Thursday, October 31, 2019

Is there a link between volcanic eruption and climate change and what Essay

Is there a link between volcanic eruption and climate change and what the relationship between the two may be - Essay Example A., & Wilson, L. (2008). Donald Rapp in his book about climatic changes states that volcanic eruptions, though minor, are one of the factors for global warming, but injecting radiations into the earth’s atmosphere. Volcanos erupts huge amounts of ash, magma and sulfuric contents that remain in the environment, polluting it. (Rapp, D. (2008) When the issues regarding global warming got into discussions, human activities like the release of gases having CFC’s and burning of fossil fuels were considered as the primary factors for the climatic change. But some people disagree and claim that human activities pose less danger to our environment than natural procedures such as volcanic eruptions. This statement led human to study the affects of volcanic eruptions in detail. (Stenchikov, Georgiy L., Ingo Kirchner, Alan Robock, Hans-F. Graf, Juan Carlos Antuna, R. G. Grainger, Alyn Lambert, and Larry Thomason, 1998) Mount Pinatubo in Philippines got erupted on June 15, 1991, where approximately about 20 million tons of SO2 and ash particles spread into the air for more than 12 miles. The gases and solids that bumped into the atmosphere at the time Mount Pinatubo erupted lasted for 2 weeks in the air. Volcanic outbreak of this scale can shock earth’s climate, dropping the quantity of sun rays getting in the Earths shell, and altering atmospheric activity model. But the degree to which these changes happen, may vary. (Geology, sdsu; climatic effects of volcanic eruptions (2001). Extensive volcanic motion may precede only a couple of days, but the huge out break of solid ash and gases containing high sulfur content, may last for a long period of time. The erupted sulfuric gases convert themselves to â€Å"Sulfate Aerosols†. After the volcanic eruption, these aerosol particles may rest in the Earth’s stratosphere for as long as a

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Financial Management and Accounting Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Financial Management and Accounting - Assignment Example revenues, and expenses attributable to a business that would eventually lead to either a surplus or deficit in the case of a not for profit business. The total profit margin should be used as a metric that is helpful in the assessment of the financial strength of a company. The strength of a company in terms of finances is determined by analyzing the percentage of money that remains after total expenses are deducted form the income of a company. The total profit margin is calculated using the following formula; In a business, there are 2 forms of cash flows; cash inflow, and cash out flow. Cash inflow to a business is the revenue that may is incurred from the normal running of the business. The other forms of cash inflows include dividends that a company receives from investing in other businesses. Cash out flows are the cash amounts that a business uses in the running of the business. They may include the payment of business expenses, acquisition of equipment, and the payment of dividends to shareholders of the business. The cash flow to Brandywine Homecare is $12 million that results from the revenue of the business. The doubling of the depreciation charge as a result of changes in calculation procedures would make it to be equivalent to $3 million. The increase in depreciation charge would make the net income to be less by an amount equivalent to the increase in the depreciation charge. However, the increase in the value of the depreciation charge would not affect the cash flow of the company. This is because depreciation charge is termed as a non cash item and therefore has no effect on the cash flows of the business. If the depreciation expense was reduced by a half, the net profit would increase by an amount equal to the decrease. That means that the depreciation charge would be equal to $0.75 million. The total profit margin would reduce by a half while the cash flow would remain

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Leadership and Personality Research

Leadership and Personality Research Section One: Leadership Model Leadership is commonly identified as an art, yet slightly understood as a science in various literatures. Leadership is both a science and an art (Hughes, Ginnett Curphy, 2011). To define what art is, in the noble words of Gunter Grass, Art is accusation, expression, passion. Art is a fight to the finish between black charcoal and white paper (Taberner, 2012). Furthermore, to borrow an interesting description of what art is not, from Leo Tolstoy, Art is not, as the metaphysicians say, the manifestation of some mysterious idea of beauty or God; it is not, as the aesthetical physiologists say, a game in which man lets off his excess of stored-up energy; it is not the expression of mans emotions by external signs; it is not the production of pleasing objects; and, above all, it is not pleasure; but it is a means of union among men, joining them together in the same feelings, and indispensable for the life and progress toward well-being of individuals and of humanity (Tolstoy, 2016). From the above, I arrived to an understanding that leadership seems to be a grey area with various definitions and identifications. I believe leadership is within oneself, it is a process that requests various human skills transformed into mere instinct, which requires a sense of understanding in regards to a particular environment via observation and experimentation as to achieve a certain goal. Many leadership styles exist, lending itself to being explained through multiple metaphors without a one size fits all model. Although it was not an easy task to determine a single metaphor for a personal leadership model, I reflected on my own personal life. Having grown up in a family of farmers, I shall thus compare leadership to farming. Farming, as defined by the Cambridge English Dictionary, is an act of growing crops and/or keeping animals. A farmer can be thought of as a leader since they attend to the following activities: Planting/growing crops and raising/breeding livestock. Continuously attending to crops and feeding livestock. Finally collecting what the land or livestock have produced. Given the above activities, a sound farmer would be one that reasons with each and every considerable act of nature as well as promotes a sense of nurture to what they are attempting to achieve. There are certain acts of nature that cannot be foreseen such as weather conditions. At a time where technology was not around to predict the weather forecast, farmers took upon themselves learning and adapting to the environment, as it was crucial and necessary in constantly maintaining the wellness of the crops and livestock. There are more factors farmers face when considering the art of appropriate farming. Appropriate farming involves the management of three different activities, that are crops, livestock and off-farm enterprises. The decision-making process is relatively difficult as it encompasses the farmers use of their knowledge as to come as close as possible to fulfilling the goal they are striving to achieve (Norman, Worman, Siebert, Modiakgotla, 1995).