Summary of Marxism Essay Example for Free

Summary of Marxism Essay For the past few months I’ve been studying and reading Karl Marx’s most important work: Capital (Das Kapital). This thing is enormous. It’s three volumes, containing over 2000 pages. In it Marx attempted to figure out and explain how capitalism ‘works’†¦ What he came up with is fascinating. It is a very detailed and intricate analysis. While Marx is commonly known for being the â€Å"father of communism† the reality is that his major accomplishment is his examination of capitalism. In fact, this may surprise you, Marx never wrote about how communism ‘works,’ which is kind of strange for someone that is considered the father of it. Unfortunately, there is such a negative stigma attached to Marx that we, as a society, are missing out on a very interesting perspective for understanding capitalism. In this post, I will lay out the essence of what Marx was trying to tell us about capitalism. His book Capital is much, much, much more intricate and detailed. But the following is the big picture. Throughout all of human history there is something that happens, no matter what kind of society, no matter when in human history, that we as humans fail to appreciate, consider and integrate into how we understand the world we live in: some people use their brains and their body to transform nature in a useful way, i. e. they do work, and some people do not. The easiest and most simple example is babies. They are not doing work. Often elderly people do not work. Very sick people do not work. Sometimes people who can work, i. e. they are mentally and physically capable of doing work, also do not work. This raises a question: how is it possible for people who do not work to survive? In order for it to be possible for some people to not work and also survive, be it a baby or a capable adult, it must be true that those who do work, produce more stuff than they themselves consume. Otherwise, the people who do not work would die. For each person that works, the produce of their work that goes to maintaining themselves, Marx calls Necessary Labor, and the produce of their work that they do not consume themselves, Marx calls Surplus Labor. So, Marx asks: how does any given society decide 1) who will work, how will they work, and how much of what they produce will go to them†¦ 2) who will not work, but live off of the surplus labor of those who do work, and how much will they get? Marx says that how a society decides to deal with this issue shapes the society in various ways: culturally, politically, economically, etc†¦ and if we don’t recognize how this shapes society, we are missing a very important part of understanding how and why our society is the way it is. Again: who works, who doesn’t, how much of the produce does each group get, and how is that decided. Marx breaks the history of humans down into 5 types of arrangements based on how the Surplus is distributed to those who do not produce it. 1)) Communism – a community or a group of people work together, and they produce a surplus, maintain it, and themselves distribute it to those that do not work. For example, if a group of us grow some food, and we have more than we are going to consume, we decide how to distribute the extra. 2)) Ancient – the work is not done not by a group of people, but by individuals alone. This would be someone that is self-employed, and produces stuff on his or her own. For example, if I grow some food, and I have more than I am going to consume, I decide how to distribute the extra. At this point, Marx makes a distinction. The following three types of arrangement have something in common that is different than the first two, and it is this: the people who do the work that produces the surplus are not in control of the surplus that they produce, and therefore are not in control of distributing it. Marx calls these systems exploitative. The producers of the surplus are exploited, and all this means is that the producers of the surplus do not maintain and distribute the extra. )) Slave – if the work is done by a person or a group of people and none of what that person or the group produces belongs to them. What they produce is maintained and distributed by the slave owner. For example, if a slave produces some food, the slave owner decides how much the slave gets, how much the slave owner gets, and how to distribute the extra. 4)) Feudalism â⠂¬â€œ the work is done by a serfs, and some of the time is spent producing what is for them, and some other amount of time is spent producing what then belongs to the feudal lord. The lord maintains and distributes the surplus. For example, if a serf produces some food, some of the food belongs to the serf, and the rest belongs to the feudal lord, and the feudal lord decides how to maintain and distribute the extra. 5)) Capitalist – the work is done by wage or salary earners, and they do not control, maintain, or distribute the surplus that they produce. They receive a wage or salary, and all of what they produce belongs to the capitalist/owner. For example, if some workers grow some food, they are paid a wage or salary equivalent to some of that food, but importantly not all of it, and the capitalist maintains control of and distributes the surplus/extra. Marx claims, I think correctly, there is only one reason why a capitalist/owner/employer would pay a worker a wage or salary, and that is if he or she is going to get more out of the worker than the value of what worker contributes during his or her working hours. What’s interesting is this relationship, between the capitalist/employer and the worker/employee, is that it is closest to the slave/slave owner relationship. Hence why sometimes capitalism is referred to as wage-slavery. They are certainly not the same, but strangely they are more similar to each other than the capitalist and the ancient is. again, ancient refers to