The Concept Of The Post-Human Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

The Concept Of The Post-Human - Essay Example But, the outstanding development of sciences, especially such as genetics, biotechnology, informatics, cybernetics, artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, astrophysics, cosmology and others, led to significant changes in the customary understanding of the relationship between humans and nature. Pepperell (1997) argues that new findings in the modern scientific researches pose today more questions than answers about the universe, nature and humans; moreover, â€Å"the tendency towards the developments of artificial life, synthesised intelligence, instant telecommunications and virtual reality means that we are now aware of a disappearing barrier between ‘natural’ and ‘human-made’ phenomena† (p.165). As a consequence of the shifts in the understanding of human power and beliefs in human’s superiority, an idea of â€Å"post-humanism† was born in 1940s and nowadays it has become quite popular, especially within â€Å"science-fiction-minde d† circles (Clark 2010). This paper is aimed to explore the meaning of the concept of the â€Å"post-human† and to discuss major assumed hazards for humans related to the concept, with the references to two famous movies – Blade Runner (Ridley Scott, 1982) and the Terminator series (James Cameron, 1984; 1991). The films not only help to realise the possible threats to humanity from uncontrolled development of technologies, but, importantly, they â€Å"raise even more probing questions about the consequences of our definitions of the human† (Pyle 2000: p.124). What is the â€Å"post-human†? The early definitions of a post-human society are connected with the cybernetic movement started by Norbert Weiner in the 1940s, then ideas of the post-humanism have been popularised by American futurists (such as Stephen Hawking, Alvin Toffler and others) (Clark 2010). Gradually the concept of the â€Å"post-human† has been developing, inspiring many of na tural scientists and philosophers, as well as science-fiction writers, artists and film-makers. Generally speaking, a post-human is a conceptual imaging of â€Å"biotechnological or cybernetic systemic couplings† (Cobley 2010: p.294). Currently this concept is used in several meanings. Pepperell (1997) suggests three cases of the term’s using: (1) it is used to indicate the end of the Humanism period in the historical process of the world social development; (2) it is used to emphasise the transformation of a human being’s concept, mentioned above; (3) it refers to the current persistent convergence of technologies and human organisms, leading to â€Å"a future state of humanity in which biology is merged with technology† (p.174). The latter meaning draws the most attention in the world research society and causes heat debates, especially between the so called transhumanists and their opponents. According to the definition of Marx More: â€Å"Posthumans will be persons of unprecedented physical, intellectual and psychological ability, self-programming and self-defining, potentially immortal, unlimited individuals. Posthumans have overcome the biological, neurological, and psychological constraints evolved into humans. †¦Our personalities having been transferred â€Å"into† more durable, modifiable, and faster, and more powerful bodies and thinking hardware† (cited in Pepperell 1997: p.175). Bostrom (2003) explains what advantages the posthuman persons will have in comparing with the current state of human beings. Among them there are: a higher level of intellectuality and consciousness; resistance to many diseases and nonsusceptibility to aging;

English -Language Learner Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

English -Language Learner - Essay Example Through a primary language, thus, each learning individual is able to readily adapt to an educational setting where everything falls into the perspective based on the learner’s cultural background. This way, teaching impacts a learning atmosphere in which students are encouraged to express thoughts or ideas with confidence. Since they are free to use primary language, they can better interact with the teacher and among themselves during class discussions. On the other hand, though it is more conducive to learn with native language, an educator would find a great deal of effort and enthusiasm in conveying topics of certain fields as math or science which may include universal expressions that cannot be translated to primary language. In science literature, pertinent scientific data or information is typically available in nomenclatures and notations that are inevitably understood within the context of English as secondary language. With such disadvantage, there is then no way a round for students to maintain usage of primary language on areas where it may not entirely apply. Based on research conducted by Ellen Bialystok in Canada, the ability to manage between two languages improves attention control when performing certain tasks especially at times irrelevant information requires inhibition (Wilson). Â   As another benefit of preferring to carry out primary language as a medium of instruction, the teacher assumes the role of communicating knowledge while inspiring each student with the sense of nationalism by showing the value in preserving culture through extensive use of native language. In the future, the greater impact of this endeavor is felt when graduates become more conscious and respectful of a nation’s identity so that they realize having to prioritize service for the welfare of countrymen. Paying worth to putting native language in regular application signifies deeper attachment to culture which, in turn, implies strength of a national community whose rich thoughts and resources are shared by citizens who used to study under common adherence to primary language. Teaching students in the primary language, however, diminishes their capacity to adjust to a higher level of global communication due to the universality of English. As second language, the latter is essential for economic growth whenever a nation decides to open further possibilities of commerce abroad. As a consequence, a person who lacks adequate communication skills in English obtains limited employment opportunities in the later time. If a student is academically inclined in the field of math but has received education through approach with primary language, no matter how remarkable his mathematic abilities are, he might not find himself competitive on an international ground for not being taught to get accustomed in using English. Furthermore, on the basis of native language alone, teaching to enable learners to understand the cultures of other nati ons as well as their significance may most likely turn out to be ineffectual or incapable of stirring interest towards critical thinking and the relevant concern for other parts of the world. Evaluate whether English language learning instruction should replace native language instruction. Because trade and industry has since gone beyond civilization to expand avenues of economic, cultural, and political growth