[1] For example, their ability to manage and allocate crops away from livestock in order to achieve a balanced healthy environment on the farm is necessary, so as not all the crops are being fed on by the livestock and no t all the livestock are grazing throughout the farm. As farmers grow crops with a high-quality yield and cater to nurturing their livestock, similarly, leaders help in growing people and ensure sustainability and profitability to a business. The land and soil are the business culture, the climate is the market, the pests and diseases are then the competition (Tole, 2017). Leaders sow their values into the lives of others through the expression of attitudes, words and actions. Regardless as to where a leader may exist, be it at work, at home or in a community, the impact that individuals may have on your leadership, your business or organization requires attention as expressions are to be highly regarded by ones emotional instinct perceived from such interactions (Hale, 2013). Given the outline and understanding of the course this was witnessed by myself in the topic of Emotional Intelligence. I learned that we must partake in being in-tune with our emotions whilst dealing with others in and out of the workplace; attempting to understand the characteristics of whom we are dealing with as well as trying to relate to them to achieve a common goal. This has been evident whilst I recollected my personal observation of farmers attending to their land and livestock with much love, care and attention as to result in better productivity without dialogue. That alone is a magnificent skill to acquire. Leaders cultivate what they have sown by continuously connecting the dots between their words and actions. This is managed by living out or modelling what matters most to them about others, work, life and faith. Having such a practice put into effect tirelessly, is regarded to be like farming, since farmers weed/water the crops and feed/raise the livestock as to facilitate the full growth of crops as well as maintaining healthy livestock (Hale, 2013). Finally, leaders harvest what they have sown and cultivated (Hale, 2013). Like farmers, leaders allow themselves to celebrate their goals as well as reflect back on what they have generated or created per se. The act of doing so simply allows the leader to indulge themselves to progress together with their team as they exemplify success to themselves and continue working positively. Reflections, allow a leader to identify where they may have gone wrong and try to approach their harvest in a different manner yet more productive way (Miller, 2012). Similarly, with farming, the farmer would feel a sense of gratification as their goals of maintaining a healthy environment on the farm and the ability to sell their fresh produce as well as having high yields of growth, and a set of well-fed/raised healthy livestock. The farmers reflection to their creation would always require attention, hence identifying newer strategies to implement and put into action as to increase productivity and mak e more use of their resources to progress forward. The personal leadership model, highly relates to leading by example which is evident in the above section, as I mention exemplifying success in order to progress for both leaders and farmers. I can see it as a vital part of a famers life since each observation I can recall from my past allows me to identify most examples that these farmers could show rather than just point it out in words. I learned actions speak louder than words throughout the life I have lived thus far. This made me understand that not everything is settled by words and sometimes complete silence and the portrayal of an action is more than enough. Therefore, art is a very relevant topic when it comes to leadership due to the understanding of what art is and is not. Leaders are an amalgamation of various skillsets and knowledge. To better phrase what I previously mentioned, I believe farmers are leaders. In regards to my observations to the behaviours of multiple farmers, I can say they have acquired a high level o f emotional intelligence, have self-actualized their purpose, and yet are self-aware of their own actions towards tangible hard-to-communicate-with resources (i.e. land, crops and livestock). Effective leaders, are not always known to be good leaders whereas I believe farmers make good effective leaders due to the way they challenge the process of farming seeking opportunities to change, grow and improve their farms as well as define a model of life by behaving consistently in coordination to their associated goals. More-so the characteristics that are seen in farmers have a tendency of relying on growth and development. For example, their mere ability to encourage their competency in terms of adapting to the know-hows of running a farm as to sustain it, their integrity in acting honestly with the resources given to them as to harmonize the potential of a high level of productivity, their ability to carry on what they do in regards to their direction and the well-being of their resources and finally their vision that allows them to feel rewarded and celebrate their achievement in creating an healthy environment where all resources are put to work together to maximize grow th (Leadership, 2016). The leadership styles will vary from one style to another. The majority of styles witnessed in farming are realised to be situational, functional and moral in terms of understanding the importance of all the stages that are required to achieve the final goal. Situational comes into action whilst having to deal with unforeseen changes. Functional relates to the ways of dealing with the available resources such as the land, crops and animals in this scenario. Lastly, the moral approach comes handy whilst the farmers set to better the environment they are within by acting consistently, treating the livestock with care and provisioning a safe environment for their produce (Harvey, 2009). Section Two: Leadership Personality Assessment Self-leadership being the ability to lead oneself towards achieving goals. In understanding my purpose as a person, I became willing to work on self-development. My journey started with the growth of a need to depend on myself. Its emergence grew from self-education and the help of various others whom were regarded as leaders. I embraced my liking of leadership from certain role models in my life, starting from my family, later becoming certain icons of the past and present. I am grateful for having parents who shed the light of intellectualism and wisdom whilst growing up. Many of the lessons they taught me kept me progressing throughout life as well as catering to a greater understanding in identifying my percipience of others I characterised as role models. In the words of Jack Welch, Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others (Greenberg, 2012). Growing oneself is a lifelong process and so is leadership. It requires continuous assessment of skills and qualities, yet it helps in understanding the aims of life and co-ordinates the ability to set goals and realise potential. Personal empowerment and self-education allowed me to find greater self-confidence, self-awareness, self-management and a level of self-motivation to commit to tasks in life to reach a satisfying goal. John F. Kennedy once said: Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other (Kennedy, 1963). As I continued to grow, my path crossed with others. It is inevitable to have at least one friend or person to whom you cannot relate to or try and befriend, regardless of all stages in life. A person will eventually work with someone on a given task. This can be seen either at work, home or within the community. Given the fact that I have moved away from the home I grew up in, many obstacles came my way. I no longer lived in my comfort zone. My surroundings were new, the people within the community were foreign to me, I had to re-calibrate and learn more about the environment I was living in. Therefore, I took on setting more goals that would encourage my participation in this environment. This helped me acquire a sense in furthering my knowledge of teamwork as well as elevate my emotional intellectual instincts in accordance to the surroundings, yet not allow the surroundings change who I am. I remained true to myself, but I visualised a larger set of goals. Results from the psychometric tests are as follows: Myer-Briggs/Jungs Big Five, 16 personalities (ENFP Personality (The Campaigner) | 16 Personalities, 2017). I am an ENFP-A Appendix B. Extraverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Prospecting and Assertive. This suggests that I possess the personality of a campaigner and has the role of being a diplomat whilst utilizing the strategy of people mastery. Tony Robbins DISC (Robbin Research International, 2017). I have a moderately low Decisive, very high Interactive, high Stabilizing and moderately high Cautious personality Appendix C. In accordance to the DISC study, I seem to always build a comfort zone. This suggestively allows me to maintain my stress levels even when I am placed in a fast-moving environment due to my tendency to consciously think about modifying my behaviour. The Narcissist Personality Inventory (NPI-40 iLearn: MGSM, 2017). Score: 15/40 The lower the score the less narcissistic I am, as suggested by Raskin Hall. This simply states I have an average level of narcissism and is concluded in seven different facets. To my understanding from this test and the diagram available in Appendix D, various qualities have suggested levels of authority, self-sufficiency, superiority, exhibitionism, exploitation, vanity and