self-employed) Here’s an irony: in our modern day capitalist America, the American Dream for a lot of people is to be self-employed. According to Marx, self-employment is NOT capitalism. It is the â€Å"ancient† form of production. Capitalism, on the other hand, is a relationship where someone (a capitalist), pays someone else (a worker), to do work for them, and in this relationship the worker contributes MORE than they receive in the form of a wage or salary. It is precisely in paying workers less than they contribute that the capitalist/owner is able to make a profit. The common objection to this Marxist perspective is: â€Å"But the capitalist/owner is risking his or her own money in the business, so they have to receive a profit, or why else would they invest their money in starting a business. † Indeed, I don’t think Marx would disagree. Thats how capitalism works This is Marxs fundamental insight of capitalism: the profits of capitalists/owners come from the exploitation of workers, i. e. paying them less than the value they contribute to the business. This raises an nteresting question: is what’s best for our ‘Job-Creators’ in America (capitalists/owners) also what’s best for the majority of Americans who live on wages and salaries? Is it any wonder that Marxism is a taboo subject in America? What if Marxism becomes common knowledge, and workers start thinking to themselves: do we really need the capitalists/owners? Could we collectively run businesses and make decisions as groups, i. e. communally (co mmunist)? If so, wouldnt we then get the full value of what we contribute in our working hours?

Mini Usa Essay Example for Free

Mini Usa Essay Although there is millions of people watch the ads in TV, the most of â€Å"right† viewers miss it. For example, if only 1% of total viewers are potential consumers, the ad is not cost effective. Recall or hold the information. It is difficult for people to recall or hold the information if they are interested in the product currently or in future. Internet advertising and online customization Emphasize on internet advertising and make an online customization service to potential consumers to design their own unique motors. MINI USA may take full advantage of customization of cars. This may also find some unknown consumers. Pros: -Huge viewers. Internet advertising can be viewed by a lot of viewers. -Internet advertising had reached a tipping point and was about to enter a period of accelerated growth. -Low cost Cons: -Senior citizens are not online in the same numbers as younger generations. -People may ignore ads when they are browsing webpages. Most people do not browse webpage aimless and they have a goal to find what they want, so they may ignore the ads. Recommendation Internet advertising and online customization would be recommended due to several reasons. Firstly, internet advertising is cost effective since it has a lower cost and can be viewed by a lot of people. Secondly, the television advertising and printed ads are declined. However, internet advertising was about to grow. Thirdly, online customization would be interesting, so consumers may send their customized motors to their friends and it may create more participants and discover more potential consumers. Finally, the potential buyers of MINI are

Strategic Planning for Starbucks

Strategic Planning for Starbucks Introduction Most Admired Companies by Fortune magazines coffee in the U.S. and Starbucks is the ninth and, above all, the company received the prestigious award of happiness. This recognition has Starbucks in planning long-term strategic management, which helped them also, enabled the world to grow your business. The company increased its Starbucks stores fifteen percent for 1987 and for more than six thousand two hundred thirty branches in the country. The criterion is that successful companies to maintain local interest in almost all societies in which they and the criteria are the financial strength to work for the faculty of social responsibility, services and quality products, the value of investment long term and quality management. The company is the distributor of coffee and the foreground is the brand of specialty coffee in the world. The company operates seen produce environmental, economic and social. Starbucks also has sales operations in more retail sales and production to drink Fra ppuccino coffee drinks and Starbucks coffee and ice cream joint venture (Seattle, 2003). The review of the performance of organizations by the Director of the company or the owner and the preparation of the plan on the basis of this review is strategic planning and some factors involved in this process are important issues that must be aligned, comments must be the daily work be separated and must be checked regularly. All these have to be clearly marked to develop a better strategic plan in some respects, †¢ What is the current state of the organization? †¢ What are the objectives? †¢ What are the strategies of the companys novel is in terms of risk? Strategic development of a better all organizations must focus on issues of vision, values, goals, tasks, programs and strategies (Business Papers, 2009). The main competitive strategy of organizations around the strategy of market behavior is to explain the system ahead of other competitors, the companys strategic direction. Porter model provides comprehensive information on the companys strategy and the corresponding threats and opportunities in the external environment of the company. Five workers were highlighted, which is defined through which every society and in all markets, profitability, competitive intensity and attractiveness of a company (Olivia Hunt, 2007). SWOT Framework Analysis SWOT analysis identifies strengths organizations, threats, vulnerabilities and opportunities. Strength: The main strength of Starbucks is from a customer and is very satisfied with the taste and quality