ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
Comparative analysis of such different and in the meantime similar countries as the United States of America and South Africa requires certain background knowledge, in other words, knowledge of these counties history, geography, literature, religion, politics, language, etc. These are the main constituent parts of culture. Moreover, we should get a clear idea of values and norms, established in these countries, because without it the analysis will incomplete. If we speak about South Africa, first, it is necessary to trace the history of its independence. For many centuries, the territory of modern South Africa belonged to European superpowers such as The United Kingdom and the Netherlands. It should be also taken into account that South Africa gained its independence from Great Britain only in 1910, which means that it is a relatively young and developing country, especially in comparison with the United States. The present South African politics are ruled by the African National Congress (ANC) that received 69.7% in the last general election in 2004 and 66.3% in the municipal election in 2006. The incumbent President of South Africa is Kgalema Motlanthe, who substituted Thabo Mbeki on 25 September 2008. Mbeki was a successor to previous President Nelson Mandela in 1999, and was re-elected for a second term in 2004, but submitted his request for resignation on 20 September 2008. The main opponent to the ANC is the Democratic Alliance party, which got 12.4% of the vote in the election in 2004 and 14.8% in the 2006 election. Helen Zille is the party leader; the former leader was Tony Leon. The formerly dominant New National Party, which established an apartheid regime through its predecessor, the National Party, preferred to join the ANC on 9 April 2005. Other influential political parties represented in the Parliament are the Inkatha Freedom Party that mostly speaks for the rights of Zulu voters and the Independent Democrats, who got 6.97% and 1.7% during the election in 2004. As regards the foreign policy of South Africa, we can say that since the abolishment of the apartheid regime (before that South Africa was officially boycotted by the international community) this country has always played the role of a peacekeeper or a mediator in African conflicts. At present The Republic of South Africa is a member of the International Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organization (Fleisher, 1995). It also must be mentioned that South Africa was “the only African country, which had nuclear weapons but it was also the first country to renounce this program” (Mwakikagile, 2008). Another issue, which has already been mentioned, and is of utmost importance, is the problem of apartheid – a system of legislative acts promoting racial segregation. These laws were administered by the go
There are numerous challenges entrepreneurs face seeking to succeed in business, in fact, these challenges are determined by the environment in which a business operates. Therefore, a business may be affected by either internal or external factors, whereby internal factors include factors emanating from the business structure, while external factors include those that are outside the business, and may emanate from other business organizations, or even political organization. For this reason, the choice of the environment is always critical when starting a business. Thus, the paper seeks to elaborate on the risk involved in moving business to Thailand or Louisiana, and review financial reports of Coca-Cola Company to highlight the management of risk involved in moving the business. Political instability in Thailand has become a serious threat to business, thus entrepreneurs starting a business in this country face the risk of insecurity and violence (UK Trade and investment, 2012). Since the election in 2011, there have been incidences of unrest and bombings. On the other hand, the political structure in Louisiana is more stable compared to Thailand, hence providing a favorable business environment. Moreover, a significant factor affecting businesses in Thailand is bribery and corruption. Therefore, transferring a business to Thailand would mean that one has to take a significant risk hence discouraging foreign investors. In Louisiana, the levels of corruption are minimal, which is why it is more accommodating for investors than for Thailand (Coca cola Hellenic, 2012). In Louisiana, tax rates are higher as compared to those in Thailand; hence, transferring a business to this state would result to low returns and slow business growth. Consequently, this poses a limiting factor on investors, especially the small business entrepreneurs (Louisiana EDSP, 2012). In business organizations, it is critical to establish factors limiting business success in order to have an organized approach to each of them, and aim at optimizing the revenue. These factors may be found within the business itself (internal factors), or outside the organization (external factors). However, there is a need to identify and deal with these factors because they are the key determinants of the business success. In this case, management is expected to compare company data obtained from various accounting periods, in order to identify the trend of business performance. In addition, managers also need to observe various changes in the market conditions during the financial periods to assist them in decision-making. A critical financial analysis of the Coca cola Company indicates that there is a drastic fall in the revenue margins due to internal and external challenges the company is currently facing. An example of these internal factors is high manufacturing costs, which are contributing to high total costs resulting to low profits, and a substantial threat to the company (Verity, 2003). One of the external factors causing a drawback in the company progress is competition from other companies. There has been production of similar brands in the market such as PEPSI re
