The Popularity of Video Games and Their Benefits

Introduction/Background/Tentative thesis One of the foremost aspects of a post-industrial living is the fact, during the course of recent decades; the progress in the field of informational technologies has attained a clearly defined exponential momentum.Advertising We will write a custom proposal sample on The Popularity of Video Games and Their Benefits specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In its turn, this naturally causes the lives of people in Western countries to become ever more technologically intense, while simultaneously prompting Westerners to adopt a number of qualitatively new existential attitudes. The validity of this suggestion can be well explored in regards to the phenomenon of video games becoming increasingly popular with not only adolescents, but with grown up adults, as well (Walker 57). However, just as it always used to be the case, throughout the course of history, the introduction of new technologies into peo ple’s everyday lives causes the advocates of ‘traditional values’ to resist the process. Partially, this explains why, ever since playing video games became an integral part of the conventional entertainment-culture in the West, this technologically intense form of entertainment began to be referred to as being utterly counter-productive (Levin Carlsson-Paige 428). This point of view, however, cannot be considered as such that represents an undeniable truth-value, but rather as such that can be well referred to in terms of an urban myth. In my study, I will aim to substantiate the validity of this thesis at length, while specifying the already identified benefits of playing video games and elaborating on what accounts for these benefits’ objectiveness.Advertising Looking for proposal on computer science? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Questions While conducting this study, I will seek to address th e following set of research-questions: What can be considered objective preconditions for video games to be potentially capable of benefiting players? What accounts for the foremost benefits of playing video games? What accounts for the technical aspects of how video games benefit players? Are the benefits of playing violent video games, on the one hand, and the benefits of playing pro-social video games, on the other, can be considered qualitatively different? What causes many people to adopt strongly negative attitudes towards the very activity of playing video games? Method The research-method that I choose to utilize, within the context of conducting this study, is the review of discursively relevant academic literature. The rationale for opting in favor of this particular method reflects the qualitative nature of the researched subject matter. Given the fact that the activity of playing video games has a number of strongly defined controversial connotations to it, the explora tion of this activity’s possible benefits should not be affected by the potentially concerned parties’ perceptional subjectivity. The analysis of discursively relevant literature will provide us with the opportunity to define the objective (scientifically proven) benefits of playing video games. In its turn, this will allow us to ensure, whatever the controversial this study’s implications may sound, they nevertheless would logically supported. Timeline Week 1: I will familiarize myself with the discursive aspects of what accounts for the perceived significance of the activity of playing video games. Week 2: I will conduct a preliminary research on the technical aspects of video gaming. Week 3: I will play two pro-social video games (Super Mario Sunshine, Animal Crossing).Advertising We will write a custom proposal sample on The Popularity of Video Games and Their Benefits specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Wee k 4: I will play two strongly violent video games (Grand Theft Auto III, Manhunt). Week 5: I will review relevant academic literature, in regards to what are being commonly considered the negative effects of playing video games. Week 6: I will review relevant academic literature, in regards to what are being commonly considered the negative effects of playing computer games. Week 7: I will synthesize the acquired knowledge and write the preliminary draft. Week 8: I will refine the preliminary draft methodologically, structurally and conceptually. Week 9: I will reread the study’s final version and apply necessary adjustments, if proves necessary. Purpose The foremost purpose of this research is to dispel the myth that playing video games is by definition a counter-productive activity, which necessarily results in the committed players becoming socially withdrawn, cognitively aggressive and physically unfit.Advertising Looking for proposal on computer science? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More I believe that by doing it, I will be able to contribute to the process of people slowly getting rid of their moralistic prejudices, in regards to what they perceive as the ‘threatening’ manifestations of a modern living. Research paper The benefits of playing video games (Literature review) When it comes down to analyzing positive or negative effects of just about any type of people’s activity, it is important to adopt a proper analytical approach towards reflecting upon their actual significance. In its turn, this requires analysts to understand what accounts for the activity effects’ discursive subtleties. Therefore, while researching the proposed subject matter, it will be thoroughly justified to provide a conceptual framework for categorizing the beneficial effects of people’s exposure to video games. These effects can be classified as confirmed – supported by many empirical studies, suspected – supported by relatively few empiric al studies, and speculative – those that require an additional scientific inquiry (Barlett, Anderson Swing 378). Confirmed benefits Enhancement of visual attention As it is being shown in Green and Bavelier’s study, playing video games contributes substantially to the concerned individuals’ ability to cope with a number of different visual attention tasks.  After having conducted a series of experiments on the sampled participants, authors concluded that, as compared to what it is being the case with individuals that do not play video games; game-players appear more capable of rapidly switching their attention from one cognitive task to another. Such Green and Bavelier’s finding is being thoroughly consistent with what psychologists know about the very principle of how people address these tasks.  Apparently, people can only remain focused on coping with a particular task on one-at-the-time basis, which is why it proves impossible for them to be simu ltaneously processing two unrelated types of information. Nevertheless, individuals can well gain a proficiency in switching the focus of their cognitive attention to such an extent that to the outside observers, they may appear being capable of indulging in two unrelated cognitive activities at the same time.  In this respect, playing video games comes in particularly handy, as it helps individuals to learn how to apply their mental powers most effectively. Green and Bavelier explain technical aspects of their study’s findings by pointing out to the fact that playing video games naturally causes individuals to learn how to ‘conserve’ their attentional resources, â€Å"When the target task is easy, spare attentional resources ‘spill over’ to the distractor, processing it to some extent and thereby inï ¬â€šuencing target processing.  