entitlement that my personality tends to project. The high level of superiority indicates my senses of being of a high intellect whilst compared to the other tests. Personal observations in accordance to the above tests: My suggested personality is ENFP-A as per 16 personalities. The individual traits that were suggested showed a high level of extraversion, a high level of being intuitive, showing feelings, a prospecting character, and moderately assertive. The role as characterised by 16 personalities suggests I am a diplomatic campaigner who uses the strategy of people mastery. Results from the interviews: Interviewee 1 (the male participant), identified my personality to be ESFJ-A as per 16 personalities. The individual traits that were revealed by him showed a high level of extraversion, a moderate level of being observant, showing feelings, judging, and a high level of assertiveness. The role as characterised by 16 personalities suggests I am a sentinel consul who uses the strategy of people mastery. More-so, interviewee 1s completion of the DISC test further acknowledged a moderately low Decisive and very high Interactive personality, whilst concluding a very high Stabilizing and moderately low Cautious personality. Interviewee 2 (the female participant), identified my personality to be ISTJ-A as per 16 personalities. The individual traits that were revealed by her showed a moderate level of introversion, a high level of being observant, being practical, judging, and assertive. The role as characterised by 16 personalities suggests I am a sentinel logistician who uses the strategy of confident individualism. More-so, interviewee 2s completion of the DISC test revealed a well-balanced result that indicates a high average Decisive, a high average Interactive, a high average Stabilizing and a high average Cautious personality. Both interviewees were asked to come up with a list of six traits to help identify who I am to them. One listed the traits, whilst the other rated them from 1 10 (1 being the lowest, 10 being the highest). The results were fascinating to me, as I would have never actually considered them about myself. To conclude the results, I have found out that I possess certain characteristics of a natural leader. Given the above suggestions describing my person, I do realise everyone has potential of being a leader in their own way. I believe leading a good life and being a good person shows greatness; those are the first signs of true leadership. I embrace my strengths and work upon encouraging further strengths to emerge, yet I disregarded any mention of weaknesses. I believe everyone has weaknesses and implying them would discredit the ability of minimising them, yet understanding them may allow a person to bypass them. As once mentioned by Shusaku Endo: Every weakness contains within itself a strength (Scott, 2016). I envision my weaknesses as partially evident within my strengths and in bettering my strengths I can overcome any weakness. Therefore, the suggested strengths I have acquired can be further worked upon to better my being and indulge my sense of leadership. As for my efforts in bettering myself via personal development, I have set goals to improve the skills I lack in. Traits like social boldness and dominance as stated by the interviewees present in Appendix E will require some work to improve on, yet maintain and improve the rest of the other traits. Whereas from my own assessments, I would have to picture myself in being more assertive and find ways to identify my dominance as I never thought of myself as being someone who is well dominant, rather someone who is very competitive. References Cambridge English Dictionary. (2017). Meaning of farming in the Cambridge English Dictionary. www.dictionary.cambridge.org. Retrieved 13 March 2017, from http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/farming Greenberg, M. (2012). Six Qualities Leaders Need to Be Successful. Psychology Today. Retrieved 15 March 2017, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-mindful-self-express/201204/six-qualities-leaders-need-be-successful Hale, R. (2013). Why Leaders are like Farmers. WellSpirit Consulting Group, Inc. Retrieved 13 March 2017, from http://wellspiritconsulting.com/why-leaders-are-like-famers/ Harvey, T. (2009). Leadership theories, leadership models and leadership principles. www.learn-to-be-a-leader.com. Retrieved 14 March 2017, from http://www.learn-to-be-a-leader.com/leadership-theories.html Hughes, R., Ginnett, R., Curphy, G. (2011). Leadership: Enhancing the Lessons of Experience (7th ed., p. 5). McGraw-Hill Irwin. Kennedy, J. (1963). John F. Kennedy Speeches John F. Kennedy Presidential Library Museum. www.jfklibrary.org. Retrieved 15 March 2017, from https://www.jfklibrary.org/Research/Research-Aids/JFK-Speeches/Dallas-TX-Trade-Mart-Undelivered_19631122.aspx Leadership. (2016). www.thepeopleindairy.org.au. Retrieved 14 March 2017, from http://www.thepeopleindairy.org.au/working-together/leadership.htm Macquarie Graduate School of Management (MGSM). (2017). iLearn: NPI-40 Narcissism Personal Inventory. ilearn.mq.edu.au. Retrieved 15 March 2017, from http://ilearn.mq.edu.au/mod/quiz/view.php?id=3829882 Miller, P. (2012). Self-reflection: the key to effective leadership. Todays Manager, Dec 2011 Jan 2012. Retrieved from https://works.bepress.com/peter_miller/133/ Norman, D., Worman, F., Siebert, J., Modiakgotla, E. (1995). The farming systems approach to development and appropriate technology generation (1st ed., p. 33). Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Robbins Research International. (2017). DISC Profile: Free Online Personality Strengths Test Tony Robbins. Tony Robbins. Retrieved 15 March 2017, from https://www.tonyrobbins.com/disc/ Scott, K. (2016). What is Your Biggest Weakness? Vistage Florida. Vistage Florida. Retrieved 15 March 2017, from http://florida.vistage.com/2016/11/30/what-is-your-biggest-weakness/ Taberner, S. (2012). Cambridge Companion to GuÃÅ'ˆnter Grass (1st ed., p. 167). Cambridge: ProQuest LLC. Tole, J. (2017). Why leadership is very much like farming. LinkedIn Pulse. Retrieved 13 March 2017, from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-leadership-very-much-like-farming-jonathan-tole Tolstoy, L. (2016). What is art? (1st ed.). Bloomsbury Academic. Appendices       Appendix A: Appendix B: 16 Personalities: Personality type: The Campaigner (ENFP-A) Individual traits: Extraverted 61%, Intuitive 68%, Feeling 64%, Prospecting 53%, Assertive 63%. Role: Diplomat Strategy: People Mastery Summary: An extraverted mind that prefers groups activities, gets energized by social interaction and tends to be more enthusiastic, yet easily excited than introverts. A very intuitive individual who is very imaginative, open-minded and curious. Someone that prefers novelty over stability and focuses on hidden meanings as well as future possibilities. A naturally sensitive and emotionally expressive individual who tends to be more empathic and focuses on social harmony/cooperation. An assertive individual who is self-assured, even tempered and resistant to stress. Can refuse worrying too much and tends to not push themselves too hard when it comes to achieving goals as they believe goals will naturally come to them. Appendix C: DISC: Strengths: I have a large knowledge-base and a continuing appetite to learn more. I have the tendency to be friendly and easy-going whilst interacting with others. I possess the ability to focus on building my own skills and talents as well as assist others on building their own. I am modest rather than egocentric, yet can become more assertive when necessary. I have a desire to become the best that I can be, or an expert in a specific area. I acquired the ability to self-manage. Appendix D: Question 1 Two statements. Which best applies to you? Select one: a. I am much like everybody else. b. I am an extraordinary person. Question 2 Two statements. Which best applies to you? Select one: a. I am more capable than other people. b. There is a lot that I can learn from other people. Question 3 Two statements. Which best applies to you? Select one: a. I get upset when people dont notice how I look when I go out in public. b. I dont mind blending into the crowd when I go out in public. Question 4 Two statements. Which best applies to you? Select one: a. I wish somebody would someday write my biography. b. I dont like people to pry into my life for any reason. Question 5 Two statements. Which best applies to you? Select one: a. I am a born leader. b. Leadership