A Study of Small Sculpture from the Mesoamerican...

nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The Olmec, Maya, and Aztec were dominating societies of Mesoamerica, rich in culture, community, and art. While life may not be completely interpretable yet, much in known about how these societies were constructed, and how their religion dominated their lives. Much is generally made of their massive stonework, their ceremonial complexes, and ritual sacrifices, but their small jade, ceramic, and stone sculpture deserves as much attention as the works of much larger size have received. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The Olmec were thought to have set many of the patterns seen in later cultures throughout Mesoamerica.1 San Lorenzo, the oldest known Olmec building site, as of the time of the Brittanica article,†¦show more content†¦She has remarkably realistic features and proportions, as well as a short, but feminine hairstyle, womanly hips, and an expression of empowerment. Maybe this was not what the artist was trying to express, but the meaning changes through history, and yet, this piece can still relate to issues in society today (fig. 5). nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Ceremonial complexes were popular during the Middle Formative period for many Mesoamerican cultures. A wide array of Olmec style ritual sculptured objects, created from jade or other green stones, were found to be seated or standing figures, zoomorphic creatures, masks, and other small objects.7 nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Figure 6 is a small, carved figure depicting a supernatural being riding a jaguar, as it is so named for this. At only 8.9 cm tall, this piece is gray-green jadeite with a milky patina and a vain of softer mineral. Based on similar depictions of this being and the jaguar elsewhere in Olmec art, the creature could represent the ruler’s animal spirit companion. It is â€Å"his means of locomotion in his trance journey into the other world.†8 While F. Kent Reilly’s opinion is of this object having ritualistic ties to Shamanism, this, in theory, is only speculation, as such an object could have been produced purely for the enjoyment of the OlmecShow MoreRelatedEssay about Shamanism1696 Words   |  7 Pagesunderstand the meaning of shamanism one must uncover the original definition. The word shaman comes from the language of the Evenk, a small Tungus-speaking group of hunters and reindeer herders from Siberia. It was first used only to desi gnate a religious specialist from this region. By the beginning of the 20th century it was already being applied to a variety of North America and South American practices from the present and the past. Today people have gone as far as defining the word shaman as any humanRead More The Maya Essay1356 Words   |  6 Pages The Maya were a dominating society of Mesoamerica, rich in culture, community, and art. While life may not be completely interpretable yet, much in known about how these societies were constructed, and how their religion dominated their lives. Much is generally made of their massive stonework, their ceremonial complexes, and ritual sacrifices, but their small jade, ceramic, and stone sculpture deserves as much attention as the works of much larger size have received. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;TheRead MoreNative American Civilization : The Aztec, Or Mexicas Essay3157 Words   |  13 PagesOne of the first societies to ever mandate education was the Aztec, or Mexicas, which allowed children of any social stature to be educated, ^ possible input in of a dash rather than a comma including slave children. It is hard to imagine that this grand empire is highly associated with their practices in human sacrifice. When the Spanish invaded and took over, many believed that the Aztecs will killed ^were killed by this ^the Spanish conquest, but ^;but, the truth is that illnesses brought by theRead MoreEssay on Chicano Art3962 Words   |  16 Pagesthe lives of humanity. The creative nature in Artists is a complex matter to define. The uncertainties in the intrinsic nature in art lay difficult aspects that can only be answered by values, themes and skills depicted in an artist artwork. Apart from playing the intricate psychological effect on humans, the artw orks have been used as a tool of expression that has been revered and uniquely preserved for future generation. Among some of the most revered modern forms of artwork has included ChicanoRead MoreThe Birth of Civilization18947 Words   |  76 Pages1 The Birth of Civilization Mohenjo-Daro Figure. Scholars believe this limestone statue from about 2500 B.C.E. depicts a king or a priest from Mohenjo-Daro in the Indus valley in present-day Pakistan. Does this figure seem to emphasize the features of a particular person or the attributes of a particular role? Hear the Audio for Chapter 1 at www.myhistorylab.com CRAIMC01_xxxii-031hr2.qxp 2/17/11 3:22 PM Page xxxii EARLY HUMANS AND THEIR CULTURE page 1 WHY IS â€Å"culture† considered a definingRead MoreEssay on Change Analysis Chart Postclassical (600-1450 C.E.)8730 Words   |  35 Pageswere there during this time period? Discuss the decline of the great nomadic societies by the end of the period. What other causes were there? | * lack of centralized political powers * Nomadic movements undisputed | * nomads migrate into settled lands and uproot other nomadic groups * nomadic military skill continues to give an advantage | * Bantu migrations end * Germanic migrations end * Settled societies find efficient ways to defend agains nomads | * Stronger centralized states

The Movie World War Z Is A Zombie Apocalyptic Horror Film...

