Informative Paper Essay

Presentation I. Eye catching presentation: Staple focus, Los Angeles, California. Friday November, fourth 2013 1:24PM The Championship coordinate. Following an end of the week brimming with high points and low points, curve and turns everything results in these present circumstances. multi week sooner, the past Friday thousands have flown down to the core, all things considered, Gathered around the occasion lobby entryways, individuals all over the place, onlookers tingling to get the best seats. Players going over in game forms, timings, and techniques only once again until the entryways at long last open. 8 groups of 5 players to a group were situated into the week long competition and now just two remain. Imperial Club and SK Telecom are season veterans of League of Legends and now they sit on furthest edges large and in charge title fundamental stage. Prepared to contend no holds barred for the fantastic prize of 1 million dollars before 1000s in that spot in Los Angeles and millions viewing from all around the globe. II. Point: These millions from around the globe have produced their adoration for gaming into a tremendously famous wonders known as Electronic games or otherwise called of E-Sports. Viewership has seen touchy development in 2013 is as yet developing with no indication of prevention. Presently with the reconciliation of innovation into our way of life another sort of competitor has risen. One that doesn’t accomplish triumph intensely dependent on the bronze that is outfitted yet with the basic reasoning and reflex of the brain. An outcast may locate this such an idea absurd yet these genius gamers are a long way from any negative generalizations you may have. III. Ethos and Audience Adaptation: My name is Jonathon Allen and I have been a fan and individual from the E-Sports people group for almost 10 years. I have had chances to play expertly at the MLG North American Regionals in Columbus and New Yorkâ in 2012 which I have put second and third in out of 30 groups. Throughout the years I have likewise leading broad exploration on E-Sports going from players and groups to the innovation side of running and repairing occasions in the business. E-Sports can be a great deal to process for somebody searching in just because so I’ll clarify precisely what and how large E-Sports truly is including the potential E-Sports needs to extend and develop. Before we go any further I’d like to introduce this video to outwardly show you precisely what E-Sports is and above all what it feels like. Visual Aid! Body I.This is E-Sports, rivalry at its best. Players vieing for money prizes running from thousands to millions. Top players make 6 figure salaries and are even supported by enormous partnerships, for example, Monster, Intel, Redbull, Asus, and Kingston. Master gamers are secured in straight on battle in games like League of Legends. A DOTA-MMO style game that’s played as a group of 5 individuals VS 5 individuals. The object of the game is planning on the most proficient method to win by taking the adversaries base while step up and producing gold. Most games typically last around 40 minutes. II.You may ask; for what reason would somebody watch another person play a computer game? That’s basic; the energy from watching others play computer games remains as a similar fervor we get from viewing different competitors perform at sports, for example, football. T.J. Heffer from PC gamer Magazine states â€Å"What makes any opposition fascinating is observing extremely talented people battle for triumph in a setting where the result is unsure and the second to second to and fro keeps you on your toes.† Heffer consistent â€Å"Rather or not you need to call them sports they feature individuals with astounding basic reasoning, arranging, and dynamic abilities and honestly cruel reflexes too. The degree of expert level in a game falsehood League of Legends is mind boggling.† Professional gamers put their central core into the game. They have drive, enthusiasm, difficult work and commitment simply like any expert competitor you can consider. III.As I’m accepting E-Sports might be strange to a large number of you however in countries like South Korea games, for example, StarCraft have just become something of a national game. Paul Tassi of Forbs Magazine said â€Å"Overseas, top players are dealt with like proficient Athletes.† Though South Korea has become made amends to the thought of messing around expertly North America in all honesty is the place the greatest enthusiasm for star gaming lies. In North American E-Sports, groups and associations have risen and developed in the previous 3 years. In of these associations the greatest E-Sports association is Major League Gaming or MLG. Established in 2002 Major League Gaming highlights various competitions in a year where different gamers fly out to significant urban areas over the US like Columbus to contend. In MLG’s Annual Viewership Report for the 2013 season they announced 15 million one of a kind watchers tuned into watch web based during the 2013 season. As those 15 million watchers tuned in a year ago it’s clear that E-Sports has just handled an entirely steady balance into the hearts of Americans over the United States. Yet, maybe much all the more exciting and energizing is the development that E-Sports has just appeared. Between 2010 †2013 MLG has seen a 733% development in viewership from 1.8 million to 15 Million. Contrasting that with the NFLS record development of 18% in the previous 3 years that’s 715% more than the NFL. Let’s not down play the viewership of the NFL which has recorded a record of 28.1 Million watchers for their 2013 †2014 season. Be that as it may, you begin to see therefore to how much potential E-Sports has when MLG an organization that’s just been around for a long time has obtained a viewership of 15 million. Only somewhat above portion of the NFLS record watcher tally 28.1 an association that has been around for almost a 100 years. End With these insights of development and with how abroad treats E-Sports like a national game and with ace gamers having a similar arrangement of excellencies that any expert competitor has along the millions around the world thatâ already are a piece of the network just drives E-Sports. It’s not so much an issue of is it, it’s actually an issue of when! At the point when gotten some information about where he sees E-Sports going and what's in store of the business. MLG Co-Founder Sundance DiGiovanni in a place that puts him at the hellfire of the whole E-Sports industry revealed to Forbs Magazine in 2012 â€Å"that in 5 years he expects E-Sports to be a comprehensively perceived wonders. A genuinely settled worldwide sport.†

Worship Of Hindu Gods Now And Then Religion Essay

Love Of Hindu Gods Now And Then Religion Essay Hinduism: Hinduism or Sanatan (which means a widespread religion) is viewed as the universes most seasoned religion that began on the Indian sub-mainland. As indicated by its Vedic records, its history of inception is dated between to 6,000 to 10,000 years and that is the reason it is considered as one of the old religions of the world. It is the local religion of India and it has neither a particular human originator nor a solitary book of respect but instead established its frameworks on old hallowed sacred writings that were passed down the ages by a verbal exchange and later recorded into contents and messages structures (Zavos, 2001). Hinduism has an enormous number of devotees coming to up to one billion worldwide with lion's share of them (95%) being from Indian and the rest in United States ,Europe and different pieces of the world. Demographically, it is the world third biggest religion after Christianity and Islam. Hinduism comprises an intricate method of love going from the fantastic celebrations like Kumbhela, which is a strict enormous social event of up to 45 million individuals to the basic Darshan, the reverential finding in home holy places. Hindus adore in the various old and contemporary mandirs and holy places. Hindus respect Vedas (antiquated writings) as the most old and the most definitive writings of the religion and henceforth they structure the establishment of all parts of Hinduism. Hindu has three trinity which incorporate Shiva, Brahman and Vishnu not at all like Christian who have just a single trinity. These divine beings speak to the pattern of resurrection and rebirth where Vishnu is capable of protecting the universe, Shiva wrecks the re-maker of the universe and Brahman make the Universe. The three goddess are the second trinity of Hindu just as the divine beings spouses of the primary trinity. Be that as it may, all the goddesses and divine beings have their types of manifestations. Hinduism include the love of God and its various gods with the significant ones being Brahma (maker) Vishnu (the preserver) and Siva (the destroyer), so relying upon ones conclusion Hinduism can be supposed to be polytheistic, monotheistic or henotheistic (which includes commitment to a solitary God while tolerating the presence of different divine beings) (Zavos, 120). Current Hinduism is sorted into two significant gatherings: Vaishnavism (the individuals who adore Vishnu and all other living things docile to him) and Shaivism (stream of Hinduism who venerate Shiva and accepts that Shiva is the destroyer and the maker of the universe). Hinduism depends on the guideline of Brahman that expresses that the universe is the whole gang truths are a solidarity, Devine substance that is at the same time at one with the universe who rises above it too. In Hinduism people are saved to be caught a Samsara which is a trivial pattern of birth demise and resurrection with karma ;ones amassed total of good and terrible deeds and these decides on which level in the standing framework will one be conceived in the home cycle life. Old Hindus loved and collaborated with their divine beings in a marginally extraordinary manner when contrasted with contemporary method of Hinduism. As indicated by antiquated Hindu contents old In the Vedic religion, there were no sanctuaries of love when contrasted with contemporary Hinduism where there are a huge number of sanctuaries and mandirs work for revere. Hindus venerated in the open and sanctuaries were first built in Quite a while in 200 years and it denoted the progress of Hinduism from the Vedic religion of ceremonial penances to the religion of Bhakri or love and a commitment to an individual god. Old sanctuaries were built of wood and block however in later occasions, utilization of stone turned into a favored structure material. Sanctuaries developed in the medieval time fluctuated in design styles and frequently represented the ruler at that point and his wealth and commitment. In old Hinduism, the supporters loved nature and had divine beings that spoke to every component of nature for example the lord of wind, divine force of fire, lord of the ocean and lord of light. Increasingly finished, Hindus venerated bestial divinities (Sacred creatures that spoke to different gods).they accepted that creatures simply like human shad soul and soul. Hallowed creatures in Hinduism are bovines, monkeys, tortoises and elephants. As per old Hindu writings, Hindus venerated mother goddess with extraordinary love than it is in present day Hindu religion. Contemporary Hindu adherents put an extraordinary respects in revering of individual divinities who speak to their God who is the general god. As indicated by old Hindu writings, there is proof that proposes that old divine beings intermarried with people and that divine beings had human characters and would come to people in a few symbols. These divine beings had spirits not diverse with that of people and connected openly as the two of them loved the Brahma who is their general god. There is no such sort of connection between Hindu divine beings and its admirers. The kind of human associations with divine beings relied upon singular situation in the station framework and those in higher caster were respected to be more near divine beings than those in the lower position levels. There was no holy class in antiquated Hinduism yet today cleric are the ones answerable for driving the admirers in sanctuaries. In old Hinduism, social portability in the standing framework was permitted however it was very trouble. The social station framework was included of two powerful social frameworks one dependent on age (Varna) and the other Asrama that obviously characterized people jobs and duties sin the general public. Occasionally individuals could move starting with one station then onto the next or build up another one. In the contemporary Hinduism, the developing standing got out of line to those in the most minimal request and was continuously ignored as it supposedly was biased (Ghanshyam, 45). Standing framework however still plays a significant factor in present day in organizing of Hindu relationships. The legislature in 1947 nullified standing framework and henceforth position segregation is currently illicit in India. In current Hinduism, the social framework has been debased and not, at this point a fundamental significant strict trait of Hinduism. Antiquated Hinduism was not abusive to ladies and most researchers accept that ladies had to some degree significant jobs they played in the ceremonies of the early Vedic period, yet with time the Vedic ceremony turned out to be increasingly unpredictable and the significance of jobs ladies played decreased step by step. Additionally during this period, there were other ceremonial conventions that ladies were permitted to take an interest in. In old Hindu religion, some sacrosanct customs and services for example the custom of terrified move and music offering were polished. A portion of these conventional sacrosanct ceremonies (upacharas), changed with time. An exemplary case of an adjustment in Hinduism old customs and ceremonies in the previous barely any hundred years, is the substitution of the music offering and moves which are consecrated which were recommended by Agama Shastra, with the cutting edge contributions of rice and desserts. In old Hinduism the Vedic rituals of fire-oblation (yajna) were frequently polished yet are a little while ago just periodic practice in the cutting edge Hindu religion, these practices are anyway are profoundly loved in principle. As indicated by Vedic contents, in antiquated Hinduism, butcher of creatures was allowed yet this ceremonial has for all intents and purposes vanished in present day Hinduism. It is in the nineteenth and twentieth hundreds of years that, unmistakable figures of Indian otherworldliness like Swami Vivekananda, Swami Sivananda and Ramana Maharshi stressed the significance of ahimsa. In old Hinduism, the Brahmins never permitted individuals from the lower standing to appreciate equivalent status benefits. There is little resilience for the most part for lower area of the Hindu people group which in any reality their own kin. This has been the standard throughout the years that it is as of not long ago such lower areas of the network were permitted to peruse Vedas which was another significant strict sacred writings. Notwithstanding that, these people were not at all they were likewise not permitted to enter the sanctuaries, where Brahmins were adored, and venerate god. These class of individuals didn't also permitted to attract water a similar well with others and neither would impart their nourishments to higher ranks. This guidelines were relevant either in social or strict get-together. In antiquated Hinduism, penances were offered to God through its subordinate divine beings yet in present day Hinduism, food is rather offered to individual divine beings or people before eating. By offering of food to god and gods, disguise of penances were accomplished by eating what is being relinquished, which is being accepted as making the people body being a penance to god. It is likewise broadly accepted by Hindu people group that offering divine beings with food is an indication of dedication or self acquiescence. It is additionally accepted that the individuals who eat food being scarified to divine beings would not be hurt by any tamasic or rajasic which would be in the food. (Houben Et al, 45) In antiquated Hinduism, there were a less number of Hindu groups and divine beings when contrasted with present day Hindu religion where numerous organizations have risen with expanded opportunity on an individual revering any god the person in question wishes. A considerable lot of these are because of shifting has confidence in the understanding of the Hindu writings. Present day Hinduism include intermittent particularly during strict celebrations going to sanctuaries for adore yet many incline toward venerating at home where one frequently makes a holy place with symbols devoted to their picked structure or types of god. As a rule, sanctuaries are devoted to a god that is essential while related divinities to most numerous gods Hindus play out their love through symbols (murtis) which every symbol fills in as a substantial connection between the admirer and their preeminent God. The picture or the assigned is regularly viewed as an indication of God, as God is characteristic. As per the Hindu messages the Padma Purana clarifies that the mã… Â «rti isn't to be thought of similarly as minor stone or wood yet as a show type of the Divinity. In old H

