What Is Buddhism Essay - 1046 Words

What is Buddhism? nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Buddhism is a path of teaching and practice. Buddhist practices such as meditation are means of changing oneself in order to develop the qualities of awareness, kindness, and wisdom. The experience developed within the Buddhist tradition over thousands of years has created an incomparable resource for all those who wish to follow the path of spiritual development. Ultimately, the Buddhist path culminates in Enlightenment or Buddhahood. Who was the Buddha? nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The word Buddha is a title not a name. It means ‘one who is awake in the sense of having ‘woken up to reality. The title was first given to a man called Siddharta Guatemala, who lived about 2,500 years†¦show more content†¦How do you become a Buddhist? nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;To become a Buddhist in the full sense means committing oneself to the central ideas of Buddhism. The Buddhist path is open to all equally: men and women, young and old, people of all nationalities, races and backgrounds. Rebirth Rebirth in the Six Realms nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Buddhism teaches that birth, death and rebirth are part of the continuing process of change. The is similar to the continuous process of growth, decay, and replacement of cells in ones body. According to medical experts, after every seven years, all the cells in ones body are replaced by new ones. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;At the moment of death, and the body can no longer survive, the mind is separated from the body. At that time, the craving for lives causes one to seek a new existence, and the karma done previously determine the place of ones rebirth. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;There are six realms which one may be reborn after death. They are the realms of gods, the demigods, human beings, animals, hungry ghosts, and the hells. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;In general, wholesome actions like good conduct, charity, a and mental development, are the cause of rebirth in the happy realms of gods, demigods, and human beings. On the other hand, unwholesome actions like immoral conduct, miserliness and cruelty causeShow MoreRelatedBuddhism : What Is Buddhism? Essay1659 Words   |  7 PagesWhat is Buddhism ? Some may say it is a religion while others say it is a philosophy. Buddhism is many things. Buddhism was and still is to this day a religion practiced by many. Its teachings are kno wn worldwide. The founder and many of the teachings of Buddhism are the reason it is so significant still to this day. Suddhodana and Maya gave birth to a man by the name of Siddhatta Gotam or Shakyamuni who later would become the founder of Buddhism (Laumakis 7). He was a prince who lived a very privilegedRead MoreWhat Is Buddhism?1046 Words   |  5 PagesWhat is Buddhism? Buddhism is a path of teaching and practice. Buddhist practices such as meditation are means of changing oneself in order to develop the qualities of awareness, kindness, and wisdom. The experience developed within the Buddhist tradition over thousands of years has created an incomparable resource for all those who wish to follow the path of spiritual development. Ultimately, the Buddhist path culminates in Enlightenment or Buddhahood. Who was the Buddha? The word BuddhaRead MoreWhat Are the Beliefs and Values of Buddhism1848 Words   |  8 PagesWhat are the beliefs and values of Buddhism? Buddhists follow the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama who is known as the Buddha, meaning the enlightened one. Buddhism originated in northern India and is the fourth largest religion of the world. However, Buddhism is more a philosophy or way of life other than a religion because unlike so many other religious traditions, Buddhism is founded on the teaching of a human being and not a god. Philosophy means love of wisdom and the Buddhist’s believeRead MoreHinduism And Buddhism : What Is Hinduism?1986 Words   |  8 PagesHinduism and Buddhism What is Hinduism? ‘The religion life of India is like the river Ganges. It has flowed along for thousands of years, swirling from its own power, but also from the power of new streams that have added to its force’. (pg 78 Fifth edition Experiencing the world’s religions, traditions, challenges, and change) Hinduism, is the main religion of India and is the worship of numerous gods with a faith in a solitary celestial reality. Hinduism has numerous divisions of religion, butRead MoreWhat I Learned About Buddhism Essay1543 Words   |  7 Pagesinterested in Buddhism so I was excited that it was a religion that the class was going to cover. I had little prior knowledge of Buddhism but I didn’t know the origin, important figures and important teachings but I learned that what I thought was inaccurate. This class deepened my interest of Buddhism more because I learned what it really is about and their teaching while also correcting the ideas I had of Buddhism that were wrong. One of the ideas I was wrong about Buddhism is that I thoughtRead MoreBuddhism : What Kind Of Rituals Do You Prefer?1490 Words   |  6 Pages Buddhism: The Path to Peace and Enlightenment Do you believe in religions? Do you believe in its various rituals/practices? I do, I believe in a religion and its practices/rituals. However, I prefer rituals that do not harm any living organism. What kind of rituals do you prefer? A ritual is a ceremonial act that is performed for a specific value, to obtain something good from it. Rituals are one amongst many aspects within a religion. There are numerous religions in the world. One amongRead MoreBuddhism Is Considered A Religion Or A Philosophy961 Words   |  4 Pageswhether buddhism is considered a religion or a philosophy but I believe that it is both. According to (https://www.google.com/#q=buddhismBuddhism) is a non-theistic religion or philosophy that encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs and spiritual practices largely based on teachings attributed to the Buddha. Buddhism inhabits several traits that consider it a religion and a philosophy. There is not a clear distinction that defines buddhism as one or the ot her. Some practices of Buddhism displayRead MoreSimilarities Between Hinduism And Buddhism948 Words   |  4 PagesBoth Hinduism and Buddhism came from the region called India. Hinduism was the dominant one in the subcontinent, while Buddhism had to flee to other regions to spread its belief to the people. The creation of Hinduism will eventually give birth to Buddhism later on. Even though both â€Å"religions† came from the same region, they have some similarities and differences between them. Hinduism from the start was a combination of different beliefs or ceremonies from the Indus Valley Civilization. All ofRead MoreA Shifting Image of Buddhism in America Essay1206 Words   |  5 Pagesdecorations on the wall, the sacred images displayed at the altar, and the vibrant color of the monk’s robe were still familiar, but what was being said was (very) foreign to me. I quickly became impatient and preoccupied with the question on why I was there in the first place. What would I write about for my final Buddhism assignment if I could not understand what was being said? One thing was clear, the day I visited, they were celebrating Buddha’s birthday with huge display of rituals and ceremonyRead MoreBuddhism, Religion, And Religion1155 Words   |  5 PagesMany wars have been fought based on religion. Countless Disputes, debates, and lives. But, there is one religion that doesn t concern wars, or even violence. Buddhism. The question buddhism, is it a religion a philosophy has been raised so many times before, Indeed, Buddhism can be seen within an open secret of the past two decades, in which it s played no small part: namely, more and more people are finding personal connection to the sacred, lifted up out of and beyond the Sunday pews, made

