Effects of Meditation on Cerebral Activity

Effects of Meditation on Cerebral Activity Doris L. Scheer Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania conducted the first functional neuroimaging study to demonstrate changes in cerebral activity during glossolalia (A.B. Newberg et al., 2006). It’s not difficult to find research on Buddhist practices such as meditation but few researchers have conducted studies on Christian practices such as glossolalia. In fact, this was the first time that researchers took brain images during this phenomenon. Glossolalia is a spiritual practice or a worship expression that is referred to as speaking or praying in tongues. This mental state induces a spiritual experience in which incomprehensible language is produced without control. It is known that the frontal lobes are involved in willful control of behaviors (Frith et al., 1991; Pardo et al., 1991). Therefore, it was hypothesized that glossolalia, associated with the perceived loss of intentional control, would be associated with decreased activity in the frontal lobes compared with singing. T he SPECT technique used in this study measures regional cerebral blood flow that correlates closely with cerebral activity (Newberg et al., 2006). CBF ratios were compared between the glossolalia and singing state using a paired t-test (Minitab Statistical Software, 2000). Several significant rCBF differences were found, and the brain images taken while speaking in tongues showed minimal activity in both the frontal lobes and language centers of the brain. This discovery leads us to question how they were even capable of producing this behavior. The Old and New Testaments of the bible says that this ability comes from the holy spirit—our means of communicating with god, but how these women were able to speak without using the region of the brain that controls speaking is a mystery that neuroscience is trying to uncover. The research design involved a nonexperimental method in which relationships are studied by making observations or measures of the variables of interest. This may be done by asking people to describe their behavior, directly observing behavior, and/or recording physiological responses. In all these cases, variables are observed as they occur naturally (p. 77, P.C. Cozby and S.C. Bates, 2012). In this study, cerebral activity during glossolalia and singing were compared by measuring the cerebral blood flow ratios between each state by using a paired t-test. Because the nonexperimental method allows us to observe covariation between variables, another term that is frequently used to describe this procedure is the correlational method. With this method, researchers examine whether the variables correlate or vary together (p. 78, Cozby and Bates, 2012). The laboratory experiment setting permits researchers to more easily keep extraneous variables constant, thereby eliminating their influ ence on the outcome of the experiment (e.g. distractions). However, it is precisely this control that leads to the artificiality of the laboratory investigation (rather than their natural setting such as church or home). Fortunately, when researchers have conducted experiments in both lab and field settings, the results of the experiments have been very similar (Anderson, Lindsay, Bushman, 1999). This is reassuring. For this study, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania recruited five Christian women between the ages of 38 and 52 years old who had been speaking in tongues for at least five years. In the Philadelphia community of Pennsylvania both men and women perform glossolalia but the number of women who practice glossolalia is substantially higher. The researchers also reported difficulty in finding experienced practitioners willing to perform glossolalia in a laboratory setting. Andrew B. Newberg et al. (2006) explains that while this complicates the statistical analysis, the number of subjects was sufficient to reveal statistically significant results (p. 70). First, they obtained informed consent which was approved by the Institutional Review Board and then conducted structured clinical interviews. After ruling out any psychological disorders, neurological or medical conditions, or medications that would affect cerebral function, subjects were given a pregnancy test before placing an intravenous cannula (IV) in one arm. In order for the participants to move freely during singing and glossolalia, they made sure to use a long IV line. In addition, researchers observed all subjects to ensure that both singing and glossolalia conditions were as similar as possible in terms of patient vocalization and motion. Subjects reported that the glossolalia was perceived to be non-voluntary. Throughout both conditions, the subjects were standing while moving both their arms and legs in a similar rhythmic manner. Consequently, no significant changes were observed in the motor cortex; however, the phonemic structure was different between the two condition s. After the first five minutes of singing, subjects were injected through the IV with 7 mCi of 99mTc-Bicisate, and then brought to the SPECT scanner for a 40-min scan after a total of 20 minutes singing altogether. Next, subjects returned to the same room to perform glossolalia for 20 minutes and then scanned for 30 