Yankee Doodle Went To Town, Riding On A Pony, Essays -

"Yankee Doodle went to town, riding on a pony, Stuck a feather in his hat and called it macaroni." Before beginning my research, I assumed that the song above was a pointless rhyme, with about as much significance as "Mary Had A Little Lamb". However, after much research, I've learned that this poem is a reflection of colonial slang, British fashion, and the classic American tradition of the insult. "Yankee Doodle" was written by British soldiers during the Revolutionary War. While it may be used patriotically today, "Yankee Doodle" was actually a derogatory name given to American colonists by the British. It literally means "Stupid American." In order to understand the rest of this song, you must first have some knowledge of British fashion in the late 1700's. Back in London, many young men were forming social clubs. Each of these clubs had an original name. Members of one such club, the most fashionable in London, called themselves "Macaronis". The Macaronis had toured Italy, and became quite fond of pasta, making it their official dish and trademark. Back in America, the times were changing. Many fads that had been popular for some time were now going out of style. For example, putting a feather in your cap was becoming quite unfashionable. So, when the "Yankee Doodle" in this rhyme put a feather in his cap and called it Macaroni, he was claiming that he was being as fashionable as the British Macaronis, when he was actually quite behind his time. This was laughable to the British, because it was a story confirming the stereotype of a "Yankee Doodle." When I researched this topic, I was quite astounded at how similar today's customs are to customs from colonial times. Cruel insults were expressed in many forms and trendsetters told people what was popular. In this case, history is repeating itself. I would not be surprised if 200 years from now, children were writing reports on how their insults are similar to ours. Unfortunately, the reappearance of insults in history is just an endless repetition of the wrong way of living.

Nonverbal Communications Essays - Free Essays, Term Papers

Nonverbal Communications Essays - Free Essays, Term Papers Nonverbal Communications Interpersonal Communications and Relationships James Thomas October 9, 2015 Nonverbal Communications Artifacts are objects that we use to identify a person, heritage, race and environment. They may also define personal territory, to claim our space we fill them with objects that matter to us and that reflect our experiences and values. They also communicate important relationship meanings. We use them to announce our identities and to express how we perceive and feel about others. Environmental factors are the elements of setting that have emotional impact on how we feel and act. It all refer to what makes up the atmosphere or background against which someone or something is seen. Environment may refer either to actual physical surroundings or to social or cultural background factors. There is a red scented candle lighting in my room, the candle doesn't mind losing its essence, even dying in the process, in the most positive way just so you can have a positive moment. Just by watching the flame reach new heights and listening to the wick crackle as it burns seeing that it Project a beam of light onto a wall and I notice the flame isn't emitting a shadow. It gives off a cinnamon scent making me feel so relaxed, it kind of smells like Christmas. My bedroom is my favorite room in my house. I enjoy my bedroom because it describes me. The things that describe me the most in my room are the wall colors, pictures, and the decorations. My walls are a dark green my favourite color, I have pictures of my nephews that I hang on my wall along with pictures of me and my siblings. I also have a pride flag hanging above my bed. I feel that this communicates about me that I am a proud uncle to my 2 nephews, that I love my siblings so much that I display them. Also that I am a proud gay man as to why I have my pride flag. I think that my room would make someone feel welcomed there is a couch that they could sit on so when they see that they know ok we can sit down. It would also make them feel relaxed and comfortable having the television on letting them know that they can feel at home. Most of my friends know my family and me so I know that they would defiantly feel safe and secure in my room. I would feel depressed and bare because all my artifacts were gone, they announce who I am and show my personality. My room would definitely not feel the same because the items in my room reflect who I am as a person, they tell people that I am a relaxed decent guy who adores his nephews and siblings. Reference (Julia wood, Ann Schweitzer, Everyday Encounters, 2006, 179)

