Post Modernism And Globalization Cultural Studies Essay

Post Modernism And Globalization Cultural Studies Essay Postmodernism is a very key word in our times; its not just another buzz word. Postmodernism conditions our thoughts as well as our politics, it conditions our art as well as our architecture, it conditions our frames of entertainment, and it conditions and shapes our economic, social, and cultural activities. In this post modern world, all that we do is expected to be in line with the current dictates of postmodernism. We can watch postmodernism, hear it, feel it, experience it, read it, be awe- struck by its activities, shop in its precincts live and even breathe it. Its certain that slowly but surely that postmodernism is taking over the control of the world and its inhabitants; in fact postmodernism has taken over our being, and inculcated its traits into our system, where its yet, its hurriedly taking that direction. Postmodernism transcends modernity and traditions which includes culture and identity. Globalization is a notion of postmodernism and dictates channel without allow ing for a position of different opinion (FAV, 2000). David Harvey, while looking at the condition of post modernity, explained how the extraction of the surplus profits since the inception of post modernism from the productivity of multinational companies as well as the completion between them as opposed to territorial natural differences. He pointed out that now territories are forced to compete amongst themselves so as to attract transnational capital investment. He argues that cities region and/ or organizations are required to make themselves attractive if they have to attract into their territories the manufacturers, tourists, services or convections which given their nature of mobility can potentially be placed at any position in the globe. The strategies of differentiation of spaces are defined by Harvey as active Production of Places having some special qualities. This production fabricates the characteristics making a place idiosyncratic and peculiar which is a very significant in drawing investors to a city (Harvey, 1992). The issue of constructing and selling a citys or regions image has become vital in the new urban politics and the current market strategies in most of the post-industrial regions and cities. The characterization of Herveys development of city marketing and/ or place making that is often accompanied by a change to postmodern styles of urban design and architecture as novel urban entrepreneurialism. Harvey argues that the active production of places with special qualities becomes an important stake in spatial competition between localities, regions and nations (Harvey, 1989, p. 295). At this point its good to mention that the consequences on the population (city, region dwellers) remain somewhat unclear. The effects of identity formation and the changes associated with the marketing strategies remain unclear. The question of whether they will alienate some parts via social and cultural strategies or integrate the population is also not clear. The issue of the identity that would be found most suitable for the entire city or region is hard to decipher. The question of the segment of the population that is represented is also found to be hard to answer. The redefinition of a citys identity may keep taking place as more postmodernism and globalization continues to take place (Heidenreich, n.d). Case Study: Batam The citizens of Indonesia perceive Batam Island as aheaven of opportunities. Its one of the three thousand islands making up the Riau Archipelago. This island has a rapid growing population. The island over the last few years has been experiencing development into a major tourist and industrial area attracting many investors and business people from the other Indonesian islands. The area has changed from the traditionally fishing community to the current business status. The history of this island took a new direction from 1969 when it was made the support base PERTAMINA Oil Company (State owned) In 197, the region was declared as an industrial area through a prudential decree and after four years Batam authority was formulated. All this changes took place as a result of industrialization and globalization (Good Hyde, 2008). The growth of Batam Island led to many changes in the initial cultural and economic life, consequently the identity of the region and of the individuals. The transformation of Singapore resulted to a profound change on Batam Island. The island was just a mare fisherman and coconut growers land by 1960, with very few people knowing anything about it; by then it had only three thousand fishermen and farmers. There was an immense growth with a population of about 700, 000 by year 2005. Its believed that many of the immigrants had been lured by rumors of a booming economy in the island. The culture of the residents have completely changes with very little farming and fishing taking place, to day the islanders are associated with golf courses, gated community coexistence, marinas, karaoke bars, squatter communities, brothels and prostitution business because of the booming hotels and tourism industry. The island is also renown today for its Batam/Riau entertainments Web site that is known for its fantasy, all