The Numbing Effects Of Technology On Self Made Outcasts

Christopher Walton SMC 1313 – Foundations of Reflection: Others Dr. Frechette October 30, 2015 The Numbing Effects of Technology on Society: Self-made Outcasts ABSTRACT Technology is becoming detrimental to our abilities to communicate, and empathize with each other. In these days Individuals rarely have a reason to communicate with one another face to face, because they usually communicate over texts or emails. This is a problem because the younger generations lack the empathy that you can only gain through conversation with others. A lack of empathy will eventually erode a person’s feelings of connection with society and they will become a self-made outcast, disconnected from society because people are too difficult to empathize with. This Paper will attempt to counteract the detrimental effects of technology on society. DISCUSSION OF THE PROBLEM 1. In this world of growing technological dependence we are losing the ability to socialize without the interruptions of technology. Physiological changes, addiction, and saturation of information are just a few of the negative effects that technology can cause to anyone who has used it. Technology is, without a doubt, detrimental if it is not used in moderation. 2. Technology is changing our physiology regarding how we perceive the world. Technology is altering our brains to be increasingly active in seeking information through positive reinforcement; each time you find something interesting on the internet your brain notesShow MoreRelatedPeculiarities of Euphemisms in English and Difficulties in Their Translation19488 Words   |  78 Pagesnothing so decent as either reverence or decency: too often it is an indication of prudery or an exaggerated genteelism. It is quite clear that if there were no synonyms, there would be no euphemisms - and no obscenity ( Rees N.,2007,p.77). If it were made compulsory to use one word and one word only for to defecate, to urinate, to die, to kill, to copulate, and their nouns, as well as for certain bodily parts (especially the genitals), the squeamish would be reduced to using gestures and then

Blanche Devereaux Character Analysis - 2911 Words

Running head: BLANCHE DEVEREAUX: ACCORDING TO FREUD This paper will be an analysis of the personality of Blanche Elizabeth Devereaux from the show titled â€Å"The Golden Girls.† In this paper Blanche will be analyzed from two points of view. The first analysis will be from the view of psychodynamics using Freud’s ideas on personality. For this analysis I will begin with the structure of Blanche’s personality in regards to the Id, which is the aspect of personality that deals with the instincts, the Ego, which is the rational aspect of the personality, and the Superego, which is the moral aspect of personality. The second analysis will be from the perspective of Abraham Maslow; I will use Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and his†¦show more content†¦Blanche seems to be flooding her Ego with too much anxiety. The anxiety she has is caused by her insecurities. She’s insecure about herself because often she feels that even if she were to stick with one of the men they wouldn’t want her after awhile. Blanche has both neurotic and moral anxieties. On the neurotic side, she feels as if her instincts (for sex) will get out of control and make her crazy. She often feels like sex has taken over her life and that’s she’s become dependent on it. She knows that it isn’t good for her but feels like she has no other options. On the moral side, she fears that she’s going against her husbands wishes when she sleeps with all the men. Blanche’s ego is overwhelmed and she often uses the defense mechanism of rationalization to help that. She often tries to turn situations into to ones that are more acceptable. For example, on one show after she slept with a man who hadn’t had sex in awhile she made herself feel better by claiming that â€Å"he needed it† and that she did him a favor. On another show she says that she collects lingerie because one day she can pass it all down to other women who may need it. Blanche also seems to use the id entification technique in order to reduce anxieties. She attaches herself to the idea of men and sex in order to increase her self-esteem and her self-worth. Blanche also uses the technique of regression. She lies about her age to everyone she meets. She even lies about her age to the

My Dream House Free Essays

