Advantages and Disadvantages of Technology Essay Example for Free

Advantages and Disadvantages of Technology Essay Technology began when man started to control and modify nature to meet his needs.   Prior to the 20th Century, technology was identified with skilled men and women who passed their expertise and know-how from one generation to another.   Back then technology was associated with new techniques, new processes and new methods of doing things.   With the scientific revolution in the 20th Century, the concept of technology changed.   It is now closely associated with gadgets, products and innovative scientific inventions. This essay examines the advantages and disadvantages of two simple technological innovations: the stun gun and the police car video surveillance.    Their impact, advantages and disadvantages to the society will be evaluated for purpose of deeper appreciation of their use. Advantages and Disadvantages of Stun Guns and Police Car Video Surveillance Technology is closely tied with the concept of innovation.   There was a time when law enforcement officers utilized the wooden batons as their only weapons against violent individuals who resisted arrest (Scott Oldham, 2005, p.1).   In view of the lack of effective weapons that they can use to apprehend and subdue suspects, encounters between law enforcement officers and suspects often lead to a bloody fight.   As a result either the police officer or the suspect ends up getting seriously hurt or killed. Read more:  Technology Advantages and Disadvantages Essay There was also a time when law enforcement officers had to rely on their recollection of the events during dangerous situations.   They had to record the license number of the suspect’s getaway vehicle, remember their faces and the kind of weapons used.   If they were able to arrest the suspects after a dangerous situation, suspects often filed suits against law enforcement officers alleging brutality and violence they experienced in the hands of the police officers.   There being no other witnesses, the police officer had always been placed in jeopardy of being maliciously sued by a suspect he had arrested in his line of duty. With the use of technology, man was able to control and modify nature for the purpose of satisfying his own needs. Law enforcement officers have found simple solutions to their everyday problems.   With the use of stun guns police officers were able to harness the power of electricity.   They were able to control the volt and use it to apprehend violent suspects by incapacitating them temporarily. With the discovery of stun guns, police officers no longer have to worry about getting hurt or hurting anybody in the course of the arrest.   In case a suspect resists arrest and becomes really violent, the law enforcement officer only has to press this gun against the body of the suspect.   It will release an electronic charge that is high in voltage that can disable the suspect for 20 to 30minutes enough time for them to place handcuff on the suspect. Police officers no longer have to worry about the possibility of them forgetting the suspect’s face or the license number of the vehicle or the kind of weapon used.   He also need not fear that suits for excessive violence and brutality may be filed against him because there is physical evidence that can be presented before the court.   Law enforcement officers only have to produce the recording of his patrol car video surveillance and present it in court to disprove the false and malicious accusations against him. Just like any technology, however, it can be abused.   In the hands of an abusive law enforcement officer, stun guns may cause serious injury against a suspect if not used properly.   According to United Nations Committee use of stun guns by the police may cause extreme pain and in certain cases may lead to death.   (David Morgan, 2007, p.2)   It has been reported that since 1999, 80 people have died and others have been seriously injured by police using electronic stun gun which negate the claims that they are non lethal weapons.   (Greg Mathis, 2005, p.1) Use of police car video surveillance may be advantageous for some but it may pose a serious constitutional challenge for others.  Ã‚   Lawyers have challenged the legality of the act of police officers using their video camera as proof to apprehend those who commit over speeding and those who run against red lights.   Their contention is that the owners of the car are automatically considered guilty and imposed a penalty even if it may be possible that the car owners were not driving the vehicles at the time the infraction was committed.   Aside from constitutional violation of presumption of innocence, some police officers may use the video camera for the purpose of invading the privacy of private individuals. Conclusion Technology is indeed the successful attempt by man to control and modify nature for the purpose of satisfying human needs and providing solutions to his problem.   It may happen that the technology may turn into something that it is intended to do or to something that it is not intended to.   This is precisely what technology is.   It may turn out beneficial to mankind but it may also pose serious risks for us. In the case of stun guns, I believe it is still one of the most non-lethal instruments that police officers can utilize against suspects.   It would be better however if police officers are educated on its use and its dangers before they are allowed to use these instruments.   The same thing is true for video surveillance which is most effective if it is utilized for strictly law enforcement work.   These instruments therefore are not dangerous in themselves.   They are not evil in themselves.   Problem starts when those who utilize it use it improperly.   This problem could be remedied by proper orientation and training so that old and new law enforcement officers may be advised on how to properly utilize these new pieces of technology.

