Monday, September 30, 2019
Gillian Clarke â⬠Neighbours Essay
Gillian Clarke is a Welsh poet whose writing often uses natural and rural settings to explore larger themes and ideas, particularly political ideas. She draws on the Welsh landscape and her experience of sheep-farming on the small-holding where she lives in West Wales. She has been the National Poet in Wales since 2008. The Chernobyl Nuclear Plant in Russia was the site of a massive explosion in 1986. Radiation from the accident killed people and animals from the local area, including 6 firemen who put out the fire after the explosion. The effect and spread of the disaster canââ¬â¢t be accurately predicted after a nuclear accident because radioactive particles can be carried by the wind. They can also get into the water cycle. The Chernobyl disaster was one of the motivations for the policy of ââ¬Ëglasnostââ¬â¢, proposed and developed by the Russian president Mikhail Gorbachev. Glasnost translates as ââ¬Ëopennessââ¬â¢ and the policy supported the freedom of information. Gorbachev saw a need for openness because Chernobyl residents were not evacuated immediately after the disaster due to the Russian administrationââ¬â¢s concern to cover up their faults. The spring was late. We watched the sky and studied charts for shouldering isobars. Birds were late to pair. Crows drank from the lambââ¬â¢s eye. Over Finland small birds fell; song thrushes steering north, smudged signatures on light, migrating warblers, nightingales. Wing-beats failed over fjords, each lung a sip of gall. Children were warned of their dangerous beauty. Milk was spilt in Poland. Each quarrel The blowback from some old story, a mouthful of bitter air from the Ukraine brought by the wind in its box of sorrows. This spring a lamb sips caesium on a Welsh hill. A child, lifting her head to drink the rain takes into her blood the poisoned arrow. Now we are all neighbourly, each little town in Europe twinned to Chernobyl, each heart with the burnt firemen, the child on the Moscow train. In the democracy of the virus and the toxin we wait. We watch for spring migrations, one bird returning with green in its voice. Glasnost. Golau glas. A first break of blue.
Sunday, September 29, 2019
A Sunday on La Grande Jatte
A Sunday on La Grande Jatte, 1884 Georges Seurat A Sunday on La Grande Jatte medium's is an oil on canvas artwork painted by Georges Seurat for two years. His technique is basically painterly. It depicts realistic experiences of people at that time while having a relaxing Sunday in a suburban park in an island in Seine River. For some, it is as if Seurat wanted the ââ¬Ëcharactersââ¬â¢ in his work to parade in nature. The elements that are highlighted in the painting are texture, value, and color. Georges Seurat used the form of painting called divisionism or most commonly known as pointilism. He was the first to use such form.This form projects a certain kind of rough texture for the artwork. The importance of value is given significance in portraying the feeling of the painting, giving it a certain feel of tranquility. Color is largely seen on how a serene Sunday should feel, happy and full of positive emotions. The painting's subject matter conveys the peacefulness the people at that time felt, how the people just slowly walk or sit around inhaling the beauty of their surroundings. It is basically a 2D painting in form. The painting literally communicates the calmness of that particular day. Looking at it makes you calm and reminiscing.Seuratââ¬â¢s work of art portrays a serene, calming moment where different kinds of people gather in the shoreline of an island in Seine River, taking pleasure in a Sunday afternoon. The artistââ¬â¢s seeming ââ¬Ëcastââ¬â¢ composed of soldiers, boaters, the fashionably and casually dressed, the old and the young, families, couples, and single man and women. It appears to be that he is trying to assemble a certain kind of community consisting of different class of people. What is notable in this canvas is the charactersââ¬â¢ explicit lack of interaction suggesting that it is because of their diverse class order.Seurat suggests starting a revolution in Impressionism, making his subjects like those in ancient G reeks live and move in a modern setting. The artist used oil paint in order to finish his work. His reverence for the material is evident on how he used it in a unique manner thus creating a certain kind of style called pointillism. A Sunday on La Grande Jatte serves as the start of Neo-Impressionism at the 19th century where Impressionism is widely popular. While both of them values the depiction of realism in painting and canvas, Neo-Impressionism differs because it is more defined and more conservative.As a whole, the painting exudes such immense harmony to people which particularly why I become fond of it. It also gives you an expression of anonymity, making you feel like you also want to have a piece of what the characters or the people in the painting are experiencing. In all fairness, the artwork gives calmness to people and serene to troubled heart. Sources: The Art Institute of Chicago http://www. artic. edu/aic/exhibitions/seurat/seurat_themes. html Artble http://www. artb le. com/artists/georges_seurat/paintings/a_sunday_afternoon_on_the_island_of_la_grande_jatte
Saturday, September 28, 2019
Consumer Behavior Sample Exam (Master)
| |1. |The process of the exposure, attention, and interpretation of sensations is known as which of the following? | | | |a. | | | |perception | | | | | | | |b. | | |seeing | | | | | | | |c. | | | |thinking | | | | | | | |d. | | |sensing | | | | | | | |e. | | | |interpretation | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |User Responses: |a | | | | | |2. |An online shopping experience in which you can try on clothes is an example of which of the following? | | | |a. | | | |4D reality | | | | | | | |b. | | |differential reality | | | | | | | |c. | | | |modern reality | | | | | | | |d. | | |augmented reality | | | | | | | |e. | | | |digitized reality | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |User Responses: |d. | | | | | |3. |Which of the following senses is most closely linked to the limbic system? | | | |a. | | | |taste | | | | | | | |b. | | |touch | | | | | | | |c. | | | |smell | | | | | | | |d. | | |sound | | | | | | | |e. | | | |sight | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |User Responses: |c | | | | | |4. | Marketing messages that have a clearly defined stimulus as the focal point make use of which of the following principles? | | | |a. | | | |principle of interpretational bias | | | | | | | |b. | | |schema principle | | | | | | | |c. | | | |closure principle | | | | | | | |d. | | | |figure-ground principle | | | | | | |e. | | | |principle of similarity | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |User Responses: |d. figure-ground principle | | | | | |5. |Bertie Bottââ¬â¢s Every Flavor Beans are an example of which of the following? | | | |a. | | | |fictional reality | | | | | | | |b. | | |product placement | | | | | | | |c. | | | |augmented reality | | | | | | | |d. | | |product positioning | | | | | | | |e. | | | |hyperreality | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |User Responses: |e. | | | | | |6. |Which of the following best exemplifies a difference between absolute threshold and differential threshold? | | | |a. | | | |Absolute thresholds are defined by the j. n. d. , whereas differential thresh olds are scientifically measured. | | | | | | | |b. | | |Absolute thresholds are the same between all people, whereas differential thresholds vary depending on the person. | | | | | | | |c. | | | |Differential thresholds do not rely on relative difference, which is a key factor of absolute thresholds. | | | | | | | |d. | | |Differential thresholds constantly change, whereas absolute thresholds remain the same. | | | | | | | |e. | | | |Differential thresholds apply to the difference between two stimuli, whereas absolute thresholds apply to only one. