Soft System Methodology free essay sample

Systems Methodology By Name Course Professor University City/State Date In management, problematic situations often arise. Some from a need to harmonize different peoples’ perceptions, some from need to expand the business and others from the need to start new projects The soft system methodology is a general approach for addressing real-world difficult situations in management. It has been developed with time as a result of extensive research by Peter Checkland and Brian Wilson among others. It grants a framework for a step by step enquiry and knowledge concerning the organization. It provides a clearly defined research approach that is action based to assist in addressing iniquitous problems. It concerns developing models that don’t represent the real world but allows people to structure their thinking about the existent world through the use of systems principles and rules. It constrains thinking with an intention of eventually expanding it. It all begins with a real world problem and it is from the problem that the model is created. We will write a custom essay sample on Soft System Methodology or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page It makes some assumptions: That most organizational and management problems cannot be perceived as wholesome systems problems because the system is too complex to analyze and it also assumes that applying a complete approach to a non-systemic problem is important. There are the factors that make it suitable for use in projects: It is suitable for complex, messy situations, it is adaptable to the real world, it culminates into a learning process, it teases the problem situation thus making it more creative in the problem solving process and it is excellent at pointing lines and/or areas of weakness and also at spotting relationships, a vital aspect in project management. The client’s project brief helps in identification of the firm’s goal, the strategic direction that the firm can use to achieve the goals. From it we can also identify the contrasting poles; the two options that can be taken towards achieving the goal. This makes it a complex problem, a specialization of Soft Systems Methodology. It has seven stages addressing both the conceptual and real worlds. The first stage is the problem situation that is considered difficult and messy. This stage is in the real world and it involves acknowledging, investigating and defining the problem. At this stage, there are no constraints caused by organizational boundaries or strict definitions. Data is collected in whatever form and using any statistically appropriate method. In the second stage, the problem is somehow expressed in the totality of its richness using the data collected. It should include processes, climate, issues that people express, people, conflicts and structures. According to Checkland, the best way of executing this stage is by the use of pictures. These inclusions should be evaluated to deduce what they entail. The third stage is about root definitions. A root definition is a sentence put across in usual language, consisting of elements according to the mnemonic CATWOE, whereby C stands for customers who are the victims of the transformation, A for Actors who perform the transformation, T for the transformation process, W for Weltanschauung which is the world view that makes the transformation meaningful in a perspective, O stands for owners that are able to alter the transformation and E for environmental constraints; elements that the system takes as given. It is in the conceptual world and is mooted as the most difficult stage of the methodology. First and foremost, understanding of the different perspectives’ concepts that can be drawn from the rich picture is crucial. In the words of Checkland, they are called holons. Stage four is the development of the conceptual model using the root definitions. The conceptual model is the planned set of activities that logic calls for in a speculative system which essentially is the one described in the root definition. Stage five entails comparing conceptual models with the reality. Different models formulated can be compared in order to get the best model. Pitfalls of the model are outlined for improvement. Stage six involves outlining possible adjustments that are feasible and advantageous and finally, stage seven is the implementation of the approved changes at stage six. SSM ANALYSIS 1-Client’s perspective In the first stage we start with the situation that needs intervention in this project. The company is in the process of expanding to levels that it will be able to compete with the best in the United Kingdom. As the company expands, so do its responsibilities; to the industry, to the community and future trends. It has a responsibility to the environment. However, as it strives to fulfil its responsibilities to the environment, there are several other factors that have to be put into consideration. The other factors that come into play can be researched by the use of both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. This would help to produce results as per the different perspectives of the company’s employees and those it affects. In the second stage, our problem situation is how to fulfil the company’s responsibility to the environment. Prospective clients I can’t affords that Competitors Will customers support the change? I think I can afford CompanyCustomer Will the change be very costly? I better clean it myself Will the changes be sustainable? It will all depend on the quality * Improved performance * Services that are environment friendly * Services at affordable cost Shareholders Environmentalregulators Root Definition A system that is jointly owned by the client and its consumers with the available cleaning resources to ensure that the consumers get cleaning services at an affordable cost and in a way that will not impact negatively on their environment by using environment friendly cleaners within the constraints of time and budgetary allocations while meeting the high standards expected by the shareholders, prospective clients and environmental regulators and ensuring it does not give competitors an edge. The customers are the consumers of the service that the company provides. The actor is the company (the client). The transformation is to ensure the consumers get cleaning services. The input for this transformation is the cleaning services to be offered while the output is the cleaning services offered. The Weltanschauung is at an affordable cost that will not have negative impact on the environment. The system is jointly owned by the client and consumers of its services. The environmental constraints are time, budget allocated to the service and living up to the standards set by the environmental regulators, shareholders and the watchful eye of competitors and prospective clients. After that we have to make a conceptual model that captures the root definitions in a conceptual world. Below is the activity model taking the client’s perspective. Know about the available cleaning resources Establish what a complete cleaning service is. Assess what an affordable cost entails. Determine available time Provide cleaning services Assess what negative environmental impact is Assess whether the service was high quality Establish the funds available Ensure that the service satisfies the quality standards set by shareholders and environmental regulators. It should also attract new customers and keep competitors at bay. Control action Controlac Efficiency (‘doing the thing right’; ‘is there least use of funds? ’) entails cost and process management, and is an interior weight of the managerialist model in principle and specifically project management literature. A lot of work has been prepared in generating methods to intensify the power exerted by project implementation teams, and thus progress project efficiency. A project is efficient if it brings the planned yield within the budgeted inputs and on time. Within particular constraints, the efficiency of a project is a factor of the management aptitude of the implementation team. SSM emphasizes efficiency since a system is prone to fail to achieve the desired results without a wealth of resource usage. Efficacy (‘doing a successful thing’; ‘does the way work? ’) regards the pros of the assumption of change of a given project. Every aid project is based on an inherent ‘theory of change’ that supposes that the outputs of the project will advance changes in knowledge, approach or practice among persons with whom the project relates. That is, the degree to which the ‘means’ generate the projected ‘ends’. Efficacy is usually the focus of most appraisal literature and is a function of the design—the level to which the causality of the project is based in ingrained understanding and uses apposite means of social renovation. A project design may be adjudged efficacious when the yields of the project lead to the estimated outcomes. SSM is keeps a keen eye on efficacy because a system could fail if the means chosen to convey about the intended transformation does not work. Effectiveness (‘doing the right thing’; ‘is this the right thing to do? ) encompasses the thoughtful and developmental value or aptness of an idea. Eventually, effectiveness is decided by the environmental, social and economic sustainability of intercession and therefore is a function of the guidelines and strategies espoused by the project implementing agency. Effectiveness is holistic in nature (i . e. the whole program or approach) to which any set project plays a role. That is, given a project considered to be efficacious, effectiveness is into whether or not the project result contributes to the expected impact. In a nutshell, effectiveness is a gauge of the degree to which certain