minutes using the same imaging parameters. After the first five minutes performing glossolalia, the subjects had also been unobtrusively injected with 25 mCi of 99mTc-ECD fifteen minutes before the scan. The results were hypothesis driven so comparisons were only tested for the major structures of the frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes, as well as the amygdala, hippocampus, striatum, and thalamus (also referred to as regions of interest [ROIs] throughout the study). Results indicated that the data between the glossolalia and singing state revealed several significant rCBF differences (cerebral blood flow ratios). Researchers also reported significant decreases in the prefrontal cortices, left caudate and left temporal pole while there were increases in the left superior parietal lobe (SPL) and right amygdala (A.B. Newberg et al., 2006). A percentage change in CBF ratios had been calculated for each region and a laterality index (LI) representing the percentage difference between the right and left side was also calculated revealing a significant negative correlation (R=-0.90, P=0.03) between the singing and glossolalia thalamic LI. According to A.B. Newberg et al. (2006) this indi cated that the more the thalamic activity was asymmetric to begin with, the more the asymmetry reversed during glossolalia (p. 69). The author’s interpretation of the results suggests that this preliminary study has begun to elucidate the neurophysiological correlates of glossolalia. Changes in several brain structures suggest that there is complex brain activity during this unusual practice (p. 70, A.B. Newberg et al., 2006). According to the author, the present study is the first that they are aware of that has evaluated changes in cerebral activity during the practice of glossolalia. In regards to their hypotheses, they observed decreased activity in the prefrontal cortices during the glossolalia state (p. 70). This finding was clearly distinct from their previous study of meditation using the same imaging technique (Newberg et al., 2001). Neuroimaging studies have also shown increased frontal lobe activity during attention-focusing tasks (Frith et al., 1991; Pardo et al., 1991). The author found it interesting that the frontal lobes showed decreased perfusion during glossolalia which was consistent wit h the subject’s description of a lack of intentional control over the performance of glossolalia (A.B. Newberg et al., 2006). Furthermore, the left hemispheric structures appeared to have significant decreases that were not observed in the right hemisphere and the lack of a clear lateralization in the frontal lobes suggests that the expressive language parts of the brain may not be as directly affected by glossolalia as might be expected (p. 70, Newberg et al., 2006). The author had previously argued, and found, decreased activity in the SPL during meditation in which there is a described loss of the sense of self, however, glossolalia was not associated with a loss of the sense of self and there were no significant decreases in the SPL (p. 70). The author’s interpretation of the significant decrease in the left caudate is of uncertain significance but suggested that it may relate to the altered emotional activity during glossolalia (A.B. Newberg et al., 2006). Several implications for further research were provided based on potential confounding problems within the study. Although the author claimed that the number of subjects was sufficient to reveal statistically significant results, I think caution should be used when generalizing results with a sample size less than 30 (in this case, 5). In addition, all female subjects were recruited from the same local community. A researcher more interested in the external validity of the research might conduct nonexperimental research with a more diverse population and this study had a highly restricted sample (p. 86, P.C. Cozby and S.C. Bates, 2012). There are many advantages of the experimental method for studying relationships between variables but there are also disadvantages to experiments and many good reasons for using methods other than experiments; so, although laboratory experiments often have strong internal validity, they may often have limited external validity (Cozby and Bates, 2012). In addition, glossolalia was performed in a laboratory setting rather than a natural environment such as a home o r church where a field experiment might yield different results. Being in a more spiritually inductive environment may potentially deepen their ability to further immense themselves into an even deeper glossolalia state. Perhaps a more natural environment and longer session would alter the brain activity that was originally recorded in this study. It would also be interesting to study whether younger or older subjects would be capable of performing glossolalia with the same results found in this study of middle to upper aged women between 38 and 52 years old. The inclusion of male subjects who practice glossolalia as well as a more culturally diverse sample would also increase the external validity of the research. Previously, I briefly mentioned how laboratory experiments often have strong internal validity. What I was pleased to read in the study was how all subjects were observed to ensure that the two