The Last Samurai Hollywood and Orientalism - 2947 Words

Hollywood and Orientalism have traditionally had an inter-twined relationship that continues to persist even today. Orientalism can be described in three different ways. Firstly, as Edward Said illustrates in his great work â€Å"Orientalism† illustrates, â€Å"it is academic in nature; composed by people who write, teach, and research on the â€Å"orient.† (Said, 1978, 4) Secondly, â€Å"Orientalism is also a style of thought based on an ontological and epistemological distinction between â€Å"Orient† and more often than not the â€Å"Occident† (Said, 1978, 5). In other words, Orientalism creates, through the binary opposition between the East and West, a means for dealing and understanding the Orient, and western self-understanding through opposing itself against the â€Å"Other.† (Said, 1978, 5) Orientalism is used when describing European-American views on the region of Asia, and has often led to western Eurocentric views proclaiming their do minance over East Asia through an uneven exchange of power. In short, Orientalism as a Western style for dominating, restructuring, and having authority over the Orient (Said, 1978, 5) Additionally, it has created a regular pattern for the idea of European Western having political, intellectual, and hegemony over Asia. The Hollywood film industry has particularly been a fertile ground for Orientalism. In the late nineteenth and twentieth century western narrative and cinemas inherited and narrated visual traditions, as well as the cultural assumption, on whichShow MoreRelatedOne Significant Change That Has Occurred in the World Between 1900 and 2005. Explain the Impact This Change Has Made on Our Lives and Why It Is an Important Change.163893 Words   |  656 Pagestwentieth century. And the reunification of Germany and the reemergence of international terrorism, which were powerfully symptomatic of the unprecedented reach and intensity of the processes of globalization on either side of the otherwise unremarkable last and first years of the old and new millennia, represented both a return to trends reminiscent of the opening decades of the twentieth century and a major break from the prevailing dynamics of the cold war. In addition to the problems posed for conceptualizing

Smoking or Non - 1058 Words

Smoking in restaurants and bars has recently become a thing of the past in Georgia. Most restaurants used to have smoking sections. These poorly partitioned areas allowed patrons and employees to enjoy the carefree life of eating and smoking simultaneously, without having to go outside for a smoke break. Fortunately, the Georgia Smokefree Air Act of 2005 made it illegal for smokers to light up inside restaurants where anyone under the age of eighteen may be present. Now, non-smokers can go into practically any eating place in the state and not have to worry about their food being seasoned with the cook’s cigarette ash. I make a very meticulous effort every day to keep my infant daughter safe and healthy. It is unfair to her to be exposed†¦show more content†¦I am fortunate to live in a state where smoking inside restaurants is banned. The savings from not having to replace the restaurant furnishings would not be the only benefit to business owners. The owners would also not have to worry about the danger of a fire starting from a carelessly placed cigarette. I had the opportunity as a smoker to have many personal mishaps from my own bad habits, and it is all too easy to see how a multitude of smokers could spell disaster. One flippantly tossed cigarette has the power to destroy a building, and take lives, all while placing numerous public safety workers in harm’s way. When I was in high school, I was a junior volunteer firefighter. The Smokefree Air Act was not in place at that time, and smoking was permitted inside most restaurants. One night, a local sports bar, caught on fire. While battling the blaze, two fellow firefighters were badly wounded. One of those men needed extensive surgeries and therapy for several months afterwards. The cause of the fire was believed to be from a cigarette that had fallen onto a fabric covered chair. Had the smoking ban been around at that time, the fire may not have occurred. While many people are grateful for the marvelous new laws, there are still some who think the Smokefree Air Act is a violation of their constitutional rights. It is not illegal to smoke tobacco, so smokers think that they should be allowed toShow MoreRelatedThe Article, Metal Analysis For Non Tobacco Smoking Alternatives Essay904 Words   |  4 PagesThe article, Metal analysis for non-tobacco smoking alternatives: Steam stone fluids and smoke written by Amberlie Clutterbuck, Ryan Saadawi, Joseph A. Caruso *, Julio Landero-Figueroa from the department of Chemistry at the University of Cincinnati, Agilent Technologies Metallomics Center of the Americas, the McMicken College of Arts and Sciences and University of Cincinnati discuss the many harmful metals found in non-tobacco smoking alternatives (pp.205). The primary question the authors aimedRead MoreSmoking in Public: Banned or Allowed885 Words   |  4 Pagespeople are still exposed to the fumes of second hand smoke. Can the option of smoking be left up to the public rather or not an individual should smoke in public. Where does the line end in the rights of a person the right to inhale clean air, the right to excise your right to smoke in public? Non-Smokers have the right to smoke free clean air environment, and