Friday, November 29, 2019

Coolidge V. New Hapmshire Essays - Modern Painters, Philip Guston

Coolidge V. New Hapmshire (1913-1980), American painter. Guston had three distinct phases or styles during his artistic career, all of them remarkably successful. After first working as a muralist in a relatively realistic style, he became prominent in the late 1940s and early 1950s as part of the abstract expressionism movement. Beginning in the late 1960s, his late period of clunky, expressive paintings of the human form marked the start of a revolt against the abstract style that had dominated American painting since the early 1950s. Born Philip Goldstein in Montreal, Canada, Guston moved with his Russian-Jewish emigr? parents to Los Angeles, California in 1919. His father committed suicide in 1920. In 1927 Guston attended Manual Arts High School, together with American artist Jackson Pollock; both were expelled in 1928. Guston never returned, and his only other formal schooling was three months at the Otis Art Institute in Los Angeles in 1930. In 1935 he moved to New York City, and in 1937 married poet Musa McKim and changed his name. During World War II (1939-1945) Guston taught art at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. During his early artistic phase, which lasted from his youth in California until the late 1940s, he painted the human form in a style influenced by the abstract geometry of European modernism and the patriotic themes of Mexican mural painting. Guston painted murals for the Works Progress Administration Federal Art Project between 1935 and 1940, executing, among other projects, a major commission for the 1939 New York World's Fair: Maintaining America's Skills (now destroyed). None of his murals have survived, but canvases that he also worked on during this period, such as Bombardment (1937-1938, Estate of Philip Guston) and The Gladiators (1938, The Edward R. Broida Trust, Los Angeles), are allegories (symbolic stories) with a strong strain of social protest. By the late 1940s Guston was turning increasingly to abstraction, and by the early 1950s he was a prominent figure-along with Pollock-in the so-called New York school of abstract expressionist painters. Abstractions such as Painting (1954) and The Clock (1956-1957), both in the Museum of Modern Art, New York, though quite different from each other, are typical of Guston's middle period. Both are marked by a concentration of short strokes of high-pitched colors, jumbled at the center of a field of lighter color. By the late 1960s, Guston had abandoned abstraction, instead drawing cartoonish heads, clocks, lightbulbs, and hooded figures recalling the Ku Klux Klan figure in his early painting The Conspirators (1932, location unknown). In 1970 he exhibited these radically different paintings for the first time, in a major show in New York City. Reviews were harshly negative, and former friends shunned him. Guston withdrew from the New York City art scene, spending most of his time in Woodstock, New York, and forming close friendships with American poets Bill Berkson, Clark Coolidge, William Corbett, and Stanley Kunitz, all of whom, in addition to Musa McKim, he collaborated with on a series of projects that he called his Poem Pictures. Guston painted at a steady pace throughout the 1970s, producing works in which lone, sometimes hooded figures or disembodied heads, eyeballs, or feet typically lurk in apocalyptic junkyards scattered with clocks, bricks and other debris. Painting, Smoking, Eating (1973, Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands), is a self-portrait showing Guston in his studio, which is piled with shoes and lit by a naked lightbulb. The dark subject matter in these works belies their cheerfully naive painting style. Of Guston's three phases, the last proved most influential on a subsequent generation of artists, the figurative neoexpressionists of the 1980s, including American painter Julian Schnabel and German painter Georg Baselitz, in whose work the impact of Guston's expressive and unique imagery is evident. Bibliography us history book pg. 211 Governmental Issues

Monday, November 25, 2019

Molly Brown Essays - Mike Molly, American Women In World War I

Molly Brown Essays - Mike Molly, American Women In World War I Molly Brown The woman who would come to be known as the "Unsinkable Molly Brown" was born on Denkler Alley and Butler Street in Hannibal, Missouri on July 18, 1867. She was born during a very bad thunderstorm and her mother predicted right then that Molly would not be "just another pretty face." Margaret (Molly's birth name) grew up in a small town with a surprisingly small population of less than 20,000 people. (Heroine of the Titanic, 1) Margaret attended school for thirteen years. It was during these years that she earned her nicknames Maggie and Molly. She had a very open and close family. There were eight people in her small childhood home. These eight consisted of her two parents, her five brothers and sisters, and Molly herself. At the age of ten Molly's father taught her how to row a boat. He insisted that this skill would be useful for her later in life. If he only knew what laid in store for his daughter! A little known fact about Molly's family is that they were poor. She tried to keep this fact about her family a secret because she found it shameful and embarrassing. As a young girl Molly worked at the Park Hotel. She was soon dismissed for being too opinionated for a young lady. She then went to work in a tobacco plant, but found the conditions disgusting and vulgar. (The Unsinkable Molly Brown, 1) At the age of nineteen, Molly was getting bored in her small "same ol, same ol" town. When she heard that one of her favorite cousins and his wife were taking a train cross-country to Colorado she literally jumped at the idea of going with them. She had heard all of the stories of adventure and excitement in the West and wanted very badly to try her hand at it herself. Molly's parents decided to let her go because their small town had nothing to offer their daughter. Molly's main goal in life had always been to achieve success and be well known. They hoped their oldest child could make her dreams come true in the great land of Colorado. Once Molly got to Colorado, she was anxious to begin her own adventure and see what was in store for her. She got a job sewing carpets while she got her new life started. Her co-workers described her as a "capable and pleasant" employee. They all adored her because she had a bright, charming personality, and beauty to go with it. Molly's move to Colorado was also a bit terrifying because she could have found herself working in a crib house, as a prostitute, or a cook in a boarding house instead of fulfilling her dreams. It was here in Colorado that she met her future husband while the both were mining for silver. Molly met James Joseph Brown in a local mine. He fell madly in love with her charm and wit. Stories say that when he came to her house for their first dates he pulled up to her gate with an old , worn carriage and an aging horse. Molly said to James, "Certainly you are not taking me anywhere in that!" The next time James called on her, he had purchased a brand new horse and carriage just to show Molly off in. Maggie and J.J. married on September 1,1896. Not long after their marriage James struck it rich in the silver mines of Leadville. The couple bought a sixteen-room mansion that is now a museum. ( Molly Brown, 1) Legend says that not long after they moved into their large home, J.J. brought home his $300,000 paycheck . Molly placed it in the stove for safe keeping. When James came in later that evening and lit the stove to warm himself up, he did not realize that Molly had hidden the money there and in a split second their monthly fortune was gone. As good as things were going for J.J. and Molly financially, their marriage was heading for trouble. J.J. was sick of all the commotion Molly was causing around the town. Although documents do not reveal what commotion Molly got into , we can only begin to imagine what kind of things she stirred up! J.J. soon left Molly and she sent their children to boarding school. With no one for Molly to care for she decided to set off on her own