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |User Responses: |e | | | | | |7. |In large portions of the developing world, refrigeration is a luxury. Because of this, ice cream and cold Coca-Cola are viewed as status| | | |symbols. In creating an advertising campaign for a new ice cream, advertisers may wish to draw on the strong feelings associated with | | | |cold products by utilizing which of the following? | | |a. | | | |evaluation | | | | | | | |b. | | | |sensory perception | | | | | | | |c. | | |hedonic consumption | | | | | | | |d. | | | |sensory inputs | | | | | | | |e. | | |attention | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |User Responses: |c | | | | | |8. |Which of the following is a similarity between the emotional impact and the design of a product? | | | |a. | | |Both are key elements of the marketing strategies of Proctor and Gamble. | | | | | | | |b. | | | |Both have an increasing impact on consumersââ¬â¢ buying decisions. | | | | | | | |c. | | | |Both are less important than price and product quality. | | | | | | |d. | | | |Both matter only when marketing items that are household staples. | | | | | | | |e. | | | |Both are shown to be more important for older consumers. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |User Responses: |b | | | | | |9. |You notice a giant new billboard when driving to work one day. It has been cut out in the shape of the car it is advertising, and its | | | |bright red color continually catches your att ention, as you look at it out of the corner of your eye as you drive. The marketing team | | | |behind this ad was likely trying to create which of the following? | | | |a. | | |discrimination | | | | | | | |b. | | | |contrast | | | | | | | |c. | | |adaptation | | | | | | | |d. | | | |relevance | | | | | | | |e. | | |exposure | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |User Responses: |b | | | | |10. |You grew up drinking ginger ale only when you were sick. Now, you associate ginger ale with being sick but well-taken care of. This is | | | |an example of which of the following? | | | |a. | | | |belief | | | | | | | |b. | | |gestalt | | | | | | | |c. | | | |memory | | | | | | | |d. | | |sublimination | | | | | | | |e. | | | |schema | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |User Responses: |e | | | | | |11. |Which of the following most likely does NOT represent a key factor in Methodââ¬â¢s ability to secure a major contract with Target over more | | | |traditional brands, such as Proctor and Ga mble? | | | |a. | | |a move away from traditional, staid forms of marketing | | | | | | | |b. | | | |an increased emphasis on emotional impact and surprise | | | | | | | |c. | | |the appeal of a tried and true, high-quality product | | | | | | | |d. | | | |the use of a unique, aesthetically pleasing design | | | | | | | |e. | | |a realization that consumers want unusual, exotic products | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |User Responses: |c | | | | | |12. |As technologies improve, which of the following marketing techniques do you expect to see expand in use? | | | |a. | | | |psychophysics | | | | | | | |b. | | |trade dress | | | | | | | |c. | | | |hedonic marketing | | | | | | | |d. | | |subliminal messaging | | | | | | | |e. | | | |augmented reality | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |User Responses: |e | | | | | |13. |As debate rages over whether there are some places that should inherently be off limits to advertisements, which of the following might | | | |present an additional arg ument from a marketing perspective towards keeping some spaces sacred? | | | |a. | | | |Advertisements may have a negative impact on brain function and young childrenââ¬â¢s ability to focus. | | | | | | |b. | | | |Hedonic consumption can extend to place and time, so marketers may one day be able to market the absence of ads. | | | | | | | |c. | | | |Maintaining natural beauty and untouched places is critical so that these images can be used for marketing campaigns. | | | | | | | |d. | | |Consumers have only limited attentions, so offering them certain breaks will make them more likely to pay attention to ads in other | | | |places. | | | | | | | |e. | | | |It is important for advertisers to stay on the good side of consumers; otherwise, marketing would cease to be effective. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |User Responses: |d. | | | | | |14. |As the economy begins to recover after the global banking crises of 2009 and 2010, which might you expect to see? | | | |a. | | |increased pac kage sizes | | | | | | | |b. | | | |less frivolous product placement | | | | | | | |c. | | |higher differential thresholds | | | | | | | |d. | | | |more sensory marketing | | | | | | | |e. | | |better advertising campaigns | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |User Responses: |a. | | | | |15. |Considering what you know about sensory marketing, which of the following would most likely NOT have contributed to the success of | | | |Appleââ¬â¢s iPhone? | | | |a. | | | |subliminal messaging | | | | | | | |b. | | |emotional impact | | | | | | | |c. | | | |use of the haptic sense | | | | | | | |d. | | |an aesthetically appealing design | | | | | | | |e. | | | |a natural user interface | | | | | | | | | | | | | |User Responses: |a | | | | | |16. |You have been tasked with designing a marketing campaign for a new flavor of ice cream. Outline your campaign in detail, describing how | | | |you will not only appeal to hedonic consumption, but also ensure that your message will be heard by con sumers. | | | | | | | | | | |1. |Which of the following is NOT an example of a sensation? | | | |a. | | | |thought | | | | | | | |b. | | |texture | | | | | | | |c. | | | |light | | | | | | | |d. | | |sound | | | | | | | |e. | | | |odor | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |User Responses: |a. thought | | | | | |2. |The process by which people select, organize, and interpret sensations is known as which of the following? | | | |a. | | | |attention | | | | | | | |b. | | |exposure | | | | | | | |c. | | | |perception | | | | | | | |d. | | |information processing | | | | | | | |e. | | | |interpretation | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |User Responses: |c | | | | | |3. |Which of the following companies capitalized on consumer desire for pleasing product design? | | | |a. | | | |Clorox | | | | | | | |b. | | |Walmart | | | | | | | |c. | | | |Proctor and Gamble | | | | | | | |d. | | |Coca-Cola | | | | | | | |e. | | | |Method | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |User Responses: |e | | | | | |4. |Brai n scans of consumers have shown that respondents show the fastest reaction times to which of the following? | | | |a. | | | |aesthetically pleasing packaging | | | | | | | |b. | | |well-known brands | | | | | | | |c. | | | |unique products | | | | | | | |d. | | |low pricing | | | | | | | |e. | | | |luxury goods | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |User Responses: |a | | | | | |5. |Which of the following best describes the haptic sense? | | | |a. | | | |sound | | | | | | | |b. | | |sight | | | | | | | |c. | | | |sight | | | | | | | |d. | | |touch | | | | | | | |e. | | | |smell | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |User Responses: |d | | | | | |6. |Marketing strategies where companies use the impact of sensations to attract consumers are known as which of the following? | | | |a. | | | |subliminal marketing | | | | | | | |b. | | |flash marketing | | | | | | | |c. | | | |competitive marketing | | | | | | | |d. | | |over marketing | | | | | | | |e. | | | |sensory marketing | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |User Responses: |e | | | | | |7. |The science of how the physical environment is integrated into our personal, subjective world is referred to as which of the following? | | | |a. | | | |biology | | | | | | | |b. | | | neuroscience | | | | | | | |c. | | | |psychophysics | | | | | | | |d. | | |sensology | | | | | | | |e. | | | |perceptional psychology | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |User Responses: |c | | | | | |8. |Combining a physical layer with a digital layer is known as which of the following? | | | |a. | | | |augmented reality | | | | | | | |b. | | |four dimensional reality | | | | | | | |c. | | | |digitized reality | | | | | | | |d. | | |differential reality | | | | | | | |e. | | | |web-based reality | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |User Responses: |a. augmented reality | | |9. |All of the following are factors that determine which stimuli consumers process EXCEPT which? | | | |a. | | | |perceptual defense | | | | | | | |b. | | |perceptual vigilance | | | | | | | |c. | | | |experience | | | | | | | |d. | | |attention | | | | | | | |e. | | | |adaptation | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |User Responses: |d | | | | | |10. |Tiny figures inserted into magazine advertising via high-speed photography or airbrushing are forms of which of the following? | | | |a. | | | |sensory overload | | | | | | | |b. | | |subliminal messaging | | | | | | | |c. | | | |attention | | | | | | | |d. | | |rich media | | | | | | | |e. | | | |perceptual filters | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |User Responses: |b. subliminal messaging | | | | | |11. |Which of the following is the process of assigning meaning to sensory stimuli? | | | |a. | | | |imprinting | | | | | | | |b. | | |interpretation | | | | | | | |c. | | | |relevance | | | | | | | |d. | | |priming | | | | | | | |e. | | | |expectation | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |User Responses: |b. | | | | | |12. |Which of the following principles states that one part of a stimulus will dominate while other parts recede? | | | |a. | | | |principle of interpretational bias | | | | | | | |b. | | |figure-ground principle | | | | | | | |c. | | | |closure principle | | | | | | | |d. | | |principle of similarity | | | | | | | |e. | | | |schema principle | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |User Responses: |b. | | | | | |13. |The process of making real what is initially simulation is referred to as which of the following? | | | |a. | | | |price leadership | | | | | | | |b. | | |subliminal perception | | | | | | | |c. | | | |reverse product placement | | | | | | | |d. | | |hyperreality | | | | | | | |e. | | | |perceptual positioning | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |User Responses: |d. | | | | | |14. |Which of the following is one of the three basic components of a marketing message? | | | |a. | | | |size | | | | | | | |b. | | |sign | | | | | | | |c. | | | |shape | | | | | | | |d. | | |index | | | | | | | |e. | | | |color | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |User Responses: |b. | | | | 1. Which of the following is one of the 3 basic components of a marketing message? Size/sign or object/shape/index/color 2. Which of the following is not a sensory reception? Eyes/nose/ears/brain/mouth 3. The immediate response of our sensory receptors to basic stimuli is known as which of the following? Perception/sensation/attention/exposure/information processing 4. Target used consumer appreciation for great design to make all of the following designers household name EXCEPT which of the following?Philippe starch/karim Rashid/todd Oldham/Isaac Mizrahi/Aradhna Krishna 5. All but which of the following are examples of companies that capitalized on consumer desire for pleasing product design? Method/Coca Cola/Gillette/Apple/Target 6. The Limbic system is a characteristic of which sense? Smell/sight/sound/sight/touch 7. A characteristic that sticks with a consumer, helping him or her to remember a product in a positive and unique way, is referred to as which of the following? Phoneme/ visual cue/trade dress/sensor y signature/audio watermark . Which of the following fields examines how we pick up and integrate sensory information? Neurobiology/perception studies/sensory dynamic/phrenology/psychophysics 9. Which of the following is NOT an example of an augmented reality? A fashionista virtual room/a yellow line showing a first down in football/goggle goggles/iButterifly/ video games 10. The fact that consumers are more likely to be aware of stimuli that relate to their current needs is known as? Perceptual defense/adaptation/attention/experience/perceptual vigilance 1. Embeds are forms of which of the following: Augmented reality/subliminal messaging/perceptual filters/rich media/sensory overload 12. Which of the following principles states that consumers tend to group together objects that share physical characteristics: Principle of similarity/closure principle/principle of Interpretational bias/figure-ground principle/schema principle 13. When certain stimuli evoke a set of benefits that we assign to the stimuli, it is referred to as which of the following:Schema/priming/expectation/imprinting/interpretation 14. Which of the following is a way that signs or symbols can connect to products: Size/sign/index/color/shape 15. Cases where fictional products that appear in shows become popular in the real world are known as: Reverse product placement/subliminal perception/augmented reality/perceptual positioning/price leadership |Which of the following principles states that people are likely to fill in the pieces in an incomplete picture, often without realizing it? |(1point) | | | |[pic][pic] | |[pic]schema principle | | | | | | | | | | |[pic][pic][pic] | |[pic]principle of interpretational bias | |[pic] | | | | | | | | | |[pic][pic][pic] | |[pic]closure principle | | | | | | | | | | | |[pic][pic] | |[pic]principle of similarity | | | | | | | | | | | |[pic][pic] | |[pic]figure-ground principle | | | | |
Friday, September 27, 2019
Learn-from Video reviews Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words
Learn-from Video reviews - Movie Review Example Europeans came and perceived Aborigines to be primitive and tried to suppress and drive them out, but even thought their rights were usurped, some of them remain. This shows that Australia has a rich cultural background. (youtube) Australia is located below the equator and above Antarctica on the world map and on the left of the Pacific Ocean and the right of the Indian Ocean. It has six states and two territories which are the Northern territory and Australian Capital Territory. It is a hot nation with a humid and arid climate and a most arid centre. The coast is where most people prefer to live. Perth is the largest and most populated state of Australia and the Northern territory which is the closest to the equator is the hottest and most humid. Therefore the location and climate of Australia make it dry and hot. (Ann) Australia is a multicultural society with the primary religion being Christianity, and other religions such as Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Judaism also being prevalent in the continent. Australia places great importance on education and the future. (youtube, YouTube) There are 39 world class universities, thousands of students from over 180 nations, and research that actually has had a global impact. They also focus on health, building a sustainable environment, new technology and also building a unique learning environment for students.