Should Physician Assisted Suicide Be Legal - 847 Words

Should-Physician Assisted Suicide Be Legal In Every State When it comes to the topic of, should physician-assisted suicide be legal in every state, most of us will readily agree that it should be up to a terminally ill person to make that decision. Whereas some are convinced that it is inhumane, others maintain that it is a person’s decision to end their own life. I agree that physician-assisted suicide should be legal in every state because in most cases, people that are terminally ill should have the right to end their own life with the assistance of a physician. Physician assisted suicide or shall I call it physician assisted death is another way to end one’s life with assistance of a physician. What makes this assistance possible is a terminally ill person with six months to live. Brittany Maynard, a 29 year old Californian advocate for â€Å"Right to Die†, was diagnosed with brain cancer and decided to move to Oregon to take advantage of Oregon’s Deat h with Dignity Law. Brittany had become the face of the United States right to die debate. Before Brittany ended her life she posted her final Facebook post â€Å"Goodbye to all my dear friends that I love. Today is the day I have chosen to pass away with dignity in the face of my terminal illness, this terrible brain cancer that has taken so much from me†¦but would have taken so much more†(Maynard). Maynard made a choice to end her life knowing she had limited time to live. She did not want to suffer in her last days. I believeShow MoreRelatedShould Physician Assisted Suicide Be Legal?901 Words   |  4 PagesWhen society ponders over the idea of physician-assisted suicide, they most likely feel that the act itself would compare to murdering someone. Who really has the authority to say what is right or wrong when a loved one wants to end their life because of a terminal illness or a severe physical disability? Should Physician-assisted suicide be Legal in California to make it a euthanasia state like Oregon ? In the article titled â€Å"Nicest Lawmaker Touts Assisted Suicide,† by Clea Benson published The BakersfieldRead MorePhysician Assisted Suicide Should Be Legal1578 Words   |  7 Pagesmeasures. One of the alternative options is Physician-Assisted Suicide; defined as the voluntary termination of one’s own life by administration of a lethal substance with the direct or indirect assistance of a physician (â€Å"Physician-assisted†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ). In layman’s terms it means that a physician administers medications to the patients to use on their own terms, and it’s entirely up to the patient whether or not to ingest the medication. I know Physician-Assisted Suicide is a practical solution to terminally illRead MoreShould Physician-assisted Suicide Be Legal? 1473 Words   |  6 Pages Should physician-assisted suicide be legal? This debated subject has no right or wrong answer. Assisting someone in death has a felony murder conviction in some cases. There are a few different ways of being charged, but there are certain circumstances. There are many reasons why I am for it and of course, I have reasons against it. When you have a loved one in a vegetative state, does the family say yes or no to â€Å"pulling the plug?† Is it not the same as assisting a person in death? AnotherRead MorePhysician Assisted Suicide Should Be Legal1325 Words   |  6 PagesThe topic of physician-assisted suicide has become very controversial because of the ethical questions. The physical state of health of the patient, the patient’s personal life, and even the financial pressure of the patient are all factors to consider when contemplating whether or not to legalize this controversial cause of death. Physician-assisted suicide regarding medical ethics states that a physician cannot legally give any patient a lethal injection to end their life, but they can take theRead MoreShould Physician Assisted Suicide Be Legal?761 Words   |  4 Pages We Should be in Favor of Physician-assisted Suicide In a momentous decision released February 6, 2015, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that Physician-assisted suicide will be legal in Canada within 12 months. This deci-sion has caused a myriad of controversy. Opponents of physician-assisted suicide argue that the constitution recognizes the sanctity of life and no one has the right to end the life of another person’s. Supporters, on the other hand, argue that patients who experience constantRead MorePhysician Assisted Suicide Should Be Legal935 Words   |  4 Pagesdiscusses the ethics of physician-assisted suicide. In the process of physician-assisted suicide, a doctor purposefully provides a terminally ill patient with the means to take their own life. This is often confused with active euthanasia; however, they are not the same thing. In euthanasia, the doctor administers the lethal drug to the patient, but in physician-assisted suicide, the patient must take the lethal drugs themselves. There is much debate over physician-assisted suicide today. Some peopleRead MorePhysician Assisted Suicide Should Be Legal1494 Words   |  6 PagesPhysician Assisted Suicide A tough issue on the rise in the United States is whether or not Physician Assisted Suicide (PAS) should be legal. Physician Assisted Suicide allows a physician to prescribe a lethal dose of medication to a patient to end their life. However, the patient has to take the drugs on their own. PAS would be only offered to those suffering from a terminal illness with less than six months to live. The way these patients go about treating and or living with a terminal illnessRead MorePhysician Assisted Suicide Should Not Be Legal2017 Words   |  9 PagesEnglish 100 Melody Kowach Say No to Physician Assisted Suicide Has anyone ever heard of the term Assisted suicide? The term assisted suicide â€Å" is suicide committed with the aid of another person, who is usually a physician. It usually is called physician assisted suicide because a doctor is providing information on committing suicide with lethal doses of drugs (Assisted). There are many people with a terminal illness considering assisted suicide. Assisted Suicide is legal in five states which is OregonRead MorePhysician Assisted Suicide Should Be Legal1223 Words   |  5 Pagespractice of physician assisted suicide. This would allow terminally ill patients, many of whom have cancer, to make the difficult decision to end their lives peacefully. Doctors are able to simply write their patient a prescription, designed to end a person’s life in a non-painful way. Doctors and medical personnel have struggled with this topic, exploring the various consequences and benefits that come with making assisted suicide legal. Currently, physicia n assisted suicide has been made legal acrossRead MoreShould Physician Assisted Suicide Be Legal? Essay1745 Words   |  7 PagesShould Physician Assisted Suicide Be Legal? Every day in the United States 1,500 people are diagnosed with a terminal illness. These people are given few options when determining if the wish to try treatment and if treatment does not work, how to deal with the end of their lives. (author unknown, â€Å"Cancer†) With this horrible future ahead of them many may wish to make amends before it’s too late, however, an increasing number of people are seeking an alternate solution. In states such as Oregon, Washington

