ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
The Japanese culture Japan is a nation in far eastern Asia. It is a country of many cultures and brilliant inventions. The Japanese culture has evolved a lot through the centuries to make Japan an extremely popular nation. The natives of this country have practices that are used in almost every place on earth. From the martial arts to the eating habits there, Japan can be termed as a country of diverse cultures. Many Japanese practices have been adopted in the western world due to the popularity of the culture. The language has also become widespread throughout the globe. The Japanese people are stereotyped as being supremely temperamental. Among the many cultural practices of Japan, karate is the most practiced one outside the state. It is a form of martial arts which has its origin in Okinawa, Japan. It is an indigenous way of fighting using kicks and fists. Karate has been adopted in many places. Whenever it has been accepted, it has been slightly modified to fit into the practices of those who have adopted it. In the United State of America, for example, kickboxing is a common sport. It can be said to be the American version of Japanese karate. Though slightly different, the two sports have a lot in common. They are played through kicking and punching (Tsuji, p. 280). It is not only karate that has been taken out of Japanese culture and adopted elsewhere. When walking through the streets of key cities in the world, one will notice the increasing number of restaurants offering a taste of Japanese cuisines. These restaurants are not visited by Japanese only. One will find people from other cultures enjoying hefty meals in these establishments. This shows that the cuisines are being accepted elsewhere. Almost everywhere, people have incorporated something Japanese into their lives. I have tried practicing karate as a form of self-defense. Though adoption of these cultural elements helps to popularize them, they are also getting diluted. In restaurants, it is common to find that
Introduction Gary Paulsen’s works are different from other novels designed to appeal to young adults because of his ability to celebrate the natural terrain and the interactions of the characters with nature. As his books are generally read by young adults the plots are simple but appeal to their own experiences involved in the process of growing up. The books are set in a naturalistic setting where the main character leaves society either through their own devices or by an accident. While living in nature the main characters undergo a transformation in which they learn how to coexist with nature rather than to be frightened of it. His plots are reminiscent of Thoreau’s sojourn at Walden Pond. Thoreau’s purpose in living there was to peruse a greater intimacy with God and to increase his own spirituality (Lyon, Melvin E., 289). Thoreau experienced a rebirth through identifying with Walden Pond. The identification with the pond allows him to participate in both cycles of nature: spring and the morning (Lyon, Melvin E., 289). Thoreau believed that lakes were nature’s most beautiful and expressive feature (Lyon, Melvin E., 291). Main body Thoreau described lakes or ponds as being close to the divine. The source of life for the pond has no visible outlet while being renewed by the presence of springs. Therefore it can be stated that it continually receives new life and motion from above as he believed that humans do (Lyon, Melvin E., 291). How Paulsen approaches the telling of a story allows young students to connect with some of the great literary writers of the past. When the student reads a piece of literature written to their level of understanding and then compares the concepts presented within to the works of a prominent writer such as Thoreau the adolescents can understand and appreciate the work better (Norris, Jerri K., et al, 82). In Walden Thoreau explores the youth of the human race. It reflects the rebellion against authority, the thirst for adventure, and the desire for increased contact with nature. While it should appeal to young adults the status of Thoreau’s works can be off-putting and difficult for teachers to explain and students to understand (Bressler, Leo A., 14). Two of Paulsen’s works focus on the experiences of an adolescent boys who either through choice or misadventure find themselves in the wilderness with only their own wits to help them find the necessary resources for survival. In The Island, Wil Neuton is characterized as a modern Thoreau. This character chooses to leave his family and town to experience nature at its purest level such as Thoreau who chose to live at Walden Pond for several years. While living on the island he was not in isolation as Brian was in Hatchet because he could visit the mainland or visitors could come to see him. This is more in line with Thoreau’s experience because his choice of woodland locations was within easy walking distance of Concord, Massachusetts. A quote from Walden Pond is “I have a great deal of company in my house, especially in the morning when nobody calls” (Thoreau). Henry Davi