SIPA Honors Distinguished Guests, Raises Fellowship Funds COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - SIPA Admissions Blog

SIPA Honors Distinguished Guests, Raises Fellowship Funds COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - SIPA Admissions Blog An audience of 300 luminaries, faculty, alumni, students, and special guests gathered at the historic Plaza Hotel in New York on April 2 for SIPAs 14th Annual Global Leadership Awards Gala. The event honors individuals who, through their work in public policy and administration, have made innovative or otherwise extraordinary contributions to the global public interest, with a focus this year on economic development and sustainability in particular. These leaders exemplify what SIPA can do for individuals and for the world: provide students with the international perspective, academic background, and practical experience to solve the most pressing global challenges. Columbia University President Lee C. Bollinger introduced SIPA Dean Merit E. Janow, who presented awards to this years honorees: Paul Polman, CEO of Unilever; Judith Rodin, president of the Rockefeller Foundation; and Joan Spero MIA 68, a Trustee Emerita and senior research scholar at Columbia University. Highlights of the program included remarks from SIPA students Jessi Jou Tseng MPA 14 and Joe Lemaron Sadallah MIA 15. The event raised a record amount of $450,000, which will be used for student fellowships.     So thats good news for our incoming first year students.

Isolation And Isolation Of Frankenstein By Mary Shelley

Isolation comes from the word isolate which means to cause someone or something to be alone or to be apart from others. Social isolation is the lack of contact between people or things in a society. Thomas H. Schmid says that â€Å"it also emerges within larger discourses of isolation†. He is correct: there are many types of isolation, but social isolation is very common. (â€Å"Addiction and Isolation†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ) In the book Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, the main character Victor Frankenstein creates a â€Å"monster† that comes to life. Victor becomes terror-stricken by the creature due to it’s hideousness, and he flees from his home, leaving the creature alone and isolated. The creature becomes very lonely and angry toward his creator. He then vows to make Victor’s life miserable for creating, abandoning, and isolated him. (Shelley) Isolation not only has grave effects on the monster’s human interaction and social development, but on h umans, too. Isolation can cause someone to be or become emotionally unstable. In the book Frankenstein, Victor creates a creature that comes to life, and he later abandons the creature. The creature then becomes isolated. Because of this isolation, the creature seeks revenge and wants to get back at Victor for even creating him in the first place. An example of the creature’s revenge is demonstrated in the book after the creature has found him and is sharing his story with Victor: â€Å"Frankenstein! You belong then to my enemy-to him towards whom I haveShow MoreRelatedIsolation Plays A Major Role Of Mary Shelley s Frankenstein1519 Words   |  7 PagesIsolation plays a major role in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. The central characters of the gothic novel, Robert Walton, Victor Frankenstein, and Frankenstein’s creature, are isolated for the majority of each of their narratives. While Walton and Frankenstein willfully isolated themselves from family and o thers for exploring uncharted territories and following dreams of grandeur through scientific creation, respectively, the creature is pushed into isolation due to outright rejection from every personRead MoreMary Shelley and Flannery OConnor: Gothic Isolationists1724 Words   |  7 Pagesdeveloped into a 19th century phenomenon. The success of this dominant genre in England is frequently attributed to Mary Shelley. Despite its success during this time period, gothic fiction ceased to be a dominant genre by the Victorian Era. However, in many ways it had now begun to enter into its most ingenious phase. This paper will analyze the influence of Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein on Flannery O’Connor’s work, specifically her novel Wise Blood. Flannery O’Connor emerged as a crucial and contemporaryRead More Isolation in Mary Shelleys Frankenstein Essays1399 Words   |  6 PagesIsolation in Mary Shelleys Frankenstein Mary Shelleys novel, Frankenstein, has several themes imbedded in the text. One major theme is of isolation. Many of the characters experience some time of isolation. The decisions and actions of some of these characters are the root cause of their isolation. They make choices that isolate themselves from everyone else. However, other characters are forced into isolation for reasons that are not in their control. The actions of another cause themRead MoreMary Shelleys Frankenstein: A Gothic Novel1595 Words   |  7 Pages Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein is one of the greatest Gothic novels to come out during the Romantic Period. Frankenstein is a prime example of what a Gothic novel should present to its reader through the genre’s twisted themes. Even though it was written in the Romantic period, Mary Shelley still wrote Frankenstein to be a Gothic work of literature. Many characteristics of Gothic novel can be seen within this novel. Mary Shelley’s outstanding novel Frankenstein is a prime example of a Gothic novelRead MoreTheme Of Isolation In Frankenstein1077 Words   |  5 PagesIsolation in Frankenstein The consequences of isolation can be both physical and emotional. For the characters in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, isolation does both in varying degrees.Through Victor’s self-destructive path for knowledge and revenge, the creature’s descent from curiosity and benevolence to misery and revenge, and Walton’s journey to the Arctic, Mary Shelley explores the theme of isolation in that whether it is intentional or not, isolation only leads to negative consequences. Read MoreFrankenstein, By Mary Shelley1650 Words   |  7 Pagesbook of Frankenstein does one just think of a mythical science fiction book that really has no meaning? Frankenstein can have numerous meanings depending on how a person perceives it. Frankenstein can be analyzed into many themes; some say religion, feminism, or scientific symbolization, it all depends on ones own perception. When one analyzes further into Mary Shelly’s life and then interprets the novel it is obvious that is a sociological theme. One can simply assume that Mary Shelley creates FrankensteinRead MoreFrankenstein Influences1358 Words   |  6 Pagesof Mary Shelley’s Personal Life in the Story of Frankenstein The authors that are most successful in creating vivid emotions of fear, anguish and heartache are those that have experienced such emotions in their own lives. Mary Shelley in her gothic fiction novel Frankenstein presents her personal challenges through the literary work and characters. First, Mary’s own birth and the death of her mother are re-created in the fictional novel as the creation of the monster by Victor Frankenstein. ThroughRead MoreEmotional Isolation in Mary Shelleys Life and in Frankenstein1159 Words   |  5 Pages Emotional isolation in Frankenstein is the most pertinent and prevailing theme throughout the novel.   This theme is so important because everything the monster does or feels directly relates to his poignant seclusion.   The effects of this terrible burden have progressively damaging results upon the monster, and indirectly cause him to act out his frustrations on the innocent.   The monsters emotional isolation makes him gradually turn worse and worse until evil fully prevails.   This theme perpetuatesRead MoreMary Shelley s Frankenstein - Original Writing1489 Words   |  6 Pagesrecurred, but I was unable to solve them (Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein).† Mary Shelley’s book, Frankenstein, parallels her own experiences. Shelley’s mother died in childbirth, and she was left â€Å"dependent on none and related to none.† Her father, William Godwin, abandoned his daughter emotionally when he remarried a woman who treated Mary poorly. Shelley often searched for an understanding of who she was. She did not have a mother to give her an education, so Mary taught herself by seeking answers toRead MoreEssay on Alienation and Isolation in Mary Shelleys Frankenstein1110 Words   |  5 PagesAlienation and Isolation Alienation and isolation have been apparent in society since the beginning of man. When an individual stumbles outside the realm of social normality they are viewed as degradation to society or a threat to normal society.(â€Å"Truthmove† 2012) In the gothic tale of Frankenstein, Mary Shelley frequently displays the many different forms of alienation. Victor Frankenstein and his creation were two of the characters in this book that went through alienation and isolation. Victor

