ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
Introduction There are numerous reasons why Constantine decided to favor Christianity. These incorporate political and military aspects as will be discussed later in this paper. Other reasons were principally personal since they were not politically motivated. First, it is important to the political grounds, which Constantine enjoyed while he was still in power. Since people from the East had divided themselves from the West, the empire needed to handle the situation as soon as possible. Solving the problem would ensure smooth operation of the empire 1 . Some divisions existed in the armed forces since most of the soldiers were actively involved in politics. Constantine was believed to be emotionally and spiritually attached to the Christians after he won the political and military war. Major Arguments It is vital to recognize the difficult political grounds that Constantine was getting into. Soldiers decided to take control of the empire after his father had died. On the other hand, he had taken control of Britain, Gaul and Spain. Maxentius decided to go for Italy and most parts of Africa. Besides, numerous people with senior positions in the empire were also implicated in the political fight. 2 To clearly explain the reasons why Constantine supported Christianity, this paper is majorly going to put more focus on the rivalry between Constantine and Maxentius (Gregory 53). He was the ruler of the western side while Maxentius was controlling the people on the eastern side. After a couple of years of political chaos, he was forced to make an important decision. He decided to ratify some accord with co-empire, Licinius, after which he moved to Italy with his thirty thousand troops to fight Maxentius. After a lengthy fight, he managed to win the battle and took control of Rome. 3 Consequently, Constantine was crowned the royal leader of both east and West Empires. Even after taking control of the empire, he was still in trouble since he needed the support of the local people to protect his position. He could successfully achieve this by working closely with the already existing organizations that were able to obtain strong support from the civil population (Hinson 242). The only available organizations that could successfully obtain support from the local population were military and religion. He achieved his mission through taking control of the soldiers and suppressing some units faithful to Maxentius. 4 Thus religion was the only alternative for him to gain support of his people. Consequently, this is how Christian community started dominating the entire empire. Besides, this is how the above discussed battle is relevant to the topic. It is believed that before he went to the battlefield, he had an encounter with Christ in his dream. Additionally, it is alleged that Christ ordered him to put some mark on the army shields. At some point, before they went to fight, Constantine and his soldiers were surprised when they saw a symbol of a cross above the sky with some writings indicating that he was a conqueror. Actually, this happened at the time when he and the soldiers were holding some prayers to their god. The same night they w
Introduction This paper is a critique of the article “The Nature of Information in the 21 st century” by George Macgregor. I discuss some of the points raised in the article and analyze the same from the perspective of other authors as well as my opinion on the same. Information as a resource The 21 st century has seen information as a resource being used alongside the traditional sources of production, namely land, labor, and capital. It is increasingly common to refer to information as a resource or “raw material” that goes as an input into the processes of production. This is particularly relevant in the case of companies operating in what is called the “information technology” sector. In these companies, the key resource is the information, and the value produced by these companies is measured in terms of information as an input and output as well. Thus, as the article states, though Microsoft produces “physical” output in terms of disks and the like, the real value is derived from the information contained in them. One of the key challenges facing us is to measure information as a resource and ascribe value to it. As Toffler (2006) says, the emerging “knowledge economy” would witness a seismic shift in terms of how wealth is going to be created and distributed. Thus, knowledge would effectively lubricate the wheels of capitalism, and the future belongs to those who can effectively leverage information to their advantage. This can be seen in the emergence of the high-profile software and services sector as a pillar of the modern economy. Characteristics of Information As the author points out in his article, while information shares some of the characteristics with the other resources like land, labor, and capital, nonetheless, there are significant differences in the way information as a resource is used and the value multiplied by increased usage rather than decreased as with the case of other resources. This has to do with the very nature of information, and some of the characteristics of information as described by Cleveland (1985) are that it is: expandable, compressible, transportable, diffusive, and shareable. The point about information not being subject to the laws of the