My dream house is simply unimaginable. The home I desire is most beautiful and great in splendor is like a dreamland. A. We will write a custom essay sample on My Dream House or any similar topic only for you Order Now The exterior of my home has great large beams trimmed in gold. There is a large picture window that covers the lower portion of the house. B. The home has high ceilings and large windows all through out the home. C. It sits on top of one acre of beautiful rolling hills and meadows. 1. There is a beautiful garden in the backyard with a large pond. 2. There is also a huge deck, perfect for picnics and other social gatherings. II. The Front Exterior D.As you walk up the cobblestone walkway, the first things you see is two large beams trimmed in gold. E. Just behind the beams sit a set of gold French style double doors that give entrance into the elaborate home. III. Interior F. As you enter into the foyer, you encounter a large marble of sculpture of Eve that sits in the center. G. Directly behind the sculpture sits a grand staircase that leads to the second level of the home. H. Just to the left is a beautiful family room, perfect for family gatherings. I. To the right there is a dining room that seats more than ten people. . There is a cherry wood table seated in the middle of the room with matching chairs 4. Above the table hangs an elaborate crystal chandelier. J. In the dining room, there is a doorway that gives access to the huge kitchen. 5. In the center of the kitchen sits an island. 1. On the granite top of the island is a stove with six burners and a grill 2. Off to the left sits a double oven. 3. Next to the oven, there is a huge refrigerator. 4. In the corner sits a breakfast nook surrounded by windows that overlooks the beautiful hills and meadow.This is where most meals will take place. K. As you walk up the grand staircase and walk down the hallway, you’ll past four bedrooms before reaching the master bedroom. 6. When walking into the bedroom, you notice the California Kind sized bed. 7. Just past the bed sits huge sliding door that open onto the balcony that overlooks the beautiful views. 8. Walking back into the bedroom, to the right there is the master bathroom. 5. Walking into the bathroom you notice the heated marble floor. 6. Inside the bathroom there are his and her marble sinks. . Across from the sinks sit a huge standing marble shower with glass doors. 8. Also in the bathroom is a separate Jacuzzi style bathtubs. IV. Exterior: Back yard L. Right outside the back doors is a patio. On the patio sits a bar and a built in grill. M. In the backyard there is an Olympic sized pool. Surrounding the pool are beach chairs. N. Further back, there is a garden and a large bond. V. Conclusion O. Now that I have describe in great detail to you my dreamland, I hope that you all will come visit me when my dreamland becomes a reality. How to cite My Dream House, Papers My Dream House Free Essays My Dream House Everyone must hope they will have a dream house. The dream house can keep them In the condition they wanted. In my mind, I hope that my dream house Is far from main city and industrial area due to I like quiet environment. We will write a custom essay sample on My Dream House or any similar topic only for you Order Now I also like fresh air around me. Every day I can woke up by the sound of birds and see them perched in the branches if the trees. Inside the house will be a big, spacious hall. Will decorate the walls of the hall with paintings like green color and more. I always feeling relax and serene In the house. The day light is essential. In my living room must have some big windows so I will not feel too hot when I am sleeping. A study room Is exist certainly. It can be small, In there, I write read books and doing my homework. I hope this room is quiet so I can calm and attentive to do the things. And in my bedroom is painted with my favorite color, light green, it represents feelings if harmony and peace feature for me. I will place in a bookshelf in the room. The bookshelf is occupied by all my favorite books. The house outer design will be a calm and open environment. There must have a large open space and planted many trees and flowers. I think the outer decoration looks ordinary enough and have some small and beautiful gardens. If can, I hope it will have a clear river near my house, I also want to rear some pets like rabbit, dog, owl, birds and squirrels. I will provide foods and shelters for them because my gardens have enough space. It should be a green house beside my house. I would grow own vegetables, tomatoes, chilies, eggplants and more. The design and the location of our house usually will affect our mood. Dream house would reflect our feelings, thoughts and personality. If we live In a place close to the serenity of nature, our minds. Bodies and splits will be filled with positive energies. How to cite My Dream House, Papers My Dream House Free Essays There is nothing in the world as sweet as a home†. ‘East or West, home is the best’ as the saying goes. Home is the symbol of human togetherness- a place where all of us learn the first steps of life. We will write a custom essay sample on My Dream House or any similar topic only for you Order Now For most people the very thought of home brings fond memories, nostalgic feelings and sad emotions. My