Agenda Setting

1. Agenda Setting Theory the creation of what the public thinks is important History and Orientation Agenda setting describes a very powerful influence of the media – the ability to tell us what issues are important. As far back as 1922, the newspaper columnist Walter Lippman was concerned that the media had the power to present images to the public. McCombs and Shaw investigated presidential campaigns in 1968, 1972 and 1976. In the research done in 1968 they focused on two elements: awareness and information.Investigating the agenda-setting function of the mass media, they attempted to assess the relationship between what voters in one community said were important issues and the actual content of the media messages used during the campaign. McCombs and Shaw concluded that the mass media exerted a significant influence on what voters considered to be the major issues of the campaign. Core Assumptions and Statements Core:  Agenda-setting is the creation of public awareness a nd concern of salient issues by the news media.Two basis assumptions underlie most research on agenda-setting: (1) the press and the media do not reflect reality; they filter and shape it; (2) media concentration on a few issues and subjects leads the public to perceive those issues as more important than other issues. One of the most critical aspects in the concept of an agenda-setting role of mass communication is the time frame for this phenomenon. In addition, different media have different agenda-setting potential. Agenda-setting theory seems quite appropriate to help us understand the pervasive role of the media (for example on political communication systems).Statement:  Bernard Cohen (1963) stated: â€Å"The press may not be successful much of the time in telling people what to think, but it is stunningly successful in telling its readers what to think about. † Agenda Setting   as   defined in â€Å" Mass Media, Mass Culture† is the process whereby the ma ss media determine what we think and worry about. Walter Lippmann, a journalist first observed this function, in the 1920’s. Lippmann then pointed out that the media dominates over the creation of pictures in our head, he believed that the public reacts not to actual   events but to the pictures in our head.Therefore the agenda setting   process is used to remodel all the events occurring in our environment,   into   a simpler model before we deal with it. Researchers Maxwell McCombs and Donald Shaw have then followed this concept. McCombs and Shaw as pointed out by Littlejohn have best described the agenda setting function   in their book  Emergence of American Political Issues. In this book the authors point out that there is abundantly collected evidence that editors and broadcasters  Ã‚   play an important part   as they go through their day to day tasks   in deciding and publicizing news. This impact of the mass media- the ability to effect cognitive ch ange among among individuals, to structure their thinking- has been labeled the agenda-setting function of mass communication. Here may lie   the most important effect of mass communication, its ability to mentally order and organize our world for us. In short, the mass media may not be successful in telling us what to think, but they are stunningly successful in telling us what to think about. (McCombs and Shaw, 5) The common assumption of agenda- setting is that the ability of the media to influence the visibility of events in the public mind   has been apart of our culture for almost half a century. Therefore the concept of agenda setting in our society is for the press to selectively choose what we see or hear in the media. 2. Development Communication You must also know that communication is used as an empowerment tool. In other words, communication is used as a tool to facilitate the participation of people in development activities.Knowledge and information are essential for people to successfully respond to the opportunities and challenges of social, economic and technological changes. But to be useful, knowledge and information must be effectively communicated to people. Millions of people in developing countries are excluded from a wide range of information and knowledge, with the rural poor in particular remaining isolated from both traditional media and new information and communication technologies which would improve their life. Here, in ‘development communication’, you see that there are two words- ‘development’ and ‘communication’.By now, you know what communication means. You have also learnt that communication is a message understood or sharing of experience. When we refer to communication, in the context of development, we refer to various types of communication like interpersonal, group and mass communication. Now let’s try and understand the term ‘development’. It is not easy t o define this as it depends on the context. Development is about change. It is about changing for the better. It could be about social or economic change for improvement or progress.When we refer to development communication, it is about such communication that can be used for development. It is about using communication to change or improve something. Here we use different types of messages to change the socio-economic condition of people. These messages are designed to transform the behaviour of people or for improving their quality of life. Therefore, development communication can be defined as the use of communication to promote development. Those who write or produce programmes on issues related to development are called development communicators.Role of a development communicator The development communicator plays a very significant role in explaining the development process to the common people in such a way that it finds acceptance. In order to achieve this objective a devel opment communicator: – has to understand the process of development and communication; – should possess knowledge in professional techniques and should know the audience; – prepare and distribute development messages to millions of people in such a way that they are received and understood, accepted and applied.