Organisational behaviour individual case study assignment

Organisational behaviour individual case study - Assignment Example The purchase of Costwise by Orton therefore presents possibilities for synergy in that Costwise stores presently existing, and the strong turnover figures it has been registering, would provide an added capacity for Orton and shall extend its reach to markets it does not currently serve. While the two companies cater to the retail merchandising industry, they have markedly different strategic thrusts. Orton caters to a homogeneous market, Costwise caters to varied markets in different locations. The management styles were also different, a matter which is to be expected because of the different markets they cater to. Orton’s management style is centralized and more-or-less autocratic, because all decisions and plans emanate from the center, including matters involving pricing, product offerings, salaries, new hires, promotions, and so forth. On the other hand, Costwise, when it was operating as an independent concern, devolved many managerial decision-making functions to the s tores. The stores were therefore able to establish store practices and devise market strategies that were particularly effective in the localities they operated in. This accounted for the loyal patronage and strong turnovers generated by this store from the local communities the individual stores operated in. While Costwise employees had a running quarrel with management about the When the acquisition pulled through, Orton, as the dominant entity, imposed its own methods, processes and policies on Costwise. Aside from the organizational structure and culture, management style, and market strategy, the employees were aware of a general sense of being ignored and disregarded by management, and therefore no longer performed at the same level they used to, which was reflected in the noticeable drop in revenues. This, coupled with higher costs related to the merger activities and the change in image of the emergent firm, has resulted in a drop in profit or even potential losses if the tr end continues. II. The likely motivational state of Costwise employees When speaking of motivation, it is best to view the Orton case through the framework of Herzberg’s Motivation-Hygiene Theory. According to this theory, there are two factors that influence the attitude and behaviour of individuals towards their work – the hygiene or maintenance factors, and the motivators (Mukherjee, 2009, p. 152). The two types of factors both work to influence the behaviour and attitudes of workers, but in different ways. 1. The hygiene factors The maintenance or hygiene factors are those factors which, if absent, cause dissatisfaction, but even if present, do not necessarily create a positive attitude towards work. Thus, hygiene factors must be present to prevent dissatisfaction. They are mostly related to the environmental or extrinsic factors, rather than the context of the job (Davies & Hertig, 2007, p. 81). In the David Orton case, one might say that the hygiene factors that were determinative of the attitudes of the Costwise employees are their pay, the need to be informed about matters that bear upon their working conditions, and security at their jobs. In this case, the employees had been expecting a ‘levelling up’ of their salaries, a natural expectation in light of the higher salaries enjoyed by their counterparts

