet was created that contained the most recent information on its assets and liabilities, for example key features of each contract, the principal amounts, interest rates, maturity dates and amortization of assets and liabilities, as well as historic information. Finally, when the model was complete, they could simulate how an interest rate change would affect its balance sheet and earnings. These predictions were being run monthly and outcomes helped the bank to make changes in its interest rate positions. It was later developed further by introducing an automatic system which would download all of the available loans and deposits on each customer to derive to a better prediction on the banks exposure to interest rates. What role do derivatives play in its interest rate management? Banc One has been seen to start using interest rate swaps from the 1980s. An interest rate swap is an agreement between two counterparties in which one party swaps its fixed payment interest stream with the other party for a floating payment stream that is linked to an interest rate benchmark, usually being the LIBOR. From 1983, Banc one began using interest rate swaps, the procedure was that first they bought municipal bonds and received a 9.5% yield, after which entered into an interest rate swap which paid a fixed rate of 7% (LIBOR) and hence received a net position of LIBOR +2.5%. However, using interest rate swaps has caused some of the financial data to be distorted, for example if the derivatives were included in the balance sheet then their margin would have been 1.31% lower and their return on assets lowered by 0.2%. After they have started using interest rate swaps, it was seen that they would depend more on large short-term borrowings, also the swap positions affected the amount of risk-adjusted capital they held. The impact was also seen on the net interest margin, as well as the return on assets and equity. The bank presented a set of financials and compared these to two twin banks. One, which was exactly the same as Banc One except that it brought its swaps onto the balance sheet by replacing the notional principal of its receive-fixed swaps with investments in fixed-rate securities funded by variable-rate borrowings. This bank would differ in its accounting performance, dependence on large liabilities, and capital levels. First, swaps improved Banc Ones liquidity. They also freed up capital for short term investment which provided cash when needed to repay liabilities such as CD withdraws. Second, the off-balance sheet accounting of swaps increased ROA and ROE. The receive fix rate swaps did not appear as an asset or a liability, but were disclosed in footnotes to the financial statements. Yet gains and losses would still be placed on the income statement. If the bank were to use a traditional hedge, buying a fixed rate bond and selling a floating rate security both would appear on the balance sheet: the net result being to lower traditional profitability measures. Finally, the stress over meeting the minimum capital requirements was deduced as swaps did not use much capital. They started using swaps instead of conventional fixed-rate investments. swaps were attractive investments that lowered the banks exposure to movements in interest rates. Instead of investing in medium-term U.S. Treasury obligations, it could simply enter into a medium-term receive-fixed swap and put its money into short-term floating-rate cash equivalents. Interest rate swap in which it paid a floating rate of interest and received a fixed rate in return this would increase a banks fixed-rate inflows and reduce its periodic floating rate inflows The second would invest in floating-rate loans and investments (instead of fixed-rate investments) and in floating-rate assets financed by floating-rate deposits (instead of swaps). This bank did not manage its interest rate sensitivity. exposure to interest rate risk is determined by simulating the impact of the prospective changes in interest rates in the results of operations. Management seeks to insure that over a one year period, net income will to be impacted by more than 4 percent and 9 percent by a gradual change in market interest rates of 1 percent and 2 percent, respectively. The chief Investment Officer did not understand why everyone was unhappy about swaps which was an investment which lowered the banks exposure to movements in interest rates and in 1993, they held a In 1993, a meeting took place after the $10 drop in Banc Ones stock price. Banc one did not understand why everyone was criticizing their use of derivatives (swaps). Many of the investors and market players did not really understand how to use swaps and thought that this was a risky investment, however Banc One grasped this investment style and was using it very well to their own advantage in their asset and liability management. The bank was faced with three options. First, not to do anything and hope that share price will recover over time as investors would realised that derivatives were helping the bank manage interest rate and basis risk. Second, they