Green Architecture

IntroductionSince the Industrial Revolution, the universe has witnessed incalculable technological accomplishments, population growing, and matching additions in resource usage. As we enter a new century, we are acknowledging the aˆ?side effectsaˆ? of our activities: pollution, landfills at capacity, toxic waste, planetary heating, resource and ozone depletion, and deforestation. These attempts are striving the bounds of the Earth ‘s aˆ?carrying capacityaˆ?aˆâ€ its ability to supply the resources required to prolong life while retaining the capacity to renew and stay feasible. As the universe ‘s population continues to spread out, execution of resource-efficient steps in all countries of human activity is imperative. The reinforced environment is one clear illustration of the impact of human activity on resources. Buildings have a important impact on the environment, accounting for one-sixth of the universe ‘s fresh water backdowns, one-fourth of its wood crop, and two-fifths of its stuff and energy flows. Structures besides impact countries beyond their immediate location, impacting the water partings, air quality, and transit forms of communities. [ 1 ] That acknowledgment is taking to alterations in the manner the edifice industry and edifice proprietors approach the design, building, and operation of constructions. With the leading of diverse groups in the public and private sectors, the edifice industry is traveling toward a new value in its work: that of environmental public presentation. The industry ‘s turning sustainability moral principle is based on the rules of resource efficiency, wellness, and productiveness. Realization of these rules involves an integrated, multidisciplinary approachaˆâ€ one in which a edifice undertaking and its constituents are viewed on a full life-cycle footing. This aˆ?cradle-to-cradleaˆ? attack, known as aˆ?greenaˆ? or aˆ?sustainableaˆ? edifice, considers a edifice ‘s entire economic and environmental impact and public presentation, from material extraction and merchandise industry to merchandise transit edifice design and building, operations and care, and edifice reuse or disposal. Ultimately, acceptance of sustainable edifice patterns will take to a displacement in the edifice industry, with sustainability exhaustively embedded in its pattern, merchandises, criterions, codifications, and ordinances. Understanding the particulars of sustainable edifice and finding effectual sustainable patterns can be confounding. Local authoritiess and private industry frequently do non hold the resources to execute the necessary research to assemble information on sustainable patterns, presuming such information is readily available. This thesis, by its parts, presents a full vision about green architecture, green edifices, and the chance to use this architecture in Lebanon. In Addition, it includes a full conceptual design for a proposed undertaking related to such architecture.Part 1: Green Architecture / Green Buildings1.1 DefinitionSustainable development is the challenge of run intoing turning human demands for natural resources, industrial merchandises, energy, nutrient, transit, shelter, and effectual waste direction while conserving and protecting environmental quality and the natural resource base indispensable for future life and development. This construct recognizes that run intoing long-run human demands will be impossible unless we besides conserve the Earth ‘s natural physical, chemical, and biological systems. [ 2 ] Sustainable development constructs, applied to the design, building, and operation of edifices, can heighten both the economic wellbeing and environmental wellness of communities around the universe. The Union Internationale des Architects/American Institute of Architects ( UIA/AIA ) World Congress of Architects recognized that in its 1993 Declaration of Interdependence, which acknowledges that edifices and the built environment drama a major function in the human impact on the natural environment and on the quality of life. If sustainable design rules are incorporated into edifice undertakings, benefits can include resource and energy efficiency, healthy edifices and stuffs, ecologically and socially sensitive land usage, transit efficiency, and strengthened local economic systems and communities. Embracing sustainability constructs, the ends aim to cut down energy, operation, and care costs ; cut down building-related unwellnesss ; increase the productiveness and comfort of edifice residents ; cut down waste and pollution ; and increase edifice and constituent lastingness and flexibleness. [ 3 ] In the developed states, public and private leaders have realized the economic and environmental benefits of green edifice patterns and are establishing policies, developing edifice guidelines, and fabrication merchandises and systems that will accomplish sustainable development ends.1.2 Green edifices history1.2.1 Historical BuildingsHarmonizing to David Gissen, conservator of architecture and design and the National Building Museum in Washington DC, structures such as London ‘s Crystal Palace and Milan ‘s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II used methods that decreased the impact of the construction on the environment. Systems such as roof ventilators and belowground air chilling Chamberss were used to modulate indoor air temperature. [ 4 ] In the early 20th century, several skyscrapers such as the Flatiron Building and the New York Times Building in New York utilised deep-set Windowss and the Carson Pirie Scott section shop in Chicago had retractable sunshades. Both of these techniques were effectual in commanding interior temperature while lessoning the edifices ‘ impact on the environment. [ 5 ] From the 1930 ‘s through the 1960 ‘s, the forward believing chilling methods mentioned above gave manner to some new edifice engineerings that would alter inner-city edifice building dramatically. The innovation of air conditioning, brooding glass, and structural steel popularized the enclosed glass and steel edifices that litter the American metropolis today. These edifices were able to be heated and cooled with monolithic HVAC systems that consumed immense sums of cheap and readily available fossil fuels. [ 6 ] The monolithic ingestion of energy required to populate these edifices made their viability tenable and wholly dependent upon energy handiness and cost.1.2.2 The InfancyAround the clip that the aˆ?glass boxaˆ? manner high rise had become the icon of the American metropolis ( circa 1970 ) , a frontward believing group of designers, conservationists, and ecologists [ 7 ] were inspired by the turning environmental motion and the higher fuel costs that were prevailing during the 1970s. [ 8 ] The generation of these two scenarios finally resulted in the modern physique green motion. The first Earth Day, celebrated in April 1970, gave some acceptance to this new edifice construct, but the OPEC oil trade stoppage of 1973 gave the burgeoning environmental motion, and later the green physique attempt, the kick start it needed. With gas lines stretching for blocks, some Americans began to oppugn the conventional wisdom that we should be so independently reliant upon fossil fuels for our energy. [ 9 ] As a consequence of the oil trade stoppage, amongst other energy concerns, the American Institute of Architects ( AIA ) formed a Committee on Energy that was broken into two cantonments. aˆ?One group looked toward inactive, such as brooding roofing stuffs and environmentally good posing of edifices, to accomplish energy nest eggs, while the other concentrated more on technological solutions, such as the usage of triple-glazed windows.aˆ? [ 10 ] As energy concerns subsided, impulse for green edifice and the environment, in general, slowed down, but a dedicated core-group of designers continued to force their green edifice construct frontward. A twosome of noteworthy edifices constructed during the 1970ss which utilised constructs of green design are: The Willis Faber and Dumas Headquarters in England, which utilized a grass roof, day-lighted atrium, and mirrored Windowss ; the Gregory Bateson Building in California, which used energy-sensitive photovoltaic ( solar cells ) [ 11 ] , under-floor stone shop chilling systems, and country clime control devices. [ 12 ] Through the late 1970ss, throughout the 1880ss, and into the early 1890ss, much research was commissioned on energy efficient procedures. This research resulted in more effectual solar panels, prefabricated efficient wall systems, H2O renewals systems, modular building units, and direct use of visible radiation through Windowss in order to diminish day-time energy ingestion. [ 13 ]1.3 Green Organizations1.4 Green consequence on edifices & A ; metropoliss1.4.1 Energy EfficiencyApproximately 50 per centum of the energy usage in edifices is devoted to bring forthing an unreal indoor clime through warming, chilling, airing, and illuming. [ 14 ] A typical edifice ‘s energy measure constitutes about 25 per centum of the edifice ‘s entire operating costs. Estimates indicate that climate-sensitive design utilizing available engineerings could cut warming and chilling energy ingestion by 60 per centum and illuming energy demands by at least 50 per centum in U.S. edifices. [ 15 ]1. 4.2 Water EfficiencyWater preservation and efficiency plans have begun to take to significant lessenings in the usage of H2O within edifices. Water-efficient contraptions and fixtures, behavioural alterations, and alterations in irrigation methods can cut down ingestion by up to 30 per centum or more. [ 16 ] As demand on H2O additions with urban growing, the economic impact of H2O preservation and efficiency will increase proportionally. Water efficiency non merely can take to significant H2O nest eggs, it besides can cut down the demand for enlargement of H2O intervention installations. Non-residential H2O clients account for a little per centum of the entire figure of H2O clients, but use about 35 per centum or more of the entire H2O. [ 17 ]1.4.3 Waste ReductionGreen architecture besides seeks to cut down waste of energy, H2O and stuffs used during building. For illustration, in California about 60 % of the province ‘s waste comes from commercial edifices. [ 18 ] During the building stage, one end should be to cut down the sum of stuff traveling to landfills. Well-designed edifices besides help cut down the sum of waste generated by the residents as good, by supplying on-site solutions such as compost bins to cut down affair traveling to landfills. To cut down the impact on Wellss or H2O intervention workss, several options exist. â€Å" Greywater † , effluent from beginnings such as dishwashing or rinsing machines, can be used for subsurface irrigation, or if treated, for non-potable intents, e.g. , to blush lavatories and wash autos. Rainwater aggregators are used for similar intents. Centralized effluent intervention systems can be dearly-won and utilize a batch of energy. An alternate to this procedure is change overing waste and effluent into fertiliser, which avoids these costs and shows other benefits. By roll uping human waste at the beginning and running it to a semi-centralized biogas works with other biological waste, liquid fertiliser can be produced. This construct was demonstrated by a colony in Lubeck Germany in the late ninetiess. Practices like these supply dirt with organic foods and make C sinks that remove C dioxide from the ambiance, countervailing nursery gas emanation. Producing unreal fertiliser is besides more dearly-won in energy than this procedure. [ 19 ]1.4.4 Construction Cost ReductionApplication of green constructing constructs can give for nest eggs during the building procedure. Measures that are comparatively easy to implement can ensue in nest eggs to the contractor in the undermentioned countries: A · Lower energy costs, by supervising use, put ining energy-efficient lamps and fixtures, and utilizing tenancy detectors to command lighting fixtures ; A · Lower H2O costs, by supervising ingestion and recycling storm H2O and/or building effluent where possible ; A · Lower site-clearing costs, by minimising site break and motion of Earth and installing of unreal systems ; A · Lower landfill dumping fees and associated trucking charges, through reuse and recycling of building and destruction dust ; A · Lower stuffs costs, with more careful purchase and reuse of resources and stuffs ; A · Possible net incomes from gross revenues of reclaimable points removed during edifice destruction ; and A · Fewer employee wellness jobs ensuing from hapless indoor air quality. This listing suggests some possible countries for cost nest eggs ; the undertaking squad can place other possibilities through a concerted and incorporate squad attack. The contractor can besides better