Marketing The Non-Interest Banking System Essay -- Finance

Marketing Non-Interest Banking (International Business Vitality) Traditional Western banking system, with its 5-9% APR on loans performs some benefits for borrowers, but not "absolute," as the bankers like to joke. Much more favorable conditions for customers offer Islamic banks. These financial institutions are willing to lend money without any interest at all. At first glance, this statement seems absurd: after all, why should the bank give money to borrowers in debt with no hope of getting any benefit, if it is more successful to invest the same money in the deal and get a significant income? However, skepticism is hardly justified in this situation. The principle of Islamic banking system is based on the fact that every Muslim, regardless of whether he uses - a loan or debt, cannot carry financial transaction under a steady rate according to the religious canons. Usury is forbidden by Quran. The income of the bank is received from the investment redistribution. A Muslim who brings the money to the bank has a choice: to put them on the current account or into the investment account. If he chooses the current account, he does not receive any money, except the inflation rate, which is set by the state. If he chooses an investment account, the banker and the client agree on the client's income from the income of the bank in a given investment project . Due to the fact that Islamic banks have their own companies and production, which bring income from the sales of specific goods in the market, these programs bring profits to the investors as well. There different programs in which European banks (English and German) can be interested in. (Dalrymple, B) Accordingly, the same principle applies to borrowers. Taking the money in ... ...dely implemented by the European countries in order to prevent financial crisis and develop local businesses. (Brach, J., 2010). References Ali A. Ibrahim, The rise of customary businesses in international financial markets: An introduction to Islamic finance and the challenges of international integration. Georgetown University Law Center. (n.d.). Accessed at: http://works.bepress.com/ali_ibrahim/3 Brach, J. (2010). The Global Financial Crisis and the Arab World: Impact, Reactions and Consequences. Mediterranean Politics. Dalrymple, B. How Sharia law is affecting global interest rate determination. Journal of Finance and Accountancy . Jobst, A. A. (2007). The Economics of Islamic Finance and Securitization. IMF Working Papers Robbins, H. E. (2010). Soul Searching and Profit Seeking: Reconciling the Competing Goals of Islamic Finance. Texas Law Review Marketing The Non-Interest Banking System Essay -- Finance Marketing Non-Interest Banking (International Business Vitality) Traditional Western banking system, with its 5-9% APR on loans performs some benefits for borrowers, but not "absolute," as the bankers like to joke. Much more favorable conditions for customers offer Islamic banks. These financial institutions are willing to lend money without any interest at all. At first glance, this statement seems absurd: after all, why should the bank give money to borrowers in debt with no hope of getting any benefit, if it is more successful to invest the same money in the deal and get a significant income? However, skepticism is hardly justified in this situation. The principle of Islamic banking system is based on the fact that every Muslim, regardless of whether he uses - a loan or debt, cannot carry financial transaction under a steady rate according to the religious canons. Usury is forbidden by Quran. The income of the bank is received from the investment redistribution. A Muslim who brings the money to the bank has a choice: to put them on the current account or into the investment account. If he chooses the current account, he does not receive any money, except the inflation rate, which is set by the state. If he chooses an investment account, the banker and the client agree on the client's income from the income of the bank in a given investment project . Due to the fact that Islamic banks have their own companies and production, which bring income from the sales of specific goods in the market, these programs bring profits to the investors as well. There different programs in which European banks (English and German) can be interested in. (Dalrymple, B) Accordingly, the same principle applies to borrowers. Taking the money in ... ...dely implemented by the European countries in order to prevent financial crisis and develop local businesses. (Brach, J., 2010). References Ali A. Ibrahim, The rise of customary businesses in international financial markets: An introduction to Islamic finance and the challenges of international integration. Georgetown University Law Center. (n.d.). Accessed at: http://works.bepress.com/ali_ibrahim/3 Brach, J. (2010). The Global Financial Crisis and the Arab World: Impact, Reactions and Consequences. Mediterranean Politics. Dalrymple, B. How Sharia law is affecting global interest rate determination. Journal of Finance and Accountancy . Jobst, A. A. (2007). The Economics of Islamic Finance and Securitization. IMF Working Papers Robbins, H. E. (2010). Soul Searching and Profit Seeking: Reconciling the Competing Goals of Islamic Finance. Texas Law Review