conditions (both singling and glossolalia) were as similar as possible (p. 68, A.B. Newberg et al., 2006). Subjects began by singing in the room, while standing, with her eyes closed, matching her condition during glossolalia. The same music was also used for both conditions. I think these were important things to take into consideration. To rule out any other variables, subjects were also tested for mental disorders, substance abuse, neurological and medical conditions, or if they take medications that would affect cerebral function prior to the study. Further evaluation of the quality of this study revealed that this study was in fact reported in a peer-reviewed journal (Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging, 2006, Vol. 148(1), pp.67-71 [Peer Reviewed Journal]). The practice of glossolalia is di scussed in both the Old and New Testaments of the bible which has outlived every critic since the beginning of time yet it’s still common for religious studies to receive a lot of criticism. It was originally thought that glossolalia was related to some form of psychopathology; however, the limited number of reported studies have suggested that people who speak in tongues show no differences in personality traits from other population groups—no increases in depression, anxiety, mania, or psychosis (Hine, 1969; Richardson, 1973). In fact, a recent study of nearly a thousand clergy members revealed that 80% who practiced glossolalia had greater emotional stability and less neuroticism (Francis and Robbins, 2003). Perhaps the practice of glossolalia actually increased their emotional stability and decreased neuroticism. Clearly causation could not be inferred but if further research could address the limitations I discussed in the previous paragraph, there could be powerf ul implications. Therefore, based on my assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of this study I think it is very important. The results of this study revealed that the part of our brain that is used for speaking was not activated while speaking in tongues. This suggests that the ability to speak in tongues comes from something else deep within us, confirming what the bible teaches about this spiritual gift called glossolalia. The news story did a fairly good job conveying the substance of the empirical study. It reported a brief yet accurate description of the sample, procedure, and results of the study. As I’ve mentioned previously, Buddhist practices such as meditation has recently become a popular research interest but Christian practices such as glossolalia have not been given quite as much attention so it was interesting to see comparisons being made in both the study and news story. The author of the news story shined light on this subject by emphasizing how the new findings contrasted sharply with images taken of other spiritually inspired mental states like meditation, which is often a highly focused mental exercise, activating the frontal lobes (Carey, 2006). I would say that more details could have been incorporated into the news story but a link to the actual study was provided for those who were curious enough to dig a little deeper. The story basically just hit the important aspects of the study and major findings. Furthermore, there was a good match between the strengths of the study and the way that the story was reported. It was interesting how the author of the news story incorporated important insights from the leader of the study team that I did not recall reading in the study. For instance, â€Å"the amazing thing was how the images supported people’s interpretation of what was happening,† said Dr. Andrew B. Newberg, leader of the study team, which included Donna Morgan, Nancy Wintering and Mark Waldman. â€Å"The way they describe it, and what they believe, is that God is talking through them,† he said. Dr. Newberg is also a co-author of â€Å"Why We Believe What We Believe.† And Ms. Morgan, a co-author of the study, was also a research subject (Carey, 2006). This was information I did not gather from the study alone so I assume that interviews must have been conducted and incorporated into the news story which adds a lot of in sight useful in evaluating the research in its entirety. Some of the findings that might have been underemphasized included results from some of the four hypotheses that may not be considered significant enough to emphasize in the media report. For example, one finding underemphasized in the news story was that the researchers did not observe the hypothesized increase in thalamic activity and it was not clear what such a finding may represent from a physiological perspective (p. 70, A.B. Newberg et al., 2006). Again, I think the reporter made this particular choice because it didn’t necessarily support or impact the main point. References Carey, B. (2006, November 7). A neuroscientific look at speaking in tongues. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/07/health/07brain.html?_r=0 Cozby, P.C., Bates, S.C. (2012). Methods in behavioral research (11th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. Newberg, A.B., Wintering, N.A., Morgan, D., Waldman, M.R. (2006). The measurement of regional cerebral blood flow during glossolalia: a preliminary SPECT study. Psychiatry Research. Neuroimaging 148 (1), 67-71.

