Interpretation of Pink Floyds Brain Damage Essay Example

Interpretation of Pink Floyds Brain Damage Essay An Interpretation of Pink Floyd’s â€Å"Brain Damage† In 1965, Cambridge, England natives Syd Barrett, Roger Waters, Rick Wright, and Nick Mason formed a psychedelic band known as Pink Floyd. The band produced one album under the leadership of Barrett. David Gilmour was brought in as a fifth member to enable Pink Floyd to continue performing live after Barrett proved incapable to remain lead vocalist, lead guitarist, and lead songwriter. Three short years after co-founding the group, Syd Barrett left the band, due to mental instability, allegedly resulting from heavy drug use. The band regrouped, kept Barrett’s vision, and became even more successful as an acid-rock band. Pink Floyd was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996. Dark Side of the Moon, a tribute to Barrett, remained on Billboard’s Top 200 album chart longer than any other album in history. The album featured a song, â€Å"Brain Damage,† based on Syd Barrett’s mental idiosyncrasies. The song, â€Å"Brain Damage,† is metaphorically indicative of a person’s journey to insanity. The meaning of the song is reflected in the title. Had the title been â€Å"Dark Side of the Moon,† the reader would interpret the song quite differently. If a person’s brain is damaged, he/she does not meet society’s standard of normal. At the beginning of â€Å"Brain Damage,† a â€Å"lunatic is on the grass† in view of the speaker, who works at a mental hospital (1). Insanity is only a thought at this point. The speaker remembers a happier time when he was a child and the main goal in life was to have fun (3). Now, the speaker must keep the patients of the hospital in line (4). The patients symbolize his thoughts. We will write a custom essay sample on Interpretation of Pink Floyds Brain Damage specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Interpretation of Pink Floyds Brain Damage specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Interpretation of Pink Floyds Brain Damage specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer He cannot let his guard down to have a good time for fear of looking crazy to society. He must focus on his responsibilities and try not to stray from his duties because of his desire to blend in with normal people. If he lets his thoughts run wild he will become overwhelmed and break down mentally. Insanity is drawing nearer when the speaker states â€Å"The lunatics are in my hall† (5-6). He realizes he is different from everyone else and may not be considered sane. He knows that he is on the verge of a mental breakdown. Anything could send him to the point of insanity. The speaker avoids reality at all costs. He lets the daily newspaper pile up where the paper boy tosses them (7-8). The speaker does not read the newspaper for fear of learning something that will disturb him so much that he falls off his rocker. He had rather live in ignorance than gain knowledge and be forced to think about the terrible truth of what is going on in the world. The speaker believes that ignorance is bliss. The line â€Å"And if the dam breaks open many years too soon† (9), leads the reader to believe that the speaker is young or middle aged. This line means that if someone fills their head with â€Å"dark forbodings† before they are old enough to understand the way of the world, they will definitely become insane (9-11). If the speaker strays from the normal path and he does not fit in with society, his life will fall apart. In verse thirteen, the lunatic has invaded the speaker’s head. He has evidently strayed from his routine and filled his head with negative realistic thoughts. He has become one with the lunatics when he states â€Å"the lunatic is in my head† (13-14). The lunatics are no longer outside or in the hall, they are within the speaker. As these two lines are read, laughter can be heard in the background. The speaker is no longer battling the insanity. He surrenders to the voices in his head and instead of hiding that he is different, he embraces it. The speaker’s newfound freedom has been discovered by the normal people in society. Someone has had him committed into a mental hospital (15-16). He tells the doctor performing the lobotomy â€Å"You raise the blade, you make the change/ You re-arrange me ‘til I’m sane† (15-16). The speaker has been put in a padded room after surgery and feels as if the nurses â€Å"lock the door/ And throw away the key† (17-18). He knows he will never be released now that they have seen this side of him. The song reads â€Å"There’s someone in my head but it’s not me/ And if the cloud bursts thunder in your ear† (19-20). The speaker hears real voices in his head. He has tried explaining to everyone that he is not crazy and that the voices in his head are real. Unfortunately, no one will ever believe a certifiably crazy person; even if they shout,† â€Å"no one seems to hear† (21). Brain Damage† is summed up in two lines: â€Å"And if the band you’re in starts playing different tunes/ I’ll see you on the dark side of the moon† (22-23). The first line is referring to incidents when Syd Barrett was playing the wrong song when Pink Floyd was performing. From a lunatic’s point of view, everyone else is di fferent or straying from normal. If someone is so far gone that they cannot see that they are the problem, they succumb to the illness and we’ll see them on the other side (23). The song ends with a voice saying â€Å"I can’t think of anything to say except†¦/ I think it’s marvelous! Hahaha† (24-25). He is so overwhelmed by his revelations that he has nothing to do but laugh. He has gone insane by society’s standards, but I see him as enlightened. Pink Floyd — Brain Damage The lunatic is on the grass The lunatic is on the grass Remembering games and daisy chains and laughs Got to keep the loonies on the path The lunatic is in the hall The lunatics are in my hall The paper holds their folded faces to the floor And every day the paper boy brings more And if the dam breaks open many years too soon And if there is no room upon the hill And if your head explodes with dark forbodings too Ill see you on the dark side of the moon The lunatic is in my head The lunatic is in my head You raise the blade, you make the change You re-arrange me till Im sane You lock the door And throw away the key Theres someone in my head but its not me. And if the cloud bursts, thunder in your ear You shout and no one seems to hear And if the band youre in starts playing different tunes Ill see you on the dark side of the moon I cant think of anything to say except I think its marvellous! HaHaHa!