Thursday, September 26, 2019
Marketing Research assignment 4 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words
Marketing Research assignment 4 - Essay Example In this case, there would be both public and professional understanding of the terms. Margin of error therefore is a radius of confidence where a statistical data from a survey relies on. This means that the marginal error is a center of information in which case there might be a higher or lower relative information. When a sample percentage is presented, a slot can be reduced on the actual value of 100% to 97% so that the 3% becomes the value of the error due to many procedures. The company can conduct a probability sampling. In this regard, each member of the target has a non-zero probability of inclusion in the sample. Here the information is unbiased because the information produced would relatively be expected to adhere to strict statistical analysis to avoid bigger errors. The sampling error considerable here is the measurable sampling error expressed as a confidence level. This means that there is a high reduction in the errors realized (Rea and Parker). Interactive, Harris. Margin of Error, When Used by Pollsters, Is Widely Misunderstood and Confuses Most People . 13 November 2007. 19 February 2014
International Business Management Research Paper - 1
International Business Management - Research Paper Example Cost of Moving The different areas where the assembly plant has to bear cost of moving are as follows: Fittings, fixtures and land for the new plant Salaries of the new workers including the overheads and the training cost Social costs Transportation cost of exporting or shipping the finished products Power consumption and utilities Cost of installing machines Shareholders Affected The current economic crisis may affect the companyââ¬â¢s ability to get business in the market. This might be the reason of declining profits. The company must conduct an internal analysis to find the root cause of their problem areas. After evaluating, the responsibility can be laid on a certain party. The benefit would be, that the labor cost, and production cost would be lower in Mexico and the maintenance cost would be lesser in US, so the shareholders profit can be guaranteed (Elliott, 2007, p. 13-14). Answer b) The strategic implications of moving and not moving are explained below: Moving: There are both advantages as well as disadvantages of moving the plant. Moving the assembly plant from the old location to a new place would help the company to start their business with cheap labor force and a new community to target to. The company would be able to generate more revenue. The companyââ¬â¢s machineries are old and outdated which results in declining profits. So utilizing the low transportation cost, and tax free benefits in Mexico, the assembly plant can be moved. The disadvantage would be that the company would not be able to utilize its old site; it has to adjust according to the new and advanced equipments that will be used in the new plant. Along with that the training cost would be high as the employees of a totally different culture would have to be trained on new equipments. Not Moving: Legal implications may arise while moving to Mexico. The employeesââ¬â¢ loyalty would be questioned and the originality of the company would be lost. The major issue of the co mpany is to maintain its profitability and increase the long-term value. This could be even done by inputting new facilities into the old machineries to compete with the other players, hard-work, continuous improvement and through innovation. By keeping the assembly plant where it is the company would not only be profitable but also be loyal to the place (Deresky, 2006, p. 64-66). Answer c) If the management of the company is able to understand the obligations of communicating with the political and the social leaders, then their recently adopted obligation is right. It is important to persuade the leaders that the community as a whole and the employees are the priority and not the profits. The company must look for options for supporting their moving decisions. They may propose the existing plant to look for some new owner or explore the opportunities of owning the employees. In case of the new assembly plant in Mexico, the responsibility lies on the host country and the facilitato rs of the organization. It is important to have a good public relation in order to consider the environmental and social issues. The ethical implications may also have an impact on moving the assembly plant to a different location, through reduction of labor cost. The focus should also be on the social and
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
History of Slavery in the Caribbean and West Africa Essay
History of Slavery in the Caribbean and West Africa - Essay Example In the strictest sense of the word, "slaves" are people who are not only owned, but are also not paid, and who have no rights. The word comes from Latin term sclavus, which is thought, was originally referring to slavs, peoples from Eastern Europe, including parts of the Byzantine Empire. However, the current usage of the word serfdom is not usually synonymous with slavery, because serfs are considered to have had some rights. The International Labor Organization (ILO) considers slavery as a form of forced labor. It defines "forced labor" to be "all work or service which is extracted from any person under the menace of any penalty and for which the said person has not offered himself voluntarily", albeit with certain exceptions: military service, convicts, emergencies and minor community services (Slavery). Historically, slaves were most of the time humans of a different ethnicity, nationality, religion, sex or race than the dominant or aspiration ally dominant group; typically taken prisoner because of warfare, capture meant death or slavery if no one paid ransom. Societies characterized by poverty, population pressures, and cultural and technological lag are frequently exporters of slaves to more developed nations (Slavery). In ancient times, Greco-Roman slavery may have been related to the practice of infanticide. Unwanted infants were exposed to nature to die; slave traders, who raised them as slaves, then often rescued these. In many cultures, persons convicted of serious crimes could be sold into slavery. The proceeds from this sale were often used to compensate the victims (Slavery). The Slave life The daily life of a slave was never easy. Slaves either work on the field or in the house for house slaves, all the cooking and cleaning was done by hand. They were often the ones to take care of any children of their master. Although slaves received better food in few times, their working days were longer because of lights in the house. Slaves who work in the fields work from day until dawn. The work was back breaking, and overseers often did not care if a slave was worked to death (Bushong).Until the early 1800, slaves were cheap. If one died, they would just go to the slave market and buy another one.If a slave was thought to be disrespectful or did not do their work correctly, punishment was often brutal. Being beaten or whipped becomes a normal experience for most slaves. One slave girl, who eventually escaped slavery, was hit in the head with something heavy that the overseer threw at her. She nearly died, but recovered after several months. She suffered from terrible headache s the rest of her life. Other slaves were punished with starvation, sold to a harder master, or possibly sent to a slave breaker (Bushong). Conditions aboard the slave ships were even harsher. Slaves were stuck into the hull and chained to one another in order to stop revolts. Only one out of five slaves will survive the journey from Africa to America. Slaves who caught up with incurable diseases such as smallpox will be immediately thrown overboard (Dowling). Those who survived the long harsh journey will face even more pain on the plantations. Many of the plantation owners had returned to Europe, leaving their holdings in America to be managed by overseers who were often unstable or unsavory. Upon arrival, family members are
Tuesday, September 24, 2019
Trade Mark Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words
Trade Mark - Case Study Example Second life. This scenario discusses whether the following trademark owned by Georgio currently registered as a Class 15 trademark for the past decade can be protected from infringement and potentially "passing off" by Donald and Bernard and /or Trade Mark Infringement under section 10 of the Trade Marks Act 1994. It is stated in the question that Georgio has traded under this trademark as world renowned producer of the finest musical instruments in the world and is currently a favourite brand with the high and mighty of tinsel town and it is also stated that his trademark is used to convey luxury. Therefore the question has been divided into two scenarios: A&B. I have been asked to advise Georgio as to the likelihood of the actions of Barnard being construed under the law as trademark infringement as he has launched an advertising campaign on billboards aiming to sell expensive chocolate by depicting a 'Georgio' piano dripping with liquid chocolate and in which the logo is clearly visible.The Question would also like me to consider the legalities of such a scenario in the virtual world like second life. In this part of the question I have been ... The theoretical premise of Property rights and trademarks An understanding of the philosophical premises behind Property rights are necessary in the understanding of the tug of war between the owners and the users of intangible information.1 Legal Commentators have often expressed their doubts as to whether these rights are actually rights or privileges as Machlup and Penrose have noted:2 " ... those who started to use the word property in connection with inventions had a very definite purpose in mind they wanted to substitute a word with a respectable connotation, 'property', for a word that had an unpleasant ring, 'privilege'." Intellectual property as a "property" thus is an intangible category of property with boundaries that are not always clear cut and which must be actively defended by the holder against infringements. 3 Tangible property is however visible and documented, and the boundaries are more easily given than for intellectual property.4The law has developed to protect a person who holds certain intellectual property will be able to defend this property only if he/she is granted a particular right over this property. For example in relation to patents the rights are defined by the patent authorities based on what is defined in the patent claims.Like other property (tangible) one has to pay certain fees in order to have their "intellectual" property claim examined and determined and also of continuance fees paid.5 The concept of property rights thus stems from the ideas of John Locke.6Furthermore the notions of property rights developed in the 18th century as one of the core civil rights parallel to-and mutually reinforcing-the right to liberty.7However, most