Porters Five Forces Analysis of Dell

Porters Five Forces Analysis of Dell Introduction Dell is a computer hardware firm that offers â€Å"a broad range of product categories, including mobility products, desktop PCs, software and peripherals, servers and networking, services, and storage† (Annual Report 2008). 61 percent of these products are PCs. Dells business strategy focuses on direct relationships with customers, improving competitiveness by reducing overall costs, and reaching more customers worldwide through new distribution partners (Annual Report 2009). According to Gartner, Dell holds 3rd largest global personal computers (PC) market share of 12.8 percent in the 3rd Quarter of 2009. The PC industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the world, with a 6.6% growth in 2008, reaching a value of US$203.7 billion (Data monitor 2009). The competition in the industry is moderate (see figure 3). Factors contributing this statement will be explained using Porters Five Forces. Supplier Power There is a strong supplier power. Component parts of a PC are relatively homogenous and standardized in nature, with fragmented suppliers (Sun Microsystems, NVIDIA, Hynix, etc), and they do not focus on product differentiation. PC manufacturers have many substitutes to choose from. However, there is a concentrated amount of supplier in terms of CPU and Operating Systems (OS) software. Intel dominates the manufacturing of processors (CPU), with 80.6 percent market share in the processor market, while AMD only has 11.5 percent (theinquirer.net September 2009). Intel has a strong brand which could be a significant bargaining chip with PC producers. Similarly, Microsoft dominates the operating system market (90% market share). The industrys reliance on these two major suppliers inevitably triggers PC manufacturers to establish good relationships with these corporations, while some attempt to diversify its risks by increasing the number of AMD and other OS ran PCs. Dells launch of the Ide aStorm website (see Financial Times) to find out customers preference for Linus operated PCs was a strategic attempt to begin diversifying its risks. Buyer Power There is a moderately-strong buyer power. Although buyers are fragmented (many, different), there is a significantly low expected switching cost given that the product specifications are relatively homogenous. With that, it leads to a low product satisfaction-loyalty relationship (Matos, Henrique, Rosa, 2009), thus although customers first satisfying experiences with the one PC does not assure the relevant PC manufacturer their repurchase intentions. There is certain degree of product differentiation nonetheless, in terms of style and design, and high brand awareness might create a certain level of brand loyalty, but most buyers are more interested in quality, product specifications and costs. There are some exceptions of course; Apple computers which use Macintosh operating system (OS) have high switching costs due to the vast differences between Microsoft and Macintosh OS. In this case, Dell should compete in terms of lowering production costs, and increase brand loyalty not throu gh product specifications but servicing quality. E-commerce which eliminates retail costs (see Kumar Craig, 2007), and on-site servicing are good strategic methods Dell has focused on and should continue. Barriers to Entry Barrier to entry is moderately-strong. Existing industrial players have strong brands and hold many patent rights. To enter the market, entrants are required to invest on RD or the purchase of patent rights, which is often expensive. Existing industrial players are large and possess high internal economies of scale. Dell and HP have various departments specializing in different aspects; marketing, product innovation, servicing, etc. They are able to distribute their fixed costs, as well as managerial costs to a larger output, giving them significant cost advantages. Existing bulk purchase agreements have already been established with key suppliers, such as Microsofts agreement with Dell to install its OS in production factories. Potential entrants will face challenges in gaining supplier confidence in both production as well as credit issues. Threats of Substitutes There is a moderately-weak threat of substitution given that the functionality of a PC is irreplaceable. Other electronic gadgets are often complementary to that of PC. For example, an mp3 player or a camera requires plug-ins with a computer to do file transfers. However, threats lies among the youth customers who are more attracted to the next generation game consoles such as Wii, PS3 or Xbox. Although the threats of substitutes are moderately-weak in general, targeting the youth market is crucial for long term profits as customer loyalty would be established at an early stage. Dells acquisition of Alienware, a high-performance gaming PC manufacturer, in 2006 (NY times) was indeed a strategic move. More focus should be placed in expanding Alienwares brand value equivalent to that of Dell. Degree of Rivalry The degree of rivalry is