dealingss with the community and edifice proprietor by sing them as portion of the squad attempt to implement environmentally sound building steps.1.4.5 Building Operation and MaintenanceThe green edifice steps discussed in this manual can take non merely to take down edifice operating disbursals through reduced public-service corporation and waste disposal costs, but besides to lower on-going edifice care costs, runing from wages to supplies. For illustration, in many edifices, care staff collects recycled stuffs on each floor – or even at every employee ‘s desk – and transport the stuffs down to the cellar for manus screening. Recycling chutes, a feasible green option, let direct discarding of stuffs from any floor in the edifice to the cellar. The chute system, which ideally is installed during initial building or redevelopment, can screen stuffs automatically, salvaging labour costs by extinguishing the demand to roll up, conveyance, and kind recyclables. Other nest eggs come in the signifier of lower waste trucking fees ; reduced workers ‘ compensation insurance premiums due to take down claims for accidents from crisp glass and tins ; reduced lift care ; less frequent cleansing of spills on rugs and floors ; and less demand for pest control. Environmentally friendly housework merchandises can besides hold fiscal advantages. For illustration, cleaning merchandises that are purchased as dressed ores and utilize minimum packaging non merely advance waste decrease, but besides can cut down merchandise use by 30 to 60 per centum with dispensers that more accurately step and thin the cleansing merchandises for optimal effectivity. [ 20 ] Building proprietors need to see the edifice director and staff as critical participants in environmentally sound and cost-efficient operations. Building directors, charged with the efficient operation and care of multi-million-dollar assets, have experience in all countries of operations and care over the life of a edifice. Once a edifice is operational, preparation of direction and care staff – including instruction on effectual green constructing steps such as constructing energy direction systems, new cleansing merchandises, and new edifice codifications and criterions – can assist them to keep the edifice in a resource-efficient and economically favourable mode.1.4.6 Insurance and LiabilityThe past decennaries ‘ conventional office design, building, and operational patterns have decreased the quality of the indoor office environment, ensuing in new wellness concerns and associated economic costs and liability. The debut of a battalion of new contaminant pollu tion beginnings into the workplace, combined with tighter edifice building, has intensified air-quality jobs. For illustration, hapless indoor air quality can ensue from such factors as defective air-conditioning systems, occupant related pollutants, building stuffs that emit high degrees of volatile organic compounds, and hapless care patterns. The U.S. EPA ranks indoor air pollution among the top five environmental hazards to public wellness. Unhealthy indoor air is found in up to 30 per centum of new and renovated edifices. [ 21 ] Sick Building Syndrome ( SBS ) and Building Related Illness ( BRI ) have become more common in the workplace, increasing edifice proprietor and employer costs due to sickness, absenteeism, and increased liability claims. It has been estimated that SBS and BRI cost approximately $ 60 billion each twelvemonth in medical disbursals and lost worker productiveness in the United States. [ 22 ] Legal actions related to Sick Building Syndrome and other building-related jobs have increased. These actions against edifice interior decorators, proprietors, or employers may be initiated by residents who have short- or long-run jobs, runing from concerns and firing eyes to more serious complaints. Initial economic impact may come in the signifiers of higher wellness insurance premiums, increased workers ‘ compensation claims, and reduced productiveness. Expensive redress undertakings and environmental killings may follow, and edifice proprietors may seek to retrieve losingss from the original undertaking contractors and designers through judicial proceeding. By guaranting better indoor air quality, edifice proprietors, employers, and design professionals can take down their hazard of future judicial proceeding by constructing residents. Professional liability insurance companies have indicated a willingness to offer design professionals lower insurance premiums for higher operating-procedure criterions that lead to improved indoor air quality. Some national architectural houses are trying to rate edifice merchandises harmonizing to the degrees of volatile organic compounds they emit after installing, and to educate edifice proprietors and directors about healthier merchandise picks.1.4.7 Occupant Health and ProductivityThe intent of a edifice is non merely to supply shelter for its residents, but besides to supply an environment conducive to high public presentation of all intended resident activities. Recent surveies have shown that edifices with good overall environmental quality, including effectual airing, natural or proper degrees o f lighting, indoor air quality, and good acoustics, can increase worker productiveness by six to 16 per centum. [ 23 ] An organisation ‘s most important fiscal committedness is normally to its employees. Many employers spend at least every bit much on salary-related outgos as they do on building an full company edifice. In many organisations, wages and associated benefits consume the bulk of the one-year operating budget. [ 24 ] For illustration ; based on the sample computations in 2, a typical employer could pass $ 233 per square pes yearly for an employee. Building building costs by and large fall below this degree, frequently by 50 per centum. In add-on, one-year employee salary-related outgos, utilizing the Numberss in 2, are about 130 times greater than energy costs. A productivity addition of six per centum equates to nest eggs to the employer of $ 14 per square pes – eight times the cost of the edifice ‘s one-year energy measure. Given this information, an employer can make up one's mind to maximise the public presentation and efficiency of forces resources through appraisal of, and betterment to, the indoor environmental quality of its edifice. The undermentioned history of a recent redevelopment undertaking illustrates this attack. Both edifice proprietors and edifice tenant/employers can profit in other ways by bettering indoor environmental quality. For proprietors, these betterments can ensue in higher belongings values, longer tenant tenancy and rental reclamations, reduced insurance and operating costs, reduced liability hazards, extended equipment life, and good promotion. For renters, benefits include reduced absenteeism and better employee morale, reduced insurance and operating costs, reduced liability hazards, and community acknowledgment. If the edifice proprietor is besides the employer, an organisation can countervail initial building design and systems costs with the decrease of long-run organisational and operational disbursals over the edifice ‘s life rhythm.1.4.8 Building ValueGreen edifices ‘ high efficiency and public presentation can ensue in higher belongings values and potentially lower loaners ‘ recognition hazard. Lower operating costs associated with more efficient sys tems can take to higher constructing net income. In add-on to increasing a edifice ‘s cyberspace runing income or value, green edifice steps may let edifice proprietors to bear down higher rents or accomplish higher rates of edifice tenancy, if renters view green belongingss as more desirable. Presently, voluntary edifice evaluation plans are under development for commercial edifices in the United States. As these plans are introduced into the market place and derive the credence of edifice proprietors and renters, they could impact the value of belongingss. Prospective renters will be able to rate edifices based on such mensurable characteristics as natural daytime, better indoor air quality, and lower energy, H2O, and waste costs. If adequate edifices are rated for environmental public presentation, those that perform better will get down to recognize market advantages.1.4.9 Local Economic Development OpportunitiesPromotion and execution of green edifice patterns within a community can bring forth new economic development c hances. These chances can take a assortment of signifiers, including new concern development to run into the demand for green merchandises and services ; resource-efficiency betterment plans that enable bing concerns to take down operating costs ; development of environmentally oriented concern territories ; and occupation preparation related to new green concerns and merchandises.1.5 Appliance & A ; Ways of using1.5.1 Appliances1.5.1.1 Selecting environmentally and economically balanced edifice stuffs.Buildings significantly alter the environment. Harmonizing to Worldwatch Institute1, constructing building consumes 40 per centum of the natural rock, crushed rock, and sand used globally each twelvemonth, and 25 per centum of the virgin wood. Buildings besides account for 40 per centum of the energy and 16 per centum of the H2O used yearly world-wide. In the United States, approximately every bit much building and destruction waste is produced as municipal refuse. Finally, unhealthy indoor air is found in 30 per centum of new and renovated edifices worldwide. Negative environmental impacts flow from these activities. For illustration, natural stuffs extraction can take to resource depletion and biological diverseness losingss. Building stuffs industry and conveyance consumes energy, which generates emanations linked to planetary heating and acerb rain. Landfill jobs, such as leaching of heavy metals, may originate from waste coevals. All these activities can take to air and H2O pollution. Unhealthy indoor air may do increased morbidity and mortality. Choosing environmentally preferred edifice stuffs is one manner to better a edifice ‘s environmental public presentation. To be practical, nevertheless, environmental public presentation must be balanced against economic public presentation. Even the most environmentally witting constructing interior decorator or edifice stuffs maker will finally desire to weigh environmental benefits against economic costs. They want to place edifice stuffs that improve environmental public presentation with small or no addition in cost. The edifice community is doing determinations today that have environmental and economic effects. Its determinations are plagued by uncomplete and unsure informations every bit good as the deficiency of a standardised methodological analysis for measuring the information. The NIST/EPA squad seeks to back up these determinations by garnering environmental and economic public presentation informations and by structuring and computerising the decision-making procedure. The ensuing BEES tool will be publically available over the Internet. In the mean while, the USGBC has published a list of stuffs aˆâ€Å" certified from LEED aˆâ€Å" incorporating several green stuffs including: flooring, interior building, pigments & A ; movie, cloths, curtains, tack surfaces, ceiling systems, illuming, contraptions, millwork, furniture and plumping fixtures.1.6 Education of green architectureSince 1993, UIA released the aˆ?Declaration of Interdependence for a Sustainable Futureaˆ? suggesting that the architectural profession should seek aˆ?to achieve ecological sustainability within the limited clip that is likely to be availableaˆ? . And it ‘s been 14 old ages after the release of UIA / UNESCO aˆ?Charter For Architectural Educationaˆ? that registries among educational ends aˆ?an ecologically balanced and sustainable development of the built environmentaˆ? . Since so, many architecture schools have introduced or upgraded classs on proficient facets of sustainability, like aˆ?Energy Conscious Designaˆ? , aˆ?Sustainable Architectureaˆ? , aˆ?Beyond Greenaˆ? or aˆ?Bioclimatic Architectureaˆ? and others more. The integrating of sustainability in design schools up to now has been reviewed by several studies. Most of them portion two decisions: – foremost, that non many schools have embraced the topic in a thorough mode, indicating at aˆ?the low degree at which sustainable design constructs have been incorporated into the regular curriculumaˆ? and noticing that aˆ?environmental instruction in architecture has been done on an ad-hoc footing, aˆÂ ¦fragmented and insufficientaˆ? [ 25 ] ; – second, that sustainable design requires learning methods rather different than the long-established 1s [ 26 ] . Environmental crisis and its foreseeable effects are still a fringy issue in the academic