ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
Introduction The harsh realities sometimes can make a clash with certain presupposed visions of the way certain circumstances and situations should have been. In the book “The Making of an Un-American: A Dialogue with Experience” by Paul Cowan, the author writes about the times he joined the Peace Corps with romanticizing ideas that did not match the real-life he faced. This essay demonstrates how the illusions of the author illusions were disrupted by the reality show by actual African Americans based on a passage from the aforementioned book. Analysis Describing the passage where the author is playing with the children from the town, the romanticism of Cowan can be witnessed in how he tries to be closer with the kids from the town. He was trying to teach them something childish, he was flattered by them knowing him, and had the confidence that they like him. This is a bright image of the reality that the author is visioning through his eyes and presuppositions which might have been real due to the fact that the kids might have been in the age where the presuppositions of the adults had not reached them yet. The kids do not realize the differences of colors and races, and it could be said that the author and the kids had the same bright romanticizing image, the author due to his ideas and his mission and the kids because of their age. The illusions of the author were disrupted when he met Bill, who despite working close with Cowan showed his disapproval of the approach he communicated with the kids referring to it as based on hypocrisy. This rage could be explained as the obvious distinction of race that Bill is seeing and supposing already. It is obvious that Bill sees and pays attention to race and color more than the author, where Bill says “dark urchins”, “your skin is white”, and “our black children”. For Bill, the reason that Cowan was playing and spending some time with the kids is no more than a game in which he can play some role after which he will leave and the situation would stay the same, thus he does not want the kids to leave in an illusion. He already predicts that the kids will not leave their “hovels” or at least not by some who is white-skinned. Bill’s tirade can be explained in a way that ironically despite that Cowan is white and works with him he blames all the white people in the face of Cowan, indirectly stating that they are responsible for the situation of poverty that they are in, and Cowan is merely is atoning their guilt. This is also seen through the author is recalling essays written by Bill where he argues that “genocide was the only means by which white people could deal with the race problem in America” Although Cowan the reaction to Bill is known to him due to his temper and provocative manners, it can be said that his illusions about his mission have crashed on the wall of realities that he did not expect to be this way. It can be outlined that in some situations good intentions are not enough to break the stereotypes and restore faith and trust in the good. Works Cited Cowan, Paul. The making of an un-American. New York: Viking Press, 1970.
This report is about the milk product company, Fonterra, and details the various facets of the organization including how it handles its corporate communications manages its corporate image, and implements CSR policies. There is also mention of whether the company engages in so-called “Green Washing” practices. Corporate Communications Corporate communications are essential for maintaining the brand image of the company and Fonterra takes its brand image very seriously. This is evident from the fact that the company avoided the bad press that other milk product-based companies got from the “tainted milk food scandal” (Anon, 2008). The way in which the company managed the fallout from this crisis is proof of the fact that the company has a very effective corporate communications system in place. As the website puts it, “The Way We Work also provides very clear policies on the relationships we have with significant stakeholders including employees, customers, shareholders, business partners and suppliers, and communities. Our Code of Business Conduct has a global reach and is not limited to any particular country or community” (Fonterra.com, 2009). It is evident from this approach that the company has strong internal mechanisms in place that react quickly and decisively in case of a crisis. Corporate Image Corporate Image is essential to any company that is in the business of making consumer goods or goods that reach a wide target market. In Fonterra’s case, its milk-based products are sold all over the world and hence it has to be doubly conscious of the fact that its corporate image has to be squeaky clean. This is reinforced by its advertising and brand campaign that targets its audience with a message of Fonterra being a trustworthy company and one that keeps the interests of the consumers in mind. To quote from the website, “Our ingredients are used in a huge variety of dairy products around the world. Our brands are enjoyed by consumers all over the world. Fonterra’s Board is committed to the ethical conduct of our business around the world. We have published The Way We Work – Fonterra’s Code of Business Conduct to reinforce this commitment” (Fonterra.com, 2009). The corporate image that is being portrayed here is of a company that puts its consumers before profit. In other words, a people-first policy that has the interests of the consumers at heart. Corporate Identity The corporate identity of Fonterra is to project itself as a leading producer of milk-based products that is not only the market leader in revenues and sales but also a proponent of ethical and people-friendly business practices. The way in which a company shapes its corporate identity is very crucial to the perceptions that the company has among its consumers and shareholders not to leave out the employees as well. In this respect, the corporate identity of a consumer-based company like Fonterra would go a long way in reinforcing the brand image and the corporate image