Pre-reading Student beliefs are usually based on their personal experience and knowledge they have. However, not all students can convince others, therefore, they do not apply to their beliefs in practice. The teaching of argument via persuasive dialogue is one of the best strategies to make sure that students do not only remember the lesson but also use the information in the future in practice. If students are persuaded and they learn to convince others, they remember the lesson. The teaching of argument seems to be one of the most effective strategies for teachers in this case. Summary of Thesis Teaching or argument via persuasive dialogue is one of the most effective methods teachers should use to make sure that students can convince others of their beliefs. Genre, Rhetorical Purposes, Types of Appeals, Patterns of Development, Use of Evidence Graham has done a good job, he gathered the information from different sources and systemized it. However, personal conclusions are not convincing. Setting the literature review as the goal of the article, the author also considers the connection of “literacy, critical thinking, and citizenship education” (Graham 141) as the main aspects of the study. Even though the sources are appropriate, and the information is relevant, the author spreads attention to many different aspects, therefore, he fails to consider one idea in detail. Dwelling upon argument as persuasion dialogue, the author concludes that rebuttal is important, however, students are to pay attention to data, claim, and warrant. Then, Graham turns to the discussion of the point of view and the commitment store as the important parts of the argument which are to be differentiated. The author uses examples to make sure that the reader can understand the issue. Finally, summarizing the said information, Graham also refers to the literature review which does not allow the reader to understand what is the conclusion. Graham uses direct quotes of other authors as the concluding sentences which make me fail to understand what the author’s summary is. Striking Details The author of the article considers several topics which are interconnected. Proving that argument is the best in persuasive dialogue, he dwells upon the difference between the point of view and commitment store and finally dwells upon students’ consideration into an argument as one of the main discursive forms. Questions   * Is argumentation a basis for persuasive dialogue?   * Is there a great difference between the point of view and c
Introduction The high rate of unemployment in the United States has presented a challenge to both economists and social scholars. One of the prevailing arguments in regards to this problem is that the advent of the robot technology is contributing towards a high rate of unemployment. Nevertheless, these fears are not limited to this period in history, as they have been recorded in the past. For example, in the 1980s most observers had gloom predictions about the use of automated and computerized processes in industrial assembly lines. The process by which powerful computerized robots are being utilized to perform highly sophisticated tasks has seen machines replace human inputs in a variety of labor fields. The prevailing concern is that the machines will eventually replace human beings as the main source of labor. Furthermore, huge leaps in technology have also meant that modern robots are more efficient than human labor. In the current context, some economists have argued that there is a need to infuse social safety nets within the ongoing efforts to perpetuate ‘capital hypermobility’. Another group of social economists is of the opinion that most governments should admit that their industrial and economic policies are in stark contrast with their social security needs. It is important to note that the industrial revolution had brought about similar fears to the cottage industry setups of the nineteenth century. One of the most solid arguments in the debate on robots’ effect on unemployment is that they have an unequal impact on various social groups. This paper presents an argument that robots do not have a significantly profound effect on unemployment patterns and their rise is a normal phenomenon of human progression. Body paragraphs One common misconception about the rise of robot technology is that it renders people unemployed. However, it is not theoretically possible to replace a worker who is economically productive. Some of the individuals who run the risk of being replaced by robot technology are what some economists refer to as “economic rent seekers” (Ford, 2015). It is normal for advances in technology to allow for production of more goods and services. However, all advances in technology are a result of better knowledge levels. Therefore, robots come after the knowledge on machine technology and a general depreciation of human input over time. In essence, human learning is in itself an aspect of technological advancement. The rise of robot technology “implies an increase in standards of living, which may result from either greater output or more leisure while maintaining the same level of input” (Thompson, 2015, p. 52). The goal is to use fewer resources and increase output levels at the same time. In the economic context, an unemployed individual is one who is willing to render labor services at the prevailing market rates but for one reason or another, he/she is denied such an opportunity. The norm is that all individuals tend to offer their labor services when they continue to look for better-paying opportunities. Therefore, these individuals would be tech
