Benefits Of Using Object Oriented Database - 1352 Words

Network allows the same owner file to be linked to multiple records. network models look like a tree that isn t the right way up where the owner is the bottom of the tree and the member information being linked to the owner is the branches. This model is flexible due to the multiple links. Advantages It can be easily accessed in any table record in the database as it has many to many relationships. It is flexible so it is easier to navigate and search for information. ImageDisadvantages If you are a first time user it can be difficult to use. Difficulties can occur when adding information because this can change the whole database. Object oriented database Object databases store objects instead of data like integers or strings. Objects are made up of attributes and methods which is how the object behaves and the functions of the object. Advantages ImageEasy to navigate Less code is needed Quick to search you go straight to the object not search through the different tables Based on real world Disadvantages There are more tools for the user to use in relational databases lower efficiency when the data and relationships are simple Flat file Data in a flat file are stored in one big table. It can be either a binary file or a plain text file and usually there is one record stored per line. Not for programs that are used often or that include lots of entries. Advantages It is good for text files with not a lot of data Disadvantages TheShow MoreRelatedDatabase Vs. Relational Database Model1611 Words   |  7 Pagesrelational database. This is the false assumption that you will see when it comes to database models. The relational database model is great for data that normally can fit into a table, or shows relationships between data, but not all data falls into that category. There are a few options for these situations. You can use an object-oriented database, a hierarchical database, a network database, and a flat-file database. The first alternative is known as the object-oriented. In a document-oriented databaseRead MoreDescription Of A Relational Database1366 Words   |  6 Pagesthe generalized term to describe a relational database that uses no form of SQL language querying and consists of several data models to define it. My topic of this research paper is the Document Store data model. I will be covering the introduction of the model and its mechanics, how and when the model emerged, its strengths and weaknesses, and it’s real world applications. Introduction and How it Works Document Store or â€Å"Document-oriented database† is a data model within the NoSQL family, madeRead MoreAn Object Relational Database Management System1371 Words   |  6 PagesINTRODUCTION An object-relational database management system (ORDMS) is a DBMS that supports both relational and object-oriented functions. SQL:1999 seems like the most innovative update to the language since its induction, largely because of the adoption of object-oriented related upgrades. COLLECTION TYPES â€Å"A collection is an ordered group of elements, all of the same type.† (Oracle 2002) With this addition it became possible to use set operators which allows for a single result from two queriesRead MoreDatabase Management Systems676 Words   |  3 PagesDatabase Management Systems A database management system (DBMS) is computer software designed for the purpose of managing databases. Typical examples of DBMSs include Oracle, IBMs DB2, Microsoft Access, Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, 4th Dimension and FileMaker. DBMSs are typically used by Database administrators in the creation of Database systems. DBMS enables the user to store, modify, and extract information from a database(Tenner, 2005). There are many different types of DBMSs, ranging fromRead MoreDatabase And Unstructured Data Of A Business Perspective1001 Words   |  5 Pagesmore on exploring semi structured and unstructured data that is generated through social media activities, personal media information and geo location data. NoSQL database is a type of database that provides a means for storage and retrieval of structured, unstructured and semi-structured data. This is different from relational databases which uses the tabular relation. From a business perspective, considering the NoSQL is said to have a considerable advantage over the others. More importantly, sinceRead MoreKey Features Of The Database Management System1035 Words   |  5 Pagesof the database management system MongoDB. Day-to-day information is growing in gigantic amount. Generated information include predominant information and it will have to be analyzed for gathering essential expertise. On the whole, relational databases are used so as to system the data. These, ways works successfully for small amount of knowledge. What if the data is very tremendous? To avoid this problems Mongo databases are introduced. MongoDB is a cross-platform document-oriented database. ClassifiedRead MoreDesigning A Model Using Structured Analysis Techniq ues1401 Words   |  6 Pagesagreed upon the needs of the business and what must be required of the new system. The next step in designing and implementing the new system is determining the processes that will be applied to the data and graphically representing them in a model using structured analysis techniques. Process models are used to identify and document the portion of system requirements that relates to data. Processes are the logical rules that are applied to transform the data into meaningful information. During thisRead More Relational and Object-oriented Database Management Systems Essay2156 Words   |  9 PagesRelational and Object-oriented Database Management Systems A database is a â€Å"shared collection of logically related data designed to meet the information needs of multiple users in an organization† (Hoffer 709). Databases contain data records or files, such as sales transactions, product catalogs and inventories, and customer profiles. Databases allows multiple users in an organization to easily access, manage, store, and update data when needed. A database management system is softwareRead MoreApplication Of A Solid Foundation1328 Words   |  6 Pagesof a functional primitive and represents a specific set of processing steps and business logic. Process descriptions allow developers to create accurate, complete and concise models. Process modeling graphically represents system data and processes using traditional structured analysis techniques and identifies the data flowing into a process, the business rules that transform the data and the resulting output data flow. (Rosenblatt, 2014) A logical model is the part of a data model that representsRead MoreMy Honor As An Aggie1699 Words   |  7 Pagesgive efficient and flexible performance making it a versatile language that has found its place in a wide variety of applications and services. [11] C++ is an object-oriented language that has a wide variety of uses and allows a good deal of flexibility. While it may not be the easiest to implement in many situation, it has a variety of benefits other languages can’t always provide such as performance in situations where others may lack and tools that make correct coding possible. [5] Still today a