Monday, September 23, 2019
Multiculturalism and Citizenship Education Essay
Multiculturalism and Citizenship Education - Essay Example A common issue that arises is the problem of stereotyping. People have preconceived notions about certain groups of people which often result in conflicts. These preconceived notions are most often based on stories that have been handed down from generation to generation, blindly trusting in the words spoken without finding out the reality them. To prevent problems regarding race from getting worse, proper education is needed. More than putting forward a sense of belongingness, citizenship offers a person or a citizen more than just his rightful place in this world. Along with a person's citizenship come a set of rights he is entitled to such as the right to vote, the right to acquire property and so on. With these rights also come a set of responsibilities, among which are obeying laws set by the government. (Family Guardian Fellowship n.d.). However, this is not enough. Citizens should be taught to acknowledge the existence of distinct cultural groups within the race. With this will come a better understanding other groups and their role in society which will lead to better interactions among groups. Bernard Crick has this to say with regard to educating the public about citizenship, "Citizenship is more than a subject. If taught well and tailored to local needs, its skills and values will enhance democratic life for all of us, both rights and responsibilities, beginning in school and radiating out. " (Citizenship Foundation n.d.., page 1) In the quote in the previous paragraph, Bernard Crick points out that citizenship should not be treated as just a subject taught in school. After finishing school, one is supposed to be equipped with the proper skills, inculcated with the right values that would enable a person to be an active, contributing member of society. This, of course, would vary depending on a nation's culture and need. Such a heavy burden lies on the shoulders of educators who are faced with the task of imparting knowledge and moulding the minds of the world's future leaders. They should take great care in doing this and in setting the right examples so as not to misinform students. On the part of the students, they should realize that once they have passed the subject, the matter of citizenship does not end there. After they leave school, it seems that they have forgotten about their lessons and go back to the old practices that put people of certain cultural backgrounds in stereotypes. In his article Multicultural Citizenship and post-devolution Britain: an analysis of minority rights, political representation and redistributive justice, Tristan Clayton associates the recent changes that have occurred in the British political landscape with several contentions in Will Kymlicka's work in Multicultural Citizenship. According to Clayton, Kymlicka claims that living in a culturally diverse society is achievable and necessary. Geographically speaking, the different areas in a country has different types of climates, terrain and resources This leads to the fact that people that come from different parts of the same country may have adversely different sets of inherent cultures and beliefs. According to Clayton, Kymlicka attests that given this innate organization, the issues that concern groups of different cultural orientation should be addressed in such a way that all groups
Sunday, September 22, 2019
Postives and Negatives of Mobile Phones Essay Example for Free
Postives and Negatives of Mobile Phones Essay ââ¬Å"Investigate how the purchase of one electrical item may have a positive or a negative impact on peopleâ⬠. I will be reporting on the positives and negatives of mobile phones. I will investigate how they can be sustainable as well as how they are not sustainable for the future. I will discuss various negative as well as positive issues like the health information regarding mobile phones. How mobile phones has helped the growth of various countries. Also how mobile phones are impacting child labour and human rights. Other issues like riots and Arab springs will also be reported on in great detail. I will research the mobile company. I did primary research to find out which phone everybody has. This graph clearly indicates that most people I researched have Nokia. Nokia in 1967, well it would have been difficult to predict how successful Nokia was going to become as they started off selling common products like wellington boots. There H. Q is located in Finland. The research and development of Nokia is located in Finland, Spain, and china, Denmark, Germany and England. The production of Nokia is located in UK, India, Brazil, Mexico, and china, Finland, Romania and Hungary. I will also examine the issue around how Colton is causing a bad effect on countries like Congo. I will seek different peopleââ¬â¢s views for an unbiased study into this investigation. The mobile phone subscription has increased from 2002 and 2007 in every part of the world. Europe had the biggest increase in mobile phone subscriptions as itââ¬â¢s increased from 51,000 inhabitants to 111,000 inhabitants. This is because Europe is the richest continent in the world so it can afford for people to buy one or multiple phones to their likings. Asia has the biggest increase in developing continents. Africa is the fastest-growing mobile market in the world. The GSM Association report on Africa says: It expects there will be more than 735 million subscribers by the end of 2012. Analysts say that there is high usage of mobile phones since the landline is bad and expensive. â⬠Now almost every adult, child and domestic pet seems to have one, given that 30 million phones are sold every year in UKâ⬠. Everyone seems to have a mobile phone. ââ¬Å"More than a billion mobile phone connections have been added to the global tally in just 18 months, according to wireless intelligenceâ⬠. Read more:à Mobile Phone Essay Introduction ââ¬Å"More than 10 billion phones have been sold worldwide since 1994â⬠. This indicates how the usage of mobile phones has increased. This device has become part of the fabric of society, whether a teenage girl taking a blackberry to bed with her, or a farmer in a African village trying to find out the latest crop pricesâ⬠. Mobile phones have become a part of society all around the world. With 5 billion phones there are more mobile phones used then personal computers. ââ¬Å"Five billion phones means there are more than three times as many phones than personal computers. It is said to believe that the market for mobile phones is likely to explode in the future. There are more people using a mobile phone than ever as over 70% of the world is mobile users. This is because the ever decreasing value of old phones means that mobile phones will be more affordable. In addition in this modern generation itââ¬â¢s socially considered rare to not have a phone. So from that social peer pressure everyone nowadays has a phone. 92% of the mobile phones users canââ¬â¢t get through a day without using their phones. This means most people use their phones every day and they are playing a important role in their lifeââ¬â¢s. 14% of the people have 2 or more mobile phones meaning they use multiple mobiles for multiple uses, For example one cheap phone for just calling abroad and one for luxury uses like entertainment. On average people in Britain make 2. 8 calls a day and 3. 6 text messages a day. 85% of children worldwide own a phone but only 30% of children have access to a book. This just shows how kids these days have own a phone rather than a book meaning more people have a phone rather than the tools needed for learning. ââ¬Å"Leapfroggingâ⬠is the concept that areas which have poorly-developed technology or economic bases can move themselves forward swiftly through the adoption of new systems without going through intermediary steps.. More recently idea of leapfrogging is being used in the situation of sustainable development for developing countries as a theory of development which may hurry development by skipping less efficient, more expensive or more polluting technologies and industries and move directly to more advanced ones. We watch this happening all around us: you donââ¬â¢t need a 20th century industrial base to build a 21st century bio/Nano/information economy. An example of leapfrogging is the adoption of mobile phones in the developing world. Itââ¬â¢s easier and quicker to put in cellular towers in rural and distant areas than to put in land lines, and as an outcome, cellular use is exploding. As we know, mobile phone use already exceeds land line use in India, and by 2007, 150 million phone lines there will be cellular. There are alike examples from all over the world. Positives There are many positives for mobile phones. First one being that communication is now easier. More mobile phones for people meaning getting in touch with people are much easier than before. The independent by Diane Coyle said in an article for ââ¬Å"how the mobile phone has given hope to a new generation of African peopleâ⬠. She starts off by saying ââ¬Å"Imagine your husband works away from home with little chance to visit youâ⬠. This is benefit for people who use mobile phones. Itââ¬â¢s easier for the husband to stay in contact with the wife when they donââ¬â¢t get to see each other as often. This is good for anyone as they can keep connected to their families abroad. This is socially sustainable as people can be attached to their families with more ease. This is advantage for a mobile phone is really interesting as a report by the BBC (http://www. bbc. co. uk/news/technology-14465546) say that mobile phones could help police investigation against rioters. The riots in the summer in the UK is said