Thursday, November 28, 2019

Expectations During Exile And After Essays -

Expectations During Exile And After In 586 B.C.E. the neo-Babylonian armies of Nebuchadnezzar raided and destroyed the city of Jerusalem, forcing its people to flee. The majority of the Judean leaders and aristocracy were relocated in Babylon, and lived in relative isolation from even their captors. The Exile robbed them of their wealth, their homes, their nation, and even their king; religion offered the only seed of identity for this uprooted people. So it was during this time of Exile that a flourishing of religious texts were written and compiled, in an attempt to explain the causes of their misfortune, and enable the people to comprehend their suffering (Meyers, Haggai xxxviii). In general, the Psalter reflects the true emotions of the ancient Israelites, more so than do most Biblical texts, as it is a compilation of their ?troubles and fears, their hopes, aspirations, and reasons for confidence.? (Metzger and Murphy 674 OT) In Psalm 137, an Exilic text, a wide range of emotions are shown: longing and mourning for their lost nation (Ps 137:1-3), the sadness and confusion they felt while in the foreign land (Ps 137:4-6), and even the desire for a violent revenge (Ps 137:7-9). The same range of emotions can be seen in Second Isaiah, though this work was written ?immediately before the fall of Babylon (October 29, 539B.C.E.)? and displays more of the Judeans thoughts on their future. It is a compilation of passages of hope, promises of God to fulfill His covenant, and threats of violence for the unbelievers. The majority of the Exilic and Post-Exilic texts call for a bloody and merciless revenge on their captors, and it would be easy to assign this outlook for all of the Jewish people of the time. Upon close inspection however, it becomes apparent that not all Jews cared about a bloody justice, and that some just wanted to go home and be done with it. Both of these views, (both bloody and not), are found in Isaiah 42 and the proximity of the conflicting persuasions highlight their differences. In Isaiah 42:3, a pacifistic, reserved justice is called for; ?a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench: he will faithfully bring forth justice.? Yet in just a few stanzas later, there is a call for blood. ?The Lord goes forth like a soldier, like a warrior he stirs up his fury; he cries out, he shouts aloud, he shows himself mighty against his foes.? (Isaiah 42:13) By comparing these two quotes, it becomes readily apparent that the idea that all Judeans wanted a violent revenge must be thrown out. While in Exile, the Jewish people held many expectations of their future, not all of which agreed with one another, nor were fulfilled. Returning to the Promised Land was the main focus of Exile, and it evolved into a paradise of sorts, where everything would be perfect. There are visions of God blessing the people restored in their land, and their work being more than fruitful throughout the Exilic texts. ?For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my spirit upon your descendants, and my blessing on your offspring.? (Isaiah 43:3) Haggai, a text written after Cyrus' overthrow of the Babylonians, depicts a much different scene than the one envisioned in Isaiah. (Metzger and Murphy 1217 OT) ?Therefore the heavens above you have withheld dew, and the earth has withheld its produce. And I have called for a drought on the land and the hills, on the grain, the new wine, the oil, on what the soil produced, on human beings and animals, and on all th eir labors.? (Hag 1:10-11) This quote describes a state of affairs far different than what the Israelite people imagined their future to be. The Jewish people, besides depicting a skewed view of their future, also disagreed on how that future should be run. While in Exile they were not allowed to have a king for obvious reasons, and due to this power vacuum, the priest was raised in status (Meyers and Meyers, Zechariah 169). Despite the fact that Haggai and Zechariah were contemporaries, and even cohorts, they did not agree

Sunday, November 24, 2019

Empowering The Leadership Of Women In Marketing With Jodi Duncan

Empowering The Leadership Of Women In Marketing With Jodi Duncan Which mentors and managers helped shape and influence you the most through the years? Who made you a better person and marketing professional? Are most of them smart, talented women? According to the Association of National Advertisers, 67% of the marketing industry is female. Today, my guest is Jodi Duncan, president of Flint Group. We discuss the current climate and ecosystem for women in marketing and business. What are some of the current challenges and opportunities that women face? Marketing agency trends and adapting to them biggest challenge is the digital movement; expectations and pressure related to measuring ROI and spending How to evaluate, identify, and implement tools and technologies for clients; don’t overlook the client’s objective and what they’re trying to do Creating content and related messages, then effectively communicating content through multiple channels that have different parameters Challenges of creating authentic content experiences; voice should match brand Flint’s best strategies to do high-quality work for clients and be a place where people want to work; communication is critical Progress needs to be made regarding concept of women in leadership and business; Women in Business blog series shares lessons and accomplishments Are you a good b*tch, or a bad b*tch? Women don’t always support each other; difficult for women to get leadership position and not be branded a bitch Show support and make an impact via direct conversations to address issues Men just need to ask women to participate, include them, and offer opportunities to express their opinions Women entering the workforce need to pay attention, watch, learn, ask questions, and speak up Links: Flint Group Women in Business Blog Series by Jodi Duncan A Diversity Report for the Advertising/Marketing Industry - And A Call to Action Skype Sheryl Sandberg Write a review on iTunes and send a screenshot of it to receive a cool swag bag! If you liked today’s show, please subscribe on iTunes to The Actionable Content Marketing Podcast! The podcast is also available on SoundCloud, Stitcher, and Google Play. Quotes by Jodi Duncan: â€Å"The biggest challengeis the whole digital movement.† â€Å"Content is just a whole other animal. Not only what content you want to get out there and what the messages are, but how do you effectively communicate that content.† â€Å"It’s sort of a battle to get into those leadership positions when the biggest naysayers are other women that you work with. They’re not necessarily your best cheerleaders.†