As the target task becomes more difficult, fewer attentional resources remain to process the extraneous distracto r† (534). Therefore, it can well be suggested that the activity of playing video games does in fact increase one’s chances to attain a social prominence, as it amplifies the extent of his or her ‘quick-mindedness’ – hence, causing the concerned individual to be more capable of scoring high, while IQ tested. Enhancement of spatial reasoning Another confirmed positive effect of playing video games is the fact that it substantially increases the effectiveness of the concerned individuals’ spatial thinking. That is, as opposed to those individuals who do not play video games, players have been proven much more capable of properly arranging two-dimensional and three-dimensional objects within the given space-frame.  The validity of this suggestion can be illustrated in regards to the empirically obtained findings of De Lisi and Wolford’s study. According to the authors, children that play Tetris game substantially outperform their non-play ing peers, while addressing Mental Rotation (MR) tasks. De Lisi and Wolford explain this finding by suggesting that people’s exposure to pro-social video games, such as Tetris, does help them to improve their analytical abilities, concerned with a spatial reasoning, â€Å"After the children played ‘Tetris’ for a number of weeks, a significant association between final ‘Tetris’ scores and the MR posttest was evident† (280). Because the integrity of one’s spatial reasoning is one of the foremost preconditions of him or her being able to qualify for pursuing a number of highly prestigious careers, there can be very few doubts as to the fact that playing video games may indeed come in particularly helpful, in this respect. Moreover, because the integrity of people’s spatial reasoning has been well-established as such that correlate with their ability to properly identify a dialectical relationship between causes and effects, the acti vity of playing video games can be also be referred to as such that helps the concerned individuals to adopt an adequate stance, while facing particularly tough real-life situations. Facilitation of the learning process As of today, it became a commonplace assumption among educators that video games can well serve as the particularly effective tool of learning. In its turn, this assumption is being thoroughly consistent with what we know about the very essence of how people acquire knowledge. Apparently, in order for just about anyone to be able to not only memorize newly acquired information but to also ‘digest’ it cognitively, he or she would have to relate to this information emotionally. Given the fact that the activity of playing video games would not be considered appealing by players if it was not emotionally charged, it does not come as a particular surprise that people’s exposure to video games is being potentially capable of serving a number of educatio nal purposes. One of the reasons why, as it was noted, playing video games can be well considered a particularly effective educational tool is that this activity is being thoroughly interactive. By remaining in full control of the computer-generated action, players become an integral part of the virtual realm, which in turn helps them to gain a better awareness of what accounts for the adequateness of their reactions to different stimuli. There is also another aspect to it – as opposed to what it is often being the case with conventional forms of learning, playing educational video games appears systematic, which in turn increases learners’ chances to be able to apply the acquired knowledge in practice. As it was pointed out by Gentile and Gentile, â€Å"Video games are well sequenced in levels of increasing difficulty, complexity or pace, with success at subsequent levels contingent upon competencies mastered at previous levels† (129). Therefore, it is fully ex plainable why the majority of adolescents do prefer studying within the format of playing video games. It is not only that by doing it they never get to experience the sensation of boredom, but they are also able to receive an emotional satisfaction out of being put in a position of controlling all the phases of their academic progress. Suspected benefits Enhancement of hand-eye coordination Even though that, as of today, only a limited number studies have been conducted on the subject of whether people’s continuous exposure to video games improves the integrity of their psychomotoric functions, the available empirical data, in this respect, does imply the legitimacy of this suggestion. For example, according to Griffith et al., as compared to what it is being the case with their peers that do not play video games, children that do play video games exhibit a much better hand-eye coordination. Despite the fact that in the mentioned study, the authors did not elaborate on the t echnical aspects of how game-players are able to improve the integrity of their psychomotoric functions, it does not represent much of a challenge to hypothesize what accounts for the concerned technicalities. After all, in order for just about anyone to gain a proficiency in playing a particular video game (especially the one that features much of a real-time action), he or she would have to be able to ensure a complete precision of its bodily motions, which control the movements of characters in the game. In its turn, the individual’s ability to thoroughly coordinate its hand-eye reactions to the input stimuli is being indispensible in a number of professions, such as surgeons or watchmakers. This is the reason why, people that plan to pursue the earlier mentioned careers are being often advised to spend time playing action-packed video games. Enhancement of communicational skills One of the foremost qualitative aspects of modern video games is the fact that most of them of fer multiplayer options. What is means is that, while playing a particular game, players can now communicate with each other in a real-time mode. Moreover, whereas, even as recent as ten years ago, the computer-mediated communication (CMC) between players used to primarily take place in the form of people exchanging typed messages, the majority of most up-to-date video games allow players to use voice, while interacting. As Williams, Caplan and Xiong have noted, â€Å"People engaging in CMC over the Internet can thus interact with one another via voice, instead of or in addition to text. VoIP is inexpensive, can connect with existing phone service, and allows for many-to-many communication† (428). The socially relevant implication of this observation is quite apparent – given the fact that modern video games do encourage players to indulge in close and personal communication with each other, made possible by the multiplayer feature; their communicational skills are exp ected to improve in the exponential progression to the amount of time, spent playing. In its turn, this explains that contrary to the assumption that particularly committed video game players tend to be socially withdrawn individuals; this is far