Shangri La Case Study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Shangri La Case Study - Essay Example However, he should make sure that the firm will get predictable benefits from the wage increase in the long run. Bridl must consider that Shangri-La has certain competitive advantages over its rivalries in the Chinese market. Unlike the new entrants, Shangri-La has already gained customer loyalty and reputation in the Chinese hospitality industry. The new entrants have to overcome a lot of barriers to ensure their position in the market, and their survival is uncertain. If Shangri-La initiates a sudden and huge increase in wage in response to the competitors’ employee-poaching, it will affect the firm in several ways. For instance, if the new competitors do not thrive in the market and retire instead, Shangri-La may not be able to bring wages back to lower levels. Also, since Shangri-La involves a vast chain of hotels and resorts across China, the firm cannot afford huge wage increase. In the same way, increasing or decreasing staffing levels are also not advisable for a few r easons. As the case indicates, since Chinese employees are not good at exercising decision making authority, reducing staffing levels will affect their productivity. ... As Rizwan et al (2011) point out, enhancing employee participation can greatly influence employee behaviour and thereby the overall performance of the company. Obviously, wage increase itself cannot guarantee employee retention. Therefore, Bridl can propose an ‘employment bond’ which the employee will sign agreeing to work for the company for a certain length of time in exchange for employment related training the company offers him. Another strategy is that like its rivals, Shangri-La can also give priority to experienced hands from other firms during its recruitment processes. It is advisable for Shangri-La to promote outstanding performers to a ‘trainer’ level so that they will feel that they are the integral part of the organisation. Job commitment and satisfaction are the key factors contributing to the overall organisational productivity (Lumley et al. 2011). The level of participation required to produce the feeling of ownership may vary from industry to industry. When an employee gets the feeling of ownership, s/he would be very cautious in his work and try to minimise material wastage and thereby costs (ibid). As mentioned above, wage increase should take place gradually along with other motivational strategies. The firm should also focus on intrinsic rewards to satisfy non-money motive employees. In addition to promotion, tactics like higher level training, tours, family get together etc can be applied. It is important consider the feedback of the tenured employees before implementing changes. Since Chinese employees are accustomed to traditional working environment, they may be resistant to change. Therefore, Bridl has to ensure that objectives are effectively communicated until the employees

Existentialism is a Movement of the 20th Century Essay

Existentialism is a Movement of the 20th Century - Essay Example Kierkegaard is known to be the father of existentialism. He is also a highly known philosopher of the 19th century. Kierkegaard developed the idea of living life in a variety of stages. Aesthetical, ethical and religious were his divisions of life. In his work, he claimed that he went through similar experiences during his lifetime, and he used the stages to establish his own philosophy of life and of human existence. He assessed the first two stages with regard to the normal set of beliefs and behavior. However, the last stage developed based on personal and non-rational opinion â€Å"leap of faith† (Cooper 517). The aesthetical stage was characterized by immediacy and failure, to reflect with seriousness upon the nature of a person’s life. The people in this stage were defined as like material things and fulfilling their desires as they occurred. People become slaves to their senses and they tend to want to fulfill desires propelled by their senses. People would tend to fulfill needs they consider appropriate and other people’s opinion did not count. The stage represents two types of lifestyles; reflective and non-reflective immediacy. Alcohol, sex and drugs are some illustrations of satisfying unrefined immediacy. An individual act without thinking because the satisfaction expected does not require thinking, refined immediacy, on the other hand, characterized by thoughtful planning (Cooper 518). Sometimes people think before undertaking a certain action, but the thoughts do not put into consideration moral and ethical values. Reflection of the lifestyle embarked not put into consideration. Planning made in order to gain full satisfaction of the lifestyle. According to Kierkegaard this pleasures of life will eventually vanish, and an individual will be caught in a moment of despair (Kierkegaard n. p). In the end, one will get tired of the life of luxury and satisfaction would hardly be achieved.