The 2016 Democratic Party Presidential Primaries And Caucuses

The 2016 Democratic Party presidential primaries and caucuses is an ongoing heated battle between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. One of the most prominent topic is the issue of student debt. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, student loans have quadrupled since 2004, to $1.2 trillion (Brown). This insurmountable debt is an astronomical problem for Americans today and more so, for future Americans. College tuition have been rising for the past 40 years and will continue to do so exponentially. In an asset management report done by J.P.Morgan in 2014, the firm projects the cost of private universities to be at roughly $90,000, and $40,000 for public four-year universities in the year of 2030 (Badkar). If the government remains dormant toward this issue, college students 20 years from now, will be burdened by an even bigger pile of debt. The average American’s financial ability and confidence is being crushed by this mountain of student debt. In turn, more and more people are not able to purchase their own house, or start their own business due to the pressure of paying back their overwhelming student loans. America, being a consumer economy and 60 percent of jobs are created by small businesses, this rising college tuition cost is affecting the majority of Americans and having a crippling effect on the whole economic system (Korkki). With the 2016 presidential election on the horizon, both candidates from the Democratic party had already addressed theirShow MoreRelatedThe Constitution Of The United States1433 Words   |  6 Pagespreserving the rights of the people. The Framers envisioned that keeping power within the people would help democratic participation, where voting embodied equality for all. In an effort to increase the practice of democratic participation, the Framers instituted a Constitution with open interpretation, which has allowed political parties to dominate the process. The Framers believed that having a democratic republic would appeal to constituents from the states who would elect representatives that would shareRead MoreReforming The United States Presidential Electoral Process1233 Words   |  5 Pages Mira Costa High School Reforming the United States Presidential Electoral Process Lauren Koch Mr. Glenn Marx AP Government 7 January 2016 Lauren Koch Mr. Glenn Marx AP Government 7 January 2016 Reforming the United States Presidential Electoral Process The framers of the constitution designed the United States electoral process to give a voice to the voiceless. They sought to ensure that the American people would play a direct role in the selection of their leaders rather than beingRead MoreThe United States Election Process Essay1121 Words   |  5 Pages The United States Election Process With the 2016 presidential election on its way, with two of the most polarizing candidates ever. And one who shared that if he loses then the â€Å"System is rigged†. With Congressional approval rating at 17%, politics in the U.S appears rotten. Which is what the freackanomics episode I listened to, â€Å"10 ways to make politics less rotten† was about. But how may know how the U.S election cycle actually works? The process can be quite complicated and confusing at timesRead MoreThe President Of The United States Essay1696 Words   |  7 PagesSince 1787 to 2016, the United States of America has been governed by forty-four presidents. Every four years U.S. citizens elect a new president through voting and elections which are essential for an effective democracy. The people who make up a society get to choose their representatives to govern them and these representatives vote on or administer the laws that affect citizen quality of life on a daily basis. The process by which America s president is elected is amazingly complex. AlmostRead MorePresidential Election Of United States1497 Words   |  6 Pages Name Due date Word count: 1596 Presidential Elections Introduction The presidential elections of United States of America take an indirect form where citizens of the U.S who are registered as voters in one of the states in U.S which are usually 50 states, or the District of Columbia, cast ballots for Electoral College members, referred to as electors. These electors then in turn cast direct votes known as electoral votes in their respective state capitals for president and vice president positionsRead MoreThe Presidential Election Of The Obama Administration Essay862 Words   |  4 PagesIn 2016, the end of the Obama administration but the beginning of someone else’s, who will it be? In the 2016 presidential race there are seven candidates, five republicans and two democrats but only two will win their respective party nomination. The Republican candidates are Donald Trump, an entrepreneur, Ted Cruz, a United States Senator of Texas, Marco Rubio, a U.S. Senator of Florida, John Kasich, Governor of Ohio, and Ben Carson, a neurosurgeon. On th e Democrat side the running candidatesRead MoreWhen People Think Of A Presidential Election, Chances Are1803 Words   |  8 PagesWhen people think of a presidential election, chances are that they will focus on election night itself, completely ignoring the nomination process that came before it. Although our current nomination process has been around for over one hundred years, it has not been without its complications. For almost thirty years, states have been guilty of front-loading – which Dictionary.com defines as the process of concentrating maximum effort on an activity at the outset (Dictionary.com, n.d.). Every yearRead MoreThe Debate Over America Needs Change Now More Than Ever And Vote For Your Own Candidate?1488 Words   |  6 Pagesfor - the people the parties want or for our own candidate? Let s say you decide to vote for Donald Trump but the Republican Establishment says not to vote for him and to vote for someone they endorse. Now you may be thinking, â⠂¬Å"I am a Democrat and wouldn’t vote for Donald Trump anyway.† This also applies to Bernie Sanders. The Democratic Establishment does not want Bernie Sanders to be President either. America is left with the choice of giving in and doing what the parties want or making a standRead MorePresident Obama s Presidential Election Essay1780 Words   |  8 Pagesfor the nominations of the respective parties. Due to the constitutional term limits imposed on the President, Obama is barred to seek re-election in 2016. While there are about 10 candidates running for the republicans, there are only two still in the running for the Democratic Party. The way candidates are recognized by their respective parties to become a candidate for the United States Presidency is first by receiving an invitation to compete in the primaries, then being included in the nationwideRead MoreEssay about Hillary Rodham Clinton: A Presidential Candidate for 2016852 Words   |  4 Pagesthe presidenc y. Hillary Diane Rodham was born on October 26, 1947; she was born in Chicago, Illinois and was raised in the nearby town of Park Ridge. Throughout high school and college, she began her politically activity by working on several presidential campaigns and holding a variety of impressive summer jobs. While studying at Yale Law School, she met William Jefferson Bill Clinton, the man who she would later marry. Following her graduation, Hillary taught at the University of Arkansas Law