American Public Education Essay - 676 Words

Public schools in America were regarded as the best public schools in the world up to the 1970s. Today, compared to the development of Asian and European schools, American schools are ranked as some of the lowest schools. Some students are graduating from high school with little or more knowledge about the core classes. For instance, I started school in the US at age twelve, eighth grade, and was placed in college prep classes, even though English was my second language. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to travel and study in different countries like Afghanistan, India, and Yemen. The excellent schooling system of these countries, although they were considered third world countries in the eighties, had prepared me for a higher†¦show more content†¦Are we lacking something in our education system? If so, what is it? If our system is failing, we need to find why it is, before we place our youth at a great risk in the global market. America needs to keep American youth at an equivalent academic level as the Asian and European nations. America argue that one of the main dilemma for American schools is the funding deficiency, for different programs to help the students succeed; the US spends more per student than any other G-7 nation (Asian and European countries). Studies show that the spending per pupil has probably increased about 400% since 1960. It is true that the funding might be a minor cause of our schools failing, not a major cause. Dr. Milton Friedman, a noble laureate, did a study which indicated that the quality of schooling is far worse today, than it was in 1955. This study also illustrates that we do have the highest cost per student, yet lowest quality of education. Another study argues,there is a inverse relationship between spending and quality which is evident to the G-7 nations, who have understood and worked within this system, where as Americans blame the funding mostly when education issues are brought up. The US needs to transform the academic standards and strive for advanced studies in AmericanShow MoreRelatedThe History of American Public Education Essay examples2412 Words   |  10 PagesAfter the American Revolutionary war, the people of the United States were responsible for determining the best course of action within the new republic. The Articles of Confederation were replaced by the new Constitution, which provided a general set of principles the government was to be guided by. This new system was a new and improved integration of historical warnings, hoping to prevent tyranny by individual or the masses and injustice. However, it quickly became apparent that a certain educationRead MoreThe American Public Education System913 Words   |  4 PagesIn American two out of three eighth-graders can’t read proficiently and for African American and Hispanic students across the country dropout rates are close to 40 percent and those were just two of the many ways the Americ an Education System has failed its members. Education in the United States is provided by public schools and private schools. Public education is universally required at the kindergarten through twelfth grade level. Budgets and policies are set through locally elected school boardsRead MoreAmerican Public Education Essays1553 Words   |  7 PagesCollege Writing 24-102 Dr. Boggs American Public Education Today, education enables us to enlarge our knowledge and open doors for opportunities to the path of having a good future. In the five readings, each written by a different author, there was a lesson learned and something to take away from each one. Reading through the passages by Mann, Moore, Malcolm X, Gatto, Rose, and Anyon, each author contributed his or her point of view on general public education. This topic can be very argumentativeRead MoreThe Story Of American Public Education780 Words   |  4 PagesKerrigan Cesar School: The Story of American Public Education 1 During early schooling the religion was taught in the teachings, there was a certain level of fear was instilled in all children that if they disobeyed to follow authority they would fail (Joel Spring). Now a days public school and religion are usually separate but disobeying authority and not being a good student gives students a fear of failing out of school or not being good enough for colleges to notice. The video also said thatRead MoreThe American Public Education System Essay1515 Words   |  7 PagesThink Outside The Box Tired of the same old routine? Too much pressure is being put on high school students; some students do not even know how to cope with it. The way that the American public education system has planned to make these individuals succeed is really not how it should be. Students are being taught information that will not be as useful once they become adults. Students should be able to receive the knowledge they need in order to succeed in life. Students need an opportunity to beRead MoreThe American Public Education System2331 Words   |  10 Pagesproblems in the American public education system today. Some of those include the quality of teachers, who have no real passion for the job, and are only allowed to remain in the position because of tenure privileges. Another issue is the state budgets that are allowed for public schools, with some states investing billions of dollars, and others prioritizing it lower on the list. In hot debate today is standardized testing, and the negat ive effect that it has on high school education, with the limitsRead More American Public Education Essay1785 Words   |  8 Pages The American public educational system is filled with an assortment of problems. Most students are graduating with less knowledge and capability than similar students in other industrialized countries. Classroom disruptions are surprisingly common, and in some classrooms, nearly continuous. The public education system is having difficulty adjusting to the no child left behind act. The No Child Left Behind(NCLB) is a landmark in education reform designed to improve student achievement and changeRead MoreUnderstanding the purpose of american public education Essay1062 Words   |  5 PagesUnderstanding the Purpose of American Public Education American public education has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past several hundred years. This transformation not only includes technology and appearance, but diversity and policies as well. However, an age-old question is still being pondered today. What is the purpose of American public education? Although you may have your own answer for this question; not everyone may agree with you. This is where the problem resides. How canRead MoreCareer Education in American Public Schools Essay1389 Words   |  6 PagesProblem Statement How should the United States government revitalize career and technical education (CTE) to meet 21st century needs, including collaboration and partnership between K-12 public education and the workforce? Background The need for a national career education program is driven by a few principles. Firstly, CTE can help to keep students in school. In 2011, seven percent of American students dropped out of high school (â€Å"Dropout rates†, n.d.). CTE programs help to keep students inRead More American Public Education - Obsessed with Being Average Essay625 Words   |  3 PagesAmerican Public Education - Obsessed with Being Average A countrys educational system is typically influenced by a variety of factors. Racial and ethnic attitudes, for example, can play an important role in policy formation and school administration. Language is a significant factor as well. Political and religious ideologies also are potent influences on the educational system. An average student’s registration into the educational system may be affected by such factors. What is the definition