this changes are as a result of postmodernism and globalization impact in the society (Good Hyde, 2008, p. 223). The culture of the working class has also fallen victim of active production of places that aims at making Batam island an investment land. The working-class has been increasingly marginalized in this new culture and economy. Most of Indonesian men lead conspicuous consumption lifestyles, with the availability of drugs and sex at lowered prices depending on an individuals economic power. On the other hand the women labor for the rapidly increasing middle class, catering for the desires of Singapore men. Its has been observed that gender roles and identities have changed with the changes in this island, women are found to be managing well in the formal as well as informal roles as opposed to years back prior to the newly developed active production of places (Good Hyde, 2008). Manila in Philippines: The city of Manila has a unique position in the countys political geography. The city has over the years defied the law common to governance of the other cities forcing the administration to formulate special laws as well as government systems from the 16th century during the Spanish rule. Its a metropolitan city. The establishment of the city was for merchants and trade center between the Chinese and South East Asian merchants. The colonialism of the Chinese living here by the Spanish forcing them to pay tax and denying them free trade led to a number of conflicts between the Chinese and the Spanish (Chacko, 2004). Globalization and postmodernism did not bypass Manila city residents in the endeavor to make all the cities productive and attract investors from without. Creative destruction argues that if evolution is to take place, new ways of doing things must emerge and be proven superior to the old systems. Globalization of any city or region is reflected through variety of hotels, restaurants, clothing worn, and language spoken among many other traits. The city architecture is also a clear depiction of globalization effect within a region. The city has over the years made efforts to embrace the new economy while struggling to maintain her traditional and cultural traits. The sky scrappers within the city that stand parallel to traditional building are a clear reflection of the struggle. There are some citizens who have refused to sacrifice their cultures for economic prosperity while others argue that the cost is worth it. This has led to many of the citizens adopting the contemporary approac hes to accommodate the development and to attract more investors into the city while there are some few communities and individuals who continue to uphold to old traditions, identities and cultures (Chacko, 2004). In the endeavor to provide a better environment that will attract more investors, the cities and regions authorities have formulated policies that are meant to protect the immigrants and to enable them to be uttermost productive. There are new concepts that are been adopted by countries and cities that will facilitate human rights of the labor force so as to avoid their being treated as tradable commodities. Many of the states have institutionalized the human rights via the United Nations Human Rights Charter. This has led to doing away with some traditional cultures that violate such rights, consequently altering cultures of some people. Some of the issues that the people in the international bodies that are established takes care of is like trafficking, gender violation, protection of children rights among other major factors that affect the immigrant labor force (Piper, n.d.). The protection of human rights have shifted from the local bodies to the international human rights bodies such as the United Nations, International labor Organizations, KFSB, CATW, GAAT just to mention but a few. All these bodies have policies that they inculcate in their member countries that force the governments of those nations to adopt them renouncing any local policy that contradicts those policies. For example, there were some nations where traditional commercial sex was permitted as a right of a right of a woman to sell her body as any other product that she may be taking to the market place. Such rights contradict with the policies of STV which is a foundation of women against trafficking. The implication of any nation accepting STV is that some of the rights that can create loopholes opening women to violation have to be withdrawn, whether traditionally acceptable or not (Piper, n.d.). Conclusion Postmodernism has become an inseparable component of the contemporary world. Everything is done in line with the demand of the postmodern world. Postmodernism has brought about the concept of globalization with every region adopting it as a means of keeping at par with development. Cities, regions and nations have over the years been changing in the endeavor to attract investors, for their growth. The changes as shown in the two case studies: Batam city and Manila the capita city of Philippines have led to changes in some traditional cultures and traditions. In todays world all the systems have become global in an attempt to attract more investors consequently changing their cultures and traditions to accommodate the international investment-climate.