The movie World War Z is a zombie apocalyptic horror film directed by Marc Forster. The movie was loosely based off of Max Brook’s novel of the same name. Overall, it accrued positive reviews with a successful box office. Steve Persall applauded its aesthetic features, as it offers â€Å"vivid images of what these monsters are about and what they’re capable of doing†. Matt Zoller Seitz, on the other hand, argues that â€Å"[it’s] as if someone watched the similar ‘28 Days Later’ and thought, ‘That was a good movie, but it would be better if it cost $200 million.’† The critics generally agree that it is an action movie as the zombies â€Å"twitch, leap, gnash, and destroy† (Chris Cabin Slant Magazine). But they disagree on the appropriate rating and whether the film was, overall, satisfying in producing something original. It is balanced in violence and carnage, but keeps it friendly and â€Å"evades images of blood and gore† (Chris Cabin). Its special effects and horror aesthetics give the feel of a science-fiction horror-and-action film as they were meant to evoke awe. World War Z is a good film and is packed with action, suspense, horror, and visual appeal. The action within the movie is very fast-paced, and it begins during a Gerry Lane’s family commute in Philadelphia. Gerry Lane (portrayed by Brad Pitt) and his family fight to leave the congested streets that are filled with exponentially-growing infected lurking about. Gerry fends off hordes of zombies as they navigate the supermarketShow MoreRelatedThe Argument On World War Z884 Words   |  4 Pageson World War Z The movie World War Z is a zombie apocalyptic horror film directed by Marc Forster. The movie was loosely based off of Max Brook’s novel of the same name. Overall, it accrued positive reviews with a successful box office. Steve Persall applauded its aesthetic features, as it offers â€Å"vivid images of what these monsters are about and what they’re capable of doing†. Matt Zoller Seitz disagrees â€Å"as if someone watched the similar â€Å"28 Days Later† and thought, â€Å"That was a good movie, but

When The Emperor Was Divine Essay Example For Students

When The Emperor Was Divine Essay Q: Confession: Who is speaking? Is the speech ironic? Why has Otsuka chosen to end the novel this way? What does this imply about our ability to separate out the ‘enemy’, the ‘other’, in our midst? In the chapter titled â€Å"Confession† the speaker admits to the reader the truths of the story. This person talks about how the manner in which the police gathered and questioned them was true. This person confesses all the real life truths the Japanese went through whether it was in the camps or back at their home life. They confess their thoughts and feelings on the matter. The father is the speaker in the duration of the confession. He is the spokesperson for all the Japanese during this time and saying their inner most sacred thoughts and feelings since most didn’t have the voice to do so themselves. It is in the confession after some time spent with the police that he just breaks down and tells the police what they want to hear. â€Å"I’m sorry. There. Thats it. I’ve said it. Now can I go?†(143). Otsuka included this part because it has two deeper meanings. The first being that it was said in a sarcastic manner as if saying ‘well, sorry for being who I am. I can just change my looks and culture with the snap of my fingers because you don’t like what I look like.’ The father was not apologizing for the things that occurred or for being different. He was apologizing because of their closed mindedness. He feels sad for them because they will never understand that what they perceive to be right is truly wro ng. They let their emotions and preconceived notions cloud their judgment of right and wrong. They have incriminated an entire race and culture for something that happened during war. These are American citizens that they have shipped off to some camp to keep them ‘safe.’ Not war criminals or spies but fellow American citizens. This simple statement speaks volumes to the father’s state of mind. He holds so much sadness and anger, but knows nothing will change and that is the truly sad part about it all. In the confession it continues even further on with the father saying, â€Å"So go ahead lock me up. Take my children. Take my wife† (142). The father is proving a point in this moment. Usually when a parent’s child is in danger they will fight for their child to stay and make an exchange but not in this case. The father has already been stripped bare of his culture, heritage, and home by the American government. That has taken away his supposed freedom and rights. Has desecrated his home and made him public enemy number one, so why not finish the job off by taking his family away from him too. He feels lost and like he has nothing left to give or live for. All the things that made him, he has been taken away quite forcefully, and then he’s being told to act more American. He is told to throw away the emperor and do things the American way. To live an American life but be invisible to the Americans. Otsuka is showing how broken and fragile an entire culture has l eft because of the actions of the American government and citizens. In the novel, When The Emperor Was Divine, Otsuka chose to end the story with the confession to show the seriousness of the situation. An entire race was punished, humiliated, and made a mockery of because of the fears of ignorant people. Unfortunately, this is not the first time in American history something like internment camps that the Japanese were forced to has happened. For example the Red Scare, America was going wild with fear. People were charged with espionage or for being Communist sympathizers and sent away. Otsuka wanted to show the other side the story to this dark time in the American history. You usually only hear one side to the story and when you do you hear only the good parts, the sweetened version of the story and not the side from the people affected by others actions. She wanted to show how there really are no lines between ‘other’ and ‘enemy.’ .u37fa8bc293cece6ee140dbf9b28971c8 , .u37fa8bc293cece6ee140dbf9b28971c8 .postImageUrl , .u37fa8bc293cece6ee140dbf9b28971c8 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u37fa8bc293cece6ee140dbf9b28971c8 , .u37fa8bc293cece6ee140dbf9b28971c8:hover , .u37fa8bc293cece6ee140dbf9b28971c8:visited , .u37fa8bc293cece6ee140dbf9b28971c8:active { border:0!important; } .u37fa8bc293cece6ee140dbf9b28971c8 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u37fa8bc293cece6ee140dbf9b28971c8 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u37fa8bc293cece6ee140dbf9b28971c8:active , .u37fa8bc293cece6ee140dbf9b28971c8:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u37fa8bc293cece6ee140dbf9b28971c8 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u37fa8bc293cece6ee140dbf9b28971c8 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u37fa8bc293cece6ee140dbf9b28971c8 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u37fa8bc293cece6ee140dbf9b28971c8 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u37fa8bc293cece6ee140dbf9b28971c8:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u37fa8bc293cece6ee140dbf9b28971c8 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u37fa8bc293cece6ee140dbf9b28971c8 .u37fa8bc293cece6ee140dbf9b28971c8-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u37fa8bc293cece6ee140dbf9b28971c8:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: The Charge EssayThe lines become blurred somewhere along the way. People do not know when or how but they just get associated with the enemy. For instance when 9/11 happened, people were quick to judge and assume every Muslim had something to do with that terrorist attack. When really the ones being attacked were the Muslims not associated with the terrorist group. They had nothing to with the group but were bunched with them because of the same religion they shared. Like when the father says, â€Å"Who am I? You know who I am. Or you think you do† (142). You don’t know a person until you get to know them and their beliefs. You can’t just bunch them to gether to make things easier because then you are only closing yourself off to the world where there is no possibility of hope for generations to come.