of coffee. The company owns a brand of high and businesses are in good financial shape. The organization seeks to expand its high-speed pace and started in several stores in the United States in 2009. Brand awareness also helps the organization is successful, the strength of Starbucks in places that are convenient as shopping centers, etc. Library has excellent customer service. Strong mission and ethical values of the organization has a leadership role in the environment in all facets of the organization. Weaknesses: Starbucks organization has a good reputation for the creation and development of new products, but now with time. Prices compared with competitors are very high and operating costs are high. The company profits are dependent on coffee products. After less control over the operations outside the United States is the greatest weakness. Opportunity: The organization Starbucks is having a too good reputation in the markets to seize the opportunities in business process. The diversification of products is different forms like whole grain sales in supermarkets, the entry of the organizations in international markets such as Bangladesh, Pakistan and India. Starbucks co-brand with various food manufacturers. Threats: The recession in the present can affect sales in the international market could also pose a threat. Competitors are higher in developing countries, price changes can be a threat to Starbucks. Strength in international markets Starbucks faces due to political and cultural problems, differentiation from competitors minimized by imitation (John Williams and Tony Curtis, 2006). Starbucks have been chosen the topic because the organization has more strategic plans and research carried out showed that the organization was successful in its business markets. Task 2 Marketing Strategies The strategic decisions of organizations are Porters Five Forces, SWOT analysis and Ansoff analysis. Starbucks strategic decision can be explained by Ansoff Matrix Strategic options for organizations such as the action-oriented creative alternative uses that the responses to the external situation facing organizations. The benefits of strategic options, especially on trends, facts, dangers and global market participants are based. There are several strategic options as a support five forces, Ansoff Matrix and SWOT analysis pestle. Starbucks to recognize support five forces that these analyses of the global market options are explained. Five Forces Porter Potential new entrants: This option to analyze the organization to the current environment will help the organization competes. There is an increase in industry size of the coffee industry of scale. Some of the organizations such as Dunkin Donuts and McDonalds has distribution channels can be transported around the world through the coffee at low cost much new to other organizations towards the world market. Starbucks has to be cautious and other large organizations benefit from economies through the purchase of bulk coffee beans from the farmers to accept lower prices. There are some disadvantages in comparison can be forced to the costs imposed new entrants into the economies of scale. Deputy: There is a decrease in the products in the specialty coffee chemistry and many organizations have the industry with the threat in the type of products that have been recorded. The replacement of commodities will continue under the threat of the coffee industry are the drinks of Coca-Cola and Pepsi provided. Suppliers to negotiate, the bargaining power has changed in many ways, and it was through the growth of the coffee industry. The first time Starbucks has the authors, the coffee beans at low prices Starbucks started to be influenced to buy the coffee. The organization has reduced the capacity of the buyer to another, however. Industry rivalry: Since 1987 Starbucks rivalry rivalry with industry drastically changed in the early days of Starbucks coffee industry had to complete with coffee shops in the small, but now more of the competition, and this is the size of the industry. The main competitor of Starbucks is the Minneapolis-based Caribou Coffee, and this has created the third. The organization has made many changes to compete with their competitors who have modeled their coffee shops and newspapers and magazines have introduced Wi-Fi to attract customers. Bargaining power of buyers: The life force that the bargaining power of buyers has made, and this has applied to the modern coffee industry. The buyer of the specialty coffee industry is still single customer and that makes the industry easy to negotiate with customers. Negotiations with customers can depend on the type of buyer and Starbucks are two types of buyers, the children are able to say or individual buyers often large and multinational organizations (Argenti, 2004). Stakeholders Starbucks has stated a number of social indicators; the organization has also listed a number of stakeholders, including customers, suppliers, environmental groups, shareholders, coffee farmers, community members and staff. Coffee producers: Since 2002, the organization says that Starbucks has its price support for coffee farmers in the profit and supports families of farmers. The organization is responsible for managing the policy-maker today, the politics of environmental policy, economic, social and quality of manufacture, sale and cultivation of coffee, which is when the farmer and the cafe called the fairness in that it comprises 2004. In 2005, for the definition of principles is concerned COFFEE in the world procurement team has to be rolled out. In 2004, when coffee was 1.6 percent was purchased from Fair Trade suppliers that have been collected. After that, support the victims was obvious, and the Starbucks organization offering credit available to coffee producers. For the smaller coffee producers, the organization, indicating nearly six million dollars for