Crisis of Discovering that your Child has a Terminal Illness The Expectations from parents Many parents and their offspring interact in such a way that gradually parent’s dreams and expectations are modified by recognition of their child’s actual capabilities. As the fantasy of the dream child is replaced with day to day living, parents will always hopefully accept the child for what he or she is and wants to be. Many a times when a child’s health is impaired, parents can be confronted harshly and abruptly with a reality that allows little or no hope for fulfillment of their dreams. The highly fantasized child is lost and a process of grieving starts. Most parents do feel genuine sorrow for the child whose health is impaired, but, parallel to that, parents grieve for themselves in their state of loss. Parents are usually much aware that something somewhere is not normal with their child, but after many doctor appointments and many specialists, still come up with no definite diagnosis. However, it may take years to finally get an accurate diagnosis for a child with Batten Disease. Parents, by this time, start fearing for the worst case scenario. A multitude of different events and questions have entered their minds and they just want answers (Kalter, Lohnes & Saldinger, 1999). What should a child be told or not be told? As has often been the case, the child is however neglected when faced with a life-threatening illness. Much of the time and energy of the health care deliverer is mostly spent in helping the parents on coping with the psychological upheaval of tending to a terminally ill child. Although it is necessary to understand the problems of the parents, it is very cruel to overlook the needs of the child. Most Parents will very much struggle with the question of whether or not to tell their child he or she is dying. Talking with your child about the possibility of his or her own death can be heartbreaking and the sense of helplessness it brings can be overwhelming to the parents. They will often believe their children are much too young to comprehend what dying really means, or even worry that a child will react with fear and confusion, and that their own sadness will overwhelm the child. Therefore, given these concerns and issues, it is understandable that you may find yourself avoiding the opportunity to talk openly with a child who is facing death (The compassionate friends, 2010. Denial is never the correct way of approaching this. Avoidance is not the way neither. Dropping the bomb is also not the way to go about it, but honesty is the way. Life is not always that fair, but BDSRA and your Doctors are here for you. Maintaining that hope You could always set realistic goals regarding what may be expected from and what can be done without giving up on your child. It can however be extremely difficult for families to shift their focus from curing their child’s disease to comforting them i
Introduction To begin with, it is necessary to emphasize that the period of American independence was featured with the absence of rights for women and African Americans. They did not have even basic rights stipulated. It is claimed that even revolution did not guarantee equal rights to every American. However, the situation started changing in the 19 th century with the so-called market revolution. Forner (2005) emphasizes that “ many white Americans could have look forward to a life of economic accumulation and individual advancement but large numbers of free blacks experience downward mobility. It is worth noting that free blacks from the north were the last group to experience indentured servitude since the terms of emancipation required children of slave mothers to work for their masters before being freed.” Main Discussion The market revolution was intended to improve the financial position of African Americans and it is also regarded as the confirmation that African Americans did not have any financial and social opportunities at that time. Originally, these were not only the southerners who discriminated against the African Americans. The northerners were also denying the rights and opportunities for blacks and white women, however, on the other hand, some influential northerners supported emancipation. Anyway, according to Forner (2005) “ the earlier ideology of republican motherhood which allowed women a kind of public roles as mothers of future citizens evolved subtly into the mid-nineteenth century as the cult of domesticity. As more men were leaving the home for work women did exercise considerable power over personal affairs within the family. The rapid decline in the American birthrate during the nineteenth century cannot be explained except by the conscious decision of millions of women to limit the number of children they bore. The idea of a domestic city minimized even women’s indirect participation in the outside world. To both genders, freedom meant fulfilling their respective inborn qualities”. Men were regarded as rational, hostile, and dominant, while women were nurturing, selfless, ruled by their emotions and thus they were less fitting for public life. Men moved freely between public and private life spheres while women were supposed to remain cloistered in the private realm of the family. (Forner, 2005). As for nowadays, it should be stated that the treatment towards men and women stayed the same, however, there are much more exceptions from this rule nowadays. It emphasizes the development of the legislative base, which promotes social rights and financial opportunities for women. The same is with the blacks: they have much more opportunities, they have affirmative action (which is often called reverse discrimination), and they have an opportunity to lead the corporation, and now eve