A Comparison of the Codes of Ethics Free Essays

The Alabama Educator Code of Ethics and the University of North Alabama’s Code of Ethics Professional Dispositions both focus on many of the same core values. There are nine standards in the Alabama Educator COE and seven dispositions in UNA’s COE. Standard 1 and Disposition 1 both advocate having a commitment to professional standards. We will write a custom essay sample on A Comparison of the Codes of Ethics or any similar topic only for you Order Now While UNA’s COE simply states that an educator should have a commitment to professionalism and ethical standards and leaves the interpretation of this up to the educator, the Alabama Educator COE goes more in depth. Standard 2 focuses on trustworthiness, and Standard 3 concentrates on unlawful acts. Standard 5 states that an educator should refrain from the use of alcohol and tobacco products and never use illegal drugs. Standard 4 and Disposition 5 both address respecting the differences of students. They both state that an educator should not discriminate by race, gender, religion, or disability. Both also encourage educators to provide challenging, equitable learning opportunities for all students. Both the Alabama Educator COE and UNA’s COE promote collaboration, but the UNA’s COE is more comprehensive in its description. Both Disposition 6 and Disposition 7 address collaboration; Disposition 6 focuses on working with family and community members, and Disposition 7 focuses on working with other educators. The Alabama Educator COE only mentions collaboration in standard one. One big variation between the two codes is that UNA’s COE does not address any obligations to your contract, while the Alabama Educator COE uses the entire Standard 9 to focus on it. Another key difference is that the Alabama Educator COE discusses confidentiality thoroughly in Standard 8, but UNA’s COE does not mention it. The ethical conduct discussed in Standard 6 (Public Funds and Property) and Standard 7 (Remunerative Conduct) does not show up in UNA’s COE either. UNA’s COE uses Disposition 3 to concentrate on using technology and research in the classroom, but the Alabama Educator COE does not discuss technology. The two sets of ethical behavior share many of the same principles, but are laid out in different ways. If an educator applies both COEs to his or her practice, then they will definitely be successful. How to cite A Comparison of the Codes of Ethics, Papers