the benefit of the interest rate of 2.5 percent. This is a support center for farmers in Costa Rica that provides technical assistance to f armers and also provides training for sustainable production of high quality coffee supplies. Manufacturer: As a Starbucks and evidence must meet the individual providers to demonstrate some of the rules. Some are specific indicators of economic responsibility, social responsibility, and employment measures, product quality and work management. Tracks status of purchase, better conditions and higher prices for suppliers, received high marks. Starbucks organization is with suppliers of bakery and dairy products in 2004, adopting strict measures to promote sustainable produces participate. Employees: The main objective of the business philosophy that makes the members feels comfortable and valued and treated with dignity and respect. In Fortune magazine, Starbucks was placed at the 34th level in 2004 and which has been considered to be among the top most organizations in the world. The benefits for employees are given in Starbucks which are independent of the age which also includes contributions of the employees to the organization. This channel will also promote two-way communication and this review included the mission, where members of the situations that can inform the direction in which the experience is to work with the guiding principles (Andrew L. Friedman and Samantha Miles, 2006). The organization must adapt to employees who are highly qualified and able to offer the customer service people. The benefits of the company have the capability of employees through training, have improved in the right way can provide good customer service. Been divided the company also benefits the employee and the relationship between market value of organizations and their contributions. Farmers, if not the coffee beans of high quality products, the market value of organizations is reduced and the competition is to cross the profit margin. By adopting some of these principles and strategies the organization can provide the at most fine quality coffee to customers throughout the world (Mark Brown, 2010). The direction of the organization should focus on strategies of the company by the models fit the organizational capacity of concentration. Starbucks management to focus more on staff, contributing greatly benefit organizations, the staff should be treated as a partner. Task 3 For any organization to succeed in its business process then its team has to understand the policies in the strategic and loss account, which provides more success than others to understand. This is the vision, mission, goals and values. The vision is the statement or the motto explaining the organizations goal or organizations can say whatever they want which includes their desire and targets. This should be echoed all types of people in the organization that helps employees who are fired, and even more proud that, as they have become part if the success of organizations. For the future of the vision statement of the organization indicates the direction and shape. The mission statement is the exact explanation of what the organization actually does, and this explains why the company exists today. Organizations of each member or employee must be able to carry out the mission of the company said. Each company has its own mission statements and management should be able to keep the def inition of the statements. Values are the strategic states, which are grounded and define how people behave in society as a whole, and this will give value to suppliers, internal customers and the community. This is mainly explained the measures, the adoption of the values that people will have in the organization are. This makes the employees of the organization to give each other see their expertise to the company to greater success. The determination of the effectiveness of organizations and has developed a very precise and clear sense of priorities, beliefs and direction because these are the values that well understood. In identifying these organizations goals, values and takes a practice that leads to performance feedback (Susan M. Heathfield, 2010). Starbuckss mission is to nurture and inspire the human spirit like a cup, a neighborhood and a person at a time. For the maintenance of the Mission of the Organization for the recording, the international brand has taken the aggressive approach in the different distribution channels such as retail, fashion, hotels and airlines. The vision of Starbucks is that the organization is to restore the old tradition of Italian coffee house back to the international world wants. The other important vision of Starbucks gave the customer a superior experience feeling of Art, where they also have a place to think and think and can make a great cup of coffee. A research project was conducted by researchers that have been made by the team of people in the techniques of coffee. Developed on the basis of this process, Starbucks, the identity of the corporate structure and has also created a store at the base of templates: roast, taste, cultivation and brewing. The targets are based primarily on customer satisfaction and these differ. The performance also defines the key to success. The key objectives are five and share risks and share rewards, market entry, development of common products, the confirmation of government regulation and technology. Other benefits include the distribution and political connections that depend on access and relationships (dollars start, 2010). Business Ethics Economic Ethics of Starbucks supports the mission, protecting the reputation and culture through the resources that the partners who make ethical decisions can help with the work. The maximum received reports of ethics in relation to issues of employee relations, and this trend is consistent with other companies and this is the alternative coverage as