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Saint-Boniface Museum Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Saint-Boniface Museum - Research Paper Example It has also provided a map that assists strangers to find its location (St. Boniface Museum). Products and collections There is a variety of products or collections and services offered by the museum. The collections found in the museum include medical equipment, archaeological pieces, Louis Riel’s coffin, domestic and furnishing accessories, a Red River cart replica, the first bell of the church in the West, educational and religious artifacts, and trade and agricultural tools (St. Boniface Museum). In the archives, there are photographs while, in the decorative arts, there are musical instruments, furniture or furnishings and textiles or tapestries. Under fine arts, there is the Canadian culture, painting, sculpture, folk art and religious art (St. Boniface Museum). The collections under human history include; Time-keeping devices or clocks Furniture or furnishings Communication devices Imaging (photographs) Medals Local history Domestic technology or household objects Maps, charts, blueprints or plans Spots equipment Weapons Transportation Memorabilia Toys and games Religious or liturgical objects, and Non-motorized ground Biological collections, found under natural sciences, include plants and animals. There exists zoology, mammals (Mammalia), birds (Aves) and vertebrates (St. Boniface Museum). Services and activities Self-guided or guided tours, school visits, exhibits, treasure boxes for seniors, school programs, and consulting services Educational programs- lectures, family programs and school programs Visitor services- children activities or services (playground, change table or nursing area), bilingual services, exceptional needs facilities (wheelchair access, signs and washrooms), guided tours (English and French), a public transportation accessibility, washrooms, gift shop, parking facilities (bus), and cloakroom Volunteer services- there is availability of volunteer training. The number of volunteers should be twelve. Activities: board member ship Food services- catering services Internet services- virtual exhibitions, education, local history, online gift-shop or bookstore, directions or maps, and school visits or programs Market trends and patterns The museum (Saint Boniface) is a non-profit organization. All the benefits or profits received from any purchase made become used to support the museum (St. Boniface Museum). It has advertisers and sponsors who support it in marketing and financial matters. Some of the tradeshow participants are; the Canadian Association of Professional Conservators, Cibinel Architects Limited, Dorfman Museum Figures, Color Art Supply and Framing, Maker Technical Sculpture Services, and others (St. Boniface Museum). The museum has a gift shop that offers various gifts, souvenirs and heritage themed items with a link to cultures of Metis and French and the fur trade. Some unique merchandise available in the shop includes the famous voyageur shirts and sashes in different qualities, sizes and patterns (St. Boniface Museum). There are also traditional toys, local foods, small Red River carts (hand-made), gifts made locally by hands, and Quebec Maple Syrup products. Items, which are exclusive, to the museum shop consist of polar fleece scarves, Louis Riel T-shirts, cards, Metis mugs and posters (St. Boniface

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Has British aid policy over the past 20 years been effective Essay

Has British aid policy over the past 20 years been effective - Essay Example This has been one of the biggest move in the recent years that has ended with U.K. meeting the pledge to give 0.7% of its GNP as donor aid. In the latest development in the policy dubbed the UK AID Match scheme, the public is given a chance to give their opinion on a portion of the international development budget is to be used (Department of International Development, 2015). The scheme is aimed at helping alleviate poverty in the developing countries. In the three years that the scheme is supposed to be running, the United Kingdom is to award a whopping  £120 million to selected developing countries in two funding rounds per year. This has been seen as the most significant turn in the aid policy in the recent years. This paper will therefore try to address the effectiveness of the aid policy in the past 20 years and its effectiveness in fulfilling its mandate. Aid is justified on moral and national interests of the country. This is according to the British Prime Minister David Cameron and international development minister Justine Greening. Therefore, the developments that are made as far as the aid policy is involved are meant to make a point in the international scene (The Guardian, 2013). The periods of economic hardships that have hit the world in the recent past also affected the UK aid policy with little money being set aside for the kit. Africa and other struggling countries such as Syria have been the recipients in the British aid policy. British is obligated to make significant contributions to various programs which include the ones in the European Union. More funding was done to the many civil societies in Africa (Hearn, n.d.). The UK’s total aid program has been the major factor in determining the foreign aid that will be given to countries rather than basing that as an obligation as it has been done in the recent years. The

Monday, November 18, 2019

None Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 30

None - Essay Example Precisely, the Toyota Prius sold many vehicles to over eighty nations. The advertisements and word of mouth has influenced the demand for the Toyota Prius. The iPhone competes with the increasing alternatives, and the prices have dropped. The distribution of the iPhones has intensified, and the products are available in different parts of the globe. The adverts in maturity stage focus on promoting the product by influencing the consumers to increase the purchasing power (Cant et al 242). Fundamentally, the adverts aim at creating a competitive edge in the ever-competitive market through a differentiation strategy. The iPod advert is an excellent example of product in the decline stage of life cycle. With introduction of new products, iPod sales have decreased. Similarly, a notable decline of interest from the consumers and retailers is evident. Maximum competition has occurred leading to negative sales growth, as well as, lower profits. Cant et al argues that stagnation characterize the decline stage of product life cycle

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Cyber Warfare: the Future of War