from being the actual case. Quite on the contrary – the fact that video game players spend much time, while tackling simulated but conceptually genuine life-challenges and reflecting upon the particulars of their progress, in this respect, via the medium of Voice-over Internet Protocol (VoIP), naturally increases the extent of their comfortableness with a number of different socialization-related activities. Thus, the activity of playing video games does not only represent a socially appropriate form of entertainment, but it also benefits the concerned individuals by increasing the extent of their social comfortableness. This simply could not be otherwise, because the activity of playing video games is being thoroughly consistent wit h the discursive aspects of today’s living, associated with the process of informational technology growing to define the very workings of people’s psyche. In other words, by playing video games, people are able to gain a better awareness of the actual subtleties of the surrounding socio-political reality. Speculated benefits Contribution to the emotional/physical well-being Given the fact that, as time goes by, video games become increasingly popular with more and more people, this state of affairs can be best discussed as such that has been dialectically predetermined. In other words, by being exposed to video games, people are able to improve the state of their emotional and very often physical well-being. Therefore, there is nothing odd about the fact that, as of today, many health care professionals often refer to video games in terms of a ‘psychological cure’, the application of which proves thoroughly appropriate within the context of clinicians pre scribing their patients with the so-called ‘distraction therapies’. According to Michael and Chen, â€Å"Video games have been used to distract patients during painful medical procedures as well as to improve motor skills in physical therapy and to speed recovery for certain operations and conditions† (181). Apparently, while playing a particular video game, people are often able to lessen the acuteness of their depression-related anxieties. After all, as it was mentioned earlier, humans are only able to address one cognitive task at the time, which means that, while engaging with the computer-generated action, players become literally embraced by it, which in turn leaves them with no option but to forget about their real-life concerns for the time being. Thus, there is indeed a rationale to refer to the activity of playing computer games as being psychologically therapeutic. Reduction of aggression As it was pointed out in the Introduction, many people believe t hat one’s affiliation with particularly violent video games can be seen as the predictor of this individual’s tendency to act in a socially-inappropriate manner. Such point of view, however, contradicts the recent discoveries in the field of genetics, which leave very little doubt as to the fact that the qualitative subtleties of people’s behavior only indirectly reflect the environmental specifics of how they were brought up. What it means is that there is very little rationale in believing that violent video games are the actual cause of a real-life societal violence. Instead, violent video games should be seen as the instrument of anger management. And, as psychologists are being well aware of, in order for subliminally violent people to be able to of refrain from resorting to violence, as the mean of addressing their deep-seated anxieties, they must be provided with an opportunity to release their anger in a socially-appropriate and publically safe manner. A s Golden pointed out, â€Å"The goal in anger management is to increase the options you have to express anger in a healthy way†¦ A person who has learned a variety of ways to handle anger is more competent and confident† (26). One of the most effective and safe ways of releasing anger, which one may consider, is causing havoc and destruction within the boundaries of a computer-generated virtual realm. Conclusion I believe that the provided line argumentation, as to the fact that there are indeed a number of good reasons to consider the activity of playing video games objectively beneficial to the concerned individuals’ well-being, is thoroughly consistent with the initial thesis. As it was illustrated earlier, playing video games does enhance players’ ability to think logically and to address the simulated life-situations in a thoroughly rational manner – even if there is the element of violence to it. Moreover, people’s exposure to video game s also helps them to recognize the sheer erroneousness of a number of sophistically sounding but essentially meaningless politically correct notions. In its turn, this makes people more capable of adopting a proper stance, while tackling life-challenges. It is needles to mention, of course, that along with the earlier outlined beneficial effects to this particular activity, there are many counter-productive ones, such as the empirically tested fact that strongly committed game-players do risk the chance of neglecting their societal duties and the logically substantiated assumption that people’s continual exposure to video games is being potentially capable of causing them to experience the lack of social empathy. This, however, does not justify the suggestion that playing video games should be discussed in terms of an essentially fruitless and even socially dangerous pursuit. Moreover, given the fact that, as it was mentioned earlier, the activity of playing video games can b e considered an integral part of a technologically extensive post-industrial living, it will only be logically sound to hypothesize that, as time goes by, the detrimental effects of this pursuit will be gradually deprived of their discursive acuteness. Apparently, the growing popularity of video games suggests that humanity may well be standing on the threshold of a new trans-human era. Works Cited Barlett, Christopher, et al. â€Å"Video Game Effects –  Confirmed, Suspected, and Speculative: A Review of the Evidence.† Simulation Gaming,  vol. 40, no. 3, 2009, pp. 377-403. De Lisi, Richard and Jenifer Wolford. â€Å"Improving Children’s Mental Rotation  Accuracy with Computer Game Playing.† Journal of Genetic Psychology, vol. 163, no. 3, 2002, pp. 272-282. Gentile, Douglas and Ronald Gentile. â€Å"Video Games as Exemplary Teachers: A  Conceptual Analysis.† Journal of Youth and Adolescence,  vol.   37, no. 2, 2008, pp. 127-141. Golden, Bernard. Healthy Anger: How to Help Children and Teens Manage  Their Anger. Oxford UP, 2003. Green, Shawn and Daphne Bavelier. â€Å"Action Video Game Modified Visual  Selective Attention.† Nature no.  423, 2003, pp. 534-537. Griffith, Jerry, et al. â€Å"Differences in Eye-Hand Motor Coordination of Video-Game Users and Non-Users.† Perception and Motor Skills  vol. 57, 1983, pp. 155–58. Levin, Diane and Nancy Carlsson-Paige. â€Å"Marketing Violence: The Special Toll  on Young Children of Color.† The Journal of Negro Education,  vol. 72, no. 4, 2003, pp. 427-437. Michael, David and Sandra Chen. Serious Games: Games That Educate, Train,  and Inform. Course Technology, 2005. Walker, Jesse. â€Å"Birth of a Medium.† Reason,  vol. 35, no. 3, 2003, p. 57. Williams, Dmitri, et al. â€Å"Can you hear me now? The impact  of voice in an online gaming community.† Human Communication Research,  vol.   33, no. 4, 2007, pp. 427-44 9. This proposal on The Popularity of Video Games and Their Benefits was written and submitted by user Ricky R. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. 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10 Entry-Level Hospital Jobs That Are Hiring Right Now