part of the compliance program (Business Ethics, 2010). Organizational Culture The corporate culture at Starbucks is the structure of beliefs, assumptions and values think and act accordingly within the company. The organization hired the Roman people and provides training to them during this process; employees learn the operation of machines and customer service and after staff which has been described in the culture of the organization (Cesario minor, 2009). The most important factors in the organization of Starbucks are the best quality of service and coffee beans. The Starbucks customer service should be high quality as the products of young Starbucks customers and low-income and less educated people rank as well as people and this training can make the organization, to see how a strategy for deployment and attracted the marketing opportunity. Task 4 Changes in Marketing Environment The Starbucks organization provides with the manifestation of the way changes are made. For example, if the house was the organization changed voice mail and sent a letter to staff, together with details of changes (Lucy, 2008). The organization is a coffee house with operations around the world, the person who organizes Howard D. Schultz has made efforts to alert the organization began during the Great Depression in 2008. Efforts were made to the customer experience, which has gained back only a few channels, if the employee has heard of the barista. In 2009, Starbucks has a reminder of the laity opens its employees and has closed some stores, but after that the benefits of the company to began renovating the shares, the revenue growth that has raised more than $ 24 per share. Then in 2010 the organization received more benefits in the second quarter of the reason is, began regular customers and visited more money spent. If the organization grows began there was an increase in customer traffic. This organization of Starbucks, the food offerings and also led to increased efficiency of the machines of automatic espresso machines. The recession of 2008, the company must change the economic climate, spending ha bits on luxury items (The New York Times, 2010). Functional areas: Each organization is radically different ways by the structures, rules, positions and recognized chains of dynamic structures in which the communications staff of the organization is divided into fixed and is expected instead to keep width according to requirement. The basic methods of the organization are the people on the basis of the methods according to geographical areas of the product. Function: This function divides the company into teams with the same fields as accounting, human resources, finance, marketing, etc. Due Process: This section makes people according to the processes, the implementation of the process successfully. For example, the retail industry organizations, such as Travis Perkins, Dixons and Argos, and these staff organizations to serve the customer equipment, packaging and presentation. Product: This group of people as a team for the products they produce. As each company has different departments and groups are divided by service. By geographic area: This explains that large organizations are in different geographical regions and different places or countries enlarged (The Times, 2010). The Starbucks organization is independent of some of the external relations; this has been the consistent process for the selection, management and search for a partner that develops high quality. Starbucks functional areas, the technical product development, procurement and purchasing operations, operations for the understanding of the activities of the organization say they will help supply relationship. The organization divides its employees to the division, as it helps the employee to work effectively and give the results of efficacy (Ranjay Gulati, 2010). Starbucks functional areas supports the organization in achieving competitive advantage in the world with this organization the advantage of always looking for new ideas, new experiences, new products for customers. Market trends are running in the Starbucks also questioned. This study contributes to the manufacture of their products at the best part of the community (Claudia Espejo, 2008). Task 5 Implementation of marketing strategy Milestones table sets out the objectives of Starbucks, strategy and objectives, and their release of Sales and Marketing Program. For each case is a landmark, it provides a qualitative and quantitative information on start dates and end budget figures, the responsibilities of departments and directors. When preparing a table of Milestone is important to consider the following points (strategic planning, 2010): Key points for monitoring critical business development in the organization. Specific steps to reduce the risk due to the increased viability For derivatives, the changes business plan in the plan can be overcome by available resources and contingencies are developed in accordance with the strategic plan. Available systems exist to determine the progress of society to achieve the milestones approved The objectives and the analysis is an integral part of the daily process of planning and management. Effective marketing strategy can succeed with products and services for developing the strategic plan and overall business planning (strategic planning, 2010). After the development and implementation of organizational effectiveness, efficiency and economy must be assessed. Assessment programs enable the organization to bridge the gap between the customers and organization. Evaluation methods help suppliers to be informed of decisions on profitability and that these programs can represent savings in reference to the expectations of local and international market. Evaluating the effectiveness, economy and efficiency cannot (Services, 2010): Improve management of evaluations, implementation and impact