Anti Depressants in Teens - 727 Words

Are anti-depressants a medication or a mental steroid?† (Kramer). For many years there has been an ongoing talk about anti-depressants. The big question is, are they really a cure for depression or just a mental steroid. An anti-depressant is a medication used to treat depression and other anxiety disorders. When proscribed to children and teens there can be severe side effects such as an increased chance to commit suicide or have suicidal thoughts or actions. This risk of suicide is higher for people under the age of 25. (Mayo Clinic Staff). Teenage usage of anti-depressants has been a controversial issue for many decades. Many people believe that anti-depressants aren’t a medication, but only create artificial happiness. Teenage usage of anti-depressants is so risky because it can increase the chance of suicide. Some more side effects they can cause are anxiety, agitation, hostility, restlessness, or impulsive behavior. They can also make symptoms of depression stronger after the medication wears off. Although there are many side effects to anti-depressants, doctor’s still proscribe them to children who have depression and anxiety disorders. Some popular anti-depressants that doctors proscribe to adolescents are Prozac and Zoloft. (Anti-Depressants). Scientists and Doctors studies’ show that 4 percent of those taking antidepressants had an increase in suicidal thoughts, compared with 2 percent of those taking sugar pills. After seeing those studies, the FDA (FoodShow MoreRelatedEssay about Anti-Depressants and Teen Suicide2777 Words   |  12 Pages Abstract Two percent of preteens and five percent of adolescents suffer from depression (www.about-teen-depression.com 2014). There are specific signs and symptoms associated with depression, which are helpful in detection of the illness. There are various ways to treat depression, such as medication, group therapy, and/or herbal supplements. There are pros and cons with each treatment, but the worst coincides with the medication –suicide. Much research has been conducted, which will be discussedRead MoreEssay Perscription Drug Abuse among Teenagers1064 Words   |  5 Pagessupervision of a physician, yet if used without approval of a doctor they can be very harmful and in some cases could lead to death. During your adolescence years, teens have curiosity which builds up and leads them to experimentation. They pop a pill, get high and then want more. Not only do they ease your state of mind, Increasing numbers of teens have easy access to painkillers through classmates, friends, family members, and even online. Sometimes they can even obtain the leftovers from the family medicineRead MoreDepression in Adolescents1561 Words   |  7 Pagessign is that of suicidal thoughts (King and Vidorek, 2012). Treatments for depression among children vary including antidepressants, behavioral activation, cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, and depression prevention methods. Anti-depressants most described include Flueoxitine or other serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Studies show that drugs like Prozac, a Flueoxitine has been successful in treating depression. On the contrary, drugs such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors and tricyclicsRead MorePrescription Drug Abuse Essay1744 Words   |  7 Pagespeople taking prescription drugs for the first time are women, ,and about a third were aged 12-17. Prescription drug abuse is highest among young adults, ages 18-25. According to the NSDUH the most commonly abused prescription drugs are opiods, CNS depressants, and stimulants. Opiods are prescribed with the intention of helping to reduce/treat serious short term pain, chronic pain, osteoarthritis, and neuropathic pain. Opiods are related to opium, a natural pain-killing substance taken from poppy plantsRead MoreAn Effective Treatment For Teenage Depression1705 Words   |  7 Pagesreceive treatment (Teen Help 2015). Depression is a highly treatable disease with treatments ranging from therapy to the use of prescribed medication. Recent studies have shown that healthy lifestyle changes can also be an effective treatment for teenage depression and is a much cheaper alternative to more expensive treatment options. A healthy lifestyle can alter one’s brain chemistry thus improving teens mental health, and through healthful eating and daily exercise adolescents and teens can treat andRead Moreâ€Å"Dying Before Their Time: The Startling Trends in Adolescent Suicide†1217 Words   |  5 Pagessuddenly giving away favorite sentimental possessions (AACAP, 2010). Thio also points out that people have tried to blame suicide in adolescents on the fact that they were given anti depressants to cure their chronic depression (Thio, 2010). Other researchers conducted another study in which people did not receive anti depressants and found that the suicide rate went up which led them to conclude that these people were suffering from a severer form of depression which in some cases medicine nor talkRead MoreEssay on Causes of Depression in the Millennial Generation1523 Words   |  7 PagesCauses of Depression in the Millennial Generation Depression has possibly at one time affected or currently affects almost every living individual worldwide. Kids, teens, and young adults in the twentieth century were always identified as more susceptible to feeling depressed, typically due to nothing more than normal changes of physical and mental maturity. However, in her book Generation Me, Jean M. Twenge addresses that â€Å"being young has not always carried such a high risk of being anxious, depressedRead MoreTeen Suicide Essay1495 Words   |  6 PagesSuicide is the act or an instance of taking one’s life. Many different factors can cause suicide such as, bullying, mental disorders, or other complicated situations. Over the years, teen suicide ratings have been steadily increasing. For young people in the United States, suicide is ranked the second in the leading cause of death. Society needs to bring more awareness to this issue. There should be more awareness on how to identify suicidal people, the risk factors, and ways to prevent suicideRead Moreteen drug abuse1325 Words   |  6 Pagesget intoxicated, difficulties that occur when the effects of the drug wear off (withdrawal), using more of a substance or for longer time than intended, and other life problems because of their use of a drug or drugs. After further reading more about teen drug abuse, it will clearly show the negative effect it could have on your children. The following will provide further understanding as to what the most common drugs are, ways to prevent your children from taking them, what the symptoms are, someRead MoreDepressed Parents : A Child s Bad Behavior1631 Words   |  7 Pageswomen take some form of depression during their pregnancy. In order to cope with this depression during pregnancy, many mothers to be take anti-depressants however, after birth these medications can also have a negative effect on the child once born. Doctors are still unclear as to the exact effect of depressants on babies, but it is a toss up because anti depression medication may hurt the child however, so can a depressed mother. The limited results of research on the affect of antidepressants