Academy of Management Learning and Education

Question: Discuss about the Academy of Management Learning and Education. Answer: Introduction Ethical issue is considered as a situation within the present system of the organization or the individual of the society that chooses among various alternatives to be evaluated as right or wrong. Ethical issues can occur in various aspects of the society. One of the most common ethical issues prevailing in the environment is related to consumerism. The ethical factors that are related to consumerism would deal with the purchasing, sourcing and shopping of the consumer (Bell Hafford-Letchfield, 2015). This following study contains the arguments for and against the Ethical Issues of Consumerism. Pro Arguments According to the theories of Kantian, ethical issues prevailing with respect to consumerism, it could be seen that people are nowadays too obsessed with shopping new products and services for themselves. They spend more time in buying the products rather than spending quality time with their friends and relatives (The Story of Stuff. 2017). Planned obsolescence and perceived obsolescence are considered as two concepts that lead to the ethical dilemma in relation to consumerism in the society. As per the concepts of Utilitarianism, planned obsolescence deals with how the recently bought products become obsolete due to the fast changing and upgraded technology in the same way perceived obsolescence deals with the change in the demand for new products by the individual due to change in trend and fashion of the goods (Arieli, Sagiv Cohen-Shalem, 2016). According to the theory of Virtue Ethics, due to excess of products bought, and no fruitful work being amended, the national happiness i n United States is found decreasing in nature. Anti Arguments Based on the Utilitarianism approach, it could be stated that consumerism raises the productivity of the economy by raising the demand of the product and services to be offered. It provides the organization with the incentives to produce more. Based on Kantian theories it could be stated that the availability of the products and services at much lower costs is quite beneficial for the individuals to buy the products below the price of their willingness to pay (Reamer, 2013). Hence, it could be stated that as the theory of Virtue Ethics, it can be said that the rise in the abovementioned ethical issues in the economy is not found negative always. Viewpoint After analysing both the arguments for and against the ethical issues prevailing in an economy concerned with consumerism, it could be stated that the people with the rise in the transaction of goods and services, there are various drawbacks that outweigh the positive side of such transactions as per the Virtue Ethics theories (The Story of Stuff 2017). Along with the rise in the transactions as per the Kantian theories, there are some useless spending associated of the individuals, over utilisation of resources, more products being dumped and greater amount of toxicants being given out in the environment. This moreover leads to degradation of our planet. In the end it could be stated that the over production of goods and services does not provide any benefit to the environment and thereby goes against the Utilitarian approach. Conclusion It could be concluded from the above-mentioned analysis that the ethical issues prevailing in the field of consumerism consists of various aspects. Among them, the most important one is rigorous transactions of goods and services being bought by the individuals. The ill effects that are caused by the transactions have over shadowed the arguments, which are against the statement. Reference Arieli, S., Sagiv, L., Cohen-Shalem, E. (2016). Values in business schools: The role of self-selection and socialization.Academy of Management Learning Education,15(3), 493-507. Bell, L., Hafford-Letchfield, T. (2015).Ethics, values and social work practice. McGraw-Hill. Reamer, F. G. (2013).Social work values and ethics. Columbia University Press. The Story of Stuff. (2017). The Story of Stuff Project. Retrieved 23 January 2017, from https://storyofstuff.org/movies/story-of-stuff/