Introduction Industries, private firms, and public companies use natural gas to pursue their organizational goals. The demand for this resource has continued to rise significantly in an attempt to promote global economic growth. This situation means that consumer and producer regions should cooperate if they are to record positive results. The example of the European Union (EU) and Russia explains why a mutual agreement can deliver numerous benefits to different stakeholders. Unfortunately, the EU-Russia cooperation has resulted in a major energy security dilemma. The paper presented below proposes to examine the interdependence of this relationship and why it remains a major concern in the continent. Detailed Outline The proposal below focuses on the security issues surrounding the European Union-Russia energy relations. The first section is the problem statement and describes how the existing interdependence has led to energy security problems. The literature review section examines the effectiveness of imperialism and realism theories in explaining the future of interdependence between the EU and Russia. The next two parts offer the proposed research questions and sources of information for the final paper. The study method section explains why a qualitative approach will be used throughout the process. The last part supports the implementation of superior policies to address each side’s demands, reduce the current energy security stalemate, and bring the region closer to its economic objectives. The conclusion summarizes the issues discussed in the research proposal. Subject Matter: Problem Statement The end of the infamous Cold War led to the disintegration of the Soviet Union. However, Russia remained a leading exporter of natural gas to different countries in Europe. Siddi (2017) indicates that the current cooperation between Russia and the EU has lasted over five decades. However, numerous challenges and opportunities continue to dictate the future of this energy relationship. The existing cooperation is important because it supports Russia’s economic growth while at the same time sustaining the EU’s industries. Unfortunately, each side has been keen to formulate specific policies in an attempt to reshape the nature of this energy relation. These issues form the subject matter for the proposed research study. Most of the original initiatives and goals of the EU-Russian cooperation have become less significant. For instance, Russia began to implement assertive policies informed by the concept of realism. This strategy led to the 2014 annexation of Crimea by Russia (Makarychev & Yatsyk, 2017). Consequently, the political nature of the energy relationship has continued to change significantly. On the other side, the EU has proposed strict rules in an attempt to promote a liberal energy correlation. The ou
The messages sent through verbal, nonverbal, and paraverbal means of communication informed the listeners about the speaker’s issues. Firstly, verbal statements informed about the problems at work and personal life, which were important to the speaker. The speaker expressed minor concern with the issues with colleagues at work using words to share his feelings. The paraverbal messages sent through the pitch and tone of the voice and the speed of speaking demonstrated more information about the emotional aspects of the discussed situations. When answering the additional questions about the speaker’s personal life, he spoke faster and in a higher pitch in comparison to the paraverbal characteristics of speaking about work. As for nonverbal messages, the speaker’s facial expressions throughout the communication process delivered the information about positive emotions through smiles and open gestures. Also, once asked uncomfortable or too personal questions, the speaker crossed legs and arms as well as touched his face, and looked away. The messages transmitted through verbal, nonverbal, and paraverbal communication were partially consistent with several cases indicating differences between the ideas delivered by words and accompanying nonverbal and paraverbal signs. Indeed, when speaking about the unpleasant occurrences at work, the speaker tried to remain calm and analyze the situations rationally. However, as he spoke, his speech was abrupt, arms crossed, and he continuously changed the direction of his sight. These nonverbal and paraverbal messages indicated that the speaker was uncomfortable or deceitful about the discussed issues. However, in most cases, the three types of communication channels were used consistently. For example, when asked about personal life, the speaker used more descriptive words, expressed positive emotions with words and facial expressions, and higher pitch and a faster pace of speaking. Probably, not all of the messages have been read correctly and clearly because the process of reading others is complex and multifaceted. It takes much practice to identify clear patterns and understand the meaning of nonverbal and paraverbal communication messages. Particular facial expressions, body language, and paraverbal indicators might have different meanings depending on a situa
Introduction A substantial societal change happened within a single age group after the French Revolution of 1789. Europe was stunned by political catastrophes, revolts, and hostilities. When the privileged met with the intention of restructuring European affairs, it became understood that the peoples’ expectations for freedom and fairness had not been apprehended. Nevertheless, all through the course of those restless years, innovative designs and attitudes had lodged in the heads of men. Analysis Admiration of the individual, the accountable person, which was previously a crucial component in Neoclassical painting, had intensified the change for a newfangled but associated phenomenon – emotive perception. Therefore, calm and balanced formal elements of Neoclassicism were now opposed to sentiment and the individual’s imagination