Discover the Ancient Chinese Gods and Goddesses

Discover the Ancient Chinese Gods and Goddesses Chinese gods and goddesses have changed over the millennia-long period we recognize as the history of China today. Scholars recognize four different types of Chinese gods, but the categories have a considerable overlap: Mythological or heavenly deitiesNature spirits, such as gods of rain, wind, trees, water bodies, mountainsDeified humans both legendary and historicalDeities specific to the three religions: Confucianism, institutional or clerical Buddhism and institutional or philosophical Taoism Additionally, some of the best-known gods have changed over time, or are shared with other groups in China or in other countries. Its not clear that god has the same meaning in western minds as it does in China since the word English speakers translate as god is shen which means closer to soul or spirit. The Eight Immortals Ba Xian or the Eight Immortals is a group of eight deities who were partly historical figures and partly legendary, and their names and attributes are figured in lucky charms. They are often depicted in vernacular novels and plays as lascivious drunkards, holy fools, and saints in disguise. Their individual names are Cao Guo-jiu, Han Xiang-zi, He Xian-gu, Lan Cai-he, Li Tie-guai, LÃ ¼ Dong-bin, Zhang Guo- lao, and Zhong-li Quan. One of the Ba Xian is LÃ ¼ Dong-bin, a historical figure who lived during the Tang Dynasty. In life, he was an itinerant religious specialist and now that he is immortal, he takes a wide variety of different shapes and forms. He is a patron god of several tradespeople from ink makers to prostitutes. Mother Goddesses Bixie Yuanjun is a Chinese goddess of childbirth, the dawn, and destiny. She is known as the First Princess of Purple and Azure Clouds, Mount Tai Mother, or Jade Maiden, and she is significantly potent in matters of pregnancy and childbirth. The Bodhisattva Guanyin or Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara or Bodhisattva Kuan-yin is a Buddhist mother goddess, who sometimes appears in a male guise. Bodhisattva is the term used in the Buddhist religion for someone who could be a Buddha and stop having to be reincarnated but has decided to stay until the rest of us are enlightened enough to make the trip. Bodhisattva Guanyin is shared by Buddhists in Japan and India. When she was incarnated as the Princess Miaoshan, she refused to be wed despite her fathers explicit order, defying a Confucian ethos. She is by far the most popular Chinese deity, worshipped by those wanting children and a patron of merchants. Heavenly Bureaucrats The Stove God (Zaojun) is a heavenly bureaucrat who watches people and is perceived as a voyeur who enjoys watching women unrobe in front of the stove, and in one story was once a gossipy old woman. In some tales, he is thought to represent foreign soldiers stationed among Chinese homes as spies. On New Years Eve, the Stove God ascends to heaven to report on the behavior of the families he oversees to the Jade Emperor, the chief god among some Chinese societies who can inflict a threat of apocalyptic violence. General Yin Chiao (or Tai Sui), is a historical hero and a Taoist god with a number of associated legends appearing as a mythical being in Chinese folklore. He is a deity most often connected with the planet Jupiter. If one plans to move, build, or disturb the ground, the fierce Tai Sui must be placated and worshipped to avert potential calamities. Historical and Legendary Figures Fa Chu Kung or the Controlling Duke was probably a historical person but now appears as legendary. He is able to stop and start rain at will, cure any illness, and can transform himself into anyone or anything. His goodwill and agreement are necessary before any petition or prayers are submitted to any other god except the Jade Emperor. He is readily identifiable with his shiny black face and body, unkempt hair and protruding eyes. He carries an unsheathed sword at his right and a red snake curls over his neck. Cheng Ho was an explorer in the 15th century CE and a eunuch from the imperial palace. Also known as San Po Kung or the Three Jewelled Eunuch, his last expedition was in 1420 and he is a patron god for Chinese sailors and junk crews.