home is situated in a suburb called Gandhi Nagar in the city of Guwahati, the capital of Assam. I was born in this city although my parents have migrated to the place due to service and occupation. As for me, I feel a part and parcel of the city and consider it as my hometown. The locality where I live falls within the periphery of Guwahati Club, one of the major commercial centres of the city and is noted for its educational institutions, Sports facilities and green surroundings. My house is only a few yards from this commercial centre. The area is inhabited mostly by government servants, high-ranking officials and bureaucrats My house is situated at the side of a bye-lane leading to Guwahati club. It is a two-storied building constructed by my father about ten years ago. The top floor has been rented out. The ground floor, which we use, has four bedrooms, a drawing room part which also serves as a dinning room, a kitchen and a bathroom. My brother and myself share a room, while a room has been given to my elder sister. The third room which is the largest room in the house is used by our parents while the fourth room is kept as a guest room. All the living rooms have floor carpets, while the drawing room where we entertain our guests and watch T. V. has marble floor and an artistically carved showcase. The showcase contains numerous trophies, beautiful mementos and several attractive handicraft exhibits. The house has a little porch in front where my father keeps his car. The portion between the porch and the road is used for gardening, which is taken care of by my mother. There is a small patch of land behind the house which is used for cultivation of vegetables and for dumping of scraps and useless articles of the house. As the area is inhabited by senior government servants, the houses here have posh surroundings, high security wall, lively gardens and huge front gates. Being very close to one of the nerve-centres of the city, we are fortunate to have all the facilities such as, markets, schools, hospitals, banks etc. The High Court, Railway station, Reserve Bank, Museum, Public library, Sports Stadium, etc. are all within a walk able distance. I have a brother and a sister. My eldest brother is studying in Cotton College, the famed college of the city, while I study in Don Bosco School. My sister studies in St. Mary’s school which stands a few metres away from our home. My father is an under secretary and works in the Govt. Secretariat at Dispur while my mother is a senior lecturer in a Commerce college in the city. My home is a happy home. We the children love our parents and they in turn do all they can to make our life cheerful, enjoyable and least burdensome. We care for each other and do our very best to make our home a happy and a sweet home. How to cite My Dream House, Papers

Management Accounting Concepts and Applications

Question: Discuss about the Management Accounting forConcepts and Applications. Answer: Introduction: New Business Strategy Blue Moon, Pty Ltd. designs and produces sailing boats. It had excellent reputation but recently its profit and market share have started to decline due to new competitors entered into market. So, after evaluation of internal strengths and weakness Rob Inglis, the firms owner realize to implement new business strategy to survive in the market. It is required to understand organizational objectives and long term goals before implementation of new business strategy (Ward, 2012). By implementing new strategy Blue Moon wants to achieve business mission and competitive advantage also. The mission of business to attract customers and making more profits by changing in the following: Reduce actual range of sailing boats and increases selling price thus profit margin increases. Change in organizational culture. Change sub-contracting strategies. Change the job costing system. Change the approach to distribution. Improved boat design and develop new skills thus customers preferred their products. So, new business strategy helped Blue Moon to come over its present situation. Key Success Factors (KSF) Key success factors are the group or combination of adequate information that is required to complete one or more desirable business objectives. An example should be created to understand, one of the key success factors in promoting sales of boat products might be to change the design and techniques of manufacturing as per new aspects of demand. Customers and market defined to key success factors. It is not defined by company. Key success factors revolve around processes, skills and systems. (Lawrimore, 2011) When Blue Moons profits decline, Rob made market research to find the reasons. Research aimed at investigating the sales potential for boats designed to deliver higher performances in terms of speed and sailing experience. By evaluating opportunities and threats in the market and own strength and