Introduction One of the bleak outcomes of European settlement in South Africa was the adoption of the apartheid. This system which was adopted by the minority white government was characterized by unequal rights and opportunities for the various races living in South Africa 1 . Apartheid had various far reaching social, economic and political implications for the black, white, Asian and colored peoples of South Africa. The policy of Apartheid was based on segregation of people depending on their race. An aspect of society that was significantly affected by this policy was education. This paper will aim to discuss the impact of apartheid on education in South Africa so as to demonstrate that apartheid negatively affected the educational development of non-whites in South Africa. To reinforce this assertion, a critical look at the ways in which apartheid impact educational development for the various races shall be provided. A Brief History of Apartheid South Africa is a society in which “Africans, Asians and Europeans co-exist in the same territory” as a result of a long history of interaction between these three groups. The first European settlement took place in 1652 and since then, there has been prolonged contact characterized by cooperation as well as conflicts over resources between these groups of people 2 . Apartheid as a political system was proposed by the National Party which took power in 1948 as a system to safeguard “White supremacy”. Walshe states that the original concept of Apartheid which was developed by Afrikaner intellectuals and idealists who sought to create complete territorial separation of the races 3 . However, this original ideal of Apartheid was not practical to implement since the Europeans required the surplus labor that could only be provided by Africans. Successive Nationalist governments therefore modified the ideal so as to main
Introduction An Inconvenient Truth is a documentary that talks about global warming as championed by Al Gore, the former vice president of the United States. In the film, Al Gore explains the effects of climate change caused by global warming and the reason why leaders across the world need to address climate change as an emergency issue. Gore states that the leaders are not ready to listen to the truth regarding the grave effects of global warming because it is not convenient for them to hear, and therefore they choose to ignore the truth (8). In the documentary, frequent hurricanes like Katrina that took place in the Pacific Ocean and the melting of polar ice caps are some of the serious effects posed by global warming. Therefore, the purpose of this essay is to assess the effects of global warming and climate change as presented in the documentary, An Inconvenient Truth. Causes of Climate Change and Global Warming Global warming is the average increase in the temperatures of the earth’s atmosphere. From the late 19th century, there has been a continuous increase in the temperatures of the earth. Scientists attribute the rise in the temperatures to the emissions of greenhouse gases, which emanate from human activities. Venkataramanan notes that, “burning fossil fuels such as natural gas, coal, oil, and gasoline raises the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and carbon dioxide is a major contributor of the greenhouse effect and global warming” (228). Hence, combustion of fossil fuels and deforestation result in emission of carbon dioxide, which is one of the greenhouse gases that affect the ozone layer. Scientists believe that if leaders and states do nothing to avert the crisis of climate change, people should expect drought, famine, increased sea levels, heat waves, and desertification. However, many states have put in place various policies to reduce and minimize the effects of global warming on climate. The proposed policies include geo-engineering, reduction of greenhouse gases, and increased public awareness of environmental conservation. Global warming, which led to climate change began during the industrialization period. Global warming began then due to the increased emission of greenhouse gases from industries, which have continued to increase in the modern society. When factories and business entities use fuels that contain carbon, it results in the formation of carbon dioxide. The
The Matrix is a science fiction movie released in 1999 and directed by Andy and Lana Wachowski. The movie represents a dystopian future in which humans perceive a simulated reality that is created and controlled by artificial intelligence. The sentiment machines use human bodies’ heat and electrical power as the main source of energy because solar power has been run out. The main hero, Neo, a computer hacker who leads a dual life finds out the truth about the existence of programmed reality. He later decides to engage in a confrontation with machines to liberate humanity from cyberspace and the “dream world” created by computers. Hence, the Matrix represents an ambivalent picture of the world in which two realities exist – the one that humans were programmed to see and the one that exists beyond it. Therefore, the Matrix, the system created by computers, could be considered as a dystopian world in which humans are controlled by machines, deprived of the truth about the real world. From the very beginning, the directors focus on the ambiguity concerning the objective reality in which Thomas Anderson, also known as Neo, lives. He strives to learn the truth and perceive the actual matter of fact. While understanding the that there is something wrong with this world, the film focuses on the theory of forms, according to which the true meaning of the object is not what a human perceives using senses, but what quality an object possesses. When Neo encounters