discourse at schools purportedly covering with the environment, possibly because crises are non an attractive topic in our aˆ?feel-good ‘ epoch. As a consequence, those who will hold to undertake the looming crisis in the close hereafter are non adequately prepared. Still, the demand to implement sustainable design is widely recognized by the educational community, at least in rule. A revealing illustration is a study among architectural pedagogues in more than 30 European states in 2001 [ 27 ] , where aˆ?nearly 90 % of the respondents are voting for a instead dramatic displacement from a presently instead low to a high consideration of aˆ?Sustainable Development ‘ in future architectural educationaˆ? . Harmonizing to the study, aˆ?only 19 % of those said that this construct is presently having a very/quite high degree of consideration, and 83 % said it should have a very/quite high degree of consideration in architectural educationaˆ? , placing as an aˆ?aspect of taking importanceaˆ? the â€Å" integrating of sustainability-issues into all studio design † . In malice of such consensus, there is still a long route until sustainable design is steadfastly rooted in architectural acquisition. There are a figure of grounds for this, within and outside the academic margin:1.6.1 Academic obstructionsA · _____________________ In most schools that show environmental concern, related issues are normally confined in elected categories, detached from design studios. This creates a aˆ?fringe ‘ repute for sustainability, eschewing its rules from the chief design undertakings to the fringe of architectural acquisition. As a consequence, no practical experience is gained in how to present sustainable qualities in the aˆ?core ‘ design docket. A · ______________________ In many instances the accent is on quantitative instead than qualitative affairs. As a consequence figure crunching eclipses design, and pupils tend to tie in sustainable concerns with numerical public presentation merely, detached from issues like comfort, resources, or social moralss. In that mode, sustainability-related classs are considered similar to those on proficient Fieldss like structural or mechanical design, but non aˆ?real ‘ architecture. A · ______________________ Sustainable design is a instead recent subject, non really familiar to the old guard that administers schools. Most coachs have had limited or even nonexistent preparation in their yesteryear, and practical experience is even more rare. Consequently, aˆ?a deficiency of importance placed on sustainable design by many architectural educatorsaˆ? [ 28 ] is no surprise. As a consequence, it is hard to present aˆ?obscure ‘ , aˆ?uninteresting ‘ or aˆ?useless ‘ new subjects to the course of study, particularly in position of the fact that sustainable design challenges the preponderantly artistic stance of architecture. A · ___________________ Sustainable design is a complex architectural attack, embracing diverse Fieldss of cognition and necessitating multi-discipline teamwork. Therefore its instruction can non suit with the conventional additive attack where different proficient accomplishments are segregated in different sections, with rare chances to convey them all together through joint undertakings in a holistic mode. Furthermore, aˆ?sustainable architecture is a complex topic that should be covered throughout the curriculumaˆ? [ 29 ] , non merely in sporadic undertakings. A · ____________________ Furthermore, design undertakings are often detached from earthly world as if they refer to a infinite station, barely interrelated with nature or society. Social moralss or environmental consciousness are non embedded in the docket, restricting preparation in simply proficient accomplishments with major focal point on the aesthetic. aˆ?An architectural pupil all of a sudden transported to many of our architecture schools from 1900 Paris would experience right at homeaˆ? . [ 30 ] A · _____________________ Environmental crisis is repeatedly under the spotlight of the media but, unusually, it is rarely included in the academic discourse. There is small systematic consciousness of the relationship of edifice and urban design with critical environmental issues like energy & A ; H2O deficits, air & A ; land pollution, urban heat island & A ; ecological footmark, or resources depletion. And surely such subjects are non included in undertaking Jockey shortss or ordinary pupil work. A · _______________________ Furthermore, there is deficient auxiliary input through proficient categories like constructing natural philosophies or environmental engineering that could back up sustainable design undertakings. When pupils do non understand the dynamic linkage between constructions, environmental conditions and users, it is non easy to distinguish, state, between aˆ?building in the landscapeaˆ? and aˆ?building in interaction with the landscapeaˆ? . [ 31 ]1.6.2 Outside the schoolroomThe debut of sustainability in architecture schools encounters farther troubles stemming from the outer side of the academic walls: A · ____________________ Sustainable design has yet to happen a clear individuality: – Is it a edifice technique, a blend of architecture and technology that can be applied on any architectural assortment merely like, say, fire safety or seismal proofing? – Is it merely one more architectural manner, possibly with excess consideration to the environment than the remainder, with its ain stylistic hallmarks like solar aggregators, conservatories, or green labels? – Beaver state is it a fresh design mentality, where nature & A ; society, today & A ; tomorrow are equal spouses in the design model? A · _____________________ The sustainable design household includes fluctuations like aˆ?energy witting ‘ , aˆ?bioclimatic ‘ , aˆ?solar ‘ , aˆ?ecological ‘ , or aˆ?green ‘ , any of which could be applied in a non-sustainable mode. For case, an energy-saving strategy could use non-ecological stuffs ; bioclimatic skyscrapers use more resources than low rise, and the sustainability of a immense aˆ?green ‘ sign of the zodiac with merely two residents is questionable. It is clear that sustainable design in full graduated table is a complex enterprise that requires a holistic watchfulness on a wide array of topics, proficient every bit much as societal: aˆ?Although there is much involvement and wonder about the topic, no 1 would state it ‘s easy to larn or use in practiceaˆ? . [ 32 ] A · ______________________ The architectural aˆ?haut couture ‘ of our epoch markets themes instead far from sustainability. As a consequence prudence and aˆ?I?I µI„I?I?I? ‘ ( metron = Greek for step ) are ostracized from the chief architectural values [ 33 ] . Given that architecture is ever learned by illustration, many pupils – and many adults excessively – ringer the glamourous paradigms of the expansive maitres, endeavoring for ocular originality and manner above all. The calendered architectural imperativeness barely advertises the non-sustainable characteristics of the expansive works because that would botch the ware. Therefore attending is frequently focused on 2D thoughts instead than 3D infinite or 4D affairs, and hollow feelings count more than the stuff and social facets of the built environment. As manner outshines matter and clip, sustainability is a looser. A · __________________ Students are the last to fault for that ; given the prevailing aesthetic values, there are non excessively many sustainable illustrations exciting adequate to animate pupils. On the contrary, a frequent claim is that sustainable edifices are per se unattractive, as if all other types of architecture have merely good illustrations to demo. A · ___________________ Another repeated averment is that aˆ?environmental edifices cost moreaˆ? . Here, the cost comparison footing is instead obscure, ignoring the differentiation between constructing – and running – cost, or the fact that aˆ?trying to shoot sustainable standards subsequently, alternatively of earlier, in the design procedure is the cause of any added expenseaˆ? . [ 34 ] Even when the aˆ?extra cost ‘ is true, it is besides true that clients are frequently ready to pay more for cosmetic elements but non for, say, a more efficient boiler.1.6.3 The societal contextSustainable design is non an architectural exercising ; it refers to the built environment and therefore it can non boom without societal indorsement. Architecture has ever been repeating the dominant social values and forces, so the inquiry is whether today there is room for alteration: aˆ?To transform this activity from a alone one of counter-cultural rebellion into one of mainstream pa ttern requires merely a critical mass of people who take it for granted as the footing for technical/cultural meritaˆ? . [ 35 ] There are some marks that allow optimism, but the overall societal tendencies look instead black for a sustainable design flowering: A · _________________ In our epoch of aˆ?consumo ergo sumaˆ? , sustainable design sounds out of melody as euphoric consumerism inhibits motive for restraint. Clients demanding glistening energy-guzzlers are more influential than those inquiring for reasonable designs. Which school can develop its professionals for the hereafter while society looks the other manner? A · _____________________ About a century ago, Modernist thought was attesting extremist proposals, integrating both proficient and societal issues along with a distinguishable aesthetic idiom. Today, as aˆ?internationalism ‘ has been replaced by aˆ?globalization ‘ and aˆ?citizens ‘ by aˆ?consumers ‘ , most merchandises in the post-Modernist supermarket have short expire day of the months. Many current architectural theoretical accounts rest between show concern and practical world, and there is a deficit of real-life proposals offering an inspiring mentality for a future society and its architectural linguistic communication. Sustainability does hold the necessary ingredients and principle to go the footing of such thoughts, but it is still missing a plausible broadcast aˆâ€Å"and an watchful audience. A · ___________________ The apathy for the hereafter and the animadversion of sustainable proposals can possibly be explained: Alarming tendencies are all excessively apparent as jobs are swept under the aˆ?panem et circenses ‘ rug. The intensifying bad intelligence about the environmental jeopardies, triggered by human activities, lead to the denial of facts and the replacing of painful pragmatism by baseless optimism. Cipher likes Cassandras, and sustainable architecture is associated with their warnings. A · ______________________ The human impact on the environment is relative to population size, ingestion per capita, and resources or waste per ingestion unit ; therefore these three factors should be reduced if we are to accomplish a sustainable balance between nature and us. So far, we focus chiefly on the 3rd one -and that with fringy success. Decreasing the other two implies rough steps that cipher truly likes to confront. Again, sustainable propositions are straitening arrows to a acrimonious mentality.1.6.4 Counteracting lassitudeSo, even if architecture schools manage to short-circuit their obstructions and embed sustainability steadfastly in the course of study, and even if sustainable design overcomes its ain failings, there is still the critical checkpoint of societal credence. aˆ?Green ‘ designers need aˆ?green ‘ clients, otherwise their accomplishments are useless. Peoples brainwashed to devour more can non appreciate an architecture that requires less and wastes less albeit offering more. Equally long as show concern is a powerful political tool used to beef up today ‘s position quo, it will be hard for sustainable design to be more effectual in its existent consequences than, state, aˆ?Live Aid ‘ or aˆ?Make Poverty History ‘ runs. It is true that people do alter their position about the necessity of sustainability, although it is unsure to what extent they are ready to accept the effects and modify their manner of life consequently. But the gait of that alteration might be excessively slow compared with that of the environmental crisis, and cipher knows whether the dislocation will come easy like a long unwellness, or all of a sudden like a shot, without adequate clip to respond swimmingly. Therefore it is non plenty merely to present sustainable design classs at universities, or to heighten the public presentation of sustainable edifices. Alongside those pressing demands, it is every bit imperative to edify the populace about the virtues of sustainability and the hazards of aˆ?architecture as usual ‘ . Architects are the 1s who shape up the phase of our corporate and private lives ; hence they have the responsibility to make that with societal duty every bit much as regard to our cherished biotope aˆâ€Å"planet