weakness, they implement new business strategy. They improve their product quality and reducing cost. Key Success factors of Blue Moon are: Technical Research and Development: The research revealed that there are significant opportunities. The research also revealed that the demand for low cost sailing boat will decline in the medium period to long term as the recent economic crisis is affecting to a large extent middle class families, thus decreasing their purchasing power. So research was main key success factor for Blue Moon to know customer wants and they improve their product accordingly. Innovative and High Quality Product: New clients want innovative and superior or high quality products with excellent and better customer service. Customers get satisfaction by receiving superior products in competitive market. Blue Moon changed the quality of their product thus customers preferred them in all available options in the market. Increasing Profitability: Reduce Blue Moons actual range of sailing boats by focusing on the best performing ones, increase selling prices and, therefore, improve profit margins. Earning profit is main organizational objective for all companies as well as of Blue Moon. So they reduce cost but increase selling price to earn more profits. Change in Distribution Approach: Customers want good distribution channel for saving time and money. Blue Moons reputation would depend on the ability of distribution department. They applied new strategy on distribution approach to save time and source of customers. Management Accounting System Management accounting system firstly collects financial data from operations of business and then converts the information into analysis report. Management Accounting is a process of decision making on the basis of financial and non-financial information. By adopting management accounting system, Blue Moon can achieve better position among the competitors. Blue Moon, Pty Ltd. is considering the below techniques and tools, it should include in its revised Management Accounting System (MAS). Following are the tools or techniques which should be included by Blue Moon in new MAS: Strategic planning Flexible Budget Allocation of Overhead Cost Analysis of Variance Analysis of Cost Volume Profit (CVP) Cost-Plus Pricing or Target Costing Techniques of Capital Budgeting Strategic Planning Strategic planning is a managerial process which is used by organizations to set their objectives and goals. It includes the following: SWOT analysis: SWOT analysis is basically based on four parts which tells about Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats about particular person, company or organization. Blue Moons owner, Rob firstly researches the market to know the threats and opportunities available in front of them. After then find organizational strength and weakness to focus on strengths and reduce weaknesses (Pahl Richter, 2009). The new competitors who guaranteeing for lower prices and shorter production time than Blue Moon, they were threats for Blue Moon and opportunity was that, performance of the boats produced by new competitors was inferor. Implementation of new strategy works as strength and declining profitability due to entrance of new on-line competitors was weakness of Blue Moon. The SWOT analysis can be applied to analyze strength and weakness of internal factors, and opportunities and threats of external factors. It helps to identify strengths, to reduce weaknesses and know about availa ble opportunities. Porters Five Forces Model: This model is given by Michael E. Porter to identify and analyze five competitive forces which give to shape every industry and structure of industry. It also helps to identify strengths and weaknesses of an industry (Hill Jones, 2009). (Source: Integrated Management 2006) Blue Moon can identify bargaining power of suppliers and buyers which help in decision making. They can find threats of new entrants, threats of substitutes and degree of rivalry which will be beneficial for management also. By this evaluation, they can improve their product performance. Value Chain Analysis: A firm has some internal activities which can be analyzed by the techniques of Value Chain Analysis. The primary purpose of value chain analysis is to identify that which is the most important and profitable activity to the business entity and which will be more valuable for the firm. Blue Moon can analyze and evaluate internal activities and could be improved if some changes required (Navy Johnstone, 2015). Flexible Budgeting: A flexible budget changes according to volume of activities. In compare to static budget, flexible budget is more valuable (Shim, Siegel Shim, 2011). Flexible budget is prepared in the end of financial year to evaluate the performance of the activities. Blue Moon can identify valuable performance by preparing flexible budget. Overhead Cost Allocation: Allocation of