system adds to the more comprehensive perspective that gives that system meaning. SSM B In this analysis, I’ll look at it from the view-point of the different departments of the company. The problem that needs intervention is the fulfilment of the company’s corporate responsibility and the departments, though in the same company, have different perspectives of how they view the situation. Some of them can be viewed differently are: * Clients are not sure if the increase in cost will be forwarded to them. Clients prefer degrading of environment to increase in prices. * Will clients support the new environment friendly approach? * Consider products practices if they are pleasing to the public. * Lessen environmental impact * Changing is likely to be more costly * [Don’t want to] change prices and practices * Clients might not support the change and go elsewhere * Operate at national level in the long term * Adding a recycling service * Tie in well with existing services These are even what the rich picture would most constitute. CATWOE elements of fulfilling environmental responsibility. This would be better expressed through a rich picture that would capture the perspectives of the different stakeholders in the company. The inter-relationships of the different people would also come out. The subsequent analysis will go through the players in the system and then I’ll take a look at the impediments and catalysts of the implementation of the submissions and recommendations made. ANALYSIS I This centres on the roles of different people in the company. The interaction between the consultancy firm and the company is indicative that there has been established that there is a need for intervention. There are also those that can be affected by the whole intervention, those that the intervention revolves around. They include: a) The company’s clientele who have to be satisfied that the service is value for their money. As the price hike is implemented, they must feel that the marginal price is equivalent to their marginal utility in terms of quality of service and environmental conservation. This quality should have a good face value. b) The company’s management should ensure that as the company grows it at the same time meets its goals and objectives. ) The sales office must ensure that the addition of the proposed quality does not affect the company’s sales negatively. d) Employees in general should feel that the project does not unnecessarily increase their work load without a perk associated with it. e) The environmental regulator should also feel that the company is true to its pledge towards environmental conservation. CULTURAL ANALYSIS (II) Information about the cultural dynamics in the company is scanty. This is because the project brief only explains what they want to implement but they don’t explain how different people behave or relate in the company. However, it is common knowledge that there are stakeholders in the company and to be specific, the sales office, the company’s employees, the finance office and the customers. The sales office is represented by the national sales manager Stephen Grant, a person whose character cannot be depicted from the interview but since there is a scheduled meeting, it will pose an opportunity to know him better. Information on employees is non-existent but in liaison with relevant departments with the company we’ll get it. This is critical because the change will directly affect their work load and how they respond to the changes is likely to alter the direction of the company. The national sales manager will also provide us with information about the constraints that face the financial office and the behaviour of their clients, another bunch that is meant to be affected by the changes. ANALYSIS OF POWER (III) In this section, I will look at the different interests at play and how the company will take care of all the interests in the system. The same issue owners wield the instruments of power in the company. Therefore, they will be Stephen Grant (national sales manager), finance department, clients (customers), Environmental regulators and employees. The finance department holds the financial power and goodwill of the company. Any tendency by the department to frustrate the project implementation can take it (the project) down. The employees on the other hand must feel motivated to work for the company and support the project. If the terms are not improved and the workload increases, they are likely to go in search of pastures new and this would not help in the success of the project. The clients also hold a very powerful position in the system; if they feel that the company’s project does not add value and decide to seek the services from another company the company’s sales will go down and this would mean the project has not succeeded. The environmental regulators who double as government agencies also wield some power and could influence the success of the project. They would like to see that the company is steadfast in its efforts to conserve the environment and also comply with the tax regimes that are forthcoming when the project is implemented. The national sales manager is also powerful owing to his role in deciding price floors and ceilings and would detect when sales falter. He is therefore in a position to influence the success of the project. The perspectives of different primary stakeholders are also of utmost importance in this project. They are the same issue owners save for the employees who in this case are replaced by the company’s management. Clients’ perspective PQR P- Responding to the company’s advances R-To help the company to implement its project on environmental conservation CATWOE C-Consultancy team A-Clients themselves and the consultancy team T-Making their feelings known to the consultancy team W-Working towards a higher quality, competent service that is environmental friendly. O-Clients E-Time and mindset Management’s perspective PQR P-Put up systems that are both customer and environmental friendly Q-Investigating the available options and decide which one is best placed to achieve the objectives. R-In order to adapt an environmental friendly model and become more attractive to attract new customers CATWOE C-The Company itself, Government and environmental regulators, consumers A-Company’s management, Stephen grant, Consultancy team T- Introduces practices and products that are environmental friendly. W- Practices that can improve the image of the company to the genral public and the world at large. O- Company’s management. E- Budget, Time, market forces, conflict of interests. Consultancy team’s perspective PQR P-Perform the task requested by Forebys. Q- By doing research and presenting a clear report on ways in which Forebys could achieve its goals and objectives. R-In order to improve the image of the company CATWOE C- Forebys A- Consultancy firm. T- Preparing a report that will give Forebys a clear direction on the practices and products they want to introduce. W- Forebys expects a comprehensive report that will be value for money. O- Forebys E- Budget, Time, expectations of Forebys, availability of information. Stephen Grant’s Perspective PQR P- To introduce environment products and practices by the company. Q- By hiring a consultancy firm to do the analysis and come up with a workable model R- In order to be competitive in the market and offer services that are environmentally sound. CATWOE C -Consumers, Company’s board A – Stephen Grant, Consultancy firm T- Introducing new products and services to the market W- Becoming an environmental friendly company in all aspects O- The company’s management E- Budgetary constraints, the customers’ desire, time, Competitors 3Es Efficiency- is there least use of funds? Efficacy- does the way work? Effectiveness- is this the right thing to do? Briefing Notes Objectives of the Meeting i. The most pressing objective for the consultancy firm is winning the contract. ii. To familiarise itself with the dynamics of the company. Background of Company and Project (From project brief) i. Having been in operation for 4 years, the company has stretched its muscles to whole of west midlands and plans to go full throttle in the next five years. It offers cleaning and gardening services; it started as a window cleaning company but extended its services to cleaning houses after floods and fire. ii. Besides expanding, it desires to adopt an environmental friendly model which they have come up with two options that can be adopted to achieve it. However, none of these options have been ratified and so they have to be investigated. They are: * Introduction of products and practices that are environmental friendly. * Setting up a recycling service that would be incorporated by its existing networks and operations. Deliverables * The consultancy firm aims at doing a comprehensive investigation that will deliver beyond the scope of the firm. * The consultancy is dedicated to delivering highly feasible and easy to implement mechanism to achieve the intended goals. * We will gear our efforts towards a lucid, concise working formula to make it easy to achieve intended goals and objectives in a timely manner. Preliminary Analysis A preliminary analysis shows that: * Customers should be the focal point when carrying out this whole investigation because their choice to shift allegiance would mean total collapse of not only the project but also the company. * Shareholders should also be willing to inject new finances to the company for a better future. * There will be conflicts of interests in the drafting and implementation of the projects and so it will be upon the company to balance the interests. Bibliography Wilson, B. 2008. Soft Systems Methodology: Conceptual Model Building and Its Contribution. New Jersey: John Wiley amp; Sons.