Homeschool Myths and the Facts Behind Them

Homeschool Myths and the Facts Behind Them There are many misconceptions about homeschoolers. The falsehoods are often myths based on partial truths or experiences with a limited number of homeschooling families. They are so prevalent that even homeschooling parents start to believe the myths. Skewed homeschool statistics  that dont reveal accurate facts about homeschooling sometimes serve to further the misconceptions. How many of these homeschooling myths have you heard?   1. All homeschooled kids are spelling bee champs and child prodigies. Most homeschooling parents wish this myth were true! The fact is, homeschooled children range in ability level just like kids in any other school setting. Homeschooled students include gifted, average, and struggling learners. Some homeschooled kids are ahead of their same-age peers and some, particularly if they have learning struggles, are behind. Because homeschooled students can  work  at their own pace, it is not uncommon for them to be asynchronous learners, This means that they may be ahead of their grade level (based on age) in some areas, average in others, and behind in some. Because homeschool parents can offer their students one-on-one attention, its easy to strengthen weak areas. These benefits often allow kids who started out â€Å"behind† to catch up without the stigma associated with learning challenges. It is true that homeschooled students often have more time to devote to their areas of interest. This devotion sometimes results in a child displaying greater than average talent in those areas. 2. All homeschooling families are religious. In the early days of the current homeschooling movement, this myth may have been true. However, homeschooling has become much more mainstream. It is now the educational choice of families from all walks of life and a wide variety of belief systems. 3. All homeschool families are large. Many people think that homeschooling means a family of 12 children, huddled around the dining room table doing their schoolwork. While there are large homeschooling families, there are just as many families homeschooling two, three, or four children or even an only child. 4. Homeschooled kids are sheltered. Many homeschooling opponents share the opinion that homeschooled children need to get out and experience the real world. However, it is only in a school setting that kids are segregated by age. Homeschooled children are out in the real world every day  Ã¢â‚¬â€œ shopping, working, attending homeschool co-op classes, serving in the community, and much more. 5. Homeschooled kids are socially awkward. Just as with ability-level, homeschooled students are as varied in their personalities as kids in traditional school settings. There are shy homeschool kids and outgoing homeschool kids. Where a child falls on the personality spectrum has much more to do with the temperament they were born with than where they are educated. Personally, I’d like to meet one of those shy, socially awkward homeschooled kids because I sure didn’t give birth to any of them! 6. All homeschool families drive vans – mini- or 15-passenger. This statement is largely a myth, but I do understand the perception. The first time I went to a used curriculum sale, I knew the general location for the sale but not the exact spot. This event was way back in the ancient days before GPS, so I drove to the general area. Then I followed the line of mini-vans. They led me straight to the sale! Anecdotes aside, many homeschool families do not drive vans. In fact, crossover vehicles seem to be the mini-van equivalent for modern homeschooling moms and dads. 7. Homeschooled kids don’t watch TV or listen to mainstream music. This myth applies to some homeschooling families, but not the majority. Homeschooled kids do watch TV, listen to music, own smartphones, participate in social media, attend concerts, go to movies, and participate in any number of pop culture activities just like kids from other educational backgrounds. They have proms, play sports, join clubs, go on field trips, and much more. The fact is, homeschooling has become so common that the biggest difference in the daily lives of most homeschooled students and their public or private schooled peers is where they are educated.