Cyber Warfare: the Future of War CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION Karl von Clausewitz defined war as an act of violence intended to compel our opponent to fulfill our will In order to attain this object fully, the enemy must be disarmed, and disarmament becomes therefore the immediate object of hostilities. At the end of the second millennium, this classification no longer describes the full spectrum of modern warfare. In the future, we will have the prospective to make war without the use of violence and fulfill the second half of von Clausewitzs definition-with software alone. Todays software intensive systems make this probable. Cyber describes systems that use mechanical or electronic systems to swap human control. Cyber warfare can be executed without violence and therefore the reliance on software intensive systems-cyber systems-can make nations exposed to warfare without violence. What is Cyber? Terms with cyber used as prefix are currently in vogue not only among some visionaries and technologists seeking new concepts, but even by the man in the street, and each has its own connotation. The term cyber is from Greek root kybernan, meaning to steer or govern and a related word Kybernetes, meaning pilot, governor, and/ or helmsman. Norbert Weiner first introduced the prefix in the 1940s in his classic works creating the field of cybernetics (which is related to cybrenetique, an older French word meaning the art of government). Cyber, in fact has been the most acceptable term due to the reason that it bridges the gap between information and governance, the two inseparable facets of control. The prefix therefore, is freely used in the following: Cyberspace. Originally coined by William Gibson in his science fiction novel Neuromancer, published in 1984, and defines it as that position within the computer where electronic activity / communication takes place. He further describes it as a place of unthinkable complexity. The term has given rise to a vocabulary of cyberterms such as cybercafes (cafes that sell coffee and computer time), cybermalls (online shopping services) and cyberjunkies (people addicted to being online). Cybernetics. It is the science of communication and control, which interfaces a monitor (human brain or an electronic machine) to other parts of a system. The function being, to compare what is happening in the system, to what should have happened and then draw the difference, which is passed on to the control system for rectification (feedback). It applies equally to organisations, machines and organisms. Cybernetics is also used to describe a general analytical approach to control, communication and other system technologies and attempts to link engineering disciplines with the related work of social scientists through the unifying threads of feedback in its most general aspects and through its interest in transfer of information. Cyberwar. A RAND Corporation synonym for information warfare, it is also sometime called netwar. Another school considers it as knowledge related conflict at the military level. However, Denis Quigley comes close by designating it as control warfare or leitenkreig in German. Cyberwar will be discussed more in detail later in the Study. Cybernation. Loosely used, it implies digitisation of various systems of an arrangement/organisation or super systems, where electronics links humans to machines, thereby immensly amplifying the human capabilities. It, in its most basic form, would indicate electronic automated management of information and knowledge. Cyber warfare (CW). It is a relatively new addition to the glossary of warfare. With the escalating use of computers in military and government, there has been a growing awareness of both a new susceptibility in national infrastructure and a new method of attacking ones enemies. There is the potential of using information systems to protect, control or attack information networks. CW could mean winning wars without firing shots, the shutting down of entire national infrastructures at the push of a button, and the complete exploitation or destruction of an enemys communication networks. It could mean threats from across the world by states with no ability to launch a conventional attack, or attacks by non-state actors using cheap laptops. There has also been talk of super-viruses shutting down nations, and how a disgruntled individual or small group could wage a war on a nation. CW is the new wonder weapon, and the new unknown threat. However, the concept of CW, and the technology on which it relies, is beset by vague depictions of the dangers it presents, or the benefits it offers. CW is conceptualised by security expert Amit Yoran, cyber-security chief at the US Department of Homeland Security and vice president of computer corporation Symantec, as the future primary theatre of operations. There is a consensus that CW is something noteworthy, but it is not clear if this consensus extends to a common understanding of what CW actually is. It is so new that there is no standard definition to describe it. This leads to one of the most frequent confusions regarding cyber warfare: its relation to Information Warfare (IW). IW is not unproblematic in definition, but can be understood as the offensive and defensive use of information and information systems to deny, exploit, corrupt, or destroy, an adversarys information, information-based processes, information systems, and computer-based networks while protecting ones own. While IW covers the territory of cyber warfare, it also covers a much broader mandate. Electronic (cyber) communication is only one aspect of IW, which includes all information operations in a conflict. Chinese strategist Sun Tzu and Napoleonic strategist Carl von Clausewitz referred to information operations, and the importance of such operations in war. IW predates electronic communication, and is not interchangeable with cyber warfare for this reason. CW involves units organized along nation-state boundaries, in offensive and defensive operations, using computers to attack other computers or networks through electronic means. Hackers and other individuals trained in software programming and exploiting the intricacies of computer networks are the primary executors of these attacks. These individuals often operate under the auspices and possibly the support of nation-state actors. In the future, if not already common practice, individual cyber warfare units will execute attacks against targets in a cooperative and simultaneous manner. Analyzing the Threat. In 2007, a denial-of-service attack was launched every 53 minutes. The 2007 FBI/Computer Security Institute study indicated that loss of revenue attributed to DDoS (dedicated denial of service) was approximately US$90,000 an hour for a retail catalog sales company. Malware is a common cyber-weapon. Malware (short for malicious software) is a computer program designed with malicious intent. This intent may be to cause annoying pop-up ads with the hope you will click on one and generate revenue, or forms of spyware, Trojans and viruses that can be used to take over your computer, steal your identity, swipe sensitive financial information or track your activities. At least five new pieces of malware emerge every two minutes, according to Kasperskys Internet Security Lab. One critical measure I monitor regularly is the number of significant events reported to Hackerwatch.Org. At the time Im writing this, in the past 24 hours, there have been more than 8 million sign ificant incidents reported. The warning signs are there, but the question remains: Are we smart enough to prepare? A key premise of this paper is that information processing-whether by equipment (computers) or by humans-is becoming a center of gravity in future warfare. Although there is much debate on the reality of the CW threat, the growing number of computer intrusions on government and non-government systems substantiate the fact that the threat is very real. The growing dependency on information and information based technologies have made us very vulnerable to hostile attacks Hence, our immediate goal must be to both imagine and define how foreign cyber attack capabilities might threaten information networks in India and what potential effects they might have. METHODOLOGY Statement of Problem This paper seeks to study and analyse the use of cyber warfare in future conflicts its implications on national security. To suggest Indias response to these cyber threats by outlining a clear, well defined cyber security strategy and suggest measures to safeguard own national security. Hypothesis As information systems permeate in military and civil lives, a new frontier is being crossed The Information Age- which will define the future wars. Cyber Warfare has become central to the way nations fight wars and is the emerging theatre in which future conflicts are most likely to occur. Cyber warfare will take the form of a devastating weapon of the future battlefield which will be integrated in the War fighting Doctrines of nations across the world. Justification of Study The premise of cyber warfare is that nations and critical infrastructure are becoming increasingly dependent on computer networks for their operation. Also as armies around the world are transforming from a platform centric to a network centric force there is increasing reliance on networking technology. With all the advantages of such connectivity come unprecedented challenges to network security. Threats to information infrastructure could be in the form of destruction, disclosure, modification of data and/or denial of service. A hostile nation or group could exploit the vulnerabilities in poorly secured network to disrupt or shut down critical functions. The protection of our information resources information assurance, will thus be one of the defining challenges of national and military security in the years to come. To take advantage of Information Technology revolution and its application as a force multiplier, the Nation and army in particular needs to focus on Cyber Security to ensure protection / defence of its information and information system assets. Many will argue that defence and intelligence computer systems of most countries including Idia are air