The Voice of a Writer Essays

The Voice of a Writer Essays The Voice of a Writer Essay The Voice of a Writer Essay My style of writing is a depiction of my thought process. When reading something Vive wrote, while it may take you awhile to get through it all, contains limpness of my life, sarcastic comments, and generally a lengthy beginning. All of these aspects bring a little of myself into my writing, which creates an overall genuine tone that ties everything together. My family is super goofy, cracking Jokes day and night. That environment growing up shaped my personality, hence, influences my style of writing. I make use of sarcasm to not only put some of myself into my writing, but also to give a personal feel to the words, making them more relatable and believable. As Allan Sloan said, l talk that way, so I write that way. Although, my sarcasm may not transfer as well on paper as it would in person, I try to keep everything I type on the keyboard, or scribble down on a piece of paper with the intention of the reader thinking, MIPS, thats something Emily would say. Reading a paper of my mine is the equivalent of having a face to face conversation with me, because who I am as a writer is the same as who am I as a human being. Basically, I like to have a sense of life in what I write, and these lifelike characteristics create the genuine tone, essential for a good work of writing. Personal touches in a piece of writing, to me, are one of the key components to making a successful representation of your thoughts, no matter the effect youre trying to achieve. Persuasive, informative, reflectiv e, all need feeling to be successful in grabbing the readers attention. Whether youre trying to persuade your mom to let you go to the movies or get a man walking down the street to stop and read your article about politics, you need a level of pathos, appeal to the readers emotions, to truly gain their interest and win them over. The quote, My ideas usually come not at my desk writing but in the midst of living. As told by Nanas In is a metaphorical representation of how I use my life experience to Justify my thoughts. When you can appeal to someones emotions, you create a level of better understanding for the reader. When you read my writing, youll notice Ill reference past experiences, people I know, personal decisions, etc. All because it creates a conversational tone. Its like a glimpse into my life that others can read and think about a similar situation that has occurred to them. When you can relate to someone, it makes the task of being assured the reader understands your points much easier. Even if the reader doesnt agree with what youre saying, they can respect your thoughts. I view my writing as a creative process, one in which I usually experience as I go. Joan Doing said it best in his quote l write entirely to find out what Im thinking, what Im looking at, what I see and what it nearness. which is a clear explanation of myself while writing. My writing is my Test way AT putting my tongues together, ten majority AT want I write Is a pretty accurate representation of my thought process. A lot of times, I write an entire piece before I go through and read it. I write before I even give myself the chance to think about it because if I do, I will lose the thought and be back to square one. As Im writing this now, I dont know if it makes sense, is relevant to what I should be describing, or if it even has a type-o. My thoughts are composed through my writing, and my creation is the result of finding what my meaning is. The two above images go hand in hand, but in a way that they both represent different portions of my writing process. Going back to the idea that my writing is a mirror of my thoughts, my mind while Im writing is constantly throwing ideas, words, ND sentences to me which I write down so, in turn, my writing tends to get pretty lengthy. While length of an essay is an important component, I believe that quantity is not to be confused with quality. My mind gets so wrapped up sometimes on one particular subject that sometimes I spend too much time on one topic and do a poorer Job on other points I want to get across. Timed essays are probably one of my biggest challenges, the typical style youll see is long, descriptive first few paragraphs, but the last paragraph may be only a few sentences, sometimes its as bad as to not even have a conclusion. This is one of the flaws my writing possesses, and these pictures depict that: my attitude at the beginning of writing is like that of the first picture, but my expression as time runs short and I rush Just to finish, well Im sure you can gather from the ladder. To fully understand anything requires a level of evaluation, sometimes even going as deep as to self-analysis. Before I typed up this conclusion, I went back through and read the three some-odd pages I had schemed up, analyzing my analysis of myself. And what I concluded is all too shocking: I have proceeded to categorize myself as a writer. Vive always considered writing my best subject, and in doing this paper, Vive come to understand the fundamentals of the subject I personally excel at, making the future works that much better because pointing out the key components demonstrate what makes my writing truly mine, and ultimately myself as a person. The overall theme of my writing is personality: my unique qualities being portrayed through words sometimes carelessly thrown on a page while containing specific stylistic qualities, such as long descriptive beginnings followed by short and choppy conclusions (other than this one of course).

KNOWLEDGE-BASED ASSET MANAGEMENT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 1

KNOWLEDGE-BASED ASSET MANAGEMENT - Essay Example The company should be able to build on its capital and asset base within the first year to actually realize its full potential of meeting its goals. It should be able to formulate a policy to accomplish this objective The second year will in essence revolve around setting up a growth strategy and formula to promote company growth in all the necessary sectors. This approach would ensure that the enterprise strengthens its asset base and share value within that set time frame of a year. In the third year the company’s mandate would be to open up and expand all its communication channels within the third year. This move would guarantee that the enterprise strengthens its client base by upgrading all its communications systems thus improving its communications network. During the forth year its focus will be strengthening its administrative base and leadership to streamline service delivery. By overhauling the entire organizational setting, the company is injecting new life into its core to ensure efficient service delivery. The fifth year would encompass rebranding and formalizing new business practices within the enterprise. This strategy would ensure that the enterprise can present itself as an entirely different and fresh entity with a new identity and a new objective. To espouse the out and out implementation of the tenets ascribed to each year of the knowledge-based asset management process, certain essential modus operandi would enable Waveriders’s journey to excellence. Highlighted herein guidelines for consideration in the Excellence Model: It is important that the organization set up a planning committee with immediate effect. This committee would help in organizing affairs as well as creatively bringing up suggestions and ideas of benefit. The committee would also change the order of the planning stage. This would enable the board to return and address the problem at a later stage when it is of more benefit. Furthermore, the committee would also

Systems Programming Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Systems Programming - Essay Example In order to protect digital information, organizations are keen to implement technical controls such as firewalls, Intrusion Detection Systems, honeypots and Demilitarized zones. These controls are considered as logical and provide security on the logical layer. However, often the important aspect i.e. information security management is not addressed to the optimal level. A typical information security program is led by an information security manager who establishes a steering committee for discussing security aspects focusing not only the IT department but every department within the enterprise. Some of the management controls that are implemented by the information security manager are IT governance, Risk management, monitoring Key Process Indicators (KPI) and Key Goal Indicators (KGI). KPI demonstrates the current state of security within an organization and KGI demonstrates the level of security to be achieved. As per the current scenario, critical data must be protected by impl ementing Firewalls to secure the network from external logical threats and Virtual Private Network will be implemented for securing the data transmission on the Wide Area Network. The modern operating system introduced by Microsoft is named as Windows 7. This operating system contains advanced tools for network security from viruses, malware and spyware thus reducing the security breaches and risks. Another feature Windows 7 comprises is an enhanced backup solution for the important data. This will also provide more control via parental tool to protect family from possible risks. The Windows 7 also includes enhanced protection, safety and privacy characteristic for better internet experience. 2 What security is all about The Windows 7 incorporates a tool named as an Action Centre that allows the users to check firewall updates, software’s updates such as antivirus. Furthermore, this Action Centre will automatically turn on for all the latest available software updates. This A ction Centre is located in Control Panel for easy access for the users. 2.1 Protect your data from theft, hackers and accidental loss Another new feature that is included in Windows7 is the BitLocker Drive Encryption. This allows your Windows to encode all the important data, passwords and other information stored in the hard disk. The data encodes automatically into the hard disk as soon as the BitLocker is activated. Similarly, firewall also plays a vital role in computer protection. The firewall is designed to block all the unsafe data or malicious soft wares that enter into computer. The firewall present in Windows 7 is made more flexible and easy to use to provide maximum protection against hackers. In Windows 7, the backup system is also enhanced and made user friendly. This helps to generates many copies of your important data and thus restores it when needed. In order to protect your computer from viruses, malware and other spyware you need to download â€Å"Microsoft Secur ity Essential†. This application is available for Windows 7 and is free of cost. The Microsoft Security Essentials provides protection against worms, viruses, Trojans, spywares and other malwares. A detailed catalogue is available online for Microsoft Security Essential and how to use it. Moreover, Windows Defender is also included in Window

Voice over Internet Protocol Security Vulnerability and Risk Analysis Literature review