Computer Hackers: The Whos, Whats, Whens, Wheres, Whys and Hows. :: Essays Papers

Computer Hackers: The Who's, What's, When's, Where's, Why's and How's. After coming home from a long day at school, I turn on my computer and go to the Internet to see "What's New!" Then all of a sudden I hear, "You've Got Mail!" I check my e-mail and it's a message from my friend in Alabama. It is warning me about a computer virus that is being spread, and that I should watch out. Thank goodness someone warned me about this. I said to myself, "This kind of stuff must be the work of those hackers that I hear so much about." But what exactly is a hacker, and what are they out to do? Hackers are people who are getting into our computer systems, destroying our personal property and stealing our information. Years ago, a hacker was a person who was capable of creating elegant and or unusual uses of technology. These days, a hacker refers to a person who attempts to penetrate security systems on remote computers (Hackers 2). Not only are computer hackers causing many problems for businesses, they are also causing many problems for the average person. Hackers get in personal information and get a hold of credit card numbers, various banking accounts and financial information, and just about anything else they want to know about you. They are going to get it whether you like it or not. Hacking, with the intent to steal or deface, is so feared in the corporate world that companies have spent $1.8 billion this year alone on computer network security products and services (Home Hackers 1). Cracking of home computers has been rare, but it is always a growing concern. Any machine connected to the Internet is potentially vulnerable, but the best targets are those with high-speed, "always on" connectors, such as cable modems or digital subscriber lines. Systems with high-speed connections are typically targeted because they are the simplest to track down. People have to realize that hacking is not a prank or a game, especially when hackers are hitting such spots as the White House site, the FBI site and the Senate site. The fines and jail time for these hackers are not very funny either. Arrests are being made and punishments can be up to life in prison and thousands, and in some cases millions of dollars in fines. When you think of hackers, you probably think of someone who is a little older, someone who's profession is working with computers.