Trifles susan glaspell Essay Example For Students

Trifles susan glaspell Essay Susan Glaspells Trifles explores male-female relationships through the murder investigation of the character of Mr. Wright. The play takes place in Wrights country farmhouse as the men of the play, the county attorney, the sheriff, and Mr. Hale, search for evidence as to the identity and, most importantly, the motive of the murderer. However, the men never find the clues that would lead them to solving this murder case. Instead, it is their female counterparts who discover the evidence needed, and who are able to do so because of their gender. The male investigators need to find, as Mrs. Peters puts it, a motive; something to show anger, orsudden feeling' (1329). Yet the men never see the uneven sewing on a quilt Minnie Wright was working on before the murder. The quilt is a symbol of Minnies agitationher anger. The men, though, laugh at the womens wonderings about the quilt and its peculiar knot. We will write a custom essay on Trifles susan glaspell specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Likewise, the canary and its cage are easily dismissed. In fact, the men just as easily believe a lie about this bird and cage. When the cage is noticed, its hinge pulled apart and broken door unnoticed, the county attorney asks, Has the bird flown?' Mrs. Peters replies that the cat got it' (1332). There is actually no such cat, but the men do not know that and never question the existence of it. The bird, however, is vital to the case. Mr. Wright killed the bird, Minnies bird, which may have provoked her to then kill him. As Mrs. Hale thinks further she says, No, Wright wouldnt like the bird a thing that sang, She used to sing. He killed that, too (1332). Mrs. Hale is talking about Mrs. Wright before she was married, how she used to go out and could sing like an angel, but since her marriage she has been confined like a caged bird. In addition, the strangling of Mr. Wright, a form of murder, which perplexes all when a gun was handy, is reminiscent of the strangling of that bird. It is another answer to the mens questions, but an answer they never find. The women, on the other hand, take note of all they see. They notice the bird, the cage, and the quilt but other things that the men call trifles, like Minnies frozen preserves and her request for her apron and shawl. These women are united; it seems, not only as country wives or as neighbors but also on the basic level of womanhood. This is apparent from the beginning of the play. Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters stand close together near the door, (1324) emotionally bonded throughout the play and, here, physically, in a way, too. Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters also have a kinship to Minnie, just as to each other. They respect her work as a homemaker. Mrs. Hale quickly comes to Minnies defense when her housekeeping skills are questioned, saying, Theres a great deal of work to be done on a farm' (1326). The women display their loyalty to each other and their sympathy for one another, too. Mrs. Peters can identify with the loneliness and sadness of losing something you love. She understands what stillness is,' and Mrs. Hale knows how things can befor women . . . they all go through the same thingsits just a different kind of the same thing' (1333). These women are obviously united, and together they have a common enemy, as it were. The womens foes, the men, are not united at all. The county attorney, in particular, is in a rush to find evidence. He hurries Mr. .u672ae09ffc838abade7720066c565d12 , .u672ae09ffc838abade7720066c565d12 .postImageUrl , .u672ae09ffc838abade7720066c565d12 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u672ae09ffc838abade7720066c565d12 , .u672ae09ffc838abade7720066c565d12:hover , .u672ae09ffc838abade7720066c565d12:visited , .u672ae09ffc838abade7720066c565d12:active { border:0!important; } .u672ae09ffc838abade7720066c565d12 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u672ae09ffc838abade7720066c565d12 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u672ae09ffc838abade7720066c565d12:active , .u672ae09ffc838abade7720066c565d12:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u672ae09ffc838abade7720066c565d12 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u672ae09ffc838abade7720066c565d12 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u672ae09ffc838abade7720066c565d12 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u672ae09ffc838abade7720066c565d12 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u672ae09ffc838abade7720066c565d12:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u672ae09ffc838abade7720066c565d12 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u672ae09ffc838abade7720066c565d12 .u672ae09ffc838abade7720066c565d12-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u672ae09ffc838abade7720066c565d12:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: AOL Time Warner Essay Hale through his story with, Lets talk about that later . . . tell now just what happened when you got to the house' (1325). Then he ushers the other two men up the stairs, unthinkingly neglecting the crucial evidence downstairs. To them it is of little importance as they say, Nothing here but kitchen things (1326). Instead of looking at things of the wife, who is in custody, they search all through Johns bed, barn, and other male things for evidence. The women regard these men, between themselves, as snooping around and criticizing' (1327) and .