Music and Identity Free Essays

The human mind is a shapeless and constantly shifting entity of its own, far surpassing our conscious understanding and in order to create a sense of solidity we develop identity. Identity is difficult to define as it is still subject to large philosophical and psychological debate but is given a broad definition in order to satisfy the many different views as â€Å"maintaining a state of continuity of self and remaining same over time†.The formation of identity and the many ways in which is is formed is subject to even more theological debate but for the purposes of this essay I have chosen to break it down into four main categories: experiences, expression, reflexivity and recognition. We will write a custom essay sample on Music and Identity or any similar topic only for you Order Now Music like most forms of creative expression is an extension of the self and in turn a reflexion as it gives tangibility to our thoughts, emotions and ideas. Music operates on multiple layers of self-identification, as it can highlight ethnic, gender and cultural traits. Music has been a part of human identity since the dawn of man.From ritual dances of ancient tribal peoples to the war songs of ancient Greece and Rome to the more developed forms of music of the Renaissance. It was during the late Renaissance that music began being printed and distributed cheaply and became accessible to a wider audience, it was during this period that a social schism was created that reinforced the separation of higher and lower class, as music of the people or â€Å"Folk† music became popularized in the lower class and â€Å"Classical† music maintained within the aristocracy, each type with its own socially defining associations.The Baroque era had a huge impact on music because music was observed as a planned composition meant to instill specific emotions and ideas in the listener. Where previously there had been no real fashioning of mu sic, a musical language was developed using a powerful rhetoric of notes meant to guide the emotional experience. The Classical Period began in the 1750’s and was the freeing of the composers from the private employment of the aristocracy, which allowed for public concerts and aided in the popularization and growth of the orchestra. Technological developments have since had some of the largest impact on music as composers could begin to record and playback and through this, perfect their individual sound. Music is a constant reflexion of cultural trends, an efficient example of the potency of music in creating identity would be the swinging sixties. It was a time of cultural rebellion, millions of youth across the world developed a renewed sense of individual liberty, pooling together and creating a community and new ideals through music.Music had never before been attributed such strength to shape the belief system of youth culture so directly. The song â€Å"My Generation† by Pete Townsend of the who written in 1965 is a perfect example of how music works in classification. It was written by the group to express the cultural differences that emerged between their generations and previous ones who could not understand the shift of belief systems. Music is an auditory form of communication utilizing tones in a continuous structure way. In the book Lost in Music: Culture, Style and the Musical Event, John Shepherd writes that â€Å"It can be asserted that because people create music, they reproduce in the basic structure of their music the basic structure of their own thought process†. If music is the expression of the individuals thought process and individuals are conditioned and molded by the society in which they live, then it would only be logical to conclude that music can be used as a social indicator.Expression in forming the identity is used to convert thoughts into physical form and is also known as verbalization. Lyrics are a very important aspect of songs as they create a new relationship to a piece. They can deliver a very precise and direct message and therefore hold significance to the listener as they choose to indulge the message when they listen to it and are in turn influenced by it. Music has rapidly become more diverse as new styles emerge, each with its own category whether it be hip-hop , rock, classical, country etc.The artists are often the models used to create the lifestyle of the music, this can be explicitly noted in goth rock and hip-hop as some listeners actively exhibit characteristics of the artists. Each kind of music brings about a particular set of values and preconceptions. There are also ethnic divisions in music, as music develops distinctly around the world different styles are created by different cultures, these kinds of music become the musical foundation of people living and reinforce national identity. How to cite Music and Identity, Papers Music and Identity Free Essays Music is a part of popular culture which reflect social and cultural changes of the epoch and society. Critics (Theodor Adorno and Simon Frith) claim that there is a close link between popular music and personal identity. Theodor Adorno claims that popular music is based on standardization and pseudo-individuality which level identity and self-expression of listeners. We will write a custom essay sample on Music and Identity or any similar topic only for you Order Now Simon Frith states that popular music is socially determined and aesthetically worthless which make popular music a product of mass culture. Argument As societies changed, popular music became commoditized in different ways which reflected mass production and mass culture. Both critics agree that popular music is influenced by mass culture and new social values created during the XX century. Simon Frith explains that there is a cultural continuum in which relatively few cultural attributes are exclusively national and relatively few exclusively European. Most occupy a middle ground, the result of other influences entirely, such as American inventions born without apparent cultural influences. In contrast to this opinion, Theodor Adorno speaks about such phenomenon as â€Å"standardization† of popular music which his closely connected with mass â€Å"production† of music. Both authors agree that this popular music can never aspire to be art, but its distinctiveness is accepted and respected. With industrialization and urbanization this situation changes, community and morality break down, and individuals become isolated, alienated and anomic, caught up in increasingly financial and contractual social relationships. Theodor Adorno and Simon Frith explain that cultural decay is caused by the fact that music lacks its cultural meaning and becomes a source of profit and financial gains for hundreds of musicians. â€Å"The fact that