smokers have a personal right to smoke in designated smoking areas. In this research paper I will talk about the controversy issue of second-hand Read MoreHow Often Are You Walking Down The Sidewalk And Catch A1388 Words   |  6 Pagessmokers and the effects that smoking had on their heart rate. â€Å"Research has shown that smoking increases heart rate, tightens major arteries, and can cause an irregular heart rhythm, all of which make your heart work harder. Smoking also raises blood pressure, which increases the risk of stroke† (Texas Heart Institute, 2016). We wanted to see the difference in heart rate between smokers and non-smokers, we also compared smokers to themselves based on how long they had been smoking for (five years or greaterRead MoreArgumentative Essay - Smoking806 Words   |  4 Pagescigarettes smoking be prohibited in pubs ? Michal Ã… ½Ãƒ ¡Ã„ ik Writing V. Rob Lee Argumentative Essay 6. 2. 2011 Unhealthy environment, smoke screens and empty wallets are a few problems someone might have when he enters a pub. On the one hand, it ´s required to have at least one non-smoking area in every pub, but on the other hand it ´s usually a small part of it. It could be a big problem for non-smokers, because they are bigger in number than seats for them. A good hopefulness for non-smokers isRead MoreShould Smoking Be Banned Harmful Effects On Individuals And The Economy1498 Words   |  6 Pages Smoking- A Costly and Deadly Habit One of the most common problems today that are killing people all over the world is smoking. Stress, personal issues, and high blood pressure are many reasons why people start this horrible habit. One cigarette leads to another which then can lead to major addiction. When someone smokes a cigarette they are not only hurting themselves, but others around them. Smoking causes people to be exposed to hazardous fumes and chemicals in many places. The habit of smokingRead MoreSmoking in restaurants, bars and pubs should be banned in Slovakia600 Words   |  3 PagesSmoking in restaurants, bars and pubs should be banned in Slovakia Smoking. Annoying habit that interferes with nonsmokers and smokers themselves too often. For centuries people around the world are subject to it, regardless of age, gender or race. Some smoke because they consider it to be modern, to fit into some games and some because it calms them down. The most often we get in touch with cigarettes is in restaurants, bars and pubs, and therefore as a non-smoker I personally think, and I willRead MoreShould Smoking Be Legal?1706 Words   |  7 PagesSmoking tobacco has been in existence for thousands of years. For most of its existence smoking has been acceptable, tolerable, and permitted in our mainstream society. In recent years, smoking tobacco has been under scrutiny. Smoking bans have been introduced to restrict smokers from smoking in public and private places. For example, restaurants, bars, hotels, parks, and beaches throughout the United States have established the bans against public smoking. I discovered this has significance as itRea d MoreSmokers vs Non-Smokers Essay733 Words   |  3 Pages6, 2010 Smokers in comparison/contrast to Non-Smokers In our everyday life, people either like or dislike smoking. Some people may think that smoking is bad for their health; meanwhile others may think that smoking is not harmful to them. In this world people tend to choose smoking for pleasure in their life and find that as long as it makes them comfortable they can over look the consequences or the harmful action that can take place while smoking. Non-smokers on the other hand have different waysRead MoreSmoke Free Society Essay743 Words   |  3 Pageslights a fire and starts smoking. You cant breathe comfortably anymore because of the smell, and the smoke makes your eyes smart. The perfect evening you are having is turning into a living hell. The above example describes how a non-smoker could suffer from smoking. There are many other disadvantages that a non-smoker gets from this nasty habit. Many had even died because of what we call passive smoking, or second-hand smoking. A non-smoker faces the risk of losingRead MoreEffects of Smoking Ban Laws Essay1327 Words   |  6 Pages Introduction Smoking bans are policies, which include occupational safety, regulations regarding health, and criminal laws, which prohibit tobacco smoking in public areas and in work places. The rationale behind these laws is to prevent non-smokers from the effects of second-hand smoke that may among other things result in lung cancer, heart diseases, emphysema and many other diseases. Smoking ban laws make smoking indoors in many countries worldwide illegal, with scientific evidence clearly showing

Benefits of Educating Employees Free Essays