Earth.1.6.5 DecisionSustainability is a turning necessity that has to impact a broad scope of our societal precedences and aims, get downing with the credence of facts and, following, by recognizing that it is chiefly a socio-political instead than a proficient subject necessitating an earnest alteration of mentality. In that regard, sustainable architecture is non one more manner, a technique to salvage money, or a manner to decrease our ecological compunction. It is no less than an desperately needed response to semisynthetic environ-mental menaces. So far it has been hard to modify the architectural course of study efficaciously due to academic inactiveness, but schools have to admit forthcoming worlds in order to set learning topics and methods, and to transfuse sustainable spirit in the design attitude of future designers. This is a difficult undertaking as the mercenary dependence supports turning in our society, but is at that place another manner? Or we honestly believe that after a coevals we will still be constructing like today?1.7 Green UndertakingsA sustainable edifice, or green edifice is an result of a design doctrine which focuses on increasing the efficiency of resource usage – energy, H2O, and stuffs – while cut downing constructing impacts on human wellness and the environment during the edifice ‘s lifecycle, through better posing, design, building, operation, care, and remotion. [ 36 ]1.8 The Future of Green BuildingsTo many in the edifice industry, investing in green edifice patterns may be a spring of religion. Further research and successful illustrations of sustainable edifice will progress this developing engineering and supply direct cogent evidence of its economic and health-related benefits, promoting its greater acceptance. More research is needed in life-cyc le cost analysis over the full spectrum of edifice fiction, ownership, operation, and reuse/disposal. As the information become more widespread and the impacts – including external costs associated with pollution, waste, and environmental-resource ingestion – of conventional patterns become better known, green edifice patterns will go more widespread. The green edifice motion has started to derive impulse. Each twelvemonth yields extra presentation undertakings ; tonss of new efficient and healthy engineerings ; and expanded research, criterions, codifications, and ordinances. This includes evaluation systems to measure a edifice ‘s environmental public presentation, enfranchisement plans for green edifice merchandises, and the acceptance of green edifice criterions and patterns by recognized standard-setting organisations. The handiness of progressively sophisticated computing machine package plans besides fosters the growing of green edifice patterns by doing it easier to place and measure options for a edifice undertaking. Other new tendencies and emerging constructs impacting the edifice industry include performance-based contracts, remanufacturing and merchandise leasing, telecommuting and aˆ?virtual offices, aˆ? and attempts to extenuate natural-disaster losingss through improved edifice patterns.2.1 Green Buil dings in Lebanon2.1.1 Charles Hostler Student Center by VJAA2.1.2 Two Residential Undertakings by Arch. Atef TabetAtef Tabet & A ; Associates Beirut-Lebanon merely completed the design and building of two separate big houses, 950 sq. metres each. Both houses are built on big sites around 12,000 sq. metre located in rural cragged countries one in Mount Lebanon, and the other to the South of Lebanon next to Mount Haramoun. [ 37 ]1st House at RemineDesign Methodology: The landscape and the architecture are intertwined intentionally as a cohesive, none dissociable entity, intermixing the interior of the house with its immediate out-of-doorss and the natural milieus. A regional and a sustainable architecture design attack with program layout to suit the client ‘s modern-day life manner. The combination of unsmooth / saw cut rock cladding aˆ?Eclateaˆ? , The slanted ruddy roof tiles, Zinc Ti curved signifiers combination stand foring a slang of a Mediterranean small town. The insulated exterior dual walls, clay/wood lofts, deep recessed dual glazed cedar wood Windowss and wooden treillages utilized in order to shadow and anneal the house interior environment, and prolong it comfortably with a dateless design signifier friendly to its immediate vicinity.2nd House at JawzatThe Interior Architecture i.e. material choice, coatings, and colour spectrum or palettes, every bit good as the furniture pieces that has been designed by the office and produced locally, were carefully applied and placed in order to implement the countryside Mediterranean ambiance. The construct for both houses is to hold a sustainable timeless manner, harmonious with the natural milieus and its immediate environment. [ 38 ]2.2 Lebanese Green Organizations2.2.1 MAJAL [ 39 ]MAJAL is an Academic Urban Observatory, advancing sustainable be aftering schemes in Lebanon. Part of Urban Planning Institute of ALBA – AcadA ©mie Libanaise des Beaux-Arts, Balamand University, MAJAL was established in the aftermath of the extremely destructive July 2006 war, in order to supply a scientific monitoring of the Reconstruction procedure direction. Since so, it expanded its mission and is carry oning undertakings related to urban planning and sustainability in general. We have achieved 3 studies on Reconstruction and carried out many expertness missions for municipalities and assorted local and international organisations.Mission:MAJAL ‘s work today consists in three types of activities: 1. Monitoring set of indexs on building procedure and sustainable planning 2. Technical support to determination shapers in the signifier of adept missions, confer withing services, preparation, or other specific undertakings in urban planning and development undertakings. 3. Advocacy, lobbying and consciousness elevation in the Fieldss of good administration, and sustainable planning.2.2.2 Lebanese Green Building Council [ 40 ]The Lebanon Green Building Council ( LGBC ) is an NGO that provides stewardship towards a sustainable built environment. It promotes, spreads and helps implement high public presentation building constructs that are environmentally responsible, healthy and profitable. LGBC acts on market, educational, and legislative issues to accomplish its ends. The LGBC is officially accredited as an â€Å" Emerging council † with the World Green Building Council. The LGBC aims to go a prima non-profit organisation working to advance the sustainable edifice industry of an international degree. Its members will strongly recommend sustainable edifices in the purpose of planing a built environment that allows future coevalss to profit from the natural resources that will be available to them. The purpose of the organisation is to supply a Lebanese enfranchisement system for edifices that adopt environmental parametric quantities and to transform the manner edifices and communities are designed into a comfortable environment that improves the quality of life.Mission:The LGBC shall endeavour:1. Identifying and advancing processs, methods and solutions for the design, planning, building and use of both new edifices and major redevelopment of bing edifices that achieve the end of sustainability. Populating infinites shall be created in an environmentally-friendly, resource-saving and economic manner that enhances the wellness and comfort of their users. 2. Attesting the edifices that achieve the fixed evaluation degrees and run into the demands of a sustainable built environment. 3. Identifying, inventing and advancing processs, methods and solutions for the planning, design, building, redevelopment, use, care and public presentation appraisal of edifices that aim to accomplish the end of sustainability as per the enfranchisement system set by the LGBC. 4. Developing & A ; advancing industry criterions, educational plans and design patterns, aiming professionals related to environmentally responsible edifices, persons and squads, and at all stages. 5. Conducting research and educational activities and prosecuting in buttonholing attempts to advance green edifice patterns and statute law. 6. Inventing and advancing tips and suggestions for sustainable life styles that enhance the proper usage, and continuing the unity of green edifices and detering aˆ?green washingaˆ? . [ 1 ] David Rodman and Nicolas Lenssen, aˆ?A Building Revolution: How Ecology and Health Concerns Are Transforming Construction, aˆ? World Paper 124 ( Washington, D.C. , March 1996 ) . [ 2 ] Sustainable development definition from Civil Engineering Researches Foundation, Washington, D.C. [ 3 ] National Science and Technology Council, Committee on Civilian Industrial Technology, Subcommittee on Construction and Building, Construction and Building: Federal Research and Development in Support of the U.S. Construction Industry ( Washington, D.C. : National Science and Technology Council, 1995 ) [ 4 ] Building Design and Construction, aˆ?White Paper on Sustainabilityaˆ? , page 4, November 2006 [ 5 ] Ibid. [ 6 ] Ibid. [ 7 ] Ibid. [ 8 ] hypertext transfer protocol: //www.nyc.gov/html/nycwasteless/html/in_business/green_building.shtml [ 9 ] Building Design and Construction, op. cit. , page 4 [ 10 ] Building Design and Construction, op. cit. , page 4 [ 11 ] aˆ?Photovoltaic Fundamentalsaˆ? , www.fsec.ucf.edu/pvt/pvbasics [ 12 ] Building Design and Construction, op. cit. , page 4 [ 13 ] Ibid. [ 14 ] David Rodman and Nicolas Lenssen, aˆ?A Building Revolution: How Ecology and Health Concerns Are Transforming Construction, aˆ? World Paper 124 ( Washington, D.C. , March 1996 ) , 41. [ 15 ] Ibid. , 39. [ 16 ] Based on conversations with Richard Bennette, Easy Bay SMUD ; Jane Ploeser, metropolis of Phoenix ; and Louis Generoso, metropolis of San Diego ( November 3, 1995 ) [ 17 ] American Water Works Association, Conservation Incentive Levels and Two Pilot Programs ( Denver, Colo. : AWWA, 1995 ) , 116 [ 18 ] Kats, Greg ; Alevantis Leon ; Berman Adam ; Mills Evan ; Perlman, Jeff. The Cost and Financial Benefits of Green Buildings, October 2003. [ 19 ] Lange, Jorg ; Grottker, Mathias ; Otterpohl, Ralf. Water Science and Technology, Sustainable Water and Waste Management In Urban Areas, June 1998. [ 20 ] Rochester Midland, Product Information Sheet, Form 550-A ( August 1993 ) , page 2. [ 21 ] Barbara Lippiatt and Gregory Norris, aˆ?Selecting Environmentally and Economically Balanced Building Materialsaˆ? National Institute of Standards and Technology Special Publication 888, Second International Green Building Conference and Expositionaˆâ€  1995 ( Gaithersburg, Md. : National institute of standards and technology, 1995 ) , 37. [ 22 ] Lippiatt and Norris, 38. [ 23 ] Joseph J. Romm, Lean and Clean Management ( Kodansha International, 1994 ) , 102. [ 24 ] Romm, op. cit. , 94 [ 25 ] Jong-Jin Kim, Brenda Rigdon and Jonathan Graves, aˆ?Pollution Prevention in Architecture – Introductory Module ‘ , College of Architecture and Urban Planning, University of Michigan, 1998 [ www.umich.edu/~nppcpub/resources/compendia/ARCHpdfs/ARCHintIntro.pdf ] [ 26 ] Tony Brown, aˆ?Education for Sustainability: An operational theoretical account for learning sustainable design ‘ , Second Nature conference, aˆ?How Can The Architect Contribute To A Sustainable Worldaˆ? , August 24-26, 2001, Racine, Wisconsin [ www.ecosainstitute.org/philosophy.htm ] [ 27 ] European Association for Architectural Education ( EAAE ) , & A ; European Cement Association ( CEMBUREAU ) , aˆ?The Educational Community ‘s Views of Challenges in Architectural Education ‘ , 8 November 2001 [ www.eaae.be/eaae/Publications/cembureau/report121101.pdf ] [ 28 ] Jong-Jin Kim, op. cit. [ 29 ] Jong-Jin Kim, op. cit. [ 30 ] European Association for Architectural Education ( EAAE ) , op. cit. [ 31 ] Report of the UK Sustainability Special Interest Group on behalf of the Centre for Education in the Built Environment, May 2003 [ www.cebe.heacademy.ac.uk/learning/sig/pdfs/report.pdf ] [ 32 ] David Posada, aˆ?Designing A Way Out Of The Box: Teaching Sustainable Design With Technology ‘ , National Solar Energy Conference, Portland, Oregon, 2004 [ www.sbse.org/awards/docs/2004/214P.pdf ] [ 33 ] Same as 31 [ 34 ] David Posada, op. cit. [ 35 ] Society of Building Science Educators News, Spring 2002 [ www.vuw.ac.nz/architecture/sbse/spring_02/NewsSp02.pdf ] [ 36 ] Frej, Anne B. , editor. Green Office Buildings: A Practical Guide to Development. Washington, D.C. : ULI — The Urban Land Institute, 2005. Pp 4aˆâ€Å"8 [ 37 ] hypertext transfer protocol: //www.1stlebanon.net/editouk/atef.html [ 38 ] The official Website of the designer Atef Tabet ; www.ateftabet.com [ 39 ] MAJAL Official Website ; www.majal-lebanon.com [ 40 ] Lebanese Green Building Council Official Website ; www.lebanon-gbc.org

