Definition of art Essay

A number of people have asked about the value of addressing aesthetics, the philosophy of art, or the definition of art. The reasoning is that if it is so difficult to define, it must therefor be ultimately subjective, and each person should just determine for herself what it is. Perhaps we all do determine for ourselves the meaning of anything. Because, as in the â€Å"tree falling in the forest† example, the meaning does not exist if it does not exist for me personally. I am allowed to define â€Å"table† or â€Å"chair† any way I wish for myself, but if I hope to communicate with others about tables and chairs, the meaning or definition must be shared. And that shared meaning derives from a combination of (a) acquired meanings from those whom we give credibility and (b) connotations developed from our experiences with tables and chairs. If there were really no way to define art, there would be no way to determine what is art, and art could be anything. Fortunately, art can be defined, although not succinctly in verbal form, as we might define â€Å"table† or â€Å"chair. † We learn the definition indirectly through understanding why works have been labeled art by critics and artists in the past, and directly by understanding the perspectives of those critics and artists. From the standpoint of complete subjectivity, if art can be anything, it is meaningless as a term == art is everything and nothing. There is nothing that is not art, so everything is art. The term â€Å"art† has no shared meaning and has no value in communication, and yet we use it all the time. By what criteria do you determine what is art for yourself? Because it pleases you? Because it pleases your friends, or someone you respect, or most people around you? What criteria constitute pleasing? What does it do to please? From another perspective, other than pragmatic needs, by what criteria do we select a season? Or what material we place in museums? By what criteria do we judge quality? How do we determine â€Å"good† from â€Å"not good? † Whatever criteria we use become our criteria for our aesthetic, which then become, in fact, our definition of our art. It is useful and valid for us to question what those criteria are, to challenge the validity of those criteria, and to constantly explore new criteria to define the art experience. In order to comprehend the options of criteria, the kinds of questions to ask of our criteria, the possible limits of our personal vision, it is worthwhile to explore the explorations of others. Understand that the definition of art and the determination of quality are linked and mutually affected. Alter one and the other is changed. One additional concern is the value in trying to understand how art works have meaning. Once we begin to explore this as artists, our work instantly changes dimension. It moves from the surface to the soul and allows us to refocus on the meaningful.

Unionization of employees Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Unionization of employees - Essay Example Industrial Revolution was one of the major turning points in human development. It is the process of change from an agrarian, handicraft economy to one dominated by industry and machine manufacture. This revolution had a major impact on the society and the labor force. Initially, this revolution made people work in factories for long hours perhaps from 14 to 16 hours. As a result of which many of them including children were forced to work in this manner and was very hard for them.Industrial revolution began in England in the 18th century which involved technological changes such as the use of iron and steel, new energy sources, the invention of new machines that increased production in relatively less time. Many of them did not survive the hardship and died. Though Britain was where the Industrial Revolution began, it was also the place where reformations started. In 1932 when middle class males won the right to vote in Great Britain all the reformation started. Workers formed socie ties and in due course it was called trade unions also known as the unionization of employees began (Wikipedia, 2008). The aim of trade unions was to fight for better working conditions and better pay as a result changes were also brought to the working conditions such as 10 hour work days, child labour laws and required school. Therefore, a trade union is an organization which was formed to promote and protect the interests of a collection of workers. Even today, unionization is helping employees and is fighting for there rights. This research paper aims to provide information on how unionization of employees has had an impact on various aspects. The status of unionization of employees varies for country to country or state to state. While in some countries trade unions possess substantial freedom, from the right to Freedom of Association, to public demonstrations and active protest against political opponents such as strikes, in other countries it is totally opposite and are actively suppressed by political or military rules, with little or no freedoms. Additionally, in these countries the prospect of violence or even death is high. Like it or not unionization of employees are political in nature, and often attract both positive and negative consequences. Over the last few decades, trade unions have developed into a number of forms propagandize by differing political and economic regimes. Trade unions in the early days, such as the Friendly Societies, often offered a number of benefits to insure members against unemployment, ill health, old age and funeral expenses. Similarly, in many industrialized countries, these functions have been taken up by the state. In addition, the provision of professional training, legal advice, and representation for members still remain among the main benefits of trade union membership. The second and one of the most important aims of unionization of employees is that they are able to operate openly, are legal bodies and are recognised by employers, they may negotiate with employers over wages and working conditions. If the demands are not met, employees union may organize strikes or resistance to lockouts if their particular goals are not agreed by the authorities. They may also go to the extent of camp aigning, undertake lobbying, or financially support individual candidates or parties for public office who will help to fulfil their demands (Wikipedia, 2008). There are several researchers who have devoted several years working on the effects of unionization of employees. Brown and Medoff (1978) are the pioneers who worked on this issue. Following the pioneering work and inspired by the controversial work of Freeman and Medoff (1984), a number of empirical studies have studied the impact of union on productivity particularly in UK and the USA. Although a number of authors have estimated positive union productivity differentials, there is a common agreement in the literature about unionism