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Summary - Research Paper Example The nature of a designer personality has been understood in a variety of contexts. Broadly speaking, it’s understood that designer personalities constitute personalities or behavioral patterns that are ‘treated’ through a variety of pharmacological options. The late 20th century witnessed an explosion in this realm of health care. Still, it’s noted that, â€Å"the idea that personality is mediated by biological chemicals is not new; it dates back to Hippocrates and the ancient Greeks† (Carson 2008). Today, however, a myriad of personality characteristics are treated through pharmaceutical options. Such treatments began with chemical responses to such severe mental disorders such as schizophrenia. Chemical treatment for severe dysfunctioning soon gave way to chemical options for a variety of elements of personality. In these regards, pharmaceutical options exist prominently for the treatment of depression and anxiety symptoms, with Prozac and Zoloft, being among the most prominently prescribed drugs (Baghai & Rupprecht 2006). In addition to depression and anxiety, traits such as attention-deficit disorder are regularly treated through chemicals. There are a variety of advantages and disadvantages to the modern tendency towards ‘designer personalities’. Obvious advantages can be witnessed in individuals who contain severely debilitating personality disorders. For instance, it would be impossible for many individuals with schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, or severe social anxiety to function without the aid of chemical intervention. Still, it’s clear there are a number of disadvantages. Perhaps the most prominent negative aspects of this occur with the glut of children diagnosed with attention-deficit disorder. Rather than restructuring the education system to adapt to the students, society has attempted to re-wire human consciousness. Another concern is that diversity of personality is an important part of a c reative and innovative culture. In simply medicating society to a perceived ideal, important and unique personality characteristics are being eliminated. In conclusion, this essay has examined what are termed ‘designer personalities’. In this context of understanding, it’s revealed that designer personalities are already a prevalent part of the contemporary cultural climate, as individuals are readily medicated for depression, anxiety, and a variety of personality ‘shortcomings’. Ultimately, while there are advantages for individuals with severe dysfunction, the disadvantages are the threat of a monotone culture. References Baghai TC, Moller HJ, Rupprecht R (2006). "Recent progress in pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment options of major depression". Curr. Pharm. Des. 12 (4): 503–15. Carson, S. (2008). "designer" personalities . Retrieved from http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/life-art/200807/designer- personalities 2. One of th e largest-scale scientific undertakings in recent years has been the human genome project. The Human Genome Project is a multinational effort to identify and map the approximately 20,000 – 25,000 genes of the human genome (McElheny 2010). The project was launched in 1990 and in 2000 a working draft of the genome was announced (McElheny 2010). 2003 witnessed the development of a complete draft of the human genom

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Analysing The Universality Of Human Rights Philosophy Essay Abstract:This paper aims to critically study and assess the different perspectives on the universality of human rights,and locate the position of the perspectives according to Dembours four schools of thoughts. The perspectives of human rights on cultural divesity and linguistic diversity have also been emphasized upon here. Universality of Human Rights its Different Pespectives Human Rights are rights that one is entitled to enjoy simply because of thefact that he is a human being. These are equal and inalienable for all , and cannot be denied to anyone human in nature and form. Thus they are Universal in nature, and function as a legitimate standard for a political system. This ofcourse willlead to a discussion of being human and enjoying the human rights(Donelly 2003). Being Human beings, everyone deserves to enjoy certain rights after fulfilling certain obligations to the society. These fulfillment of obligations are based on morality of the people as an individual and as a class, judged by the society at large and then being endowed with certain privileges to be enjoyed in the form of Political rights. Rectitude and entitlement, the two aspects of a right, are directed towards a preset standard of conduct, which bings forth the duty and obligation that an individual is expected to perform, and calls for individual and universal attention towards righteousness . Performance of this duty entitles the individual to enjoy the et of privileges in the form of a right. To have a right to something, makes one entltled to own the sole authority to enjoy it, denial or repression of which entitles one to have special claim for justice. Rights enjoyed by one cannot be reduced because it clashes with correlative duties of another, neither can it be reduced for enjoying a benefit. Hence, rights give authority to its holders , and not just benefits( Donelly 2003). Rights are meant to be exercised, enjoyed, respected, and enforced.These are the four principle dimensions of a right. Respecting ones rights gives other the privelege of enjoying and asserting his own rights, otherwise it is liable to be questioned , threatened or denied. A violation of a right is an injustice doneto someone, and is subject to distinctive force and remedial logic(Donelly 2003). Ludwig Wittgenstein, the analytical philosopher propagated that a concept should not be defined by what one thinks it means , but by its meaning and practice in everyday life. One should rather analyse facts on the basis of observation, rather than thinking. This led to the introduction of his concept of Family Resemblance The concept of Human rights when approached through the family resemblance matrix, highlight the following factors: Morality Their existence disregarding social recognition Possessed by every human being Their arbitrariness Emergence through political and social struggle Their usage for political communication Servitude to bourgeois Basis on human nature Bear a socio-legal concensus Ability toget transformed into legal rights ( Dembour 2006). Dembour argues that , although most people believe in the combination of the first three factors as the essential element of the concept of Human Rights, or that human rights exist irrespective of bein having social recognition as every man is deemed to enjoy it being human beings as the rights are framed on the basis of human nature, it should not be assumed that it rests on a socio- legal consensus, or bears arbitrariness in its state. He believes that Human Rights