Essay Sample on Income Inequality in Brazil Economic Research

Essay Sample on Income Inequality in Brazil Economic Research Free example essay on Income Inequality in Brazil: In the global economy Brazil has been marked for decades by its consistent problem with inequality in income distribution. In 2001 the World Bank ranked 152 countries and only five African countries had Gini coefficients higher than Brazil’s (de Medeiros). For the level of GDP and economic clout that Brazil has, no other country comes close to the having the same issues with income inequality and poverty. The causes of Brazil’s problems have been debated extensively as economists try and pinpoint the most significant causes of the in distribution, but we can conclude that several factors: education, regional inequalities, structural unemployment and price instability; all meet to play important roles in the Brazilian crisis. Education According to Carlos Aguiar de Medeiros of International Development Economics Associates, education almost always shows a direct connection to income distribution is. This idea is continually supported by World Bank’s studies on poverty, and as Aguiar states, â€Å"investment in education is the most efficient and adequate structural action to achieve a higher equity in income distribution and lower poverty levels† (de Medeiros). In order to bridge the gap between the lower classes and higher classes in any country, the education level must be made more equal between the two. We experienced this same idea in the United States when the public school systems were segregated, and black and white students were receiving vastly different educations. The intellect of the child in either case may be somewhat natural, but the child’s opportunity to develop their intelligence and ambition was often stifled in one setting and encouraged in the other. In Brazil the inequali ty of opportunity is even greater because the average Brazilian attends significantly fewer years in school compared with United States students, and a many Brazilian children do not have viable option for education available to them. Statistics from 1980 show that 27.4 percent of Brazilians over age 35 had no education, and 49.9 percent had only 1 to 4 years of education (Reynolds). Human Capital and Technology The greater issue here is of human capital. Brazil stands out in Latin America not only for its size, but also for being the most advanced country in the technological sector. Brazil’s involvement in the sector began when technology took off in the seventies, and this provides an interesting situation in terms of human capital because technologically based jobs require a much higher level of skill than most manufacturing jobs. An increase in technology also means that many of the low skilled labor jobs will be replaced by more efficient and cost effective methods that employ fewer workers. Therefore, although technology is highly beneficial to society from efficiency and productivity standpoints in the long run, the transition can be problematic for workers. Low skilled workers face a double-edged sword because not only did the total number of jobs decrease, but the skill level required to find employment rose. Many of the most important and detrimental effects of technology in the Brazilian economy are addressed by the Kuznets Effect. This effect is based on the principle that â€Å"initial impact growth has a disequalizing effect on the distribution of income† (Reynolds). The reasons for the disequalibrium are based on the new demand for management, professional, and technical workers, in jobs that most low skilled workers cannot fill. They also cannot be educated or trained quickly enough to put them in the market for newer jobs. The gap here can be improved through better education, but that effect takes years to take hold even after new education policies are put into place, and therefore as demand for skilled jobs is high, and supply of workers low, the market wage for skilled labor increases to very high levels, further distancing the income gap. Kuznet’s ideas also point out that beyond the better wage for skilled workers; there is an issue of where value is added to t he growing economy. In less advanced economies, the increasing value and profits are often passed on in small relative quantities, and the majority of capital remains for reinvestment. This is apparent in Brazil when in 1980 only about 30 percent of value added went to manufacturing compared with 50 percent in the United States (Reynolds). The returns on reinvestment help businesses and investors to grow financially and cushion the bank accounts of the wealthiest and smallest percentage of the population. The growth for the wealthy is in amounts that far outweigh the higher wages granted to workers, and thus causes the Gini coefficient to remain high or even rise. Why hasn’t Brazil invested more in education? Education is of course one of the best answers to many of Brazil’s economic problems. Brazil does not have the resources to provide better education, but they need education to create the human capital to gain resources. The government and economy of Brazil need to be well established and running smoothly before huge amounts of money are dumped into education. The problem is a catch-22 because the government may avoid investment in education because investment in education is risky, but better education may be exactly what the country needs. The returns on education investment are often unknown and the policies to implement it are always extremely complex. Therefore, when Brazil needs every real that they can manage to help support their markets, they are unlikely to invest largely in education which carries high risk, and which also doesn’t show returns for many years. Instead, they will continue to try and administer market reforms and controls with the money that is available (Rillaers). Until the economy is able to support itself, there will not be money to support new endeavors such as progressive education. Again, this shows the need for a true stabilization of some sort in Brazil that would allow more