Voice over Internet Protocol Security Vulnerability and Risk Analysis - Literature review Example In modern times different means and mechanisms are being introduced for establishing communication with one another. The aim behind all of them has been to work on those lines that ensure reliable, fast and economical sources that can enable connecting people from across the borders and shores. The progress so made is so immense that people sitting across the continent can get in touch and see each other in matter of few seconds. Different means exist for such concepts. All those means of communication that have existed in history were conducted with a concern and consideration of privacy in them. This is achieved through encryption of data that is being exchanged between the two points. Voice over I.P (VOIP) is one of them. It has gained popularity in recent times and is being widely used .Like every other system in the field of telecommunications; VOIP has its strengths as well as weaknesses. Like every other internet utility, it has its own vulnerabilities and security concerns. This paper looks into the vulnerabilities and risks affiliated with it, further touching on the features being provided by it along with its working principles in brief. The paper also looks into the role of Voice over I.P Security Alliance and its efforts to meeting the demands in terms of narrowing down the vulnerabilities that exist in various forms. Keywords: VoIP, Open standard, Vulnerability, Denial of Service. ... VOIP is established on the concept of open standards to maximum its use and accessibility (Ellis, Pursell & Rahman,pg 250, 2003). Interoperability is another feature that is making inroads across the platform all over. Having mentioned the features that are being provided by VOIP, a serious concern is being raised about its security aspect. Many a times it is being tagged as vulnerable in terms of security aspects. For this purpose efforts are needed to be in place which will insure the safety of all parameters involved in this. This is possible through study of all those areas which have loop holes in them and further working on those areas will make this a safe source of communication for customers to use. VOIP is a generic term for number of applications intended for establishing connection (Persky 2007); it could be the chat client establishment, the phone call conversation, the SMS service establishment. VOIP makes use of number of protocols that contain both the open protocols and proprietary protocols. Through the use of single broadband line, VOIP enables sending voice signals, data that includes textual format and video format information. The vulnerabilities are not just limited to its usage and application, rather operating systems, and protocols used (McGann & Sicker 2005). Types of calls possible with VOIP: Unicast calls: This kind of calling conversation involves the minimum number of parties, one at each end. It is the SIP or H.323 based call. Mostly the traffic and conversation is not encrypted and hence unsafe. Multi cast calls (limited number of callers): This includes more than two users involved in a conversation at one time. Usually a conference call where the first two establish a

What Makes Subcultures Deviant Cultural Studies Essay

What Makes Subcultures Deviant Cultural Studies Essay This paper will look to answer the question What are subcultures and what makes them deviant? It will then go on to examine and explore how subcultures became apparent and give descriptions of two different subcultures within society (specifically Punk and Rave). To conclude there will be a brief discussion regarding the specific subcultures, their members and the culture they belong to. In order to assess these subcultures it is first only right to define what a subculture is. The definition given by Dictionary of Sociology, Abercrombie (et al) states a subculture is A system of values, attitudes, modes of behaviour and lifestyles of a social group within a largerà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦society or organisationà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦. Most commonly applied to deviant or youth cultures that develop a culture opposed to the dominant culture. Hall et al (1976) started to examine why and how young members of society felt the need to form groups.   Youth is a relatively new term for Britain, as it only really came into existence after the Second World War. Children were no longer sent straight out to work and the emphasis moved more from work to play and growing up with ease, Youth appeared as an emergent category in post-war Britain, one of the most striking and visible manifestations of social change in the period (Hall et al 1976,). Prior to World War 2 there was always a strong ideology, a way of life to which everyone conformed. They held similar values and common goals. The emergence of subcultures challenged this. The majority of subcultures can usually be defined by specific music, with the exception of few, such as football hooliganism. The subcultures explored below can predominantly be distinguished by their music. It would be fair to assume that both the subcultures explored will have had some impact on todays university students. Either their own lives or the lives of their parents surely have been influenced by one of these subcultures. Punks In order to grasp what the punk subculture consists of it is imperative to understand where punk came from and the history surrounding it, as well as how its followers dressed, their ideals, music tastes and attitudes. There are different types of punk examples being Anarocho punk and Oi! Punk. The Punk philosophy addressed many issues including individualism, anti-authoritarianism, political anarchism, and free thought amongst others. Punk was embraced by individuals usually ranging in age from the late teen years to mid or late twenties. Punks can be perceived as members of a deviant subculture due to many factors, for example their musical tastes, dress sense and political views to name but a few. Each of these issues are to be raised in their own right, below. Within the United Kingdom (UK) the punk scene emerged in the late 1970s. As punk was somewhat of an underground movement it is impossible to state when it arrived in the UK. Cahill (1988) states that most would agree that it was sometime in 1975, Britain was suffering from a recession at the time, and in times of extreme hardship, people look for an outlet to their anger Punk gave way for young people to make their frustrations known. They Angela-Marie Gibson had just gone through times of economic decline, so un-employment was rife; add to this the normal feelings that people of this age experience, punk seemed the answer. Marsh (1977) termed Punk dole queue rock. Punk saw bands such as the Clash, The Sex Pistols and The Ramones emerging into British society. Music of this kind was often very anti or intolerant in its lyrics for example regarding parents or notions of love. Then there are other types of music to consider such as the Jam and Sham 69. The Jam are not immediately thought of as an Oi! band, but their lyrics contain political themes which is also applicable to many bands of the genre. The members of the typical punk subculture made their allegiance clear in the way the dressed. A typical punk could be seen sporting light jeans, leather jackets, Doc Martins, ripped t-shirts and, maybe, their dyed hair (some punks associated with Neo-Nazi movements had skin heads). It could be argued that the social class of the people who made up the punk subculture were generally working class, but it has to be considered that punk also consisted of a minority of middle class students who simply enjoyed the punk look, but did not conform to all its trappings. The members of the punk sub culture in Britain are predominantly white. The word punk often goes hand in hand political views. Not all punks developed the same political standing but it should be mentioned that views such as anarchy and neo-Nazism are attached to the punk subculture. The National Front picked up such punk movements as Oi! and tried to use punk to their own advantage. One must mention musical influences such as Skrewdriver, whos lead singer Ian Stewart Donaldson was instrumental in setting up Blood Honour the activist movement widely linked with the National Front. Punks could be seen as quite confused individuals as they wore clothing depicting the Union Jack, yet they sang along with The Sex Pistols and their lyrics of anarchy in the British society it was an alien essence, a foreign body which implicitly threatened mainstream British culture from within and as such it resonated with punks adopted values anarchy, surrender and decline' (Hebdige, 1979, p64) Rave The rave subculture seems to be different to punk in the fact that its follows do not seem to be constrained by social class or political view points. Rave sprang to life and made its way from Ibiza to Britain in the late 1980s and early 1990s.. It is termed by the Guardian newspaper as The fight for the right to party. Initially no one from this subculture was against any figures of authority; they basically wanted to experience a good time with their peers in an environment that had never been experienced before. This did however bring with it violence between the Police and the ravers Collin (1997) is quoted as saying rave is the most spectacular and enduring British youth movement of the twentieth century. The origins of rave can be traced back to the United States of America and the gay clubs in Chicago in the form of House music. Firstly it is imperative to ascertain what it is we are examining. Initially this paper will look at the clothes, attitudes and beliefs of the members of the rave subculture as well as the history that surrounds it. This specific subculture is closely connected with illegal drug taking and (initially) illegal venues where young people could join together to dance, party and take drugs. The countries licensing laws at this time where such that traditional nightclubs closed at 1 or 2 am. The members of the rave community wanted to party on into the night, hence the venues that hosted these events being illegal. It could be argued that the term rave was first seen in Britain in the 1950s and was seen again briefly with the Mods. However, it was the illegal warehouse parties that gave rave the reputation it possessed in the early to mid 1990s. Rave appeared whilst Britain was approaching a state of great consumer spending and the short housing boom of the late 80s was underway. In Government Margaret Thatcher was striving to ensure the British public got her strong messages regarding a capitalist society. She was attempting to portray her vision of every man being responsible for himself, On the 23rd September 1987 she was famously quoted as saying there is no such thing as society www.margaretthatcher.org. The followers of rave could be spotted in their unique clothing attire. This mainly consisted of layered clothing (which could easily be removed once they get hot), young childrens dummies, glo-sticks, whistles and smiley faced t-shirts. The males can be seen sporting tracksuits or baggy jeans whilst the females took to wearing bikinis and short neon coloured dresses. They often related everyday things to drug abuse and depicted this on their clothing. Slogans such as Can I have an E please Bob? were printed on t-shirts. They showed Bob Holness (famous for his long reign as host of blockbuster)  holding an ecstasy tablet. It is argued that at most, if not all gatherings that this subculture attended illegal drugs would be rife predominantly ecstasy, amphetamine, cocaine or LSD. In 1994 the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act was passed. This Act was influenced directly by the events at Castlemorton, where an estimated 40,000 revellers spent a week partying at an event held at the common. Castlemorton was the final nail in the coffin of the unlicensed event (South, 1999) The Act specifically defines music to include sounds wholly or predominantly characterised by the emission of a succession of repetitive beats. This gave greater powers to the Police to act upon raves. The most publicised changes in the Act are Sections 34-39, 54-59 and 60. These changes gave the Police the power to stop an outside gathering of more than 100 people. There was highly publicised conflict in the late 1980s between Police and members of the rave subculture. This, coupled with the knowledge that ravers embraced illegal substances would lead many to think that the followers of rave have little or no respect for the police or the law. Over 60,000 youths marched against the Criminal Justice Bill changes. They were all not from the rave subculture, but they all had the common belief that the changes were not just. The views of the rave sub culture may be seen as polar opposites to that of punk. Followers of rave put emphasis on peace, love, openess, unity and respect for each other. This is argued to be down to the effects of the drugs the ravers participate in. The rave subculture has moved on vastly since the early 1990s. The rave subculture now takes place in most towns and cities every weekend in legitimate venues that adhere to licencing laws. It is now called club culture and is part of everyday life for many. The members may have adapted their clothing to more mainstream atire. It could also be said that it is the rave subculture that has normalised drug use once again for the youth of Britian. It has certianly brought illegal drugs to the forefront. Faces such as that of Leah Betts will be engrained on the minds of many British citizens, predominantly those is their 30s. To quote Cohen (1972) deviance is created by societyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ social groups create deviance by making the rules whose infraction constitutes deviance and by applying those rules to particular persons and labelling them as outsiders. So, if a person does not share the same morals and belief systems as the majority that then makes them deviant, therefore they have no option but to seek solace in the arms of a subculture. Looking at these subcultures I conclude that it could be argued they were influenced by the rising number of family breakdowns. Could it be that the youth of these eras were looking for a sense of belonging, and the rave and punk subculture gave them what they craved? The leader of the country at the time (Margaret Thatcher) was thought to be trying to in still into the British people that society was not important maybe subcultures fulfilled its followers with a sense of belonging and security? If the people were being lead to believe that wider society was not as important as it had been then can a subculture really exist, as there is no common goal or majority rule. It also must be pointed out that with the vast amount of media coverage both of these subcultures received from the newspapers and television it could also be argued that they were the norm they had so much coverage that to attach a deviant label to them is wrong. Maybe due to the fact that we have only seen these deviations from the norm over a relatively short period of time (Post World War 2) it is still inconceivable to some members of society that freedom to express ourselves should be embraced, not shunned?