have come into existence as result of force of language use, and believes that they would cease to exist if conversation ordiscussions about them die down Different competingconcepts of Human rights exist inthe society,and people fight to establish their own opinions disregarding others. Donellys concept og Human Rights though is encouraging for many, but highlight some political or intellectual inadequacies in termsof moral integrity in his book Universal Rights in Theory and Practice. Harshers Philosphy Of Human Rights points out that Human Rights demands that every single individuals dignity is considered in an existing political norm, where one individuals security of Human Rights leads to the security of another , mankifesting this security to an indefinite expanse and time in the society(Dembour 2006). Every individual craves for recognition in the personal and intimate level where an identity is formed, as well as in the broader socio-politcal level. The uniform formation or malformation of an identity and recognition leads to infringement or violation of rights by one on the other. The politics of universalism emphasizes on equal dignity of all citizens, barring division in the society leading to classes of citizenship. However, from the politics of Universalism grows the politics of differences, when one shifts from the universally familiar and accepted practices in the society (Taylor 1994). This is the basis of differentiation amongst the fellow members of the society , which threatens the universality of theHuman Rights and often leads to its violation. While enjoying their human rights,individuals tendto forget that their forbearers had to fight to acquire them,and hence they need to be protected. Hence it is often found that Human Right issues are treated with a Machiavellean approach, with the sole intention of maintaining ones interests and dominion power( Dembour2006). A study of Dembours four schools of thought would further help to understand the different perspectives of Human Rights. Position of the Perspectives:Dembours 4 schools of thought on Human Rights Based on the analysis of the thoughts of the scholars, Debmour has broadly categorised all discussions on human rights to be based on four schools, namely- The Natural Scholars: These group of scholars believe inthe existence ofthe Human Rights independent of social recognition, laying their basis on the Universe,God, Reason or any Transcendental source. Their basis of Human rights is much contradictory according to Dembour, as they propagate that it is based on human nature as well as consensus. The Natural Scholars argue that human rights constitute a social choice of a particular moral vision of human potentiality, which is directly linked to the historical rise and consolidation of liberalism in the modern west. This according to Dembour is contradictory as human rights cannot have their existence always as well as historically. The Natural scholars according to him perceive Human Rights as universal even though they come to receive a single means of expression. They do not depend on an actual manifestation of it on the context of t he international law, disregarding the metaphysical basis.Some natural scholars again, do not agree t hat consensus is the basis of Human Rights.In this regard , Michael Freeman disagrees with Donelly for considering consensus as a basis of Human Rights in order to avoid conflicting and contradictory philosophical theories on Human Rights. Scholars like Donelly consider Human rights to be readily protected,and wantedthe most when they are not enjoyed. The Natural scholars on the aspect of embodiment of human rights by human laws opine that human beings can actually have human rights because they are humans. The Protest Schlars:These scholars believe that, Human Rights is language to express a protest, and is not an entitlement as thought by others. Harscher, one ofthe prominant scholars of this schol of thought argues that thebasis of human rights on God and reason should be should be absolutely discarded for the sole reason that god is non existent, and reason does not transcend as it is focused only on itself. The protest scholars depend more on things that are less specific and deal with social consciousness.However, Harschers view of considering the existence of a society where human rights are efficiently protected naturally is very m,uch surprising as the protest scholars are naturally never satisfied with whatever they receive in this world but ask for more. They always visualize human rights injustice, and want tofight the abuses of the rights. On the aspect of embodiment of human rights by human laws, the protest scholars argue that ,human rights are always beyond reach, being the negative principle at the heart of social imaginery. Dembour points out, Rights therefore according to the Protest scholars are -moral claims or aspirations, which challenge the status- quo, and are chiefly concerned with the oppressed class of people. They evolve historically and are directed towards a more free and egalitarian human society. The Deliberative Scholars: The most interesting part about this group ofscholars is that, they stay committed to human rights withou believingin them, though both the natural scholars as well as the protest scholars strongly believe inhuman rights. The Deliberative scholars consider human rights to be an essential string of procedural principles or legal and political values that is necessary for running the government. They believe human rights should not dictate howthings should be substantively , but rather act as guiding principles of a process. Both Michael Ignatief f and Conor Gearty ,the two prominent representatives of this school are of this opinion.They believe that there cannot be any human rights beyond human rights law, and the sole objective of human rights should be about the process, and not attaining the right moral solutions. The Deliberative scholars are non-religious in their approach to human rights and get itassociated with the concept of liberalism. The Discourse Scholars: The Discourse scholars are a bit cynical about the existence of human rights. Makau Mutua in his book Human Rights:A A Political And CulturalCritique presents his scepticism saying that human rights cannot necessarily present the best means to alleviate suffering. He further mentions that, to him the very concept of human rights seems dangerous as far as the human society is concerned, and Universality in terms of Human Rights is even more shocking. Wendy Browm has a different opinion than Mutua, but expresses her doubt pertaining to Human rights asking about the standpoint of Human rights, in the perspective of International justice project, or should it be considered as a progressive international justice project. Thediscourse scholars not only insist on the non-naturalness of human rights, but also question the benefits of human rights on the individuals as well as the society.They point out at the inefectivity of the concept of the human rights , but fail to provide an appropriate standpoint on this discourse, and explain what their alternative would rather be. (Dembour2006) Human Rights Perspectives on Diversity Cultural diversity in any state calls for cultural recognition in the political governance of a state,and have been reflected by various ethno-national