Argument about genre to class Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Argument about genre to class - Essay Example The consequences of such distance are irresponsible assessments. Although it is challenging to classify in language and learning, the author of the article, Dr. Miller insists that it is paramount (Miller, 1). For the term genre to be meaningful in light of rhetorical theory, it has to have a classifying concept that is stable and of sound rhetorical meaning (Miller, 1). In a bid academically classify rhetorical genre, Dr. Miller expounds on the approach utilized by Karlyn Kohrs Campbell and Kathleen Hall Jamieson. In classifying discourse, an understanding of the way it works results to the classification being rhetorically sound (Miller. 5). Limiting the term genre to a certain kind of discourse classification that is sound in rhetoric, open and pragmatic defines as desired (Miller, 5). Regardless of the rear-mentioned approach, the blur relationship between rhetorical and its situational context and lack of understanding about genre fusion of situation with features that are formal and substantive are still definitive problems of the term genre in rhetorical theory (Miller,

A College Football Playoff System Research Paper

A College Football Playoff System - Research Paper Example There are a number of criticisms to be leveled at the Bowl Championship Series. Although the system’s original intent was to provide an objective, logical, mathematical solution for deciding a team’s rankings, it often makes counterintuitive and downright wrong selections. In December 2010, for instance, the president of Boise State University criticized the BCS system for a computer error that likely dropped the team to number 10 in the national rankings. Frequently, these wrong rankings reflect the BCS’s attitude toward smaller schools from less well-respected conferences on the basis that those teams will not produce the same level of revenue as a larger school with more supporters. In December 2010, for instance, the president of Boise State University criticized the BCS system for a computer error that likely dropped the team to number 10 in the national rankings. Although the incident did not deprive Boise State of a bowl berth, under different circumstance s (given Boise State’s place in the WAC, a less respected conference) it very likely could have left the college without a bowl. Another criticism deals with the four major Bowl games played at the end of the college football season, into which only eight teams are admitted. Because some conferences have automatic bids to one of these games, these eight teams may not be the best (or even close to the best) teams in the nation. Some schools that are unfavorably regarded in the BCS system may be relegated to a less prestigious bowl simply on the basis of the BCS’s opinion of them. Lastly, since the BCS is largely comprised of computer algorithms to decide rankings of college teams for the bowl games, it is criticized for being easily manipulated by those who control the methods of determining bowl berths. Because the BCS system leads to tremendous cash payoffs to larger schools, there is a lack of momentum in changing it, which makes a financial argument for introducing a playoff system necessary. Financially, a playoff system could benefit boosters, schools, and advertisers by removing any element of the BCS.