Should The Legal Drinking Age Be Lowered Again - 878 Words

Should the legal drinking age remain at age 21? For almost 40 years most states voluntarily set their minimum drinking age law at 21, some states were 18 in accordance to the military age requirement (18) and the voting age. In those states, drunk driving and alcohol related deaths were increasing significantly. But it didn’t just happen in those states, it also happened in the bordering states called â€Å"blood borders.† As a result to these problems, President Ronald Reagan in 1984 signed into law the Uniform Drinking Age Act. This act made it mandatory for all states to adopt 21 as the legal drinking age. By 1988 all states had set 21 as the minimum drinking age. Since the states set this age it was estimated that it has saved about 900 lives per year (MADD). Many believe that the drinking age should be lowered again to 18 because we are considered adults at 18 and we can vote and go into the military. But that’s not why the age requirement is 21. Its 21 because your brain isn’t fully developed until age 21 and drinking can have harmful effects on a developing brain (â€Å"Dangers of Teen Drinking† FTC). As of January of 2006 approximately 5,000 young people under the age of 21 die as a result of underage drinking. To break it down a little more, this included about 1,900 deaths from motor vehicle crashes, 1,600 from homicides, 300 from suicides, and others from injuries such as falls, burns, and drownings (National I nstitute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism). The legal drinkingShow MoreRelatedFor Years, The Debate About Deciding A Minimum Legal Drinking1638 Words   |  7 Pagesyears, the debate about deciding a minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) has plagued the United States. The arguments can include that intoxicated driving accidents will increase if the MLDA was lowered or that the current MLDA is not decreasing drinking among young adults at all. The torn arguments between ages eighteen and twenty-one have not proven one age to be the right answer to the problem of deciding a drinking age, but if the MLDA was lowered to age eighteen, it would be the most beneficial choiceRead More The Drinking Age Should NOT Be Lowered Essay1006 Words   |  5 Pagesminimum legal drinking age. Choose Responsibility, a group founded by John McCardell, proposes that upon completion of a 40 hour course to educate young people about alcohol, 18, 19, and 20 year old people should be licensed to drink. The Amet hyst Initiative, part of Choose Responsibility, is a petition to Congress to rethink the minimum legal drinking age. Several college leaders have signed this petition in the belief that lowering the minimum legal drinking age will reduce binge drinking on collegeRead MoreDrinking Age Drinking847 Words   |  4 Pagesthe drinking age should be lowered to eighteen like most of the world or if it should stay at twenty-one. Underage drinking has been a major questionable issue for years, yet why is it not under control? Teenagers are continuing to buy alcohol with fake identification cards, getting into bars and drinking illegally. As a recent teen, I have proof that these things are going on not only in college but in high school as well. There are a lot of factors that come together to why the drinking age shouldRead MoreThe Generations Of People Who Were Born After 1984 Have1284 Words   |  6 Pages1984 have only known the minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) to be 21 years old. But, it was not so long ago when the minimum legal drinking age was 18. In 1984 Congress passed the MLDA Act as a result of the rise in drunk driving accidents involving teens and alcohol related deaths. This Act ultimately made the states raise their MLDA to 21 from 18 for fear of losing federal highway funds. There have been many debates about it and whether or not it should be lowered again. Many organizations, like StudentsRead MoreMinimum Legal Drinking Age Should Remain at the Age of 21 Essay1310 Words   |  6 PagesWithout a doubt, the United States has been facing serious national problems with underage drinking. Depending on personal ideologies, some people might not agree that the current minimum drinking age of twenty-one is based on scientific facts rather then ideology of prohibitionism. For example, since 1975 over seventeen thousand lives have been saved since the minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) was changed to age twenty-one (Balkin 167). This shows that even over a short amount of time, a higher MLDARead MoreThe Legal Drinking Age Should Not Be Lowered973 Words   |  4 Pages The Legal Age for Drinking Alcohol Should Not Be Lowered To 18 In the United States. Every state has the right to set its own legal drinking age. However, according to George Will in an article he wrote in the Washington Post about the legal drinking age, â€Å"drinking age paradox† â€Å"lowering the drinking age will cost the state ten percent of its federal highway funds and cause a significant uproar from contractors and construction unions.† It is therefore in the best interest of every citizenRead More The Drinking Age Should Not Be Lowered Essay1711 Words   |  7 Pagespile of empty beer cans filled the kitchen sink, and the deafening music rattled the window panes. A group of girls managed to stumble past us. They waved goodbye to the host, who was handing drinks to me and my sister. It was not my first time drinking. In fact, everyone there was quite experienced – after all, it’s college. Half of the guests were completely drunk, and I had no problem with it. That is, until later that night when my siste r locked herself in a room with a guy she had met onlyRead MoreThe Legal Drinking Age ( Mlda )1428 Words   |  6 Pagesabout a party. You would think that it’s another college party that could get out of hand fast, but he decides to go. People will party, and drink, whether it’s legal or not, so wouldn’t we want to make them as safe as possible for them? Since 1984 the legal drinking age has been 21, but that hasn’t stopped many of the younger adults, ages 18-20, from partying with their friends, and consuming alcoholic beverages. It has lasted over the years as a popular way to rebel against parents, or other authorityRead MoreThe Drinking Age Should Not Be Lowered1639 Words   |  7 PagesMost people would concur that alcohol should not be given to teenagers. Despite the fact that we concede to this essential truth, underage drinking is still a noteworthy issue in our nation. Since adolescents need development and information with regards to liquor , they put themselves, as well as others in incredible danger when they decide to consume. Regardless of the risk, there are individuals out there who believe that the drinking age should be lowered. However, their argument is weak, andRead MoreShould The Drinking Age Be Lowered?994 Words   |  4 PagesShould the Drinking Age Be Lowered? Approximately 2 out of every 3 high school students have drank to the point of getting intoxicated (binge drink), in more than one occasion (Centers for Disease and Control Prevention [CDC], n.d.). Binge drinking has become increasingly common for youth under the minimum legal drinking age, making it increasingly dangerous because of the lack of supervision that young adults have that can consequently, lead to death because of fear of the law (Bonnie O’Connell