movements, language groups, indegenous people, migrant communities. Cultural diversity has become a major challenge for many nations, and affects their policy making. Globalization is one ofthe major factors responsible for cultural diversification. The intense capital flow in the market, the post-Fordist production methods, and the widespread western consumer culture globally has given rise to various social movements that lay emphasis on their own distinct ethnicity, linguism or religion. The common claim of all these movements is to be included equally in the mainstream society, and their particular identities be recognized publicly. Cultural diversity has become a major threat to the nation states,where claims of cultural recognition put forwarded by different social movement groups has started to be considered as a majotr threat to the stability of the state and national unity.Theoretically,governing a culturally diversepolity has become a major challengingand controversial issue for the nation states, with the institutionalization of Human Rights in the cultural and social platform. The international human rights have far reaching contributions in the periphery of national citizenship. Its institutionalization in both goverment and non-governmental organizations has led to the establishment of a Universal Personhood,which go beyond the arena of classical modern political tradition. The Right of equality and non-discrimination have thus been specifically mentioned in articles peraining to individual rights to cultural identity andminority rights, obliging governments of the state to take up a pro-active approach in promoting the identity of all minorities within their territories(ICCPR Article 27 adopted by the UN in 1996)(Koenig Guchteneire 2007). Multi-Culturalism In General Multiculturalism terminoligically refers to practice of sharing a set of positive evaluation of cultural traditions and ethnic identities of minorities. The literatures, arts and even politics cites evidences about it, acknowledging the intellectual and artiostic contributions of the minorities, though multiculturist thought is often accusedof promoting nihilism as they are considered to be influenced by Derrida.The basic challenge faced by multicultural societies is,on one hand they are entitled to enjoy the rights and opportunities of a ;liberal democracy, on the other hand they also have the right to maintain their identity and remain different. This directly contradictsthenationalistic view of a state which maintains that a state should have a homogeneous culture. This refers to necessity of cultural uniformity, shared territory and citizenship as the basis of nation integrity and political legitimacy. The Classic Enlightenment thought highlights that a universal human civilizati on existed, which was accessible to all human beings. Propagators of German Romanticism emphasized that every nationality has their own linguistic and cultural character, which it had a right to defend. This concept developed as a defense against french Universalism restrained itself from interfering with individual human rights. Every society is a multicultural one irrespective of the fact of holding diverse ethnic groups, as it id full of individuals havinf different values and views peraining to the world. The practice of Multiculturalism in a society in thas respect can be a practice of instigating strong individualistic thinking, about personhood. If the core practices of multiculturalism is based on institutionalised diffrerences, it has the definite poossibility of regressing into apartheid, nihilism, or enforced ascription of cultural identities( Eriksen 1996,pgs 49-53). Linguistic Diversity Language is one ofthe three major dimensions of cultural diversity. Historically it is evident that Nation States have been formed on the basis of linguistic homogeneity,so as to ease the process of communicatrion in the governance. The most sensisite challenge that a government faces is blending a collective identity with the territorially based national movement. Though Linguistic diversity does not lead to seccesionist movements, it sufficientently threatens a democracy. Language being the most essential form of communication, no state can maintain a state of neutrality as far as language is concerned. Apart from carrying out communicative and instrumental function,language also performs symbolic functions and contributes to the cobnstruction of collective identity. State building is often characterised by linguistic homogenization as found in the case of France. The standardization of scripts, grammar , semantics and cannonization of literatures are the most important policy tool s involved in the process of state building. The Classical Democratic Theory is essentially develop on this linguistic characteristics of a state, where language is considerd as the main public discourse. This modular concept is presently challenged by the defacto linguistic diversity that arises out of international migration abnd social networks which is basedon the new electronic media communication,and by dejure linguistic pluralism imposed on the nation states by the international human rights regimes.Ferdenand de Varennes argues that, language rights are generally considered as basic human rights of freedom of expression and non-discrimination both in the global as well as various regional human rights regimes. Thet are inadequately captured by notions of unenforceable collective or minority rights. It is argued that claims to the privalkte and public use of minority language rights are more justified as individual human rights. However since minorities cannot be termed as bea rers of collective rights, the transnational legal discourse on human rights de-legitinmizes strong policies of language homogenization and clearly obliges states to respect and promote linguistic diversity (Koenig Guchteneire 2007). Conlusion To conclude, it can be said that governing cultural and linguistic diversity is a very important and controversial issue in contemporary politics whethe in the domestic politics or international politics. States in order to accomodate increased cultural diversity has to balance by recognition of the diferences. They also have to promote equal participation of the minorities, ethnic groups and indegenous groups publicly, and with a vision towardsthe future should frame policies accordingly. This task alls for framing suitable policy making pertaining to trhe issues of the ethnic, linguistic and religious claims for recognition, going beyond classical institutional contours and modern nation-state. They also highlight that while human rights provide some normative yardsticks for making policies pertaining to these issues there are no simple or easy solution for dealing with the burning challenge of cultural diversity. The dynamics of ethnic ,linguistic, and religious diversity follow t heir own logics which are varied depending on the historical trajectories of state formation and nation building. Therefore,to accomodate cultural diversity it is essential to find highly context-sensitive pluralistic policy designs. Having knowledge of socio-historical context are pre-conditions for framing successful pluralistic policies that would contribute successfully to the political governance of cultural diversity. (Koenig Guchteneire 2007).