could reduce their derivative position. Thirdly, they could attempt to educate investors about the use of derivatives by showing more of their positions. None of these three is what Banc One decided on, what they did was create a financial summary and presented it to the market presented on the next slide. Swaps instead of investing in medium term US treasury obligations it would enter into a medium term receive-fixed swap and put its money into short term floating rate cash equivalents. (this way they improved liquidity with stable principal values; also swaps are off-balance sheet transactions for receive-fixed swap this way banks return on assets would be overstated; also swaps reduce the amount of capital needed to meet regulatory requirements) Why is Banc One liability-sensitive? In the 1980s Banc One was seen to be asset sensitive which was mostly to do with its acquisition scheme, where their acquired portfolio reached more than 75 banks which were all high asset sensitive banks. Asset sensitivity is the name given to a position where the deposit (liability) is fixed, whilst the loan (asset) might be changing. In the 90s, this has changed and the bank seemed to have turned liability-sensitive due to the use of interest rate swaps in which a floating rate was paid and a fixed rate in return was received. These transactions were giving the impression on the balance sheet that the bank was earning a floating rate liability and at the same time investing into a fixed rate asset. Banc One, being a liability sensitive bank, indicates that their loans (assets) are fixed, whilst the deposit (liability) is moving up or down. Therefore only a drop in interest rate will bring a higher net interest margin, as the spread between the fixed deposit and the floating dropped loan would widen, creating more profit for the bank. However if an interest rate rise was to incur, then this would mean that its floating rate payments would alter its financial data by boosting the interest expense, and with interest income staying on the same level this would set Banc One as a liability sensitive bank. Should it be liability-sensitive? Banc One has turned liability-sensitive as it may have been anticipating that the interest rates would drop and thus profit could have been made, as is shown in the liability sensitive bank table in the last column where the interest rate has dropped. However, if their prediction is wrong and the interest rate goes up then they will make a loss, as shown in the same table, column 3 from left. A bank can restructure its position whichever way it wants, if a bank bets that interest rates will go up then it could turn asset sensitive and fix its deposits (liabilities) and use a floating rate for their loans (assets) in order to make profits. For a bank which bets the opposite, a liability sensitive position can be taken by using the same method described as for the asset sensitive, just reversed, such that was taken by Banc One. From the graph shown below (Interest Rate and Spreads) it is now clear why Banc One has become liability-sensitive from its previous position. This is due to the fact that prior to the 90s the bank would fix its deposits, either using the LIBOR 3 month or the 2 year US Treasury, however then it was more preferable to lock the deposits in the 3 month LIBOR as the rate was lower and a more liquid position could have been sustained. However, after the drop in the rates in 1984-1986 and 1989 and thereafter Banc One would have been facing problems if to continue sustaining its position at the fixed deposit level, as the loans were under the deposit level and the bank could not get out of its obligatory 3 month or 2 year position. Therefore it started using swaps, and with undertaking swaps, this has reversed its position to swapping its loans from floating to becoming fixed, as they received a fixed return or with deposits becoming floating, as they paid a floating amount, whichever was m ore preferable. In Banc Ones case it seemed that swapping the fixed deposit, into a floating deposit would be viable as they had to get out of a loss making position, if the market was dropping. Deriving from the above mentioned, Banc One should be liability-sensitive in the case where it is making a loss on its current positions due to changing interest rates and thus utilising a swap, however its original positions undertaken in the beginning (before the interest rate moved out of favour) might be still as of an asset-sensitive bank, therefore it can be said that swaps distort the banks image. (Esty et al., 1994) References Esty B., Tufano P., Headley J., (1994). Banc One Corporation, Asset and Liability Management, Harvard Business School. Saunders A., Cornett M. M, (2006). Financial Institutions Management: A Risk Management Approach, McGraw-Hill. Kusy M.I., Ziemba W. T., (May-June 1986). Operations Research, A Bank Asset and Liability Management Model, Vol. 34, No. 3, pp. 356-376, Informs. Bitner J. W., Goddard R. A., (1992). Successful bank asset/liability management: a guide to the future beyond gap, John Wiley Sons.