Prosecution and Judicial system on Witches Essay Example for Free

Prosecution and Judicial system on Witches Essay The central Europe was full of panic and rumors about witch and witchcrafts during it early modern period. Witch-hunt dragged the society into conducting trials so as to torture and even death or execution to those who are believed to be a part of the witch crafting practices. About this statement, it is stated that the rate of women who are executed or those who are believed as witches are mostly on females (Levack). As Levack wrote to his observations data, the age of the women inclined in witchcraft were those who are older than that of a 50 year-old. He also conducted a survey on regional studies and figured out that there were indeed estimated about 110,000 witch trials (Levack). Levack paid his focus on the recorded conducted trials instead of focusing on the executions made. He explained that among all those trials for the witch cases, there have been about 48% which definitely resulted into execution that makes about 60,000 of witches who died (Levack). Levack stated that this prosecutions and torture-making were made for the alleged practices of doing a believed harmful magic and that people on those period believed that witch’s practices is done to worship the darkness or the devil (Levack). In Levack’s book, he mainly focused on the events where the witch-hunting started. He explained that that witch-hunting is an act in which certain hunters hunt those individuals who are believed to be involved in a certain magical secret kinds of activities (Levack). Levack discussed that the main cause of this hunting activity is the multi-casual approach, which sought the innovation of new ideologies about such witches and the changes is judicial system. These two innovations brought severe changes in religious aspect and also aroused a lot of tension to the society (Levack). The ideology of the hunts are based on such that witches were the individuals who had a certain pack with the devil therefore they are involved in such practices that is considered as barbaric. Witchcraft is conceptualized as an evil act into which the power and magic came from the devil whom they worship as everyone believes (Levack). According to Levack’s discussion through his work, certain individuals would sell their own souls to Satan in order to obtain a good life or which they considered as the gift of well being. In addition to this, witches are believed to have a Sabbath where they tend to give praise and worship to the devil. They are also said to be an organization which people believed in of doing infanticide incest practices (Levack). Another that contributes to the basis of the hunters is the idea that witches do fly, this idea or belief came from the people’s assumption that witches fly in order to attend to their Sabbath meetings without being noticed (Levack). The kind of prosecution made in England and the role of women being the witnesses is considered as a process of cultural complexity according to Holmes. He discussed that the popular beliefs are the harmful factors which implies that a certain woman is involved in witchcrafts (Holmes). The elites in the year 1563 created a system of prosecution against witchcrafts. The victims then had the opportunity to prosecute their assailants through the constructed systematical procedures of the judicial court (Holmes). According to Holmes, there are two distinctive ways for a certain witness to testify as a victim of witchcrafts such as they could directly testify that they are possessed into which they would say that they are controlled by the devil through the crafts of the witch and secondly, assumed victims could report sought physical searches that will be an evident or proof of the witch’s connection with the devil (Holmes). In both ways the accused will be subjected into the belief that she is indeed a witch and is inclined with witchcrafts. This is supported by theologians and lawyers who state that women are more susceptible or vulnerable of temptation which will cause them to tend to involve themselves to a pact with the devil (Holmes). In addition to this, Clive Holmes said that the women witnesses rose up from 38 to 53 percent during the last existing years of Queen Elizabeth. This indicates that women are the ones who contribute actively in creating negative reputations among others by making gossips (Holmes). Discussion As the hunt went through continuously in the 16th century, the system of jurisdiction reduced clerical means of jurisdiction and focused more on the secular concerns. The reason for this change is the definition of the witchcraft as a mean of secular crime (Levack). These said factors led to a high rate of witch hunting in Scotland hence other countries obtained a reduction in the number of cases to be prosecuted because of the ecclesiastical means of jurisdiction over the crime (Levack). There were said to be complex types of hunts which is brought during the time where witch-hunts were made in Europe, the small hunts in Europe basically focuses on seeking for malefactors, the medium type consists of at least five to ten victims, and the large hunts consists about ten to hundred witches which caused an explosion of panic and hysteria (Levack). According to Levack, there are there are four certain relatively factors to this witch-hunt. The first one depends on the nature of the witch beliefs in a certain place or region with the consideration on the strength to which they were being held (Levack). The second factor is the intensity of hunts. It is explained that not all countries execute torture method. Lastly, is the extent where the central judicial officers have their control to each trial (Levack). Conclusion In my own understanding witch-hunt, malice accusations, tortures, and executions are not justified by the early England period’s basis which is considered gossips or hearsays. I am not convinced about the foundation of the witch-hunt act because they do not provide an accurate reason or evident for them to do such an act against a certain person who is accused of being witch. Basing on Holmes’ work, a certain witness could just testify that a certain person is a witch and therefore make that person be subjected to court trials, another is that whenever a person testify that the accused is having a certain mark or physical searches which will prove that she is a witch then she is believed to be a witch and will also be subjected to trials or worse is execution. This kind of basis as the primary foundation in witch-hunting is generally an immoral act and a lack-of-evidence case into which people experienced hysteria and panic for a reason that is not reliably true or considered as alleged case. Therefore the explanations about the reasons of the outburst of witch-hunting is definitely cruel, lack of consideration, and inhumane act against fellow human beings who are accused but unproved of being a witch and practicing certain witch acts. Works Cited Holmes, Clive. Women: Witnesses and Witches Witch-Prosecutions in Early Modern England. 1993. Kaplan, Steven Laurence. Understanding Popular Culture: Europe from the Middle Ages to the Nineteenth Century. 1984. Levack, Brian P. The Witch-Hunt in Early Modern Europe 2006. Sharpe, J. Instrument of Darkness: Witchcraft in England 1550-1750.