The Lost Symbol Chapter 4-6 Free Essays

CHAPTER 4 The U.S. Capitol Building stands regally at the eastern end of the National Mall, on a raised plateau that city designer Pierre L’Enfant described as â€Å"a pedestal waiting for a monument. We will write a custom essay sample on The Lost Symbol Chapter 4-6 or any similar topic only for you Order Now † The Capitol’s massive footprint measures more than 750 feet in length and 350 feet deep. Housing more than sixteen acres of floor space, it contains an astonishing 541 rooms. The neoclassical architecture is meticulously designed to echo the grandeur of ancient Rome, whose ideals were the inspiration for America’s founders in establishing the laws and culture of the new republic. The new security checkpoint for tourists entering the Capitol Building is located deep within the recently completed subterranean visitor center, beneath a magnificent glass skylight that frames the Capitol Dome. Newly hired security guard Alfonso Nunez carefully studied the male visitor now approaching his checkpoint. The man had a shaved head and had been lingering in the lobby, completing a phone call before entering the building. His right arm was in a sling, and he moved with a slight limp. He was wearing a tattered army-navy surplus coat, which, combined with his shaved head, made Nunez guess military. Those who had served in the U.S. armed forces were among the most common visitors to Washington. â€Å"Good evening, sir,† Nunez said, following the security protocol of verbally engaging any male visitor who entered alone. â€Å"Hello,† the visitor said, glancing around at the nearly deserted entry. â€Å"Quiet night.† â€Å"NFC play-offs,† Nunez replied. â€Å"Everyone’s watching the Redskins tonight.† Nunez wished he were, too, but this was his first month on the job, and he’d drawn the short straw. â€Å"Metal objects in the dish, please.† As the visitor fumbled to empty the pockets of his long coat with his one working hand, Nunez watched him carefully. Human instinct made special allowances for the injured and handicapped, but it was an instinct Nunez had been trained to override. Nunez waited while the visitor removed from his pockets the usual assortment of loose change, keys, and a couple of cell phones. â€Å"Sprain?† Nunez asked, eyeing the man’s injured hand, which appeared to be wrapped in a series of thick Ace bandages. The bald man nodded. â€Å"Slipped on the ice. A week ago. Still hurts like hell.† â€Å"Sorry to hear that. Walk through, please.† The visitor limped through the detector, and the machine buzzed in protest. The visitor frowned. â€Å"I was afraid of that. I’m wearing a ring under these bandages. My finger was too swollen to get it off, so the doctors wrapped right over it.† â€Å"No problem,† Nunez said. â€Å"I’ll use the wand.† Nunez ran the metal-detection wand over the visitor’s wrapped hand. As expected, the only metal he detected was a large lump on the man’s injured ring finger. Nunez took his time rubbing the metal detector over every inch of the man’s sling and finger. He knew his supervisor was probably monitoring him on the closed circuit in the building’s security center, and Nunez needed this job. Always better to be cautious. He carefully slid the wand up inside the man’s sling. The visitor winced in pain. â€Å"Sorry.† â€Å"It’s okay,† the man said. â€Å"You can’t be too careful these days.† â€Å"Ain’t that the truth.† Nunez liked this guy. Strangely, that counted for a lot around here. Human instinct was America’s first line of defense against terrorism. It was a proven fact that human intuition was a more accurate detector of danger than all the electronic gear in the world–the gift of fear, as one of their security reference books termed it. In this case, Nunez’s instincts sensed nothing that caused him any fear. The only oddity that he noticed, now that they were standing so close, was that this tough-looking guy appeared to have used some kind of self-tanner or concealer makeup on his face. Whatever. Everyone hates to be pale in the winter. â€Å"You’re fine,† Nunez said, completing his sweep and stowing the wand. â€Å"Thanks.† The man started collecting his belongings from the tray. As he did, Nunez noticed that the two fingers protruding from his bandage each bore a tattoo; the tip of his index finger bore the image of a crown, and the tip of his thumb bore that of a star. Seems everyone has tattoos these days, Nunez thought, although the pads of his fingertips seemed like painful spots to get them. â€Å"Those tats hurt?† The man glanced down at his fingertips and chuckled. â€Å"Less than you might think.† â€Å"Lucky,† Nunez said. â€Å"Mine hurt a lot. I got a mermaid on my back when I was in boot camp.† â€Å"A mermaid?† The bald man chuckled. â€Å"Yeah,† he said, feeling sheepish. â€Å"The mistakes we make in our youth.† â€Å"I hear you,† the bald man said. â€Å"I made a big mistake in my youth, too. Now I wake up with her every morning.† They both laughed as the man headed off. Child’s play, Mal’akh thought as he moved past Nunez and up the escalator toward the Capitol Building. The entry had been easier than anticipated. Mal’akh’s slouching posture and padded belly had hidden his true physique, while the makeup on his face and hands had hidden the tattoos that covered his body. The true genius, however, was the sling, which disguised the potent object Mal’akh was transporting into the building. A gift for the one man on earth who can help me obtain what I seek. CHAPTER 5 The world’s largest and most technologically advanced museum is also one of the world’s best- kept secrets. It houses more pieces than the Hermitage, the Vatican Museum, and the New York Metropolitan . . . combined. Yet despite its magnificent collection, few members of the public are ever invited inside its heavily guarded walls. Located at 4210 Silver Hill Road just outside of Washington, D.C., the museum is a massive zigzag-shaped edifice constructed of five interconnected pods–each pod larger than a football field. The building’s bluish metal exterior barely hints at the strangeness within–a six-hundred- thousand-square-foot alien world that contains a â€Å"dead zone,† a â€Å"wet pod,† and more than twelve miles of storage cabinets. Tonight, scientist Katherine Solomon was feeling unsettled as she drove her white Volvo up to the building’s main security gate. The guard smiled. â€Å"Not a football fan, Ms. Solomon?† He lowered the volume on the Redskins play-off pregame show. Katherine forced a tense smile. â€Å"It’s Sunday night.† â€Å"Oh, that’s right. Your meeting.† â€Å"Is he here yet?† she asked anxiously. He glanced down at his paperwork. â€Å"I don’t see him on the log.† â€Å"I’m early.† Katherine gave a friendly wave and continued up the winding access road to her usual parking spot at the bottom of the small, two-tiered lot. She began collecting her things and gave herself a quick check in the rearview mirror–more out of force of habit than actual vanity. Katherine Solomon had been blessed with the resilient Mediterranean skin of her ancestry, and even at fifty years old she had a smooth olive complexion. She used almost no makeup and wore her thick black hair unstyled and down. Like her older brother, Peter, she had gray eyes and a slender, patrician elegance. You two might as well be twins, people often told them. Their father had succumbed to cancer when Katherine was only seven, and she had little memory of him. Her brother, eight years Katherine’s senior and only fifteen when their father died, had begun his journey toward becoming the Solomon patriarch much sooner than anyone had ever dreamed. As expected, though, Peter had grown into the role with the dignity and strength befitting their family name. To this day, he still watched over Katherine as though they were just kids. Despite her brother’s occasional prodding, and no shortage of suitors, Katherine had never married. Science had become her life partner, and her work had proven more fulfilling and exciting than any man could ever hope to be. Katherine had no regrets. Her field of choice–Noetic Science–had been virtually unknown when she first heard of it, but in recent years it had started opening new doors of understanding into the power of the human mind. Our untapped potential is truly shocking. Katherine’s two books on Noetics had established her as a leader in this obscure field, but her most recent discoveries, when published, promised to make Noetic Science a topic of mainstream conversation around the world. Tonight, however, science was the last thing on her mind. Earlier in the day, she had received some truly upsetting information relating to her brother. I still can’t believe it’s true. She’d thought of nothing else all afternoon. A pattering of light rain drummed on her windshield, and Katherine quickly gathered her things to get inside. She was about to step out of her car when her cell phone rang. She checked the caller ID and inhaled deeply. Then she tucked her hair behind her ears and settled in to take the call. Six miles away, Mal’akh was moving through the corridors of the U.S. Capitol Building with a cell phone pressed to his ear. He waited patiently as the line rang. Finally, a woman’s voice answered. â€Å"Yes?† â€Å"We need to meet again,† Mal’akh said. There was a long pause. â€Å"Is everything all right?† â€Å"I have new information,† Mal’akh said. â€Å"Tell me.† Mal’akh took a deep breath. â€Å"That which your brother believes is hidden in D.C. . . . ?† â€Å"Yes?† â€Å"It can be found.† Katherine Solomon sounded stunned. â€Å"You’re telling me–it is real?† Mal’akh smiled to himself. â€Å"Sometimes a legend that endures for centuries . . . endures for a reason.† CHAPTER 6 Is this as close as you can get?† Robert Langdon felt a sudden wave of anxiety as his driver parked on First Street, a good quarter mile from the Capitol Building. â€Å"Afraid so,† the driver said. â€Å"Homeland Security. No vehicles near landmark buildings anymore. I’m sorry, sir.† Langdon checked his watch, startled to see it was already 6:50. A construction zone around the National Mall had slowed them down, and his lecture was to begin in ten minutes. â€Å"Weather’s turning,† the driver said, hopping out and opening Langdon’s door for him. â€Å"You’ll want to hurry.† Langdon reached for his wallet to tip the driver, but the man waved him off. â€Å"Your host already added a very generous tip to the charge.† Typical Peter, Langdon thought, gathering his things. â€Å"Okay, thanks for the ride.† The first few raindrops began to fall as Langdon reached the top of the gracefully arched concourse that descended to the new â€Å"underground† visitors’ entrance. The Capitol Visitor Center had been a costly and controversial project. Described as an underground city to rival parts of Disney World, this subterranean space reportedly provided over a half-million square feet of space for exhibits, restaurants, and meeting halls. Langdon had been looking forward to seeing it, although he hadn’t anticipated quite this long a walk. The skies were threatening to open at any moment, and he broke into a jog, his loafers offering almost no traction on the wet cement. I dressed for a lecture, not a four-hundred-yard downhill dash through the rain! When he arrived at the bottom, he was breathless and panting. Langdon pushed through the revolving door, taking a moment in the foyer to catch his breath and brush off the rain. As he did, he raised his eyes to the newly completed space before him. Okay, I’m impressed. The Capitol Visitor Center was not at all what he had expected. Because the space was underground, Langdon had been apprehensive about passing through it. A childhood accident had left him stranded at the bottom of a deep well overnight, and Langdon now lived with an almost crippling aversion to enclosed spaces. But this underground space was . . . airy somehow. Light. Spacious. The ceiling was a vast expanse of glass with a series of dramatic light fixtures that threw a muted glow across the pearl-colored interior finishes. Normally, Langdon would have taken a full hour in here to admire the architecture, but with five minutes until showtime, he put his head down and dashed through the main hall toward the security checkpoint and escalators. Relax, he told himself. Peter knows you’re on your way. The event won’t start without you. At the security point, a young Hispanic guard chatted with him while Langdon emptied his pockets and removed his vintage watch. â€Å"Mickey Mouse?† the guard said, sounding mildly amused. Langdon nodded, accustomed to the comments. The collector’s edition Mickey Mouse watch had been a gift from his parents on his ninth birthday. â€Å"I wear it to remind me to slow down and take life less seriously.† â€Å"I don’t think it’s working,† the guard said with a smile. â€Å"You look like you’re in a serious hurry.† Langdon smiled and put his daybag through the X-ray machine. â€Å"Which way to the Statuary Hall?† The guard motioned toward the escalators. â€Å"You’ll see the signs.† â€Å"Thanks.† Langdon grabbed his bag off the conveyor and hurried on. As the escalator ascended, Langdon took a deep breath and tried to gather his thoughts. He gazed up through the rain-speckled glass ceiling at the mountainous form of the illuminated Capitol Dome overhead. It was an astonishing building. High atop her roof, almost three hundred feet in the air, the Statue of Freedom peered out into the misty darkness like a ghostly sentinel. Langdon always found it ironic that the workers who hoisted each piece of the nineteen-and-a-half-foot bronze statue to her perch were slaves–a Capitol secret that seldom made the syllabi of high school history classes. This entire building, in fact, was a treasure trove of bizarre arcana that included a â€Å"killer bathtub† responsible for the pneumonic murder of Vice President Henry Wilson, a staircase with a permanent bloodstain over which an inordinate number of guests seemed to trip, and a sealed basement chamber in which workers in 1930 discovered General John Alexander Logan’s long- deceased stuffed horse. No legends were as enduring, however, as the claims of thirteen different ghosts that haunted this building. The spirit of city designer Pierre L’Enfant frequently was reported wandering the halls, seeking payment of his bill, now two hundred years overdue. The ghost of a worker who fell from the Capitol Dome during construction was seen wandering the corridors with a tray of tools. And, of course, the most famous apparition of all, reported numerous times in the Capitol basement–an ephemeral black cat that prowled the substructure’s eerie maze of narrow passageways and cubicles. Langdon stepped off the escalator and again checked his watch. Three minutes. He hurried down the wide corridor, following the signs toward the Statuary Hall and rehearsing his opening remarks in his head. Langdon had to admit that Peter’s assistant had been correct; this lecture topic would be a perfect match for an event hosted in Washington, D.C., by a prominent Mason. It was no secret that D.C. had a rich Masonic history. The cornerstone of this very building had been laid in a full Masonic ritual by George Washington himself. This city had been conceived and designed by Master Masons–George Washington, Ben Franklin, and Pierre L’Enfant– powerful minds who adorned their new capital with Masonic symbolism, architecture, and art. Of course, people see in those symbols all kinds of crazy ideas. Many conspiracy theorists claimed the Masonic forefathers had concealed powerful secrets throughout Washington along with symbolic messages hidden in the city’s layout of streets. Langdon never paid any attention. Misinformation about the Masons was so commonplace that even educated Harvard students seemed to have surprisingly warped conceptions about the brotherhood. Last year, a freshman had rushed wild-eyed into Langdon’s classroom with a printout from the Web. It was a street map of D.C. on which certain streets had been highlighted to form various shapes–satanic pentacles, a Masonic compass and square, the head of Baphomet–proof apparently that the Masons who designed Washington, D.C., were involved in some kind of dark, mystical conspiracy. â€Å"Fun,† Langdon said, â€Å"but hardly convincing. If you draw enough intersecting lines on a map, you’re bound to find all kinds of shapes.