E-Commerce laws Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4250 words

E-Commerce laws - Essay Example The proper functioning of the Internal Market in electronic commerce is ensured by the Internal Market clause, which means that information society services are, in principle, subject to the law of the Member State in which the service provider is established. In turn, the Member State in which the information society service is received cannot restrict incoming services. Examples of services covered by the Directive include online information services (such as online newspapers), online selling of products and services (books, financial services and travel services), online advertising, professional services (lawyers, doctors, estate agents), entertainment services and basic intermediary services (access to the Internet and transmission and hosting of information). These services include also services provided free of charge to the recipient and funded, for example, by advertising or sponsorship. (Electronic commerce) The European Union is maintaining momentum in its efforts to regulate the Internet and electronic commerce, especially with respect to conflicts of law in cyberspace. A directive establishing a common legal framework for electronic commerce within the European Union1 E-commerce Directive) was adopted in early summer 2000, enshrining the "country of origin" principle in the on-line environment. Effectively, this principle means that an on-line retailer established in one of the European Union member states is allowed to offer e-commerce services on-line throughout the European Union as long as it meets the legal requirements of its country of domicile. However, the legal certainty established by the E-commerce Directive is already under threat. The European Commission intends to revive an idea from 1967 regarding the creation of a Council Regulation2often called Rome II Regulation. Another closely related instrument is the regulation on jurisdiction and the enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters (the Brussels

Challenges in Hiring Talent Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Challenges in Hiring Talent - Research Paper Example Prince (25), states that there has been a 10 % decline in the average quality of a worker since 2004. This has prompted companies to redouble efforts aimed at hiring the best candidates for the job at whatever cost. Between 1946 and 1964, America experienced massive economic growth that triggered the emergence of more companies and the increase in profitability of businesses in the country (Yates 47). During this time, a new breed of talented and driven managers, entrepreneurs and personnel also emerged, supported by the emergence of ‘baby boomers’ that propagated economic growth and increase in population. The last decade has seen the retirement of a large percentage of these individuals, and a large vacuum has been left that may not be filled as soon as is expected. Businesses have therefore found it paramount to ‘fish’ for the best and most qualified people by employing whatever means necessary to make them a part of their vision. Apart from a decline in the quality of workers available and the shrinking of the pool from which companies used to draw their workers, there has been a great shift in the type of individuals required in the workplace. Between 1946 and 1964, there was a massive increase in manufacturing, spurred by an increase in demand for industrial products and goods (Gilmore 34). A lot of emphasis was therefore laced on the need for workers who could support the manufacturing process, and this called for individuals who mainly had to follow procedures and carry out instructions as required. Little reasoning and judgment was required in these types of jobs that can also be referred to as transactional or transformational. A change in needs, priorities and focus has left companies with no option but to scout for intelligent and clear-thinking people who can make decisions on their own and come up with solutions to problems without relying on their seniors. These types of workers are also good team players who are capable of working with other employees for the benefit of the company (Noe 76). This can be attributed to the emergence of a new type of jobs that are classified under the tacit category, in which intellectual capability and contribution is preferred over physical labor. Question 2: Incentives (apart from salary) that a Company may use to Encourage a Prospective Employee to Accept a Job Offer With the changes taking place in the workplace, companies appreciate the fact that better or higher remuneration is no longer sufficient when looking to hire employees. Other factors have now been found to play a huge role in the ability of a company to not only hire but also retain the best workers (Hunt 59). These factors include opportunities for growth, good working conditions, good moral and ethical values and an appreciation of current and prospective employees. Employees need to know that they can grow in a company and become better at what they do. Nobody wants to work for 10 years in the sam e position when there are other avenues for growth elsewhere. For instance, I may be paid $100,000 a year to head the sales and marketing department in a company, but I may not be willing to remain in the same position (especially if I deserve to be promoted). If a sales representative rises to be my deputy and I am still holding the same position I have had for the last 10 years then I am not growing on my job. The salary may be attractive but growth is more important. When hiring