to be coordinate via friends using a mobile phone. However BBC reports that ââ¬Å"Investigators can apply to see the contents of text and instant messages, as well as their locationâ⬠. This indicates that mobile phones are helping police to inspect criminal activity. The police can help keep the country safe by gathering criminals with the help of mobile phones. This is socially sustainable as mobile phones are helping keep the society safe. Mobile phones help businesses as they can distribute mobiles to their employees which can be used for sending emails or conference calls. This helps the business connect well with its employees. This is socially sustainable as the employees are associated to the business at all times. Apps can be purchased for gaming, maps or utilities. This usually done over the mobile internet however in most Asian countries like India the GPRS is not strong meaning very slow. So people come to shops like ââ¬Å"Mobiworldâ⬠to buy apps offline. This is great for customers wanting apps downloaded without the use of the internet. Also this is creating an employment for the people in India selling apps offline. More people have access to mobiles than to a landline in Africa as fixed telephone lines are expensive whereas mobiles are cheaper. Mobiles are cheaper because the infrastructure is less expensive as you donââ¬â¢t have to build line for the telephone. This was also quoted in the same article. This is good for mobile users in LEDCs as they can have a cheaper way of communication as they donââ¬â¢t need to build the rather expensive infrastructure for the telephone line. This is economically sustainable as mobile phones are cheaper than fixed line phones. In the same article, mobile phones gave another form of employment. ââ¬Å"In Kwa Phake in South Africa; a hairdresser had set up a sideline renting out access to a car batteryâ⬠. This is good as it gives the workers in South Africa another form of income. This indicates how mobile phones are helping people to gain work and employment. This is good for the workers of South Africa as they can gain extra cash on top of their normal work to provide shelter and food for the families of these people in South Africa. This is economically sustainable as thereââ¬â¢s another form of employment in the country for them to make money on. Another positive, I found out from the article was that mobile costs are cheaper than bus fares. In the article respondents to the surveyed and compared the call costs and cost in money and time of a round-trip bus journey into town. This is good as it means mobile phones are easier as well as cheaper to buyer. This is good for people in LEDCs who have low amounts of wealth as they can buy a mobile phone. There are newsagents and little shops in markets selling pre-paid phone cards. This is another source of employment that mobile phone brings for people. These pre-paid cards are sold all over the country providing work in LEDCs and MEDCS. This is economically sustainable as mobile phones are providing work for people. Nokia, one of the leading mobile companies selling mobile phones are trying to make mobile phones as sustainable for the future. â⬠In 2007 we first introduced renewable materials with the Nokia 3110 Evolve, with 50% of its cover made from bio plasticsâ⬠. This is good as this means the materials used are better for the environment. 0% more bio plastic meaning itââ¬â¢s environmentally friendly as the Bio plastics made from natural materials such as corn starch. This is good for nokiaââ¬â¢s reputation as a eco-friendly mobile company. Also it helps the planet as the mobile phones will be more bio-degradable. This in addition also helping us buy phones which have materials which are good for the environment. This positive is environmentally positive as itââ¬â¢s as the materials are better for the world. Bio plastics can be recycled meaning 50% of the materials can be recycled. 100% of the materials in Nokia devices can be used again and again to make new products or generate energyâ⬠. Nokia is using materials that can be used again for new products or for energy. This is good as when a Nokia is recycled; nothing is wasted but in fact used for other products or to generate energy. This is environmentally friendly for the planet. Also the users of Nokia are in peace knowing there phone is going to be used in a eco-friendly way at the end of its product life. This is environmentally sustainable as using recycled materials is good for the environment. There are companies like envirofone. They recycle your old phones and give you the value of your old phone. This is good for the mobile users as they can recycle and gain money which could go to their possible next phone. Also itââ¬â¢s good for Envirofone as they can sell the materials that can be reused for other products. Overall itââ¬â¢s good for the environment as the mobile phones are recycled meaning this is environmentally sustainable. I did primary research in what people do with their old phones and the research Cleary shows that over half the people use mobile recycling websites like envirofone. Arab springs have helped people realise the important and how powerful mobile phones can be. ââ¬Å"It is also true that mobile phones represented the main tool that provided protesters with the opportunity to spread their voices and share their values with the entire world. â⬠The people of Egypt were able to share what they thought and share to the world. This was because they wanted a change in dictatorship. They shared images and video with the help of the function of a camera. ââ¬Å"Not only were the millions of camera phones recordingâ⬠. People would share these images on phone rapidly with the help of social networking site apps on phones. This has helped people in Egypt to use mobile phones to gain freedom and to get their point across to the world. Mobile phones can be seen as the main device that gave liberty and justice to international information. This is politically sustainable as mobile phones are helping countries gain political freedom. I found information on this issue by using this link: http://credemus. org/images/stories/reports/mobile-phones-and-the-arab-spring. pdf. Negatives There are numerous negatives for mobile phones. They cause car accidents when drivers are not paying attention on the road but on their phone. An article stated ââ¬Å"Drivers distracted by talking or texting on cell phones killed an estimated 16,000 people from 2001 to 2007â⬠. This affects car owners, their families and other people travelling on the road. This is socially unsustainable as drivers are putting not only there lifeââ¬â¢s in danger but the other people on the roads. Riots are another disadvantage to mobile phones. People are creating crime with the help of the mobile phone. This is socially unsustainable for the community as people may fear to go outside in case a riot occurs. This is also economically unsustainable as the council would have to pay for the damages caused by the riots. I did primary research on when people got their first phone. This graph clearly shows us that most people get Their phones early. As mobile phones are very cheap to buy, itââ¬â¢s affordable for the youth to have mobile phones. Although this has meant increase in bullying via the mobile phone. This affects children, teens and parents. This is socially unsustainable for the society of the youth. In addition to most children having mobile phones, they are forgetting to spell words correctly as the English is abbreviated. This is socially unsustainable as when the children are doing school work or exams they use abbreviations! Mr Shortis, a former chief examiner for English language A-level at the exam board AQAB, said he had rarely seen textisms used in A-level papers. But examiners had seen them crop up at GCSE. He said: Between 11 and 16, children often change their language to express their social difference or identity. Using text message abbreviations in exam answers is the verbal equivalent of wearing a hoodie. http://www. tes. co. uk/article. aspx? storycode=2341958) This is also economically unsustainable as bad English could worsen his future prospects for a good job. There have been many studies done to find correlation between mobile phone and health. Even though there are no evidence of harm linked with using mobile phones. There has been many speculation to their being harm from mobile phone. ââ¬Å"The World Health Organizations cancer research agency says mobile phones are possibly carcinogenicâ⬠. â⬠(This quote taken from BBC report on ââ¬Å"Mobiles may cause brain cancerâ⬠) this affects all mobile users around the globe. This is socially unsustainable as itââ¬â¢s a possibility that mobile phones may cause some kind of harm like brain tumour. No proof that mobile phones are harmful. ââ¬Å"Sir William said children under eight should not use mobile phones at allâ⬠. (http://news. bbc. co. uk/1/hi/health/4163003. stm)In) my primary research 5-10 is the age group that bought their phones first. This affects children as they are at more risk than adults as perceived by the article. Latest mobile phones are very expensive. This economically unsustainable as most people wonââ¬â¢t be able to afford it. This affects all mobile users and latest mobile prices are ever rising. Although more people buy contract so they donââ¬â¢t have pay all of the money at once. However this could lead to debt when people go overboard on minutes, texts or internet usage. This impacts all mobile users with contract. This primary research shows more people use the plan contract. This could lead to a spiraling debt due to increase pay monthly contract subscriptions. Old phones are very expensive to recycle as the high toxicity of electronic waste makes its safe disposal expensive especially in countries with strict environmental regulations. This is economically unsustainable for the world as it probably costs more to recycle than to actually make the phone. So it is sent to LEDCs for example China, They sort out the good parts that can be recycled or reused. The environmental regulations in China are not strict meaning that workers do labour without any health and safety restrictions meaning all the toxic chemicals from the phone damages the health of the Chinese workers. This is environmentally unsustainable as E-waste is gathered which releases harmful toxins which pollutes the world with harmful chemicals as there are weak environmental regulations.