Introduction Michael Foucault was a French philosopher. He was also recognized in other fields such as sociology and history. Foucault was born in 1926 and later died in the year 1984 leaving a markover his contributions to social institutions in the society. One of his major contributions was his writing about the history of sexuality in which his ideas about power, among other aspects, have remained to be influential in the society today. This paper seeks to discuss the topic of the history of sexuality as earlier and originally discussed by Foucault. The paper will look into Foucault’sdefinition of power and the fundamental characteristic of this power according to his views. The paper will also relateFoucault’s understanding of power to the current American society. History of sexuality: power In his writing about the history of sexuality, Foucault shifted his topicfrom sexuality to explore the concept of power. According to Foucault, in the article history of sexuality , power is defined in terms of sovereignty. Sovereignty is on its right defined as supremacy in the application of authority by a subject. It is also defined as being in the state of complete independence or beingself-governed in the sense that there is no element of yielding to any form of authority. Foucault therefore defined power as the highest force that drives activities or occurrences. In expressing the supremacy of power, he for example illustrated the determination of life
Voters should vote for California Proposition 8. This proposition defines marriage as between one man and one woman. It basically eliminates same-sex marriages from the definition of marriage. Individuals of the same sex will not be allowed to get married; marriage will only be allowed between two individuals of the opposite sex. (California General Election, 2008) Previously the California Supreme Court ruled that gay marriages were the same thing as traditional marriages. They did this because they thought that the definition of marriage violated the equal protection clause and was a cause of discrimination. There are some negative effects that this proposition will have on the community as a whole. Firstly, there will be a decrease in spending, revenue will be lost, but if we consider the long run, the impact will not be very substantial. Secondly, there are people who say that it goes against equal rights. (California General Election, 2008). There are the positive aspects that we have to consider which will improve our society and not harm us now or in the future. Marriage is an institution that needs to be protected by law. The upcoming generations should know the difference between the two types of marriages: traditional marriage and gay marriages. If this distinction is not made for them, they will not be able to identify the difference, and they might choose the wrong path for themselves. We do not want to influence our children in the wrong way, we want the human race to continue, and with the increasing number of gay marriages, this seems to be at stake. This does not mean that gay marriages will be prohibited or they will not get the same rights and benefits that they do now. They will, but instead of terming it as marriage as mentioned in the constitution, they can refer to it by another name, such as domestic partnerships. Their rights are not being sacrificed; we are just trying to save the sanctity of marriage. This proposition will help us not just restore the definition of marriage but also protect our children from thinking that same-sex marriages are the same as traditional marriages, and it will overturn the decision that was ruled by the Supreme Court (California General Election, 2008). Our children need to be protected because the California Education Code requires that children be taught about marriage in schools. If this proposition is not approved, then children will be taught about both types of marriages, and they will view both of them in the same light. The values and beliefs that parents teach their children will differ from those taught at school, which will lead to confusion for the child and a conflict between the two teachings. The Reverend, Pastor,
Art pieces belonging to different time periods are significant to be restored and recovered because they provide the important information about the aspects of life, progress, and spirituality of the people living during different eras. From this point, it is necessary to focus on the art heritage related to the Medieval and Early Italian Renaissance periods. Referring to the Medieval period, it is possible to state that the most important, complex, and detailed information about the society of the Middle Ages can be gained from the Sketchbook by Villard De Honnecourt, the French architect and artist (Bowie 12). The fresco Birth of the Virgin by Domenico Ghirlandaio, the Italian painter, is also of the great cultural and historical significance because of demonstrating the elements of the style typical for the Early Italian Renaissance (Kuiper 148). Although the art pieces created by Villard De Honnecourt and Domenico Ghirlandaio belong to different time periods, present different artistic styles, and reflect different cultural contexts, these works should be chosen for the recovery and discussed in detail because Villard De Honnecourt’s Warrior from the Sketchbook is the unique representation of a standing warrior to form the knowledge about the Medieval life, and Domenico Ghirlandaio’s fresco is the perfect illustration of the art and spiritual life of Italy in the 15 th century. Villard De Honnecourt’s