† â€Å"But this can’t be coincidence!† the kid exclaimed. Langdon patiently showed the student that the same exact shapes could be formed on a street map of Detroit. The kid seemed sorely disappointed. â€Å"Don’t be disheartened,† Langdon said. â€Å"Washington does have some incredible secrets . . . just none on this street map.† The young man perked up. â€Å"Secrets? Like what?† â€Å"Every spring I teach a course called Occult Symbols. I talk a lot about D.C. You should take the course.† â€Å"Occult symbols!† The freshman looked excited again. â€Å"So there are devil symbols in D.C.!† Langdon smiled. â€Å"Sorry, but the word occult, despite conjuring images of devil worship, actually means `hidden’ or `obscured.’ In times of religious oppression, knowledge that was counterdoctrinal had to be kept hidden or `occult,’ and because the church felt threatened by this, they redefined anything `occult’ as evil, and the prejudice survived.† â€Å"Oh.† The kid slumped. Nonetheless, that spring, Langdon spotted the freshman seated in the front row as five hundred students bustled into Harvard’s Sanders Theatre, a hollow old lecture hall with creaking wooden benches. â€Å"Good morning, everybody,† Langdon shouted from the expansive stage. He turned on a slide projector, and an image materialized behind him. â€Å"As you’re getting settled, how many of you recognize the building in this picture?† â€Å"U.S. Capitol!† dozens of voices called out in unison. â€Å"Washington, D.C.!† â€Å"Yes. There are nine million pounds of ironwork in that dome. An unparalleled feat of architectural ingenuity for the 1850s.† â€Å"Awesome!† somebody shouted. Langdon rolled his eyes, wishing somebody would ban that word. â€Å"Okay, and how many of you have ever been to Washington?† A scattering of hands went up. â€Å"So few?† Langdon feigned surprise. â€Å"And how many of you have been to Rome, Paris, Madrid, or London?† Almost all the hands in the room went up. As usual. One of the rites of passage for American college kids was a summer with a Eurorail ticket before the harsh reality of real life set in. â€Å"It appears many more of you have visited Europe than have visited your own capital. Why do you think that is?† â€Å"No drinking age in Europe!† someone in back shouted. Langdon smiled. â€Å"As if the drinking age here stops any of you?† Everyone laughed. It was the first day of school, and the students were taking longer than usual to get settled, shifting and creaking in their wooden pews. Langdon loved teaching in this hall because he always knew how engaged the students were simply by listening to how much they fidgeted in their pews. â€Å"Seriously,† Langdon said, â€Å"Washington, D.C., has some of the world’s finest architecture, art, and symbolism. Why would you go overseas before visiting your own capital?† â€Å"Ancient stuff is cooler,† someone said. â€Å"And by ancient stuff,† Langdon clarified, â€Å"I assume you mean castles, crypts, temples, that sort of thing?† Their heads nodded in unison. â€Å"Okay. Now, what if I told you that Washington, D.C., has every one of those things? Castles, crypts, pyramids, temples . . . it’s all there.† The creaking diminished. â€Å"My friends,† Langdon said, lowering his voice and moving to the front of the stage, â€Å"in the next hour, you will discover that our nation is overflowing with secrets and hidden history. And exactly as in Europe, all of the best secrets are hidden in plain view.† The wooden pews fell dead silent. Gotcha. Langdon dimmed the lights and called up his second slide. â€Å"Who can tell me what George Washington is doing here?† The slide was a famous mural depicting George Washington dressed in full Masonic regalia standing before an odd-looking contraption–a giant wooden tripod that supported a rope-and- pulley system from which was suspended a massive block of stone. A group of well-dressed onlookers stood around him. â€Å"Lifting that big block of stone?† someone ventured. Langdon said nothing, preferring that a student make the correction if possible. â€Å"Actually,† another student offered, â€Å"I think Washington is lowering the rock. He’s wearing a Masonic costume. I’ve seen pictures of Masons laying cornerstones before. The ceremony always uses that tripod thing to lower the first stone.† â€Å"Excellent,† Langdon said. â€Å"The mural portrays the Father of Our Country using a tripod and pulley to lay the cornerstone of our Capitol Building on September 18, 1793, between the hours of eleven fifteen and twelve thirty.† Langdon paused, scanning the class. â€Å"Can anyone tell me the significance of that date and time?† Silence. â€Å"What if I told you that precise moment was chosen by three famous Masons–George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Pierre L’Enfant, the primary architect for D.C.?† More silence. â€Å"Quite simply, the cornerstone was set at that date and time because, among other things, the auspicious Caput Draconis was in Virgo.† Everyone exchanged odd looks. â€Å"Hold on,† someone said. â€Å"You mean . . . like astrology?† â€Å"Exactly. Although a different astrology than we know today.† A hand went up. â€Å"You mean our Founding Fathers believed in astrology?† Langdon grinned. â€Å"Big-time. What would you say if I told you the city of Washington, D.C., has more astrological signs in its architecture than any other city in the world–zodiacs, star charts, cornerstones laid at precise astrological dates and times? More than half of the framers of our Constitution were Masons, men who strongly believed that the stars and fate were intertwined, men who paid close attention to the layout of the heavens as they structured their new world.† â€Å"But that whole thing about the Capitol cornerstone being laid while Caput Draconis was in Virgo–who cares? Can’t that just be coincidence?† â€Å"An impressive coincidence considering that the cornerstones of the three structures that make up Federal Triangle–the Capitol, the White House, the Washington Monument–were all laid in different years but were carefully timed to occur under this exact same astrological condition.† Langdon’s gaze was met by a room full of wide eyes. A number of heads dipped down as students began taking notes. A hand in back went up. â€Å"Why did they do that?† Langdon chuckled. â€Å"The answer to that is an entire semester’s worth of material. If you’re curious, you should take my mysticism course. Frankly, I don’t think you guys are emotionally prepared to hear the answer.† â€Å"What?† the person shouted. â€Å"Try us!† Langdon made a show of considering it and then shook his head, toying with them. â€Å"Sorry, I can’t do that. Some of you are only freshmen. I’m afraid it might blow your minds.† â€Å"Tell us!† everyone shouted. Langdon shrugged. â€Å"Perhaps you should join the Masons or Eastern Star and learn about it from the source.† â€Å"We can’t get in,† a young man argued. â€Å"The Masons are like a supersecret society!† â€Å"Supersecret? Really?† Langdon remembered the large Masonic ring that his friend Peter Solomon wore proudly on his right hand. â€Å"Then why do Masons wear obvious Masonic rings, tie clips, or pins? Why are Masonic buildings clearly marked? Why are their meeting times in the newspaper?† Langdon smiled at all the puzzled faces. â€Å"My friends, the Masons are not a secret society . . . they are a society with secrets.† â€Å"Same thing,† someone muttered. â€Å"Is it?† Langdon challenged. â€Å"Would you consider Coca-Cola a secret society?† â€Å"Of course not,† the student said. â€Å"Well, what if you knocked on the door of corporate headquarters and asked for the recipe for Classic Coke?† â€Å"They’d never tell you.† â€Å"Exactly. In order to learn Coca-Cola’s deepest secret, you would need to join the company, work for many years, prove you were trustworthy, and eventually rise to the upper echelons of the company, where that information might be shared with you. Then you would be sworn to secrecy.† â€Å"So you’re saying Freemasonry is like a corporation?† â€Å"Only insofar as they have a strict hierarchy and they take secrecy very seriously.† â€Å"My uncle is a Mason,† a young woman piped up. â€Å"And my aunt hates it because he won’t talk about it with her. She says Masonry is some kind of strange religion.† â€Å"A common misperception.† â€Å"It’s not a religion?† â€Å"Give it the litmus test,† Langdon said. â€Å"Who here has taken Professor Witherspoon’s comparative religion course?† Several hands went up. â€Å"Good. So tell me, what are the three prerequisites for an ideology to be considered a religion?† â€Å"ABC,† one woman offered. â€Å"Assure, Believe, Convert.† â€Å"Correct,† Langdon said. â€Å"Religions assure salvation; religions believe in a precise theology; and religions convert nonbelievers.† He paused. â€Å"Masonry, however, is batting zero for three. Masons make no promises of salvation; they have no specific theology; and they do not seek to convert you. In fact, within Masonic lodges, discussions of religion are prohibited.† â€Å"So . . . Masonry is anti religious?† â€Å"On the contrary. One of the prerequisites for becoming a Mason is that you must believe in a higher power. The difference between Masonic spirituality and organized religion is that the Masons do not impose a specific definition or name on a higher power. Rather than definitive theological identities like God, Allah, Buddha, or Jesus, the Masons use more general terms like Supreme Being or Great Architect of the Universe. This enables Masons of different faiths to gather together.† â€Å"Sounds a little far-out,† someone said. â€Å"Or, perhaps, refreshingly open-minded?† Langdon offered. â€Å"In this age when different cultures are killing each other over whose definition of God is better, one could say the Masonic tradition of tolerance and open-mindedness is commendable.† Langdon paced the stage. â€Å"Moreover, Masonry is open to men of all races, colors, and creeds, and provides a spiritual fraternity that does not discriminate in any way.† â€Å"Doesn’t discriminate?† A member of the university’s Women’s Center stood up. â€Å"How many women are permitted to be Masons, Professor Langdon?† Langdon showed his palms in surrender. â€Å"A fair point. Freemasonry had its roots, traditionally, in the stone masons’ guilds of Europe and was therefore a man’s organization. Several hundred years ago, some say as early as 1703, a women’s branch called Eastern Star was founded. They have more than a million members.† â€Å"Nonetheless,† the woman said, â€Å"Masonry is a powerful organization from which women are excluded.† Langdon was not sure how powerful the Masons really were anymore, and he was not going to go down that road; perceptions of the modern Masons ranged from their being a group of harmless old men who liked to play dress-up . . . all the way to an underground cabal of power brokers who ran the world. The truth, no doubt, was somewhere in the middle. â€Å"Professor Langdon,† called a young man with curly hair in the back row, â€Å"if Masonry is not a secret society, not a corporation, and not a religion, then what is it?† â€Å"Well, if you were to ask a Mason, he would offer the following definition: Masonry is a system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols.† â€Å"Sounds to me like a euphemism for `freaky cult.’ â€Å" â€Å"Freaky, you say?† â€Å"Hell yes!† the kid said, standing up. â€Å"I heard what they do inside those secret buildings! Weird candlelight rituals with coffins, and nooses, and drinking wine out of skulls. Now that’s freaky!† Langdon scanned the class. â€Å"Does that sound freaky to anyone else?† â€Å"Yes!† they all chimed in. Langdon feigned a sad sigh. â€Å"Too bad. If that’s too freaky for you, then I know you’ll never want to join my cult.† Silence settled over the room. The student from the Women’s Center looked uneasy. â€Å"You’re in a cult?† Langdon nodded and lowered his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. â€Å"Don’t tell anyone, but on the pagan day of the sun god Ra, I kneel at the foot of an ancient instrument of torture and consume ritualistic symbols of blood and flesh.† The class looked horrified. Langdon shrugged. â€Å"And if any of you care to join me, come to the Harvard chapel on Sunday, kneel beneath the crucifix, and take Holy Communion.† The classroom remained silent. Langdon winked. â€Å"Open your minds, my friends. We all fear what we do not understand.† The tolling of a clock began echoing through the Capitol corridors. Seven o’clock. Robert Langdon was now running. Talk about a dramatic entrance. Passing through the House Connecting Corridor, he spotted the entrance to the National Statuary Hall and headed straight for it. As he neared the door, he slowed to a nonchalant stroll and took several deep breaths. Buttoning his jacket, he lifted his chin ever so slightly and turned the corner just as the final chime sounded. Showtime. As Professor Robert Langdon strode into the National Statuary Hall, he raised his eyes and smiled warmly. An instant later, his smile evaporated. He stopped dead in his tracks. Something was very, very wrong. How to cite The Lost Symbol Chapter 4-6, Essay examples