music, like other contemporary art forms †¦ that individual creativity is a uniquely public good, has underpinned the economic organization of musical production since the end of the eighteenth century† (Frith 1999). Listeners are absorbed into an increasingly anonymous mass, manipulated by their only source of a surrogate community and morality, the mass media. The authors have different views on the forces and impact of mass culture on popular music. Theodor Adorno states that modern society is influenced by such phenomenon as pseudo-individualization which â€Å"means endowing cultural mass production with the halo of free choice or open market on the basis of standardization itself† (Adorno 2000). This audience is understood to be a mass of passive consumers, susceptible to the manipulative persuasions of the mass media, acquiescent with the appeals to buy mass-produced commodities such as mass culture, supine before the false pleasures of mass consumption, and open to the commercial exploitation which motivates mass culture. The emergence of mass society and mass culture means it lacks the intellectual and moral resources to do otherwise. In contrast, Frith underlines that listeners are associated with a specific idea of the audience for mass culture influenced by advertising and promotion. He pays a special attention to the impact of European and American popular music on national one which ruins uniqueness of national music and ‘turns’ a listener into a product of mass culture in spite of his/her will. Also, he explains that â€Å"The issue here is that the music that reaches us as somehow â€Å"ours† is in fact the result of specific musicians’ skills, ideas and energies, made available through a complex industrial process† (Frith). In contras to Firth, Adorno underlines that art lies beyond its aspirations, and it has already lost its uniqueness. The nature of audience therefore means that culture can be profitably mass produced. I agree with Adorno and his concept of pseudo-individualization and standardization. The standardized, formulaic and repetitive pieces of music are the result of the manufacture of cultural commodities by means of routine, specialized, types of production. Art cannot be produced in this way. The alleged aesthetic complexity, creativity, experiments and intellectual challenges of art cannot be achieved by the techniques or conditions which produce mass culture for mass audience. Instead, music depends upon the inspired genius of the individual artist working outside the constraints of the commercial market, and without the tried and tested formulas and standard techniques of mass culture. The example of blues (‘Back Door’ Man by Willie Dixon) shows that this genre is based on standardized formulas repeated and imitated by a number of musicians. This music is full of quick passages, percussive sound and unexpected calms. During 1950s, blues was characterized by a new sound: the sound of the electric guitar. Along with the honking saxophone, piano, bass, and drums, the guitar became a leading voice in every ensemble. The main elements of standardization are: slide guitar playing, songs written in traditional blues form, soulful and direct vocal performances. Listeners of this piece of music are proposed a certain tunes and sound effects they like or dislike. There is thus no point in making demands upon or challenging this audience in the way that art might do, or drawing it into genuine and authentic forms of communal participation as popular music might do, since their conditions can no longer be sustained. Instead, the mass audience is there to have its emotions and sensibilities manipulated, to have its needs and desires distorted and thwarted, to have its hopes and aspirations exploited for the sake of consumption, by the meretricious sentiments, the surrogate fantasies, the false dreams of popular music. Similar to other blues artists the composer dipped into traditional lyrics to fill out the song. Standardization is evident because the song is based on folk songs motives and the subject of romance which was the most popular in traditional blues. In sum, popular music is based on standardized approaches aimed to deliver mass product to consumers. Both authors show that mass music is a standardized, formulaic, repetitive and superficial one which celebrates trivial, sentimental, immediate and false pleasures. References Adorno, T. On Popular Music. ;http://www.icce.rug.nl/~soundscapes/DATABASES/SWA/On_popular_music_1.shtml; Frith, S. Popular music policy and the articulation of regional identities http://www.icce.rug.nl/~soundscapes/DATABASES/MIE/Part2_chapter04.shtml Dixon, W. Back Door Man. (song) How to cite Music and Identity, Essay examples

Deconstruction of an Advertisement free essay sample

Each day we are inundated with thousands of advertisements which contribute to shaping and defining our world views. As a capitalist society ads are crucial to attract the attention of the consumer. They are everywhere, whether it be a billboard, a commercial or a radio announcement, advertising reaches out and touches almost everyone living in our modern world. The effectiveness of an advertisement campaign has a huge influence on the purchaser. Ads are carefully constructed to appeal to the consumer in order to sell a product and to make a profit. An effective ad appeals to the emotion of the consumer as â€Å"80% of decisions are influenced by dormant emotions in the subconscious. †( ) through the ingenious construction of ad campaigns a consumers purchases are greatly influenced. The CK one ad campaign for the Calvin Klein brand is an excellent of the example of the thought and assembly needed in order to create an effective advertisement. Through the deconstruction of the CK one ad found in the April 2011 issue of Elle Canada it will be shown why the ad was created, how it’s used to grab the attention of its target audiences, and the use of hidden messages and social issues that are being expressed. The target audience of the CK One ad is clearly directed towards women as it appears in a magazine called Elle! Elle Canada has a 90% female readership ( ) whose ages generally range from a younger segment to a middle segment (18 to 34 and 35 to 54). Elle Canada has a large age demographic due to the fact that their articles encompass a broad audience and the magazine contains ads that focus on the younger market as well as advertisements focusing on middle aged women. Although Elle Canada has a large readership age range, the CK One ad seems to be targeting more directly the 18-24 and 24-35 age range. The advertisement incorporates a focus on social media and a ‘rebellious’ look which is often directed towards the younger market. Young people who are still questioning authority and who are still defining themselves will see the dark eye makeup and lassiez-fair ‘detached’ attitude of the model and feel attracted to the ad. Furthermore the ads target audience is aimed towards 18-34 year olds because it uses ‘technology’ to capture the audiences attention. The model is ‘trapped’ in the CK One box and in order to get in the box, the bottom left hand corner of the ad tells you that you can â€Å"Download the App at CKONE. COM†. The ad is definitely towards the 18-34 age group because ‘getting in the CK box’ with a rebellious young woman is ridiculous notion unless you’re a young person