gapped and thus, isolated from the Internet. It may appear convincing that by air gapping the networks and using superior technology, the risk may be reduced. However, this will not provide fool proof security. With the proliferation of technology at an astronomical rate, the threat of cyber terrorism will only increase. The air gapped networks are vulnerable from insiders, disgruntled employees and moles planted or recruited by cyber terrorists or their sympathisers to cause the intended damage. A cyber terrorist may impersonate a computer technician and call individuals within the targeted organisation to obtain information to penetrate a system. Once in possession of legitimate log on information, cyber terrorists will have Iegal access to a system and can insert viruses, trojan horses, or worms to expand their control of the system or shut it down. In Russia, hackers used a gas company employee to plant a trojan horse which gave them control of the nations gas pipelines. It is against this backdrop that it becomes imperative as a soldier to understand cyberspace, the threat that it poses and to suggest some steps in order to minimise, if not eliminate the menace that it would cause. Scope This study concentrates on the evolution of cyber warfare and the giant leaps that it has taken in the past decade. The entire spectrum of cyber conflict, including threat reality of cyber warfare being used as a potent and devastating weapon of the future battlefield has been covered. Further the study outlines the cyber warfare capabilities of select nations and how vulnerable India is to these threats. Finally the report outlines a cyber security strategy and recommendations for combating the cyber warfare threat in the 21st century. Methods of Data Collection The data has been collected through various journals, seminar papers and certain books on the subject. Some material has also been downloaded from the Internet. A bibliography of sources is appended at the end of the text. Organisation of the Dissertation It is proposed to study the subject under following chapters: Chapter I Introduction and Methodology. Chapter II The Future of Warfare. Information Revolution and Warfare. Defining Cyberwar. Evolution of Cyber Warfare. Chapter III Global Threat in Cyberspace. Threats in Cyberspae. How Real Is the Threat? Spectrum of Cyber Conflict. Recognition of the Cyber Warfare Threat. Chapter IV Combating the Threat. How Vulnerable are We? Cyber Security: A Few Initiatives. Def Cyber Warfare. Cyber security Strategy. Chapter V Conclusion. The Digital Battlefield. Recommendations. CHAPTER II THE FUTURE OF WARFARE So it is said, if you know others and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles; if you dont know others, but know yourself, you will win one and lose one; if you dont know others and dont know yourself, you will be imperiled in every single battle. -Sun Tzu Will conventional warfare remain the custom for the future or will a new wave of warfare emerge? Down through the corridors of time, wars have been fought for various reasons. Conflict arose from regional instabilities, economic and social perils, and religious animosities. In their book, War and Anti-War: Survival At The Dawn of The 21st Century, Alvin and Heidi Toffler categorize the progression of warfare into three stages or waves: agrarian, industrial, and informational. While some areas of the world still remain in the agrarian realm and some others have advanced to the industrial state, a few have broken out into a completely new era-the information age. Information Revolution and Warfare If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles .If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle. This extract comes from the 6th century BC Sun Tzus The Art of War and is still as compelling today as it was two and a half millennia ago. As a matter of fact, it is in all probability safe to say that knowledge and information about ones adversary have a greater impact now than they have had at any other point in the history of warfare. At the same time, critical information is now often stored electronically in spaces reachable from the Internet, which means there is a prospective for it to leak out to ones adversary, or for the opponent corrupting it in order to affect ones decision making capabilities. There is no standardised definition of Information Warfare. However it has been defined as Actions taken to achieve information superiority by affecting adversely information, information based processes, information systems and computer based networks of the adversary, while protecting ones own information. An aim of warfare always has been to affect the enemys information systems. In the broadest sense, information systems encompass every means by which an adversary arrives at knowledge or beliefs. A narrower view maintains that information systems are the means by which an adversary exercises control over, and direction of fielded forces. Taken together, information systems are a comprehensive set of the knowledge, beliefs, and the decision making processes and systems of the adversary. The outcome sought by information attacks at every level is for the enemy to receive sufficient messages that convince him to stop fighting. Information Warfare is a form of conflict that attacks information system directly as a means to attack adversarys knowledge or beliefs. Information Warfare can be prosecuted as a component of a larger and more comprehensive set of hostile activities a net war or cyber war or it can be undertaken as the sole form of hostile activities. Most weapons, a word used to describe the lethal and nonlethal tools of warfare only have high utility against external adversaries. While most often employed against external adversaries, many of the weapons of information warfare are equally well suited for employment against internal constituencies. For example, a state or group cannot use guns or bombs against its own members; however, the weapons of Information Warfare can be used, have been used, and very likely will be used against both external and internal adversaries. Information warfare as defined by Martin Libicki has seven components: Command and Control Warfare. Intelligence based warfare. Electronic Warfare. Psychological Operations. Hacker Warfare. Economic Information Warfare. Cyber Warfare. This concept of seven components is universally recognised today, as it encompasses the entire spectrum that Information Warfare offers. Besides, it strongly argues that Information Warfare is not exclusively a military function and various actors viz. the media, private industry and civil society including civilian hackers play a key role in building a nations capability to wage Information Warfare. The role of private industry has gradually been acknowledged as cutting edge information technologies become increasingly pervasive in sensors and weapon systems. The information systems while making the military more efficient also render it vulnerable to attacks on the systems itself. Winn Schwartau, also known as the Civil Architect of Information Warfare has defined Information Warfare in this very context: Information Warfare is a conflict in which information and information systems act as both the weapons and the targets. As far as the Indian viewpoint on Information Warfare is co ncerned, history amply reveals that information was essentially viewed as a strategic resource. Kautilya, the great strategist of the Maurya period, strongly advocated the need of obtaining accurate information about the enemy forces and plans of action. In fact, he is considered to be instrumental in the victory of the Mauryans and placing Chandragupta Maurya on the Magadha throne. His astute thinking on warfare and statecraft is portrayed in the famous treatise Arthshastra. While postulating that war may not always be the right option, Kautilya espoused the importance of information and knowledge in winning wars. Information Superiority and Cyber Warfare. Information Technology is a double edged weapon. It provides vast opportunities but simultaneously introduces new vulnerabilities and threats, which may arise through computers, content and connectivity or, to put it differently, hardware, software, information and networks. Information superiority over our adversaries including militant and terrorist outfits is very essential. Non Lethal information weapons can black out communication systems, destroy valuable data and cripple the nation. Therefore, we have to act faster than any adversary. This requires defensive as well as offensive cyber warfare capabilities. Cyber warfare can be a full fledged war and vital infrastructure shall get targeted. To handle cyber wars, highest national level decision making is required, in real time and with full fall back options. For this purpose, basic building blocks include excellent monitoring tools for network traffic, web sites and databases, intrusio n detection, firewalls, encryption and decryption algorithms, public key infrastructure and remote access facilities. Offensive cyber warfare spans computer crimes and information terrorism. Everyone is under threat telephone, power supply, banks, transport, and the day to day needs. lt is important to create tools, awareness, and structures to assess threats to information resources, including military and economic espionage computer break-ins, denial-of-service, destruction and modification of data, distortion of information, forgery, control and disruption of information flow, electronic bombs, etc. ln essence, the thrust of the initiatives must lead to information assurance like life assurance. Defining Cyberwar Cyber Warfare. It is the sub-set of information warfare that involves actions taken within the cyber world. There are many cyber worlds, but the one most appropriate to cyber warfare is the Internet and related networks that share media with the Internet. Cyber Warfare as related to defence forces refers to conducting of military operations according to information related doctrine. It means disrupting or destroying information databases and communication systems. It means trying to know everything about the enemy while keeping the adversary from knowing much about oneself. It means turning the equilibrium