Is it possible for a business to increase productivity by offering workplace computer literacy training to their employees? This paper asked the question: Are there benefits to employers that provide workplace education and training, above and beyond increased competency? The answer, as reported by research, is a resounding yes. Benefits such as increased self-confidence, increased adaptability, flexibility, the willingness to accept change and increased success in job-related training plus increased skills were reportedly derived from the workplace competency training offered. Moreover these benefits translated into more productivity for the organization. We will write a custom essay sample on Benefits of Educating Employees or any similar topic only for you Order Now Benefits of Educating Employees Introduction With the rapid changes taking place in our world economy, researching the question of workplace education benefits is significant. The question arose whether the workforce is sufficiently educated to compete in a global economy. The research pointed to competency as being imperative in today’s global economy, which implies an acceptance of computer competency. Education and competency training is defined as more than being able to work, but to make decisions. It is defined as being an important adjunct of technology. Education of skills, particularly computer competency and how they function gave the employees an overview of the system as a whole. It helped them understand how their machine worked and gave them an impetus to look for solutions themselves. This transcended into time saved and increased efficiency. The paper also indicated that companies which supported education in the workforce benefited because their employees exhibited improved self-confidence which translated into increased productivity and performance. More flexibility and a willingness to accept change were also deemed to benefits received from competency and skills training. Next point showed how computer literacy training benefited companies by helping their employees understand the computerized equipment they were working on. This understanding translated into: increased self-confidence, increased adaptability and flexibility, increased production as well as the willingness to take other training and succeed at same. Education and training today does include competency and skills not only in offices but also on shop floors. The benefits to providing workplace competency and skills training to employees are multifaceted. It may lessen the time it takes for people to learn. Return on investment is always of interest to businesses and organizations. The paper illustrated how employees, managers, supervisors as well as trainers observed behaviors from participants in the training, which reflected savings and profit for the organization. Some of the benefits are: saving time, increased production, increased flexibility, willingness to ask questions and changed attitudes. The paper points out how important it is to prepare to evaluate the training at the beginning of a project in order to determine what the organization is really trying to achieve with this specific training. The research concludes by looking at the organizational implications of offering workplace competency and skills training. Education and Competency Training Benefits There has been a great deal of information published on competency training done in the workplace. For example, in the 1997 report, The Impact of Basic Skills Programs on Canadian Workplaces: Results of a National Study for ABC CANADA Competency Foundation, the following information was reported. â€Å"The study consisted of in-depth phone interviews with 86 individuals from 53 workplaces that have had basic skills programs for at least one year. Sixty percent of the individuals interviewed were employer representatives and 40% were employee representatives. † (n. d. , The Benefits of Improving Competency Skills in the Workplace) The following are impacts to the workplace identified by the study: †¢ increases in the quality of work – 84% †¢ increased work effort – 73% †¢ more competent use of technology – 87%. (ABC CANADA Competency Foundation, The Benefits of Improving Competency Skills in the Workplace, n. d. ) Bloom and LaFleur’s (1999) report on improving competency skills through workplace education programs, indicates that â€Å"Although the impact of basic skills training on profits varies according to the value and shortage of a given skill or group of skills within a particular business sector, employers overwhelmingly report increased profits and other bottom-line benefits when their employees gain basic skills that enable them to work more effectively. † (p. 4) On page six of this report there is a list of eleven skills gained by employees who participated in workplace education programs as well as a list of twenty three organizational benefits gained by the employers. Willis (1994) reports that working with employees to expand workplace competency at the Peavey Electronics Corporation the following results were noted: â€Å"all employees had statistically significant increases in job performance with the areas of attitude, getting the job done, volunteering, doing extra, and dependability showing the most improvement. † (p. 25) U. S. Department of Labor (1992) states that: â€Å"A high-performance workplace requires workers who have a solid foundation in the basic competency and computational skills, the thinking skills, and in the personal qualities that make workers dedicated and trustworthy†¦ (p. 5). High-performance workplaces also require competencies: the ability to manage resources, to work amicably and productively with others, to acquire and use information, to master complex systems, and to work with a variety of technologies. † (p. 6) According to Dr. Harvey Krahn (1998) workplace competency programs target people with very low competency skills; however, if we look at competency as a continuum, businesses will recognize that it will benefit them to develop competency in people at all levels in the workplace. Bloom and LaFleur research (1999) has shown that â€Å"improving employee’s skills creates employees who work smarter and better and who cope well with change in the