Changes and restrictions to importation of commodity foods such as Essay

Changes and restrictions to importation of commodity foods such as Cheese, etc.. due to certain tainted foods abroad - Essay Example If the cheese that was used in TIR were unknowingly contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus, the customers will have food poisoning, and this will lead to damage of reputation, and even legal cases. One of the major impacts of this threat is the further decline in sales and profit because customers will be hesitant in consuming products that have been generally identified to have been contaminated. Whether or not TIR uses good quality cheese, the fact that the community is aware of its current issues, people will refuse to risk their health. The restrictions provided by the FDA are standards that must be followed by all local cheese manufacturers, as well as those who import cheese and other food products into the country. In the case of a wide-scope contamination of cheese, the prices of the commodity will increase significantly because of a lower supply, with the demand remaining constant. The observed reduction in profit, together with an increase in the cost of one of the most important food ingredients of TIR will put the establishment in a very risky

Discussion Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 31

Discussion - Assignment Example Jurisdiction specifications and legal aspect consideration are other inputs that the company might use in an investment policy. Jurisdiction specification may include other inputs such as environmental, social, and governance standards, classes of assets and guidelines to ensure effective collaboration with external managers. Primary market differ from secondary market in such that, for the primary market, the organization or company is involved directly in the transactions, while in secondary market, there is no involvement between the company and the transactions because transactions occur between investors (Hall and Lieberman 405-406). Both market segments are inter-related and they influence each other in terms of performances. However, the primary market success and functionality is dependent on the secondary market’s complementary role in providing and opening a business opportunity for primary investors. As a result, the secondary market forms the baseline for investors in primary issues to transact on their investments that give other investors a chance to invest in the company. Consequently, primary market functionally dependant on the secondary

Theater Arts Film Analysis Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Theater Arts Film Analysis - Assignment Example It is clear that he is in love and he is ready to change to win her heart. The artist (Greg) also notes that he is ready to change his life, as there is love in his life as well, the love for art. Attention to such details as Melvin’s reluctance or certain inability to walk on small blocks. At the end of the film, he sometimes pays no attention to the surface he is walking on. This is a sign of the starting changes and Melvin acknowledges them. 2. a. It is important to note that numerous elements of the film contribute to the theme. For instance, narrative of the film contributes to the theme greatly. The plot structure is linear, which helps to trace the change. This enables the filmmakers to show the evolution of characters and their decision to change as well as their first steps in this direction. Flashbacks would destroy the theme, as the changes could get lost in the mosaic of different periods. b. It is necessary to note that performance of the cast also contributes to the theme. Acting is very realistic. The main characters express very strong emotions such as despair, fear, anger, affection, zeal. They are very sincere and appealing. The main characters are dynamic as they change their lives and they are ready to become, at least, slightly different people. Importantly, Melvin and the artist undergo quite tremendous changes while Carol remains almost unchanged as a person. Her life is dramatically changed but her features of character are the same. It is possible to add that she seems to be a tool or rather a muse that changed the two man. c. As far as cinematography is concerned, it is possible to note that the film uses conventional tools. The lighting is natural though it often reflects the mood of the characters. For instance, Melvin first feeds the dog and he is stressed out, he is very gloomy just as his room is. This scene is interesting in terms of the camera angle employed. The high angle emphasizes the mood of the