of information and knowledge in ones favour especially if the balance of forces is not. It means using information so that less capital and labour may have to be expended. Cyberwar refers to conducting, and preparing to conduct, military operations according to information-related ideology. It means disrupting if not destroying the information and communications systems, broadly defined to include even military culture, on which an adversary relies in order to know itself: who it is, where it is, what it can do when, why it is combating, which threats to counter first, etc. It means trying to know all about an opponent while keeping it from knowing much about oneself. It means turning the balance of information and knowledge in ones favour. This form of warfare may involve diverse technologies-notably for C3I; for intelligence collection, processing, and distribution; for tactical communications, positioning, and identification-friend-or-foe (IFF); and for smart weapons systems-to give but a few examples. It may also involve electronically blinding, jamming, deceiving, overloading, and intruding into an adversarys information and communications circuit s. Yet cyberwar is not simply a set of measures based on technology. And it should not be confused with past meanings of computerized, automated, robotic, or electronic warfare. Cyber warfare requires different principles of warfare which have been derived from thousands of years of experience as documented by Sun Tzu, Clausewitz, Jomini, Liddell-Hart, and others. Some of the kinetic warfare principles apply to cyber warfare while some principles of kinetic warfare have no meaning in cyber warfare. Some principles of kinetic warfare may actually be antagonistic to cyber warfare. The various characteristics and principles of cyber warfare are as under: Waging cyber war is relatively cheap. Unlike traditional weapon technologies, acquiring information weapons does not require vast financial resources or state sponsorship. Boundaries are blurred in cyberspace. Traditional distinctions public versus private interests, warlike versus criminal behavior, geographic boundaries, such as those between nations tend to get lost in the chaotic and rapidly expanding world of cyberspace. Opportunities abound to manipulate perception in cyberspace. Political action groups and other nongovernment organisations can utilize the Internet to galvanize political support. Cyber war has no front line. Current trends suggest that the economy will increasingly rely on complex, interconnected network control systems for such necessities as oil and gas pipelines, electric grids, etc. and these will become vulnerable to cyber attacks. Cyber-warfare must have kinetic world effects. Cyber warfare is meaningless unless it affects someone or something in the non cyber world. Anonymity. Cyber warfare can be waged anonymously. Anonymity is the nature of new technologies, especially telecommunications. An anonymous attack creates two problems. Not only has a states national security been breached, but there is no one to hold accountable for the attack. Offensive Nature. Information technology and computer systems are vulnerable by nature. Therefore, taking defensive measures against the information warfare threat will always be difficult and costly. Improving the defense of information systems also contributes to the security dilemma since decreasing ones susceptibility to information warfare increases the attraction of using information warfare offensively. Cyberwar may have broad ramifications for military organization and doctrine. As noted, the literature on the information revolution calls for organizational innovations so that different parts of an institution function like interconnected networks rather than separate hierarchies. Thus cyberwar may imply some institutional redesign for a military in both intra- and inter-service areas. Moving to networked structures may require some decentralization of command and control, which may well be resisted in light of earlier views that the new technology would provide greater central control of military operations. But decentralization is only part of the picture; the new technology may also provide greater topsight-a central understanding of the big picture that enhances the management of complexity. Many treatments of organizational redesign laud decentralization; yet decentralization alone is not the key issue. The pairing of decentralization with topsight brings the real gains. Cyberwar may also imply developing new doctrines about what kinds of forces are needed, where and how to deploy them, and what and how to strike on the enemys side. How and where to position what kinds of computers and related sensors, networks, databases, etc. may become as important as the question used to be for the deployment of bombers and their support functions. Cyberwar may also have implications for the integration of the political and psychological with the military aspects of warfare. In sum, cyberwar may raise broad issues of military organization and doctrine, as well as strategy, tactics, and weapons design. It may be applicable in low- and high-intensity conflicts, in conventional and non-conventional environments, and for defensive or offensive purposes. As an innovation in warfare, I anticipate that cyberwar may be to the 21st century what blitzkrieg was to the 20th century. At a minimum, it represents an extension of the traditional importance of obtaining information in war-of having superior C3I, and of trying to locate, read, surprise, and deceive the enemy before he does the same to you. That remains important no matter what overall strategy is pursued. In this sense, the concept means that information-related factors are more important than ever due to new technologies Evolution of Cyber Warfare Since the early days of the Internet, there were individuals trying to compromise computer systems security via the network. Initially their activities were limited to defacement of web pages and motivated mostly by mere thrill seeking. In the 1990s political activists realized the potential for publicity coming with the attacks, and defacements carrying a political message became more frequent (Hacktivism). The palette of attack types also widened greatly, most notably some of them became aimed at bringing services or whole systems down, by generating excessive network traffic (denial of service, email bombardments). The first reported politically motivated cyber terrorist attack using a flood of emails was carried out by the Tamil Tigers against Sri Lankan embassies in 1998. It was successful, even as it did not bring targeted servers down, because more importantly it attracted worldwide media attention to the attackers cause. Activist groups involved in other struggles around the world soon followed with similar attempts. The diplomatic conflict between Pakistan and India over Kashmir has, since the late 1990s, been paralleled by a series of mutual cyber attacks. In the Middle East, every time political or military fight escalated between Israel and Palestinians, so did fights on the virtual battlefield. Both sides have used sophisticated techniques and well planned strategies for their cyber attacks. Pro-Palestinian attacks have been carried out by a number of terrorist groups (some of which even came up with the term cyber jihad), and pro-Jewish ones might have been coordinated by the state of Israel, though there is no clear evidence to support that. Studies have shown that Israel leads the list of countries in terms of numbers of conducted computer attacks per 10,000 Internet users. This brings us to the newest trend in cyber warfare: cyber attacks carried out by hacker groups inspired, coordinated, funded and supplied with resources by nation states. They are usually large scale and prolonged operations targeting specific systems within enemy structures. Probably the first of this type of attacks took place during the NATO air strikes against targets in Former Republic of Yugoslavia during the Kosovo violence in 2000. Targeted were all 100 of NATO servers, each subject to excessive network traffic originating mostly from Serbia, as well as Russia and China its supporters in the conflict. The cyber attacks caused serious disruptions in NATOs communication and services, lasting several days, but did not directly affect the bombing campaign. These days cyber warfare still mostly consists of uncoordinated cyber terrorism acts performed by groups whose main aim is publicity and media coverage. Gradually though the nature of cyber warfare is going to change into activities coordinated and paid for by nation states and large international terrorist networks. We can expect attacks trying to exploit vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure like telecommunication systems, airports, power plants, oil and gas infrastructure, supply of water, and military systems. In the coming years we are likely to see a quick rise in the number of cyber battles and one can imagine that in the future wars are going to be fought without dropping bombs and firing missiles. CHAPTER III GLOBAL THREAT IN CYBERSPACE Threats in cyberspace There are four fundamental categories of threats to our information and information infrastructure, characterised by the degree of structure in their attack capability and the measure of trust or access that the threat enjoys. These categories are: Unstructured External Threats. These are individual or small group of attackers who rely heavily on others tools and published vulnerabilities. They attack targets of opportunity and lack persistence against difficult targets. Structured External Threats. These are coordinated attackers i.e. hostile intelligence agencies or organised crime syndicates, which possess a deep technical knowledge of the target, strong motivation, and the capability to mount combination attacks using multiple complex tactics and techniques. Non Malicious Internal Threats. These are accidental breaches of security caused due to ignorance or malfunctioning of system. Malicious Internal Threats. Here the attackers are trusted members of the org or a less trusted support worker with some degree of access. The threats can also be classified under the following heads:

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Case Study: Dell :: essays research papers

Case Study: Dell Dell can be one of the most successful companies mostly due to its direct marketing strategy. Unlike other computer companies which sell their product through retailers, Dell provides their computer and service directly to customers. The direct-selling model makes the company understand their customers better and eliminates the retailer cost. What is more, each PC is customized to the customers who can specify what components they want. Dell also holds little or no inventory and assembles products as soon as an order placed. The company can save inventory cost and apply new technology on their product quickly by using the just-in-time approach. In 1996, Dell became the e-commerce leader, for its website is not only some pages describing the details of products but also an online shop specializing computers for consumers. People can buy computer on the website which covering 80 countries, 27 languages/dialects, and 40 currencies without leaving home. Therefore, direct marketing strategy with low cost (low price), customization and e-commerce is the key factor for Dell’s success. Blois et al (2000.p.20) argued that marketers have been making increasing efforts to integrate direct-marketing activities within their overall communications mix. For instance, when a new computer comes into the market, the company should integrate every aspect of its campaign like TV Ads, online promotions, sending emails and brochures to the potential customers and so forth. Such Integrated marketing communications which can generate the awareness of the new product are likely to become popular in the future. Furthermore, in order to remain its top position, Dell has to develop new market such as camera and printer.

Monday, November 11, 2019

Music and Cognitive Functioning Essay

Music is an art form and one of the most popular media utilized to convey ideas, views, and emotions. It plays various, significant part in everyone’s life. It can calm one’s mood and emotion. It can relax a person’s tensed body. However, it can also hype and motivate people. Music is also a means that we can use to express our ideas and messages. It can also be an extension of our personality and a manifestation of our identity. The type of music that we listen reflects what kind of person we are. It is often suggested to pregnant women to listen to classical music for it is believed that listening to classical music stimulates the baby’s activity inside the mother’s womb. It is also believed that listening to music by pregnant women increases the probability that their child will be intelligent. Some students can also study their lessons well while listening to music. The melodies and tunes make the environment conducive to learning. They tend to absorb and understand their lessons well while they are listening to their favorite songs. This idea poses the possibility of enhancing people’s cognitive capacity through music. Thus, this paper aims to discuss the relationship of music and a person’s cognitive capacity, and whether music increases a person’s intelligence. Music Music is an art, a craft, and an organized representation of sounds, silence, notes, and melodic tunes subjected in a time framework. Music includes a wide array of activities. It could be in the form of a mother putting her child to sleep through a lullaby, a group of kids singing their favorite nursery rhyme, a rock band playing their heart throbbing hits, or simply a person humming unconsciously (Miller 3). Music is a succession of arranged tones that produce a rhythm (Miller 3). This definition does not cover the characteristics of music, but it covers the description of the different genres people may be affiliated with. Music is relative and subjective. It conforms to the taste and preference of the person. Music lessons taught us that music is comprised of notes, staffs, pitch, and voice. These are the superficial discernible characteristics of music. These are the things you will learn in your music class. Music has different forms in various cultures, and it is experienced by individuals through different ways. Music has two subdivisions based on culture. These are the â€Å"high culture† and â€Å"low culture† types of music. High culture music is eminent in U. S. and Europe. This type of music includes the music of the western world formed during the different periods—Classical, Baroque, and Romantic, among others. It is considered as the art music and is performed in the concert halls and churches. It is treasured by people in the conventional music industry. The other type of music includes the contemporary kinds of music like jazz, blues, country, rock, pop, etc. Nowadays, the distinction between the high and low culture of music is widely accepted for it separates the quality of music of better quality, more advanced art music from the music played in the nightclubs and dance halls. Music and Intelligence People always look for ways and means to increase their intelligence. This is inherently true for parents, especially the first-time parents who want to practically boost the cognitive functioning of their children. There is news proliferated by the media that the music of Mozart can actually make a person smarter. Due to this evidence, some educators and policy makers even suggest that playing Mozart’s music in elementary schools should be mandated (Nairne 346). Everyone has been bestowed a gift to excel in different fields. Everyone has his or her own discernible characteristics that enable him or her to take on tasks. However, it was believed that people with high musical aptitude possess low academic aptitude. Nevertheless, in reality, there is no clear correlation between musical inclination and affinity and the academic performance or ability of a person (Gordon 22). Recently, there has been a media fuss questioning if the involvement in music makes a person smarter. There is a significant query of whether there is a â€Å"Mozart effect† if a person is involved in music. Does music enhance a person’s cognitive capacity? There are various studies reporting that music increases learning capability, while other research conducted shows otherwise. Hence, this only shows the limitations and the discrepancy in studying the impact of music on cognitive ability (Crowe 143). The researches conducted regarding the relationship of music and cognitive skills fall under music cognition. This particular field of study involves examination of the different aspects of cognition, including how music is processed by its listeners. It seeks to understand the underlying processes over the standard practices of analyzing, composing, and listening to music. Music has a significant impact on the brain processes. Learning is a complex process that cannot be reduced to a simple human process or experience. In learning, the development of a particular ability will enhance the abilities of a person (Crowe 143). There are really no sufficient analyses on the cognitive effects of long-term exposure to music and passive listening of music on intelligence. The most celebrated short-term effect of music on the increase in intelligence was the interpretation of the 1993 Mozart Effect study. Researchers claimed that 10 minutes exposure to compositions of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart could increase general IQ scores by 8 points (Brown and Volgsten 137). However, there are claims that the study lacks sufficient evidence that exposure to Mozart songs actually render the improvements on the cognitive functioning of an individual. An interesting article that was written by the proponents of the studies on Mozart effects states that there are other types of music which render similar effects, such as folk music, minimalist music, and other types of music that cause relaxation. They also compared the tests of their participants and saw no particular difference on the results on the tests which required remembering numbers and general tests of intelligence. Yet, the Mozart effect manifested in tests which required recognizing visual patterns and mentally rotating objects. The researchers, therefore, concluded that the exposure to Mozarts composition only affects the person’s spatial-reasoning abilities (Miche 16). Mozart songs may result in improvement for its omnificent and innovative schema. These songs activate the part of the brain which controls our spatial-reasoning tasks. Thus, this suggests that the persons involved may feel so relaxed and in a good mood, which allows them to perform the reasoning tasks better (Nairne 346). Furthermore, listening to Stephen King’s stories could also render Mozart effect, for the listeners find it enjoyable and entertaining. It relaxes them and enhances their spatial-reasoning skills. On the other hand, a study was conducted exposing participants to slow and sad selection of classical music, and significant findings failed to produce the Mozart effect. It greatly suggests that it is indeed the setting of the mood and arousal that are responsible for the improvements of the spatial-reasoning abilities of people (Nairne 346). The numerous studies mentioned earlier in the text only shows how psychological findings could be inaccurate and misused by the popular media. Although the various studies present valid findings, the improvements on the people’s abilities attributed to music were relatively minute and merely focused on a particular part of brain functioning. There are no stipulated evidences that suggest listening to Mozart or Stephen King produce lasting increase on the general intelligence. However, there may be ephemeral effects on the level of intelligence of a person. For instance, consuming anything that will make a person feel good and light would render the same improvements discussed by the researchers of Mozart effect. Thus, relaxing music makes one feel better about performing tasks, but it does not make hi or her smarter in any way (Nairne 346). Conclusion Music plays a significant role in everyone’s life. It is a tool for expressing our ideas and messages through the lyrics, melody, and rhythm of a song. It is an extension of our personality. We manifest ourselves—the kind of people we are—through the genre of music we listen to. Music inclination and intelligence have no significant correlation. There is a celebrated study which created hype in the media that exposure to Mozart’s composition have a significant increase on the general intelligence of a person. The Mozart effect is a study conducted which concluded that exposure to his music activates the brain functioning which controls the spatial-reasoning abilities. Another study conducted suggests that using slow and sad classical compositions to increase cognitive capacity. However, these types of music failed to render similar effects as the impact of Mozart’s songs. It therefore concludes that anything that makes you feel good and relaxed can make you perform a task better. Works Cited Brown, Steven and Ulrik Volgsten. Music and Manipulation: On the Social Uses and Social Control of Music. New York: Berghahn Books, Inc. , 2006. Crowe, Barbara J. Music and Soulmaking: Toward a New Theory of Music Therapy. Maryland: Scarecrow Press, Inc. , 2004. Gordon, Edwin E. A Music Learning Theory for Newborn and Young Children. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, Inc. , 2003.

Saturday, November 9, 2019

Free Essays on Rawls

John Rawls, professor of philosophy at Harvard, published a paper in the Philosophical Review for 1958 called 'Justice as Fairness', followed up by various other papers, and in 1971 a large book A Theory of Justice. Rawls disagrees with the Utilitarians over their way of spelling out the idea of the happiness of mankind generally. They say: Consider whether the act, rule or institution to be evaluated is best for the happiness of mankind generally. The difficulty is that often it will be both to the advantage of some people and to the disadvantage of others. The effect on the happiness of mankind generally has to be assessed by somehow balancing off the bad effects on some people against the good effects on others. There is no way of avoiding this. Some of the practical questions we have to decide do involve choice between possible courses of action all of which have good effects on some people and bad effects on others. If a political or ethical theory can't give us any guidance on deciding questions like that then it is almost useless. Questions of distributive justice especially call for decisions between conflicting interests - if some get more others get less. So the effect on the happiness of mankind generally will be the resultant of good effects on some, bad effects on others. Rawls's objection to Utilitarianism is that it puts no restrictions upon the subordination of some people's interests to those of others, except that the net outcome should be good. This would allow, any degree of subordination, provided the benefit to those advantaged was great enough. Rawls thinks that a theory of justice cannot let disadvantages to some be justified by advantages to others. Let us imagine we are talking about a household. On a particular occasion the interest of a minority may be subordinated to that of a majority - they will watch the TV program most them want. But if the same people are outvoted every time their household will s... Free Essays on Rawls Free Essays on Rawls John Rawls, professor of philosophy at Harvard, published a paper in the Philosophical Review for 1958 called 'Justice as Fairness', followed up by various other papers, and in 1971 a large book A Theory of Justice. Rawls disagrees with the Utilitarians over their way of spelling out the idea of the happiness of mankind generally. They say: Consider whether the act, rule or institution to be evaluated is best for the happiness of mankind generally. The difficulty is that often it will be both to the advantage of some people and to the disadvantage of others. The effect on the happiness of mankind generally has to be assessed by somehow balancing off the bad effects on some people against the good effects on others. There is no way of avoiding this. Some of the practical questions we have to decide do involve choice between possible courses of action all of which have good effects on some people and bad effects on others. If a political or ethical theory can't give us any guidance on deciding questions like that then it is almost useless. Questions of distributive justice especially call for decisions between conflicting interests - if some get more others get less. So the effect on the happiness of mankind generally will be the resultant of good effects on some, bad effects on others. Rawls's objection to Utilitarianism is that it puts no restrictions upon the subordination of some people's interests to those of others, except that the net outcome should be good. This would allow, any degree of subordination, provided the benefit to those advantaged was great enough. Rawls thinks that a theory of justice cannot let disadvantages to some be justified by advantages to others. Let us imagine we are talking about a household. On a particular occasion the interest of a minority may be subordinated to that of a majority - they will watch the TV program most them want. But if the same people are outvoted every time their household will s...