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Oaxaca Arts Analysis Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Oaxaca Arts Analysis - Term Paper Example The Oaxacan art identifies itself with the mountainous region in southern Mexico. Art was made, in the form of ceramics, carvings from wood and in textiles. Examples of some of the iconic pieces include Frida, Kahlo and the famous Zapotec themes. Mexican art is related to their cultural functions. The art is also themed according famous days in the Mexican calendar, for example, the day of the dead and other important days, since in Mexico art goes correlates with culture (Giordano, 1994). Ceramics Ceramic art is an integral part of the Oaxacan Art. The region has a type of clay that is black in color. This is the reason why the ceramics in Oaxacan Art are black in color. The color of the clay made the ceramic the perfect canvas for an artist to use their imaginations on since the color makes it possible for the use of a wide range of colors on the ceramics. The distinguishing feature of Oaxaca art is the black pottery painted with vibrant colors. The ceramics included pottery and ce ramic figurines. Another form of pottery that was common was green pottery, which was created by glazing. The final product was pottery with a glaze that was green. This is an illustration of Spanish persuasion in Oaxacan art since the Spanish settlers favored this method. The green poetry was commonly used for cooking and as utensils. The figurines created by ceramics included figures of the Virgin Mary, Frida, Kahlo. Figurines were also created for celebrations like the Day of the Dead and Zapotec (Ward, E. S., Ward, W. E., and Cleveland Institute of Art, 1986). Woodcarvings Oaxacan art is also renowned for its woodcarvings. These carvings are known as Alebrijes a term coined by a great Oaxacan artist Pedro Linares to describe his work that involved Paper Mache art. In the Oaxacan carvings, the trees commonly used by artists include the cider tree and an indigenous tree the Tzompantli but the favorite wood for the artists is the Copalillo wood. The carvings are usually carved into animal figures and shapes.  Ã‚  

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Coca Cola's branding strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Coca Cola's branding strategy - Essay Example For example, when the company decided to change the taste of its prime product Coke in the 1980's the result was vigorously unfavorable and the company authorities had to dump the plan. The term 'branding strategy' deals with the variables that formulate and execute the probable public perception about the brand or brands of a company. The future success of the company depends on this branding strategy. When a company like Coca Cola is taken into consideration it could be safely stated that their impetus on branding strategy has remained successful throughout the century with ground breaking success notes. While selecting the branding strategy by the officials it is always kept in mind that the direct marketing is at its optimum level and the supply chain and distribution system is always at its most advantageous position. In addition, there is always the potential to innovate new sister brands corresponding the local taste and priorities. For example, Coca Cola can boast on having over 500 flavors in its booty. Furthermore, there was bottled water branded under the equity that really took the market by storm in 2000. There are about four core brands operating under the over head of Coca Cola.

Monday, November 18, 2019

Bank Product Profitability Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 10000 words

Bank Product Profitability - Essay Example There are so many countries in which the development is very low. That is all due to the lack or resources and lack of financial approaches, the financial institutions for every country needs high investment all these markets are the part of macro economics studies in which the markets of different kinds can be brought together to set the overall structure of the economy. These markets in every country serve as the full adjustment of economic variables within them and are responsible for the growth of the country. In many of the economies, financial markets are those places at which the people can easily buy and sell the securities of different types. These markets are associated with the financial assets and these assets are the financial securities that they buy and sell in the market. The assets which come under the category of the financial assets are the financial securities such as the stocks of various types and bonds with different maturities and the commodities at low costs. These markets are called the efficient market where the buying and selling of different types of securities takes place. These financial markets serve various functions in all the countries of the world and are doing g efforts to attain the liquidity at high levels. In these financial markets it is easy to buy and sell for the people because they offer the large number of buyers and the large number of sellers for selling of the securities. The major objective of the creation of these financial markets is the creation of the good use of savings in the betterment of the economic growth of the country because if the economy does not use the good methods for adjustment of savings the growth of that economy will be low. Thus for their growth of any economy the healthy growth of the financia l markets us necessary. (Andrade, Gegor, Mitchell, Stafford, 103-120, 2001) "Financial markets, institutions and instruments bridge the gap between the academic and professional finance communities. With contributions from leading academics, as well as practitioners from organizations such as the SEC and the Federal Reserve, the journal is equally relevant to both groups. Each issue is devoted to a single topic, which is examined in depth, and a special fifth issue is published annually highlighting the most significant developments in money and banking, derivative securities, corporate finance, and fixed-income securities". (Athanasoglou, Brissimis, Delis, n.p., 2005) These financial markets have three basic types of functions these are the first function which is associated with these financial markets is the raising of capital in the capital markets, the capital markets are the securities markets and their functions are conducted by the government and different private companies. They raised the funds there and these are associated with the long term securities and they are the stock markets and the bonds market with long term maturities. These capital markets are further divided in to two more markets which are called the primary markets

Friday, November 15, 2019

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.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

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.