Comprehensive Strategic Plan for Google Essay

This paper will discuss a comprehensive strategic plan for google. First, an analysis of Google’s competitors: Microsoft, yahoo and Amazon analyzed. A critical analysis of Google’s operational and business strategy follows that. Then Google’s approach to corporate strategies that include vertical integration, diversification and Google’s global reach. The comprehensive strategic plan (CSP) is extrapolated from the critical evaluation of business and corporate strategy and based on the degree in which strategy is aligned to support Google’s espoused values and support its mission. The CSP includes strategic recommendation and measures in three areas: change to either corporate or business strategy, leverage resources that can drive sustained competitive advantage and align organization structure and management to enable resources and capabilities that will drive sustained competitive advantage. Google’s competitive environment With the advent of the internet, competition within the industry of searching the web has intensified. The completion for google has always been other search engines like Bing, metacrawler and yahoo. In today’s world competition for google is not merely other search engines, but it has reached to advertisement, product and services. For instance google are trying their hand in cloud computing. Google offers a wide range of services, so it only practical that google has its fair share of competitors. Google considers a wide range of services on the internet to be its competitor (Goodstein, Nolan & Pfeiffer, 2006). Google competition comes from those businesses that seek to offer the public with information and provide them with advertisement. These competitions include traditional search engines; yahoo and Bing. Just like google, E-commerce sites and vertical search engines: kayak, amazon. com and eBay, that offer product and services to consumers. Therefore, users go directly to these sites instead of going through google. Sites like facebook and twitter offer competition because users are now relying on these services for referrals instead of using traditional search engines. Google also has competition for the ad dollar from the traditional form of advertising: TV, radio, Newspapers, magazines and billboards. In addition, with the development of apps, users are now accessing e-commerce directly from these apps, instead of search engines. Google also offers product and services that comprise of Gmail, YouTube and google docs that competes with new and established companies that offer information, communication and entertainment services. Therefore, google competes with most of the internet (Dess & Miller, 2007). Google receives competition from its rivals on the internet for the market share and financial performance. Google has introduced google chrome, which is cloud-computing software that allows its users to upload and download documents on the internet. However, the large market share is held by Microsoft’s office. Moreover, google has competition in the mobile industry from its android operating system. (Gru? nig & Ku? hn, 2005). To compete with Apple’s iPhone and to increase market share of ads displayed on smart phones, Google launched their android operating system. Although google receives stiff competition from its rivals, it still holds a high market share because of its brand positioning (Casson, 2004). Hence, Google holds such a great market share; advertisers would not receive nearly the same amount of ad exposure using a different search engine. Google has continued to make a net profit even as its rivals net plummeted; probably the most important aspect of a company’s financial performance to a potential investor is the earnings per share ratio. It is widely acknowledged that Google puts great stock in being able to show investors that their money is safe. This company’s earnings per share ratio had grown impressively in the four year period from 2007 to 2010, with only a slight decline when the recession hit the hardest. This shows that Google is a true powerhouse, especially when compared to their top competitors, Yahoo and Microsoft. With Google increasing their percentage of searches, in comparison to all other search entities, it is easy to see that Yahoo and Microsoft are losing the battle against this Internet behemoth. In the period from 2008 to 2010, Microsoft maintained a constant net profit margin (Hitt, Ireland & Hoskisson, 2009). This would indicate that Microsoft is outperforming Google, but these impressive numbers do not tell the story for the segment of Microsoft that is competing against Google. The operating profit margins during this period for Microsoft’s online services business unit are embarrassing at best, with negative margins in 2009 and 2010. This indicates that Microsoft is hemorrhaging money at an increasing rate while it tries to compete with Google. Similarly, Yahoo shows declining net profit margins for every year from 2007 to 2010, with margins for 2009 and 2010 dropping below 0. 1. (see appendix). Overall, while its top competitors are losing money and market share, Google continues to grow and provide investors with profits. Several factors are what make customers prefer google to its competitor. The search industry giant’s success is a cause of many key resource strengths and competitive capabilities. Google gains the trust of users through reliable, accurate searches and a clear distinction of upfront ads in searches. Their online business conducted with minimal physical locations and a low fixed cost. Instead of looking at these locations as burdens, they maximize the creativity and high-spirit of their work environment. The reason that makes google stay ahead of the curve is its ability to provide main resources to the users. Google would not be highly valued without the high content that it provides to its users. (Hitt, Ireland & Hoskisson, 2009).. Google’s Operational and Business Strategy The relevant searches that google provides, and the large amount of available information, is what makes google attractive to its users. Amazon a company that deals in downloading books, music and videos, offers google competition in the provision of content. The technology for providing relevant searches to end users, thus competition has become stiff. Therefore, google has to develop new ways to remain ahead of its competitors. So google has gone to develop its technological expertise as its key resource. (Centindamar, 2013). Currently as the leader in the industry, Google is attracting the best and the brightest. However, technology is a rapidly developing field that is continuously changing and improving. For Google to maintain the high standard of performance expected by users, they must attract and retain top technological experts. The search industry is changing to encompass not only searching technology any longer. Users’ preferences are constantly growing. A service provider provides mobile phone search and business technology software. There has also been a shift in how search engine users are using the product. This is mainly due to the emerging new capabilities of the Internet. For example, ever since Google acquired Keyhole, a digital mapping company in 2004, they are able to show users satellite and street view images of any location in the world using Google Maps. Google has added over 40 different tools and services aimed at providing the user the best experience possible (Hitt, 2002). Google is also able to customize which advertisements appear next to the users’ search results by tracking their history. While some may like this idea, the lack of user privacy has raised ethical concerns. In the next three to five years, the industry will most likely continue to change and evolve even further, adding more tools and features to further cater to the needs of the typical user, the mobile on-the-go traveler and the business person alike. The search