Sex vs. Solitude Essay -- The Woman in the Dunes, Onehundred Year

Solitude can exist in many ways and can be present in any form in human beings. Each person is eventually alone deep inside themselves, which is why communication and connections are essential in life. In the novel One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Kobo Abe's The Woman in the Dunes, solitude is one of the main dilemmas that the main characters in the novels encounter. In the novels, the main characters are perpetually looking for a way to defeat their loneliness in the world and in many cases try to find it through sexual intercourse. The patriarch Jose Arcadio Buendia, in One Hundred Years of Solitude, is the founder of Macondo. The location of Mocondo is significant as it sits on an isolated place which gives the sense of the Buendia family being surrounded by solitude. It also seems as if solitude is an inherited trait of the Buendia family leading to a pattern of incest, which was started by Jose Arcadio Buendia and his wife, who is also his first cousin, Ursula Iguaran. Sex is probably used in the novel as a way to somehow bond the family together. Sex can be used as a tool to make connections to one another and can create body language which can also be a way of communicating. We see this especially in the second generation of the family, when Colonel Aureliano Buendia has sex during the wars with seventeen different women (which he shows no sign of predilection towards). You can also deduce that he went on a journey to free himself from solitude and overall was unsuccessful as it was shown when he m ade an attempt to get with the adolescent mulatto girl enslaved by her grandmother. This shows an effort by one of the Buendia men to try to have a loving relationship with another chara... ...There was no particular need to hurry about escaping." (239). Realizing his situation, he becomes one with the dunes and is able to live a purposeful life with the woman he once opposed living with. Without any type of sexual relationship, none of the characters in the novels One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Kobo Abe's The Woman in the Dunes would have been explored thoroughly. Sex usually exposes a hidden hope or apprehension, desire and lust for something. In this case the characters of the novels lust, desire for identity and companionship, and is something they strive to acquire. In order to attain this, they attempt to use sex as a tool to triumph over solitude and gain communication and connection to reach one another. This is why sex is essential in providing two crucial things that are necessary in life to avoid solitude.