The Great Gatsby Character Analysis

Fell in love with luxury/grace/charm, lied about his past to woo her First speaking role in chapter 3 Initially aloof, enigmatic host, surrounded by luxury, powerful and beautiful people Subject of gossip Chi- learn of his childhood Chi- proof of criminality Later on- lovesick, naive, innocent, hopeful, centered on dreams Delayed revelations- 'emphasis the theatrical quality of Gatsby approach to life' Transformed self into a persona ‘Ability to transform hope and dreams into reality' Title = reminiscent of The Great Houdini/adolescent' etc. Suggesting Jay IS only an illusion Dream of Daisy falls apart (Wall Street Crash) Contrasts Nick & Tom Passionate, active Loyal and good hearted Loses love interest to Tom, like George Wilson. Temporarily lost touch with father MASC. political commentator Chris Matthews sees him as the eternal American striver: â€Å"Gatsby needed more than money: he needed to be someone who had always had this blind faith that he can retrofit his very exi stence to Daisy's specifications is the heart and soul of The Great Gatsby. It's the classic story of the fresh start, the second chance. ‘appears to be the quintessential American male hero†¦ Powerful businessman with shady connections, drives a glamorous car'(- Michael Kismet and Amy Aaron's) Often used as a symbol for wealth Believes American dream New man = born when he met Dan Cody Restless- like America, resourceful and active Never cynical or corrupt Cannot see daisy fault (using him for a release from her boring life & retaliation from husband) Pretends he, not Daisy, killed Myrtle Killed by George Wilson â€Å"Jimmy was bound to get ahead.He always had some resolves like this or something. Do you notice what he's got about improving his mind? He was always great for that. He told me I et like a hog once, and beat him for it† â€Å"Somebody told me they thought he killed a man once. † â€Å"it's more that he was a German spy during the war. He was n ever quite still; there was always a tapping foot somewhere or the impatient opening and closing of a hand. Consumed with wonder at her presence' (Daisy) Nick Caraway Sober, reflective Narrator Slowly moves to forefront From upper Midwest, family in America a little over 70 years Sent substitute to war (therefore of a wealthier class) Acts similarly to an ‘Everyman' Is not blinded by glitz and glamour Disgusted by realization of shallowness, hollowness, uncaring and self-serving attitude of his superiors.Distances self instead of catering to them More racial and down-to-earth than Buchannan and Jordan Baker (and so distances himself) Has personal integrity Affected by Gatsby death grows, from a man dreaming of a fortune, to a man who knows only too well what misery a fortune can bring romantic relationship with Jordan Baker calls himself â€Å"one Of the few honest people that have ever known Daisy Fay/Buchanan Enigmatic Tom's wife, Gatsby love interest, Nick's second cousin one removed, mother of Pam Beautiful, charming Selfish, shallow, hurtful See the world for what it is, cruel (why she's happy her child is a daughter so he can be a ‘beautiful little fool' Character built on light, purity and Innocence Otherworldly- angelic White- purity or void? Name- pure, centered around gold (wealth, status and money) Finds nouveau riches to be tedious and vulgar Materialistic â€Å"Thinking about Gatsby stretching his arms out to the green light across the water, we can't help thinking of the Sirens: the mythical island dwellers whose singing was so seductive that sailors would throw themselves into the sea and drown trying to reach them. † Capacity for love and wants to be loved Idealized image of relationship with GatsbyFickle Tom makes decisions for her undecided Us Percival ‘her voice is full of money' low, thrilling voice High in a white palace the king's daughter, the golden girl. Human orchid of a woman Tom Buchanan Cold-hearted, arist ocratic bully Daisy's husband Staggeringly rich, for centuries Relatively young Arrogant Questionable love for Daisy Racist (more accepted then) Confident dads George to believe Gatsby is at fault It was a body capable of enormous leverage-?a cruel body. Brute of a man, a great, big, hulking physical specimen â€Å"Go on. He won't annoy you. I think he realizes that his presumptuous little flirtation is over. George Wilson Myrtle's husband Suicide Kills Gatsby Owner of run-down auto shop by the Valley of Ashes Respectable? The Great Gatsby character analysis Throughout The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby plays the main character. He is slowly introduced and revealed by Nick Carraway, his neighbor. Gatsby does both right and wrong things, he has acquired his great amounts of wealth through shady business and all to attain a financial situation that is equivalent to that of his love, Daisy Buchanan. Those actions and motives makes him a morally ambiguous character and greatly contributes to some of the bigger themes in the story as well as furthering the main plot.There are two sides to Jay Gatsby, a lovesick and determined young man that represents hope and loyalty, and a shady, corruptive man that represent his decay of morality. He is known all over the city for his extravagant parties full of alcohol and jazz music. This makes his name well known all over New York city, but he maintains the hard facts of him and his past hidden. He associates with a man who Gatsby claims â€Å"fixed the World’s Series back in 1919. † and he†™s in the business of bootlegging (illegal trafficking of liquor).Although Gatsby sounds like a despicable man he does all of this to reach his dream who is Daisy buchanan. Jay Gatsby has been emotionally loyal to Daisy since they fell in love when he was a young soldier, but she is already married and is part of an â€Å"aristocratic† class that ridicule people like Gatsby. When they are reunited Gatsby yearns for her approval by showing of his imported clothes and grand home and feeling helpless when she doesn’t enjoy his parties.These contradictions are sustainable proof of Gatsby’s moral ambiguity. Gatsby’s obsession with repeating the past is what results in his moral ambiguity and makes everything else servile to his dream. Bootlegging and fixing world series’s all seem like nothing if it means it’ll help him get to a financial level close to daisy’s. His shady business affairs and hopeful dreaming deepen the main plot and con tribute to the theme of the american dream that is extremely present throughout the whole story.Gatsby is able to attain his dream but in a non decent way that leaves people wondering if it was worth it or if that was the only way. He represents the rebellion and lack of morality of the 1920’s and the ostentatious ways in which the newly rich of the time live. Gatsby’s moral ambiguity can be shown through his determination to attain the one he loves, even if it means becoming a criminal. It contributes to various themes and lessons taught by the novel, like the dangers of not leaving the past behind.

Crime Reduction Efforts in the US Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Crime Reduction Efforts in the US - Assignment Example In the consensus perspective of criminal justice, the "organizations of a criminal justice system must work cooperatively to establish justice, not competitively" ("Consensus Model (criminal justice)", n.d.). However, goodness is a multi-dimensional relative concept, and people always have different and opposing interests that may cause position or role conflicts, so achieving this goal may be impossible in practical cases. Having one consistent system means that it may only be one-sided and only favors one particular group in society. On the other hand, in the conflict perspective, the "organizations of a criminal justice system must work competitively to establish justice, not cooperatively" because conflicts are inevitable. A society is consistently subjected to a process of constant change, which produces social conflicts. Moreover, changes in customs, political ideals, and economic conditions may cause the criminal justice system to contradict itself. So this advocates the natural role of a dialectic process ("Conflict model (criminal justice)", n.d.). For me, a "true" system cannot be simply defined. Maintaining social control, enforcing laws, defining rights, and administering justice is a dynamic process because requires inspecting and updating each aspect of a justice system periodically, as aspects of culture constantly change (e.g., human social relationships, traditions, norms, the difference between ‘what is’ and ‘what should be’ and other concepts).   Considering the relativity of goodness, establishing one law that can tackle all is impossible, and the situation must be treated in a case-to-case basis (â€Å"Creating a New Criminal Justice System for the 21st Century†, 2000).   Moreover, weighing means and ends or costs and benefits before arriving at a rational choice is a subjective process, so there is no perfect system that would fit everyone.   Considering the complexity of reality (e.g., differences in social classes, ongoing issues on ethics) but with an attempt to advocate f airness, only a certain level of standardization can be established, but the standards must be consistently updated (â€Å"Creating a New Criminal Justice System for the 21st Century†, 2000).  

Literature Review Examining the Impact of Oil Resources Availability Essay

Literature Review Examining the Impact of Oil Resources Availability on Economic Growth in An Oil-Based Economy with reference to Saudi Arabia - Essay Example the case of Saudi Arabia, the availability of rich oil resources has brought untold affluence to this tiny nation, however despite this, economic growth has been slow since the eighties and there has been increasing unemployment, with the unemployment rate among young Saudis estimated to be between 8 to 13 percent. The question of how such a situation could have developed in a country rich in natural oil resources is examined below. The Petroleum Sector in Saudi Arabia comprises roughly 75% of budget revenues, 45% of its GDP and 90% of its export earnings (www.e.wikipedia.org). Saudi oil reserves are estimated to be the largest in the world – about 260 billion barrels - and the country is the world’s largest exporter, with oil comprising 95% of the country’s exports and almost 75% of government revenues (www.en.wikipedia.org). In view of the country’s heavy dependence on oil, the Government has recently begun to encourage more development in the private sector, including in the power generation and telecom sectors. Saudi Arabia has also joined the WTO in 2005, in order to enhance its trading, diversify its economy and attract a higher proportion of foreign investment. The Government has also been spending larger amounts on infrastructure development, job training and education. Oil was first discovered in Saudi Arabia in the 1930’s, by U.S. geologists. Oil production in Saudi Arabia soared in the 60s and gave rise to a period of strong economic development which continued into the 1970s.(www.en.wikipedia.org). During the Seventies, there was an oil boom and the Gross Domestic Product per capita of Saudi Arabia soared, reaching a figure of 1,858%, however such growth was unsustainable and shrank to 58% in the eighties, although it has registered a 20% increase in the nineties.(www.earthtrends.wri.org) Most of the oil in the country is produced on behalf of the Saudi Government by a single Company, Saudi ARAMCO. After the 1973 Arab Israeli war, there

The realities and fictions of Saving Private Ryan Essay

The realities and fictions of Saving Private Ryan - Essay Example The first thirty minutes of the movie depicted the carnage that happened on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day. There was a real Omaha Beach were American troops made their landing and beachhead. The Higgins boat which transported the troops and landed them on the beaches were accurate. The carnage depicted used the perspective of the infantryman on the beach, which tried to approximate the brutality of the landings. Although many died on the beaches and the landing areas were pre-sighted by the Germans with their guns and artillery, it was not the real battle but merely a depiction of what happened. The character of Lt. Colonel Anderson, Commanding Officer, 2nd Ranger Battalion, who gave Capt. Miller his order to find Ryan, is fictitious. Miller himself was fictitious and there was no such officer commanding Company C of the 2nd Rangers. However, the actions which Miller performed on Omaha Beach were also documented as having been done by real-life American officers who breached the German defenses. In the same context that Anderson and Miller were fictitious characters, so to were the rest of the squad which included Sergeant Horvath, Corporal Upham, and Privates Caparzo, Mellish, Reiben, Jackson, Wade and Upham. In fact, James Ryan, Private, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Divisi

East Asia in the Modern World Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

East Asia in the Modern World - Essay Example Therefore, the history of China and Korea cannot be narrated without considering Japan. However, following the 1866 abduction Koreans and subsequent attack made by the Korean soldiers on the ship that killed mostly Chinese crew, the Korean government rejected the trade demands from the western because of the unfortunate experiences of China in the Opium War. Korea was also concerned that Catholicism would spread. Moreover, it stopped it trades with Japan. In the year 1881, the Chinese diplomat, Haung Zunxian wrote â€Å"A Policy for Korea† where he recommended that Korea to develop close relationship between China and Japan. Additionally, this diplomat proposed the formation of alliance among these countries with United States so that they could defend themselves from the Russian aggression (Ebrey, Walthall, and Palais 366). These developments are clear indications that in the seventeenth century, China had good relationship with Korea despite of unfortunate occurrences that might or occurred between them. Notably, on August 20, 1882 Chinese forces arrived in Seoul under the leadership of General Wu Changqing. This force seized the gun from Taewon and sent him to Tianjin, China. 0n 29th august the same year, the Korean army and its citizens attacked and killed Chinese army. In October, Korea and Japan negotiated the Chemulp’o treaty that aimed at punishing the mutiny leaders (Ebrey, Walthall, and Palais 391). Later in 1 883, the Chinese asked Koreans to initiate commercial treaties. Between 1883 1nd 1886, Korea made unequal treaties with different countries including United States (1882), England and Germany (1883), Italy and Russia (1884), and France (1886). These developments indicate that China and Korea had strong relationship in the seventeenth