is a quality that takes a long time to develop. Question 6 Two statements. Which best applies to you? Select one: a. People sometimes believe what I tell them. b. I can make anybody believe anything I want them to. Question 7 Two statements. Which best applies to you? Select one: a. I am going to be a great person. b. I hope I am going to be successful. Question 8 Two statements. Which best applies to you? Select one: a. I would prefer to be a leader. b. It makes little difference to me whether I am a leader or not. Question 9 Two statements. Which best applies to you? Select one: a. Being an authority doesnt mean that much to me. b. People always seem to recognize my authority. Question 10 Two statements. Which best applies to you? Select one: a. I can live my life in any way I want to. b. People cant always live their lives in terms of what they want. Question 11 Two statements. Which best applies to you? Select one: a. I really like to be the centre of attention. b. It makes me uncomfortable to be the centre of attention. Question 12 Two statements. Which best applies to you? Select one: a. I like to look at myself in the mirror. b. I am not particularly interested in looking at myself in the mirror. Question 13 Two statements. Which best applies to you? Select one: a. I dont care about new fads and fashions. b. I like to start new fads and fashions. Question 14 Two statements. Which best applies to you? Select one: a. I have a strong will to power. b. Power f or its own sake doesnt interest me. Question 15 Two statements. Which best applies to you? Select one: a. Compliments embarrass me. b. I like to be complimented. Question 16 Two statements. Which best applies to you? Select one: a. I will never be satisfied until I get all that I deserve. b. I take my satisfactions as they come. Question 17 Two statements. Which best applies to you? Select one: a. I expect a great deal from other people. b. I like to do things f or other people. Question 18 Two statements. Which best applies to you? Select one: a. Sometimes I tell good stories. b. Everybody likes to hear my stories. Question 19 Two statements. Which best applies to you? Select one: a. I sometimes depend on people to get things done. b. I rarely depend on anyone else to get things done Question 20 Two statements. Which best applies to you? Select one: a. I always know what I am doing. b. Sometimes I am not sure of what I am doing. Question 21 Two statements. Which best applies to you? Select one: a. I try not to be a show off. b. I will usually show off if I get the chance. Question 22 Two statements. Which best applies to you? Select one: a. My body is nothing special. b. I like to look at my body. Question 23 Two statements. Which best applies to you? Select one: a. I just want to be reasonably happy. b. I want to amount to something in the eyes of the world. Question 24 Two statements. Which best applies to you? Select one:

Friday, October 25, 2019

Analysis of The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber by Ernest Hemingwa

Analysis of The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber by Ernest Hemingway Ernest Hemingway is known for producing novels and short stories with ambiguous endings. In his short story, "The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber," he definitely leaves his readers guessing. The question is whether Margot kills her husband, Francis, intenionally, or if she accidentally shoots him in an effort to save his life. There are many points that could be argued for both conclusions, but my observations have led me to believe that Margot did indeed shoot her husband intentionally, however, without pre-meditation. In looking at the background of Francis and Margot, it is easy to see that the strength of their relationship rests on their co-dependancy. They have two completely different personalities, but that is what ultimately keeps their relationship at an equilibrium.Their marriage is summarized by the statement, "Margot was too beautiful for Macomber to divorce her, and Macomber had too much money for Margot ever to leave him." Margot has complete control over their marriage, and Francis allows her to have this control because he could not find another wife if Margot were to leave him. This is apparent when the narrator states, "If he had been better with women, she would probably have started to worry about him getting another new, beautiful wife; but she knew too much about him to worry about him either." The background information given about Francis and Margot makes a motive for an intentional killing clear. When Margot sees the euphoria, loss of cowardice and sudden independance that Francis gets from his pursuit of the buffalo, she realizes that she has lost control over her husband. The change in Francis ca... ...age because she is no longer in charge of Francis or needed by him. She realizes that he has found his own independance and that she is expendable to him. Therefore, in a sudden rage of anger, resentment and disappointment, she kills Francis. Even though I do believe that Margot means to kill her husband, I do not think that it is a pre-meditated event. It appears that Margot's original intention is to save Francis by shooting the buffalo. Of course, realistically, it would be hard to stop such an animal from a far distance, and it is difficult to believe that Margot thinks she could do it. When Margot aims the gun and prepares to fire, all the negative emotions that are built up inside her cause her to make the sudden decision to take her anger out on her husband. She may have only thought about it for a second, but ultimately, it was an intentional shot.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Causes and Consequences of Corruption in India and How to Counter It

DEFINITION OF CORRUPTION Corruption is defined as the use of public office for private gain, or in other words, use of official position, rank or status by an office bearer for his own personal benefit. Following from this definition, examples of corrupt behaviour would include: (a) bribery, (b) extortion, (c) fraud, (d) embezzlement, (e) nepotism, (f) cronyism, (g) appropriation of public assets and property for private use, and (h) influence peddling. Activities such as fraud and embezzlement can be undertaken by an official alone and without involvement of a second party.While others such as bribery, extortion and influence peddling involve two parties –The giver and taker in a corrupt deal. The two party type of corruption can arise under a variety of circumstances. Often mentioned are concerned with the following: (i) Government contracts: bribes can influence who gets the contract, the terms of the contract, as well as terms of subcontracts when the project is implemente d. (ii) Government benefits: bribes can influence the allocation of monetary benefits such as credit subsidies and favoured prices and exchange rates where price controls and multiple exchange rates exist.Bribes can also be important in obtaining licenses and permits to engage in lucrative economic activities such as importing certain goods in high demand and in short supply. Moreover, bribes can be employed to acquire in-kind benefits such as access to privileged schools, subsidized medical care, subsidized housing and real estate, and attractive ownership stakes in enterprises that are being privatized. (iii) Government revenue: bribes can be used to reduce the amount of taxes, fees, dues, custom duties, and electricity and other public utility charges collected from business firms and private individuals. iv) Time savings and regulatory avoidance: bribes can speed up the granting of permission, licenses and permits to carry out activities that are perfectly legal. This is the so- called â€Å"grease money† to turn the wheels of bureaucracy more smoothly, speedily and hopefully in the right direction. It is also not difficult to think of a really awful situation where rules and regulations, and the way they are applied, are so complex and burdensome that the only way left to get things done is to pay money to avoid them. (v) Influencing outcomes of legal and regulatory processes: bribes can be used to provide incentives to regulatory uthorities to refrain from taking action, and to look the other way, when private parties engage in activities that are in violation of existing laws, rules and regulations such as those relating to controlling pollution, preventing health hazards, or promoting public safety as in the case of building codes and traffic regulations. Similarly, bribes can be given to favour one party over another in court cases or in other legal and regulatory proceedings. Causes:- 1) Lack of effective management and organisation: Due to mis management and disorganisation, there is a weak control on various departments and their working.This leads to lack of coordination and control among departments and levels of organisation. This uncontrolled and unsupervised administration gives rise to corruption on large scale. Besides, appointment of inefficient and incapable managers and executives on various levels of hierarchy also leads to mismanagement and disorganisation. The only cause of this wrong appointment is corruption. Hence, corruption breeds corruption. 