moderate. In the past, â€Å"Michael [Dell] has been absolutely brilliant at getting the industry to compete on his best basis for competition-price, delivery, and the ability to configure to order. But now the others can differentiate in ways that matter to the customers† (Kirkpatrick, 2000). Such differentiation includes establishing a brand identity among customers, personalizing customers respective PCs in terms of specifications, colors and designs, and the ability to innovate at a rapid pace to achieve short term competitive advantage (Lawless Anderson, 1996) since an innovative new product tends to face low competition at the point of introduction before it is imitated (Roberts, 1999). Coupled with a high Concentration Ration of 57%, it decreases the level of rivalry. However, the homogeneity of the CPU from Intel and its monopolized Microsoft OS (except Macintosh) creates low switching costs for customers, which increases the cross price-elast icity of demand of the products, thus increasing rivalry. Still, the relatively strong growth, in addition to the successful introduction of the Netbook, means that firms could expand without the expense of its competitors. It is bad news to Dell as it specializes in production efficiency, not so much in product innovation. Its organizational culture might not be ready for a switch to innovative-led production. Outsourcing its RD department might provide a new solution to the firm, while developing its own simultaneously. Financial Times 29 October 2009: Technology How laptops took over the world. Expected switching cost: The customers estimate of the personal loss or sacrifice in time, effort and money associated with the customer changing to another service provider. (Hellier, Geursen, Carr, Rickard, 2003). It involves both financially and psychologically. (Dick Basu, 1994) High brand awareness: Interbrands 2009 Best Global Brands Ranking, IBM (2nd), HP (11th), Apple (20th), Dell (35th). Interbrands 2009 Best Global Brands Ranking, IBM (2nd), HP (11th), Apple (20th), Dell (35th). Dell has worldwide portfolio of 2,253 patents, HP has 32,000 patents, (Taken from Dell 2009 and HP 2008 Annual Reports) and Acer has a patent value of US $692,000, Lenovo has US $5,199,000. (Acer 2008 and Lenovo 2009 Annual Report) New York Times March 23, 2006: Dell to buy Alienware, a maker of high-end PCs for Gamers.

Poverty: A Form of Slavery Essay -- poverty essay

Today they say that we are free, Only to be chained in poverty -- Bob Marley This paper will discuss poverty, the different types of poverty and their definitions and who is affected by each type of poverty. It will look at the some of the major reasons why poverty exists and what causes poverty, like such things as inequality, stratification and international debt. Some of the impacts of poverty will also be analyzed from a national and global perspective; things like education, literacy rate, and crime. This paper will demonstrate that poverty affects almost everyone in some form or another and exists because those with power and wealth want and need poverty to exist to force a dependence on the wealthy. A few of the main approaches that this is achieved is through economic systems, influencing government policies, and global stratification. Defining poverty is not a simple task and this is what this paper will tackle first. WHAT IS POVERTY Poverty is difficult to define exactly, as it has different meanings to different people depending on what country they live in, what culture they belong to, and how much income they earn. All these factors and more will change the way poverty is defined by an individual or organization (Seabrook, 2007, p.35). Adam Smith the classical economist had this view of poverty â€Å"poverty is a lack of those necessities that the custom of the country renders it indecent for creditable people, even of the lowest order, to be without† (Richmond and Saloojee, 2005, p.33). Another popular view of poverty is that of Nobel Prize winner Amartya Sen who said the poor â€Å"cannot participate adequately in communal activities, or be free of public shame from failure to satisfy conventions† (Richmond and ... ... of slavery. Works Cited Deveaux, B. (Director). (2010). Poor no more [Motion Picture]. Ferrante, J. (2006). Global inequality and the challenges of reducing extreme poverty. (Cover story). Sociological Viewpoints, 225-19. McNally, D. (2006). Another world is possible: globalization and anti-capitalism. Winnipeg, Canada: Arbeiter Ring Publishing Murray, J. L., Linden, R., & Kendall, D. (2011). Sociology in our times. Toronto: Nelson Education. Raphael, D. (2007). Poverty and policy in Canada: implications for health and quality of life. Toronto: Canadian Scholars’ Press Richmond, T., & Saloojee, A. (2005). Social inclusion. Black Point: Fernwood Publishing. Seabrook, J. (2007). The no-nonsense guide to world poverty. Toronto: New Internationalist Publications Sidel, R. (1998). Keeping women and children last. New York: Penguin Books

Copyright Laws in India Essay -- Technology Computers Essays