Reality Shows

Does anyone remember when he or she starts to become so thirsty for what those ordinary people do In grocery stores or why they cheat on their lovers? Our curiosities turn Into the most powerful Incentive of TV producers to keep contriving such shows In order to fulfill the voyeurs who sit lazily on the couch In front of television everyday. We look Into three fundamental principles of reality programs to analyze the relationship between viewers and reality shows: why reality shows are so appealing to American, how those shows affect both on mentalities of ewers and in the society, and what's the purpose for reality shows to exist nowadays.Exciting and unusual things can easily capture our attentions, especially something that barely happens in our daily lives but occurs every episode in reality shows, that's why reality shows become so appealing to the audience. The audience is picky nowadays, and the TV producers knew it intelligently from the beginning. Not only need to create an impeccable content of the show, more importantly, the show must be accompanied by some dramatic and intense storyline to cater to audience's reference.Furthermore, the fad that people chat with coworkers in their break time in the office about the reality show and scorn the artificial plot that they watched last night has become a pastime of work. Even though most of the time we can tell lucidly that those exaggerated plots in the show are premeditated, we seem to enjoy indefatigably anticipating the foreseen disasters from the show. For example, American Next Top Model, a popular fashion competition show in America. The main conception of this show is to explore a super model after several deferent intentions and challenges.If you think that's all about the show, you are totally wrong. The reason why the show becomes so alluring from 2003 is because people enjoy watching the lives in the luxurious dormitory of competitors In the show, and they usually form groups in the dorm and al ways argue with each other. The show used to be Just exploring female models, but these two seasons started to Include male models. Undoubtedly, as long as the show Involves males and females, It always contains the sexual relationship which appealing to audience.TV viewers need omitting that can thrill them In front of television as well as color their lives, and such stagy dramas exactly give them what they want. Nowadays, the unreal reality shows are more rampant than before, and the twisted thoughts, which convey through the shows that we watch everyday, have imperceptibly influenced our interpretations toward the reality in our minds and in Greener to explain how the reality shows affect viewers in different groups. For the most interesting part is how Waters analyzes that most of the occupations that we see in the reality shows are entertainers, athletes, and businessmen.A mere 6 to 10 percent of television characters hold blue-collar or service Job vs.. About 60 percent in th e real work force† (Water 139), we can see the imbalance between the shows and the reality that will cause the misleading notion for teenagers before having Jobs. One of the noteworthy reality show, Keeping Up with the Sardinian, most of the stars in this show are famous entertainers and live a affluence life, but they still keep complaining about some trivial things. Every episode focuses on each of their daily lives, their parties, weddings, shopping, and working.Those extravagant expenses on everything gradually twist the value of viewers, making those young people to think about that being an entertainer can easily make lots of money and own a life like the Sardinian. Just like what Waters states, muff almost never see the farmer, the factory worker, or the small businessman† (Waters 140). The misleading thoughts from the reality shows barely give the truth of the real world that we have to face, and those thoughts especially root in adolescents' minds.The reality sh ows is indispensable for the mass media nowadays since we canto eve without them anymore, and we also can barely avoid them when we turn on the TV. Reality shows seem to conform to every type of TV programs include adventure shows, celebrity shows, competition shows, and hidden camera shows etc. We find ourselves deeply addicted to season after season of reality shows, and TV producers make our dreams come true. The reality show isn't Just a pure entertainment in our free time, but become a habit in our lives. More dramatic plots are premeditated for the audience, the higher rating the show will get from the viewers. Reality Shows Does anyone remember when he or she starts to become so thirsty for what those ordinary people do In grocery stores or why they cheat on their lovers? Our curiosities turn Into the most powerful Incentive of TV producers to keep contriving such shows In order to fulfill the voyeurs who sit lazily on the couch In front of television everyday. We look Into three fundamental principles of reality programs to analyze the relationship between viewers and reality shows: why reality shows are so appealing to American, how those shows affect both on mentalities of ewers and in the society, and what's the purpose for reality shows to exist nowadays.Exciting and unusual things can easily capture our attentions, especially something that barely happens in our daily lives but occurs every episode in reality shows, that's why reality shows become so appealing to the audience. The audience is picky nowadays, and the TV producers knew it intelligently from the beginning. Not only need to create an impeccable content of the show, more importantly, the show must be accompanied by some dramatic and intense storyline to cater to audience's reference.Furthermore, the fad that people chat with coworkers in their break time in the office about the reality show and scorn the artificial plot that they watched last night has become a pastime of work. Even though most of the time we can tell lucidly that those exaggerated plots in the show are premeditated, we seem to enjoy indefatigably anticipating the foreseen disasters from the show. For example, American Next Top Model, a popular fashion competition show in America. The main conception of this show is to explore a super model after several deferent intentions and challenges.If you think that's all about the show, you are totally wrong. The reason why the show becomes so alluring from 2003 is because people enjoy watching the lives in the luxurious dormitory of competitors In the show, and they usually form groups in the dorm and al ways argue with each other. The show used to be Just exploring female models, but these two seasons started to Include male models. Undoubtedly, as long as the show Involves males and females, It always contains the sexual relationship which appealing to audience.TV viewers need omitting that can thrill them In front of television as well as color their lives, and such stagy dramas exactly give them what they want. Nowadays, the unreal reality shows are more rampant than before, and the twisted thoughts, which convey through the shows that we watch everyday, have imperceptibly influenced our interpretations toward the reality in our minds and in Greener to explain how the reality shows affect viewers in different groups. For the most interesting part is how Waters analyzes that most of the occupations that we see in the reality shows are entertainers, athletes, and businessmen.A mere 6 to 10 percent of television characters hold blue-collar or service Job vs.. About 60 percent in th e real work force† (Water 139), we can see the imbalance between the shows and the reality that will cause the misleading notion for teenagers before having Jobs. One of the noteworthy reality show, Keeping Up with the Sardinian, most of the stars in this show are famous entertainers and live a affluence life, but they still keep complaining about some trivial things. Every episode focuses on each of their daily lives, their parties, weddings, shopping, and working.Those extravagant expenses on everything gradually twist the value of viewers, making those young people to think about that being an entertainer can easily make lots of money and own a life like the Sardinian. Just like what Waters states, muff almost never see the farmer, the factory worker, or the small businessman† (Waters 140). The misleading thoughts from the reality shows barely give the truth of the real world that we have to face, and those thoughts especially root in adolescents' minds.The reality sh ows is indispensable for the mass media nowadays since we canto eve without them anymore, and we also can barely avoid them when we turn on the TV. Reality shows seem to conform to every type of TV programs include adventure shows, celebrity shows, competition shows, and hidden camera shows etc. We find ourselves deeply addicted to season after season of reality shows, and TV producers make our dreams come true. The reality show isn't Just a pure entertainment in our free time, but become a habit in our lives. More dramatic plots are premeditated for the audience, the higher rating the show will get from the viewers.