Sickness and healing - An Anthropological Perspective Essay

Sickness and healing - An Anthropological Perspective - Essay Example Disease accounts; whereby the biomedicine’s recognizes the body as the cause and remedy of sickness and lastly, disorder accounts; whereby the imbalances are the main source of illness and means to cure. He refuses the concept of culture-bound syndrome because he believes that it is based on anthropological and psychiatric notions and; therefore, it is culturally biased. The cultural difference in health and illness presents and makes people understand the symptoms of the disease. He goes ahead to explain that the individual and social experiences of illness are termed as a complex process, and; hence, the physiological expression of these diseases are becoming the main concern among medical anthropologists and something needs to be done. Hahn also gives an example of sociocultural influences on low-birth-weight between black and white infants. He says anthropology and epidemiology are can make a conclusion on this social-medical problem. This evidence can illustrate how the t wo disciplines can make individuals understand the complexity of a disturbing problem. It serves as a powerful means that shows individuals the benefits of looking at sickness and heals from both sociocultural and biomedical perspectives3. There are different ways in which individuals respond to sickness from one society to another. Hahn concludes that anthropology is exclusively found on investigations of subjective States and expresses that sociocultural phenomena should be included in the medical epistemology and should be practiced4.

Human trafficking on women in hawaii or united states vs foreign Essay

Human trafficking on women in hawaii or united states vs foreign countries like india or china - Essay Example According to Fagan Brian, Human trafficking often involves the use of threats, false promise, force and trickery. The victims are usually sexually exploited; the sexual practices they engage in include sex shows, pornography, mail order brides, brothel prostitution, sex tours and serial sponsorship. Trafficking in women and girls has become an international business in Hawaii as well as other countries; especially in U.S. it is regarded as a migration issue, which leads to responses that will demand efforts to illegally cross the border. Taran and Gloria argues that, Hawaii is a logical transit destination where trafficking is very high. Research by Fagan shows how Alec Sou, William Khoo and Mike Sou conspired and devised a scheme so that they can obtain the labor of Thai nationals. They entice them to come into their farms in Hawaii, with false promises of good jobs. Furthermore, they make arrangements for high recruitment fee, which attract many jobless women from countries like China. According to Taran and Gloria, Hawaii is the first state to criminalize the activities related to sex trafficking in women. A new law was formulated; a law that recognize the relationship between trafficking and tourism. The major activities that contribute to trafficking in Hawaii include prostitution and other related activities (Fagan Brian. 2007). The state of Hawaii has developed a legislation that would campaign against sex tourism and sex trade in general. According to Taran and Gloria, the case of human trafficking is being prosecuted by Human trafficking prosecution unit. The case is conducted by the Hawaii department of public safety; this is the top priority of justice department. However, human trafficking is the fastest developing industry in Hawaii and United States. People trafficking continue to rise in number. Human trafficking throughout international and local borders requires collaboration and cooperation between countries or states involved. For instance to transport trafficked women from China to Hawaii, the two states have to collaborate and cooperate in order to perform human trafficking successfully. The major destination for the traffickers (U.S. and all 50 states including Hawaii), must come up with a domestic response to this alarming crisis. Violence against women and girls is defined as a national policy issue in Hawaii. However, sometimes, it is considered an individual problem that is not relevant to a public subject. In other words, trafficking of women and children should be viewed as a wide context of labor migration and transportation of persons from crisis situations and conflict areas as internally displaced people and refugees (Taran Patrick and Gloria Moreno 2007). An effective analysis should address the issues of women trafficking so that the federal government can be able to come up with policies, which can be implemented to control the crisis. Fagan claims that, women trafficking should be recognized as a component of population mobility and labor migration that ranges across seasonal and temporary population movement; movements that are intended to be temporary may sometimes turn to seasonal or permanent. This is because the victims may decide to remain in the destination place as a permanent migrant. On the other hand, China has had tragic stories about immigrants who migrate to Hawaii and other countries in U.S.

Chinese americans faceing discrimination in work and trade Essay

Chinese americans faceing discrimination in work and trade - Essay Example The first case was a judicial writ to the Supreme Court of the State of California while the second case was on appeal from the Circuit Court of the United States for that district. The sheriff stated that the petitioner Yick Wo was found guilty by the Police Judges Court, No. 2 of not obeying the ordinances of the board of supervisors of that county and were rightly fined $10 and in case of non-payment, imprisonment for as many days as the fine amount in dollars according to the law. Now, let’s have a look at the ordinances. An order No. 1569 was passed on May 26, 1880, dictating the type of buildings where laundering activities may be carried. Section 1declared it mandatory to have the permission of the board of supervisors to run a laundry, exempting only brick and stone buildings from its preview. Section 2 declared it illegal to construct scaffolding for any purpose other than specified without taking permission from the supervisors. Further Section 3 of the Order provided with a punishment of one thousand dollars or six months jail or both to those found guilty of committing the offence. Another Order was passed on July 28,1880 bearing No. 1587. Sec. 68 of this Order declared it illegal to run laundry business within corporate limits of San Francisco without permission of board of supervisors except in a building made of brick and mortar. It was on record that the petitioner was a Chinese, living in California for the last twenty-two years. He had a license from the board of fire wardens. All concerned departments checked his premises OK. His license had run out on time and had to be renewed, permission of which was denied. There were at that time 320 laundries in the city of San Francisco, out of which 240 belonged to Chinese people. It was found that others were not prosecuted; only Chinese were discriminated to oust them from their dwellings where they were residing for the last many-many years and paying all taxes. This attitude was

Did the history of the People's Republic after the 1949 fulfil or Essay

Did the history of the People's Republic after the 1949 fulfil or depart from Mao's promises before 1949 - Essay Example This further resumed the civil war in China, after which the war restarted only in 1946, a year after the conflict with Japan. The war ceased in 1950, and the Republic of China was under the jurisdiction of the islands of Taiwan, Quemoy, Penghu as well as several other outlying areas. Mao Zedong was commonly regarded as Chairman Mao, who was a Chinese communist, revolutionary and a political theorist. He is known as the father of People’s Republic of China since its foundation in 1949. He ruled the nation as the chairman of the Communist Party of China until his death. Here the topic under discussion is the changes that were brought about in China during Mao’s period, after the Chinese revolution of 1949. There existed some inequalities in PRC due to the dissimilarities between the Mao period and the reform eras. To know the underlying nature of the Chinese society, one needs to understand China’s transition into the present era after Mao’s period. This ch ange was brought in its due effect after the era of Mao. Analysis: The changes that took place during Mao’s rule were based on the economy of China. There was the involvement of foreign capital in China from economic zones such as southern and eastern coasts. There was a connection of the part of China in terms of family and cultural relationships to other countries like Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore. During this time, the economy of Asia was growing fast and starting to play a more important role all over the world. This was one of the advantages of China; this led to the economic reforms in the country. China took its steps for development through various fields such as agriculture in the private sector, independence in the non-state sector in industry, transport and construction, which was in crisis during the USSR times. There arose some problems in the economy. â€Å"There has been a tendency for cycles of economic boom followed by centrally – induced restraint , but these have not called the whole project into question† (Bowles et al. 70). Even if there were problems in China, there developed some reform programs such as agricultural reforms in 1978, the industrial, commercial and urban reforms in 1984 and again the coastal strategy reforms in 1978. Some legal facilities were provided in order to surpass all the rights and duties when the economic policies were being developed in China. It was the situation of flexibility in the rules rather than the communist regime. In Mao’s rule there were limitations to implement rules and regulations over the labourers in the aspects of wage rates, trade unions and working conditions. This raised market oriented businesses in the economy, and the Cultural Revolution resulted in the independence of China from other foreign countries. The banks in China followed liberalization, and authoritarianism was not acceptable anymore in the Chinese society. In this era, discontent with socialism ha d started to grow. Chinese economy survived after the Cultural Revolution of 1966 by the implementation of Five Year Plan; however, this revolution overwhelmed the political system of China, and as a result, chaos spread. â€Å"Two years after the Cultural Revolution ended in October 1976, the principal survivor of that cataclysm, onetime CCP general Secretary Deng Xiaoping, initiated