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Breakdown of Every Question Type in SAT Reading by %

Breakdown of Every Question Type in SAT Reading by % SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Passage-based questions on the SAT Critical Reading section can be a real challenge, so it’s helpful to know exactly what you’re getting into before the test. I’ve gone through every publicly available SAT and analyzed how frequently every type of Reading question shows up on the exam. In this article, which has been fully updated for the new SAT, I’ll go over the different categories of questions, show you how frequently they each appear, and tell you what this information means for your testing strategy. What are the SAT Reading Question Types? On the SAT, the Reading section lasts 65 minutes and contains 52 questions. There will be five passages in the section, and all Reading questions are based on the passages. Before we get to the distribution of questions, I’ll briefly outline each of the nine question types you'll see on the SAT Reading section so you have a better context for the numbers. Big Picture Questions Big picture questions are about the author’s point of view, the primary purpose of the passage, and the rhetorical strategy of the author. Example of a big picture question: The primary purpose of the passage is to A. discuss the assumptions and reasoning behind a theoryB. describe the aim, method, and results of an experimentC. present and analyze conflicting data about a phenomenonD. show the innovative nature of a procedure used in a study Little Picture/Detail Questions Little picture/detail questions will be about a specific small detail in a passage.They might ask you what a phrase in a passage specifically refers to or give you a line number and ask you to find a detail in that part of the passage. Example of a little picture question: The fourth paragraph (lines 50-56) indicates that Plato’s principal objection to â€Å"poetry† (line 50) was its A. confusing languageB. widespread popularityC. depiction of turbulent eventsD. influence on people’s morals Inference Questions Inference questions will ask you to make a logical assumption based on details in the passage.You may have to infer the meaning of a paragraph or line in the passage, determine the implications of a statement in the passage, or make a logical conclusion about opinions stated by passage authors. Example of an inference question: Which of the following, if available, would best refute the author’s assertion about the â€Å"young upstart† (line 57)? A. Evidence that certain kinds of particles in nature exceed the speed of lightB. Confirmation of conditions that existed in the earliest stages of the Big BangC. Speculation that the deep interior of a black hole is not as dense as scientists have believedD. Mathematical formulas that link general relativity and quantum mechanics in the same realm Function Questions Function questions will ask you to figure out what the purpose or effect of a line or paragraph is in the context of a passage or why the author used a certain phrasing in the passage. Example of a function question: The author of the passage uses the quotation in lines 5-6 primarily as a: A. vivid expression of how she views wordsB. powerful example of what she sought in ShakespeareC. scholarly citation linking her to poetic wordsD. comical introduction to a problem encountered by every dramatic performer Vocabulary in Context Questions Words in context questions will ask you the definition of a word as it is used in the context of a passage.Answering these questions correctly requires an understanding of nuance in the meanings of common words rather than a wide-ranging vocabulary. Example of a vocabulary in context question: In line 34, the word â€Å"follow† most nearly means A. pursueB. resultC. join inD. listen carefully Analogy Questions Analogy questions will ask you to make a comparison between a condition or relationship described in the passage and a condition or relationship that is not mentioned in the passage.Basically, you have to detect the underlying similarity between something in the passage and a separate hypothetical situation.Analogy questions are a subset of inference questions. Example of an analogy question: The â€Å"experts† (line 53) would most likely argue that which of the following is guilty of the â€Å"sin† mentioned in line 58? A. A veterinarian who is unwilling to treat a sick animalB. A cat owner who believes his cat misses its siblingsC. A dog owner who is unwilling to punish her dog for misbehavingD. A zoologist who places the interests of people before those of animals Author Technique Questions Author technique questions will ask you about the author’s tone in the passage or the mood the passage conveys to the reader. Example of an author technique question: The first paragraph of the passage establishes a mood of A. jaded dismissalB. nervous apprehensionC. dramatic anticipationD. initial concern Evidence Support Questions These are a new type of SAT Reading question. You'll answer a question about the passage, for example an inference or little detail question, and the next question (the evidence support question) will ask you tocite evidencethat supports your answer to the previous question. Example of an evidence support question: Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question? A.Lines 45-50 ("So every...beetles")B.Lines 51-53 ("Finally...beetles")C.Lines 59-61 ("We would...open")D.Lines 76-79 ("Gourds...flowers") Data Reasoning Questions For the first time, SAT Reading now includes figures (such as graphs and charts) that show data. For data reasoning questions, you'll need to interpret the data in the figure and place it in the context of the overall passage - for example, how does this figure support the author's argument?Especially tricky will be data reasoning questions that require you to make inferences- for example, "the author is most likely to support which interpretation of the data in this figure?" Example of a data reasoning question: According to figure 1, in 2017, the cost of which of the following fuels is projected to be closest to the 2009 US average electricity cost shown in figure 2? A.Natural gasB.Wind (onshore)C.Conventional coalD.Advanced nuclear Now for our all-access behind-the-scenes tour of SAT reading. This is where the magic happens, folks. Currently in production: "SAT Reading: This Time, It's Critical" Distribution of Question Types Here's a table that outlines the distribution of each question type that we found on the SAT Reading section. This data was collected by going through every Reading question on the eight available official practice SATs, sorting them into categories, and averaging the data we got. Question Type Average Number of Questions per Section Percentage of Total Reading Questions Big Picture 21% Little Detail 7 13% Inference 5 10% Function 5 10% Vocabulary in Context 8 15% Analogy 1 2% Author Technique 1 2% Evidence Support 10 20% Data Reasoning 5 10% All Critical Reading Questions 52 103%(due to rounding) Big Picture Questions Out of the 52 questions on the SAT Reading section, I found that an average of about questions per test were Big Picture questions. This makes them the most common type of Reading question, and it means that about21% of the questions you’ll encounter on SAT Critical Reading will be based on an understanding of the main points of passages.The SAT has more Big Picture questions than the ACT, so this can make the SAT Reading section a bit more challenging because you really need to be aware of what the passage is discussing and what the auther is trying to convey. Little Detail Questions Little detail questions are also pretty common on the SAT, with an average of 7 questions per test.This means that about 13% of the questions in the Critical Reading section will be comprised of little detail questions.These questions tend to be the most direct and the least challenging of the bunch, so it’s encouraging to know that they are so common. Inference Questions At an average of 5 questions per test, inference questions are somewhat common and make up about 10% ofquestions on the Critical Reading section.This means that inference skills are pretty important on the SAT. This is especially true since they come into play on other question types, like analogies and sometimes big picture questions, as well. Function Questions There are also about 5 function questions per test,and they make up about10% of Reading questions.This means it's going to be important to understand the structure of the passages and the reasons behind the author's phrasing. Want to learn more about the SAT but tired of reading blog articles? Then you'll love our free, SAT prep livestreams. Designed and led by PrepScholar SAT experts, these live video events are a great resource for students and parents looking to learn more about the SAT and SAT prep. Click on the button below to register for one of our livestreams today! Vocabulary in Context Questions Vocabulary in context questions became much more common when the SAT was revised in 2016. Now, there are about 8 of these questions per test, and they make up around 15% of Reading questions.As we mentioned above, you don't need a huge vocabulary to get these questions right, but you do need to be familiar with different definitions of more common words and how to determine which definition is being used based on the word's context in the passage. Analogy Questions Analogy questions are very rare - you can expect 1 or maybe 2 of them per test.If your skills with inference questions are strong, you should be able to figure out analogy questions as well.It's still good to be prepared for analogy questions because they are kind of weird if you haven't seen them before. See my article on analogy questions for more information about how to solve them. Author Technique Questions Author technique questions are even rarer than analogy questions. They only come up about once per test, if at all.It is sometimes useful to understand tone and mood for the Critical Reading section even if you don’t come across a specific question about them, but these are clearly not core concepts on the test. Evidence Support Questions Evidence support (also known as command of evidence) questions are one of the new SAT Reading questions, and they're also one of the most common question types. You can expect to see about 10 evidence support questionson each Reading Section, which means they make up about 20%of SAT Reading questions.To answer these questions correctly, you'll need to be able to use higher-level reasoning skills to correctly select the part of the passage that supports your previous answer. Data Reasoning Questions Another new question type, there will be about5 data reasoning questions on the SAT, usually spread between two passages. This means they make up about10% of the Reading section.To answer these questions correctly, you'll need to be able to accurately read graphs and charts and be able to understand how they relate to the passage. For more in-depth information, check out our guide to data reasoning questions. I got a blank space baby, and I'll write your name - a philosophy that probably didn't get TSwift very far on the SAT. How Does This Information Affect Your Approach to SAT Reading? Now that you know the frequency of question types, you may be wondering how you can adapt your Critical Reading strategy to the composition of the test. Here are some tips you should consider based on the data: Read Strategically It’s important to come up with a passage reading strategy that will allow you to absorb details while also understanding the main points the author of the passage is making.Since a significant portion of questions in Critical Reading are big picture, it is especially critical to understand passages holistically. On the SAT, passages are relatively short, so it can be beneficial to skim them before reading the questions.Even though Reading questions often give you line numbers, it's a lot easier to figure out questions that deal with inferences, the function of a certain part of the passage, and the main purpose of the passage if you read the passage quickly beforehand.A good skimming strategy is to read the first and last paragraphs and the first and last sentences of each body paragraph.This way you’ll know the main ideas and the gist of the author’s argument. Inference, function, and big picture questions together make up nearly half of the Reading questions on the test.This means that fully understanding the main points made in the passage before you read the questions will help you to answer them much more efficiently. Pay Attention to Details Little picture questions make up a significant part of Reading questions, so you should also be prepared to get very specific with your answers.Sometimes the questions students miss are the ones that seem easy. They’ll breeze right by them and make a silly mistake.Don’t let that happen to you! This is also important because inference skills are critical on the test.With most inference questions, it comes down to finding the right keywords in the passage and matching up details to draw conclusions.This requires an eye for small details as well as awareness of the overall structure of the passage. Don’t Worry About Rarer Question Types (Unless You’re Shooting for a Perfect Score) If analogies scare you (and they are some of the more difficult questions), don’t worry too much about them. The same goes for author technique questions.You don’t need to spend your time practicing question types that will likely only show up once or twice on the test if at all. Practice answering big picture, little detail, evidence support, and vocabulary in context questions first and foremost. Then, if you master those, you can work through the rarer question types. Some questions are rare birds. But mainly I just think the expression on this bird's face is HILARIOUS. Summary There are a few different types of questions that you can expect to see on the passage-based reading section of SAT Critical Reading. These include: Big pictureLittle pictureInferenceFunctionVocabulary in contextAnalogies Author technique Evidence support Data reasoning Big pictureand evidence supportquestions are the most common, followed by vocabulary in contextand little detailquestions. Analogyand author technique questions are relatively rare. Based on the frequency of question types, you should: Practice skimming passages strategically Pay attention to passage details Save the rare question types for last in terms of studying Now that you know exactly what kinds of questions to expect, you’ll be extra prepared for everything the Critical Reading section throws at you! What's Next? For more SAT Reading strategies, take a look at our article on how to improve low reading scores or, if your scores are already high, check out our advice on how to get an 800 on SAT Reading. Read my article on the fundamental rule of SAT reading to understand the core strategy behind answering any reading question and my article on the hardest SAT reading questions to see what you might be up against. Still trying to decide whether to take SAT or ACT Reading? Learn about the differences here. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points? Check out our best-in-class online SAT prep program. We guarantee your money back if you don't improve your SAT score by 160 points or more. Our program is entirely online, and it customizes what you study to your strengths and weaknesses. If you liked this Reading lesson, you'll love our program.Along with more detailed lessons, you'll get thousands ofpractice problems organized by individual skills so you learn most effectively. We'll also give you a step-by-step program to follow so you'll never be confused about what to study next. Check out our 5-day free trial:

Monday, November 4, 2019

Case Study - Employment Law - Employment Discrimination Case Essay - 1

Case Study - Employment Law - Employment Discrimination Case - Essay Example They had both commented negatively towards him and it was evident that they were out to terminate his job and contract. Staub had earlier been made to check with his employer any time he left the job premises after false allegation that he had left the place of work. After some months, one of the supervisors maliciously reported Staub to the vice president for leaving the work area. This was followed by a discontinuation from his work by the vice president. The evidence given made the jury to rule in the favor of the complainant but some time later the federal court reversed the ruling. In the ruling, the judges claimed that the decision made by the vice president was not solely dependent on the information given by the supervisors. This therefore ruled him out of the discrimination case. Therefore, the Court of Appeal concluded that the company was not liable. This ruling was overturned by the Supreme Court on the basis that the employer remains liable if the decision made is motivated by a discrimination bias. According to Guerin (2011), this ruling was therefore in favor of Staub and that served as a great motivation to employees going through the same. This Act is therefore important in safeguarding the rights of employees against discriminatory supervisors. Guerin, L. (2011). Supreme Court victory for employees in discrimination case. Nolo’s Employment Law Blog. Retrieved from

Saturday, November 2, 2019

In what ways is Neo-realism similar to traditional Realism Essay

In what ways is Neo-realism similar to traditional Realism - Essay Example Modern debate on international politics can be traced back to the period between the first and the Second World War. Many scholars and political analysts still contemplated on the underlying reasons behind the wars. Politicians and nations endeavored to set up organizations such as the League of Nations, which would help in the maintenance of order all over the world. At this time, realists developed arguments that explained the debates on power relations, the balance of power, as well as international politics. Realists such as Hans and Waltz made notable contributions, which tend to have some similarities. Therefore, traditional realism and neorealism can be regarded as similar in a number of ways (Mearsheimer 1990, p. 10). First, in their definition of power, both traditional realists such as Morgenthau and neo-realists such as Waltz tend to share similar thoughts. Traditional realism and neo-realism see power as the main currency in the international arena, which they view as a hostile stage. As such, the concept of power forms the basis of how these two blocks of realism analyze international politics. Both traditional realists and neo-realists hold that the material structure that makes up the international system has a significant bearing on state behavior (Burchill et al., 2009). Neo-realists and traditional realists both argue that some of the most notable aspects of power include the armed forces and the military. These two blocks of realism also contend that power may comprise of the ways in which a nation controls another.