industry giant’s success is a cause of many key resource strengths and competitive capabilities. Google gains the trust of users through reliable, accurate searches and a clear distinction of upfront ads in searches. Their online business conducted with minimal physical locations and a low fixed cost. Instead of looking at these locations as burdens, they maximize the creativity and high-spirit of their work environment (Volberda, 2011). Employees are hired selectively amongst some of the greatest minds in technology and related fields, and are given the tools, freedom, and encouragement to be innovative and fulfilled by their job. Several iconic features of Google remain unparalleled, including their extensive Google Earth and Google Maps capabilities, YouTube video streaming, and Google Search Appliances that allow other companies to feature Google search bars within their own sites (Hitt, 2002). Google has continued to have an edge over its competitors because of its goals and values. Google’s number one priority is to offer value to their users. Enshrined in their ten values, that makes up Google’s corporate philosophy. At the top of the list is, â€Å"Focus on the user and all else will follow. † Google has developed a certain trust factor with its users over the years that many companies strive to become. Google has always made decisions with their users in mind, and has not ever chosen to make a change in order to increase shareholder value if it did not also improve the user experience (Hitt, Ireland & Hoskisson, 2009). By resisting the desire to make a quick profit that many other companies give in to, Google has made a lasting impression. That is evidenced by the growth in their percent of searches from July 2006 to June 2009. While Google led the pack back in 2006 with 43. 7% of searches, Yahoo was not far behind with 28. 8% of searches. In the following three years, however, Google has been able to increase their percentage of searches to 65% and increase the gap between itself and Yahoo! from 14. 9% to 45. 4%. Google’s Corporate Strategy Corporate strategy refers to the overarching strategy of the diversified firm (Colley, Doyle & Hardie, 2008). Such corporate strategy delves â€Å"in which businesses should we compete? † moreover, how one business add to the competitive benefit of another portfolio firm, as well as the competitive gain of google as a whole. Google has relied on vertical integration to stay ahead of its competitors by diversifying their products and services (Casson, 2004). In September 2008 before google chrome was launched, companies like Microsoft wanted to prevent Google from collecting user specific information. They allowed users of Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox to block their viewing history and Internet address so that Google could not collect this information. When Google Chrome was released, it gave Google a way around this Internet â€Å"firewall†. Google understood that as the Internet shifts toward cloud computing there would be a need to have a browser that is able to support multiple programs at once. Getting users used to Google Chrome now before the switch to cloud computing begins, gives Google an upper hand when that switch occurs. This Google’s diversification development represents some kind vertical integration, though, google was known for being just a search engine (Chopra, & Meindl, 2007). Google has diversified to same-day delivery by the provision of a courier services for it users. As online users are embracing e-commerce, online retailing is skyrocketing. Therefore, same-day delivery is going to be a commonplace thing in the future. Google has gone to exploit this opportunity, thus edging its competitors. Google same day delivery has already rolled out in the United States. Therefore, Google’s diversification strategy is going to make it the top e-commerce technological tool. Google is soon to own the browsing and buying and finally the delivery to homes. Therefore, the so-called google shopping express provides diversification on technology and data. Already google is ahead of its e-commerce rivals with its easy to use user interface (Volberda, 2011). From Google’s mission statement, it exemplifies this idea of being a global brand. Its mission statement is to organize the world information to be globally accessible to users. Google is not only available to English speaking countries, but available in other languages of the world Casson, 2004). Furthermore, google has developed an app specific language, therefore being global. Again, google has taken up over fifty companies to export itself globally. The co-founders have expanded into foreign markets to satisfy the internet experience globally. Comprehensive Strategic Plan Google’s weaknesses, while fewer in number than their strengths, could have serious implications on the future of their business. The low revenue earned from YouTube represents a lost opportunity for such a large online presence. Their grasp on the comprehensive social networking market is far behind those of their competitors. Although, they remain an industry leader, their international reach in emerging markets such as China leave much lacking (Hitt, Ireland & Hoskisson, 2009). The organization and management system should align resources and address several strategic issues to remain competitive in the coming years. Recommendation is that the management system must encourage innovation in their strong labor force and expand research and development to its fullest achievable potential. Placing more emphasis on Chrome through advertising would increase market share in web browsers, allowing for access to more information. This goes hand-in-hand with the goal of strengthening users’ reliance upon Google accounts, comparable to those existing with comprehensive Yahoo accounts (Hitt, Ireland & Hoskisson, 2009). It is also crucial to pay attention to the path and future of mobile advertising, likely to progress through rich media ads that can synchronize with existing smart phone features and apps. Furthermore, it would be wise for Google to condense their wide selection of Android phones, keeping enough variety to suit consumer desires, but streamlining their product line to a more lean production (Dess, 2012). When there is potential to be profitable, Google should also expand its efforts to developing countries that are passing computers by and accessing the Internet through mobile phones. This would portray Google as a reliable product and service in these countries and build a strong brand recognition early on. To increase revenue from YouTube, they can consider charging corporations for having accounts solely for business purposes (Hitt, Ireland & Hoskisson, 2009). Google’s strongest ability lies in their existing features, though they must fine-tune the quality of their weaker applications like Google+ and Google Docs that have trouble comparing to industry competitors. Further developing features to compete with the capabilities of Microsoft Office can gain a major advantage, by promoting users to share documents, by Google Docs. Overall, Google must capitalize on its existing features, refine them, and continue to use research and development along with innovative technology to maintain their position as the leader in the search engine industry (Fox, 2012). Conclusion Because of the rapid growth in industries revolving around technology and the Internet in particular, many opportunities present themselves to Google currently and in the near future. Internet and mobile advertising growth lead the way for the increasing importance of Search Engine Optimization for marketers. Using data collected from searches and Chrome, more data on users becomes more readily available. Possibly the most important up-and-coming necessity for innovative companies such as Google is the availability for users to have all of their information in one account through cloud computing (Casson, 2004)..