which derived from it. As an alternative to flattering the Neoclassicist impassiveness and rational discipline of the person, artists now correspondingly started to get used to the role of rejoicing the emotive perception and observing the individual’s exquisiteness, which was called Romanticism. Accordingly, an assortment of styles began to develop, and all of them were consistent with the caption of Romanticism. In addition, each of the styles was formed by national features. The crusade initiated in Germany where it was inspired mainly by an impression of world exhaustion, a sense of loneliness, and a longing for nature. Well along, Romantic inclinations correspondingly reflected in French and English painting. In the 19 th century, German artists encompassed painters as versatile as Franz Winterhalter, a renowned portrait painter who appreciated the benefaction of European royal families (“World and Its Peoples” 366). After much effort and time, Winterhalter was recognized as a portrait painter in times of the Second Empire, and he created his best work throughout the course of the last twenty years of his life. He harmonized his style in the correspondence with the extravagance and tranquil atmosphere of the era, its high-living, and jollity. Winterhalter’s paintings all share one thing – the absence of defects. It is this style of performance that made him one of the court portraitists that were sought after the most. The women he painted throughout the second half of the 19 th century differ crucially in a physical sense from those he painted before as they were not cagy or behaving stiffly. The men posing for Winterhalter encouraged limited innovative or outstanding compositions. Winterhalter has never been critically acclaimed for his work, being repetitively blamed for shallowness and pretentiousness in search of approval. Nevertheless, he was extremely respected by his blue-blooded clientele. The royal families from all over Europe all stood in the queue to Winterhalter. His colossal paintings established a significant widespread status, and the reproductions of the portraits helped out to feast his reputation. Winterhalter’s portraits were valued for their delicate intimacy, and the origin of his plea is not hard to explicate. He shaped the ima
Social Problem Social Location and the Role it plays with regard to Social Problems Social location illustrates the groups that human beings belong to due to their position in society. The social class is categorized according to aspects such as age, religion, gender, race, tribe, sexual orientation, ability, and/or geographic location. Social location points out how we view ourselves as well as how other people perceive us. This factor contributes to social problems because it gives expectations on how people are supposed to behave. The society in which people exist creates these expectations. If the anticipations are not met, social problems can arise. Social Problem A social problem is any situation that has undesirable repercussions to a large number of people. People cause this problem regardless of whether their actions are deliberate or unintentional. In most cases, it is perceived that the people who cause the problem are not affected. However, it is clear that they also suffer the consequences of their actions (Bangs & Davis, 2015). However, not all negative conditions and behaviors are considered social problems. Components of Social Problem A social problem consists of both objective and subjective components. Any aspect that society can make without bias, which affects it in a negative manner, is also categorized as the objective component of a social problem. Honest social problems are those where people have agreed that it is indeed a social problem and that something can be done to solve it. Such problems affect every member of society. Objective components directly influence the way individuals behave in society. The subjective component is characterized by the perception that any condition that is regarded as a social problem can be addressed. A social problem could change over time. For example in countries where racism is rampant, people could be taught how to live with each other harmoniously. Societies have similar social problems. World societies are affected by the same problems. For example, in America, there is a large population characterized by poverty and crime. The same case applies to Africa. This state of affairs is a clear indication that human beings share many characteristics. The difference is only seen in the way they solve their problems. For a condition to qualify as a social problem, it has to have consequences that affect a large number of people. For instance, high tax rates, death, increased crime, and unemployment have significant effects on the human population. The consequences can affect people in different ways either directly or indirectly. Stages of a Social Problem Claiming the problem A social problem begins when a social activity starts to have consequences and in need of a remedy. In this stage, the public is influenced and their perceptions about the problems and possible solutions are raised. So