with very little responsibility. Finally, although the spending power of the older age groups is greater (Diversity: Targeting the Ever-Changing Marketplace, p35) it is trendy to market to and advertisers remain youth obsessed. The targeted income level for this advertisement seems to be for those from the middle-middle, or upper-middle class. Calvin Klein is an iconic American brand that is moderately expensive and is featured in respected magazines. The median income of and Elle Canada reader is around $70 000 ( ) therefore is it logical to assume that Calvin Kline is directing its ads at those who are willing to spend a little more. This advertisement would also be directed towards the Emulator-Achiever or Emulator groups. Emulators are young and impressionable people who will buy products to help them fit in (Duncan, p75). Emulators would be attracted to this ad because it offers the chance to fit in and join the CK One box; all you have to do is download the app! On another note, this ad would also be directed towards Emulator-Achievers because this group feels more comfortable with uptown brands such as Tiffany, Gucci or Stella Mcarthy and Calvin Klein is a very well known and respected American Brand. This brand offers prestige and it fits in with typical ideas of American wealth. Finally it appears that this advertisement is slightly more targeted for Caucasian’s. The model is Caucasian and there isn’t a single background model or object indicating the inclusion of any other racial groups. Although minorities represent a huge market and are predicted to exceed 1. 5 trillion in buying power, ( Diversity: targeting the ever changing market) Calvin Klein still uses mainly Caucasian models. Despite the fact that the ad features a white woman it could still be directed to a variety of racial groups because the model doesn’t necessarily represent a stereotypical white american girl; almost anyone can be a rebellious youth regardless of your ethnicity. Although her beauty and figure represent the social ideal her ebellious look is not necessarily the ‘norm’ and therefore enables more people to relate to it. Determining the target audience enables us to better interpret and understand the construction of an advertisement. Based on a target market, advertisers use eight main elements to create an ad that speaks to the heart. Ads that create emotional appeal are based on these eight elements; models, setting, copy, sound, color, point of view and details (Dun can, p77). In terms of the CK One ad, the model that was chosen was a young white attractive looking female. The model is in black lingerie and she is in a sexual pose. There is a hyper-sexualization of the model as her cleavage is very prominent and being pushed up against her bra. The models hair and makeup are messy with a ‘bed head’ look which suggest rebelliousness and late night partying which is considered both fun and exciting. Finally the facial expression of the model suggests a sexual and confident attitude. More over the model is very slim and her skin is flawless, her face is clear and her hair is blonde. The ‘perfection’ of the models skin and face reflect the ideals of society. Despite the models dark makeup and ‘bed head’ look she is our societies ideal with her blonde hair and beautiful figure. These ideals that the ad is promoting are completely unrealistic for the average female and it creates body image issues and warps both female and males idea about what an average person should look like. Furthermore through the continual use of impossibly beautiful models our society becomes body obsessed and through this many women and men experience body image issues. The CK One ad has been specifically and ingeniously positioned to promote the preferred reading. Most notable is the is the models physical position within the ad; her body, more specifically her cleavage, is framed between her hands which are pressed against the screen. The positioning of the models hands also frames the word, fuck, which has been discreetly positioned within the ad. The F is seen by the table which is cut off by the models buttocks, the U is seen in the models cleavage and the CK is to the right of the model, at chest level. Furthermore, through the technical code of camera angles the model is close-up with a slight low angle. These technical codes suggest power and intimacy with the model. The Ck One ad could be promoting their products by relating the suggested feelings of power and sexuality with the purchase of the product. The oppositional reading who be through a critical point of view that it is impossible to obtain any type of lasting feeling with a purchase of a material item. As for the captions, they are the only thing that has any coloring which draws attention to them. The most noticeable caption in big bold lettering that says CK One _Jeans_Underwear_Fragrance_ which is right next to the models cleavage. This caption is necessary to inform the reader what is being advertised because the model is only wearing plain black underwear it would be likely to assume that it was the only product. On the bottom left-hand corner of the Ad is says â€Å"Get in the CKONE box Download the app at CKONE. com† this caption really allows us to tie in the key concepts of the ad. The Calvin Klein ad also employs a font that ads to the incorporation of digital media. Lastly the fifth line of writing on the bottom left-hand corner says â€Å"Scan Ad to Reveal More† which could be referring to the hidden message (the word fuck) within the ad. Through the captions is it’s very clear that this Calvin Klein ad is trying to incorporate digital media and sex with the purchase of there products. In terms of the coloring of the advertisement, it is very unique because it supposed to represent screen to a computer or gaming device. The coloring is mostly black and white apart from the bright green which is used to draw attention to the captions. The color green is generally a calming color which represents wealth and well-being however it can also be used to symbolize envy or jealousy. The use of green indicates that Calvin Klein is a desired brand. Furthermore the green coloring is also placed just above the models forehead, this use of specific placement of the color could indicate 1st level cropping in which a models forehead is removed. By covering the top part of the models head with a different color advertisers objectify the model and remove any signs of her intelligence. On another note, the lighting that is used is artificial however it ties in with the setting. The setting is white relatively bare room, which is the ‘Ck One box’. The only furnishings are a stool, a table, two wooden boxes and game console. There is also a door with a visible knob; this indicates that the model is trapped in the ‘box’, however it is an exclusive place that you can get into- if you purchase the product and download the app. However this is where the oppositional reading come in; through the download of an ‘app‘ you will not enter the Ck one box you will not become a gorgeous model. The Ck One ad is trying to promote digital media therefore the bare setting could be used to represent whats behind your screen when you download the app. The limited settings also enable us to focus more closely on the model and the attitude she is giving. Gender representation also plays a key role the