overheads is a process of allocate the overhead cost to a particular division or cost center. Blue Moon should be allocated overhead cost to the particular cost unit. If process of allocation of overhead cost is proper, it will help to find actual profits (Weil Maher, 2005). Variance Analysis: Variance analysis is the analysis to know the quantitative difference between actual and planned behavior. Blue Moon can control over business by variance analysis. Difference between budgeted output and actual output comes under the variance analysis. It helps to management of Blue Moon in reducing variance (Berger, 2011). CVP Analysis: CVP analysis refers to Cost Volume Profit analysis. Blue Moon can used to determine how change in cost and volume effects the profits of the organization. Assumptions taken during cost volume analysis which are: Selling price/unit, variable price/unit and total fixed cost remain unchanged (Rajasekaran Lalitha, 2010). Total revenue and the total cost (both fixed cost and variable cost) are same at the point of cost volume profit. It is also referred as breakeven point, where the situation of neither profit nor loss. Target Costing and Cost-Plus Pricing: Target costing is a technique to identify a cost of product life cycle. Blue Moon can set a target cost by eliminating a required profit margin from a competitive market price. It helps in determining the cost of product. Cost plus pricing is a method of cost to settle down the value of goods and services. By adding direct material cost, direct labor cost and overhead cost of a product and after that percentage for profit margin has been added so that the price of the product can be derived. Capital budgeting techniques: Capital budgeting is a forecasting process of capital invested. Organizations long term investments can be determined by this planning process (Albrecht, Stice, Stice Swain, 2007). Capital budgeting consists of various techniques which are presented below: Payback period: Blue Moon can be analyzed that how much time is required to recover the investment cost by it. Discounted payback period: It is helpful to calculate payback period in respect with time value of money. Net present value: Blue Moon can identify divergence between present value of cash inflows and present value of cash outflows by NPV. Accounting rate of return: Blue Moon can recognize individuals expectation for profit based on an investment made by them. Internal rate of return: The rate of return which is used to calculate profitability of investment. So it will be beneficial for Blue Moon to compute their profitability. Profitability index: Profitability index used to identify the relations between costs and benefits by calculated ratio. It is used for ranking projects. All the above techniques should be included by New Moon in its new management accounting system. These all techniques help in survival for long run and achieving organizational goals and objectives. References Albrecht, W., Stice, J., Stice, E. Swain, M. 2007. Accounting: Concepts and Applications. (e.d. 10): Cengage Learning Berger, A. 2011. Standard Costing, Variance Analysis and Decision-Making: GRIN Verlag Hill, C. Jones, G. 2009. Strategic Management Theory: An Integrated Approach. Cengage Learning Lawrimore, E. W. 2011. Strategic Management Theory: An Integrated Approach. Lulu.com Navy, H. Johnstone, R. 2015. Commodity and product identification for value chain analysis. World Fish Pahl, N. Richter, A. 2009. Swot Analysis - Idea, Methodology and a Practical Approach. GRIN Verlag Rajasekaran, V. Lalitha, R. 2010. Cost Accounting: Pearson Education India Shim, J. K., Siegel, J. G. Shim, A. I. 2011. Budgeting Basics and Beyond. (e.d. 4): John Wiley Sons Ward, K. 2012. Strategic Management Accounting. New york. Routledge Weil, R. L. Maher, M. W. 2005. Handbook of Cost Management.(e.d. 2): John Wiley Sons

A History of Adinkra Symbols

A History of Adinkra Symbols Adinkra is a cotton cloth produced in Ghana and Cà ´te dIvoire which has traditional Akan symbols stamped upon it. The adinkra symbols represent popular proverbs and maxims, record historical events, express particular attitudes or behavior related to depicted figures, or concepts uniquely related to abstract shapes. It is one of several traditional cloths produced in the region. The other well-known cloths are kente and adanudo. The symbols were often linked with a proverb, so they convey more meaning than a single word. Robert Sutherland  Rattray compiled a list of 53 adinkra symbols in his book, Religion and Art in Ashanti, in 1927. The History of Adinkra Cloth and Symbols The Akan people (of what is now Ghana and Cà ´te dIvoire) had developed significant skills in weaving by the sixteenth century, with Nsoko (present-day Begho) being an important weaving center. Adinkra, originally produced by the Gyaaman clans of the Brong region, was the exclusive right of royalty and