Introduction The area of the current research concerns the death penalty and whether it might be abolished in the future. Various experts have argued against the lethal sentence policies claiming that they are unethical, barbaric, and economically unfavorable. However, in the academic field, some authorities continue to justify this punishment method. The current research reviews various articles and websites concerning the lethal sentence controversies and establishes the correlation between the existing works. As a result, the main flaws within the present scholarship are the unresolved issue of whether death penalty policies are effective or not and whether there are any benefits to society from the lethal sentence. The authorities do not seem to find a consensus on this issue, but there is a prospect that this problem will be resolved in future works. Arguments against Death Penalty The first argument against the lethal sentence is a lack of deterrence among criminals. According to Amnesty International Australia (2019), there is no evidence that the prospect of death prevents potential perpetrators. Furthermore, some authorities state that the lethal sentence does not decline the number of crimes and is only used as an instrument of vengeance (Amnesty International, 1997). Another reason to cancel the death penalty is the unnecessary brutality of the process. Despite the introduction of less gruesome methods of killing, such as lethal injection, Deshwal (2017) claims that “sterilized and depersonalized methods of execution do not eliminate the brutality of the penalty” (para. 5). Finally, the majority of the population generally believes that lethal sentences are merely unethical and should be abolished (Jouet, 2020). Ultimately, most experts refer to the mentioned-above arguments to illustrate the obligation to cancel death penalties. Arguments for Death Penalty On the contrary, some authorities believe that the lethal sentence is necessary and is a useful tool to prevent potential crimes. The first argument supporting this perspective is retribution for the illegal activity. From the philosophical point of view, as mentioned by Immanuel Kant, the murderer should atone by giving up their own life (Flanders, 2013). Another reason for the lethal sentence is the probability that the perpetrator would kill again after prison. According to Radelet and Borg (2000), after the cancellation of most death penalties in America in 1972, about one percent of the criminals killed again. It might seem as an insignificant number, but ultimately the lethal sentence would have prevented it. As previously mentioned, the death penalty policy does not have evidence to deter people from criminal activity. However, public opinion frequently differs from the statistics gathered by experts. According to Seal (2017), throughout t
Cinema is the means of humans allows people to reproduce the phenomena of the objective reality, but moreover to reflect the inner, psychological experiences of humans. Accordingly, personal and purely psychological topics are dominant in the cinema as far as people are always intrigued by what others feel in the sense of this being the same as they themselves do. Sex and the emotional states it provokes are also the subjects of the cinematographic interest. This paper will focus on the representation of sexually charged relationships in the classical pieces of the Japanese cinema – “Cruel Story of Youth” by Nagisa Oshima and “Woman in Dunes” by Hiroshi Teshigahara. To begin with, it is necessary to state that the Japanese culture has long been considered a rather conservative and reserved one. In other words, laws, rules, and regulations have been viewed as the dominant forces in Japanese society, while traditions and religious prohibitions have been perceived as the guidelines to which the Japanese live. Sex, as one of the most intimate phenomena in the human life, has long been forbidden for public discussion, let alone filming. However, the years after World War II changed the social attitude towards the issue drastically. Americanization of the country and the subsequent marginalization of the Japanese youth led to the vagueness of ideals and national values and made discussion of sex appropriate, even in public: “… times were tough after the war, but we had a way of life. I could’ve said that we were reborn a democratic nation; that responsibility went hand in hand with freedom. But today what can we say to this child? Nothing ” (Cruel Story of Youth, 1960) Accordingly, Nagisa Oshima was one of the first Japanese directors to publicly address this topic in their movies. “Cruel Story of Youth” is an account of the criminal lives of two young people lost in the whirlwind of the social changes. Having no firm values in life, Kiyoshi and Makoto start up the life of crime with robberies and blackmailing as the major means to earn their living. The most terrific aspect of their life becomes sex which Kiyoshi uses only as an instrument of control over his girlfriend. Sex is viewed by the main character as the means to share the burden of his criminal deals with someone else who, by the power of personal relationship, becomes closer to him than anyone else. Moreover, sex is pictured by Oshima as a phenomenon that led the society of his time to the complete loss of values. As Kiyoshi states, no values mean no disappointment in them: “We’re different from you. We have no dreams so we’ll never end up miserable like you” (Cruel Story of Youth, 1960). Sex, in such a context, becomes everything but pleasure – it is viewed as the means of submission, earning money, criminalization of the society, etc. Society is, thus, viewed as an obsolete phenomenon with archaic ideas and values. The representatives of the older generations are pictured by Oshima as the ones regretting their past and feeling sad about the presence of their children. Sex is viewed by them The same topic is considered by Hiroshi Teshigahara in h