assessment, market and process the results. Improved long-term evaluation and strategic planning of the procurement notice. Improvement of deadlines, budgets and annual plans. Cases of validation programs regarding the uniqueness of the particular market. Improve and support for the use of screening tools that show the profitability and economic value of specific projects and programs Investigate whether the procedures and protocols of the EMV standard (assessment, measurement and verification) to behave with the expectations and demands close Planning and implementation of quality assurance. After the implementation of the new strategy is important to continuously monitor and can be explained by the following examples: Environmental strategies: They involve changes based on location, time or place where you can enjoy the behavioral problems and examples include: the change of the communities with the implementation of the new strategy, avoiding the configuration situations, because unexpected behavior of customers, etc. Behavioral strategies: These involve changes because of the consequences or past behavior of customers and employees. These can be explained by examples: an increase in corporate social responsibility to achieve the objectives of the organization, improvement of the reward for keeping the desirable conditions for employees, etc. Key Milestones Year Milestone 1979 Starbuck was born 1996 This year first Starbuck store was started and this was the first global store. 1999 This year in Beijing Starbucks was started. 2004 The share of the profits has increased with 90 percent. 2005 Fiscal goals have been achieved (Sarah E. Lockyer, 2004). Conclusions Starbucks has begun planning for the strategic management with the objective of achieving long-term prices on the prestigious U.S. magazine Fortune. The main criterion was to study the relevance at the local level so that, in terms of social responsibility, services and quality products to the value of long-term investment plan to operate and maintain the quality management. He used the principles and techniques and tools to develop marketing strategies and education. Marketing strategy, which was followed by the pattern of the five ports of Starbucks Corporation, it helps to know the inclusion of the following marketing strategies of the company. Have the potential entrants, substitutes, suppliers, bargaining power, competition in the industry, and bargaining power of buyers, the coffee producers, suppliers and employees. The successful organization can be developed more when its employees understands the strategic states such as vision, mission, objectives and values. The developme nt of these criteria, the Starbucks can aggressively as an international brand of different channels, like the fashion industry airlines, hotels, and commercial approach. To protect the reputation and corporate culture of the organization, the management has to follow some of the business ethics and values which in turn make the involvement of the employs. Organizational culture plays an important role of values, beliefs and assumptions about the recruitment process for all companies and customers. Maintain the best quality is the key to the success of Starbucks because it helps to attract customers from all communities. Due to the international economic crisis in 2008, the companys efforts to customers and other suppliers due to take over the strings. In addition, the company has evolved over climate change in marketing spending in the areas of functional luxury products, such as the role which is the method by product and by geography. Finally, the planning of the new marketing st rategy and its implementation are carried according to the changes that occur in settings made by the market.

Educational Philosophy Statement :: Education Teaching Teachers Essays

Educational Philosophy Statement I wrote my first educational philosophy during my first semester in college. Now I have earned 67 hours of college credit, gaining more knowledge in all areas. My determination to earn a teaching degree remains strong, and my self-motivation is ever-present. I also have a large support group of friends and family who encourage me to continue even though my peers are retiring. The high school teacher that sparked my desire to teach continues to encourage my efforts also. My philosophy of education has changed slightly. I still believe that children are eager to please and ready to learn. My experience in a Russian orphanage with 350 orphans has made me more aware of children’s needs, physically and emotionally. Upon returning home from this trip, my eyes were opened to the needs of children in our community and state. I am more aware of the strong need for an education for each and every child. My views on the purpose of education have broadened, and I understand the value of quality education. Not only does an education prepare the student for his/her adult life, but also it boosts an individual’s self esteem to the highest level possible. I have experienced this first-hand and feel more comfortable and self-assured since taking college courses. The knowledge I have gained has given me confidence that only higher learning can give. I want to instill this philosophy into my students to increase their desire to learn. They need to know that an education can help them reach their goals in life. My view about my method of teaching has slightly changed. I will still use learning centers, hands-on activities, and creative play, but I have learned that a student must be challenged. A student who doesn’t feel challenged by his schoolwork soon becomes bored and uninterested. Learning must be exciting and rewarding. My views on curriculum haven’t changed much. I still see reading as the most important subject, along with writing. While taking several English courses, I found a love and appreciation of literature and writing.