Qualitative Analysis

Qualitative Analysis 1. Abstract Qualitative Analysis helps to analysis the ionic compounds ( cations and anions) which are presented in a salt (solid and in a solution). The experimental procedures show the identity of the substance but not the amount of the present agents. 2. Introduction The construction of ionic salt is based on a certain cation and a certain anion. To get to know the two different agents of the salt, the anions and cations has to be separated.For the separation the ionic salt has to be destroyed by chemical reaction to get the single elements and compounds. A physical reaction can only change the conditions of the salt ( solid or fluid) but not the structure of the educt. Every element and compound has characteristic reactions where the identity can be figured out by analyzing the out coming educt by its color, its odor, its precipitation and its solubility. The following experiment is separated in two parts.In the first part of the experiment, it has to be show n the different characteristic reaction with the cations (Na+, K+,NH4+,Mg2+,Cu2+,Ag+,Ba2+,Sr2+) and the anions ( Cl-, Br-, CO32-, SO42-, F-). In the following part there was an unknown ionic salt to analyze which is built out of one cation and one anion from above. 3. Materials and Methods 1. Materials †¢ Test tubes †¢ Bunsen Burner †¢ Test tubes rack †¢ Pasteur pipette †¢ Distilled water †¢ Ionic salts †¢ NaOH †¢ SO4-2 †¢ NH4 †¢ HCl †¢ AgNO3 2. MethodsThere are several experiments to analyze the compounds and elements of an ionic salt [1]: †¢ Flame Test (for solid substance): for visually determine the identity of an metallic agent in the ionic salt by the different color †¢ Heating effect ( for fluid substance): heating can cause the separation of a substance included odor development and color changing. This is given by nitrate, carbonade and sulfite ions †¢ Solubility in water: Almost all of the ionic salts ar e soluble in water †¢ Precipitation ( for fluid substance): A precipitate will form with a certain cation/ anion an insoluble substance.Characteristic precipitate will turned out 4. Results 1. Different characteristic reaction with the cations (Na+, K+,NH4+,Mg2+,Cu2+,Ag+,Ba2+,Sr2+, Ca2+) and the anions ( Cl-, Br-, CO32-, SO42-, F-) †¢ Flame test: o Na+: light yellow flame o K+: violet flame o Cu2+: yellow-orange, darker flame than the flame of Na+ o Ba2+: green flame in the beginning, after a little while the flame is turning yellow †¢ Heating effect: NH4+ + OH- ( NH3 (g) + H2O The ammonia (g) smells cautiously and changes the color of a red litmus paper into blue †¢ Precipitation: o Cl- + AgNO3 ( AgCl (s) + NO3, ( white prec. o Br- + AgNO3 ( AgBr (s) + NO3, ( light yellow prec. ) o I- + AgNO3 ( Agl (s) + NO3, ( yellow prec. ) o Ca2+ + CO32- ( CaCO3 (s), ( white prec. ) o SO42- + BaCl2 ( BaSO4 (s) + 2Cl-, (white prec. ) o CO32- + HCl ( CO2 (g)+†¦. , ( bubbel s can be seen) o Mg2+ + 2NaOH ( Mg(OH)2 (s) + Na+, (white prec. ) o Sr2+ + 2NaOH ( Sr(OH)2 (s) + Na+, (white prec. ) 2. Unknown Determination †¢ Look of the salt: o Shape: little grains o Color: white o Smell: no clear smell †¢ Kation: o Flame test: light yellow (= Na) o Control: X+ OH- ( no prec. (Kation: Na+ †¢ Anion: o X + AgNO3 ( white-brown prec. Control: Br-/ I- + AgNO3 ( yellow prec. ( = I- / Br-) o 1. X + SO42- ( no visually reaction o 2. X + SO42- ( CO2 (g) production ( bubbles visual) o X + HCl ( CO2 (g) production ( bubbles visual) ( Anion: CO32- The unknown salt is Na2CO3 5. Discussion The cation Na+ was easy to figure out because of its unmistakable color of the flame by holding into the Bunsen burner flame. It was more difficult to get to know the anion. The experiment with silvernitrat could be leading to a wrong conclusion. In the table [1] is written that there is no reaction ( precipitation) in the experiment with AgNO3 and CO32-.It could be that the test tube wasn’t clean and there was still some undesirable rest of another element or compound. Even a single grain of I- could cause a precipitation. Another problem to find the right anion was that the amount of our unknown salt was too low in our testing solution with acid sulfur. So there was no visual reaction with our unknown solution. But the second time with a higher amount of unknown salt in our testing solution there was a CO2 development. To be sure that this experiment is positive the experiment was repeated with HCl. There was the CO2 development good visible. Thus in the end the anion CO32- was proved. 6.Conclusion To do the right analyses it is very important not to trust a single experiment. Controls are very important to get the right elements and compounds. Also it’s very important to check wheather the equipment is clean. Any single rest of an undesired substance can imitate the result. But these are good experiments to get to known unknown element s and compounds of an ionic salt. 7. References [1] Handout: Medical & Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Analytic Chemistry Laboratory, Winter Semester 2011 [2]J. E. Brandy, F. A. Sense, N. D. Jespersen, Chemistry. The Study of Matters and Its changes, International Edition, 5. Edition 2008 Qualitative Analysis Qualitative Analysis 1. Abstract Qualitative Analysis helps to analysis the ionic compounds ( cations and anions) which are presented in a salt (solid and in a solution). The experimental procedures show the identity of the substance but not the amount of the present agents. 2. Introduction The construction of ionic salt is based on a certain cation and a certain anion. To get to know the two different agents of the salt, the anions and cations has to be separated.For the separation the ionic salt has to be destroyed by chemical reaction to get the single elements and compounds. A physical reaction can only change the conditions of the salt ( solid or fluid) but not the structure of the educt. Every element and compound has characteristic reactions where the identity can be figured out by analyzing the out coming educt by its color, its odor, its precipitation and its solubility. The following experiment is separated in two parts.In the first part of the experiment, it has to be show n the different characteristic reaction with the cations (Na+, K+,NH4+,Mg2+,Cu2+,Ag+,Ba2+,Sr2+) and the anions ( Cl-, Br-, CO32-, SO42-, F-). In the following part there was an unknown ionic salt to analyze which is built out of one cation and one anion from above. 3. Materials and Methods 1. Materials †¢ Test tubes †¢ Bunsen Burner †¢ Test tubes rack †¢ Pasteur pipette †¢ Distilled water †¢ Ionic salts †¢ NaOH †¢ SO4-2 †¢ NH4 †¢ HCl †¢ AgNO3 2. MethodsThere are several experiments to analyze the compounds and elements of an ionic salt [1]: †¢ Flame Test (for solid substance): for visually determine the identity of an metallic agent in the ionic salt by the different color †¢ Heating effect ( for fluid substance): heating can cause the separation of a substance included odor development and color changing. This is given by nitrate, carbonade and sulfite ions †¢ Solubility in water: Almost all of the ionic salts ar e soluble in water †¢ Precipitation ( for fluid substance): A precipitate will form with a certain cation/ anion an insoluble substance.Characteristic precipitate will turned out 4. Results 1. Different characteristic reaction with the cations (Na+, K+,NH4+,Mg2+,Cu2+,Ag+,Ba2+,Sr2+, Ca2+) and the anions ( Cl-, Br-, CO32-, SO42-, F-) †¢ Flame test: o Na+: light yellow flame o K+: violet flame o Cu2+: yellow-orange, darker flame than the flame of Na+ o Ba2+: green flame in the beginning, after a little while the flame is turning yellow †¢ Heating effect: NH4+ + OH- ( NH3 (g) + H2O The ammonia (g) smells cautiously and changes the color of a red litmus paper into blue †¢ Precipitation: o Cl- + AgNO3 ( AgCl (s) + NO3, ( white prec. o Br- + AgNO3 ( AgBr (s) + NO3, ( light yellow prec. ) o I- + AgNO3 ( Agl (s) + NO3, ( yellow prec. ) o Ca2+ + CO32- ( CaCO3 (s), ( white prec. ) o SO42- + BaCl2 ( BaSO4 (s) + 2Cl-, (white prec. ) o CO32- + HCl ( CO2 (g)+†¦. , ( bubbel s can be seen) o Mg2+ + 2NaOH ( Mg(OH)2 (s) + Na+, (white prec. ) o Sr2+ + 2NaOH ( Sr(OH)2 (s) + Na+, (white prec. ) 2. Unknown Determination †¢ Look of the salt: o Shape: little grains o Color: white o Smell: no clear smell †¢ Kation: o Flame test: light yellow (= Na) o Control: X+ OH- ( no prec. (Kation: Na+ †¢ Anion: o X + AgNO3 ( white-brown prec. Control: Br-/ I- + AgNO3 ( yellow prec. ( = I- / Br-) o 1. X + SO42- ( no visually reaction o 2. X + SO42- ( CO2 (g) production ( bubbles visual) o X + HCl ( CO2 (g) production ( bubbles visual) ( Anion: CO32- The unknown salt is Na2CO3 5. Discussion The cation Na+ was easy to figure out because of its unmistakable color of the flame by holding into the Bunsen burner flame. It was more difficult to get to know the anion. The experiment with silvernitrat could be leading to a wrong conclusion. In the table [1] is written that there is no reaction ( precipitation) in the experiment with AgNO3 and CO32-.It could be that the test tube wasn’t clean and there was still some undesirable rest of another element or compound. Even a single grain of I- could cause a precipitation. Another problem to find the right anion was that the amount of our unknown salt was too low in our testing solution with acid sulfur. So there was no visual reaction with our unknown solution. But the second time with a higher amount of unknown salt in our testing solution there was a CO2 development. To be sure that this experiment is positive the experiment was repeated with HCl. There was the CO2 development good visible. Thus in the end the anion CO32- was proved. 6.Conclusion To do the right analyses it is very important not to trust a single experiment. Controls are very important to get the right elements and compounds. Also it’s very important to check wheather the equipment is clean. Any single rest of an undesired substance can imitate the result. But these are good experiments to get to known unknown element s and compounds of an ionic salt. 7. References [1] Handout: Medical & Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Analytic Chemistry Laboratory, Winter Semester 2011 [2]J. E. Brandy, F. A. Sense, N. D. Jespersen, Chemistry. The Study of Matters and Its changes, International Edition, 5. Edition 2008