2) Lack of economical stability: Economical crisis and price hike are major causes of corruption. Economical crisis leads to unemployment and change in standard of living.It develops a feeling of insecurity in the minds of affected people. Most of the people do not have patience and courage to face this situation. In order to regain their employment and to maintain standard of living and status, this affected people engage themselves in illegal and immoral activiti es. They do not want to work hard again for achieving the same position and post. They use various illegal short cuts for achieving them. 3) Lack of effective leadership: Good leaders can only lead people towards growth, development and progress. They play significant role in eradication of social evils.In India, there is tremendous shortage of good leaders. Leaders convey message of citizens to the administration and government. They lead the people against corruption and social evils. A country cannot survive without honest and sincere leaders. There is urgent need of leaders like Mahatma Gandhiji. We need more Anna Hazares and Medha Patkars. 4) Lack of support: There are few good leaders in India. They strive hard to eradicate corruption from the society. But due to lack of support and cooperation from people, the voice and efforts of these great leaders are often suppressed.People of India are more concerned with their life than the development and protection of their country ag ainst social evils. Many citizens have accepted corruption as a part of their life. They think, it is useless and waste of time, to support leaders against corruption. 5) Lack of values: Home and educational institution play a significant role in character building of citizens. Moral values are only taught in most of these institutions. But, they are not properly inculcated in individual. This is the basic cause of corruption. Many parents and teachers do not practise what they preach.Hence, their preaching does not bring out desired results. Children imitate parents. If parents are corrupt, it is more likely that children will also become corrupt. 6) Lack of love for country: Due to rapid modernisation and globalisation, people are becoming more and more selfish. They are only concerned with self enrichment and wealth accumulation. The only objective of many Indian is to become rich as soon as possible. They consider themselves as patriotic just by celebrating independence and repu blic day. They do not know the actual meaning of patriotism. They are not concerned with development of nation and rights of others.Due to this attitude, they easily get involved in corruption and immoral activities. During strike and protests, many politically affiliated citizens damage and destroy public property. 7) Lack of proper system: In India, corruption exists in all levels and areas of system. Very few honest people survive in this corrupt system. Those who raise their voice against corruption are killed or forced to resign. This accelerates the growth of corruption. Most of the people involved in Indian system have take corruption as part and parcel of their duties. They don't have hatred or ill feeling towards corruption.They think that without it, we cannot survive and sustain in this system. Besides, systems are interrelated and interdependent. As a result, corruption spreads like tumour in all the systems. 8) Lack of satisfaction: Greed results from non-satisfaction. People are not satisfied with their current status, position and wealth. They want to become millionaire in a short span of time. Growth and richness is not bad. But it is sad to see that the Indian are adopting illegal and immoral ways to achieve them. Many Indians are engaged in unhealthy competitions of wealth accumulation (with relatives, colleagues and neighbours). ) Lack of autonomy: Establishment and expansion of private and business sector depend on approval of politician. Many politician misuse their authority and power. They have only one criterion for approval â€Å"Pay us otherwise you will not get paid†. Entrepreneurs consider bribery as tax like other official taxes. Bribery has become necessary for the establishment of organisation. Companies and contractors secure contracts and government projects due to bribe. Good quotations and work of company does not considered to be criteria for securing contracts. 0) Lack of good control and vigilance: In India, some ag encies are working day and night to stop corruption. But some officials of these agencies get tempted towards illegal commissions and leave corrupt people without any penalty and punishment. Corruption breeds corruption. To keep a check on crores of people, more agencies and more honest officials are required. Hence, there is a tremendous shortage of these agencies and officials in India. This results in lack of control and vigilance on illegal activities. 11) Lack of good remuneration: In private sector, employer decides salary and employment benefits.He has complete freedom and there is no pressure on him from government. Due to this fact, many employers pay less for more work. They exploit employees of their companies. Even the working conditions in most of the establishments are worse. Employee does not have any social security and retirement benefits. Employees get frustrated and adopt illegal means to make their earnings better and future secure. 12) Lack of employment: Many u nemployed educated youth fall prey to corruption. They are willing to pay huge amount for jobs. Many employer take undue advantage of this situation. They take bribe and give appointment letters.The appointed employee uses all means (legal and illegal) to recover his lost money as early as possible. Hence, Corruption breeds corruption. When these employees achieve power and authority. They take bribe from candidates for jobs. These traditions of corruption continue from generation to generation without any check and control. 13) Lack of seats and educational institutions: In order to fulfil dreams and ambitions of their children, parents pay huge donation to secure admission for their children. Hence, the basis of admission is not merit but money. Management use maximum utilisation of quota granted to them.Every year there is a increase in donation amount. Affluent students who secured less percentage in examinations, easily gets admissions by paying huge donations. Poor students wh o secured good percentage struggle day and night to get admissions. Many a time their efforts go in vain due to lack of seats and more number of applicants. Consequences:- 1) Loss of National wealth: This is the greatest loss for the people of India. Since independence, India is showing tremendous growth in corruption (Jeep deal to 2 G spectrum scams). India lost billions and billions dollars of money in various scams.Instead of becoming independent affluent nation, India is dependent on international loans, grants and favours due to this tremendous of wealth in corruption. 2) Hindrance and obstruction in development: Corruption is the only obstruction in the way towards development. We cannot become a developed and self sufficient nation until corruption is not eradicated from our country. Many developmental projects are taking unnecessary time for their completion due to corruption. Since, many officials consider these projects as special hens(hens which lay golden eggs every day) . If project will get completed, these special hens will die.Hence, they take proper care of these hens. 3)Backwardness: Due to corruption, India is behind in almost every field- sports, inventions, health, medicine, research, education, economy, defence, infrastructure, technology and so on. Many scientists do not have latest equipments and technology for research and development. Sportsmen do not have proper facilities, equipments, coaching and training. There are scams and corruption in defence deals. Many doctors lack specialised and modern skills of treatment and diagnosis. 