investment in education. Regional Inequality Brazil’s national problems with inequality are also linked to distinct problems of regional inequality. Studies show that the Northeastern region of Brazil holds 28 percent of the Brazilian population, but only produced 13 percent of GDP in 1998, and the Southeastern region holds 43 percent of the population, but produced 58 percent of GDP (Azzoni). Comparison of incomes between the regions show that the Northeastern incomes were only about half of the national average while the Southeast enjoyed incomes of one-third more than the national average (Azzoni). Market theory would suggest that resources should move to balance the market, but in Brazil there is an issue of mobility. The market will only relocate resources if they are cost-effectively mobile, and because of Brazil’s geography, the costs often outweigh the benefits. Transportation costs are too high and the distances to great. There is also the option of human capital moving to expand markets, but again, the c ost of movement usually offsets the benefit of a new market. We may see this change in Brazil as the national transportation system improves travel efficiency and costs. Azzoni and Servo find in their research that regional wage differences play a role in income inequality in Brazil, but are not the main cause of it. Price Stability Price stability or instability can play a considerable role in changing levels of income distribution. The familiar phrases, â€Å"poor getting poorer† and â€Å"rich getting richer† can be broken down into real terms by examining the numbers and causes for division. In Figure 1 we have data for Brazil from 1989 to 1995 that demonstrate the movement in income distribution for those years. Knowing the history of Brazil’s economy, we can draw certain conclusions and evidence from these numbers. We see that in the years from 1991 to 1994 when Brazil was facing its worst inflationary problems (just prior to the introduction of the Real), the poorest 50 percent of the population was rapidly losing ground to the richest 20 percent. Considering the types of income and wage contracts that poorer workers depend on, we can see that they are at a much higher risk when prices are not stable. They are often locked in to a particular wage or salary, and if the expectations at the time that the contract was drafted fall short of the actual inflation and price level, the workers are often left earning a lower real wage. The wealthy have outlets to protect their money. They can move large investments outside the country, have the opportunity to take advantage of high domestic interest rates, and are not effected by the rising prices of food and other consumer goods because those goods only constitute a small portion of their living costs. Looking again at Figure 1 we see that from 1993 to 1994, while the poorest half of the population lost 1.8 percent of the income share, the richest quintile gained 3.5 percent. The top 20 percent was increasing at almost double the rate that poorer sections were dropping. From 1994 to 1995, after the introduction of the Real Plan, we see an immediate turn around in the trend with the poorest half gaining 1.2 percent and the richest 20 percent losing 2.3 percent. The trend reversed from the prior year’s numbers, and that can be accredited to the Real Plan’s drastic decrease in inflation through de-indexation and a new currency. With price stability, the poor do not only avoid the inflationary tax that they undergo in times of unrest, the rich are also less able to capitalize on the very high interest rates of inflationary times, and therefore both ends of the distribution contract towards the center. In the two years following the stabilization Brazil only saw a 3 percent increase in the price level of basic goods, but the minimum wage grew in Brazil by 78 percent. This is pivotal to the real wage rate which increased by 24 percent in the year following the introduction of the Real Plan (â€Å"Stability†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ). Conclusion As evidenced above there are varied reasons behind the problems of income inequality in Brazil, but the overwhelming characteristic is that it runs deep and is engrained into the Brazilian society. There will not be any quick solution, as evidenced by the tiny improvement in the Gini coefficient after the Real Plan. From 1993 to 1995 Brazil’s Gini coefficient only improved from .60 to .59; a miniscule improvement in a number which is immense by world standards, and still the highest within Latin America (â€Å"The Real Plan†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ). There is an upside to the story. Data centered on education level compared with income growth show that there has been a greater percentage increase in income for less educated groups than more educated groups (â€Å"The Real Plan†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ). This shows that income distribution is narrowing, but again, there is still hardly any improvement in Brazil’s inequality measures. The lack of overall improvement of Brazil’s situat ion, despite favorable variables underscores the severity and depth of Brazil’s problem. If there is going be to a change in Brazil, it will have to be fundamentally at the root of the problem. No quick reconstruction or stabilization plan will equalize the income distribution. The most important issue will be education. Brazil must take dramatic steps to invest in and protect the education of their population. They are at the head of the technology game now, without a fully educated work force, and if they increase the number of workers who are skilled in new jobs, the economy will be strong enough to rebuild and support itself without hefty international aid. It will take time for returns on education to become influential, but once a strong educational base is in place, it will remain there. Once human capital is established it rarely diminishes. The base of an economy is the people who are a part of it, and if Brazil intends to improve across the board, they should start with the base and work their way up.

