American Psycho vs American So essays

American Psycho vs American So essays American Psycho vs. American society Director Mary Harrons American Psycho, portrays a man who appears socially, financially, and culturally successful to the outside world. But the same culture that he strives to conquer seems to lead him to horrible acts of violence. The mere idea of committing the acts of violence shows the downfalls of our current society. Some of these downfalls may be loss of respect for others, and a money driven mentality. Driven by Greed, Harrons Patrick Bateman is continually striving for improvements in his physical appearance, financial/social status, and masculinity. This continual need for improvement and desire for perfection by Patrick mirrors our American work ethic. American Psychos Patrick illustrates how his economic and social stature can mask his serial killer mentality. In a scene where he discusses movie reviews with his secretary while holding a nailgun to the back of her head. She has no idea of the nail-gun and thinks he is a normal, sane person because of his high social status. As he lures women back to his fancy apartment, he is using his money and nice things as a tool to commit these acts of violence. This ironic twist of a mans mentality relates to how what Newitz refers to as economic performance anxiety could force someone to do strange things as a result of a fear of imperfection. The interest of watching the cinema of serial murders may relate to an insanity caused by our own culture. Our capitalist society, although leads to some very financially successful people, may have deep emotional drawbacks to those that choose to participate in its workforce. The book Mythologies of Violence in Postmodern Media, edited by Christopher Sharrett discusses a desire to consume infinitely that is present in our current economic societys mind. This need for things, such as expensive cars, and nice houses logically lea...

Be Sure to Check Your Sources

Be Sure to Check Your Sources Be Sure to Check Your Sources Be Sure to Check Your Sources By Maeve Maddox A reader recently wanted to know if I could corroborate my reflections on certain idioms (Lying in State: Changing Perceptions Change Language). Considering the half-digested information and deliberate hoaxes that abound on the web, the question was a valid one. I know just what kind of thing has made that reader suspicious. A year or so ago, a colleague of mineaware of my areas of expertisesent me an email shed received, wanting to know if the facts presented in it were true. The text purported to explain the origin of various common expressions by linking them to supposed medieval activities. Some of the explanations sounded plausible, but had nothing to do with historical fact. As far as I know, the spurious email is still out there in cyberspace, spreading misinformation. The articles I write for Daily Writing Tips are not made up out of whole cloth. Some of what I write is a matter of opinion and when it is, I say so. Whenever I offer information about grammar or diction, I consult standard works on the subject. When Daniel launched DWT earlier this summer, I wrote my first articles more or less blindly, with little notion of whom I was writing for. Thanks to readers comments, I now know that the site is attracting a wonderful cross-section of English speakers and writers who have questions and insights relating to every aspect of the language. Knowing that my articles are being read gives me great pleasure, but it also keeps me on my toes. I dont want to be guilty of circulating faulty information if I can help it. So far Ive been relying on my considerable experience as a student and teacher of English. Sometimes Ill throw in a literary example from memory, but if I have any doubts about the instructional content of an article, I check with acknowledged printed authorities. Here are the desk references I reach for first: The Oxford English Dictionary (unabridged) Websters New Collegiate Dictionary Modern English Usage by H.W. Fowler English Pronouncing Dictionary by Daniel Jones A History of the English Language by A. C. Baugh Higher English by F. J. Rahtz A Dictionary of Modern American Usage by H. W. Horwill Language: Its Nature, Development, and Origin by Otto Jespersen When I need more specialized information, I go to my nearby university library. TIP: Whether youre gathering information for your latest writing project, or asking questions to improve your craft, it never hurts to double- and triple-check your sources. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the General category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:How to Structure A Story: The Eight-Point ArcTry to vs. Try andConfusion of Subjective and Objective Pronouns