4) Poverty: Due to corruption, government is unable to eradicate poverty.Rich are becoming richer by snatching the rights and wealth of poor. Various packages, reservations and compensations for poor people, minorities and backward community are announced by government from time to time. But these disadvantaged sections of society hardly get any benefits. Since, affluent people freely consume benefits meant for poor. 5) Authority and power in wrong hands: Ineligible and incapable candidates are selected for various important positions. They pay and get selected. Due to their inefficiency, there exist many faults and weaknesses in system and management. These faults get easily hidden through corruption.The deserving and creative candidates satisfy themselves with unsuitable jobs and positions. 6) Brain drain: Corrupt employers and mediators offer jobs to unskilled and incapable candidates by taking bribe. They get their share of wealth. But nation loses its valuable share. Due to lack of good opportunities in India, many creative and talented Indian are serving developed nations. This is a tremendous loss for India. Since, we cannot become a developed nation without the contribution of talented and creative people. Talented people who serve other countries are actually cheating with their own nation.They are made capable and efficient by their own nation. But they use their capabilities for increasing the efficiency of other nation. This is also considered as corruption. 7) Rise in terrorism and crimes: One of the reasons for rise in crimes is corruption in police administration. Police departments grant security and protection to the citizens. When this departments get engaged in corrupt activities. Then there is no control on crimes and brutal killings. Since, criminals are given freedom and victims are tortured. Besides, corruption also leads to injustice. Injustice gives birth to crimes and anti social activities.Citizens take up arms for securing justice. 8) Rise in suicide cases: Suicide cases are increasing in India by leaps and bounds. One of the major causes in several suicide cases is injustice resulting from corruption. Government announces various schemes and help packages for farmers but most of the time this financial help does not reach to the farmers due to corruption in administration. This leads to rise in suicides cases among farmers. Candidates fulfil all necessary criteria for jobs or admissions, but then also they fail in their attempt to secure it because they do not have political contacts and money.This leads to hopelessness and depression which ultimately results in suicide. 9) Psychological and social disorders: Due to corruption in judicial system and police administration. Culprits are left free and victims get punishments and injustice. Due to this injustice, many victims suffer from depression and serious psychological disorders. Many victims get frustrated with judicial system and develop feeling of revenge against culprits. As a result, the victims become culprits by engaging themselves in anti-social activities. It corrodes the healthy social fabric of nation. How to counter Corruption:- ) Value education: Parents and teachers should inculcate moral values in children. Practice is more persuasive than preaching. The best way to inculcate values in children is not only to preach but to set an example by actua l doing. They should set themselves as a model of good behaviour. They should narrate stories based on moral values. Teacher should not only teach morals in value education period but they should inculcate values in pupils by correlating value education with various subjects and activities. They should not leave any stone unturned for achieving this great purpose. ) Effective and regular vigilance: Strict action should be taken against lazy and corrupt officials. Number of agencies and officials should be increased. They should be properly trained in the latest investigative skills. Government should supervise and monitor these agencies. They should be quick and active in their duties. They should not delay their investigation and inspection . Since, these delays is the cause for loss of tremendous wealth of nation. 3) Responsible citizen: If an individual is corrupt, he cannot expect those in power to be free from corruption.Hence, it is essential for every citizen to perform his d uties faithfully and to the best of their abilities. Every citizen should strive hard to eradicate corruption. People of India should report cases of corruption to vigilance department immediately without delay. They should follow up the cases of corruption. Since, merely reporting the evil practice is not sufficient for its complete eradication. 4) Strong and Effective leadership and administration: All those who are granted powers and authority by people should fulfil their promises and pledge.They should strive their utmost to eradicate corruption from systems and administrations. They should give up hypocrisy. Government and vigilance agencies should keep a check on their source of income and bank accounts. If any leader is not performing his duties properly, then he should be immediately terminated from the position. It should be performance based position. Government should do performance appraisal of leaders regularly. 5) Media: Media has wider coverage and impact. It plays a n important role in changing the life of people. It should frequently expose the cases of corruption.It should educate people against corruption on regular basis. Journalists and editors should give complete information about the issues related to corruption in their newspapers. Reporters should give more importance to the news and information on corruption; they should report corruption cases immediately. 6) Legislation: Government should frame strict and stringent anti-corruption laws. Severe punishments and penalties should be imposed on corrupt people. The justice and proceedings should not be delayed. Immediate action should be taken against corrupt people. The punishment should act as a good lesson for other corrupt people. ) Social organisation: Non government organisations should work in coordination with people and vigilance departments for prevention of illegal activities. They should devise and plan innovative strategies and methods against corruption. 8) Declaration of w ealth and assets: It should be made mandatory for political leaders and government officials to declare their wealth and assets. Investigation agencies should strictly and properly check their claims and declaration. 9) Transparency: Every process of selection, dealing and appointments of different fields should be made transparent.People should be made aware of reasons and merit for selection of candidates, contracts, tenders, etc. 10) Advertising: Advertising and marketing agencies should educate and aware people against corruption. There should be appealing ads on internet, vehicles, bus stops, railway stations, sign boards and television. 11) Serials and films: Films are powerful medium of mass communication. Films have powerful influence and widespread appeal. Films can be used to create public opinion against corruption. Producers should make certain popular serials and movies against corruption.Serials should have different episodes dealing with various types of corruption an d their cures. 12) Appointment and admissions: Selection of students, managers, officers and executives should only be based on merit. It is the responsibility of candidates and parents to critically examine the selection and appointment procedures. They should report irregularities to the higher authorities without delay. 13) Religious sermon: In India, people show very strict adherence to their faith and belief. They are very sensitive towards religion, place of worship and religious leaders.They have deep attachment and great respect for preachers and spiritual orators. They try to adopt the teachings of their spiritual leaders in day to day life. Hence, religious leaders should give sermons against corruption. 14) Loyalty and patriotism: Every citizen of India should become patriotic in true sense. He should give priority and preference to the development of his nation. He should always remain loyal to their beautiful culture, ethics and country. Social workers, political leader s, media and teachers should inculcate true patriotism in the citizens of India. 