Mica and men review :: essays research papers

Of Mice and Men Review Of mice and men was such a great movie it was shocking that it didn’t receive any Academy Awards. Gary Sinise made a heart effecting very well done adaptation on Steinbeck’s classic novel. It is set in the great depression, where men travel around trying to get any work they can. It is based around two characters George (Gary Sinise) and Lennie (John Malkovich). Both characters care for each other deeply and take care of one another. Lennie has a mental disability but is very strong, whereas George is very intelligent and cunning and he does the thinking for both of them, while Lennie does a lot of the work. Both Lennie and George find themselves working on a ranch during harvest season with a variety of other quaint characters. The foreman of this ranch is named Curley and Curley’s unnamed wife who plays an important role. The life of these two men is held up by a dream of one day owning their own piece of land. Candy(Ray Waltson) is an old cripple and old ranch hand, he finds out about George and Lennie’s plan to buy land he wants to buy into it. Crook's is another character, a black labourer that is left lonely because he is excluded, and Slim who is a labourer who the others tend to look up to. Curley’s wife likes to show off the fact that she’s good looking and in turn, tends to get people into trouble. Sherilyn Finn quite convincingly plays the character of Curley’s wife. Unfortunately Curley’s wife can’t find anyone to pay attention to her leaving her lonely the same way some of the other characters feel. The film has some very strong acting throughout the film. The acting was led by the always wonderful John Malkovich as Lennie.

Difference in Metaphysics Between Aristotle and Kant

What is the central difference between metaphysics as Kant conceives it, and metaphysics as Aristotle conceives it? Argue in support of one or the other view. Metaphysics is usually taken to involve both questions of what is existence and what types of things exist; in order to answer either questions, one will find itself using and investigating the concepts of being.Aristotle  proposed the first of these investigations which he called ‘first philosophy’, also known as ‘the science of being’ however overtime his writings came to be best known as ‘Metaphysics’ in which he studied being qua being with a central theme of how substance may be defined as a category of being. Kant who is a nominalist criticized both Aristotelian and therefore realists’ ideas of metaphysics by suggesting that they seek to go beyond the limits of human knowledge.Furthermore Kant argued that the structure of the world as it is in itself is unreachable to us; me taphysicians must be content to explain the structure of our thinking about that world. In this essay I will examine the two main exponents of such a doctrine in favor of realists by looking at the main differences of Metaphysics as Aristotle and Kant conceive it, which is centered on the all important question of whether metaphysics is a science of mind or of being.There have been disagreements between philosophers about the nature of metaphysics; Aristotle sometimes characterizes the discipline as the attempt to identify the first cause or better referred to as the unmoved mover and other times as the very universal science of being qua being. It is however important to remember that both of these characterizations identify one and the same discipline. On the other hand the empiricists and Kant were critical of both Aristotelian and rationalist ideas of metaphysics, by arguing that both disciplines seek to exceed the limits of human knowledge.Kant argued that the structure of the world as it is in itself is inaccessible to us and that metaphysicians must be content to describe the structure of our thinking about that world. Realists such as Plato and Aristotle maintain that for language to even exist there must be some universal quality to phenomenon. To elaborate, human beings do not discuss each object as a completely independent entity to be analyzed but rather draw comparisons to other known objects to compile a series of properties to categorize it.Nominalists, on the other hand, while not denying that humans group things together by virtue of certain qualities, maintain that this is simply a convention of language based on people's perception of them. Just because two objects share the same perceptible quality does not necessarily warrant grouping them together in any real way; it's simply a human way of making sense of reality through the senses. As soon as one asks the most basic questions of ‘what is Aristotelian Metaphysics? What study does A ristotle believe himself to be undertaking in these essays? you find yourself, baffled immediately. ‘Metaphysics’ is in fact a compilation of a number of Aristotle’s writings that later on editors put together. It has a central theme of an inquiry into how substance may be defined as a category of being. Book Gamma appears to start on characterizing something which Aristotle calls ‘the science of being qua being’ and then goes on to a discussion of the principle of non contradiction. â€Å"There is science