The Millers Tale Essays

The Millers Tale Essays The Millers Tale Essay The Millers Tale Essay Firstly we the audience have to understand that Chaucer is both the writer of the tale but also a member of the pilgrimage who is relaying the stories told to him on the journey. Pilgrimage was popular at the time, a long journey taken to a Holy place in order to cleanse you from sins. I think The first Step is Admitting your an Alcoholic says: Chaucer may have written them partly to amuse us but also as a way of displaying his critical views of the church at the time. The Miller, a bawdy man, tells the Millers Tale and is apparently drunk at the time. He is told thou art a fool not possibly able to tell a tale in such a state but he does. The tale is about a carpenter who is made a cokewold of fool of by his wife which annoys a fellow pilgrim the Reeve as he was once a carpenter and believes the tale to be poking fun at him. However the Miller tells his audience not to take offence or judge what he says for he means no harm by it. It is meant to be a joke and if he misspeke or seye anything bad, they should blame it on the Southwerk ale. This could be a clear indication to us that Chaucer intends himself for this tale to be a joke and wishes to amuse us. The reason it could be considered a moral tale is because some of its characters pay for their actions later in the play. The main characters are John the carpenter, his wife Alison and Nicholas an oxford scholar who is staying in Johns home. John is quite an old man and has been criticised for marrying a young beautiful woman who he t There is no real moral dilemma in this itself because it is considered socially acceptable for a man to marry a younger woman but it does cause problems later. Perhaps Johns punishment for being jealous is his wife committing adultery although I am not sure about this, as John does not finds this out. His jealousy added to the excitement and danger of Alison and Nicholas trying to fool him. Nicholas is also known as hende Nicholas. The word hende has a double meaning here. It means that he is courteous and debonair and also skilful as we see when he delivers an elaborate story to fool John into following his commands. It is also intends to suggest he is handy or good with his hands. This adds to the comical value of the play for the audience when he used his hands to grab at Alison. This is where we can again look at whether the millers tale is a moral one. Another man interested in Alison is Absalon. He comes to her window one night when she and Nicholas are in bed together, trying to court her. He a more chivalrous approach in love calling her faire brid, my sweet cinamone then bends to his knees to beg for a kiss. Cruelly Alison sticks her bottom out of the window and Absalon with his mouth he kiste her naked ers. This act of cruelty from Alison does not get punished during the play and is a clear argument against it being a moral tale. However another way it can be seen as is Absalons scourge for chasing a married woman.

Free Essays on “I’m Your Horse In The Night”

to Beto, as if she were over him, and no longer going to fantasize. â€Å"Beto, you know now, if it’s true that they killed you, or wherever you may be. Beto, I’m your horse in the night and you can inhabit me whenever you wish, even if I’m behind bars. Beto, now that I’m in jail I know that I dreamed you that night; it... Free Essays on â€Å"I’m Your Horse In The Night† Free Essays on â€Å"I’m Your Horse In The Night† Luisa Valenzuela’s, â€Å"I’m Your Horse In the Night†, is a short story that can be interpreted in many different ways. Many questions arose in my mind while reading this story, like, was her fantasy a dream or was it a reality? Luisa Valenzuela wrote this short story in such a way that the reader must think deeply about what is being said. The woman referred to as Chiquita heard the doorbell. It rang in such a way that she knew it was the man referred to as Beto. They embraced and remained silent. Chiquita remembered him always being silent, never one to express his feelings in words. Questions enter her mind about his whereabouts in Argentina. She hadn’t heard from him in months. She did not know if he was alive, or whether he had been captured, or was in hiding. With him he brought a bottle of cachaca, an alcoholic beverage, and a Gal Costa record. Chiquita and Beto begin listening to the music and slowly drink the alcohol. No words were said; just sweet caressing and deep looks into each other’s eyes. They begin to make love while the music sings, â€Å"I’m your horse in the night†. Chiquita awoke to a phone call claiming that Beto was dead. Realizing that Beto must have left while she was sleeping, she said it could not have been him. The caller hung up and shortly after the police arrive. Demanding to know where Beto was the police ransack the house. While watching her life unfold before her, Chiquita realized that they wouldn’t find anything for it was only a dream, and they couldn’t take that away. The story concluded with a short paragraph. Chiquita saying her last words to Beto, as if she were over him, and no longer going to fantasize. â€Å"Beto, you know now, if it’s true that they killed you, or wherever you may be. Beto, I’m your horse in the night and you can inhabit me whenever you wish, even if I’m behind bars. Beto, now that I’m in jail I know that I dreamed you that night; it...