Saturday, September 21, 2019
Impact Of Christian Missionary Activity
Impact Of Christian Missionary Activity Colonialism in the nineteenth century and early twentieth centuries was part and parcel of the world history, whether one was part of the Colonial empires or countries under colonial rule. Colonialism was not simply a social and economical form of oppression but also cultural, mostly religious for those who lived under its grip. Indeed from the British Raj to the French rule around the world, religion acted as a backbone to infiltrate and convert en masse or divert locals or natives from what was believed to be erroneous religions. Christianity in this way became an important import for colonies around the world. India is such an example. Under British rule since the 18th century, India was subjugated for three centuries until its independence in 1947. This rule has obviously left a big impact on the Indian landscape namely on the cultural and political scene because of education and the counter reaction of Hinduism. This essay will thus attempt to gauge the extent of Christian Missi onary activity in India and its modernizing effect if any. The different ways in which Christian missions operated will be analysed as well as its impact on education and Hinduism. This will be undertaken by describing the concept of modernity from a western perspective and how it applies to the Indian case. The impact of Christian Missions on education will be accounted for as well as the debate over the Hindu Renaissance of the 19th century and whether it was indeed a renaissance. Moreover this essay will assess the impact of Christian activities as having been conducive to the Indian nationalist movement and how this subsequently led to Indias Independence from British Colonial Rule. MODERNITY AND WHAT CONSTITUTES MODERNITY. The concept of modernity is western and a term devised and applied in the West because of the shift from the medieval era to the modern since the Enlightenment. Thus to speak of modernity in the Indian context, one needs to define what modernity entails. Firstly modernity for Marx was to be associated with the rise of capitalist commodity production and for Weber, in the abstract principle of rationalization of the world (Kaviraj, 2000 p137). Modernity sees a state possess several features like a capitalist industrial economy, modern state institutions like the army and forms of democracy. Moreover the community of the traditional society tends to be replaced by the individual enterprise whilst religion tends to be overshadowed by secular values. (Kaviraj, 2000 p137) .Whilst all of the mentioned elements do not have to operate at the same time for a modern society to take shape, they are the prerequisites for one. Furthermore, it is believed that due to prerequisites like democracy, capitalist industrial economy ,etc ,that modernity tends to replicate itself around the globe as it supplants the traditional environment and replaces it with new set of practices altogether. However, this idea does not take into account the plurality and diversity of some places (Kaviraj, 2000 p138) India is such an example. Modernity does not operate on a tabula rasa but rather has to work along existing cultures and beliefs. Moreover, modernity in the Western perspective tends to suggest an image of homogeneity, where rationality prevails over economic, political and cultural spheres. This is rather far from the truth as one can see in Indias case, where plurality and diversity have always been present and in fact regions make up this vast country. Therefore, modernity cannot be applied to all cases in the same way and does not replicate itself around the globe through a common pattern. Even western countries had rather diverse trials and errors path towards modernity.India for i nstance is an extreme culturally fragmented case. The notion of being Indian did not take shape until British Colonial rule. Also, the social fragmentation of class and castes and royalties controlling parts of India made it hard to translate into a nation. However, British rule did contribute into putting perspective to the various religions and their differences. India first of all came under British rule due to the lack of a central state and lack of forms of democracy. Initially starting as a corporation enterprise, the East India enterprise very quickly saw itself acting as a state mostly by collecting revenues, production of statistics etc (Kaviraj, 2000 p143). In this way, British rule sought to transform the Indian colony into a western type state. However Indias diversity and class/caste ridden society could not follow into the Western tradition. India at that point was too embedded by religious and traditional beliefs to be turned into a modern state The modernity that beset the West socially, economically and culturally could thus not be repeated in India. The district of Bengal for instance saw a definite cultural revolution in the 19th century, where Western rationalization of thought seemed to have taken place. However the lack of infrastructures and material prospects could not emulate Western Counterparts so that Bengal could be termed as modern (Kopf, 1979 p9-11). Modernity in 19th century Bengal was allowed by the implementation of rising communication such as printing, education in the form of missionary schools. Moreover, the rise of Bhadraloks and the consolidation of intellectual elite as Ranmohun Roy witnessed a shift from the traditional to the modern. However this was concentrated mainly in urban areas and reserved for the privileged, mostly the middle class. Calcutta is such an example whereby the Bengali Renaissance found itself being the preserve of the few intellectual elite and not one to touch base with most people in general. The next chapters will thus determine whether India turned into a modern state under Christian Missionary activity or did it only see a cultural revival. It is essential to start with education as it became the first port of call for missionaries in India to use as weapon for conversions. THE IMPACT OF MISSIONARY SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION IN INDIA. The printing of ancient texts revived a spark of interest in Indian traditions and texts even from British scholars and missionaries. In effect comparative studies became a key tool into understanding the Indian tradition and values (Killingley, 2003 p509-14).A world completely different from the homogeneity of religion and languages of the Western world, understanding the Indian society and transforming it into a Western project as was the British agenda could be achieved only by instilling western values of religion namely Christianity. This was to be attempted by mission school and missionaries which were meant to bridge the religious gap between Christianity and Hinduism and also Islam. Although initially banned for fear on treading on local beliefs and traditions, missionary schools soon became more popular than anticipated and can be said to be conducive to Indian modernity through the revival of Hinduism (Bellenoit, 2007 p369). Missionary education would also be a catalyst for the Independence movement for it enabled men as Mahatma Gandhi to formulate their political discourse for Indian and Western audiences as well. Missionary education was set up by the British as means to be promote Western education, mainly the notions of rationalization but also to separate the false religions from the real. Indeed, Christianity in the late 19th and early 20th century had become the most widespread religion through colonies and in the Western World, the religion de facto in a sense. Western education in India was to thus boost Christian morality as opposed to the myriads of myths and ancient rites of Indian society. Practices like Sati, the Caste system with its unfair treatment of untouchables and the subordination of women in general became a cause for concern for some of the missionaries. Mission schools were thus intended to be centres of spiritual and religious dialogue as well as centres of academic learning but more importantly a way to impart Hindus the right Christian and moral ways ( Bellenoit,2007 p371) The colonial enterprise in India was a Christian enterprise above all. Missionary schools became increasingly popular, especially North India. They became synonymous to better life opportunities and social status. At the heart of these schools, lay religious debates and comparative lectures between Hinduism and Christianity. Through the comparative studies, missionaries wished to universalize Christianity by finding common things with Hinduism and help the pupils dispel traditions and mythical beliefs which went against the core values of Christianity. These schools moreover relied also on Indian agency and enterprise rather than British administration, which was thought to be conducive to Indians as being part of the Western modern family. However, these comparative studies only served to destabilize the imparted Western knowledge at these schools .Indeed, rather than concentrating on the religious curriculum these schools became centres of academic pursuits by most students. Conversions being the ultimate goal were viewed suspiciously by parents who s ometimes threatened to pull their children out of these schools. Protests were often made by parents who feared that their children would turn Christians and any Christian activities would be frowned upon, seen as a disregard to Hindu culture and values (Bellenoit, 2007 p372) The Christian education only appealed to Indians for it automatically secured better life opportunities and social status within Indian society. Students meanwhile seemed to develop dual allegiances, one to their rational westernized education and the other to the beliefs of their ancestors, seeped in myths and traditions. Mission schools thus were