which investigates being qua being and the attributes which belong to this in virtue of its own† (Warrington, 1956, P116).In order to study being qua being, one has to simply study those qualities which hold of entities in virtue of the fact that they are entities. What sort of attributes are qualities of entities qua being? Aristotle insists on unity or oneness as such a feature, on the grounds that everything – everything which exis ts is one thing. However Aristotle’s characterization of the subject raises a few doubts: why is there a need to restrict logic to entities? Is the word ‘qua’ appropriate? No doubt each entity is one thing but is it one thing qua being, or insofar as it exists?Although book Epsilon is rather brief, it shows a return to the science of being qua being and also passes some remarks on truth. â€Å"If there any immovable substances, then the science which deals with them must be prior, and it must be primary philosophy† (Loux, 2006, p14). This shows that the immoveable substances are divinities. Book Zeta appears to restrict our subject matter in a rather different way: ‘the question which, both now and in the past, is continually posed and continually puzzled over is this: what is being? That is to say, what is substance? This question defines the nature of Aristotle’s inquiries, at least for a large part of the Metaphysics, and it thus offers a f ourth account of the study or science of metaphysics. â€Å"The science of first principles, the study of being qua being, theology, the investigation into substance – four compatible descriptions of the same discipline? Perhaps there is no one discipline which can be identified as Aristotelian Metaphysics? And perhaps this thought should not disturb us: we need only recall that the metaphysics was composed by Andronicus rather than by Aristotle.But the four descriptions do have at least one thing in common: they are dark and obscure† (Ross, 1996, p174). Books Zeta, Eta and Theta, together form the central part of the Metaphysics, with a focus on their general topic ‘substance’: its classification and relation to matter and forms, to actuality and to potentiality, to change and generation. According to Aristotle, there is one kind of being which is in the strictest and fullest sense, substance. What we don’t see in Metaphysics is Aristotle treating the categories as a whole.The substance is the whole thing, including the qualities, relations etc which form its essence and this can exist apart. Secondary substances being universals, cannot according to Aristotle’s own doctrine exist apart, but must be supplemented by the special qualities of their individual members. Substance is prior in definition; in defining a member of any other category you must include the definition of the underlying substance. Substance is prior for knowledge; we know a thing better when we know what is than when we know what quality, quantity or place it has.In this realist point of view substance is evidently being thought of not as the concrete thing but as the essential nature. And this double meaning spreads through Aristotle’s whole treatment of substance. The existence of substance and the distinction between it and other categories is for Aristotle self-evident. Kant on the other hand seems to suggest that the necessity for metaph ysics is a psychological one, arising out of men’s desires which is the main difference between Aristotle and him; however I would argue against Kant that this is not the case and it is a logical necessity.It arises out of the mere pursuit of knowledge thus that pursuit, which we call science, is an attempt to think in a logical and systematic manner. This involves unraveling the presuppositions of our thoughts. Furthermore it involves discovering that some of them are relative presuppositions which have to be justified and that others are absolute presuppositions, which neither stand in need of justification nor can in fact be justified; and a person who has made this discovery is already a metaphysician.Kant intends to defend metaphysic and scientific knowledge by providing an accurate analysis of human reason. His theory is based on his discovery of synthetic a priori knowledge, judgments that are both informative and necessary. However I would argue against this nominalis t point of you as there’s a problem with explaining how much judgment should arise, as well as to give an explanation of their truth.In other words The Critique of Pure Reason argues that the necessary metaphysical principles underlying all hypothetical knowledge originate in the pure forms of feeling and the intellect. Furthermore In Kant’s point of view, there are no universal concepts underlying reality, simply the phenomenon in front of us. Realists, on the other hand, maintain that all things that share the same property — for example, greenness for all things with the color green — are therefore linked by this property. Sharing this property implies possession of the same universal form.Nominalism posits that what is perceived is what exists in reality, whereas realists view a perceived object as the manifestation of a universal concept. Consequently, perception is not a one-to-one process