The Awakening and A Dolls House | Analysis

The Awakening and A Dolls House | Analysis Everyone if faced with making decisions in their life. In the Awakening by Kate Chopin, and A Dolls house, by Henrick Ibsen, it is evident to the reader that the decisions made by the two characters, Edna and Nora, are made by the way they view themselves. More or less by the end of each story self perception is what leads both protagonist characters to make a life changing or even life ending decision. Throughout the story Edna takes many risks. While at grand Isle, she risks the dangers of the sea so that she might learn to swim. Furthermore, Edna risks impropriety by spending so much time alone with Robert. Upon returning home, Edna continues to be the risk taker. One must ask himself, however, what exactly is Edna risking with her, at times, juvenile behavior? In truth, she is risking nothing more than humiliation. Edna knows that her husband will never leave her nor will he allow her to leave him. While Edna may be considered a risk taker, it is easy to see that the risk Nora, in A Dolls House takes far greater risks. While it is clear that Noras husband does not see her as a person with a mind for anything beyond decoration, the reader quickly sees that Nora knows far more than maybe she should know. Torvald constantly shows his superiority over his wife with the use of pet names such as: my little dove or chipmunk. Torvald views Nora as one might view a pet, cute and fun to play with as long as shes obedient. Just as Edna in The Awakening, Nora is a risk taker. In the beginning, the reader sees a juvenile rebellion on Noras part. However, the reader laughs along with Nora as she enjoys the forbidden macaroon. This rebellious secret of Noras proves to be just the tip of the iceberg. The iceberg itself comes in the form of Kronstad, a banker. The reader learns of Noras secret shortly after his appearance. It appears that Nora has borrowed money in her fathers name that Torvald is not aware of. At the time this story is set, it is unheard of that women should handle any money in this manner without her husbands knowledge. What is Nora risking in keeping his to herself? In essence, she is risking everything: her familys financial security, her security, and imprisonment. Also like Edna, Nora is not the mother-type. Nora treats her children as Torvald treat heras playthings. Nora is on the outside very flighty and unconventional, and on the inside she is thrilled at what she thinks of as the successful deception of her husband Torvald. Clearly that which she views as a success now, will later be viewed as a failure. The difference being with Edna and Nora, is that Nora doesnt want or need her husbands forgiveness. While the female protagonists in Chopins The Awakening and Isbens A Dolls House share many similarities of situation, it is the image of self that sets them apart. Both Edna and Nora prove throughout their respective stories to be risk takers. It is Nora who in the end takes the ultimate riskthe risk to live alone. Edna, however, in the end remains trapped by society and her circumstance. Rather than spend the rest of her life in that trap she chooses death. Death has many meanings, of which Chopin and Isben have explored two. Chopin chooses an irony filled death for Edna. Ednas death is ironic in that the ocean, a tool for her awakening, becomes the tool of her death. In Isbens story, while Noras death is not literal, it is a death to all that she has known thus far. Given the choices that each character has made leads one to believe that Noras death was ultimately a far more painful death than that of Edna.

The Death of Christen :: Personal Narrative Writing

The Death of Christen It snowed for three straight days after my grandmother died. I wouldn't think the two facts were related but for the fact that the roads were all closed on the second day of the blizzard, and we were stuck at the wake all night long, like someone or something was trying to keep us there. It was weird, spending the night with dead people. I wasn't alone, of course. There was my family, and then there were the Szerniaks and their dead father, and the corpse of some creepy guy named William Manfred III who had apparently been abandoned at his own wake because his family couldn't make it through the snow. I went in to visit him once, but it was just too creepy in there by myself. My own dead relatives were bad enough, thanks. I finished off another piece of cold, greasy fried chicken from the fast food place next door and looked up. My uncle was still snoring in the corner, my cousin was still trying to look up my skirt (the perv) and my dad was still just sitting there in front of the coffin, candlelight tracing shapes around his eyes, swallowing the few tears he had left to cry. My mother wasn't there...she was stranded like us, although she had it slightly better. While we were here with a bunch of corpses, she was at least stuck in an office with hot coffee and her computer and stuff. She was probably having a blast. I wasn't. After a few more minutes of boredom, I decided to get up, stretch my legs and look for some sort of entertainment. There was a television in a small lounge near the bathroom, but it was currently being used as a smoking room by some nervous Szerniaks. I wasn't in the mood for watery eyes and a hacking cough, so I avoided the low-tar menthol-flavored fog bank and went and traced my name on the ice that had formed on the inside of the outside glass door, watching the world swirl around outside as I tried to avoid getting slush on my shoes. That's how I met Christen. "Can I sit here?" she asked, sliding down the wall and landing with a thump on the floor across from me, knees drawn up tight because I was taking up most of the hallway.