Frank Lloyd Wright: Literary and Architectural Legacy

Frank Lloyd Wright: Literary and Architectural Legacy Introduction: There is a depth in each building that surpasses the visible physical characteristics of its structure. The philosophy that derives the experiences created within is an essential element in understanding each building or structure. It is this philosophy that differentiates an architect from another. And it was the organic philosophy in architecture that lifted Frank Lloyd wrights status to be called the greatest American Architect of all times. Through the study of his various writings, this paper explores his philosophy and analyses it in light of his design process and some of his constructed works. The Principles of the Organic: It was Lao Tze, five hundred years before Jesus who declared, that the reality of the building consisted not of the walls and roof but inhered in the space within, the space to be lived in.[1] For Frank Lloyd Wright, the center line of organic architecture was form and function are one. They become one, they are integral. He conceived this integrity, from within outward, as the modern architects guide and opportunity. Out of the ground and into the light was an opportunity. The nature of material was also an opportunities. All three opportunities were limitations but they were also a condition of success. Human nature was one of these materials, as well, served by the building and serving it.[2] In his various writings Frank Lloyd Wright explained the principles guiding and driving his organic architecture. He believed that the knowledge of the relations between form and function was essential for the practice of architecture and could only be achieved by studying nature and its principles.[3] From the simplicity inhered in nature he deducted certain ideals for organic architecture. First, that a building should contain as few rooms as possible. The ensemble of these rooms should be considered for comfort, utility and go hand in hand with beauty. Second, the openings should be integral features of the structure and form, providing it with natural ornamentation, instead of rich looking decoration. He also argued that the appliances, furniture and fixtures should be should incorporated in the general scheme of the structure. [4] For Wright simplicity was not in itself an end but it was a means to an end. The reticence in ornamentation in these structures is mainly for two reasons: first, they are the expression of an idea that ornamentation should constitutional, a matter of the nature of the structure, beginning with the ground plan. Second, because buildings perform their functions in relation to human life within, to develop and maintain the harmony of a true chord, broad simple surfaces and highly conventionalized forms are inevitable. According to him, these ideas take the building out of school and marry them to the ground, make them intimate expressions or revelations of the exteriors; individualize them regardless of previous notions of style.[5] Natures principles also formulated other ideals in organic architecture. Frank Lloyd Wright maintained that the individuality of a person should be reflected in the style of the house he inhabits, therefore there should be as many styles of houses as there are kinds of people. He also asserted that a building should grow easily from its site and be shaped to harmonize with its surroundings, making it quiet, substantial and organic. The use of colors was also an important aspect, for they had to fit to live with the natural forms they do. Therefore he encouraged the use of soft, warm tones of earth and autumn leaves in preference to the blues, purples or greens and greys. Bringing out the nature of material was an essential ideal to organic architecture, describing them as friendly and beautiful. He believed that following the prevalent traditions leads to structures that become soon out of fashion, stale and profitable, insisting that each house should have character of its own.[6] T herefore organic principles grew out of nature and its principles; however there are other aspects that have partially led to its growth. Rejection of Classical and Renaissance Architecture: I deliberately chose to break with traditions in order to be more true to tradition than current conventions and ideals in architecture would permit. [7] The principles of organic architecture, though they seemingly developed out of natures principles were also partially born from Wrights critique of previous classical and renaissance styles. In the First evening of his London lectures in 1939,Wright declared that the classic was more of a mask for life to wear rather than an expression of life itself. [8]He strongly critiqued the view of architecture as a fashionable aesthetic, arguing that modern architecture rejects all grando-mania, every building that would stand in a military fashion. [9]He encouraged architectsto abandon the cherishing of preconceived form fixed upon them, and to exhale to the laws of common sense to determine from them the form and material of the building in light of its purpose, resulting in a differentiation between the different forms of the building due to their varying function, asserting that Form and Function are one.