Marketing Communication Plan for Gap 360 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Marketing Communication Plan for Gap 360 - Essay Example all also identify that have an influence within the external and the internal micro and macro environment in the gap travel period and the market within which they operate. The key strengths of the company are a strong management team and deep market knowledge. This is supported by a healthy knowledge of web and strong design contacts that help to build a stronger travel network. Good understanding of social networking and internet marketing supported by plenty of financials support the Gap 360’s plans. The key weaknesses for Gap 360 is the economic slowdown and the rise in the number of small competitors has contributed towards rising costs of marketing and raise the difficulty in gaining the desired speed of SEO. The key opportunities that face Gap 360 include significant opportunities to hire top talent at cheap costs because of the economic scenario. Additionally, the company also has the advantage of economies of large scale operations in competition to smaller firms that operate with high overhead costs. Quick corporate structure and strategic partnerships can speed up the growth process for the company. The few threats the Gap 360 needs t o be careful about encompass the weak economic condition that reduces the disposable income at the hands of the consumer who, in turn, reduces his spending on leisure travel. Investment shortfall and inefficiency in operations might also cause serious setbacks (Hill and Jones, 2012; Goodley, 2010). The political scenario of United Kingdom is quite stable while the company organizes travel trips to those countries which are safe for leisure and educational travel. On the economic front, the company is facing tough times due to the weakening UK economy and the financial crisis that caused it. UK spending on leisure activities has reduced and there is a huge unemployment problem. The social scenario looks favourable to support gap year travels. The trend is also emerging in other nations like Australia, which might help Gap

Reading summaries Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 2

Reading summaries - Essay Example It can be defined that people who belong to poor environment are suffering from various illness more than those people who are living in healthy environment. To stay healthy people should maintain its surroundings in a healthy manner. As per my understanding, people should avoid smoking as it is injurious to health. Smoking is very dangerous for the human health and causes several health related issues in the long run. It is observed that people who are smoking are affected directly and people who are living in such a polluted atmosphere are indirectly getting affected by the smoke poison. It is stated that not only smoking but also passive smoking is injurious for health. The consumption of the alcohol is harmful for the human health as well. The consumption of alcohol in an excessive rate is harmful for the health as stated and analyzed (LeBesco, 2012). By reviewing the articles, I can determine that the author explains bout the medical view regarding various diseases, which are caused due to obesity or fats. As per the â€Å"New Public Health† it can be described that obesity is the main focus of the medical industry in the present day era. Author in her study explains about the significant responsibilities of the civilized people who belong to society. As per my understanding the author wants create awareness to maintain the environment clean for living healthy (LeBesco,

Rhetorical Devices Essay Example for Free

Rhetorical Devices Essay The definition of an anecdote is a story that is very short that either explains or emphasizes a point that is trying to be made. In my speech when I was explaining that soccer has affected the paths that my life has taken including schools and friends, I used the short story of getting recruited for soccer at the high school and collegiate level, which is also where I met my best friends. In Bekah Diehl’s speech making the point that the saying â€Å"the only fear is fear itself† she said she not scared of the fear of baseballs, but rather the ball itself. The story she used was with her friends playing catch with the baseball around her. The conclusion is the final part of a speech that closes it and ties it all main points together. In the conclusion the thesis is stated, the main points are summarized, and a clincher is said to leave the audience with. The conclusion for my speech was that soccer has made me a well-rounded individual and has shaped the person that I am today. My favorite memories have included playing soccer and my teammates. When I step on the field I am free. I would not be the same person today if soccer was not in my life. In the closing of Bekah Diehl her conclusion that was her fear of baseballs is real and something she has to deal with. However, she takes comfort that her she doesn’t have a phobia of something else and that her phobia could be of something worse.