Psychoanalytic, Neoanalytic, Jungian, and Individual Psychology Theory Essay

Nowadays, people begin to understand that the knowledge of human psychology plays a great role in the everyday life. It means that basic understanding of different psychological concepts gives a key to the apprehension of the inner world of every person. Today, there are many theories that help to determine the personality of every client and find solutions for every problem. One of such theories is the psychoanalysis. It lies in the researches of the human minds and the principles of its working. Main theorists, S. Freud and J. Breuer, emphasized the role of the childhood memories in explaining of different fears and psychological problems of the clients. In fact, S. Freud singled out three components of a human mind. They are id, ego, and superego. The Id is that part of the personality, on which the instinctual drives and needs have a great impact. This aspect is very unstable and dynamic. In other words, it is unmanageable as it is ready to satisfy all demands and avoid pain and problems in any way. Therefore, there is the other element called ego. It deals with the realistic purposes and tries to slow down the impulsiveness of the id. Ego balances between the instinctive drives and realistic principles trying to achieve as many benefits as possible. However, there is a third element superego. It deals with the morality principles. In fact, superego makes instinctive needs and drives reflect in the socially accepted ways. Morality principles and social laws limit the individual’s desires to satisfy basic needs (Masling, 1990). The other basic key term of this theory is the concept of unconscious. Individuals are not aware of the existence of this aspect of personality. However, it rules human’s emotions, feelings, thoughts, and deeds. The exploration of the unconscious gives reasons of different psychological problems of the clients. From this point of view, psychoanalysts based their therapy. Therapists usually use such methods of researches as free association, dream analysis, and even hypnosis. These ways help to reveal  the reason for any psychological disorders. The role of the patients remains rather passive. Their task is to recollect different memories and dreams from their childhood, which had a great impact on them. Among the advantages of the psychoanalytical theory, one can name its possibility to uncover psychological problems with the help of the childhood memories and events. Moreover, it explained the role of the unconscious in the personality structure. In addition, this theory helped to reveal the defense mechanisms, which explain why individuals behave differently in the similar situations. However, the theory pays no attention to the role of the surroundings, culture, and the social background of the clients. It is also more concerned about the treatment of pathologies rather than minor deviations. Psychoanalytical theory had a great impact on the further development of psychology. As a result, there emerged a neo-analytic theory. Generally, it follows the studying of S. Freud. However, there are some huge differences. Neo-analytic theorists, A. Freud, A. Adler, and K. Horney agreed on the importance of the unconscious and the role of the instinctive drives and needs. However, they do not emphasize so much on the sexual and aggressive instincts as Freud did. Moreover, neo-analysts believed that not only childhood events influence the psycho-state of an individual. They consider personality development never to end and continue throughout the whole life. In addition, they paid attention to the role of the environment and social conditions in the life of the individuals. Such a position helped them to look at the psychological problem of clients from different points of view and analyze various reasons. Therapists focus their attention on the use of association method and the exploration of dreams and recollections. They are concerned about the treatment of both simple deviations and difficult psycho-disorders. Clients have to be attentive and take an active part in the process of treatment. Speaking about the negative sides of the neo-analytic theory, it had little empirical data and overestimated the role of the ego in the personality structure. Later, Carl Jung has formed his own psychological school. In this case, one calls it a Jungian theory. In general, the studies of Jung have a strong connection with the main concepts of the psychoanalytical theory. In his turn, Jung introduced the concept of the collective unconscious, which contains different archetypes. Under the definition of the archetype, he understood the inherited principles, which determine human perception of the world in a certain way. The collective unconscious includes different memories and ideas that are a part of the biological heritage. The therapy of C. Jung based its attention on the discussion of dreams and fantasies. During the therapy work, the client plays an active role. As a result, both therapist, and a client combine his or her efforts in order to achieve a desirable result. Such a position is very fruitful as clients understand the importance and can change the course of the events on their own (Wilde, 2011). Alfred Adler suggested his individual theory. It was much different from the S. Freud’s concepts. Adler did not emphasize the role of sexual and aggressive instincts. Instead, he overestimates the social background and the concept of interiority. He supposed that each person is born with the sense of interiority (Adler, 2011). Therefore, the main task and drive in the life of every individual is to achieve superiority. A person derives from the social principles and the surroundings and forms the character according to it. Speaking about the clients, Adler focused attention on the problem of hated children, different deviations, and deformities at birth and others. However, the drawback in his theory is that superiority receiving does not always mean mental health. To sum up, the psychoanalytical theories and its followers explored the nature of human personality. They tried to solve the psycho-disorders by revealing the structure of the unconscious. Theorists emphasized the role of the natural instincts and drives and tried to solve psycho-deviations with the help of recollection of the past events and memories. References Adler, A. (2011). _The practice and theory of individual psychology._ Eastford: Martino Publishing. Masling, J. (1990). _Empirical studies of psychoanalytical theories: volume 3._ London: Routledge. Wilde, D. J. (2011). _Jung’s personality theory quantified._ Berlin: Springer.