The BRICS Nations in International Business Research Paper

The BRICS Nations in International Business - Research Paper Example The paper tells that the emergence and importance of the BRICS in international business is a reality that for years had been underestimated. The BRICS nations have important roles to play in international business as players and partners. It is, however, paramount that we first understand the term BRICS, before we can give a detailed description of each country’s economy. The word BRICS is an acronym for the world’s largest and strongest emerging economies. These countries are Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. They are now considered as significant as other global players are and have consequently shifted economic status, from developing to emerging economies. This is because of the rapid and exponential growth that is witnessed in these economies, with statistics indicating that their contribution to the growth of the world’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) being very significant. In the past decade, the BRICS contributed to more than half of the wor ld’s growth in GDP. The population of these economies has also been singled out as a unique feature. These economies alone constitute half, or a little under half, of the world’s population. Analysts have however pointed to the fact that these economies rarely have anything in common. Their demographic compositions, governance styles, and type of economies, are all different. They may have one or two similarities in their economies but have very little in common. This is the beauty that has been associated with these economies, that despite having very little to share, they each have independently affected global business in ways that are not only noticeable but also strongly profound and significant. These impacts to international business include increased trade levels, increased funding of development or development financing, and donor funding, earlier only a preserve of the western countries. Having looked at the economies forming the BRICS in general, let us now examine them individually.

Literature by Women of Color Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Literature by Women of Color - Essay Example In essence, food imagery is not only about material substance per se but also substantial materials or elements that refine and define a particular literary work. By and large, food is central to the narrative of the three texts. This paper touches the vibrant role that food serves in these literary pieces. It also explores food as a symbol and a mediator. The role of food significantly contributes to the theme of the piece and other elements characterized in literature. First, the image of food substantially helps visualized the narrative of the story. In â€Å"A Temporary Matter,† for instance, the almost empty pantry -- where food items are stock -- suggests the emptiness and absence of comfort needed for family who just lost a child. The failure to fill-up foodstuffs into the pantry, which used to be constantly filled-up and refilled, dramatically implies the failure to fill-up the sunken emotions between the husband and the wife, namely, Shoba and Shukumar. Second, food imagery vividly shows the character’s inner mind and heart. In â€Å"When Mr. Pirzada Came to Dine,† for example, the confections that the main character brings to the host’s house strongly suggest his fatherly love of, and probably his missing of the, children. With the absence of his daughters, Mr. Pirzada tries to connect to his girls through the candies and cakes he gives to little Lilia. Foodstuffs permit the character to care and hope for the lives and safety of his family back home. Third, food in literature reveals the cultural upbringing and background of the characters in the piece. The foodstuffs apparent in Lilia’s home, which the characters share and eat, are expressions of shared culture and tradition. For instance, the chewing of fennel seeds after meal, the avoidance of drinking alcohol, among other things, are vital signs of inherited heritage of food etiquette from generation to generation. The invocation of the food names and

Bullying Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 6

Bullying - Essay Example It is agreeable that bullying is practiced mainly in schools and over the internet and this form of harassment comes with adverse negative impact on the youths among other victims. However, the author has stated that the problem can be effectively controlled through several measures. Notably, this article is not only educational and exciting, but also comprehensive. For instance, it has discussed different forms of bullying, their causes and effects. Most of the articles addressing issues on bullying have always failed to discuss how bullying has affected students. The assertions in the article concerning bullying have also been comprehensively substantiated using clear examples. The claim that school bullying has led to enormous number of suicide incidences in United States has been substantiated by using the case of Phoebe Prince, who committed suicide as a result of school bullying. To validate the assumption that cyberbullying can lead to serious psychological and mental problems, the article has provided an example of the death of a thirteen-year-old Megan Meier that came because of a serious psychological problem. Moreover, the arguments involve more than one principle. The opinions in the article are convincing because they are explicit, logical and have been presented using a plain language. Reading through the article, there are no technical words that can cause problems to the readers. The use of technical words always affects the readability and understanding of the main ideas being presented. The clarity of the first paragraph clearly brings the message that the article is about bullying. Arguably, with the use of complex words, it would not be easy for the readers to understand the main arguments by going through the first paragraph. The article is explicit because the readers can easily recognize the