Warrior represented in the artist’s Sketchbook was drawn in about 1230. There is little biographical information known about the artist because the Sketchbook is the only source of information about the author (Bowie 12). While discussing the stylistic significance of the Warrior, it is important to note that the sketch is drawn in ink on parchment. The figure of the warrior is depicted rather realistically, and the lines are clear. Much attention is paid to describing the man’s garments. The warrior wears the chain armor and helmet (Ross 60). The style of the drawing can be discussed as rather simple, and it differs from the traditional Medieval paintings significantly (Picture 1). That is why, much attention should be paid to this example of the unique Medieval drawing. Picture 1. Warrior from the Sketchbook, Villard De Honnecourt, about 1230, the Medieval Period (Bowie 7). The symbolic message of the drawing is rather unknown because the researchers do not know the purpose of Villard’s drawings presented in the Sketchbook. However, the cultural and historical significance of the discussed drawing and the whole Sketchbook is great because the author illustrates the social life of the French people during the Medieval period while focusing on their garments, activities, architecture, and used devices. The Warrior provides the important information about the activities of the knights respected during the Medieval period, demonstrates the important elements of the outfit and used devices. While discussing the cultural significance of the sketches, Ross notes that
Policy of Targeting Market Aggregates October 1979 – October 1982 New Policy of Targeting Monetary Aggregates The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) made a shift in the approach to monetary policies and started targeting the quantities of money in non-borrowed reserves (Econ, 2003). It was expected that the new approach would increase the volatility in the rate of federal funds. The chart shows the rise in inflation that reached peak levels in the late 70’s, causing the Federal Reserve to come up with new policies to solve the issue. Late 70’s were characterized by the deregulation of the interest rate as well as the innovations that had an impact on the ability of the Federal Reserve to change policies through monetary aggregates’ targeting (Econ, 2003). A significant development was the increased popularity of the money market mutual funds used as a vehicle for alternative savings or. Households made a shift in the balance between deregulated accounts, mutual market funds, and deposit accounts that led to growth rates levels of different monetary aggregates changing based on the accounts included in them. The chart shows that the average federal funds varied between 1979 and 1982. Early 80’s – wide growth fluctuations (M1) not related to the country’s economic environment. Lack of coordination between fiscal and monetary policies of the 80’s – Failure in targeting market aggregates: Fiscal and monetary authorities had different views of their policies and pursued different objectives. E.g., they had different perceptions of what was the best for the society and the economy. Authorities had different opinions about the effects of the implemented policies on the economy. E.g. they adhered to different economic theories. Fiscal and monetary authorities conducted different forecasts about the possible economic environment in the absence of interventions. Different forecasts resulted from the difference in economic theories or from different forecasts of exogenous variables (Hole, 1982). Late 1982 Move Away From Targeting M1 The Federal Reserve responded to the decreased inflation and market innovation through by the return to targeting price instead of quantity. FOMC began to conduct operations on the open market that were believed to impact a degree of ease or tightness within the reserve market conditions (Econ, 2003). The Federal Reserve focused on M2 (broader monetary aggregate) for a short period of time FOMC policies decided not to focus on monetary aggregates to guide its decisions: “ At one time, M2 was useful both to guide Federal Reserve and to communicate
Introduction The overwhelming expansion of information technologies brought a significant interest to the organizational aspect of information. In that regard, it can be stated that the availability of information might prove useless if such information cannot be retrieved according to the users’ demands. Thus, the information should have other information that describes it (Garshol, 2004). Such aspect can be seen as the essence of metadata- information about data, which is an auxiliary mean during data procession. The data takes many forms, which in the context of this report is about photos and figures, which can be seen as an essential aspect of any web document. In that regard, the present report takes the subject photos of cars and provides an investigation of suitable methods for metadata organization of such collection. Accordingly, the report provides an analysis of similar schemas and organizational structures used in websites with similar subject areas. A Review Metadata Schemes in Use One of the websites with a similar subject area is Car Plus Plus , a comprehensive database of cars with specifications and pictures. The description of the items on the website contains the following elements:   * The brand of the car   * The year of manufacture   * The category of the car   * Specifications, including elements such as displacement, torque, fuel consumption, top speed, time of acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h, car space and dry weight. The type of metadata used in the website is descriptive, i.e. used for describing or indexing the content of an electronic file” (Drake, 2003, 1021). It can be assumed that the categorization of the