Football Essays (1142 words) - National Football League, Free Essays

Football Essays (1142 words) - National Football League, Free Essays Football This is a crwative essay only A Steeler Game I harbor a lot of passion for the game of football. Its more than just a game to me. Some people fish or do crosswords. What I do to relax and have fun in my spare time is watch or read about football. While engaged in watching or reading about this particular sport, I escape from the everyday grind of life. Going to a sporting event like a football game is outrageous. The building anxiety weeks before I attend a Steeler game can drive any normal fan to insanity. Its 6:00 AM Sunday morning. There was no need for an alarm to wake me up on this fine morning. I am about to pack my portable grill and a few cases of beer into my car to go on a two-hour road trip to Three Rivers Stadium. I am going to attend a Steeler game. On the road its WDVE on the radio all the way to Pittsburgh. Myron Cope, WDVEs celebrated play by play analyst, sounds off. As usual he is as exited about toady as I am. Myron Cope is talking about players, injuries and coaches. There are a lot of things hell talk about with Tunch Ilkin, his sidekick and former Steeler player. As they make their predictions, as to how the day will go for the Steelers, and other teams in the Steelers division. After two hours of listening to the analysts, its time to pay the ten dollars to park my car. I open my car door and its pandemonium. Organized chaos! Thousands of people (fans) parking their cars, setting up their grills and cracking their first beer of the morning. All of this is happening at 8:00 AM. The day has just started, and it gets better. My breakfast on a day like today would consist of two hamburgers over easy and sixteen ounces of beer. In this kind of environment, Fruit Loops and O.J. just wont do. It seems as though a lot of fans feel the same way I do. I smell nothing but grilled food and stale beer. For those of you who come from other planets, and with me being a responsible citizen of earth, I must tell you this. Sitting in a parking lot or open field, drinking alcohol, eating large quantities of food, and socializing before or after any football game is called tailgating. There are other things to view before the game even starts. Low flying aircraft with advertisement banners in tow. You know the kind, the same ones that interrupt your quiet time at the beach every ten minutes. Sometimes one of those huge blimps will be flying over Three Rivers Stadium too. I really like those blimps, and the blimps fly really low to the ground in the parking lot too. But I did not pay to see an air show. I came to watch a football game, and the only thing that I want to see in the air is a football. And looking at Three Rivers Stadium is quit a site, in itself. Its not just its size, but its history that impress me. Well its time to get inside the stadium to watch the game. Ill pass many scalpers in the parking lot on my way to the stadium. At this time Id like to address the visitors from other planets again. Scalpers are not Indians trying to cut your forehead off. No sir, they are humans selling tickets to the game for three times their original value. I then get my game day program. I always buy this program. It makes a great souvenir. Once inside the stadium, its a new world. Its nothing like watching the game from home. Everything looks different; the field is ten times more colorful than on television. The fans cheering are ten times louder, and more exciting. It feels like youre apart of something really big. Once I sit down in my seat, like most fans I stay there until halftime. And at that point in time I wonder why I waited, because now I have to fight my way in and out of the restroom. That my friends, is the only bad thing

Is it possible to say why Anglo-Saxon kings and queens (and their courts) were willing to accept Christianity Essay Example