Morpheus, the latter explains, “If real is what you can feel, smell, taste, and see, then “real” is simply electrical signals interpreted by the human brain.” The more people are dependent on machines and artificial intelligence, the less they are concerned with nature. Further, in the movie, Morpheus refers to this issue, “Throughout human history, we have been dependent on machines to survive. Fate, it seems, is not without a sense of irony”. Indeed, living in the era of technological advances, machines and computers have entangled the entire planet with wires and have made people less conscious about their potential. Computers have taken control of human minds. While focusing on the abhorrent picture of the apocalyptic world, the movie also defines the Matrix. While disclosing the truth to Neo, Morpheus questions, “What is the Matrix? Control. A computer-generated dream world built to keep us under control into to change a human being into [battery]”. So, the previous world is just a dream that is programmed to turn people into soulless creatures who are followed by their instincts and senses, as well as physical needs. To emphasize the threats that the apocalyptic world poses to a human race, the authors also provide an alternative definition of artificial intelligence, conside
Introduction Movies and television are often a refuge and a reflection of the unfolding life. They can also play a massive role in shaping and strengthening cultural beliefs and perceptions about race internationally. Numerous entertainment companies strive to be inclusive, while others strongly reject portraying black people in their shows. Commonly, people of color are represented as dim-witted, fierce, or evil characters who bring destruction. Additionally, they are either antagonists or play background roles such as a waiter, maid, and others. Let’s take a moment to understand how this inequality has developed. History and Development of the Disparity Throughout history, individuals have been watching TV and movie about various people represented in different contexts. However, the lives of people of color have never been represented truthfully without imposing any racial stereotypes and perpetuating the supremacy of the white race. Initially, the black characters were introduced into literature, where they were portrayed as gullible, white-loving, but furious humans. The first blacks appeared in Uncle Tom’s Ca bin and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (“ Edward Said – Framed”). The totality of all these characteristics demonstrated how blacks are different from the whites, hiding racism and projecting the latter’s superiority. The West misrepresented Eastern residents and claimed them to be totally different from the white population. In 1978, Edward Said, in his book Orientalism analyzed why people of color were referred to as thieves, exotic, and perverse (“ Edward Said – Framed”). The ideology of the 19th century presumed that the West would conquer and control the East. It was the primary cause of disparity between races on TV and in movies (“ Edward Said – Framed”). These projections from the past still affect the modern film industry because they are expected to be visible (Akbar). Now that the recent history of this disparity is clear, it is indispensable to understand precisely what representation looks like in publishing and why it is currently not enough. Analysis of Disparity Society depends on the information on the Internet, which is dubious because it misrepresents people, particularly those of color. The publishing industry was exposed to inequality to the same extent as movies and television (Ho). The books are immensely powerful in shaping one’s cultural outlook; hence, they are forced to increase inclusivity among their staff first. Currently, there is approximately 70% white personnel in the publishing production (Watson 3). With the surge of the Black Lives Matter movement, there ha
Introduction Alberta is one of the Canada’s most densely populated provinces. It has a population of approximately 3,786,398 people (True Knowledge, 2011 p.1). There are various natural resources in the region. These resources are of a great help to the community. They assist in job creation as well as well as bringing developments in the region in terms of infrastructure and other developments. This project has however been faced by various challenges which has undermined its success. Importance of the topic (Alberta tar sands) This topic is of great significance to be studied. There are several issues surrounding the Alberta Tar Sands which affects the welfare of the community. Just like any other project involving the natural resources, the project has impacted on the community both positively and negatively. This project has also raised concerns on health issues. It has posed a great danger to the diversity. Exposure to the environment has brought some complications on the health of communities living around. It has also affected the flora and fauna. The project has also positive impacts on the society. For instance, the project helps in creating employment to the communities around. The project has provided employment to many people in the community, both skilled and semiskilled workers. However, there are some conflicts over the export of raw bitumen. Concerns are raised on why the monopolies are exporting raw bitumen which could be upgraded and refined in Canada (TML Daily, 2011 p. 7). In other words, the main frustration over the export of unrefined bitumen is based on the fact that export of raw bitumen was denying the Canadians job opportunities. If bitumen could be refined in Canada, it can form one of the main factors of the petrochemical manufacturing companies. In the process of refining the raw bitumen, more revenue can be generated which can then be used in supporting the manufacturing sector. In the process, more job opportunities