The Effect of the Internet on Music Essay Example for Free

The Effect of the Internet on Music Essay There has been much ink spilled over the supposed death of the music industry. While this worry may be a bit premature, the most pressing economic issue facing the music industry today is the slow but steady push toward a complete restructuring of itself. Downloadable music, in the form of mp3s, has revolutionized the way we think about and consume music. With the increased prominence of independent labels, file-sharing websites, and innovative artists who are creating their own methods for releasing albums, the traditional record business is becoming increasingly irrelevant. In economic terms, this has so far meant declining record sales among the major labels, a recent spate of firings, and the loss of big artists, who are moving either to concert promoters like LiveNation, independent labels, or their own recording studios. Over the past year, artists from Radiohead to Coldplay to Trent Reznor have released songs and entire albums for free over the internet. They have almost universally been a success, although some less well-known artists, as well as various industry insiders, have argued against this being a workable model. Michael Laskow, CEO of an independent AR company, TAXI, argued that Radiohead allowing consumers to pay what they choose for a digital album is not indicative of the future of the music industry: While the band, its fans and artists alike are celebrating what looks like a success for Radioheads bold move in releasing their new album using the ‘pay what youd like’ model, I think everybody has overlooked one very important aspect of this, and it doesnt bode well for the future of the music industry. Radiohead has been bankrolled by their former label for the last 15 years. Theyve built a fan base in the millions with their label, and now theyre able to cash in on that fan base with none of the income or profit going to the label this time around. The question is: how will new artists be able to use this model in the future if they havent built a fan base in the millions in the years leading up to the release of their album under the pay what youd like model (Lipsman)? The worry that new artists won’t be able to give their music away for free (disregarding the 40% or so of people who voluntarily paid from one to twenty dollars for the album), is a valid one. However, Laskow seems to view major labels as the only answer to new artists looking for an audience and a way to make a living with their music. On the contrary, the rising prominence of independent labels over the past several years has proven that it doesn’t take millions of dollars to create an album and promote it. Labels like Kill Rock Stars, Bloodshot Records, and Rounder Records have all seen their profits rise over the past few years, at the same time that major labels have seen their sales dip or stagnate. Cameron Strang, founder of New West Records, points out the economic advantages in not having the huge overhead of major labels. Thats the difference between us and them. Artists on our label who sell 200,000 copies make a very good living (Margolis). Artists like Aimee Mann and Michelle Shocked are releasing albums on their own. (Dare I even mention Ani Difranco? ) Clearly, independent labels as well as individual artists are capable of doing the work that major record labels have been doing for years. With the advent of webcasting and podcasting, along with XM and Sirius radio networks, traditional radio doesn’t have the same hold on the music buying public’s imagination that it once did. Increasingly, new artists are discovered by getting their songs played on television shows like The Hills and Grey’s Anatomy. The music industry is attempting to do to webcasting what it did to Napster, which is to essentially strangle it through lawsuits in the hopes of being able to squeeze money out of the webcasters. Instead of viewing web-based radio as a unique promotional opportunity, the mainstream music industry only sees profits being taken out of its pocket. At the same time, artists, like the ones discussed above, are realizing which way the wind is blowing. Digital Music News publisher Paul Resnikoff notes that: A growing number of superstars are or soon will be grazing in post-major pastures. And for them, the bigger basket touring, merchandising, publishing, relevance, and even album sales remains more important than a paid download, protected or otherwise (Resnikoff). These additional streams of revenue are often the more lucrative for musicians than album sales. It only makes sense that artists would look at digital music, including webcasting and file-sharing, as ways to gain fans that will purchase concert tickets and merchandise. File-sharing continues almost unabated, although the popularity of iTunes despite much of its music being DRM-protected has provided a model for money-making in the digital era. Despite iTunes and growing copyright protection on albums and songs, paid downloads account for, at most, five percent of all music downloads. Even ringtones, which are currently a substantial slice of the digital revenue pie, aren’t turning a profit. Labels are considering raising prices, but it is unknown whether customers will pay for them, or that a single line of revenue will pull record labels through financially. Warner Music Group and EMI have had massive layoffs over the past year in an effort to restructure and shore up the companies financially. Minimum Advertised Pricing, or MAP, is the setting of minimum prices by manufacturers for retailers. In the case of the music industry, the major labels colluded in the mid-1990’s to require discount retailers to advertise higher prices or give up joint marketing funding, which could mean giving up millions of dollars (Menn 152). The history of MAP, at least in the music industry, appeared to end on September 30, 2002, when the five major labels settled a lawsuit brought by 30 states in an effort to end the practice (Menn 152). In 2000, the Federal Trade Commission investigated price-fixing by major labels and the majors signed a consent decree getting rid of minimum-advertised pricing policies (Christman, Pricing). The FTC has estimated the cost to consumers in the years when MAP was practiced to be at half a billion dollars (Menn 152). For nearly the past 100 years, since the passage of the Sherman Act, mandatory pricing restraints were deemed to violate antitrust laws. It wasn’t until the summer of 2007, when the Supreme Court overturned the law against setting mandatory minimum pricing in a case brought by an accessories manufacturer, that the practice was made legal (Christman, Why Labels). This has potentially enormous ramifications for the music industry and music fans alike; it remains to be seen whether those ramifications will be for the benefit of music fans or to their detriment. The music industry has argued that requiring discounters to sell CDs at the same price as specialty stores will lead to greater selection and a halt to the bleeding that independent record stores have experienced (Christman, Why Labels). At the same time, music fans have bemoaned the high price of CDs for years, and raising prices unilaterally could drive down music sales even further. The major label system, which requires millions of dollars in overhead to promote certain artists, is at least partly to blame for the rising prices. At Salon. com Scott Rosenberg argues that: Even more than the artists, the victims of this system are music fans who end up paying exorbitant prices for CDs to fund bloated recording-company marketing budgets. That money gets spent manufacturing a handful of superstars, leaving serious music lovers to fend for themselves in ferreting out unusual new music that the business considers too niche-y to be worth promoting (para. 6). In this view, the pricing system set by the majors is inherently unfair to both fans and the majority of artists who aren’t â€Å"superstars†. Rather than setting minimum pricing restraints for discount stores, major labels could lower wholesale prices to ensure that independent record stores could stay in business. This would largely be to the labels’ benefit; over the last five years, their reliance on big-name stars to sell huge amounts of records has been a losing proposition. Titles from unknown artists and back catalogs are often nowhere to be seen at discount stores. The personal service and deep selection at independent stores creates an opportunity to sell these types of titles. The $9. 99 price point set by discount stores and iTunes has surely contributed to declining album sales, but the burden of maintaining that price point has been shouldered almost entirely by independent music retailers, while the major labels continue to raise list prices (Christman, Why Labels). Majors are contributing to declining sales while preserving their own profit margins. Mike Dreese, quoted in Billboard, also points a finger at discount stores that lure customers in with low CD prices: Wal-Mart, Target and Best Buy have succeeded in almost destroying the specialty-music account base and are now setting the rules for the industry. If minimum pricing were implemented, it would keep the discounters from finishing the job. Those discounters, which have limited selection, have such dominance that labels now spend more money on supporting low retail prices and much less advertising the availability of the product (Christman, Why Labels). The tide of public opinion seems to be turning toward the use of minimum pricing restraints. When price-fixing in the music industry was first being investigated, still-new stores like Best Buy maintained a relatively deep catalog of music, knowing that it was competing directly with independent music stores. Now that discounters have succeeded in putting many small stores out of business, their catalog consists largely of the Billboard Top 100. What seemed revolutionary in 2000 – music priced at a reasonable amount over cost – has had unforeseen consequences. The prominence of discount stores in the music industry has contributed to the lack of choice and variety so unappealing to music fans. Wal-mart has surpassed Apple to become the number one music retailer in this country. The driving down of CD price points to $9. 99 has been salutary for customers, but may have longer-lasting effects by eliminating space for new artists and broad selection. Furthermore, even the $9. 99 price point has been artificially constructed by discounters hoping to entice customers and labels hoping to propel all-important first week sales (Deutsch). Noting the possible risks of this new low price point in Billboard, Ed Christman points out that â€Å"After all, at $9.99 the U. S. music industry currently has the lowest CD pricing at retail since the format was introduced here in 1983. † It is unclear whether imposing minimum advertised pricing at this point would even make a difference in terms of independent music stores. Many have already closed, and those that have stayed open have diversified or moved to a location free of big box discounters. The music industry may impose mandatory minimum pricing again, but low CD price points and the decreasing number of brick and mortar music stores will likely continue unabated. The internet has changed the distribution of music in ways we are only just beginning to imagine. The old models – for promotion, distribution, and sales – aren’t working in the age of the mp3. Clearly, continuing to hold on to past business models and attempting to fit new trends and technology into it has not worked out well for the major labels. A fear of competition and new technology accounts for the manner in which the industry attempted to deal with Napster. Afraid of lost profits, music industry executives from the top five record labels chose to batten down the hatches and lock away any possibility of negotiation with Napster. According to Joseph Menn, the author of All the Rave: the Rise and Fall of Shawn Manning’s Napster, this is partially due to a generational divide within the individual labels. Top-level executives are often â€Å"old-school leaders who turn purple with rage at the very idea of an MP3† (Menn 153), while younger up-and-comers saw the possibilities of this new technology. With the advent of webcasting and podcasting, along with XM and Sirius radio networks, traditional radio doesn’t have the same hold on the music buying public’s imagination that it once did. Increasingly, new artists are discovered by getting their songs played on television shows like The Hills and Grey’s Anatomy. The music industry is attempting to do to webcasting what it did to Napster, which is to essentially strangle it through lawsuits in the hopes of being able to squeeze money out of the webcasters. Instead of viewing web-based radio as a unique promotional opportunity, the mainstream music industry only sees profits being taken out of its pocket. At the same time artists are realizing which way the wind is blowing. Touring, merchandising, and publishing remain large chunks of income for both individual artists and music labels. The traditional record industry has become increasingly outdated and unable to keep pace with the digitized, connected world of the 21st century. Music downloading is hugely popular around the world, but particularly in places as diverse as Ghana and Brazil, where poverty is widespread and cheap mp3s have spread like wildfire. Maintaining the expensive overhead of a bloated recording industry through high price points for CDs means that music is only available to a certain class of consumer. Peer-to-peer file sharing has made music more widely available, and helped raise the profile of independent and unsigned bands. Clearly these benefits have to be taken into account while also denouncing outright piracy as clearly illegal. It is up to the music industry to come up with easy to use, innovative ways to incorporate the changes mp3s have made to their business, with successful ventures like iTunes leading the way. The specter of music piracy and lost profits have led the music industry into a premature grave, when they should be welcoming the opportunity to promote music in new ways and to new communities. WORKS CITED Christman, Ed. â€Å"Pricing Perils for Record Labels. † Billboard 26 May 2007. Lexis-Nexis. 15 May 2008 http://www. lexisnexis. com. Christman, Ed. â€Å"Why Labels Should Set Minimum Price Restraints. † Billboard 1 September 2007. Lexis-Nexis. 15 May 2008 http://www. lexisnexis. com. Deutsch, Claudia. â€Å"Suit Settled Over Pricing of Music CDs at Three Music Chains. † New York Times: NYtimes. com. 1 October 2002. 11 May 2008 http://query. nytimes. com/gst/ fullpage. html? res=9C05E5D91238F932A35753C1A9649C8B63.