of seeing something as it actually exists, but a synthesis o f the underlying concept and real phenomena. Kant wrote the Critique of Pure Reason not as a piece of constructive metaphysical thinking, but it was placed before the public in order to move away from errors which had obstructed and did obstruct metaphysical thinking.In his preface, he argued that his view of Metaphysics is concerned with God, freedom and immortality; however as well as dealing with these subjects, it also signified an inquiry to which men could never be indifferent and which they would never renounce thus the question was no longer about whether people should have metaphysics or no metaphysics but whether they should have good metaphysics or bad metaphysics. He also argued that metaphysicians were to blame for this state of things and that a sounder metaphysics was not to be looked for until those errors had been cleared away. Kant’s way of accommodating both the Aristotelian and Newtonian world pictures alike- both natural teleology and natural mechanism is to ground both in the necessary possibility of rational human nature. According to Kant, the natural world is an objectively real material world in which human persons actually do exist, and consequently in which human persons must also be possible† (Hanna, 2006, p15). Kant’s point is that if metaphysical knowledge is possible, it will share some of the distinctiveness of logic.For Kant, any science must be based on necessary principles as one would not be able to be certain of what theories are true if scientific principles were only contingent. However unlike logic, which is purely formal, metaphysics has content because it is the science of reality. For Kant, The Laws of logic are not absolute or universal they are in fact left with everything else knowable as phenomenal. ‘Nominalist is true’ and ‘A and Not A, cannot both be true’ are both true statements but only and only because this is the way our subjective minds structure and condition reality.They can never true in the universal and absolute sense without this phenomenological caution. For Kant these statements are not necessarily true (though it may be) outside of phenomenal experience. There is no question that Kant intends his theory of pure concepts to replace Aristotle’s theory of the categories. In his categories, Aristotle identified ten classes as the fundamental ontological types under which all things fall: substance, quantity, quality, relation, place, time, posture, state, action and passion.He thought that things falling under all categories could be subject of essential predications, but only substances can keep their identities while undergoing change in time. In general the categories express metaphysical principles that set limits on meaningful discussions. Kant’s idea of categories differentiated from Aristotle’s in the sense that, he argued rather being empirical, in order for the categories to be successful, they must sho w that the concepts are pure and have originated in understanding rather than sensibility.In addition the list must include only fundamental concepts, and it must be systematic to ensure completeness. Kant believes it is possible to obtain a complete list because pure concepts express functions of the understanding, thus the key to a complete list is to assume that the understanding has one function. It can be argued that this method is an improvement over Aristotle’s who merely conducted an empirical survey of concepts, which can never guarantee the systematic completeness of the list. In Aristotle’s case it is unclear whether he saw it as a doctrine about things and their basic properties or about language and its basic predicates; whereas  Kant  quite explicitly used his categories as features of our way of thinking, and so applied them only to things as they appear to us, not as they really or ultimately are† (Barnes, 1995, p75). In conclusion Aristotle a nd Kant’s metaphysics differentiate in the sense that one is arguing in favor of realism and the other is arguing in favor of Nominalism.Although there is no doubt that both ideas have faults, the account I agree the most with is indeed Aristotle’s conception of metaphysics as it focuses on the logical necessity of metaphysics rather than psychological. The main differences between the two accounts can be seen in their treatment of perception, treatment of universals and treatment of language. Bibliography Ackrill, J. L. 1995. Aristotle. London: Routledge. 161 Allison, H. E. 2012. Essays on Kant. Oxford: Oxford University Press Barnes, J. 1995. The Cambridge companion to Aristotle. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press Buroker, J. V. 2006.Kant’s Critique of pure reason: an introduction. Cambridge: Cambridge University press. Page 8 Collingwood, R. G, 1966. An essay on Metaphysics. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Hanna, R. 2006. Kant, Science and Human Nature. O xford University Press: Oxford. Loux, J. 2006. Metaphysics a contemporary introduction. London: Routledge Ross, D. 1996. Aristotle. London: Routledge Shields, C. 2007. Aristotle. London: Routledge Gardner, S. 1999. Kant and the Critique of Pure Reason. London: Routledge Smith, N. K. 2007. Critique of Pure Reason. London: Palgrave Macmillan Warrington, J. 1956. Aristotle’s Metaphysics. London: J. M. Dent & Sons