Ynatai Changyu Pioneer Wine Company Limited is a Chinese wine company that produces and sells wine, brandy and tonic wine in the Chinese market as well as other international markets. The company was established in 1892 and remains the largest and oldest wine producing company in the Chinese market. The cumulative wine output is estimated to be 80,000 tons annually (Changyu 3). The company has a 21 percent of the Chinese wine market share. Sales Volumes Amid the global recession experienced in 2007-2009, ChangYu was ranked by a Canadian research firm among the few wine companies that beat the financial odds to improve their market shares in foreign markets as well as earn a more strategic place in the global wine market (CN wine news (a) 2). In the period between January and November 2008, the volumes of wine sales in the Chinese wine market registered a 32.9 percent increase (CN wine news (a) 3). In the global market place, Changyu was raked in the seventh place after attaining $890 million in 2008. Wine enterprises that came before it included Constellation brands ($ 3358.8million), E&J Gallo ($3080 million), Foste’s Group ($1667.9 million), Castel-Freres ($980 million) and the Wine group ($910 Million). Earlier in 2007, Changyu had attained the 10 th ranking in the global market, and was ranked at 79 th place among the largest Chinese companies in the local market. At the time, the sales revenue for the wine company was approximately 27 billion Yuan. Still, this was way below what market analysts believed a global wine company should have in terms of sales revenue. Changyu’s general Manager said that the company was targeting attaining annual sales revenue of at least $ 1.5 billion annually (CN wine news (a) 11). To do this however, the company acknowledged that it would need to increase its production, adopt better sales techniques and move to newer markets. Products Some of the wine brands that have great sales potential include the 4 chateaus brand and the Jiebaina Brand. The latter registered 1,600 tones of sales in 2007, consequently earning the company 700 million Yuan, which translated to 40 percent of the total Changyu revenue in the same year. Overall, the company has products in the wine category, brandy, sparkling wine and healthy liquor (China daily 1). Number of Stores In China, Changyu has at least one distribution outlet in each province. The outlets sell wine and other products manufactured by Changyu to wholesalers only. The wholesalers on the other hand are mandated to deal with retailers, who sell the products to the consumers. In the export market, Changyu has distribution networks in over 20 countries. The largest exporters of the company’s products include the United States, Netherlands, Thailand, Belgium and Singapore among other countries. Between 2001 and 2007, Changyu had only four wineries in New Zealand, Beijing and two provinces of Shandong and Liaoning (Underwood 5). The company promoted these wineries at wine culture clubs and even
Introduction Certain individuals stand out clearly in American history. This is due to the significant contributions that they made towards making the United States of America we know today. Among these is the third president of America Thomas Jefferson. Being a political philosopher, Jefferson stepped up and took the task of drafting the Declaration of Independence document with a lot of precision that he remains a popular figure amongst many citizens. One of his popular statements is, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal , that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness ” (Jefferson). On the other side, Thomas Paine stands out due to his work in influencing Americans to push for independence. He wrote Common Sense , a masterpiece that fuelled the desire to stand up and claim what was rightfully Americans’, that is, independence. Common Sense spread like bushfire, taking only few months to have over 120,000 copies of it in the market. During this short time, many people read this book and concurred with its contents. Up to date, no single work has sold like Common Sense. Response to Questions In writing common Sense, Thomas Paine uses extensive imagery and argues his points out placidly such that rebellion appears justifiable. The first imagery is comparing America’s continued stay under Britain rule of law to babies feeding on milk. The argument that America had thrived well under colonial rule did not make sense to Paine, making him argue that simply because a child is thriving under milk does not imply that she or he will die once fed on meat. Paine argues that America could prevail on her own because most of her profits benefited the colonialists. According to Paine, a time had come for America to undergo through the weaning process, leave ‘milk’ and chew ‘meat’. Simply stated, a time had come for America to claim independence. Again, imagery comes in when Paine compares Americans to, “a man who is attached to a prostitute is unfitted to choose or judge of a wife, so any prepossession in favour of a rotten constitution of government will disable us from discerning a good one” (Paine 106). The argument is that England’s constitution was unfit for Americans given its complexity. Paine creates scenery of a group of people living in an isolated island without governance. He posits that, In this state of natural liberty, society will be their first thought. A thousand motives will excite them thereto; the strength of one man is so unequal to his wants, and his mind so unfitted for perpetual solitude, that he is soon obliged to seek assistance and relief of another, who in his turn requires the same (Paine 97). The issue here is that these people will ultimately form government based on laws that they make for themsel