Copyright Laws in India This document is intended to give a brief overview of the patent and copyrights laws in India and a brief analysis on global issues related to these laws. India has progressed enormously in the field of technology and is ranked tenth in the pool of scientific and technical personnel in the world. There may be hundreds of economical, legal, ethical issues that might have global impact but discussing all of them here is almost impossible. Only the key issues are focused in this paper. India is quickly growing as leading world software producer. It has occupied a secured place in information technology arena by producing high quality software products and software professionals. India also has a fairly well developed system of infrastructure facilities like power, transport, communication and banking. Government of India has recently adopted an increasing liberal approach towards joint venture and import of technology. The country has also revised its patents Acts after a number of foreign companies brought suit against local firms for breach of patents. While computer programs are not currently patentable in India, the country is not without software protection. The Indian Copyright Law explicitly defines the software as a literary work, which can be protected. The statute gives the Indian Central Govt. power to extent copyright protection to foreign works if needed. With the protective necessary statute in place, India has only to enforce them. Enforcement in Ind ia, as in Mexico, indeed seems to be weak spot in controlling intellectual property. We will discuss the details of patens and copyrights issues of India in following sections of this paper. Overview of Patent laws in India The Indian Patent Law does not contain any specific provision regarding the protection of computer programs. Computer programs are not patentable per se, however a claim to a manner of manufacture, which results in a tangible product that requires the application of an algorithm or a particular computer program, may be patentable. Under Section 3(k) of the Patents (Second Amendment) Bill 1999, "a mathematical or a business method or a computer program or algorithms" is not a patentable invention. It appears that computer programs capable of bringing about a technical effect might be allowed, in pursuant to the recommendations made by the... ... of the program to be free software as well.) would prohibit it. Conclusion Software is special . Neither it can be compared to a copyrighted novel nor to a hardware or machinery. Software should be considered as a special case as it forms a unique nexus between the intangible world of abstract concepts and the concrete world of machinery. New discoveries and inventions are taking place everyday in this field. As we discussed above, there are many ethical issues if we protect the software as any other engineering process and there are many issues if we do not protect them. Being a responsible software engineer, I believe that software should be considered as a separate entity (different from other engineering processes or literary work) and new laws should be defined only applicable to software. References i. The patent and copyrights law in India, http://www.singhania.com/ip/contents.html ii. The Danger of Software Patents - by Richard M. Stallman, http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/stallman-mec-india.html iii. Philosophies of Free Software and Intellectual Property - by Brett Watson, http://www.ram.org/ramblings/philosophy/fmp/free-software-philosophy.html

Mechanics of Basketball

Tino Estose WA #4 16 April 2013 Basketball (Mechanics of the game, College, and Professional) Social Media (Twitter and Facebook), Television, Basketball Video Games Factors about the medium| Factors about the message| Factors about the audience| -The most prominent characteristic of at least two of these particular mediums (Twitter and Sports Television) is the delivery of information. These two genres are specifically instant in terms of delivering information or whatever message that is intended to be delivered. As well, not much work is required for the audience to acquire the information. . For Television, one just has to watch the program or the game to acquire information on basketball 2. For Twitter and Facebook, links to informing sites and information tidbits are literally everywhere. -Ease of access/ proximity is also another factor that allows people to gather information about basketball. 1. Facebook and Twitter are at one’s fingertips due to the prevalence of sma rt phones. And for me personally, I follow numerous accounts on Facebook and Twitter that are devoted to posting about anything basketball. 2. For Television as well, everyone has one.For me, it is in the dorm with the remote being so close that I do not have to get up to use it. The same can be said about Basketball Video Games. The Xbox is right in the dorm room. | -As well, the information provided by these different genres can be incredibly descriptive. 1. Pieces of information offered by Facebook and Twitter are usually incredibly specified and many times unique. 