The Bipolar Brain and the Creative Mind Essay example -- Biology Essay

The Bipolar Brain and the Creative Mind "Our hospital was famous and had housed many great poets and singers. Did the hospital specialize in poets and singers, or was it that poets and singers specialized in madness? ... What is it about meter and cadence and rhythm that makes their makers mad?" (1) The link between madness and creativity is one that has been hotly debated in both medical and literary circles for a long time. The two most common types of mental illness theorized to be an influence on creative people such as writers, artists, and poets were schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (2). However, various studies comparing the characteristics of schizophrenics, bipolars, and writers have concluded that schizophrenics do not share a common thought process with writers (2). In comparison, a study conducted at the University of Iowa declared that while both bipolar patients and writers tended to "sort in large groups... arbitrarily change starting points, or use vague distantly related concepts as categorizing principles" (p 107), the two differed in their abilities to control their thoughts (2). Where the exactly this line of control is located – or indeed if there is a line at all – is the debate in question. Bipolar disorder, also called manic depression, is a complex and often cruel illness that takes sufferers on a rollercoaster ride of emotional highs and deep depressions. During the mania period, either euphoria or irritability manifest themselves, and sometimes a combination of the two, called "mixed mania"(3). A person in a manic phase can also exhibit symptoms known to physicians as the DIGFAST symptoms: distractibility is heightened; insomnia is present due to increased energy; grandiosity occurs in delus... ..., 1993. 3)Medscape article, facts on bipolar disorder http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/151096 4)An article on the Pendulum website, about the possible links between bipolar disorder and creative personalities http://www.pendulum.org/articles/creativity_troubled.htm 5)A website to support those with bipolar illness, with a list of famous manic-depressives http://users.frii.com/parrot/dead.html 6)The Serendip webpage, an article entitled "Creativity and Psychopathology" http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/serendipia/Serendipia-Preti.html 7)A website to support those with bipolar disorder, with an essay by a teenage girl about her bipolar illness http://www.pendulum.org/writings/label_maker.htm 8)An article posted from the Science News, about the relationship between creativity and bipolar illness http://users.lycaeum.org/~martins/M2/creativ2.html

All About Nothing: The Story Of My Life Essay -- essays research paper

All About Nothing: The Story of My Life   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Perhaps the most important thing that has happened in my life is the fact that nothing really big or important has ever happened in my life. For example, my parents are still happily married, and nobody really close to me has evr died. All of this is very unfortunate, I am sure, because if one of these things had happened I would have been able to find a topic for this very essay which I am writing very easily, and would not have had such a hard time getting this essay in to my teacher on time. Nor have I rescued a little kitten from a tree, which when I think about it is really unfortunate because then not only would I have had a topic, but I might also have gotten my picture in the â€Å" Hillsborough Beacon,† or even in the â€Å"Somerset Messenger Gazette,† which, in the lingo of those in the news paper business, is the ‘big time.' But there is little point in even mentioning these things, because they have not happened, and thus, I am left topicless. I could try to fool you with some far out, totally unbelievable story about how I was in a car wreck involving at least two dozen cars, including the president's limousine, and how despite having broken two legs, an arm, in addition to various other body parts too numerous to mention, I managed to drag myself out of the wrecked car (A job for the Jaws of Life, for sure, had it been any other person but me in that car), and then how I managed to haul all of the other survivors, among them the president himself, out of their cars, and to safety, only moments before a small fire that was caused by the crash reached the gas tank of one of the cars causing a breath- taking chain reaction of explosions and fires seen and heard for miles around I could...but I will not. In fact, I would not have it any other way.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  If a highly important meaningful event had happened in my life, the chances are that I would be a completely different person today than the Bill that I am sure you know and love, and probably even worship. It could for example have made me realize how important a proper education is (Do not ask me how.). And, because of this, I could be a diligent hard working student. Thankfully, it didn't and I am not, but the point is, it could have. A scary thought indeed. My parents aren't divorced and do not abuse me, givin... ...ng him of his great failures, even if they are trying to be nice abouit it, although a great many most likely ae not, and can probably get downright mean. Even if he had won those Super Bowls his life would still be a wreck. Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw, the only quarterbacks ever to win as many Super Bowls as Kelly has lost, still can not go out in public without being mobbed by fans, even though both have long since retired. And although it was most likely fun and exciting to begin with (I find excitement to be much over rated any way.), the novelty of celebrity has most certianly worn off by now, and not being able even to go to the supermarket has most likely turned in to a large pain in the neck. So, as I feel I have just proved, exiting and important events bring nothing good no matter how extremely good or bad they seem to be. This is why I enjoy my average uneventful life. However, as a personal note, if the good and kind reader of this essay would extend the deadline a few years, I could give her a really good reflective essay about the feelings that I have for the people who I have literally and figuratively crushed on my way to power as the Supreme Ruler of the World.