[10] Wright criticized the tall interiors that were divided into box like compartments, where the architecture mainly involved healing over the edges of the curious collection of holes that had to be cut in the walls for light and air to permit the occupant to get in or out. [11] Wright observed that, in nature, the individuality of its attributes are seldom scarified. Unlike the classical buildings in which an order is establishes, for example a colonnade, then walls are added between them, reducing them to pilasters, with the result that every form is outraged, the whole an abominable mutation. The Approach to Design: All architecture must begin there where they stand[12] Out of the principles of the organic, Frank Lloyd Wright maintained a design process throughout his career that he describes in his book the Future of Architecture. He strongly believed in building from within outward. To achieve this vision he started by determining which consideration came first in the design process. The first determinant was the ground. By this he meant the nature of site, soil and climate. The next consideration was the choice of available materials taking into account the financial cost. The third was the choice of means of power for construction. Man, machine or both? He believed that what rendered his buildings as creative was this process of from within outward, giving life the whole, and giving life to the structure by adopting the ideal of form and function are one, or organic.[13] Wright believed that the character of the site is the beginning of any building which aspires to architecture. He argued that architects ought to accept the fact that the ground already has form.ÂÂ   This to him was a gift from nature to be cherished and accepted.[14] Therefore, in designing his domestic architecture he was careful about considering and incorporating certain elements. First was free association with the ground. Second, sunlight, vista and a spaciousness that conforms to a modern sense of demanded space.ÂÂ   The third element was privacy. Fourth was a free pattern for the arrangement of rooms to be occupied by the families. He argued that as families vary so must the houses. However, he affirmed that these requirements should be incorporated in the architecture of the building in an integral harmony of proportion to the human figure, so that the building protects and cherishes the individuals vital necessities and fine sentiments.[15] The Logic behind the Plan: I have great faith that if the thing rightfully put together in true organic senses with proportions actually right the picturesque will take care of itself.[16] Frank Lloyd Wright believed that all the forms in his plans are complete in themselves and frequently do duty at the same time from within and without as attributes of the whole. There was a tendency towards a greater individuality of the parts emphasized by more and more complete articulation. Moreover, the ground plans were the actual projection of a carefully considered whole.ÂÂ   The architecture wasnt thrown up as an artistic exercise, a matter of elevation from a preconceived ground plan. The schemes were conceived in three dimensions as organic entities. Wright ventured to let the picturesque perspective fall how it will. With a sense of the incidental perspectives, he believed the design will develop. [17] In the Future of Architecture and in an article in the architectural record he describes the logic behind the plans in his architecture. He mentions the most important factors in designing the plan which are materials, building methods, scale, articulation, expression or style. The logical norm for the scale of the building was the human scale. He believed that the unit of size of the building varies with the purpose and material of it, therefore he adopted a unit system for the plan, establishing a certain standardization. By adopting the human scale, he trusted nature to give the proper values to a proper whole. Materials also affected scale. He used the most natural material suiting the purpose. Using wood led to a slender plan, light in texture narrow in spacing. A stone or brick plan was heavy, black in masses and wider in spacing. In cast block building, the scale was done to be adequate to the sense of block, box and slab and there was more freedom in spacing.[18] In his domestic architecture, he designed that house with a garden that arranges itself about and within it so that the individual can enjoy the sun and view while keeping privacy. He gave priority to the living room, given its status as the room common to all, adding a fireplace to it. The modern industrial developments allowed him to make the kitchen a part of the living room relating it to another part of the same. He occasionally added an extra space for reading or studying. By creating this association between living and dining he ensured the convenience and the privacy of the members of the family. Wright gave importance to the bathrooms making them large enough to accommodate for dressing rooms, closets for linen, occasionally a wardrobe with perhaps a couch in each. He made the bedrooms adjacent to the bathroom unit, designing them to be small, airy and easily accessible from the living room. [19] His logic is derived from the ideal of form and function are one. The inspiration of his ideal grew from nature, not its form but its principles. In nature, an organism is a living one when all is part to the whole and whole is to the part.