biology scientific process :: essays research papers

Biology: The Science of Our Lives Biology literally means "the study of life". Biology is such a broad field, covering the minute workings of chemical machines inside our cells, to broad scale concepts of ecosystems and global climate change. Biologists study intimate details of the human brain, the composition of our genes, and even the functioning of our reproductive system. Biologists recently all but completed the deciphering of the human genome, the sequence of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) bases that may determine much of our innate capabilities and predispositions to certain forms of behavior and illnesses. DNA sequences have played major roles in criminal cases (O.J. Simpson, as well as the reversal of death penalties for many wrongfully convicted individuals), as well as the impeachment of President Clinton (the stain at least did not lie). We are bombarded with headlines about possible health risks from favorite foods (Chinese, Mexican, hamburgers, etc.) as well as the potential benefits of eating o ther foods such as cooked tomatoes. Informercials tout the benefits of metabolism-adjusting drugs for weight loss. Many Americans are turning to herbal remedies to ease arthritis pain, improve memory, as well as improve our moods. Can a biology book give you the answers to these questions? No, but it will enable you learn how to sift through the biases of investigators, the press, and others in a quest to critically evaluate the question. To be honest, five years after you are through with this class it is doubtful you would remember all the details of meatbolism. However, you will know where to look and maybe a little about the process of science that will allow you to make an informed decision. Will you be a scientist? Yes, in a way. You may not be formally trained as a science major, but you can think critically, solve problems, and have some idea about what science can and cannoit do. I hope you will be able to tell the shoe from the shinola. The Scientific Process Scientists make progress by using the scientific method, a process of checking conclusions against nature. After observing something, a scientist tries to explain what has been seen. The explanation is called a hypothesis. There is always at least one alternative hypothesis. A part of nature is tested in a "controlled experiment" to see if the explanation matches reality. A controlled experiment is one in which all treatments are identical except that some are exposed to the hypothetical cause and some are not.

Starry Night Over the Rhone

Starry Night Over the Rhine was painted along the banks of the Rhine River. What I first see when I look at this painting is the city lights reflecting off the water while a couple takes a walk on the nearby shore. The sky is filled with stars, including the Great Bear, commonly known as the Big Dipper. Van Gogh shifted the sky around in order to create an even more extraordinary display of stars. From his point of view the town of Arles lay to the south west; the Big Dipper he painted in the sky was actually in the north behind him.Towards the left you can see the towers of Saint Julienne and Saint Trophies, and the bridge connecting Arles to Tranquiller on the right. In the far horizon, a church steeple is shown. Starry Night Over the Rhine was described in a letter from Vincent Van Gogh as a cheerful piece, but when the painting was finished almost a year later, it had a revised mood and meaning. The work is dark, but serene. Many believe that the swelling depression in Van Gogh d istorted the original sketch's romantic charm.This painting is a reflection of inner torment and mental distress. The animated strokes, the bright, vivacious colors of the stars contrasting against the dark blues and blacks of the night reveal his cry for hope, light and love. The focal point of Starry Night Over the Rhine is the constellation of the Big Dipper. Vincent Van Gogh brings attention to the Big Dipper by using color and value. The sky is the lightest shade of blue around the Big Dipper. The bright yellow stars in the constellation contrast with the blue to bring focus to them.Van Gogh uses the lines in the ground under the couple and around the edge f the water to make a circular motion that brings the eyes back to the focal point of the Big Dipper. Van Gogh also uses contrasting directional lines in the sky to make the stars stand out. The texture of the entire painting is very thick because of the method of impasto that Van Gogh used. A closer look at the Starry Night Over the Rhine reveals that Vincent Van Gogh gave equal visual weight to all the things that he painted. In this painting there is no visual distinction between the earth and the sky.Van Gogh shows unity throughout the piece with the lights, both natural and an-made. For every star or group of stars there is a city light or group of lights, which then has a reflection in the water. At the waters' edge near the couple, it is nearly impossible to see the distinction between land and water. The low contrast makes it hard to tell whether the ship is sinking in the water, or merely Just docked. The bright lights have a high contrast to the dark blue-black sky and water. The way the water is depicted creates a rhythm that gives the illusion of waves rippling.The Starry Night Over the Rhine is an oil painting on canvas and the technique is broad ND sweeping brushstrokes. Vincent Van Gogh also used the technique of impasto in this painting. Impasto is very thick application of paint, usuall y wet on wet. This technique gives the painting texture and movement. Van Gogh painted rapidly, with a sense of urgency, using the paint straight from the tube. Van Gogh painted emotionally, trying to â€Å"throw his heart onto the canvas† and evoke feeling. (http:// www. Ratable. Com/artists/Vincent_van_Gogh/paintings/starry_night_over_the_Rhine) When I look at The Starry Night Over the Rhine, I feel infinite.This painting makes me feel at peace, like I could Just look at it forever. It reminds me of the song â€Å"Bella Note† from Lady and the Tramp. A quote I particularly like from Vincent Van Gogh is â€Å"l don't know anything with certainty, but seeing the stars makes me dream. † This painting truly exhibits this quote. The Starry Night Over the Rhine is magical and beautiful. It is one of very few pieces of artwork that I feel this way about, which is why I selected it for this assignment. I can not imagine a better piece of art to own.