Idea of Belonging

The idea of belonging is an important and fundamental value in our lives. Belonging most commonly emerges from experience and notions of identity, relationships, acceptance and understanding. The sense of belonging is represented in various ways throughout texts such asâ€Å"Ancestor† by Peter Skrzynecki and ‘China Coin’. Each of the texts has a wide range of ideas on how belonging is created though personal experiences and notion of acceptance and understanding. In â€Å"Ancestors† Peter Skrzynecki expresses a detachment from ancestors resulting in a lack of belonging in terms of relationship and understanding. Being separated from his heritage, the speaker experiences a kind of guilt about not being attached to his parents’ culture, but also a sense that this issue will have to be resolved, even if doing so may involve some distress and turmoil. The use of active voice in the poem shows – there are no passive voice verbs at all — his need to do something about the problem of belonging. The â€Å"bearded, faceless men† represent the shadow/spirit of his ancestors but the speaker may also be actually referring to photographs he has seen of these ancestors â€Å"standing shoulder to shoulder† – which also depicts the unity of these ancestors and the force they create is firm in his mind and forces him to find out what his roots are. â€Å"The eyes never close† shows that the moment is still and may be evidence that he is in a dream partly based on looking at such photos. A questioning tone also carries on throughout the poem. This questioning is about his identity though examination of the past which is represented by the ancestors, creating a sense of reflection and investigation on his relationship to his ancestors. But we can see that throughout the poem Skrzynecki is refusing to explore the past of these ancestors because he is afraid of the tainted, torturous past which stops him continued searching for a home: â€Å"To what star do their footprints lead? † This not only evokes his fear of the past but also shows that his uncertainty about re-rooting to his ancestral culture. The ancestors â€Å"Never speak â€Å"implying that those ancestors communicate to â€Å"you† in some other way. The poem is mainly a nightmare about the idea of ancestry/belonging, and Skrzynecki uses the blood allusion in â€Å"The wind tastes of blood† to show that the root is in our blood which connects us to our ancestors. However, the speaker’s sense of alienation from his ancestors has blocked his ability to belong and find the relationship between him and the ancestors. Blood† therefore limits our understanding of our past, which is what we originally belong to. Comparing to Peter Skrzynecki, Leah in The China Coin chooses to belong with her mum and her friends and being positive and happy. At beginning, Leah's relationship with her mum Joan was strained since she refers to her as the â€Å"evil aunt† â€Å"Joan†,evil aunt is a technique of metaphor,it shows nagetive feelings † Joan† is a technique of 3 rd person which sh ows the distance between Leah & â€Å"Joan. Espicially when Leah is lost during the student protest and result in a huge arguement with Joan†It's your rotten China. â€Å"presents again a big difference from Both Joan and Leah,through the emphasis on â€Å"your† and â€Å"from China with the describtive word â€Å"rotten† Comparing to Peter's relationship with his school and folk museum, Leah's realtionship with her mum at first was even more unstisfactory . But rather than running away and belonging to someone else,Leah has stayed with her mum and tried to fix this relationship. When she decides to end the conflict with her mother and rebuild the relationship,saying â€Å"It's over†Leah took Joan's hand and squeezed†we've been through a lot,eh†The action of squeezing echoes they are becoming closer. While Leah decided to belong to her Chinese culture,she also finds a second home. Even though Leah is reserved,the warmth and acceptance of this family draw her in,it's also for the first time Leah was thinking of Joan's family as her family. further more,Leah again builds relationships with family members Ke, Linan and uncle Tong. When the other half of the coin falls from the croll. Leah's reaction is positive†Li-Nan crushed her pounded her on the back and called her â€Å"sister† The symbolism of the strong hug and approval by Li Nan shows her acceptance into this family. Leah also build a special relationship with her cousin Ke. When Joan's in the hospital,Ke becomes the only one who Leah can depend on. She decides to build a relationship with him in order to belong with him. Since then,Ke refers to Leah with the word†mate†,This typical Australian word presents Ke accepted Leah and her clture. Also mate's a very positive word. It shows a positive relationship with people that's what it exactly represents here. Comparing to Peter's homeless, Leah both physically and mentally chooses to belong,therefore,she gets a positive and good result. Each of the texts shows us a strong will to belong and we can see that the ways people achieve belonging emerge from all these elements. Therefore it can be said that the texts have provided a wide range of ideas on belonging that support the statement that â€Å"a sense of belonging can emerge from experiences and notions of acceptance and understanding. †