5) Dedicated and diligent leaders: There should be more dedicated, devoted and diligent leaders like Medha Patkar and Anna Hazare. These leaders dedicated their whole life for eradicating corruption. It is the responsibility of every citizen of India to support and cooperate with leaders who are sincerely striving against corruption. 16) Coordination and control: All government and non government agencies should work in coordination with media, educational institutions and corporate sectors to control and eradicate corruption. They should be united in their efforts against corruption. 17) Creative writers: Pen is mightier than sword.Creative writers should write appealing articles and books against corruption. They should write interesting short stories based on honesty. 18) College and Universities: These institutions should educate and train the youth against corruption. They should organise symposium , debates, group discussion, seminars and lectures for this purpose. 19) Gratitude: We Indian should show gratitude towards all those honest people who sacrificed and laid their lives for eradicating corruption from our beautiful country. It is now our turn to take this greatest responsibility and make our nation free from corruption.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Mediated Modes of Communication and Its Impact to Society

As we bask into the Information Age, human communication is ongoing and transforming to become more interactive and accessible. As we all know, communication is dynamic, ongoing, ever-changing, and continuous. Simple communication entails the message being sent and the receiver perceives and accepts the message. Communication models find their origins in Greek antiquity. Aristotle recognized the speaker, speech, and audience as communication components. Five hundred years before Christ, the Greek philosopher Heraclitus, observed that â€Å"a man (or woman) can never step into the river twice. The man (or woman) is different and so is the river† (Gortner et al. 1997, p. 36). Change and continuity are intertwined—as men or women step into the river—in a process of actions which flow through the ages. Communication is a process and flows like a stream through time. It is indubitable that technology has brought about gargantuan impacts to the past modes of communication, be it formal and informal. In an era of faxes, computers, and photocopying machines, communication challenges will emerge that are even more complex, demanding, and technical. Moreover, cell phones, e-mail, and telephone answering machines contribute to the narrowing of the gulf between formal and informal communication distinctions. Anthropologists already have researched on the relationship of conventional forms of verbal interaction and those mediated by new technologies such as the Internet, satellite transmissions, and cell phones. Crystal (2001) had revealed that the Internet constituted a new frontier in human social interaction on par with the inventions of the telephone and telegraph, and even print and broadcast technologies. Scholars of language use, language change, and ideologies of language must surely explore and interrogate the effects of these technologies on traditional modes of communication, the impact of our new capacity to communicate instantly anywhere in the world, and the meaning of language contact as it is taking place in cyberspace. Most of these technologies, notwithstanding constant new advances in computer-mediated graphics, are text or voice based. Thus, â€Å"if the Internet is a revolution, therefore, it is likely to be a linguistic revolution† (Crystal 2001, p. viii). Many observers allege that the Internet is changing society. Perhaps not surprisingly, given the novelty of the new digital media, there is little agreement about what those changes are. It is believed that it is important for sociologists to address these issues for three reasons. First, the medium’s rapid growth offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for scholars to test theories of technology diffusion and media effects during the early stages of a new medium's diffusion and institutionalization. Second, the Internet is unique because it integrates both different modalities of communication (reciprocal interaction, broadcasting, individual reference-searching, group discussion, person/machine interaction) and different kinds of content (text, video, visual images, audio) in a single medium. This versatility renders plausible claims that the technology w ill be implicated in many kinds of social change, perhaps more deeply than television or radio. Finally, choices are being made–systems developed, money invested, laws passed, regulations promulgated–that will shape the system's technical and normative structure for decades to come. Many of these choices are based on behavioral assumptions about how people and the Internet interact (Dimaggio, Hargittai, Neuman & Robinson, 2001, p. 307). As these technological innovations are revolutionizing information and entertainment delivery, these technology-mediated modes of communication have affected the transformation of people’s social lives and behaviors, even political institutions and the role of citizens within them. As people argue that the new technology of short messaging system (SMS), email, online discussions, on-demand information, and web-powered information diffusion and interest aggregation will lead to a more informed, engaged, and influential mass public. With this, will we live in a better informed and connected, more engaged and participatory society—or in a society of lonely ex-couch potatoes glued to computer screens, whose human contacts are largely impersonal and whose political beliefs are easily manipulated, relying on the icons of a wired or wireless society? Fact is that, Erbring and Lutz (2005) have indicated that when people spend more time using the Internet, the more they lose contact with their social environment. They cited a study that this effect is noticeable even with people using just 2-5 Internet hours per week; and it rises substantially for those spending more than 10 hours per week, of whom up to 15 percent report a decrease in social activities. Even more striking is the fact that Internet users spend much less time talking on the phone to friends and family: the percentage reporting a decrease exceeds 25 percent—although it is unclear to what extent this represents a shift to email even in communicating with friends and family or a technical bottleneck due to a single phone line being pre-empted by Internet use. Because of the accessibility of the new modes of communication, people have used these as tools to avoid confrontation that is emphasized in face-to-face communication. In fact, in   UAE and in Malaysia, cell phones have been used to end marriages by SMS-ing â€Å"Talaq, Talaq, Talaq† (â€Å"Divorce, Divorce, Divorce†). But then, this is not the first time technology has been used in officially terminating a relationship. Earlier, it was telephonic, postal and telegram divorces; now there are divorce via e-mail and SMS. Technology has changed the way people are courting, getting married and yes, also the way they are separating. â€Å"If people are meeting and dating on the Internet, why not divorces?† says Anuradha Pratap, principal of Al-Ameen Management College in Bangalore, India. â€Å"If weddings can take place using technology, why not divorce?† asked Ayesha Banu, a Bangalore resident. â€Å"There were telephone weddings nearly two decades ago. It’s only the technology that has changed, everything else has remained the same† (Kiran, 2 June 2003). On the other hand, Halliday (1990) noted that â€Å"when new demands are made on language †¦ [and when] we are making language work for us in ways it never had to do before, it will have to become a different language in order to cope† (p. 82). It is arguable that technology-based media present new demands which have the potential of promoting variations in language use Perhaps, the demands are not novel in itself, but it is rather the blurring, the amalgamation, of previous demands which may result in linguistic variations. Take, for instance, computer communication systems which have placed demands, often associated with spoken language, on the production of written language. This reassignment is most observable in synchronous computer-mediated communication such as MOOs (MUD Object Oriented), MUDs (Multi-User Domain), and Chat. While the language takes on a written form, it is constrained by temporal limitations which require immediate responses. Conversely, this type of synchronous communication, which can be considered an essentially oral language (Collot & Belmore, 1996), is also constrained by norms — including spelling and grammar norms — most often associated with written language. For example in SMS, people usually shorten their message to hasten the process. Like sending the message â€Å"Are you going to the party tonight?