Netflix And Blockbuster Battle For Market Leadership Marketing Essay

Netflix And Blockbuster Battle For Market Leadership Marketing Essay Movie retail industry includes such companies that rent DVDs, Blu-ray discs and even video games which are usable on home-based electronic equipment (Espedido Julian, 2010). Many companies are participants in this lucrative business and they include such companies as Wal-Mart, Netflix, Blockbuster, Intelliflix, Redbox and GameZnFlix among others. Both Netflix and Blockbuster companies are presently the leaders in the rental movie industry and therefore the major rivals in the rental movie industry. As to Blockbuster, it has a quite lengthy convention in the business. The Blockbuster has existed since the year 1985, even as Netflix entered its 12th anniversary this year. This gives Blockbuster an edge of existence over its close competitor Netflix. This paper intends to critically provide an in depth analysis for Arthur Thompsons case study entitled Competition in the Movie Rental Industry in 2008: Netflix and Blockbuster Battle for Market Leadership. It will comb thoroughly issues li ke the trends which affect either negatively or positively the movie rental industry with utmost reference to Netflix and Blockbuster in respect to their fight for the market headship, scrutinize in detail the competitive movie rental industry environment, and by extension give detailed discussion on the use of both the SWOT as well as reasonable scorecard to evaluate Netflixs battle strategy for market leadership on the whole. Dominant Business and Economic Characteristics of Movie Rental Industry: The video rental industry (formally known as home entertainment or leisure) is actually an economic segment duly involved with the development, marketing and sale of movie as well as other computer games. It includes such video games as consoles, game software, mobile games, handheld devices as well as online games. In recent years, the movie industry of has been experiencing exponential growth. The growth has been such that it is expected even to further leap-frog in the near and far future (Espedido Julian, 2010). According to Espedido Julian (2010), the industrys dominant economic features include 1) Market bulk and growth pace More than $35 billion was spent on video games consoles, game software etc. Industry is expected to have more than $51 billion sale by 2010. 2) Numbers of rivals The two main contenders are Netflix and Blockbuster. 3) The extent of competitive challenge Global presence with regional focus is required for companys competitive long term success. 4) Numbers of buyers around 250 to 300 million people globally did watch movies and nearly the same number did play video games in the year 2007. There is for instance, an estimated average age of those actively involved in the video games. The estimated age has actually jumped to 33 years in 2005, and about 25 percent of video gamers were in excess of age 50. 5) The extent of product discrimination The bigger the extent of differentiation, the further the competitive advantage. 6) Product innovation merchandise innovation plays noteworthy role in capturing the market share and to take competitive advantage in the market. And finally, pace of technological advancement Newly sophisticated technology advancement does plays a crucial role in entertainment industry particularly with due regard to movie rental industry. The emergence for instance of internet services have made it quite easier for Netflixs founder, Reed Hastings who did become aware of the demand for online renting of movies way back in the year 1997. Without hesitation, he began the vibrant online movie rental business indeed to a large scale. Netflix became successful, and it did not take long before he began to bring in the reimbursements of someone elses idea. Competition: In the movie rental industry, there has been an intense competition between two major business rivals; Netflix and Blockbuster. The competition in the movie rental industry has been so frighteningly fierce for the precedent few years that it has been termed by many opinion leaders as unhealthy business wise. Netflix and Blockbuster are actually the current leaders in the booming rental movie industry and by extension and to that effect the major rivals. The Blockbuster has been in the business for long, in fact, since 1985 on the other hand, Netflix only entered its 12th existence year this year. Actually the founder, Reed Hastings did establish Netflix in the year 1997. Nevertheless, at the moment, Netflix appears to lead the market in terms of market acquisition. Netflix which is largely viewed as a newcomer does have around 9.6 million online customers who have subscribed to their services. In comparison, Blockbuster has just slightly more than 3 million online subscribers despite its longer years of existence. In the United States of America, there are other online movie rental companies which include companies such as Intelliflix, Redbox and GameZnFlix. However, GameZnFlix and Redbox do not serve the locals most of the time. Instead they more often than not target Asian markets. Additionally, Wal-Mart also did attempt to spawn profits in the movie rental industry but sooner was outrun in the business by Netflix. These days Wal-Mart merely possesses an advertising contract with Netflix in the industry. Online Service General Idea: Both the Netflix and Blockbuster entire right of entry are online movie rental services. This implies that one can look through their records and place movies or even a favorite program in ones queue. A customer or a member is permitted to maintain a DVD so long as she/he so wants and there also exist no outstanding dates or