ÂÂ   Wright argued that this correlation which is found any plant or animal is a fundamental principle in organic architecture. He also maintained that any building should come to terms with the living human spirit.[20] Considering the individuality of the owner in the design process, led to certain puzzlement regarding the notion of style. The Question of Style: Styles once developed soon become yardsticks for the blind, crushes for the lame, and resources for the impotent.[21] Frank Lloyd Wright asserted that he had enough types and forms my work to characterize the work of an architect but certainly not enough to characterize an architecture. To him there was no worse of an imposition than to have some individual deliberately fix the outward forms of his concept of beauty upon the future of a free people or even a growing city.[22] The form may differ, he asserted, but in every case the motif is adhered to throughout so that it is not too much to say that each building aesthetically is cut from one piece of goods and consistently hangs together with an integrity impossible otherwise. In a fine art sense the designs grew as natural plants grow, the individuality of each is integral and is as complete as skill, time, strength, and circumstances would permit. The method in itself does not necessarily produce a beautiful building, but it does provide a framework as a basic which has an organic integrity.[23] Wright believed that style came as a byproduct of the process he maintained in his design. The way an architect achieves an integrity in his design came, first, by studying natures material to find the properties most suited for the purpose, then, by using organic architecture as guide, to unite these qualities to serve that purpose.[24] In his plan Wright did use a form of standardization, a unit of size for the building. However, he warned against the tendency in the human mind to standardize. He viewed standardization as a mere tool, though indispensable, should be used to the extent that it leave the architect free to destroy it at will, to the extent only that it does not become a style, or an inflexible rule-is it desirable to the architect. It is desirable only to the extent that it is capable of new forms and remains the servant of those forms. He believed that standardization should be allowed to work, but never to master the process that yields the form.[25] In his various designs Wright took into consideration the individuality of the occupant and his needs. Wright responded to the critics who suspected that individuality of the owner and occupant of the building is sacrificed to that of the architect who imposes his own upon everyone alike, by saying An architect worthy of the name has individuality, it is true, his work will and should reflect it and his buildings will bear a family resemblance one to another. The individuality of the owner is first manifest in his choice of his architect, the individual to whom he entrusts his characterization. He sympathizes with his work; its expression suits him and this furnishes the common ground upon which client and architect may come together. Then, the architect with his ready technique, he conscientiously works for the client, idealizes his clients character and taste and makes him feel the building is his as it really to such an extent that he can truly say that he would rather have his ow n house than any other he has ever seen[26] In order to fully understand wrights methodology, it is essential to look at how his principles have formed his designs and buildings. Looking at the Prairie house style and Taliesin, the examples show how Wright succeeded in maintaining his philosophy, while providing diversity of forms. Prairie Houses: In his book An American Architecture, Wright describes his love and fascination with prairie, along with the elements of the prairie that guided his designs. I loved the prairie as great simplicity. And I saw that a little of height on the prairie was enough to look like much more. The natural tendency of every ill- considered thing on the prairie is to detach itself and stick out like a sore thumb in surrounding by nature perfectly quiet. All unnecessary heights have for that reason and the human scale, (other reasons, economic too) been eliminated. More intimate relation with outdoor environment and far-reaching vista is sought to balance the desired lessening of height.[27] The Prairie style was an attempt by Wright to create an architecture that suited the American lifestyle and landscape. Strongly horizontal plan of house with a low sheltering roof, bands of art glass windows, stucco walls with wood banding, and outreaching garden walls had many of the features that characterized this version of Wrights organic architecture.[28] The Little house on Lake Minnetonka (figure1) is an example of how organic architecture is reflected in the house. The living room is the dominant space in the house. Mrs. Little was an accomplished musician and wanted the room to double as recital space. The height of the ceiling adds to the rooms grandeur. Flanked by two long walls with more than a dozen art glass windows on two levels, the room has the lightness of an outdoor pavilion. Clear glass was used in the leaded panels so that the views, the lake to one side and the forest to another, would not be obstructed. The delicate designs of lines and triangles, concentrated on the outer edges of the window, reach across several panels, creating a larger composition than on just the one window. The art glass skylight, an intricate checkerboard of tiny squares and triangles, are framed by heavy wood moldings.