Water Ghost by Alfred Kubin Samples †MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the Water Ghost by Alfred Kubin. Answer: Every now and then one paints a picture that seems to have opened a door and serves as a stepping stone to other things. The above quoted lines of Pablo Picasso clearly indicates the nature of the painting Water Ghost by Alfred Kubin. Painting had its origin in the Pre-Historic times when the cavemen used to draw figures on the walls of the cave (Arnason and Mansfield 2013). However, in the recent times, the genre of painting has undergone much transformation in a bid to incorporate other branches of study within itself. The present definition of the art of painting has been adequately put into words by Orhan Pamuk in his book My Name is Red, Painting is the silence of thought and the music of sight (Pamuk 2010). Therefore, in the present day scenario painting is used to express the silent thoughts of the soul which cannot be expressed by words (Arnason and Mansfield 2013). To express the inexpressible the artists use various techniques like expressionism, impressionism, formalism and other forms of avant-garde styles (Kohle 2012). Afred Kubin was one of the pioneers of the techniques of Symbolism as w ell as Expressionism and his works are often considered to be potent representatives of these two genres of painting (GLUECK 2018). This essay intends to shed light on the painting Water Ghost of Alfred Kubin from its avant-garde and sublime perspective. Alfred Leopold Isidor Kubin (1877-1959), was an Austrian painter whose works are redolent with the qualities of the avant-garde art movement of his time like Symbolism, Expressionism and others (Galerie-altnoeder.com 2018). Much of his life he suffered from depression with two or three instances of nervous breakdown (Arnason and Mansfield 2013). He even attempted suicide on the grave of his mother. Thus, painting served in his life the same purpose as it did in the life of Frida Kahlo, I don't paint dreams or nightmares, I paint my own reality (Art criticism by eric wayne 2018). However, the real flowering of his art began with the influence of Max Klinger on his art which in his own words, a new art was thrown open to me, which offered free play for the imaginative expression of every conceivable world of feeling. Before putting the engravings away I swore that I would dedicate my life to the creation of similar works (Kubin 1973). This can be seen as his formal introduction to the avant-garde art movement of which he was to become a primary preacher. It is to be noted that most of the critics interpret his works like Water Ghost, Gateway to Hell, One Woman For All and others to be rather dark, spectral and full of his symbolic fantasies (Marks, Kubin and Landesmuseum 1977). Some critics even find influences of authors like Edgar Allan Poe, Kafka, Fyodor Dostoevsky, E.T.A. Hoffmann and others on his art works (Kohle 2012). According to these critics, in his works is found the same morbid reality as well as the infernal ugliness of the present day society as is found in the works of these writers and just like them he also takes the help of gothic machinery to convey his message (Kohle 2012). The Water Ghost is often considered to be the masterpiece of Albert Kubin (Marks, Kubin and Landesmuseum 1977). It is interesting to note that he was the only Austrian artists to be a member of the "Der Blaue Reiter" group and many people consider this painting to a product of the influence of that art group (Galerie-altnoeder.com 2018). In this particular painting, Kubin is trying to vent his own personal emotions through the medium of expressionism. This particular painting of Kubin is based on the ancient lore about the storm (Art criticism by eric wayne 2018). According to the ancient lore, there is one storm in the world and when that storm awakens it destroys everything in its path until its force is spent and it weakens down only to rise up again later when it has regained its strength (Kubin 1973). In this ancient lore, he introduces the figure of the ghost, who is actually the element behind the force of the storm. The ghost seems to be wearing the storm just like one wears a cloak or a garb in everyday life. Many critics believe the ghost to be a representation of the emotional turbulence faced by Kubin right from his childhood and especially after the death of his mother (Arnason and Mansfield 2013). On the other hand, there are others who consider the painting to be mere pastime work of the artist and think that there is no hidden meaning in the work (Arnason and Mansfield 2013). However, Kuhins own opinion about the meaning of the painting is significant here, You might as well ask an artist to explain his art, or ask a poet to explain his poem. It defeats the purpose. The meaning is only clear thorough the search (Art criticism by eric wayne 2018). On the other hand, there are some critics to consider this painting to be one of the earliest manifestations of Surrealism (Arnason and Mansfield 2013). Therefore, it can be said that this particular painting of Alfred Kubin represents the characteristics which were typical of the avant-garde movement of his time. A work of art is said to be sublime when it is of unparalleled beauty or of great excellence. The painting Water Ghost of Alfred Kubin is one such art work which reaches the genre of sublime (Arnason and Mansfield 2013). It is a sublime work of art not only because of the beauty of the work or for the fine execution of the work but also for the sublime meaning which the artist has tried to conveyed through the painting. In this painting, the artist through the metaphor of the storm and the anecdote of the ghost used in the ancient lore is trying to portray the inner storm which is continuously going on in the inner consciousness of each individual on this planet (Art criticism by eric wayne 2018). The human mind becomes the world in this particular painting and the ghost becomes the representation of the human consciousness. Thus, it can be said that the painting achieves the quality of sublimity by virtue of the meaning which it is trying to portray. Therefore, from the above discussion it becomes clear that Alfred Kubin was one of the greatest painters of Austria who did not receive much of critical acclaim which was his due within his lifetime. He is often considered to be a pioneer of the avant-garde movement in painting and its related movements like Expressionism, Symbolism, Surrealism and various others. His Water Ghost is often considered to be a fine exhibition of his expressionistic techniques. References Arnason, H.H. and Mansfield, E., 2013.History of modern art: painting, sculpture, architecture, photography. Pearson. Art criticism by eric wayne. 2018.Eerie Alfred Kubin: Forgotten Pioneer of Symbolism, Expressionism, and Surrealism. [online] Available at: https://artofericwayne.com/2018/01/29/eerie-alfred-kubin-forgotten-pioneer-of-symbolism-expressionism-and-surrealism/ [Accessed 5 Mar. 2018]. Artnet.com. 2018.Alfred Kubin | artnet. [online] Available at: https://www.artnet.com/artists/alfred-kubin/ [Accessed 5 Mar. 2018]. Galerie-altnoeder.com. 2018.Alfred Kubin - Galerie Altnder Salzburg. [online] Available at: https://www.galerie-altnoeder.com/kubin.html [Accessed 5 Mar. 2018]. GLUECK, G. 2018.ART: ALFRED KUBIN SHOW A LESSON IN FANTASY. [online] Nytimes.com. Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/1983/03/25/arts/art-alfred-kubin-show-a-lesson-in-fantasy.html?pagewanted=all [Accessed 5 Mar. 2018]. Kohle, H., 2012. Nightmareanxietyapocalypse. The Uncanny and Catastrophic in the art of Modernism. Kubin, A., 1973.From my workshop.German paperback publisher. Marks, A., Kubin, A. and Landesmuseum, O., 1977.Illustrator Alfred Kubin: Complete catalog of his illustrations and book art works.Ed.Spangenberg. Pamuk, O., 2010.My name is Red(Vol. 331). Everyman's Library.