Ideal Gas vs. Non-Ideal Gas Example Problem

Ideal Gas vs. Non Problem This example problem demonstrates how to calculate the pressure of a gas system using the ideal gas law and the van der Waals equation. It also demonstrates the difference between an ideal gas and a non-ideal gas. Van der Waals EquationProblem Calculate the pressure exerted by 0.3000 mol of helium in a 0.2000 L container at -25  °C usinga. ideal gas lawb. van der Waals equationWhat is the difference between the non-ideal and ideal gases?Given:aHe 0.0341 atm ·L2/mol2bHe 0.0237 L ·mol How to Solve the Problem Part 1: Ideal Gas LawThe ideal gas law is expressed by the formula:PV nRTwhereP pressureV volumen number of moles of gasR ideal gas constant 0.08206 L ·atm/mol ·KT absolute temperatureFind absolute temperatureT  °C 273.15T -25 273.15T 248.15 KFind the pressurePV nRTP nRT/VP (0.3000 mol)(0.08206 L ·atm/mol ·K)(248.15)/0.2000 LPideal 30.55 atmPart 2: Van der Waals EquationVan der Waals equation is expressed by the formulaP a(n/V)2 nRT/(V-nb)whereP pressureV volumen number of moles of gasa attraction between individual gas particlesb average volume of individual gas particlesR ideal gas constant 0.08206 L ·atm/mol ·KT absolute temperatureSolve for pressureP nRT/(V-nb) - a(n/V)2To make the math easier to follow, the equation will be broken into two parts whereP X - YwhereX nRT/(V-nb)Y a(n/V)2X P nRT/(V-nb)X (0.3000 mol)(0.08206 L ·atm/mol ·K)(248.15)/[0.2000 L - (0.3000 mol)(0.0237 L/mol)]X 6.109 L ·atm/(0.2000 L - .007 L)X 6.109 L ·atm/0.19 LX 32.152 atmY a(n/V)2Y 0.0341 atm ·L2/mol2 x [0.3000 mol/0.2000 L]2Y 0.0341 atm ·L2/mol2 x (1.5 mol/L)2Y 0.0341 atm ·L2/mol2 x 2.25 mol2/L2Y 0.077 atmRecombine to find pressureP X - YP 32.152 atm - 0.077 atmPnon-ideal 32.075 atmPart 3 - Find the difference between ideal and non-ideal conditionsPnon-ideal - Pideal 32.152 atm - 30.55 atmPnon-ideal - Pideal 1.602 atmAnswer:The pressure for the ideal gas is 30.55 atm and the pressure for van der Waals equation of the non-ideal gas was 32.152 atm. The non-ideal gas had a greater pressure by 1.602 atm. Ideal vs Non-Ideal Gases An ideal gas is one in which the molecules dont interact with each other and dont take up any space. In an ideal world, collisions between gas molecules are completely elastic. All gases in the real world have molecules with diameters and which interact with each other, so theres always a bit of error involved in using any form of the Ideal Gas Law and van der Waals equation. However, noble gases act much like ideal gases because they dont participate in chemical reactions with other gases. Helium, in particular, acts like an ideal gas because each atom is so tiny. Other gases behave much like ideal gases when they are at low pressures and temperatures. Low pressure means few interactions between gas molecules occur. Low temperature means the gas molecules have less kinetic energy, so they dont move around as much to interact with each other or their container.

Symbiogenesis - An Evolution Definition

Symbiogenesis - An Evolution Definition Symbiogenesis  is an evolution term that relates to the cooperation between species in order to increase their survival. The crux of the theory of natural selection, as laid out by the â€Å"Father of Evolution† Charles Darwin, is competition. Mostly, he focused on competition between individuals of a population within the same species for survival. Those with the most favorable adaptations could compete better for things like food, shelter, and mates with which to reproduce and make the next generation of offspring that would carry those traits in their DNA. Darwinism relies on competition for these sorts of resources in order for natural selection to work. Without competition, all individuals would be able to survive and the favorable adaptations will never be selected for by pressures within the environment. This sort of competition can also be applied to the idea of coevolution of species. The usual example of coevolution typically deals with a predator and prey relationship. As the prey get faster and run away from the predator, natural selection will kick in and select an adaptation that is more favorable to the predator. These adaptations could be the predators becoming faster themselves to keep up with the prey, or maybe the traits that would be more favorable would have to do with the predators becoming stealthier so they can better stalk and ambush their prey. Competition with other individuals of that species for the food will drive the rate of this evolution. However, other evolutionary scientists assert that it is actually cooperation between individuals and not always competition that drives evolution. This hypothesis is known as symbiogenesis. Breaking down the word symbiogenesis into parts gives a clue as to the meaning. The prefix sym means to bring together. Bio of course means life and genesis is to create or to produce. Therefore, we can conclude that symbiogenesis means to bring individuals together in order to create life. This would rely on cooperation of