workplace, improves union/management relations and increases output and profitability. † (p. 3) The above speak of all competencies being important in the workplace. What challenges arise for businesses if employees are not literate? Bloom, Campbell and Gagnon (2001) speak of competency as being a crucial role in corporate competitiveness and productivity. They talk of globalization threatening U. S. ‘s economy and of people being a prime competitive advantage in the new economy. They maintain that U. S. ‘s traditional advantage of having a skilled workforce is being threatened by other countries gaining knowledge and improving the competency skills of their workers. They list the benefits to employers who work to increase the competency skills of their employees as: improved production and income, cost savings, better communication and employee retention as well as improved health and safety. For employees some of the benefits listed are higher income, more job security, less unemployment, improved self-confidence, more opportunities for job training, better attitude. (GAM, 2005) Benefits Specific to Computer Based Training The importance of computer training in today’s workplace is shown by the following statistics. More than one-half of all workers in U. S. now use a computer on the job. Data from the General Social Survey, on which the article is based, show that an estimated 8. 3 million workers, or 57% of the total employed, used a computer at their main job in 2000, compared with 33% in 1989 (Marshall, 2001, pp. 1-2). Ginsbury and Elmore (1998, p. 2) point out that computer training can save employees time to â€Å"compile and manage large data†; therefore, there is more time to spend on â€Å"creative, higher level work that that depends on the quick availability and quick manipulation of information†. They go on to say that much learning has been removed from the â€Å"objects of work whether a machine part, raw data or communication. † They speak of workers who fear technology or have difficulty learning new or upgraded technology as being liable to end up at the â€Å"lower end of a professional hierarchy. † Leckie, Leonard, Turcotte and Wallace (2001, p. 1) talk of work â€Å"evolving as the result of globalization, increased competition, the development of new technologies and other changes in the business environment. In the face of these trends, businesses are adopting new technologies and ways of organizing work to attain efficiency and productivity gains† (p. 9). They speak of businesses being wiser to retain their skilled employees rather than hire new, technically trained employees. They suggest that computer training can promote employee movement within a firm. Then firms have the best of both worlds, an employee who is experienced with the organization and has upgraded skills. They talk of new technology requiring new skills to be able to adapt to changing markets. They point to â€Å"job rotation, flexible job design and work teams† (p. 11) as giving employers the flexibility to have employees that will be able to adapt to change. They point to the effect of technological training for employees – if they become unemployed they have an easier time finding a job. They speak of computer training as being able to help employees deal with change as well as help them improve their performance and add to job satisfaction. McNeill (2000, p. 3) talks of computer competency at the executive level, as being more than â€Å"just using email and pulling files off the Web and so forth. We live in an increasingly high-tech world and overnight redundancies have become the norm. Companies that can’t assess these changes can easily get left behind. † He goes on to speak of downsizing and how computer competency is not listed as a reason to downsize; however, firms who have a choice of someone who is computer literate and someone of comparable skills that is not, will most likely choose to keep the person with computer skills. Computer based training attracts many and varied employees in the workplace. Most studies and papers state that computer training is beneficial to employees because it allows them the confidentiality to study what they need without others knowing. For instance there are many computer programs written which teach different skills. Also the training can be self-paced so there is no pressure to keep up. A bonus is if there are computer labs at work, employees can study when there is a suitable time in their schedule, such as lunch breaks, coffee breaks and before or after work. (Rae, O’Driscoll, 2004) I believe that training and education, especially computer is and will continue to be, very important to both employers and employees. As the information society develops, information and the know-how based on it will become more and more decisive as factors of production. Networking based on the application of information and communications technology, especially telecommunications, is a major trend. As well as creating new ways of communicating and working, information technology has made possible new methods of producing and distributing products and services (UNESCO, 2002, section 2. 1). Technological competency—meaning computer skills and the ability to use computers and other technology to improve learning, productivity and performance—has become as fundamental to a person’s ability to navigate through society as traditional skills like reading, writing and arithmetic †¦ (Selfe, 1998, p. 1). How to cite Benefits of Educating Employees, Papers