Describe and explain the experiences of African colonial subjects Essay

Describe and explain the experiences of African colonial subjects during either or both of the world wars - Essay Example Unconditional possession of these colonies provided imperial powers with the manpower that kept the promise of making their rulers richer and stronger because of their natural resources and enabling them to wage war anywhere in the world (Anon, 2012). Europe rationalized its colonization of Africa as their moral duty to lift Africans from their primitive stage of civilization. Rulers built on the preoccupied ideas of people travelling to Africa and established the need to make African civilized. Europeans always saw African from their cultural prism, moreover, their preoccupation with skin color and physical attributes made these ideas even stronger (Anon, 2012).Therefore, even great contributions during the World War I and World War II could not win acknowledgement for colonial African soldiers. In an effort to rise above prejudice, this paper briefly explores the contributions of colonial African subjects during both of the World Wars. World War I World War I is considered to be tr uly a world war due to diverse military action and participation of people from five continents of the world. African colonized countries and subjects were specifically influenced by the results of WWI (AHA, n.d.).World War I imparted a profound and many-sided impact on colonies. The Balkan confrontation transformed into a general European war in mid-1914 and turned into an extra-European dimension because a few confronting states were considered to be the most powerful colonial powers. Just after the breakout of war, fights started in many parts of the world and most of the territories were conquered by the Entente power very soon. German African colonies were defended by African soldiers and German officers called 'Schutztruppen'. South Africa invaded the German South West Africa on behalf of the Entente powers that triggered problems for South Africa itself; however, 11,500 Anglophobe Boer people joined German side as a result of rebellion (Koller, 2008, p.111). The most prominen t and early reaction was the anger that is raged throughout African colonies due to conscription of mostly young African colonial subjects into European armies. However, the war had even more critical consequences. African subjects came to know that their masters are nothing but ordinary humans like themselves. African subjects expected rewards and compensation from their rulers for providing services to them. The compensation was expected in the form of money, and social and constitutional changes that can transform their lives back home. It triggered a hope amongst African subjects and made them realize that they deserve to be treated in a better way. Educated African subjects followed President Wilson's invitation to acknowledge the government on the basis of their national determination. The term refers to the idea that people should be free in their respective political boundaries (AHA, n.d.). Colonialist Powers Mission During World War I, European empires conscripted nearly 19 2,000 Senegalese Tirailleurs from sub-Saharan Africa who were sent to the Western Front in Cameroon, Turkey, and Togo. In particular, the French prized their possession of troupes indigenes as their assault troop on their battle front. In this Great War, approximately 30,000 to 31,000 African subjects lost their lives, several others were wounded, and some returned to their colonies as disabled for life(Mann, 2006, pp.16-17). Moreover, the French had planned the recruitment of one

Global News Agenda Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Global News Agenda - Essay Example News usually construct ‘them’ to show a fairer representation of those who are far in terms of culture or space and they include the neighbors abroad and the strangers living amongst them (Ginneken 1998). The news reports usually produce meanings which construct ideological representations of the different groups of people from different countries. Media usually report distant suffering in their news which brings about the construction of ‘us’ versus ‘them’. The language used in the news reports brings different meanings within the social context as to some the ‘us’ versus ‘them’ brings about negative values (Kamalipour and Snow 2004). Unprecedented censorship is also evident with how news is constructed. In most cases, the ‘us’ versus ‘them’ is created whenever there is suffering in the country or culture to be aired. The media creates ‘us’ versus ‘them’ in order to c reate specific subject position for both the spectators and suffers. The spectators ‘us’ may take the position of activists, philanthropists or even voyeurs while suffers ‘them’ take the position of a human being or abstract number. Theoretical perspectives will be used in the analysis and evaluation of how the news constructs a sense of ‘us’ versus ‘them’ between different nations. Agenda setting theory Agenda setting theory shows how the media highly affects the order of presentation in the news reports about events and issues in the minds of the public (Dearing and Roger 1996). Global news agenda is based on the construction of ‘us’ versus ‘them’. This theory also shows how the media had a high influence on the public by their ability to tell us on the important issues. The main aim of this theory is to create a public awareness and to show the salient issues created by the news media. Different aspects of the media are encompassed in this theory which shows different ways on how news is constructed. 1. Freedom of press and expression world wide Freedom of press helps the media in constructing ‘us’ versus ‘them’. Freedom of speech in Middle East is enshrined in article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and political Rights (ICCPR). It is also based on the UN treaty which is based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Magee 2002). Social solidarity is part of cosmopolitanism and it includes the bonds of mutual commitments based on more than similarities of pre-established identities. Social solidarity puts it clearly that all citizens are engaged in the making of a better future for everyone. Cosmopolitan explains how global media institutions have the power to create publics around the world as non-communitarian publics. Cosmopolitan is the willingness to relate with other people. The way media constructs news about distant suffering rarel y does it cultivate a cosmopolitan sensibility or a global public (Ginneken 1998). For example, airing news on how people are being maimed killed or burned or even tortured is the creation of cosmopolitan through the TV news where it creates a spectatorship of suffering to ‘us’ the viewers. Global news does not also overcome the