Essay about Final Study Guide Economic

Essay about Final Study Guide Economic Essay about Final Study Guide Economic Annie Nguyen Per.5 FINAL STUDY GUIDE Traditional economy: Economic system in which the allocation of scarce resources and other economic activities are based on ritual, habit, custom. Corporation: Form of business organization recognized by law as separate legal entity. General partnership: Form of partnership where all partners are equally responsible for management, debt. Economic goals: Freedom, efficiency, equity, security, employment, stability, grown, future goals. Substitutes: Competing products that can be used in place of one another. Demand schedule: A table that lists how much of a product consumer will buy at all possible prices. Markets: Meeting place or mechanism allowing buyers and sellers of an economic product to come together may be local, regional, national, or global. Capital market: Market in which financial capital is loaned and/or borrowed for more than 1 year. Primary market: Market in which only the original issuer can sell or repurchase a financial asset. Secondary market: Market in which financial assets can be sold to someone other than the original issuer. Trade-off: alternative that is available whenever a choice is to be made. Economic interdependence: Mutual dependency of one person’s, firm’s, or region’s economic activities on another’s. Proprietorships: business owned and run by a single person who has the rights to all profits and unlimited liability for all debts of the firm. Surplus: Situation where quantity supplied is greater than quantity demanded at a given price. Price ceiling: Highest legal price that can be charged for a product. Cooperative: Nonprofit association performing some kind of economic activity for the benefit of its members. Command economy: Economic system with a central authority that makes the major economic decisions. Market economy: Economic system in which supply, demand, and the price system help people make economic decisions and allocate resources. Mixed economy: Economic system that has some combination of traditional command, and market economics. Deficiency payments: Cash payment making up the difference between the market price and the target price. Total costs: The sum of fixed costs and variable costs. Fixed costs: Costs that remain the same regardless of level of production or services offered. Entrepreneur: Risk-taking individual in search of profits. E-commerce: Electronic business conducted over the Internet. Call option: Futures contract giving a buyer the right to cancel a contract to buy something. Put option: Futures contract giving a buyer the right to cancel a contract to sell something. Good: Tangible economic product that is useful, relatively scare, and transferable to others. Consumer good: Good intended for final use by consumers rather than businesses. Durable good: A good that lasts for at least 3 years when used regularly. Nondurable good: A good that wears out or lasts for fewer than 3 years when used regularly Capital good: Tools, equipment, and factories used in the production of goods and services. Voluntary exchange: Act of buyers and sellers freely and willingly engaging in market transactions. Price-fixing: Agreement, usually illegal, by firms to charge the same price for a product. Oligopoly: Market structure in which a few large sellers dominate the industry. Trust: Illegal combination of corporations or companies organized to hinder competition. Diminishing returns: Stage where output increases at a decreasing rate as more units of variable input are added. Change in supply: Situation where different amounts are offered for sale at all possible prices in the market; shift of the supply curve. Rationing: System of allocation goods and services without prices. Monopoly: Market structure with a single seller of a particular product. Limited partnership: Form of partnership where one or more partners are not active in the daily running of the business and have limited responsibility