Nurses Perspectives of Smoking Initiation, Addiction, and Cessation Essay

Nurses Perspectives of Smoking Initiation, Addiction, and Cessation - Essay Example The steps to inhibit the practice of smoking was taken through the medium of an in-depth understanding of the issues as related to the attitudes of the nurses toward smoking initiation, addiction and cessation. In addition, attempts were made to explore the preference of nurses for smoking cessation interventions. For the purpose of the study, a community-based intervention was conducted in an 8-week support group. The participants were required to initially complete a questionnaire, which held its base on previously validated instruments, which was used to assess demographics, smoking history and knowledge about cessation and advocacy. The personal characteristics of the participants were required to be included in the instrument. The questions presented were related with the age, race or ethnicity, gender, marital status and geographical location, smoking status. , education, years in nursing, certification, current position, involvement in patient care, and place of employment, de tails on smoking and cessation history. The survey was not inclusive of the names of the participants. The data obtained was analyzed line by line and within the framework of pre-established content area. The results revealed presence of four themes, which were initiation of smoking and addiction, myths and misconceptions about quitting, overcoming addictions, and strategies for improving on the platform of smoking cessation. The efforts of the addiction and cessation of smoking as mentioned by the nurses was similar to those, which were, presented by the general population. However, the smoking practice in nurses was found to associate with a feeling of guilt. Another important experience, which was mentioned by the smoking nurses, was their feeling of lack of understanding projected by fellow nurses and mangers regarding their need of quitting the smoking practice. Those nurses who had successfully quit the practice of smoking were motivated by health concerns, pregnancy and their children. The nurses were of the opinion that several interventions can act as supportive in their attempts of smoking. Some of these interventions include the worksite services and Internet support group. The paper concluded that the feelings expressed by the nurses regarding the cessation of smoking interventions was same as that presented by the general population. The nurses realized two major concerns and these included confidentiality about their practice of smoking and counseling on the regard of guilty feeling for being a smoker. The study adhered with the ethical principles and no revelation of the names of the participant nurses was made in the paper or otherwise. The method of data collection employed questionnaire, which held the advantage of being less expensive and with the type of questions selected, proved to be expressive. Other important benefits of questionnaire as a method of administration is that it is less time consuming and therefore nurses, as participants were not required to depart with their essential responsibilities in order to fill in the questionnaire. The questionnaire also holds the advantage of posing less pressure on the subjects for immediate response thinking and there is no need to have the technical skill as required in the case of interview

Test study guide Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Test study guide - Assignment Example He painted accurately the body and nature, instead of exaggeration. In Lamentation a 3-d feel becomes apparent. The viewer can almost become part of the painting. This fresco depicts humans holding the dead body of Christ, while angels hover above. 3 Recognize the style of Italian Renaissance sculpture and painting. (You do not need to visually distinguish between Early, High or â€Å"Mannerism†). The Italian Renaissance style was more of a realistic approach. Proper proportions and scenes that depicted nature as real were the style of this period. 4 What is the meaning of the word â€Å"Renaissance?† From lecture information, describe the context in which the â€Å"Renaissance† emerged in Italy. Renaissance means rebirth or revival. The Renaissance was a renewal or birth of Latin and Greek classic thinking and studies. 5 What is â€Å"Humanism†? How did artists and intellectuals reconcile Christianity with Humanism? Humanism centers around human thoughts and knowledge. Artists and intellectuals reconciled Christianity with Humanism by studying the relations of humans to spirituality and divine issues. 6 How did Renaissance ideas about the role of human beings differ from the medieval period? The Renaissance focused more on logic and human thought in life, whereas the medieval period focused more on religion and the afterlife. 7 What was Albertis contribution to the Italian Renaissance painting style? According to him, what should good paintings include (what were his â€Å"rules† for painting)? Albertis contribution was the rules for painting three dimensional subjects on a flat surface. Good paintings â€Å"will include all ages of man and both sexes as well as animals of all sorts.† 8 What is mathematical (or linear) perspective? What is a vanishing point? A perspective in drawing and painting where parallel lines are converging so as to give the illusion of depth and distance. The