[29] Wright focused on using an appropriate kind of furniture. The rectilinear Prairie Style furniture with the sturdy oak shapes of tables, cabinets, and chairs adapted easily to the houses scale. The vertical spindles of the radiator covers are repeated in the base of the print table and seem to capture the rhythm of the wood marking strips across the ceiling. The strong horizontality of the entire house and the room itself pulls the scale back down to a more human level.[30] The Taliesin: No house should be a hill or anything or anything. It should be of the hill. Hill and house should live together, each happier for the other.[31] This is Wright famous quote regarding the Taliesin in Wisconsin (figure2). In studying Wrights architecture it seems interesting to look at building he designed for him personally. This specific house is consistent, rich and appropriate in its management of prospect and refuge. It is also a gentler, more intimate, and more freely composed house than any others of wrights works.[32] In designing domestic architecture Wright regarded the house as refuge from two generalized and impersonal threats. One is climate the other is the social intrusion by the community.[33] When Wright built the Taliesin, he considered these two universal threats along with two personal threats, one external from his feeling of societal hostility for leaving his wife, the other internal from an inner sense of disorientation and confusion. [34] This attests to the individuality in his design. He built the Taliesin encircling the side of the hill, with its back to wall, making it seem as if it was of the hill. However this placement and his famous quotation about this house dont apply to previous prairie houses like the Hardy, Little, Ennis and Morris houses. Perhaps this placement was more related to the nature of the site, since in Taliesin the hill was inappropriate, partly because of Wrights sense of it sanctity, but partly because he needed to have his the therefore, its back against the wall, for which purpose the hilltop could not work. Therefore he chose the hillside around which the living spaces were arranged.[35] The dominant image was that of roofs which emerged randomly from the hillside vegetation, with a repetition of gentled shingled spaces, taking the slopes of the hills as their slopes. The deep overhanging eaves were all at uniform level, forming a continuous eave line.[36] Wright argued on many occasions that he was trying to destroy the box, by which he meant the self-contained room of traditional domestic architecture. He used the open plans in the prairie houses. However in Taliesin, in spite of the fluid disposition of the rooms, there is no sense of an open plan, rich and complex but a box nevertheless. Unlike prairie, this living space did not open through articulating devices to any contiguous space, nor did any other rooms. This was appropriate at Taliesin where containment was deliberately sought and consistency developed in so many other ways.ÂÂ   Also, the terrace did not extend from either range of windows that released the view. It lay rather behind the scenes. Probably this issue was a provision of view downward to the valley from the living room. This view would have been frustrated by a terrace, especially by one with a solid plastered rail.[37] The way Wright treated Taliesin in its particularity, attests to his claim that he didnt adopt a style. The particularity of the site, the nature of materials, individuality and function were the determinants of the form of the building. Conclusion: Wrights philosophy revolved around the organic. He articulated his philosophy clearly in his various writings that totaled to more than one and half million words. He defined the word organic as an entity, part-to whole- as whole- is to part, intrinsic.[38] The ideal of the organic was form and function are one. This ideal guided his design process, the logic behind his revolutionary open plans and is reflected in his different works. And despite the differences in his works, he managed to maintain an organic integrity in his designs. Image index: Figure 1 [39] Figure2 Bibliography: Hildebrand, Grant. The Wright Space: Pattern and Meaning in Frank Lloyd Wrights Houses. Seattle: U of Washington, 1991. Lind, Carla. The Wright Style. New York: Simon Schuster, 1992. Klinkowitz, Jerome. Frank Lloyd Wright and His Manner of Thought. Madison, Wisconsin: U of Wisconsin, 2014. Wright, Frank Lloyd. The Future of Architecture. New York: Horizon, 1953. Wright, Frank Lloyd, and Andrew Devane. In the Cause of Architecture, Frank Lloyd Wright: Essays. New York: Architectural Record, 1975. Wright, Frank Lloyd, and Donald D. Walker. An American Architecture. New York: Horizon, 1955. [1] Frank Lloyd Wright, The Future of Architecture. (New York: Horizon) 1953, p 226 [2] ibid, p 297 [3] Frank Lloyd Wright, and Andrew Devane. In the Cause of Architecture, Frank Lloyd Wright: Essays. (New York: Architectural Record) 1975, p54 [4] ibid [5] Ibid, p60 [6] ibid, p55 [7] ibid, p123 [8] Frank Lloyd Wright, The Future of Architecture. (New York: Horizon) 1953, p 225 [9] ibid , p226 [10] ibid, p227 [11] Frank Lloyd Wright, and Andrew Devane. In the Cause of Architecture, Frank Lloyd Wright: Essays. (New York: Architectural Record) 1975, p55 [12] Frank Lloyd Wright, The Future of Architecture. (New York: Horizon) 1953,p299 [13] ibid, p297 [14] ibid, p299 [15] ibid, p315 [16] Frank Lloyd Wright, and Andrew Devane. In the Cause of Architecture, Frank Lloyd Wright: Essays. (New York: Architectural Record) 1975, p59 [17] ibid [18] ibid, p154 [19] Frank Lloyd Wright, The Future of Architecture. (New York: Horizon) 1953, p 316 [20] ibid, p 298 [21] Frank Lloyd Wright, and Andrew Devane. In the Cause of Architecture, Frank Lloyd Wright: Essays. (New York: Architectural Record) 1975, p163 [22] ibid, p 124 [23] ibid, p59 [24] ibid, p124 [25] ibid, p 163 [26] ibid, p60 [27] Frank Lloyd wright and Donald D. Walker, An American Architecture. (New York: Horizon) 1955, p193 [28] Carla Lind, The Wright Style. (New York: Simon Schuster) 1992, p 72 [29] ibid, p84 [30] ibid [31] Frank Lloyd Wright, and Andrew Devane. In the Cause of Architecture, Frank Lloyd Wright: Essays. (New York: Architectural Record) 1975, p11 [32] Grant Hildebrand, The Wright Space: Pattern and Meaning in Frank Lloyd Wrights Houses. (Seattle: U of Washington) 1991, p 64 [33] ibid, p62 [34] ibid, p63 [35] ibid, p64 [36] ibid [37] ibid, p72 [38] Frank Lloyd Wright, The Future of Architecture. (New York: Horizon) 1953, p 323 [39] Carla Lind, The Wright Style. (New York: Simon Schuster) 1992, p 72

West vs.World :: essays research papers fc

West vs. World â€Å"Every age , every culture, every custom and tradition has its own character, its own weakness and its own strength, its beauties and cruelties; it accepts certain sufferings as matters of course, puts up patiently with certain evils. Human life is reduced to real suffering, to hell, only when two ages, two cultures and religions overlap.† (Hermann Hesse.) It is difficult for any culture in the world to avoid the blending of cultures. In Marshal Sahlins essay, â€Å"Two or Three Things I Know about Culture†, he proved that almost all cultures are derived from another. Many countries do not agree with this theory because they believe that other customs, traditions are wrong and immoral. One the most criticize cultures in the world is Western Society. Although it is very well-known and widely practiced, it is still considered a deceiving, greedy and unethical the â€Å"Western way† is highly despised among different cultures. In Martha Nussbaum article,  "Judging Other Cultures: The Case of Genital Mutilation† she also mentions the loathing of Western society. Some may say that the Western capitalist state wants to be the superhero of the world. This society believes their way of living can improve any society that is suffering. However, the Western idea of suffering may not make sense to another culture. In fact, a culture with a different perception may even view the Western idea of success and happiness as suffering. This is a controversial topic that has been haunting cultures all over the world for a quite a long time. â€Å"†¦ethnocentric, a demonizing of another culture when we have many reasons to find fault in our own.† (Nessbaum, page 2) In â€Å"Judging Other Cultures: The Case of Genital Mutilation† Martha Nessbaum focuses on the practice of female genital mutilation and its controversy. Middle Eastern countries and Africa is where this procedure is illegal but commonly practiced. If one decides that she does not want to go on with the tradition she will be frowned upon among her society. Since FGM was proven that it can negatively affect a woman health more people have protested and been working hard to ban it. The Westerners are the main group involved in abolishing the practice. Then again, some are arguing that Westerners are contradicting themselves once again. â€Å"†¦the focus on this problem involves a Western glamorization of sexual pleasure that is inappropriate, especially when we judge other cultures with different norms.

The Duke And His Duchess Essay -- essays research papers

In Robert Browning's dramatic monologue 'My Last Duchess'; there are two characters that many people can be compared to in the world today. The two characters are Alfonso II, Duke of Ferrara and his Duchess. Throughout the monologue the duke is described as being conceited, arrogant and perhaps maybe even psychotic. While his Duchess is the opposite of him, a person who enjoys life and everything it has to offer.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Duke is somewhat of a conceited person because of the comments he makes. In one part of the monologue the duke is talking to a Fra Pandolf, an imaginary monk and painter. He says that his presence (the duke) is causing the happiness of the duchess in a painting that the Fra Pandolf is painting. The line says 'Sir, 'twas not her husband's presence only, called that spot of joy into the Duchess Cheek (Lines 13-15).'; Just by reading this remark you know that the duke is a self-centered person that wants attention for him. In lines 34-35 he talks of how his duchess would thank every man that would please her in some sort of way. The duke gets upset at this and says that 'She thanked men – good! But thanked somehow – I know not how – as if she ranked my gift of nine-hundred-years-old name with anybody's gift (Lines 31-34).'; As you can see, the duke gets upset because his duchess thanks the men who pleased her in a manner that that the duke viewe d as inappropriate because he wanted all of her attention fo...