preferred reading of this Ad. Although the model is selling lingerie there is an irrelevant sexualization of the model ( Duncan, p. 46) The bra and panties that are being advertised are relatively plain and not the focal point of the ad; instead the ad is marketing the models body. The models cleavage is pouring out of her bra which actually distracts the audience from the bra itself, instead readers are led to believe that this lingerie will help them have the ‘perfect’ body. Furthermore, as mentioned previously, the ad also includes dismemberment. The presence of the green color above the models forehead which suggests objectification. Also the models legs are cut off below the knee which causes the reader to mostly focus on the core body of the model. This greatly objectives the model and females as a whole in advertising. Furthermore, there is also a bit of clowning present because majority of people do not stand in such a contorted position as the stance of the model. Although the model isn’t necessarily in a foolish or silly position her stance certainly is unnecessarily contorted in order to appear more sexual. These gender representations lead to the final conclusion that women are sexual objects to be looked at and played with (Duncan p. 48) All the elements used to construct the ad lead us to the general meaning of the ad: Sex. The meaning is so clear that it is even explicitly written within the ad. The models ‘look’ establishes the preferred reading. The preferred interpretation is that through the purchase of the CK One clothing line you will gain confidence and become sexually appealing while being fun and rebellious. Advertisers use body obsession and female insecurities to help sell products because through the preferred reading consumers believe that will look like the model through the purchase of the product (Duncan p14-15). This leads to us the oppositional reading, it is completely impossible and unrealistic to think that through the purchase of a product you will automatically you will automatically become beautiful and sexualy appealing. The reality is that most photographs of models have been retouched and realistically even the models dont look as good in real life. Calvin Klein has always used a variety of controversial ads ranging from pictures of a half-naked Kate Moss to an ad featuring young children wearing only Calvin Klein underwear. Shock advertising is used in order to generate more press and more profits. The Ck One is not an exception with its use of the subliminal message featuring the word fuck it is a clear example of shock advertising. Ultimately the theme of the ad comes down to rebellious sex. The CK One ad uses a variety of different elements in order to sell its products. First it employs the use of stereotypical gender representations. Although the model is in a ‘powerful’ position as she is staring directly at the camera and looking slightly downwards, she still in an overly sexual stance with very little clothes on. The models brain has been covered with a different color giving off the impression that she is laking intelligence. The model is beautiful and has a ‘perfect’ body. The advertisers played upon female insecurities and there desire for perfection in order to attract customers and make a profit. Another aspect that the advertisers used to attract attention to the ad was the rebellious look and the incorporation of digital media. The ad gives false promises that through the purchase of Calvin Klein clothing you will be a sexy, young rebel who fits in to the CK One box. Consumers should alway be aware of the image a brand is trying to portray and the affect it has on its target audience. Advertisers are trying to sell a message and our consumer society should be aware of how the advertisements shape and impact our everyday lives.

Risk Management Report

Question: What is risk? Identify the risk process, analyze the risk and then evaluate the risk. Answer: As from the report risk management published by the Committee QR-005(2012), Risk can be unpredictable and unexpected event that change or uncertain the event of the project planning and it cannot control and overcome during the final phase. Risk has a negative and positive effect on the organization objective. From this report, it is seen that the Risk is associated with both internal and external factors and influenced the objective including the organizations strategies, operations, project and process. Thus from the study, it is observed that the main purpose risk assessment is to identify the risk process, analyze the risk and then evaluate the risk This article use the framework designed in order to solve the risk problem. Overall, if risk is identified in implementation phase then it is easily solved by the project management. If risk is not identified during implementation phase then it is more difficult for the developer to identify the risk after that and those type of the r isk become crucial. This article contains the framework including commitment and mandate, framework design to manage the risk, implementation process, review and monitoring process and improvement process. Risk is impact on the time, cost, scope and the quality. This article is focused upon the three processes these are the risk management process, creating framework in order to manage the risk and the process of the risk management and with the help of them they try to solve the risk problem. From the Committee QR-005(2012), the risk assessment plays the vital role in order to review the information regarding both external and internal context. This article includes the risk identification methods including data based technique, simulation or modeling and analysis of the history data. In another aspect the risk management is increased success with the help of different attribute like decision making process, formality and structure, project focus and continuity. In this article, five steps are used in the process of risk management. Risk assessment is applied in every phase of the life cycle and it is implemented in different levels. The project life cycle phase contains the analyzing, implantation, designing, evolution and monitoring phage. From the Committee QR-005(2012), the opportunities risk is identified in definition phase. . Risk analysis is done through historical data including both qualitative and quantitative methods. It is affectively discussed the ways in which the various factors of risk are ranked and prioritized with the help of ETA (event tree analysis) and Delphi methods. F-N curves technique is used to represent the risk analysis and it is useful in order to evaluating the risk. This article is provided different techniques and methods including HAZOP, HACCP and with the help of this technique, they try to measure the risk or identify the risk. Thus, this article is provided to the benefit of the project developer in order to identity the different type of risk through different selection of technique. Business management can be identified risks in an initial stage of the life cycle. Risk management process and risk framework helps to plan to identify internal risk and external and they solve different risks with the help of risk breakdown structure. References Committee QR-005, (2012). Risk managementGuidelines on risk assessment techniques. 1st ed. [ebook] Sydney: Council of Standards Australia.