subject to protests and Indian agency from parents to administration and were not just a passive process where Indian pupils imbibed Christian lessons and forgot about their traditions. In Northern India for instance, missionary schools became a way for Indians to contest the so called superiority of Western knowledge and Christianity especially when it came to the i ssue of the dvaita (duality) nature of God which both Hindus and Christians believed in (Bellenoit, 2007 p373-374) The mastering of English language enabled students to forage into Western literature and philosophy. This allowed for Indians to seek and re read their own sacred texts as well as ancient writings which showed the richness of Indian culture and lost traditions of reason and logic which had predated the Italian Renaissance and the Enlightenment. Western notions of rationalization and education in effect helped shape the Indian enterprise for learning and by extension helped them revive or discover what would eventually shape Indian modernity and the process of Independence. However these mission schools were reserved to a few privileged. Moreover, the issues of caste and class still persisted. The interesting outcome of the missionary schools is that they were marked by interdependency and contestation between Europeans and Indians and that this was also a side of coloni al rule and that Indians did not allow themselves to be culturally subordinated (Bellenoit, 2007 p393) In this light, it can be said that Christian activity did bring some forms of modernity in India, mostly in the form of Western style schools and education. Indians, mainly the privileged classes saw the benefit of this system. Indias vast middle class would be formed by this Christian education. However, the outcome of mission schools also meant the revival of Hinduism pupils now armed with English language could compare the West and their own culture. A cultural modernity seems to have taken place with the activities of Missionary schools. REFORM IN HINDUISM DUE TO COLONIAL PRESENCE. It has been pointed out that missionary schools were set up to bridge the gap between Hinduism and Christianity. The presence of Christianity in India was subject to coexistence and conflict. This conflict/ coexistence relationship thus allows for individuals to stay within their religious boundaries or to try synthesising both. The presence of Colonial rule in nineteenth century India forced Hindus to reanalyse the fundamental structure of Hinduism. The threat of missionary schools and the en mass conversion of low caste groups became a turning point for the future of Hinduism which had until then been free from any pressures except for Islam through the Mughal empire. Christianity in India was present through the Church and it was a force to be reckoned with, for it had a clear structure and hierarchy unlike the multifaceted one of Hinduism This then encouraged Indians to congregate and to create a semblance of unity for political aspirations and discourses (Beckerlegge 2004 p145). The creation of the Brahmo Samaj by Ranmohun Roy and the Dharma Sabha and Swami Vivekananda Ramakrishna Math and Mission are such examples. Although these groups are western in form, they were effective in regrouping like minded men, although mostly from upper classes to find ways into counter attacking British policies and rules. Moreover it helped into bringing about changes within Hinduism. (Beckerlegge, 2004 p149). Missionary activity thus sparked a Hindu revival that would follow in the European traditions of rationality and intellectual thought. Faced with an ever present Christian force, Hinduism would face change from the inside as what is known as the Hindu Renaissance. The Hindu Renaissance. The Hindu Renaissance can be described as a time marked by the reformulation of Hindu thought, practice and organization. It started roughly in 1820s and lasted until India gained its independence from Britain( Beckerlegge,2004 p138) The Hindu Renaissance is extremely important as it shaped modernity in India and allowed for charismatic leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Sri Aurobindo to formulate their political discourses thereafter. The Hindu Renaissance promoted a different style of Hinduism ,namely a modern Hinduism , a neo Hinduism characterized by the relationship between religion and nationalism , the majority of its thinkers having been exposed to western thought , Christianity and education (Beckerlegge,2004 p 139)Placing greater importance on the individual similar to the Enlightenment rather than traditional authorities , the worship of idols and belief in old traditions became a burden. Moreover the traditional Hindu concepts such as dharma and yoga were reinterpreted, eve n gaining International recognition. This new style Hinduism also sought to be at the service of humanity and to its betterment (Beckerlegge, 2004 p 139) As Sarkar points out, the Hindu Renaissance appealed to the middle class for it was created by a middle class which saw the movement as a transitional shift from medieval times to a modern one (Sarkar in Beckerlegge,2004 p 140) The Hindu Renaissance saw the emergence of figures as Ranmohun Roy, Swami Vivekanda and the prominence of cities like Calcutta acting as intellectual hub. People like Roy and Vivekananda tried to incorporate the elements of Christianity and Hinduism into their discourses and writings believing it would not only educate Hindus but also Christians. The precepts of Jesus by Roy are such an example. The Hindu revival aimed into seeking the universality of religions, by finding their common link, a supra power. Roy saw in Christian teachings the universal truth found in all religions but that the greatest form was in Hinduism, namely the Advaita Vedanta. Similar to the traditions and practices that had beset Hinduism, he thought Christianity had been riddled with the Trinitarian theology and supernaturalism (Beckerlegge, 2004 p 151). Similarly Swami Vivekanandas attempt to an inclusive and dynamic Hinduism made him accept the person of Jesus and his teachings. He believed individuals and religions were aiming for the same destination albeit at different times and places. The truth of religions was found in their convergence rather than their historical differences. Figures like Roy and Vivekananda were referred to as Hindu Christians or tacit Christians. However this is a rather Eurocentric view. Hinduism was then reformulated by social and political context of the 19th century Calcutta and the clash of Indian and colonial rule. The Hindu Renaissance also posited a fundamental question, the relationship of the colonized versus the colonizer, a debate which made Indians question why they had been colonized in the first place and why Hinduism had been threatened by the advent of Christianity. The colonial project was an inherently Christian enterprise. The works of Roy and Swami Vivekananda aimed at answering this fundamental question by finding a common ground through the universality of religions. (Van der Veer, 2001 p44-8, 66-70,72-4). It is the western quality of these writings appealed to Western and Indian audiences alike. But these western type discourses were motivated by a Hindu spirituality not to be found in Christianity (Van der Veer, 2001 p44-8 ,66-70,72-4). However the Hindu Renaissance was not a fundamental break from its past. The issues of castes, namely the Untouchables was not abolished. This Bengali renaissance culture only spread in urban areas and amongst the upper middle class bhadraloks . Some of Hinduisms rigid lines when it came to castes and hierarchy were still very traditional and still pervade (Sarkar, 1990 p 95-105).Moreover it took a longer period from the Hindu Renaissance to the actual independence of India , meaning the Hindu Renaissance was not as planned but rather occurred on an ad hoc basis. The Hindu Renaissance did not transform Indian society in a modern one. Christian Missionary activity in India had a modernising tendency to the extent that it brought a western style education through mission schools and the Church. Missionary activity acted as a binding factor for India as it made Indians think of themselves as Indians for the first time. As seen above, modernity entails a notion of statehood as well as industrial and economic growth. The weak links of Hinduism were introspected as well as the clear lack of hierarchy and structure that Britain possessed. A major question was to ask why India had been allowed to be colonized in the first place and how different was it from the Wests state structure. This in turn brought about the Hindu Renaissance with clear western features but imbued with a Hindu spirituality and essence. Morever it allowed Hinduism to possess a more rational and intellectualized discourse through men like Ranmohun Roy and Swami Vivekananda. They wished to syncretise Hinduism and Christianity to prove the universality of religions and thus demonstrate that colonialism was a discriminate and unfair venture on the Wests behalf. Missionary schools as highlighted above allowed Indians agency and contestation as education gave a platform to voice out opinions about Christianity and the colonial rule. Hinduism was thus further reinforced by western educated voices rather than traditional and illiterate ones. Although not advanced infrastructurally by comparison to its western counterparts, India had entered a new era of political and cultural effervescence under the pressure of Christian missionaries and colonial rule. Those activities helped modernity trough key figures as Gandhi and Nehru who would eventually help India gain independence. It can be concluded that Christian mission activity helped India culturally modernize itself and think as a nation although marked by major regional differences.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)