spiritual leaders, and only used for important ceremonies such as funerals. Adinkra means goodbye. During a military conflict at the beginning of the nineteenth century, caused by the Gyaaman trying to copy the neighboring Asantes golden stool (the symbol of the Asante nation), the Gyaaman king was killed. His adinkra robe was taken by Nana Osei Bonsu-Panyin, the  Asante Hene  (Asante King), as a trophy. With the robe came the knowledge of adinkra aduru (the special ink used in the printing process) and the process of stamping the designs onto cotton cloth. Over time the Asante further developed adinkra symbology, incorporating their own philosophies, folk tales, and culture. Adinkra symbols were also used on pottery, metalwork (especially  abosodee), and are now incorporated into modern commercial designs (where their related meanings give added significance to the product), architecture and sculpture. Adinkra Cloth Today Adinkra cloth is more widely available today, although the traditional methods of production are very much in use. The traditional ink (adinkra aduru) used for stamping is obtained by boiling the bark of the Badie tree with iron slag. Because the ink is not fixed, the material should not be washed. Adinkra cloth is used in Ghana for special occasions such as weddings and initiation rites. Note that African fabrics often differ between those made for local use and those that are exported. The cloth for local use is usually replete with hidden meanings or local proverbs, allowing locals to make particular statements with their costume. Those fabrics produced for overseas markets tend to use more sanitized symbology. Use of Adinkra Symbols You will find adinkra symbols on many exported items, such as furniture, sculpture, pottery, t-shirts, hats and other clothing items in addition to fabric. Another popular use of the symbols is for tattoo art. You should further research the meaning of any symbol before deciding to use it for a tattoo to ensure it conveys the message you desire.

The Fall of the Ming Dynasty in China

The Fall of the Ming Dynasty in China By the beginning of 1644, all of China was in chaos. The severely weakened Ming Dynasty was desperately trying to hold on to power, while a rebel leader called Li Zicheng declared his own new dynasty after capturing the capital city of Beijing. In these dire circumstances, a Ming general decided to issue an invitation for the ethnic Manchus of north-eastern China to come to the countrys aid, and retake the capital city.  This would prove to be a fatal mistake for the Ming. The Ming general Wu Sangui probably should have known better than to ask the Manchus for help. They had been fighting one another for the previous 20 years; at the Battle of Ningyuan in 1626, the Manchu leader Nurhaci had received his fatal injury fighting against the Ming. In the years that followed, the Manchus repeated raided Ming China, capturing key northern cities, and defeating the crucial Ming ally Joseon Korea in 1627 and again in 1636. In both 1642 and 1643, Manchu bannermen drove deep into China, seizing territory and loot. Chaos Meanwhile, in other parts of China, a cycle of catastrophic floods on the Yellow River, followed by wide-spread famine, convinced ordinary Chinese people that their rulers had lost the Mandate of Heaven. China needed a new dynasty. Beginning in the 1630s in the northern Shaanxi province, a minor Ming official called Li Zicheng gathered followers from the disenchanted peasantry. In February of 1644, Li captured the old capital of Xian and declared himself the first emperor of the Shun Dynasty.  His armies marched east, capturing Taiyuan and heading toward Beijing. Meanwhile, further south, another rebellion led by the army deserter Zhang Xianzhong unleashed a reign of terror that included capturing and killing several Ming imperial princes and thousands of civilians. He set himself up as the first emperor of the Xi Dynasty based in Sichuan Province in southwest China later in 1644. Beijing Falls With growing alarm, the Chongzhen Emperor of Ming watched the rebel troops under Li Zicheng advance toward Beijing. His most effective general, Wu Sangui, was far away, north of the Great Wall. The emperor sent for Wu, and also issued a general summons on April 5 for any available military commander in the Ming Empire to come to Beijings rescue. It was no use- on April 24, Lis army broke through the city walls and captured Beijing.  The Chongzhen Emperor hanged himself from a tree behind the Forbidden City. Wu Sangui and his Ming army were on their way to Beijing, marching through the Shanhai Pass at the eastern end of the Great Wall of China.  Wu received word that he was too late, and the capital had already fallen. He retreated to Shanhai.  