Is it possible to say why Anglo Is it possible to say why Anglo-Saxon kings and queens (and their courts) were willing to accept Christianity Paper Is it possible to say why Anglo-Saxon kings and queens (and their courts) were willing to accept Christianity Paper Essay Topic: History In 596, Englands network of small Anglo-Saxon kingdoms was universally pagan. A century later it was officially Christian. The conversion to Christianity, fronted by St. Augustines late sixth-century mission, was completely bloodless and apparently voluntary, in stark contrast with the forced conversion of the continental Saxons by Charlemagne. However, exactly how this conversion came about is, to a certain extent, shrouded in mystery. Our main source, Bedes Ecclesiastical History, was written over a hundred years after the events he is describing and is undermined as reliable historical evidence by its didactic and propagandist nature. Unfortunately, the missionaries that came to England did not write testimonies. However, we are able to look at the advice given to later continental missionaries such as Boniface. Through a combination of Bedes writings, the continental experience, archaeological evidence and intelligent guesswork, it may be possible to build up some sort of a picture of why the Anglo-Saxon aristocracy were willing to accept Christianity. With any voluntary conversion, we would expect the main reason behind it to be the success of missionary persuasion. Yet equally important is the willingness of the person who is being persuaded to be converted. As we shall see, openness to new ideas can be perceived either as a prerequisite for successful conversion or as a result of intelligent persuasion techniques. It is necessary, therefore, to look both at what was said or implied by the missionaries and at why the Anglo-Saxon kings accepted their arguments. It is important to remember that the impetus behind St. Augustines mission which resulted in the first conversion (that of King Aethelbert of Kent) came from Rome. The kings of England did not ask to be converted; rather it was decided by Pope Gregory that they should be. Thus before we consider the possible attractions of Christianity, we must examine the Churchs motives behind the conversion. Bede and other Christian writers would have us believe that they were entirely spiritual. This is not far from the truth: Christianity is a proselytising faith, the followers of which believe their religion to be eminently superior to all others. However, Christianity in the early Middle Ages was also associated with the resurgence of Rome as an imperial power, albeit in barbarian hands. It was in Gregorys interest to extend his Christian empire by renewing control of a former Roman province such as England. Having the support of powerful Christian kings was important both to the spread of Christianity (mass baptism would have been impossible without the backing of a king) and to the security and prosperity of the new Christian empire. 1 Missionaries too had material as well as spiritual incentives behind their work. Augustine and others were given privileged, official status and the protection that came from operating under the aegis of a powerful patron (Gameson). The determination of the pope and individual missionaries to win the support of the Anglo-Saxon kings influenced how they put their message across. Both Gregory and his missionaries understood that their presentation of Christianity was crucial to its acceptance. The spiritual benefits from conversion would have to be explained alongside a subtle demonstration of the material benefits associated with conversion. To put it bluntly, distilling the true message of the gospels was not the sole task of the missionaries. Christianity had to be presented to the Anglo-Saxon aristocracy in a way specifically designed to appeal to them in order for them to accept it. What was important was that the Anglo-Saxon kings became nominally Christian and believed themselves to be Christian, not whether they were true Christians. Hence the conversion process was to be gradual and its methods flexible. The spiritual arguments for conversion were based on the idea of rationality. Bishop Daniel of Winchester (d. 745) writing to the Anglo-Saxon missionary Boniface (d. 754) listed various arguments the latter might use to convert pagan Germans. 2 Many were rational, in particular the logical fallacy of worshipping as gods beings who were born as humans. It is probable that missionaries wishing to convert the Anglo Saxons in the previous century will have used similar tactics. Bede tells us that Sigbert, King of Essex, was persuaded by Oswy of Northumbria that manmade idols could not possibly be gods as God was invisible and omnipresent. As Richter points out, this story is unreliable, but demonstrates the methods of persuasion that were used. An account by the Whitby Anonymous describes how Paulinus preaching to Edwin of Northumbria and his court used the shooting of a bird to demonstrate that idols were useless and could be destroyed without danger. This type of image-based persuasion would have been essential if we bear in mind that missionaries probably did n ot speak the same language as the people they were trying to convert; clearly, it could be just as powerful as oral persuasion. As well as highlighting what was claimed to be the illogical nature of paganism, the missionaries may have emphasised the potential spiritual fulfilment that could be gained from converting to Christianity. Bede describes how one of Edwins followers compared earthly existence with the flight of a sparrow through a lighted hall and suggested that if Christianity could dispel some of the darkness before and after, it was worthy to be considered. This is one situation where intelligent persuasion techniques come first; that is to say, in creating a need for adopting a new faith where there was not one before by causing people to doubt that the old faith successfully answered the most fundamental questions on existence. In addition to these theological arguments, Bede attributes the acceptance of Christianity to the fact that the Anglo-Saxons (in this case, Aethelbert) were impressed by both the pure lifestyle of the missionaries and the miracles that they performed. The second reason, explains Gameson, is a great deal more plausible. He makes the point that the emissaries came from a more sophisticated and materially advanced culture and therefore may have been able to do things that seemed extraordinary by Anglo-Saxon standards. It is not difficult to imagine the Anglo-Saxons being impressed by the prestige and superior material culture of the missionaries- something that the missionaries themselves were well aware of. St. Augustine arrived bearing a silver plate and an icon of Christ on a wooden board. Queen Etheburga (wife of Edwin) was sent a silver mirror and a comb ornamented with gold. Daniel of Winchester, perhaps drawing on the experience of the conversion of the Anglo-Saxons advised Boniface to get his audience to reflect on the circumstance that while the Christians possess fertile lands, and provinces fruitful in wine and oil and abounding in other riches, they have left to them, the pagans that is, with their gods, lands always frozen with cold. 4 David adds that Boniface must bring before [the pagans] the might of the Christian world. Similar techniques are likely to have been used to convert the Anglo-Saxons, who, bordering Gaul would have been well aware of this might and probably were slightly envious of it. B. Yorke describes how Frankish culture was very fashionable in Kent in the late sixth and early seventh centuries, the kingdom being the first area to adopt the status symbols of the Frankish royal court such as gold and garnet jewellery or the crystal balls which women worse suspended from the waist. Interestingly, she goes on to explain that other Anglo-Saxon kingdoms soon followed suit, citing the a rich female burial of the late sixth century from Chessell Down cemetery in the Isle of Wight, which includes a crystal ball and a brooch worn on the shoulder that had been imported from Gaul. Campbell mentions how pottery of a Frankish origin has even been found round the northern shores of the Irish sea. Anglo-Saxon kings must have been impressed by the wide influence of their Merovingian counterparts and may have associated the Frankish conversion Christianity (which brought with it links with Rome) with their domestic and foreign power. The missionaries, too, may have realised that they could play on the Anglo-Saxon kings pride, lust for fame and desire to augment their own power. Pope Gregory compared King Aethelbert to Constantine in advising him to convert for He whose honour you seek and maintain among the nations will also make your glorious name still more glorious even to posterity. Christianity, we must remember, was not simply a religion: it was an entire package. With it came culture, stone buildings, and, perhaps most significantly, Latin and literacy. Writing was associated with administration, in particular, codes of law. In these law codes, the king was deliberately connected with God. For example, Ine in his code of 688 styles himself by the grace of God king of the West Saxons. In Rome, the pope was becoming more imperial; perhaps the Anglo-Saxon kings hoped to follow in that mould. Higham goes so far as to assert that religious conversion was a deliberate and calculated tool designed to augment royal tradition. Certainly, conversion to Christianity led to an increase in power (and wealth in the form of tax and monasteries- something that Bede is reluctant to mention) of the Bretwalda. Claims of divine right to rule, however, were nothing new. Before the arrival of Augustine, kings were already using Woden and other gods to underpin their authority, for instance, in alleging that they were descended from them (Yorke). Furthermore, there may have already been substantial royal involvement in ritual before conversion, something which Bede chooses to ignore, presenting paganism as something controlled almost entirely by priests. However, as Yorke points out, the lack of archaeological evidence for temples and the fact that in pagan Sweden in the ninth century kings performed rituals in halls, indicate that Bede may have been mistaken. We have to admit that we know very little about Anglo-Saxon paganism. We also know next to nothing about whether there was any survival of Romano-British Christianity. A familiarity with Christianity from the survival of Romano-British Christianity could explain why the Anglo-Saxon aristocracy was so quick to accept conversion. There is some evidence for continuity. For example, near Aylesford there is a settlement called Eccles (via British, from the Latin ecclesia) which indicates that a pocket of Christians survived there long enough for the name to have been adopted into German speech. Also, Aethelbert put at his new (Frankish Christian) wife, Berthas disposal a church built in Roman times near Canterbury. This suggests that there were people in Kent who could identify a Christian church in the late sixth century. Possibly it even indicates the presence of a Christian community at Canterbury. Bertha is the first Frankish-Anglo-Saxon queen we know of (there may have been other before her) and highlights the importance of marriage in conversion. Berthas family insisted that Aethelbert let her practise her religion and bring with her a bishop, Liudhard. Edwin of Northumbria had been allowed to marry his wife, Ethelberga on the condition that he converted to Christianity (Paulinus, would-be missionary, arrived in her entourage). Having a Christian wife would have encouraged a king to be well-disposed towards Christianity. Once converted, the hierarchical nature of Anglo-Saxon kingship (the concept of over-kings and subject-kings) meant that kings could also convert each other. For example, Aethelbert persuaded Sigbert of Essex to convert. Bearing in mind how the spread of Christianity in Kent corresponded with an increase in Aethelberts power (not to mention the floundering of Christianity on his death) we could say that the Christianisation of Anglo-Saxon England was advanced by kings wishing to assert hegemony over their neighbours. The importance of feud to the Anglo-Saxons is also crucial in this respect. This king-on-king conversion was made possible by the fact that there was a lot of movement and communication between kingdoms. P. Wormald describes how the situation in Beowulf (where there are always messengers and guests moving between courts) probably reflects the situation in real life. Beowulf is also significant in that it shows a continuation of some pagan beliefs and practices (such as cremation and, more broadly, a heroic tradition) alongside Christian beliefs. The Christianity that the missionaries introduced was of a deliberately flexible nature, which enabled the values and structure of Anglo-Saxon society to stay the same. Anglo-Saxon aristocrats continued to trace their lineage back to the pagan gods, while Raedwald apparently worshipped Christian and pagan gods in the same temple. An important example of assimilation is the alleged transformation of a pagan festival into Easter. Since assimilation is not inherent in Christianity in itself, the conversion of the Anglo-Saxon kings owes a great deal to how the religion was presented by the missionaries. Above all, the Anglo-Saxon aristocracy converted not simply for spiritual reasons, as Bede (whose task, we must not forget was to compile a catalogue of good examples for Christians of his own day) would want us to believe, but out of a desire to keep up with the rest of Europe, and especially Gaul, a country they had become close to in many respects. In explaining why non-spiritual reasons for conversion was so significant, the experiences of converting the continental pagans (in particular the advice given to Boniface) prove invaluable.

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Customer satisfaction Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

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