Reflective Report

The purpose of this report is to reflect upon an aspect of my development that I have encountered throughout my time as a student in Personal and Professional Development (PPD) class conducted by lecturer Mr. Jeremy Ivan Thambirajah. I am a student here for almost a semester, and over my time here I have gained a lot than expected. Going through the PPD programme has taught me so much. It taught me how to be me. I have learned here how to write and express myself, how to think for myself and how to find answers to the things that I do not know.Most importantly, I have learned how important self esteem is when conducting a presentation. I learnt that ethics, like how we dress when conducting a presentation is very important. The lecturer has made me aware of these formal systems of organization that enable people carry out tasks in the workplace. I even find the class exercises enabled me to be more disciplined, in others words, it has taught me to manage myself properly when it comes to completing coursework given by the lecturer. On top of that, it gave me a better team working skills, thus managing others well and overall was a good exercise in time management.I can be slightly about getting my own way. Although I value myself as a good listener, I could benefit from considering other people’s opinions more carefully. Through this I can conclude here that this programme has enlightened me on the need for self-development. Even though I prefer to avoid confrontation, especially with people I know well. However, this is something that I need to overcome in order to be a successful leader. This, I realised after going through the PPD programme. I also found myself to be more confident with the work that I was assigned by the lecturer.I have learnt to be patient and to communicate effectively. Writing had always been one of my strengths, but it was challenging to take that initial step past the high school, five-paragraph essay form that constricted my ide as for so long. Moving past this form, however, has greatly opened my mind. My thoughts are now able to be more complex because I have learned to adapt a logical argument in an organized way. I have reflected on this picture and concluded that I should not forget these experiences. I still wished we had been taught about more stuffs, like how to manage stress.

Juan Salvador Villasenor essays

Juan Salvador Villasenor essays On Aug. 18, 1929, Juan Salvador Villasenor married Lupe Gomez in a church in Santa Ana, Calif. Each came from a family that had fled the horrors of the Mexican Revolution. The life their families led before that cataclysm and their eventual settlement in the United States is one of survival and wonder. Now their son, Victor Villasenor, has written "Rain of Gold," a grand and vivid history of both clans in an ambitious narrative that draws on the utter terror of those years and the intuitive wisdom of his people as they adapted to their new country. An Irish priest who loves bootleg booze performs the joyful wedding, which is attended by a Jewish tailor, an Indian sheriff who protects bootleggers, and of course both families, including the groom's God-fearing mother, who often sits in the outhouse in blasphemous conversation with the Virgin Mary, "the Bible open on her lap, a cigarette hanging from her lips and a glass of whiskey in her left hand." The immigrant experience has always been integral to the American adventure. What makes the Mexican ordeal different is that they arrived by foot rather than by airplane or in steerage. The Villasenor and Gomez families came in the first wave of mass migration from Mexico, in the early 20th century. Victor Villasenor had been hearing stories from his family's older generations about the arduous journey, descriptions of cruelty and hardship that strained credulity and obsessed him with the desire to squeeze every memory from his elders, and then visit the Mexican settlements where they grew up. Mr. Villasenor, author of two previous books, alternates between the two families, focusing on the volatile Juan Salvador and the thoughtful Lupe; eventually the book becomes their love story. His dialogue is convincing and the pace seldom falters. What "Rain of Gold" shows best, however, is how the Porfirio Diaz regime, and the revolution it provoked in 1910, affected day-to-day family life ...