Cartilaginous Fish - Chondrichthyes - Profile

Cartilaginous Fish - Chondrichthyes - Profile Cartilaginous fishes (Chondrichthyes) are a group of vertebrates that includes sharks, rays, skates and chimaeras. Members of this group include the largest and most formidable marine predators alive today such as the great white shark and the tiger shark as well as large filter feeders such as the manta ray, whale shark and basking shark. Cartilaginous fishes have a skeleton that consists  of cartilage (in contrast to their cousins the bony fish, whose skeletons are made up of true bone). Cartilage is both tough and flexible and it  provides sufficient  structural support to enable cartilaginous fishes to grow to considerable size. The largest living cartilaginous fish is the  whale shark  (about 30 feet long and 10 tons). The largest known cartilaginous fish ever to have lived is  Megalodon  (about 70 feet long and 50-100 tons). Other large cartilaginous fish include the manta ray (about 30 feet long) and the basking shark (about 40 feet long and 19 tons). Small cartilaginous fishes include the short-nose electric ray (about 4 inches long and weighs 1 pound), the starry skate (about 30 inches long), the pale catshark (about 8 inches long) and the dwarf lantern shark (about 7 inches long). Cartilaginous fishes is that they have jaws, paired fins, paired nostrils and a two-chambered heart. They also  have tough skin that is covered with small  tooth-like scales called denticles. Denticles are similar to teeth in many ways. The core of a denticle consists of a  pulp cavity that receives blood flow for nourishment. The pulp cavity is capped with a cone-shaped layer of dentine. The denticle sits on top of a basal plate which overlies the dermis. Each denticle is covered with an enamel-like substance. Most cartilaginous fishes live in marine habitats all their lives, but a few species of sharks and rays live in freshwater during all or part of their lives. Cartilaginous fishes are carnivorous and most species feed on live prey. There are some species that feed on the remains of dead animals and still others that are filter feeders. Cartilaginous fishes first appear in the fossil record about 420 million years ago during the Devonian Period.  The earliest known cartilaginous fishes were ancient sharks that were descended from bony-skeleton placoderms. These primitive sharks are older than the dinosaurs. They swam in the world’s oceans 420 million years ago, 200 million years before the first dinosaurs appeared on land. Fossil evidence for sharks is plentiful but consists mostly of tiny remnants of the former fish- teeth, scales, fin spines, bits of calcified vertebra, fragments of cranium. Extensive skeletal remains of sharks are missing- cartilage does not fossilize like true bone. By piecing together the shark remains that do exist, scientists have uncovered a diverse and deep ancestry. Sharks of the past include ancient creatures such as Cladoselache and Ctenacanths. These early sharks were followed by Stethacanthus and Falcatus, creatures that lived during the Carboniferous Period, in a window of time referred to as the â€Å"Golden Age of Sharks†, when shark diversity blossomed to include 45 families. During the Jurassic Period, there was Hybodus, Mcmurdodus, Paleospinax and eventually the Neoselachians. The Jurassic Period also saw the emergence of the first batoids: the skates and rays. Later came the filter feeding sharks and rays, the hammerhead sharks, and the lamnoid sharks (great white shark, megamouth shark, basking shark, sandtiger, and others). Classification Cartilaginous fishes are classified within the following taxonomic hierarchy: Animals Chordates Vertebrates Cartilaginous Fishes Cartilaginous fishes are divided into the following basic groups: Sharks, rays, and skates (Elasmobranchii) - There are about 800 species of sharks, rays, and skates alive today. Members of this group are known as elasmobranchs.Chimaeras (Chimaeriformes) - There are about 50 species of chimaeras alive today. Members of this group are also known as ghost sharks, spooksharks, or rabbit fish.

PEST and SWOT Analysis of Tesco Plc Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