Explore the techniques used Essay

Explore the techniques used by Carol Ann Duffy to create contrasting â€Å"voices† by comparing two of the persona poems. In the poem â€Å"Fraud†, Duffy takes on the persona of an historical figure and creates a voice for it. She writes from the point of view of this character. In doing so, Duffy portrays the feelings and emotions of that character as she sees them. The character in â€Å"Fraud† is a Jewish man whose family were all killed in the Nazi holocaust. His name was Jon Ludwick Hoch, who later changes his name to Robert Maxwell. This was so that he could escape his past and what he left behind when he left Slovakia and to help him fit in when he moved to England. A way in which a â€Å"voice† is created in this poem is through use of the language, this marks it so you can tell it can only come from this specific character. The language is very direct and factual, giving no alternatives. â€Å"What was my aim? To change from a bum a To a billionaire. † The language exposes a lot about this persona. It shows that he was intelligent and cunning and knows what he is talking about. The character is not self pitying like that of the persona in Havisham,but condsending. The two characters through the use of different voices in each poem are portrayed as once being very vulnerable but now have become hardened by time. â€Å"Poverty’s dumb. Take it from me Sunny Jim. † This quote is from â€Å"Fraud† this shows how the voice is dominating and condescending. When looking at the poem you can immediately see that the line length is generally short, with no more than fourteen words per line and no less than two. This may be a method in which the personas thoughts are expressed, very rapid and direct thoughts. A lot of the lines end with â€Å"M†, for example â€Å"scum, slum. † This â€Å"M† sound is crude and suggests that the â€Å"voice† is similar to that of a whining and spoilt child. Which, in turn, when you research the real life character, says a lot about the person. He Lots of words in the poem are mono syables which gives a heavy beat to the end of the line. The character speaks in colloquial language, using a lot of slang words; this gives us an immediate opinion of the character. There is a frequent use of curse words this gives you the impression that the character is very direct not only in his conversations with people but with his whole out look to life. Words such as â€Å"Mother fucker† are swear words, but when used in this context in the play it gives a depth to the character. Through Duffy’s use of words we as readers can learn more about the character she is portraying/ A device that Duffy has used in this poem and with a lot of previous poems is the use of ellipsis. For example, the man speaks elliptically, his attitude towards things and he doesn’t explain himself. This shows that his character is â€Å"Shady â€Å", he elliptically refers to contemporary things. When he is talking about God, he talks elliptically about a lesbian sex show. â€Å"Then there’s Him- for whom I paid for a butch and femme To make him come. † To create the contrasting voice in this poem, Duffy uses the above techniques. But what techniques are used in another of her persona poems Havisham? Havisham is a character taken from literature and given a voice by Duffy. The woman in question is the tragic Miss Havisham from Charles Dickens’s novel â€Å"Great Expectations. † Some history to the character in Havisham is; she was jilted at the alter by her lover whom she was due to marry. She never really recovered from that day. Inside her house she kept the wedding feast as it was, at this point rotting and rat infested. She wore her once beautiful wedding dress, now reduced to blackened rags. The point is, she wanted to keep everything exactly the way it was the day of her wedding, in hope that her lover would come back to her. Clearly from the outset there is still bitterness for the love she lost unsuspectedly. The first