The History of the Italian Language

The History of the Italian Language You’re always hearing that Italian is a romance language, and that’s because linguistically speaking, it’s a member of the Romance group of the Italic subfamily of the Indo-European family of languages. It is spoken principally in the Italian peninsula, southern Switzerland, San Marino, Sicily, Corsica, northern Sardinia, and on the northeastern shore of the Adriatic Sea, as well as in North and South America. Like the other Romance languages, Italian is a direct offspring of the Latin spoken by the Romans and imposed by them on the peoples under their dominion. However, Italian is unique in that of all the major Romance languages, it retains the closest resemblance to Latin. Nowadays, it’s considered one language with many different dialects. Development During the long period of Italian’s evolution, many dialects sprang up, and the multiplicity of these dialects and their claims upon their native speakers as pure Italian speech presented a peculiar difficulty in choosing a version that would reflect the cultural unity of the entire peninsula. Even the earliest popular Italian documents, produced in the 10th century, are dialectal in language, and during the following three centuries Italian writers wrote in their native dialects, producing a number of competing regional schools of literature. During the 14th century, the Tuscan dialect began to dominate. This may have happened because of Tuscany’s central position in Italy and because of the aggressive commerce of its most important city, Florence. Moreover, of all the Italian dialects, Tuscan has the greatest similarity in morphology and phonology from classical Latin, which makes it harmonize best with the Italian traditions of Latin culture. Finally, Florentine culture produced the three literary artists who best summarized Italian thought and feeling of the late Middle Ages and the early Renaissance: Dante, Petrarca, and Boccaccio. The First 13th Century Texts In the first half of the 13th century, Florence was preoccupied with the development of trade. Then interest began to broaden, especially under the lively influence of Latini. Brunetto Latini (1220-94): Latini was exiled to Paris from 1260 to 1266 and became a link between France and Tuscany. He wrote the Trà ¨sor (in French) and the Tesoretto (in Italian) and contributed to the development of allegorical and didactic poetry, along with a tradition of rhetoric upon which dolce stil nuovo and Divine Comedy were based.The dolce stil nuovo (1270-1310): Although in theory they continued the Provenà §al tradition and counted themselves members of the Sicilian School of Federico IIs reign, the Florentine writers went their own way. They used all their knowledge of science and philosophy in a delicate and detailed analysis of love. Among them were Guido Cavalcanti and the young Dante.The Chroniclers: These were men of the merchant class whose involvement in city affairs inspired them to write tales in the vulgar tongue. Some, such as Dino Compagni (d. 1324), wrote about local conflicts and rivalries; others, like Giovanni Villani (d. 1348), took on much wider E uropean events as their subject. The Three Jewels in the Crown Dante Alighieri (1265-1321): Dantes Divine Comedy is one of the great works of world literature, and it was also proof that in literature the vulgar tongue could rival Latin. He had already defended his argument in two unfinished treatises, De vulgari eloquentia and Convivio, but to prove his point it needed the Divine Comedy, this masterpiece in which Italians rediscovered their language in sublime form (Bruno Migliorini).Petrarch (1304-74): Francesco Petrarca was born in Arezzo since his father was in exile from Florence. He was a passionate admirer of ancient Roman civilization and one of the great early Renaissance humanists, creating a Republic of Letters. His philological work was highly respected, as were his translations from Latin into the Vulgate, and also his Latin works. But it’s Petrarchs love poetry, written in the vulgar tongue, that keeps his name alive today. His Canzoniere had enormous influence on the poets of the 15th and 16th centuries.Boccaccio (1313-75): This was a man from the rising commercial classes, whose principal work, ​​Decameron, has been described as a merchants epic. It consists of one hundred stories told by characters who are also part of a story that provides the setting for the whole, much like The Arabian Nights. The work was to become a model for fiction and prose writing. Boccaccio was the first to write a commentary on Dante, and he was also a friend and disciple of Petrarch. Around him gathered enthusiasts of the new humanism. La Questione Della Lingua The question of the language, an attempt to establish linguistic norms and codify the language, engrossed writers of all persuasions. Grammarians during the 15th and the 16th centuries attempted to confer upon the pronunciation, syntax, and vocabulary of 14th-century Tuscan the status of a central and classical Italian speech. Eventually, this classicism, which might have made Italian another dead language, was widened to include the organic changes inevitable in a living tongue. In the dictionaries and publications of the, founded in 1583, which was accepted by Italians as authoritative in Italian linguistic matters, compromises between classical purism and living Tuscan usage were successfully effected. The most important literary event of the 16th century did not take place in Florence. In 1525 the Venetian Pietro Bembo (1470-1547) set out his proposals (Prose della volgar lingua - 1525) for a standardized language and style: Petrarca and Boccaccio were his models and thus became the modern classics. Therefore, the language of Italian literature is modeled on Florence in the 15th century. Modern Italian It wasn’t until the 19th century that the language spoken by educated Tuscans spread far enough to become the language of the new nation. The unification of Italy in 1861 had a profound impact not only on the political scene but also resulted in a significant social, economic, and cultural transformation. With mandatory schooling, the literacy rate increased, and many speakers abandoned their native dialect in favor of the national language.