will be generated. Describe the Concept As already seen, there are several issues concerning the Alberta Sand Mines which affects the welfare of the surrounding communities. These issues have been affecting the community in two dimensions; physically and socially. The communities surrounding the project as well as the workers in these mines are not getting their just share of the benefits from the mine. The project has a significant implication on the environment. It poses a great danger to the health conditions of the people. According to Timoney and Lee (2009), concentrations of alkylated PHAs in Anthabasca river Delta sediments increased over the period 1999-2007 (p.5). This pollution has affected both the people and the wildlife. These effects raise concerns on the current and future health status of the people of Canada. For instance, exposure to the environment is associated with cardiovascular disease, lung cancer and increase in respiratory system (Timoney & Lee, 2009, p.13). There is a need to adopt modern technol
Abstract Vehicular ad hoc networks are frequently used in today’s society in order to promote communication between different vehicles within the same infrastructure. People can use the Internet, being on the roads, and get online help in a short period of time. Still, as soon as people start using VANETs in their automobiles, they start thinking about the possibility of tracking and the inability to keep all information safe and secret. This survey aims at investigating the peculiar features of VANETs and the reasons for why privacy location is defined as one of the most serious concerns in the field. Several alternatives on how to enhance privacy in VANET are discussed in this survey to inspire people on further investigations and improvements in the automobile industry. Introduction Nowadays, the progress of the Internet cannot be neglected because it determines the quality of human lives, the possibilities to own business, and the necessity to develop relations at different levels. Not long time ago, the idea of Wi-Fi was unfamiliar to millions of people. Today, the presence of Wi-Fi is one of the main requirements in all industries because a great number of vehicles have to be connected online every day [1]. Technicians and researchers spend much time to find out the most effective and applicable ways to involve as many routers as possible. However, the process of searching of such methods is usually costly and complicated due to the existing traffic problems and high users’ expectations. People cannot refuse an idea of Wi-Fi in their cars or other transportation means. Therefore, in the early 2000s, new technology, now known as VANET, was introduced. VANET is a vehicular ad hoc network and one of the most significant advances that unite wireless communication technologies with the automobile industry and promotes the possibility of care movement similar to nodes in a mobile network [2]. There are many advantages of this technology including the promotion of security and safety on roads and the development of vehicle mobility and active connectivity in VANET [3]. However, in addition to the positive aspects of the work of VANETs, people still have some doubts in regards to such issues as privacy, personal freedoms, and independence. Location privacy remains to be one of the main challenges in the work of VANETs. On the one hand, people want to have direct access to their cars and learn the opportunities they may have. On the other hand, it is necessary to protect vehicles from being tracked [4]. Privacy in VANETs bothers millions of people, who have already tried this technology on their cars because it concerns all users’ anonymity and the possibility to protect the information about locations. Besides, people want to know how to protect their own identities and not be confused with pseudonyms [4]. The pseudonym changing approach is one of the most frequently used suggestions for people, who want to underline the importance of the location privacy among drivers [5]. Though it is not the only method for consideration, people find it one of the easiest ways regarding the current state of affairs and the o
Introduction The family Thanksgiving quickly turned into a horrible nightmare when high school senior Thomas Brown suddenly disappeared. More than two years later, his remains have been found and identified, continuing to remain a mystery. Events Thomas Brown was a resident of a small town called Canadian, Texas, where they attended the local high school, played football, and led a healthy academic and social life. On November 23, 2016, after quality family time, Thomas asked his mother, Penny Kendall Meek, for gas money and her debit card to go out with his two good friends. They spent the evening together until Thomas left to go get gas at a self-serve station at 11:20 pm. There are records indicating the debit card being used there around this time, along with video footage. Everyone believed he was on his way home to make sure he was back in time by his curfew of midnight. However, when Thomas uncharacteristically missed his curfew, Penny and Thomas’ older brother Tucker became concerned. Meek recalled, “Tucker said, ‘Well, something is wrong.’ Because he was not responding to his cellphone, and there is no way he turned his cellphone off. Maybe he got into an accident, he was hurt and couldn’t respond” (Thomas Brown: Seeds of Doubt). They both began to text him but had no response, and eventually, the messages showed as no longer delivered, indicating the phone was turned off. Penny and Tucker went out to search for Thomas, checking his last known locations and friends’ houses without any results. Meek said, “I got home around 1:30 am, and my husband, who is not a night owl, was asleep. I woke him up to tell him that Tucker did not come home” (Thomas Brown: Seeds of Doubt). After a while, she contacted the deputy sh