Potential Causes of Global Warming

Bill of Rights

Bill of Rights In the United States, the Bill of Rights refers to the first ten constitutional amendments. The constitution was amended to safeguard the natural rights of liberty and material goods.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Bill of Rights specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Through the bill of rights, an individual is assured of a number of personal freedoms, including the right to own property, the right to life, right of protection from the law, freedom of movement, freedom of association and the freedom of speech. Moreover, the bill o rights limit the power of the central government regarding the independence of the judiciary. Subsequent amendments allowed states and the public to have some rights and freedoms that could not be denied. The amendments originally applied to the federal government only, but the Fourteenth Amendment allowed various states to apply the bill of rights (Davies, 750). The bill of rights plays a crit ical role in the United States because they define the relationship between the government and the populace. The governor is expected to behave in a certain manner while the governed has various rights and responsibilities (Brinkley 12). Based on the ideas of John Locke, the civil society should be created to protect the private property meaning that the bill of rights plays an important role of safeguarding the wealth of various individuals. In the state of nature, Locke was of the view that each person is free and equal implying that natural rights cannot be separated from an individual. For instance, the right to life cannot be denied because it defines an individual. The state should always make sure that the right of each is protected. This would not have been achieved without a constitutional order. Therefore, the bill of rights was drafted to safeguard the interests of individuals. The populace should always be the ultimate authority because it elects leaders. The government of the day has the legal responsibility of protecting the rights of individuals. These rights are mainly found in the bill of rights. Any government that fails to protect the fundamental right of an individual should cease to exist. The main reason why the bill of rights was written was to prevent it from the powers of the central government. The bill of rights could be scrapped in case it remained unwritten because the power of the central government was growing. The way the constitution was drafted would open the way for to totalitarianism meaning that the president would have adequate powers over the ruled. He would easily order the arrest of individuals and seizure of property (Brinkley 88). The English bill of rights differed in a number of ways with the American version. The American version aimed at addressing the rights of individuals as represented by the legislature against the crown. In this regard, it had to be written, unlike the English version, which was unwritten.Adv ertising Looking for essay on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Drafters of the constitution based their argument on the violation of civil rights during and after the Revolution since the British unleashed terror to citizens even though unwritten constitutional order preventing the government from using force existed (Levy 26). The bill of rights was viewed as one of the national unifying factor hence it had to be written. The English bill of rights contained clauses on the right to petition, independent judiciary and, freedom of speech. Americans needed something different regarding the right to petition because a number of individuals were not allowed to participate in a democratic process. The Fourth Amendment, which states that the state security agencies should not infringe the rights of an individual through unreasonable search and seizure, is the most important. The law requires that an individual be g iven an arrest warrant before being searched. Moreover, the arrest warrant must be supported by probable cause meaning that the state security forces must provide adequate evidence showing that an individual indeed committed a crime before being arrested. The law was formulated specifically to contain the behaviour of the colonial government, which would conduct a search without an adequate reason. In this process, an individual would be injured while his or her property would be destroyed. The court should conduct a critical review of evidence before issuing an arrest warrant meaning that the state security agencies have no permission to enter private premises. In the Fourth Amendment, the meaning of search is outlined. In this regard, the right to privacy should always be considered when searching a premise or frisking an individual. Regarding seizure, the security agencies are prohibited from taking away private property to be used as evidence. Arresting an individual and holding him or her in a police custody amounts to seizure. However, ordinary police checks, such as traffic inspection, do not result to arrest. Whenever security forces conduct search the premises of an individual, it is expected that they should uncover a criminal activity (Schultz 74). This is referred to as the probable cause meaning that the search and subsequent seizure should bear fruits. If the search were unsuccessful, the rights of individual would have been violated. The individual would have the right to demand compensation for any injury or damage caused. Brinkley, Alan. American History: A survey. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 1999. Print.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Bill of Rights specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Davies, Thomas. Recovering the Original Fourth Amendment. Michigan Law Review, 98.3 (1999), 547–750. Print. Levy, Williams. Seasoned Judgments: The American Constitution, Rights, and History. New York: Transaction Publishers, 1995. Print. Schultz, David. Encyclopaedia of the United States Constitution. New York: InfoBase Publishing, 2009. Print.

Tidball's Category of Churches (Discussion) Assignment

Tidball's Category of Churches (Discussion) - Assignment Example Indeed these classifications of church made by Tidball (2008) bears some substance because their existence has confirmed their legitimacy. The main theme of his book is to lay emphasis on the importance of church in mission today as well as ministry today. In the present times, various churches have become endangered due to their dispersed geographical location around the world. Not all cultures are welcoming and may show hostility towards church expansion or ministry work. In any case, the functioning of a ministry is greatly impacted by the culture in which it operates. Culture is an important factor when considering how a ministry operates in a particular environment. The cultural context plays a dominant role because churches operating in different circumstances and settings are characterized by a specific pattern of functionality. This pattern of operation may be distinct in many cases and thus, culturally driven churches are likely to have a different model of working. What Tidball (2008) has tried to communicate is that the cultural context is significant in determining the specific model being followed in a particular church. The endangered church is widely reflected in the Epistle of Jude and 2 Peter. Similarly, references of a despised church and compromised church are present in 1 Peter and John’s letters respectively. Tidball (2008) has explored ministry quite extensively as they are referenced in the New Testament. Tidball (2008) has laos considered the cultural and environmental context in which they operated where they sometimes involved an unwelcoming atmosphere. The main point which Tidball (2008) has tried to explain is that ministry work should be guided by the gospels and the New Testament. The New testament contains a wide range of cultural environments where churches operated during a particular period of time. Hence,

Rivane Neuenschwander Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Rivane Neuenschwander - Term Paper Example Rivane Neuenschwander Every visible form is capable of suggesting some deeper meaning to an audience at varying levels of meaning regardless of the intentions of the artist. This is because art is not perceived to be the static element it was once considered just as the audience is no longer thought to be merely passive observers. Instead, it is a constant interaction between the artist and the viewer, between what the artist created and how the viewer interprets based on his or her own experiences, understandings and context and how the ‘canvas’ interacts with the element of time and the various forms of media available today. The postmodern movement, with its emphasis on illuminating the sublime, brought these ideas to the forefront leading eventually to today’s trend to engage more of the viewer’s senses in this interaction. Rather than simply paint on canvas or a marble sculpture, art today often involves a number of different elements including some consideration of the element of time and audience reaction/interaction. For this reason, it is often possible to walk into a museum of modern art and be confronted with scenes that confound the senses but do not necessarily conform to traditional general concepts of art. In the artwork of Rivane Neunschwander, for example, knowing the history of the artist or the art form and the creative process involved in making it can help to pave the way toward understanding or even participation. Once these elements of the work are understood, a greater appreciation for the work can be achieved and analysis can be more complete.