ETHAL'S CHOCOLATE LOUNGE Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

ETHAL'S CHOCOLATE LOUNGE - Essay Example Ethel’s Chocolate Lounges: Back to the Future? Chocolate Lounges Taste Sweet Success Case Background The case presents the marketing strategies implemented by Ethel’s Chocolate Lounges since its inception in 2005 in the neighborhood of Lincoln Park in Chicago. Reported to be named after the matriarch of the family known to produce the famous Mars chocolates, Ethel, with husband, Frank, the chocolate lounges were designed to parallel the successful stints of coffee shops like Starbucks. The disparity comes in terms of offering chocolate drinks together other chocolate products to sophisticated clientele in search for â€Å"approachable gourmet chocolates† in an impeccable environment. In this regard, the case study would aim to address the issues of consumer buying decision; factors that influence consumers to spend and factors that motivate them; as well as needs that Ethel's experience appeals to most. Type of Consumer Buying Decision Ethel’s Chocolate Lo unges has explicitly indicated that their lounges â€Å"are designed to coddle patrons in the lap of luxury, but Mars president John Haugh maintains that what makes Ethel's special is that it offers ‘approachable gourmet chocolate’† (Cengage Cites, 2008, p. 13). ... 13). Having established their customers’ profile and the products and services that Ethel Chocolate Lounges offer, the type of consumer buying decision depends on the level of involvement of the consumer and the extent of differences among brands (MBA Lectures, 2010). For this case, since the customer is seeking variety and the elegance offered by Ethel Chocolate Lounges, these customers are classified as variety seekers and their buying behavior is variety seeking buying behavior. Accordingly, â€Å"variety seeking buying behavior occurs in a situation of low consumer involvement but significant brand differences† (MBA Lectures, 2010, par. 5). Consumers’ involvement are not significantly high since they could be influenced by peers encouraging them to try out the gourmet chocolates and even if these products are significantly high in price, the cost of the products are not too expensive when compared with luxury products or furnitures, appliances and other high priced items. These customers are mostly seeking specialty products requiring cognitive decision making in terms of added comforts and services offered by the lounges aside from the products per se. Factors that Influence Consumer to Spend Money Having established the consumer profiles, the factors that influence consumers to spend money are as follows: (1) a place to chitchat and relax with friends; (2) a venue for experiencing a relaxing ambiance where socializing is encouraged; (3) the option to try new ways to enjoy chocolates (as beverages, as truffles, and in over 50 varieties); and (4) an opportunity to be included in the ‘in’ crowd. Factor that will motivate a Consumer the Most From the