PEST and SWOT Analysis of Tesco Plc - Case Study Example Recognizing that customer loyalty is not only cultivated through competitive pricing, Tesco also invests in training its employees and making them part of its success through the extension of high quality service together with their cheap products (Tesco-Counting on Customer Satisfaction n.d.). Looking at the value chain of Tesco, it can be seen that it is relatively more efficient in carrying out its outbound logistics, distribution, and customer service. Its efficiency in outbound logistics is justified by its mere scope and size. Tesco, as one of the world's largest retailer, is a very important customer to its supplier (Tesco Plc 2007). Thus, the company posses a high bargaining leverage, enabling it to get discounts which are not otherwise available to its smaller competitors. The company also enjoys economies of scale in distribution, advertising, administrative processes, and production. This enables Tesco to significantly reduce cost and generate high margins. As opposed to other players in the industry, Tesco's own brand is a source of large margins in its total revenue (Tesco Plc 2007). With this, it can be seen that the competitive advantage of Tesco is generated through its cost efficiency. The company uses its size and economies of scale throughout its value chain in order to significantly drive down its cost, allowing it to charge lower, if not the lowest price in the market (Tesco Plc 2007). However, the fact that the company does not just offer products at less than industry average prices but couples it with excellent service implies that it also takes effort in differentiating itself from its competitors. For Tesco, it is not just about the product but the shopping experience is also a key in cultivating customer patronage and loyalty. Through the value web analysis, it can be seen that the relationship of Tesco with its supplier and its customers are very much significant in the creation of a competitive advantage. Through the company's strategic alliance with its supplier, Tesco is able to bring down prices. On the other hand, the company's launching of the Loyalty Card allows it to know more about its customers for more specific target marketing. It becomes apparent that all these strategies are very much supportive of a cost advantage. Strategic advantage entails less procurement costs while target marketing becomes a key in cutting advertising costs (Tesco Plc 2007). 2. Macroenvironment PEST Analysis Political. In the political aspect, there has been a wide and rapid integration of economies into a global village through the creation of regional blocs and free trade zones like NAFTA and European Union. This change, which is largely brought about by the various policies put in place by the government authority facilitates the faster and easier influx of goods and services through the elimination of trade barriers and inflow of foreign direct investments through the increased capital mobility (Globalization: Threat or Opportunity 2007). Economic. The world has witnessed the rapid rise of traditionally developing economies like China, India, and Brazil. China, in particular has grown fastest among the different world economies in the last decade. This economic

Monastic Buddhism in South East Asia Research Paper

Monastic Buddhism in South East Asia - Research Paper Example Within a modern context, Buddhism may be divided into two separate schools which are known as Theravada, also known as ‘Southern’, Buddhism and Mahayana, which is called ‘Northern’, Buddhism. Theravada is the main tradition within Sri Lanka and it is thought that this country has had the most ancient incessant history of Buddhism. (Kapstein, 1087) Mahayana, on the other hand, is the leading Buddhist tradition found in Tibet and, although the geneses of this tradition are debatable, it is a diverse and varying tradition from that of the Theravada. (Jones, 121) The Theravada and Mahayana Buddhist conventions share ordinary viewpoints such as the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path and Dependent Origination. Other similarities include similar principles such as Anicca, Dukkha, Annata, Sila, Samadhi, and Panna. In addition to this, the two traditions also share a rejection of the notion of a supreme creator. However, Theravada and Mahayana differ on some impor tant aspects such as the final goal of practice and their perspective on the notion of Buddha-nature as well as other doctrinal differences. There are neither rites of passage nor a special ceremony in becoming Buddhist. There is a long process of disciplinary training and education given to those seeking to become a monk (Bhikkhu). Anyone seeking to become a Bhikkhu is known as a novice. ... ly and no other monks has any objection to the given answers, this person is acknowledged into the Sangha, the monk community, and in this way, their training commences. Southeast Asian Countries and Monastic Education According to historical findings, Thaton was an operational port of call on the course between India and other prominent countries of southeastern Asia. From religious perspective, missionaries happened to come regularly from the eminent mission training centers of Conjeeveram and Amaravati and proceeded on from there to Cambodia, Thailand, and Java. At that time, though, these missionaries were Theravada Buddhists and the region around Thaton remained Theravada, it should be kept in mind that side by side with the stretch of Theravada, there was also a tough Mahayana movement from China, Malaya, Cambodia, and northern India. When King Anawrahta controlled to the throne in Pagan in northern Myanmar, he was not happy with the religious practice of his people, which was a weird combination of Tantrism, Mahayana, and Hinduism. So, when he held meeting the Arahat Shin Arahan and came to know about the simple yet reflective teaching of the Theravada, he was instantly converted and requested the Arahat to stay at Pagan for the establishment of the Dhamma. At Arahan's suggestion, King Anawrahta asked the king of Thaton for some relics and copies of the Tipitaka, and when he was refused, he attacked and occupied Thaton and brought to Pagan all the relics and copies of the Tipitaka as well as a large number of monks to sermonize the Dhamma. He ruled over most of Myanmar, established communications with the Buddhists of Ceylon, and started a great building program at Pagan which continued for two centuries until the country was overrun by the armies of Kublai