Project Management and Leadership in Construction Company

Project Management and Leadership in Construction Company Management There are several key elements that contribute to the success of any organization good management, inspirational leadership, proper service-orientation, and economic stability. Today, little emphasis is placed on the study of an organization’s infrastructure, function, and employees’ behaviors as they relate to successful accomplishment of the organization’s goals. Rather, these concepts are typically taken at face value and accepted for what they are. Employees work and accomplish at a minimum what needs to be done. Within the last century or so studies relating to behavior in organizations began to increasingly emerge resulting in the theoretical framework of this field. The three most notable facets of this framework includes: scientific management, human relations movement and bureaucracy. (Greenberg and Baron, p.12-14). This paper will provide brief information on the theoretical framework of an organization’s structures which in turn will provide an overview of types of management/leadership styles, an assessment of the New York City Department of Design and Construction’s (NYCDDC) style of management, and my personal management preference. According to Greenberg and Baron, one of the earliest pioneers in the study of behavior in organizations, Frederick Winslow Taylor, an engineer, sought ways to change the ineptitudes of employees. His research, the concept of scientific management, â€Å"not only identified ways to design manual labor jobs more efficiently, but also emphasized carefully selecting and training people to perform them.† The second facet of the theoretical framework, the human relations movement, was founded by Elton W. Mayo, an organizational scientist and consultant. The human relations movement â€Å"emphasized the social conditions existing in organizationsthe way employees are treated by management and the relationships they have with each other – influence job performance.† Bureaucracy, the third facet, was initiated by Max Weber, a sociologist. This form of organization is governed by a â€Å"set of applied rules that keep higher-ranking organization officials in charge of lower-ranking workers, who fulfill the duties assigned to them.† (Greenberg and Baron, p.12-14) Today, at least one form of the theoretical framework can be found in any existing organization, and, each form comes with a different type of management leadership style within the organization. So then, what is management? Management, as defined by the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary as, â€Å"the conducting or supervising of something (as a business or people).† Management) Managers are endowed with the power to lead their organization. They must share that power in conjunction with other leaders in other parts of the organization and wield that power successfully over a designated staff within the organizational hierarchy. Since no one individual is gifted with precise knowledge on every topic, managers must: possess their own particular area of expertise, have an understanding of general organizational psychology, consistently offer creative thinking and innovative views on current issues facing the organization at different levels and guide (supervise) and motivate their team effectively along a predetermined path that will meet their corporate goals in order to insure the success of the entire organization. But not all managers supervise their staff in the same way. The different management leadership styles are noted in the Every Manager’s Desk Reference by Penguin Group, Inc. Some of the styles include: â€Å"dictatorship, the ‘almost’ democracy, the partnership and the transformational leadership.† According to the Every Manager’s Desk Reference In a dictatorship, managers, tend to keep decision- making powers and most critical knowledge to themselves. In the ‘almost’ democracy, the leader â€Å"strives to make sure the group is well informed and participating in the direction of the team as a whole.† In a partnership, the lines between the leader and the members of the group are blurred. The leader â€Å"becomes just one of the group.† And, in the case of the transformational leader, the leader â€Å"goes beyond trying to keep individuals and team performing at the status quohe/she is .one who has the power to bring about change in team members and the organization as a whole. (Penguin Group, Inc., p. 309-312) The theoretical framework and management style employed by an organization determines whether or not it is effectively leading its staff, enhancing and improving the morale and the overall work environment; and, thereby increasing productivity and output quality by employees. Based on some of the characteristics listed by Greenberg and Baron, which includes, â€Å"Formal rules and regulations; Division of Labor; Hierarchical structure; Authority structure, etc†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Greenberg and Baron, p.14), the theoretical framework employed by the NYCDDC is that of a bureaucracy and a â€Å"directive leadership† style of management. Under a directive leadership, the managers â€Å"give specific guidance to their subordinates.† However, there are limitations associated with the directive leadership style of management because it can be â€Å"redundant, less effective and can reduce a worker’s satisfactions.† (12 Manage Premium, 2009) Additionally, adherence to the agency’s policies and procedures are a strict requirement. There is also a partnership style that applies within the NYCDDC’s various divisions/units. It is essential for all units of the agency to work cohesively together to ensure the agency’s mission, goals and objective of safe, successful, and expeditious completion of projects are met. The day to day management of any organization is one of the most essential factors that will either result in the success of that organization or to its eventual demise. In support of the above statement, Chris Lauer, in his book, â€Å"The Management Gurus,† states, â€Å"Who you are determines what you see and the way you see it†¦and who you are determines how you see others.† (Lauer, p 8) Although, the agency employs the directive leadership method, the style of management most applicable to my personality is, â€Å"the ‘almost’ democracy.† My work ethic parallels the basic characteristics of this style. I encourage â€Å"participation from all team members and welcome their opinions in setting new goals, procedures and direction for the unit.† (Penguin Group, Inc., p.310-311) This form of management creates a trusting environment between management and staff because it welcomes and encourages communication of staff views and ideas. All viable ideas are openly considered. With this style, any given team is motivated to do what is best for the team and for the organization as a whole while displaying adaptability and openness to ideas from peers. This style of management declares that an open line of communication is imperative to the successful relationship between management and staff, but, notes that management is still the leader and must have the final say on any matter without being necessarily obligated to explain its decisions. An assessment of my work ethic corroborate that I utilize â€Å"the almost democratic† style of management when managing my group. My overall personality characteristics reflect openness. I freely admit to not being knowledgeable in every topic. I welcome, encourage and respect the views of others. I can explain decisions I make without hesitation should they come into question. But, I have no difficultly asserting my role as the manager of my group. Overall, I believe that a strong work ethic, two-way communications, an innate trust and a shared common goal to succeed are key principles for positive group dynamics. I also strongly acknowledge individual success and outstanding performances as well as the shared success of the group. I believe that when the manager shares his/her success with the whole team the relationship between management and staff is strengthened and enhanced. The almost democratic style of management has its drawbacks. The line between management and staff can be precarious at times. For example, the staff can develop several creative ideas and suggestions concerning how to improve and increase employee morale. Although some suggestions can and will be taken into consideration and possibly utilized, a contributing member of the team might feel slighted if his or her idea is not adopted. That employee might possibly be offended by the final decision made by management which might result in that employee feeling less motivated. In conclusion, the theoretical framework of management I have outlined acknowledges the three organizational structures: scientific management or division of labor; human relations movement or people oriented; and, the bureaucratic method where managerial emphasis is placed on policies and procedures to run the organization. Along with these facets an array of management styles have been established and employed by managers throughout time. While the NYCDDC employs the bureaucratic management framework and the directive leadership and partnership styles of management, I follow the same organizational framework, but utilize the â€Å"almost democratic† style of management. However, I also, acknowledge that no manager can agree to use only one style of management at all times. Different situations, different groups of people and different tasks require different management styles at any given time. Deviation from the norm will be necessary for success to be accomplished. But, overall, a manager who tends to stay true to what works best for them and his/her subordinates will be viewed as consistent and reliable. My intentions are, whenever possible, to stay true to myself and my staff. The Organization As defined by Jerald Greenberg and Robert Baron in their book, â€Å"Behavior in Organizations,† an organization is â€Å"a structured social system consisting of groups and individuals working together to meet some agreed-upon objectives.† (Greenberg Baron, p.5) However, an organization is much more complex than what this simplistic definition seems to imply. Because it is a society of persons working together, the internal management of the individual steps necessary to attain the overall goals of the organization and the abilities of the managers and specialized workers are intrinsically linked together in order to determine the success or failure of that organization. The essence of any organization lies within its infrastructure. History The New York City Department of Design and Construction (NYCDDC) was established in 1996, with the objective of providing â€Å"design and construction expertise to over 20 City agencies.† (10th Anniversary Magazine Supplement, DDC, 1996, p.1) When originally established and this practice continues to date, the agency is a cultivated agency with the majority of its employees coming from two sister city agencies: the New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection. (NYCDEP) The NYC Department of Transportation (NYCDOT): City agency responsible for any work related to bridges and roadways, including the rehabilitation and reconstruction of them. The NYC Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP): City agency responsible for any work related to water mains, storm and sanitary sewers, including the rehabilitation and reconstruction of them. The relationship among these three agencies is that the NYCDDC is the managing agency for the NYCDOT and NYCDEP projects dealing with â€Å"design and construction related to roadways, sewers, water mains, correctional and court facilities; cultural institutions; libraries; and other public building, facilities and structures†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (DDC, 2006, p.ii) Management Philosophy/Style The New York City Department of Design and Construction (NYCDDC) employs over 1,200 employees in numerous professions, including architects, engineers, estimators, project managers, communications and community outreach, auditors and outside consultants. The scope of responsibilities of the 1,200 plus employees is divided into two groups: Design and Construction; the Design Staff covers all five boroughs while the Construction Staff is divided into divisions: Infrastructure and Structure Divisions. The Infrastructure and Structure Divisions’ staff are divided into New York City’s five boroughs: Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island and Manhattan. Although, there is an overall leadership team for the agency, each borough consists of a borough director that administers the day to day operations of his/her respective borough. Although some materials covered in this paper are reflective on the NYCDDC as a whole entity, but, the primary focus will be on the Infrastructure Division. The NYCDDC headquarters is located in Queens at 30-30 Thomson Avenue, Long Island City, New York, 11101, where it currently occupies four floors – the 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 5th floors. While there is an overall bureaucratic management structure that governs the agency and because of the physical structure of the agency, various management philosophies are employed at the headquarters location and the satellite or borough offices. Yet these different, but cohesive, philosophies are essential for the successful governance of the agency. For example, there is a directive leadership that governs the overall agency structure, but, also evident is a partnership amongst units such as the Design and the Office of Community Outreach and Notification Units. Directive leadership is the overall management style of the NYCDDC. Direction and management decisions come from the top and trickle down the organizational chart from management to key supervisory staff. This is internally the same for each unit within the agency and is based on the policies and procedures that must be followed. For example: each borough has a chain of command that is headed by the Borough Director. He/she directs his/her immediate staff (Deputy Borough Director and Borough level staff) on agency philosophy, key initiatives, changes or additions to current policy as well as what to do and how to perform their duties/tasks. These directives are then passed on to the Engineers-In-Charge, then onto the project support staff. The Borough Director oversees all projects in his/her borough and provides the consent/approval for most day to day operations. In addition, the borough director also has a chain of command that must be followed. Certain decisions/approvals have to be reviewed by subordinates as they travel up his/her chain of command: Assistant Commissioner, Associate Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, and Commissioner. The numbers of approvals that are required from the members of the hierarchy depend on the scope of the issue. The Office of Community Outreach and Notification’s (OCON) staff are comprised of the Director, Deputy Director, Citywide Construction Liaisons, Community Board and Small Business Service Liaisons, Executive Assistant and Graphic Artist. They work in tandem with each of the Borough Office’s Staff – Director, Deputy Directory, Engineers-In-Charge, Resident Engineers, Project Liaisons, and Office Management. This direct partnership between the two entities facilitates the exchange of information necessary to keep all individual projects moving forward. This partnership also helps to address and eliminate any and all complaints and concerns of the affected communities where the work will be or is being performed. Mission The New York City Department of Design and Construction’s (NYCDDC) mission, â€Å"To Deliver The City’s Construction Project In A Safe, Expeditious, And Cost-Effective Manner While Maintaining The Highest Degree Of Architectural Engineering, And Construction Quality.†(DDC, 2006, p.i) With such an overreaching and specific mission statement, all of the organization’s personnel must strive on a daily basis to meet the fundamental goals and objectives set forth by the agency. Goals A goal is defined define as, â€Å"the end toward which effort is directed.† (Goal. 2009) The goals of the NYCDDC are, to build and upgrade the infrastructure and public spaces provided by local government in order to ensure the health, safety as well as the economy of the City of New York. Objectives Objectives are defined as, â€Å"something that ones efforts or actions are intended to attain or accomplish; purpose; goal; target.† (Houghton Mifflin Company, 1995) The objectives of the NYCDDC are, to continue to achieve and maintain excellence in design and construction while adhering to safety and quality standards. The NYCDDC achieves its goals and objectives by continually recruiting and employing highly trained and certified professionals of all disciplines including engineering, architecture, construction management and administration. (DDC, 2006, p.ii) Internal Systems: Strengths and Weaknesses For any organization to succeed it is equally important to provide excellent goods and services to its clients while reviewing and addressing elements its internal infrastructure-the strength and weaknesses of the organization and its personnel. Human Resources: Paid and Unpaid The New York City Department of Design and Construction (NYCDDC) currently staffs approximately 1,200 plus paid employees providing skills needed to execute the daily requirements of projects in the design and construction phases in a timely and efficient manner. In addition to its full-time paid personnel, the agency also offers both paid and unpaid summer internships to students in all areas of the agency’s current working environment. General consensus among workers is they are underpaid and overworked. Employees of NYC agencies are hired under a particular title that comes with an associated salary range. The same rule of thumb applies when employed by the NYCDDC. An employee’s salary is based on the range to which that title has a minimum and maximum amount; if through an employee’s tenure that he or she max out at the range and still in the position hired then he or she will remain at that salary until their unions get involved. The City’s employee unions attempt to compensate its members with percentage and cost of living raises as contracts are renegotiated. Merit raises are sometimes awarded, although, they are few and far in-between. There are occasions when employees are asked to perform tasks beyond their normal required duties. In these cases grievances are usually filed in order to be compensated for out of title work. Additionally, employees of NYC agencies enjoy good job security as it is rare that city workers are removed from their positions. Interns at the NYCDDC experience a cross section of the daily tasks performed at the agency. These internships can often result in promoting the desire of a potential engineer or architect, or changing the focus to a completely different specialty or field. Committees and/or Boards The New York City Department of Design and Construction (NYCDDC) perform its duties under a chain-of-command organizational chart that clearly delineates the units, ranking of officials and the required approval process. Figure I illustrate the overall chain of command for the agency’s various units and Figure II illustrates the overall chain-of-command for the NYCDDC Infrastructure Division’s OCON unit. (See Appendix for the NYCDDC’s Organizational Charts). The NYCDDC’s strength lies in the vested time in developing and maintaining its infrastructure so that the agency could meet its goals and requirements without confusion or question of direct authority. However, the agency’s weakness is noted when at times, even in a structured environment, that things can be overlooked or tasks mistakenly believed to be the responsibilities of another department. Formal And Informal Groups Several formal groups exist at the New York City Department of Design and Construction (NYCDDC) which enhances the overall environment of the agency. These groups include Design and Construction Procurement Services or the Agency Chief Contracting Officer (ACCO). This group is responsible for â€Å"ensuring that the NYCDDC procures goods, services and construction in conformance with City regulations.† (DDC, 2006. p.31) The Project Review Service Unit consists of the agency’s architects and engineers who provide the creativity and oversight of a project in the design stages. The Office of Sustainable Design unit â€Å"identifies and implements cost-effective ways to promote greater environmental responsibility in building design.† (DDC, 2006. p.31) The Research and Development Unit studies â€Å"innovative technologies, construction materials, methodologies and management strategies to improve the design and construction of buildings and infrastructure in New York City.† (DDC, 2006, p.31) The Performance Metrics is when the NYCDDC utilizes the â€Å"Key Performance Indicator (KPI) program† to process the â€Å"Inter-related databases that maintain information about the agency’s projects, contracts, payments and support functions, as well as a multi-level reporting system which extracts data on critical processes in the agency’s operating divisions and presents it in an easy-to-read, yet comprehensive format.† (DDC, 2006, p.31) The Quality Assurance and Construction Safety Unit oversees that safety procedure are adhered to in every aspect of the project for all of the agency’s projects. The Geographical Information Services works with and utilizes the Geographic Information System (GIS). This system allows the agency to clearly oversee the project dimensions of all projects locations on an electronic map and allows the agency to appropriate coordinate their work with other entities. The Technical Supports group works prior to the onset of construction. They conduct investigations, monitor and provide information on â€Å"asbestos, lead, and other environmental contaminants†¦provide research, analyses and survey preparation for property-line, damage and acquisition, new buildings and all roadway, water and sewer projects.† (DDC, 2006, p.31) The Percent for Art Unit works with the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs to integrate arts into a project scope. And, the Peer Review program promotes and enables review and open discussion from the agency’s staff on design issues. (DDC, 2006, p.31) Informal Groups Whether at the New York City Department of Design and Construction (NYCDDC) headquarter office or at the borough office level, the agency encourages frequent informal group discussions. Among the groups are the lunch groups who meet on a daily basis to discuss socio-political-economical issues and the ethnic groups that celebrate religious and national milestones, etc. The strength of the NYCDDC lies both in its employees and in the groups listed above. The presence of both the formal and informal groups enhances, strengthens and excites the overall agency culture. The experience of attending these groups helps to encourage and educate all staff members to address the myriad of concerns the agency faces and promotes cultural diversity; this ensures that each employee feels welcome and accepted as part of his/her work environment. This acceptance helps to alleviate employee stress. As with any organization with such a varied cross-section of personnel, the weaknesses lies in conflicts of many kinds that can occur especially when employees allow personal issues to overrule their professionalism. Therefore, for that organization to be successful it must rely heavily on each individual staff member pulling his/her weight and performing to the best of his/her ability. Material Resources The New York City Department of Design and Construction (NYCDDC) provide an array of free public information materials for the communities they serve and educational materials for its employees. Prior to the onset and for the duration of most projects, the NYCDDC-Office of Community Outreach and Notification (OCON) releases several public information printed resource materials including: Start-Up Advisory Notice which provides essential project information distributed to all affected parties prior to the onset of any project; Project Brochure is the medium used to provide a detailed overview of the project; Bi-Monthly Newsletters provides an update on the project status Work Operation Notices provides all affected parties with work operations that may affect their daily routines including water shut-offs and so forth; Bus Cards are handouts that provides information to affected bus rides if a bus route will be affected because of a project and so forth. The education materials are designed to provide NYCDDC employees with essential information. Some materials include: Employees Manual which Provides employees with all the essential rules for being a successful employee of the agency; the Design Consultant Guide provides vital information including the goals and objectives on the design phases for all of the agency structures projects; the Design Construction Excellence: How the City is Improving its Capital Program is a publication that provides a review and explains the policy changes that were implemented and provides information of design and construction projects. The NYCDDC is a proactive agency that provides the community and its employees with an array of vital information and assistance. This sensitivity illustrates how important the agency values its image and credibility. A major concern is that the information provided to the user is easily accessible, comprehensive and understood by all. A weakness that applies is a manual should be applicable and understanding to all the agency’s personnel rather than a selected group. Constraints Due to its configuration, the New York City Department of Design and Construction (NYCDDC) have both structural and human constraints. Structural. The NYCDDC currently occupies by means of rental, four floors at its current location and has five respective borough offices. This is a costly endeavor for the agency because it has occupancy is five borough offices rather than one. Human (Political, Relationships) The NYCDDC currently employees over 1,200 employees in its overall structure. There are some noted political affiliations; for example, the agency’s Commissioner is appointed by the Mayor of the City of New York. More of than not, if an employee can assist in any means to find advance the career of a friend, associate, acquaintance, then that employee will assist in what means he or she can. There are often scheduling conflicts when planning meetings. These conflicts lead to delays in actions that may need to be taken thus inhibiting the progression of an issue. Additionally, because of the locations of most of the borough offices, traffic and parking are major issues. Because of the five borough offices, more often than not, relationships are formed through emails and telephones. Therefore, personal contact with coworkers is being eradicated at a hasty pace. Relationship To External Systems Collaborative Agreement with Outside Agencies on City/ Local State and Federal Levels. The New York City Department of Design and Construction (NYCDDC) has and maintain collaborative relationships with many municipal entities. These collaborations are essential to the daily operation of the agency’s work flow and for the successful completion of projects. The NYCDDC receives funding from these entities based on the client agency’s annual budget allowances and its specific objectives to be achieved. Accurate accounting is kept of how the monies are spent. There are times when an overrun will occur and additional funds are necessary for the completion of a project; an under-run also can occur when funds remain after the completion of a project. The municipalities, the NYCDDC collaborates which includes: the NYC Comptroller keeps count of all finances and provides oversight to ensure the proper ethical procedures are being adhered to. The Borough Presidents and the NYC Council are entities that collaborate with the agency’s project management on issues dealing with land and zoning matters or if these entities funded any project within their borough or district. The Client Agencies include several external agencies that work with the NYCDDC; these external agencies includes the twenty plus NYC agency clients including: Departments of Children’s Services, Environmental Protection, Parks and Recreation, Transportation and so forth; NYS Office of Court Administration; Office of the Chief Medical Examiner; New York, Queens and Brooklyn Public Libraries, and so forth where the NYCDDC manages the projects from the initial steps in design to the final stages in construction for the projects set forth by these agencies. The Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget provides the NYCDDC with services ensuring all finance related issues dealing with a project are dealt with properly and without conflicts. The NYCDOB is the city agency that provides the NYCDDC with any/all necessary and applicable permits for some projects to occur. The Mayor’s Office of Contract Services ensures that any project bidding operation is done in a fair manner with an open competition amongst contractors providing the opportunity for no conflicts of interest to happen. The NYCDDC collaborates with the fifty-nine NYC Community Boards to hold public meetings with their constituents when a project is being planned for their community. At these meetings, residents’ are given a presentation about the project and its impact on the community. An open forum follows so that concerns and opinions are addressed. The Utilities companies gas, electric, cable and telephone services is a very vital relationship. Clear, proactive cooperation ensures the progression of the project and limits the opportunity for problems surrounding limiting/eliminating services to their constituents. The NYCDDC’s OCON Unit is a proactive unit that reaches out to affected communities, ameliorates problems and concerns and addresses all public inquiries. The NYDDC collaborates with the NYC Art Commission to bring approved public arts to the appropriate projects. (DDC, 2006, p.29) The history, management philosophy, mission, internal and external systems all play vital roles in the structure of any organization. These entities must interact, have a directional flow and coexist with each other for the day to day operations of the organization to proceed smoothly. Since there are times when conflicts arise, it is imperative that such issues be dealt with properly and in an appropriate manner. For example, failure to hire the appropriate personnel can and will lead to the decrease in the services the agency aims to provide to its clients; hence, a decrease in the credibility of not only the employees but the reputation of the agency. The NYCDDC has a proven reputation for providing excellent goods and services to its clients. Its leadership role in implementing new facets of technologies and its innovative thinking when applying new management models into the agency’s overall infrastructure clearly enhance its ability to accomplish its mission statement. The Target Service Area For any business or organization to succeed in providing the professional services it offers, it first must assess, analyze and fully understand the service area(s) and the target audience(s) it hopes to provide its services to. The New York City Department of Design and Construction (NYCDDC) services the five boroughs of New York City by â€Å"building and upgrading the City’s infrastructure and public spaces.† (