† would be shortened to â€Å"R U GOING 2 THE PARTY TONYT?† Indeed, grammar and spelling would be gravely affected, just to facilitate the convenience of a faster communication process. However, from a perspective of language change multimodal forms of communication, such as emails, text messages and chat rooms, are essentially new forms of communication. As used here the term ‘multimodal' refers to the way that texts use devices from a range of different communication systems at the same time. So, for example, you can send an email message to six of your friends simultaneously; previously you could only do this through speaking to them as a group. In other words writing takes on a characteristic which once belonged to speech only (Beard, 2004, p. 44). Emails are usually message exchanges between a pair of named individuals communicating on a single issue, chat-groups usually involve several people: they can be anonymous or use a pseudonym; their communication can be of an indefinite length; and they can cover a wide range of topics. Crystal (2001) uses the term ‘asynchronous' to describe groups where ‘postings' are placed on ‘boards' and ‘synchronous' to describe groups who ‘chat' in real time. The terms 'email' and ‘text message' both suggest a written form, but the terms ‘chat-room/ chat-group' suggest a form of talk; a form of talk – chat – that is traditionally seen as social rather than serious in its content. Although the terminology that labels new communication genres draws upon the traditional binary opposites of speaking/writing (mail/ chat), it is not very helpful to see such texts as products of these opposites. Instead each of the genres has its own unique methods of communication, and then each of the texts produced within the genre has its own specific context. So, for example, the idea of turn-taking, which is crucial to many kinds of vocalized talk, is achieved in very different ways in chat-groups. The acts of reading, thinking, replying and sending the reply, which is not necessarily received instantly, is being undertaken by each of the participants at the same time. This inevitably leads to a dislocation of the exchange in a way that does not happen with emails and text messages. Yet, participants within the process are well able to manage this complicated exercise in pragmatics. Another aspect of pragmatics involves the fact that whereas in face-to-face group conversation your presence is still registered, even if you are silent, this is more problematic in chat-groups. As Crystal (2001) notes: â€Å"in chatgroups silence is ambiguous: it may reflect a deliberate withholding, a temporary inattention, or a physical absence (without signing off)†. Indeed, technology is crucial in the development of the information highway that would link every home to a fiber-optic network over which voice, data, television, and other services would be transmitted. The internet’s architecture is determined by an informal group of U.S.-based software and computer engineers. The internet’s global scope and electronic commerce’s growth make its management an international policy issue. Analysts and government believe a hands-off approach is best (Cukier 1998, p. 39-41). People and organizations determine the course of the future, not computers. As a form of communication, the internet can be used by individuals, private corporations, and government agencies for good or bad, but it cannot influence the direction our society chooses to take. The internet only reflects the society that created it. The development and use of the telegraph and telephone provide a definitive pattern for how the newest form of networked communication, the internet, will be used in the future (Nye, Fall 1997). The lack of accountability and civility have increased as the anonymity in U.S. society has increased, states newspaper columnist Ellen Goodman. She cites the anonymous zones of talk radio and cyberspace among the fox holes for people who want to say anything and everything with impunity (Goodman, 5 September 1996). Despite the downside of the information highway, internet access has made communication between local government and citizens much easier nationwide. Public records access, personnel postings, permit applications, and legislative updates are available online in dozens of cities and counties (Bowser January 1998, p. 36). The technology of the internet may afford the masses access to much more information and many more options. So, internet technology is neither evil nor good. â€Å"Thanks to the internet and satellite TV, the world is being wired together technologically, but not socially, politically, or culturally,† concluded New York Times columnist Thomas L. Friedman (12 May 2001). â€Å"We are now seeing and hearing one another faster and better, but with no corresponding improvement in our ability to learn from, or understand, one another. So integration, at this stage, is producing more anger than anything else.† The new modes of communication educate people faster than any previous technology the world has known. However, the internet can just as easily infiltrate the minds of millions with lies, half-truths, and hatreds. Friedman (12 May 2001) deemed that â€Å"the internet, at its ugliest, is just an open sewer: an electronic conduit for untreated, unfiltered information.† The internet and satellite TV may inflame emotions and cultural biases, resulting in less understanding and tolerance. Government programs are built on political consensus. Legislation is enacted for the long term. Compromises are based on education, exchanges, diplomacy, and human interaction. However, due to the lack of face-to-face context and the lack of interactional coherence in e-mail and SMS, people need to be more explicit and concise in order to make their message as well as the purpose transparent to their audience, especially in initiated, not responsive, messages. If the message is not explicit enough, the receiver may not be able to provide an optimal response, or the message may turn into a lengthy sequenced exchange before a desired response is obtained. Thus, language use and structure are greatly affected but the intention remains the same. With the fear of the deterioration of language through these new technologies, it is only right that people should still be educated appropriately with regards to the correct structure and use language, so that they will not be confused when they utilize the normal modes of communication. Technology should enhance how society behaves and interact and not the other way around. Works Cited Beard, Adrian. Language Change. London: Routledge, 2004. Bowser, Brandi. Opening the Window to Online Democracy: www.localgovernment. com, American City & County 113.1 (January 1998): 36–38. Collot, M. and N. Belmore . Electronic Language: A New Variety of English. In S. C. Herring (Ed.), Computer-Mediated Communication: Linguistic, Social and Cross-Cultural Perspectives (pp. 13-28). Amsterdam: John Benjamins, 1996. Crystal, David. Language and the Internet. Cambridge: Cambridge Univ. Press, 2001. Cukier, Kenneth. Who Runs the Internet? World Press Review, 45.5 (May 1998): 39–41. Dimaggio, Paul, Eszter Hargittai, W. Russell Neuman, and John P. Robinson. Social Implications of the Internet. Annual Review of Sociology (2001): 307. Friedman, Thomas L. Global Village Idiocy, The New York Times, (May 12, 2002). Goodman, Ellen. Anonymity Breeds Incivility, Boston Globe, (September 5, 1996):17A. Gortner, Harold F., Julianne Mahler, and Jeanne Bell Nicholson, Organization Theory: A Public Perspective, 2nd ed. (Fort Worth, Tex.: Harcourt Brace, 1997), pp. 135–141. Halliday, M. A. K. Spoken and Written Language. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 1990. Kiran, Jyothi. SMS Divorces, Women’s Feature Service. (June 2, 2003). Nie, Norman H. and Erbring, Lutz. â€Å"Internet Use Decreases Social Interaction.† The Internet. Ed. James D. Torr. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2005. Nye, David E. Shaping Communication Networks: Telegraph, Telephone, Computer, Social Research, 64.3 (Fall 1997): 1067–1092.