The role of culture learning and teaching in foeign language education Literature review

The role of culture learning and teaching in foeign language education - Literature review Example des about the target culture and target language and the motivation of new learners to become integrative learners of the language, and how positive attitudes towards the target culture help these new learners overcome anxiety about learning the language. The final section is a conclusion, in which the concepts that are put forth are put into context in the situation at hand. 2.2 The Role of Culture in Foreign Language Education According to Pica (1994), there is a question as to how necessary cultural integration is to learning a foreign language, and that this is question that troubles foreign language teachers, whether the foreign language teacher is teaching students that are far removed from the target language or is teaching in an area where the students have a chance to be immersed in the language (Pica, 1994). There are two camps when it comes to teaching foreign languages - one camp believes that foreign language teaching should emphasize only communication competence, while the other camp believes that foreign language teaching should incorporate the culture of the target language, which would include the literature of the target language (Shanahan, 1997, p. 164). The first camp is only concerned with semantics – for them, learning a language is nothing but drills, and language is nothing but rules, strings of sentences, and prepositions (Thanasoulas, 2001). The learner must see morphological or syntactical pattern, practice it and learn it without regard to culture or context (Waltz, 1989, p. 160). The second camp believes that language has an intuitive component that can only be acquired by learning the culture of the target country. Language is learned in context (Wendt, 2003, p. 92). On the one end are individuals who feel that students must communicate... One school of thought states that the only necessary education that new learners of a language need is semantics and how to string together sentences. For them, culture is not necessary to learn. The other school of thought says that cultural education regarding the target country is crucial, as it puts the language in context and helps the new learner know the different subtleties that are necessary to be a competent speaker. Learning a foreign language cannot force the learner into a vacuum where context and culture do not matter. It is only through learning the nuances of speech can a speaker become a competent speaker, and it is only through knowing the culture of the target country can this occur. A good example is the individual who used the word tu when he should have used the word vous. This is only one example, but one can imagine how many mistakes a speaker will make if he is not aware of context and culture. Because culture is so important to learning Spanish, this is some thing that will be emphasized in the Spanish classroom that I teach. Teaching knowledge about the culture will be relatively easy. Cooking Spanish food, teaching about Spanish holidays, teaching about the religion of Spain, teaching the Spanish painter, writers and other cultural icons, teaching the history of Spain, etc., will all be integral to teaching about Spanish culture. This would also include showing television shows from Spain, showing movies, including dramas and comedies, will be important as well.

Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 96

Assignment Example The wind gust will be in the excess of 140 mph. The forecast also predicts an average snowfall probability forecast of 8 inches. There is also a probability 0f freezing rain reaching a minimum of .25 inch. The National Weather Service uses satellites to forecast the weather by analyzing cloud cover and heat waves to predict the weather. They also use radar to forecast the weather. The use of satellites is an extremely accurate method of analyzing the weather. The weather forecast carried out by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s claims that there will be a colder and wetter than average winter season. Currently a storm is bringing hurricane force winds is being felt in Michigan. These strong winds carry the snow and spread this precipitation all over Plains of Michigan. This is due to La Nina, which is accompanied by water temperatures below normal in the Equatorial Pacific Ocean. This plays a major role in the winter weather of this area. A type of forecasting methodology used is Forensic & Historical Meteorology that requires specific weather information to forecast the weather. So far, the accuracy of the 2011 winter season has been quite accurate from all sectors. Past forecasts carried out especially for the year 2010-2011 has been very accurate. This forecast was carried out by the Climate Prediction Center, which is a sub-division of the National Weather Service. My own winter season forecast I predict high precipitation of snow and very cold weather. The snow will be at least 8 inches and the temperature about