even late charges. The operation is such that once a movie had been seen it is wrapped in an envelope and immediately sent back to either Netflix or Blockbuster. So responsive are the movie rental companies such that as soon as a movie sent back is received, the next movie to be sent in the stand in line will duly be sent to the customer or member. Indeed, Both Netflix and Blockbuster do have many different strategies from which to choose. The possible options are two-fold and they include limited rentals and unlimited rentals. In its infinite DVD rental option, Netflix does offer eight (8) strategies. The costs normally vary from about $10 for a movie at a parti cular time to around $50 for 8 movies. On the other hand, Blockbuster has four (4) different schemes which fall between $10 and $24. As regards limited rentals, Netflix normally offer two (2) DVDs per month for about $6 or four (4) DVDs for a period of one month for about $12.however, with reference to limited rentals, a Blockbuster member is able to get two (2) DVDs for the equivalent value as their market challengers or four (4) DVDs for about $8 only. Netflix has more continuous entertainment flow merits. Netflix utilizes technological advancement than no other company. For example if an individual is a member of Netflix, it is highly possible movies are watched from the individuals website at the same time as the person is waiting to obtain the subsequent movies from the list. This benefit is only to be had to Netflix customers. Nonetheless, Blockbuster also has certain incentives to their customers. It normally let a rental customer to turn back a watched movie physically. On f urther advancement to outdo each other, Netflix more often than not sends a new show within a day, whereas it takes Blockbuster around two to three days to deliver a new movie. Netflix is really sophisticated in this business. It does offer a wider assortment of movies as compared to its biggest competitors and even a rare expediency of watching shows online. Further still, they are also faster on matters shipping. With regard to technological use, Blockbuster only lets a member arrange and order movies online. Their movies are also largely obtainable in their stores. As a result, they lack online movie watching services. However, Blockbuster does give a rare chance to its customers to acquire as much as double shows given that their in store rental services is free with a Total Access Pass. The Forces Driving Movie Rental Industry: Several forces do propel the movie rental industry especially with regard to the performance of one of the market leaders, the Netflix, and they include such forces as i) Market Features-The industry was in actual market maturity stage previous to the application and utilization of the Internet technology as a medium of distribution. Netflix did capitalize and subsequently utilized the Internet sophistication to gain huge market share by offering customers and members with direct movie download accessibility and undeviating shipments to their home. Â   As earlier stated, Netflix was and for that matter still remain a market leader that realized the first potential of the market which did exist for Internet movie rentals. Â  According to Espedido Julian (2010) they did make the product less complex for the consumer to acquire by eliminating unnecessary hassle that existed before and in lieu provided accelerated delivery. ii) Profit Margins of the Industry- the gross profit of Netfli x did shoot up from $8 million in the year 2000 to around $419.6 million in the year 2007. Â  it was an indication that Netflix was proficient and capable of capitalizing on the existing market trends which affect the entire movie rental industry. Netflix market entrance was quite successful and this contributed to their fast growth and expansive market share acquisition. iii) Competition Intensity- when Netflix was entering movie retail industry, the industry then was operating as an oligopoly as Blockbuster did control a major market share. Â   Netflix was amazingly able to compete against the then well established Blockbuster by effectively and efficiently using the Internet technology and the policy of one day delivery distribution channels were its central competitive advantage over Blockbuster and other allied companies in the market that was largely oligopoly. iv) Variations in Demand-Movie demand appears to be somewhat consistent. Â   Nevertheless, more and more customers seem to be too conventional. They are reminiscent of the idea of requesting for the DVDs off the Internet. v) Capital and Technological Requirements- A huge amount of initial capital is duly required to start the business of movie rentals and in turn obtain any momentous share of the market since fees that must be paid is quite exorbitant. Compare Netflix and Blockbusters competitive strategies: Both Netflix and Blockbuster have employed diverse strategies, plans and schemes to gain more market share as well as revenues as they can. They have before engaged in business tussles. Both the companies have actually been involved in price battle, each lowering its operation cost compared to the cost charged by their rival (Thompson, et al. 2010). This strategy however, popular with many competing companies does work advantageously to consumers since the consumers get the same kind of services for a smaller amount of money they pay. The CEO of Netflix, Reed Hastings strategies is to reach about 20 million customers by the year 2012. Netflix therefore puts a great deal of anxiety on Blockbuster compelling them to change something in their strategy and future plans. In fact, up till about two years ago, Blockbuster was charging for their services late