Children's Magazine Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Children's Magazine - Essay Example The idea was to find whether the books and their display are able to fascinate the targeted readers and promote reading. During the survey, it was found that the libraries do have wide variety of books for children of different age groups but there is significant lack of children’s magazines and whatever few magazines are there, they do not attract the children. Children’s section is normally well segregated but lack of imagination, in the display of the titles, are found to be the main reason for disinterest amongst the children and the teens. The libraries make no efforts to apply creative approach to promote better reading. The bookstores like Waterstones and W. H. Smith have a huge selection of children’s magazines and story books which are prominently displayed. They often organize special events for children to promote children’s books which do make some headway in inculcating reading habits in children. The bookstores, too, have a separate section for the children where latest story books are attractively displayed. Unfortunately, the price factor is a big deterrent for the majority of the children who prefer to spend that much money on latest gadgets and audio-video games! The children need to develop reading habits for various reasons and the most important justification being that it hugely widens their knowledge horizon which becomes their greatest asset in the later life. To attract children towards reading, it is important that they be introduced to the pleasures of reading in a manner that makes it a big fun and which sufficiently prods their inherent curiosity so that they seek more interesting information in the books. It is also important that the government must encourage writers for writing children’s books and magazines that are interesting, fun filled and which satisfy interest level of children of

Determinant of Supplier Power Essay Example for Free

Determinant of Supplier Power Essay Sony’s Play station 3 is slated to be a next generation computer entertainment console which will provide the facility of playing titles which are available on PlayStation and PlayStation 2. In addition it is also enabling internet connectivity for downloading a variety of games as also access to online games and services. It can support a wide range of NTSC/PAL standards on the TV including high definition TV. (Introducing Play station 3, 2006). Nintendo Nintendo has been an established leader in the interactive entertainment industry for many years. It has successfully sold one billion video games worldwide. It markets hardware and software for its popular home video systems such as the Game Cube and the Game Boy series which the company claims to be the world’s best selling video game system. (History, 2006). The company has been developing its consoles based on technology developments and the needs of the customers. Software is also built up to support the consoles in a consolidated mode. Nintendo entered the American market after the industry had virtually crashed in the 1980’s and exploited the performance play as per Kline, Dyer-Witherford and Peuter (2003) by introducing proprietary standards and denying competition for other players. It also created brand loyalty by having a magazine for its product and also created sustainment lines so that the product was effectively supported after sales, a novel concept in the entertainment industry but which is essential for experiential marketing. This company as per Kline, Dyer-Witherford and Peuter (2003) was the first to close the technology, culture and marketing loop as others followed suit to ape Nintendo. The company has also recently launched a Nintendo WiFi connection which will enable the Nintendo DS owners to connect with gamers around the World and it is reported that over 10 million connections were made available only two months from launching. Its Resident Evil 4 programme on Game Cube was adjudged by many as the best game of the year as per the company. (History, 2006). The other innovation was to develop the company’s programme of Game Play Counselors on the web to provide the gamers and developers instant connect with the company. (History, 2006). Nintendo has also sponsored Digipen program at the DigiPen Institute of Technology which is an accredited college level program for designing video gaming applications. The company has initiated this keeping in view the large number of requests it has been receiving from gamers as well as amateur developers. The company also has a Nintendo Power magazine which communicates with the gamers. Contests such as Player’s Poll care enable the company to get feedback from gamers and also rate its own games for further sponsoring and development. The company has an active forums program from which game ideas are developed (http://forums. nintendo. com/nintendo) Nintendo also has a policy for licensing a number of third party publishers to use its patenting technology, copy rights and trade marks to develop video games (Legal, 2006). Nintendo also has a very powerful community participation program called as NSider forum which provides Nintendo fans a venue for discussion through message boards, posting questions and answers, discussions and email on new activities. This acts as a powerful link between the company, the gamers and the developers. (Community Participation, 2006). Micro Soft Micro Soft has been the latest entrant in the field of console gaming. It has also depended on the resources of developers and consumers to progress its gaming strategy, despite the considerable software resources that the company has at its disposal as the worlds leading legacy software developer. It has two programs which are specifically targeted at the developers and consumers for providing it inputs for game development. Micro Soft Xbox Developer programs enable developers, publishers, tool makers and hardware vendors to support the Xbox and Xbox 360 video consoles. The Registered Developer Program in particular has been designed to allow access to external developers to the hardware and support of Xbox and Xbox 360 and take advantage of the features to develop software and support projects for the Xbox consoles. Xbox Central and Xbox 360 Central web sites permit access to those who have been accepted for this program and also for participation in technical seminars and sessions. (Xbox Developer Programs, 2006) The Xbox 360 Registered Content Creator Program is a similar program which allows freelance content creators access to Xbox 360 content creation tools to enable them to secure projects for Xbox console. These positions are offered by Microsoft Game Studios. (Xbox 360 Registered Content Creator Program. 2006)