literary device used in this poem, in the first line is an oxymoron when referring to her lover. This suggests what she once felt for him, and what she thinks of him now. An oxymoron is a contradiction, so it begs the question, how can he be both of these things? â€Å"Beloved sweetheart bastard. † As in Fraud, there is a use of elliptical language which leaves the reader asking themselves questions about the character and what she is referring to. â€Å"Not a day since then I haven’t wished him dead . Prayed for it So hard I have dark green pebbles for eyes, Ropes on the back of my hand I could strangle with. † Who is he? When was â€Å"then†? To make this more effective and dramatic, Duffy uses a metaphor to try and convey what it feels like. What it feels like when she is saying how much she has longed for him to be dead. Her eyes are compared to â€Å"dark green pebbles†. This has all sorts of connotations, what does a dark green pebble feel like? The first thing that comes to my mind is that it is referring to how she has become cold and almost unhuman. This is what he has reduced her to. Another metaphor is employed in the same stanza when she talks about the ropes on her hands. Of course, she does not literally have ropes on her hands; its connotations are that of veins. The veins on her hands are bulging, through the stress she has been put through. This poem is full of rage and anguish, unlike Fraud where the main tone was demeaning of others. The woman in this poem is extremely self pitying and is completely self absorbed over what this man did to her. She is lonely and lost, grieving for her lost love. This poem is not normally structured; it does not flow as most poems do. In the first two stanzas there are two or three words, then a full stop. This method is to give that line a more dramatic and edgy feel, to set off the enigmas in the poem. â€Å"Spinster. I stink and remember. † â€Å"Beloved sweetheart bastard. † Both of the personas in these poems are not happy or jubilant in any way, they are depressing figures that eventually come to their end. The point is that similar methods are used to create the two contrasting voices. The way in which you use them and the language used is what really determines the creation of a contrasting voice and persona.

The Ideas Of Machiavelli And Socrates - 1988 Words

Essay #1 The ideas of Machiavelli and Socrates have influenced the leadership styles and approaches of leaders around the world. From Stalin to the founding fathers of the United States, Machiavellian influenced motives and ideals can be seen throughout modern history. Socrates is often referred to as the founder of Western philosophy, and his teachings have been passed on to leaders over the centuries. This paper will state both the Machiavelli’s concept of a ‘Prince’, and present Socrates’ perspective on the ‘ideal’ prince. It will then evaluate Machiavelli’s concept of prince from Socrates’ perspective, and decide as to whether Socrates would be supportive of a political system led by a Machiavellian Prince. The Machiavellian approach†¦show more content†¦This prince would not concern himself with the will of the majority, as decisions that he makes need to be logical and defensible. This prince would place an emphasis on virtue, over the pursuit for material wealth. The prince could never intentionally do wrong or evil, and would disapprove of the idea of returning an evil for an evil. The difference between the two figures is striking. Machiavelli writes about a prince that breaks his word, when necessary for his own gain. On the other hand, Socrates argues that is never right to be untruthful. Machiavelli and Socrates both argue for self-development, yet the forms of development that they advocate are very different. Although there are similarities, such as the fact that each ‘ideal’ prince should surround himself with smart, questioning advisors, the differences in the core of each argument are too deeply divided. Socrates would not approve of an ‘ideal’ Machiavellian prince, and would not be supportive of the political system that this prince would lead. The biggest difference between the two ‘ideal’ princes is their respective views on ethics and justice. For Machiavelli ethics should be pushed aside when it is in the best interest of the prince to do so. This is something that Socrates could never endorse, as it is his belief that people should spend their lives in the pursuit of virtue, and should lead ethicalShow MoreRelatedSocrates And Machiavelli s Views On Violence And Violent Actions1687 Words   |  7 PagesSocrates and Machiavelli hold vastly different views on violence and violent