2. On television, channels and programs hire multitudes of people that allow the show or game to deliver wide ranges of information and insight.There are the color commentators who are typically former players or coaches that can offer their unique perspective, there are show hosts who appear to be authorities on what they speak on and usually have to credentials to support this, there are anchors who deliver the objec tive information of what happened in the world of sports that day, and there are numerous â€Å"behind the scenes† jobs that help the people on camera have necessary information (statisticians, journalists, producers, historians, etc). 3. Sports videogames and basketball ones specifically, are incredibly detailed today.The objective there is to offer the most realistic game experience possible. Because of this, these basketball games not only offer a great amount of information on every player and team’s background, but feature players and teams from the past. Personally playing these games, my knowledge structures on the game of basketball and its history have been thoroughly fed. | -Existing knowledge on basketball has been a key factor in my experience with these genres. In years past, my knowledge on basketball and basketball topics has been limited to the most current events in the sports world. Another is Comprehension. The text discusses that how one interprets and processes the information that they are encountering through media is a key audience factor. 1. Even though I am only 22, I feel intellectual growth and maturity has allowed me to view certain mediums and encounter the information with a different type of analysis that allows me to alter my knowledge structures comprehensively. Ultimately, I feel it leads to a rich background of knowledge for me to draw from. -Motivation is another audience factor that I feel has influenced my information acquisition on basketball. . Basketball is a game that I love. From that passion, I feel I am motivated to seek any type of information that I can from these three mediums. | How I met your Mother: Comedy Sitcom There are many reoccurring elements that appear throughout this show. There the more simple ones such as: Drinking at MacLaren’s Pub every night (and days), the apartment above the bar that at least one (and most of the time, more than one) of the characters live in, and the diff erent jobs that each character is shown in.There are also the more complex ones that feature the behaviors of each character: Barney will always drink scotch, smoke cigars, play laser tag, make fun of Robin for being Canadian, objectify women and is constantly seeking sexual gratification. Ted is always talking about architecture, pretentiously citing art and cultural references that no one else understands, and always is conquesting for and failing to find â€Å"the one† (hint: this is what the show is named after). Marshal and Lilly are always dealing with married couple issues.And Robin is not only struggling with putting her career in front of her love life, but is also Robin Sparkles Canadian pop star, a proud Canadian, gun enthusiast, scotch drinker and cigar smoker. Scrubs: Medical Comedy There are numerous reoccurring elements of this show as well. There is the Janitor torturing JD daily, Dr. Cox being stubborn and conceited about his medical knowledge, Turk accentuat ing his â€Å"blackness† in a mostly white hospital, his wife, Carla, doing the same thing with her Latino heritage, JD constantly vying for Dr.Cox’s approval and insisting that he is his mentor, Dr. Cox hating such behavior, Dr. Cox calling JD by girls’ names, JD going through numerous relationships, homoerotic best friend relationships between Turk and JD, Elliot saying awkward comments and observations in the most honest way possible, and so on. I feel that most overlapping element between these two shows exist the consistency of some of the relationships. The Marshal and Lily relationship reflects the Turk and Carla relationship greatly.Both relationships are portrayed as the strongest love relationships between all the characters. Another relationship that is reflected by each show is the best friend relationships between Turk and JD, and Ted and Marshal. Both shows have their characters living together since before the shows have started, including both sh ows having the characters having met in college and been college roommates. Both shows also have multiple moments of comical â€Å"intimacy† between the characters.I feel these reoccurring elements of these shows provide consistency in the characters. In the context of audience members cognitively processing the show, it provides easier pathways for two different effects. For entertainment value, if there are reoccurring behaviors and attributes of the characters, jokes are easier to make and laugh at because of the familiarity of the audience to the characters. As well, though, it makes plot points of the shows to be understood. This allows audience members to think about grander themes and messages of these different shows.