content on this website is performed using databases, where the aforementioned attributes of cars are not embedded in the HTML. On the other hand, the metadata used in the HTML does not contain a controlled vocabulary, merely providing a description for the page’s content and the used keywords (Garshol, 2004). The format used is HTML Meta tags, in which the properties are declared with a specified value for such property (World Wide Web Consortium, 2009). In the case of the website in question, the properties declared are page descriptions and the keywords linked to this webpage. The following code excerpts show an example of the Meta tags used for the car Abarth Lancia 1986: In that regard, it can be assumed that the metadata used to search for the cars through such attributes as the brand, the year, the type of the car, etc, are located in the database, where the query is processed locally on the server, presenting only the ending results, see Fig 1. Figure 1: The page for Abarth Lancia 1985 It can be stated that all of the description fields of the metadata, with the exception of the car’s name, i.e. the title, are limited in value. I
Introduction Nowadays, it would be quite impossible to come up with the exact number of published books and articles that deal with the subject of what was the ultimate reason for Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991. This partially explains why the dismantling of an ‘evil empire’ has been addressed from a variety of different perspectives, which often imply ideological and even incidental nature of such a dismantling. Even though the majority of researchers do insist on appropriateness of application of namely economic approach to dealing with the subject matter, there are still many people who think that the actual reason, why in 1991 Soviet Union had collapsed like a stack of cards, has to do more with ideology then with economics. For example, in his book Beissinger (2002) attempts represent the end of USSR as the ultimate consequence of the fact that, despite their Communist rhetoric, Soviet officials never ceased professing Russian imperial values: “As the Soviet Union collapsed, it came to be widely recognized as a multinational empire. In this sense, the real issue that needs to be explained is how a polity once almost universally construed as a state came to be universally condemned as an empire” (6). Nevertheless, the actual clue as to USSR’s collapse is being contained in the very abbreviation – The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Apparently, Socialism as political doctrine based upon the premise of social egalitarianism, simply contradicts the objectively existing laws of nature, which is why everything affected by Socialism becomes short-lived. It is important to understand the moving force behind universe’s functioning, as we know it, is the disparity between energetic potentials. According to the Second Law of Thermodynamics, the amount of entropy in the universe is geometrically proportionate the extent of energy’s dissipation throughout the cosmos.
Introduction First of all, I would like to point out that risk is an issue people comprehend differently. Understanding a risk depends upon numerous aspects, including the area people work within. Generally, one is to keep in mind that there are three types of decision-making. Certainty, risk, and uncertainty are considered to be these basic types. Of course, it is better to avoid risk rather than accept it. However, most of the managers recognize that risk is manageable. Thus, they believe that a person can control risk and even reduce its consequences. Generally, when speaking about risk, people give many definitions, including commercial risk, a financial one, etc. The idea to produce the best outcomes when the situation is risky or uncertain can’t be considered to be a rational decision process, as the managers are uncertain whether they would meet certain production speeds during a certain period. Taking into account the situation, one can state that this type of risk is difficult to predict. However, the statement that risk and return are related issues is also to be considered. Anyway, it is necessary to minimize risk and its results. One can state that the best outcomes producing under a risky situation are a rational decision process as risk can be managed. So, it can be manageable, if the manager has “correct information, sufficient knowledge about the problem, and if he or she is experienced in the field it concerns” (Riabacke 3). On the other hand, some alternatives are also possible. These include information collecting, different aspects of the investigation, and taking measures to reduce risk. So, it is obvious that an intuitive, behavioral process is best used under certainty. However, if the risk can be controlled, the behavioral process can also be used under risk. Main Body Of course, a person’s intuition is very important in decision making. However, one is to keep in mind that no interdependence between intuition and organizational performance is found. While relying on intuition, there is a need to remember that the phenomenon is subconscious. Thus, the manager is to take the decision after a long pondering of an issue. On the other hand, one is to understand that intuition is complex. So, there is a need to overcome the limits of rationality. Finally, the most important point is that intuition is quick; so, the manager is to focus on the critical issues and neglect the irrelevant ones. As far as intuition is considered to be not an emotion; so, while taking the decision no fear or anxiety is to be present. Intuition is not biased; so, there must be some errors. Intuition is a part of most of the decisions. “In sum, intuition is not an irrational process. It is based on a deep understanding of the situation. It is a complex phenomenon that draws from