actions, the former advocates strongly that it is always better to be harmed rather than to harm while the latter argues that violence is essential, when used correctly, in order to gain and maintain power. These contrasting views on violence both hold merit, yet the question of which view is more corrupting depends strongly on what corruption is defined as, and thus, which view fits this definition. Socrates is determinedRead MoreM achiavelli And Socrates Similarities1437 Words   |  6 Pagesway. This is the case with two philosophers, Socrates and Machiavelli, who both lived during times of internal political strife. Greece was divided into numerous city states that were constantly at war with one another and hundreds of years later, Italy would also experience this political fragmentation and violence. Despite having these identical environments, Socrates and Machiavelli adopted two very distinctive and contrasting perspectives. Socrates used his experiences and the environment thatRead MoreSocrates And Machiavelli : A Political Philosopher1666 Words   |  7 PagesAt first glance, Socrates and Machiavelli appear to have a lot in common.   They both lived in a time of political unrest and violence. They both dealt with uncertain surroundings in their societies. Most importantly, they both tried to use philosophy to improve their society. However, there was also an important difference between them. 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During times of war and unrest, it was a bold choice that both men made to stand up for their beliefs and speak out against the system. However, Socrates wouldn’t have agreed with Machiavelli’s means and concepts of the Prince and his ideas for how a political establishment should function. Machiavelli’s means may have beenRead MoreSimilarities Between Machiavelli And Socrates1250 Words   |  5 PagesMachiavelli and Socrates are two of the most influential figures in modern day political philosophy. These two individuals established the bases for our interpretation of the world and human political interaction. While they were separated by centuries and a significant geographic distance, it is fascinating nonetheless to ponder what they would think of each other. Sadly it is impossible to ask themselves and so we must instead turn to their writings in order to glean an idea of what their opinionsRead MoreCompare And Contrast Socrates And Machiavelli1419 Words   |  6 PagesSocrates vs. Machiavelli: The meaning of truth As philosophers, both Socrates and Niccolo Machiavelli developed theories in response to the warring political environment around them. However, the theories and principles developed by the two philosophers are vastly different in regard to the concept of truth, Socrates would hate Machiavelli’s model prince due to Machiavelli’s manipulative view of truth. While Socrates desired a state that focuses on fundamental truth and ethical decisions, MachiavelliRead MoreSocratic Justice And The Trial And Death Of Socrates992 Words   |  4 PagesTrial and Death of Socrates. I will also go into detail about the differences between Machiavelli’s views of government as opposed to Socrates’s. Socrates and Machiavelli are two the greatest philosophers known today. Both had an effective way of showing and standing up for what they believe in. While both men were very intelligent, Socrates and Machiavelli differ with their views on justice. Socrates defines justice as doing what is best for the wellbeing of his country. Socrates shows this when givenRead MoreSimilarities Between Machiavelli And Socrates1544 Words   |  7 PagesMachiavelli and Socrates agree on very little. While an initial reading of the two may elicit some comparisons, the goals of their respective philosophies rely on different foundations, and would therefore culminate in very different political results for society. Socrates would likely see in the Prince a selfish ruler, while Machiavelli would see in Socrates a dangerous idealist whose ideas would lead to instability and the death of the state in which these ideas were implemented. Machiavelli’sRead MoreMachiavelli And Socrates1579 Words    |  7 PagesMachiavelli and Socrates Niccolo Machiavelli and Socrates both lived during turbulent, political times. Machiavelli in Florence, Italy and Socrates in Athens. Machiavelli’s The Prince outlines the necessary features and traits of a sovereign, primarily, a Prince. It served as a handbook to effective rulership in the 16th century. By analyzing Machiavelli’s belief that a prince should be strategically feared, the role of free will , and the role of the people , I will argue that Machiavelli has