Play Hamlet vs. Mel Gibson’s movie version Essay

Performance Analysis of Shakespeare’s â€Å"The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark† My performance analysis is based on Shakespeare’s â€Å"The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark†. This production was directed by Franco Zeffirelli and starred Mel Gibson, Glenn Close, Alan Bates, and Paul Scofield. In this production of Hamlet, the original old English is used. However, I noticed that any dialog that was too difficult to comprehend or too wordy was deleted from the scenes. Some of the scenes had also been altered. For example, In Act 2, Scene 1, the director has Polonius spy on Ophelia and Hamlet, and this is how he learns of Hamlet’s strange visit with his daughter and Hamlet’s madness. In the original text of Act 2, scene 1, Ophelia informs Polonius of Hamlet’s visit and his apparent madness. I believe the director chose to have Polonius spy on them to obtain this information, because the audience would observe for themselves just how mad Hamlet appears. It was also probably done to save time so that the movie wouldn’t drag. In Kenneth Branaugh’s version the movie is contained on two tapes, and his version was a little too slow moving for my taste. The lines 207-0 213 in Act 2, scene2, where Polonius has a lengthy monologue, also appears to have been cut from the script. In that same act the lines where Guildenstern and Rosencranz enter the scene have been moved to Act 3, Scene 1, a point directly after Hamlet’s â€Å"Mousetrap† play. There were also several other modifications to the placement of scenes in this play, including Shakespeare’s famous speech, â€Å"To be or not to be [†¦],† which had been moved to Act 1, scene 2. I believe all of these changes were made due to the advantageous nature of the film media. It was possible for the director to show several shots of different actors and events, shifting back and forth between scenes. This gave the effect of the scenes occurring simultaneously. Since these scenes appeared to have occurred at the same time in the movie, it probably made sense or seemed more effective to the director to move the scenes or acts around to what seemed the most logical point in the film. As a result of these modifications, I felt this version of Hamlet was more fast-paced and engaging. It did not drag. I appreciated this production over the other Hamlet films I have seen, because it was made more interesting through director’s shifting camera technique. The setting and costumes of this play were also historically accurate for that time period. And the lighting was well done -not too dark. As far as the actors go, Mel Gibson  gave an energetic interpretation of the melancholy Hamlet; and Glenn Close was so intense and very believable as Gertrude, Hamlet’s mother. The other actors also performed their parts very well. In summary, I enjoyed this performance more than Kenneth Branaugh’s production, because I felt it was faster paced and more dynamic. I feel this effect was achieved through the director’s technique of shifting the camera between the actors and scenes to give the impression that events were occurring simultaneously. I also fee l Mel Gibson’s energetic performance and Glenn Close’s intense and realistic performance added a dynamic quality, which I have not seen in any other production of this play.

Aim in Life Essay

Most people in the world have some ambitions in life. A petty merchant has an ambition to become a big business man, a clerk to be a high officer, a student to be a doctor or engineer. Some desire for wealth, some desire for fame and reputation. A proper aim in life keeps a person shining and glowing in his future life. My aim in life is neither to collect money this or by that way nor for fame. It is my desire to become a well qualified doctor or a scientist. I do not just wish to be an ordinary doctor who spends his times in his laboratory trying to find out new drugs and medicines to remove the suffering of millions of people. The world remembers with thankfulness the name of the man who gave to the world vaccination. The world will remember forever the man who gave us penicillin. As a doctor it is my real wish to server the badly suffering humanity too. Our country is still under development and it has become necessary for all of us, especially for doctors to acheive sound progress in the field of new drugs and medicines, And for the prosperity and solidarity of pakistan we should work hard with spiritual zeal and zeast. I have an ambition to do something in this world so great as the doctors and the courages founders did in the past. I would like to give the world some new drugs and injections that will cure some of the many disease that people are still suffering from. In my opinion, wealth, fame and any other kind of materialistic gain are hollow and baseless if earned through unfair means. In my ambition, it is great wish to help the suffering people. For lawful earnings it will be my foremost dut to server the humanity, by going to the rural areas of this under developed country in order to help the poor and humble people for their happiness and entire satisfaction.