individuals instead of competition to drive natural selection and ultimately the rate of evolution. Perhaps the best known example of symbiogenesis is the similarly named Endosymbiotic Theory popularized by evolutionary scientist Lynn Margulis. This explanation of how eukaryotic cells evolved from prokaryotic cells is the currently accepted theory in science. Instead of competition, various prokaryotic organisms worked together to create a more stable life for all involved. A larger prokaryote engulfed smaller prokaryotes that became what we now know as various important organelles within a eukaryotic cell. Prokaryotes similar to cyanobacteria became the chloroplast in photosynthetic organisms and other prokaryotes would go on to become mitochondria where ATP energy is produced in the eukaryotic cell. This cooperation drove the evolution of eukaryotes through cooperation and not competition. It is most likely a combination of both competition and cooperation that fully drive the rate of evolution through natural selection. While some species, such as humans, can cooperate to make life easier for the entire species so it can thrive and survive, others, such as different types of non-colonial bacteria, go it on their own and only compete with other individuals for survival. Social evolution plays a large part in deciding whether or not cooperation will work for a group which would in turn reduce the competition between individuals. However, species will continue to change over time via natural selection no matter if it is through cooperation or competition. Understanding why different individuals within species choose one or the other as their primary way of operating may help deepen the knowledge of evolution and how it occurs over long periods of time.

History of Iraq research paper proposal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

History of Iraq research paper proposal - Essay Example The federal government of Iraq defined as an Islamic democratic federal parliamentary republic. It is composed of the executive, legislative and judicial branches plus numerous independent commissions. The legislative composed of the council of representatives, the executive branch composed of the president, prime minister, and the council of ministers. The judiciary is composed of the higher judicial council, the Supreme Court, the court of cassation, the public prosecution department and judiciary oversight commission. Iraq was under the rule of native empires, Assyrian, Babylonian, Akkadian, Sumerian and foreign empires such as Median, Achaemenid, Persian and Sassanian empires. In the 16th century, Iraq fell under the Ottoman rule, which intermittently fell under Iranian Safavid and Mamluk control. After the fall of Saddam Hussein 10 years later, the country is full of lawlessness, autocracy, daily deaths and havoc. The country has rapidly declined economically unlike in the 1970s whereby it was named as the country of positive success, despite destructive groups among them. By marrying the infant of an uncle or a mothers sister, a husband and wife are of the same clan and their property. Their unity and their strength further strengthens the clan they are both from. The most basic and vital tribal structure is an extended family3. The Islamic political state of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) is a Sunni extremist, jihadist rebel group controlling territory in Iraq and Syria. This situation is a clear proof of Islamic dominance in Iraq. It is also shown by the use of the Sharia law in the country4. From 1980, the external relations of Iraq were influenced by the Saddam Hussein government. Iraq had good relations with the Soviet Union, France, and Germany, who provided advanced weapons systems. In 2003, the US and its allies invaded Iraq causing insurgency that deepened ethnic, tribal and sectarian divisions in

Terms Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Terms - Essay Example For example Cool Sweats can refute the allegation by showing that George violated the company rules by charging personal expenses on the company credit card (Steingold, 2015). Accusation - It is closer to an allegation. An accusation is where one employee is said to have committed an atrocity again his company or fellow employee. It is closer to certainty even though just like an allegation, it requires verification. Ambiguity – It points not presented logically to necessitate understanding. A report by an employee may be ambiguous to mean that it does not clearly state or explain its intentions. Ambiguous laws often let the criminals off the hook. The burden of proof – It is the commitment to substantiate claims made in the court of law or employment disciplinary hearing. The accuser or accused is required to convince the panel of judges. In most cases, the person bringing forth the accusation has to prove by way of evidence that they are true, and the other party is guilty. The opportunity to present facts is the burden of proof. Coercion – It is the use of unethical means to find or receive what an individual wants. It is the convincing of one individual to issue information or material that was not intended. It is in intended to gain