Li Zicheng sent his armies to confront Wu, who handily defeated them in two battles. Frustrated, Li marched out in person at the head of a 60,000-strong force to take on Wu. It was at this point that Wu appealed to the closest large army nearby- the Qing leader Dorgon and his Manchus. Curtains for the Ming Dorgon had no interest in restoring the Ming Dynasty, his old rivals. He agreed to attack Lis army, but only if Wu and the Ming army would serve under him instead. On May 27, Wu agreed. Dorgon sent him and his troops to attack Lis rebel army repeatedly; once both sides in this Han Chinese civil battle were worn out, Dorgon sent his riders around the flank of Wus army. The Manchu set upon the rebels, quickly overcoming them and sending them flying back toward Beijing. Li Zicheng himself returned to the Forbidden City and grabbed all the valuables he could carry. His troops looted the capital for a couple of days and then scampered west on June 4, 1644, ahead of the advancing Manchus. Li would only survive until September of the following year, when he was killed after a series of battles with Qing imperial troops. Ming pretenders to the throne continued to try to rally Chinese support for restoration for several decades after the fall of Beijing, but none gained much support. The Manchu leaders quickly reorganized the Chinese government, adopting some aspects of Han Chinese rule such as the civil service exam system, while also imposing Manchu customs such as the queue hairstyle on their Han Chinese subjects. In the end, the Manchus Qing Dynasty would rule China right up to the end of the imperial era, in 1911. Causes of Ming Collapse One major cause of the Ming collapse was a succession of relatively weak and disconnected emperors. Early in the Ming period, the emperors were active administrators and military leaders. By the end of the Ming era, however, the emperors had retreated into the Forbidden City, never venturing out at the head of their armies, and seldom even meeting in person with their ministers. A second reason for the collapse of the Ming was the huge expense in money and men of defending China from its northern and western neighbors. This has been a constant in Chinese history, but the Ming were particularly concerned because they had only just won China back from Mongol rule under the Yuan Dynasty.  As it turned out, they were right to worry about invasions from the north, although this time it was the Manchus who took power. A final, huge cause was the shifting climate and disruptions to the monsoon cycle of rains. Heavy rains brought devastating floods, particularly of the Yellow River, which swamped farmers land and drowned livestock and people alike. With crops and stock destroyed, the people went hungry, a sure-fire prescription for peasant uprisings. Indeed, the fall of the Ming Dynasty was the sixth time in Chinese history that a long-standing empire was brought down by peasant rebellion following famine.

Response paper to Oedipus the king Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Response paper to Oedipus the king - Essay Example He subjects the citizens of Thebes to questioning regardless of their age and status in society. He specifically questions a blind prophet, a shepherd, and a messenger. He gets different narratives regarding how Laius was killed. After questioning one of the prophets, it becomes evident that the individual who killed Laius would sleep with his (Laius’) wife, Jocasta (Sophocles par 1). This story disturbs Oedipus greatly, forcing him to investigate the matter further. Jocasta cautions him not to investigate the matter beyond what he already knows, but he ignores her pleas. Jocasta’s persistence against investigating the matter raises a number of issues. It is most likely that she knew Oedipus was her son. One may ask if she wanted to fulfill the prophecy or acted out of shear ignorance. If she knew what was going on, why did she let Oedipus suffer for things he hardly knew about? After further investigation, it turns out that he was the killer of Laius and that Jocasta was his mother. From this scenario, it was not destined for Oedipus to kill his father and marry his mother. All these things happened without his knowledge (Sophocles par 1). If he had known that Laius was his father, he would not have initiated such an action. His action was fair, and the people to be blamed were Laius and Jocasta. They abandoned Oedipus at a tender age, and he grew up knowing neither his father nor his mother. However, this does not prevent Thebes from experiencing the plague. This is unfair to Oedipus because he was the killer. Another issue in the play that is worth mentioning is: why does Oedipus have to suffer for crimes that he did not commit? The actual killing of Laius occurred when Oedipus was provoked and offended by a group of travellers. Oedipus killed Laius in self-defense. When one is faced with such a situation, reasonably, there is no option other than to defend oneself. It is not fair to hold Oedipus accountable for the curse that has