fees for failure to return on time DVDs back (Thompson, et al. 2010). The company henceforth changed their strategy and no longer char ge late fees any more. Netflix has very aggressive strategies. They have been purchasing privileges to autonomous films. This plan will permit Netflix to rent or even sell DVDs or movies in the theatres. In so doing, Netflix gambles and attempts to make more cash on movies which Hollywood never considers. It duly works in their favor since only 30 percent of Netflixs rentals are new releases (Thompson, et al. 2010). Advantages/Disadvantages of Two Rivals Advantages of Netflix: Netflix provides more advantages to its customers. According to Roth, Daniel (2009) their customers do watch more than 7000 movies online as a member. Their website also makes recommendations based on your previous ratings. Further, their website keeps track of movies rented. Moreover, they have a large selection of special interest DVDs. Finally, they avail to their customers a 2 week free trial. Disadvantages of Netflix: Netflix have numerous merits. However, they also have few demerits. For instance, they show poor customer service. Their services subject customers into a long wait for new releases. Advantages of Blockbuster Total Access: Blockbuster as a market rival to Netflix has merits too. They offer 2 free video/game in store monthly rentals to their members. Their members also enjoy privilege to return online order to any local Blockbuster store and this is very convenient to customers (Roth, Daniel, 2009). In addition, their customers pay a paltry $9.99 for the first month of subscription. Disadvantages of Blockbuster Total Access: Nevertheless, Blockbuster also has disadvantages. For that case, their customers are barred from returning rented Movies by mail. Finally, their consumers are conditioned to have 2 separate accounts in order to rent in store and online (Blockbuster, 2008). A Complete SWOT for Netflix: The founders of Netflix were Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph. This was way back in the year 1997. They both viewed the business as a blend of customary video store as well as a subscription or payment cable TV services. Since April 1998, Netflix has been offering DVD owners an expedient as well as a cost effectual alternative to rent movies. Netflix has been operating as an internet based rental movie subscription services provider particularly for formatted movies of digital video disc (DVD). Its website provided its members to not only surf its catalogue of shows without difficulties, but also offered clips of movies which customers could afford to rent. Its prime mission is to offer versatile services which can help its members pick and obtain rental movies with an absolute gratification. Netflixs founders were very intelligent. They were able to foresee the positive potential of technological trend of the digital video disc player market jointly with the fast growth of internet access. Netflix as a result placed itself immediately in the internet DVD rental business. Their main focus was on those Americans who love movies, can access the internet, owns a DVD player or possess PCs or have DVD-ROM. Unsatisfied customers with the rule of the game of the other local movie rental companies preferred the online stores which was offered principally by Netflix. The online stores did cover scores of demographics. Summary From the point of view of the user, there is bound to occur varied preferences towards one service. It mostly relies on individual needs of a service member. For instance, versed with technological advancement will more likely favor Netflix, whilst a family living at home and is close to a Blockbuster store would prefer its services. Relying on the observation above, it is adequate to say that Netflix is more than able to be steps ahead of Blockbuster because they do not incur overbearing overhead cost of possessing its stores as well as storing all DVDs.

One of the Freedom Fighters; Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Essay

Martin Luther King, Jr. was born on January 15, 1929. He was an American clergyman, activist, and prominent leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for his role in the advancement of civil rights using nonviolent civil disobedience. A Baptist minister, King became a civil rights activist early in his career. He led the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott and helped found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1957, serving as its first president. King’s efforts led to the 1963 March on Washington, where King delivered his â€Å"I Have a Dream† speech. On October 14 1964, King received the Nobel Peace Prize for combating racial inequality through nonviolence. In the next few years leading up to his death, he expanded his focus to include poverty and the Vietnam War. King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977 and Congressional Gold Medal in 2004; Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was established as a U.S. federal holiday in 1986. Hundreds of streets in the U.S. and beyond have been renamed in his honor. Here’s an excerpt from his famous speech â€Å"I have a dream†: I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: â€Å"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.† I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood. I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today! I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of â€Å"interposition† and â€Å"nullification† — one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers. I have a dream today! I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; â€Å"and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.†