Ready to Quit Smoking? Essay

Tobacco is the most preventable cause of death in the United States. An estimated 443,000 people prematurely die from smoking cigarettes. It also causes serious illnesses, such as Coronary heart disease, lung cancer, and oral cancer. 46.6 million Americans continue to smoke despite their knowledge of these risks (CDC). How hard is it to quit smoking? Nicotine is in fact one of the most addicting substances in society. Some people say it is extremely difficult. There are many different ways to quit smoking. The most effect yet, most difficult way is complete abstinence from smoking. Other alternatives include, nicotine gum or patches, medication and e-cigarettes. In order to quit smoking one must understand addiction of nicotine and how it affects the body. The human brain has tiny neurotransmitters called dopamine. â€Å"Dopamine is the brain’s primary motivation neurotransmitter (Polito). â€Å" For example, when you are hungry or thirsty and you finally find time to eat or quench your thirst, that overwhelming, satisfactory sensation is caused by the flow of dopamine released from the brain. Nicotine is an external chemical that passes through the blood/brain barrier that stimulates dopamine. Once there is that chemical dependency on nicotine in order for your brain to release dopamine, it becomes and addiction. There are 4 steps in this addiction cycle. First, a person’s blood nicotine level falls. Second, the brain generates a craving by building up and restricting the flow of dopamine. Third, one inhales new nicotine. Fourth, the brain releases dopamine and the cycle continues. Now that one can fully understand the effec ts of nicotine, the next step can be taken. â€Å"Cold Turkey,† the common term used by smokers, means complete abstinence from smoking. To start the quitting process one must first set a date to quit. One should remove all tobacco products from their persona, house, and vehicle. Then they should tell their friends and family that they are  quitting. Also, it is wise to inform their smoking buddies to not smoke around them or offer them any cigarettes. This completes the start process. In the first five days of not smoking, the number of cravings can reach up to 8 cravings. It is tough to power through. However, there is hope. There is something called, â€Å"The 5 D’s to Quitting Smoking.† The first is â€Å"Delay (CoxHealth).† Cravings only last to a maximum number of three minutes per craving. If the smoker can set a timer and wait three minutes the craving will, in fact, go away. However, it will probably feel like the longest three minutes of their life. The second is ,â€Å"Distract yoursel f (CoxHealth).† If the smoker can direct their attention to something else during their craving, they will have a greater chance of fighting their withdrawals. Perhaps playing a sport, running, or watching television can help distract them from their mental obsession. The third â€Å"D† is, â€Å"Drink water (CoxHealth).† Staying hydrated is essential to fight cravings. Water is good for the body and helps ease the physical withdrawals. The fourth is, â€Å"Deep breathes (CoxHealth).† This refers to meditation and breathing exercises, such as circular breathing. Circular breathing is where one inhales for three seconds, holds their breath for 3 seconds, exhales for three seconds, and then holding that for 3 seconds before inhaling again. The last â€Å"D† is, â€Å" Discuss your feelings (CoxHealth).† These are the fundamental principles to quitting smoking cold turkey. However, there are other ways to quit smoking. Nicotine gum and nicotine patches seem to work just as well as cold turkey. It is a substitute, but it does help stop the habit of inhaling harmful smoke into the lungs. When prescribed these, â€Å"Crutches,† there is a set of instructions that the smoker should follow. They start at a high milligram dosage, then every week the doses become smaller and smaller. It is effective but extremely expensive. Medication can also be prescribed buy doctors. Scientists have come up with a special pill that makes a person sick from smoking a cigarette. It’s a form of negative reinforcement that makes a person not want to smoke because it makes them sick. This is probably not the best way to quit because is extremely expensive. Quitting this way does not yield a long-term effect. It  is only a temporary means to completely quit smoking. Electronic cigarettes are not as expensive but it is still a substitute. These e-cigarettes do tend to break easily and the cartridges need to be replaced every so often, which may become expensive over a long period of time. There is an atomizer in their products the shoot liquid nicotine into the lungs via water vapor. This is not very harmful yet the nicotine addiction remains. When smoking these e-cigarettes there is no real plan to quit. Instead it is just to maintain a healthier lifestyle. Smoking is by far the worst and hardest habit to stop. It is expensive and creates harmful repercussions. Cold turkey is probably the best way to quit due to the fact that it is natural and inexpensive. However, it is not the only way to stop smoking. Alternatives like nicotine gum and patches, medication, and electronic cigarettes effectively stop the habit of smoking. In retrospect these seem to be temporary unless following a solid plan to completely stop. There can be no definite way to stop smoking. The choice is still always up to the person who wants to quit smoking, where will power plays an important role to smashing this horrible habit completely. Work Cited CDC. â€Å"Tobacco Use.† Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 16 Nov. 2012. Web. 22 Feb. 2014. CoxHealth. â€Å"The 5 Ds to Quitting Smoking.† CoxHealth. CoxHealth, n.d. Web. Polito, John R. â€Å"Tobacco Company Deception Aboutchemical Addiction to Nicotine.†Nicotine Addiction 101. Nicotine Cessation Educator, n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2014. â€Å"Using the Nicotine Patch, Nicotine Gum, Nicotine Nasal Spray or Nicotine Inhaler.† – American Family Physician. N.p., 1 June 2001. Web. 24 Feb. 2014. Nordqvist, Christian. â€Å"Electronic Cigarettes Can Harm The Lungs.† Medical News Today. MediLexicon International, 3 Sept. 2012. Web. 23 Feb. 2014.