List of Ministers and Advisors Essay Example

List of Ministers and Advisors Essay List of Ministers and Advisors | SL| Name| Designation| Joining Date | Distribution of Ministry/Division | Name| From| To| | | 1| Sheikh Hasina  | Prime Minister  | 6-01-2009  | Armed Forces Division   | 6-01-2009  | Till Date  | | Cabinet Division   | 6-01-2009  | Till Date  | | | Ministry of Defence   | 6-01-2009  | Till Date  | | | Ministry of Public Administration   | 28-04-2011  | Till Date  | | | 2| Mr. Abul Maal Abdul Muhith  | Minister  | 6-01-2009  | Ministry of Finance   | 6-01-2009  | Till Date  | | Finance Division   | 6-01-2009  | Till Date  | | | Economic Relations Division   | 6-01-2009  | Till Date  | | | Internal Resources Division   | 6-01-2009  | Till Date  | | | Bank and Financial Division   | 6-01-2009  | Till Date  | | | 3| Begum Matia Chowdhury  | Minister  | 6-01-2009  | Ministry of Agriculture   | 6-01-2009  | Till Date  | | 4| Mr. Abdul Latif Siddique  | Minister  | 6-01-2009  | Ministry of Textiles and Jute   | 6-01-2009  | Till Date  | | 5| Barrister Shafique Ahmed  | Minister  | 6-01-2009  | Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs   | 6-01-2009  | Till Date  | | Law and Justice Division   | 6-01-2009  | Till Date  | | | Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division   | 6-01-2009  | Till Date  | | | Parliament Secretariat   | 6-01-2009  | Till Date  | | | 6| Air Vice Marshal (Rtd. ) A K Khandker  | Minister  | 6-01-2009  | Ministry of Planning   | 6-01-2009  | Till Date  | | Planning Division   | 6-01-2009  | Till Date  | | | Statistics and Informatics Division   | 6-01-2009  | Till Date  | | | Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation Division   | 6-01-2009  | Till Date  | | | 7| Mr. Rajiuddin Ahmed Raju  | Minister  | 6-01-2009  | Ministry of Labour Employment   | 15-09-2012  | Till Date  | | 8| Advocate Shahara Khatun  | Minister  | 6-01-2009  | Ministry of Posts and Tele-Communications   | 15-09-2012  | Till Date  | | | Syed Ashraful Islam  | Minister  | 6-01-2009  | Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives   | 6-01-2009  | Till Date  | | Local Government Division   | 6-01-2009  | Till Date  | | | Rural Development and Co-operatives Division   | 6-01-2009  | Till Dateà ‚  | | | 10| Engr. Khandker Mosharraf Hossain  | Minister  | 6-01-2009  | Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment   | 6-01-2009  | Till Date  | | 11| Mr. Suranjit Sen Gupta  | Minister  | 28-11-2011  | Without portfolio. | 17-04-2012  | Till Date  | | 12| Dr. Muhiuddin Khan Alamgir  | Minister  | 15-09-2012  | Ministry of Home Affairs   | 15-09-2012  | Till Date  | 13| Mr. Md. Rezaul Karim Hira  | Minister  | 6-01-2009  | Ministry of Land   | 6-01-2009  | Till Date  | | 14| Mr. Abul Kalam Azad  | Minister  | 6-01-2009  | Ministry of Cultural Affairs   | 6-01-2009  | Till Date  | | 15| Mr. Enamul Hoque Mustafa Shaheed  | Minister  | 6-01-2009  | Ministry of Social Welfare   | 6-01-2009  | Till Date  | | 16| Mr. Dilip Barua  | Minister  | 6-01-2009  | Ministry of Industries   | 6-01-2009  | Till Date  | | 17| Mr. Obaidul Quader  | Minister  | 28-11-2011  | Ministry of Commun ications   | 5-12-2011  | Till Date  | | Roads Division   | 5-12-2011  | Till Date  | | | We will write a custom essay sample on List of Ministers and Advisors specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on List of Ministers and Advisors specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on List of Ministers and Advisors specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Bridges Division   | 5-11-2011  | Till Date  | | | 18| Mr. Ramesh Chandra Sen  | Minister  | 6-01-2009  | Ministry of Water Resources   | 6-01-2009  | Till Date  | | 19| Mr. Ghulam Muhammed Quader  | Minister  | 6-01-2009  | Ministry of Commerce   | 5-12-2011  | Till Date  | | 20| Mr. Hasanul Haq Inu  | Minister  | 15-09-2012  | Ministry of Information   | 15-09-2012  | Till Date  | | 21| Mr. Muhammad Faruk Khan  | Minister  | 6-01-2009  | Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism   | 5-12-2011  | Till Date  | | 22| Dr. Md. Abdur Razzaque  | Minister  | 6-01-2009  | Ministry of Food   | 15-09-2012  | Till Date  | 23| Dr. Md. Afsarul Ameen  | Minister  | 6-01-2009  | Ministry of Primary and Mass Education   | 31-07-2009  | Till Date  | | 24| Dr. A. F. M. Ruhal Haque  | Minister  | 6-01-2009  | Ministry of Health and Family Welfare   | 6-01-2009  | Till Date  | | 25| Dr. Dipu Moni  | Minister  | 8-01-2009  | Ministry of Foreign Affairs   | 6-01-2009  | Till Date  | | 26| Mr. Nurul Islam Nahid  | Minister  | 6-01-2009  | Ministry of Education   | 6-01-2009  | Till Date  | | 27| Mr. Abdul Latif Biswas  | Minister  | 6-01-2009  | Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock   | 6-01-2009  | Till Date  | | 28| Mr. Shajahan Khan  | Minister  | 31-07-2009  | Ministry of Shipping   | 31-07-2009  | Till Date  | | 29| Dr. Hasan Mahmud  | Minister  | 28-11-2011  | Ministry of Environment and Forest   | 29-11-2011  | Till Date  | | 30| Mr. Abul Hasan Mahamood Ali  | Minister  | 15-09-2012  | Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief   | 15-09-2012  | Till Date  | | 31| Mr. Mostafa Faruque Mohammed  | Minister  | 15-09-2012  | Ministry of Information Communication Technology   | 15-09-2012  | Till Date  | | 32| Mr. Md. Mazibul Hoque  | Minister  | 15-09-2012  | Ministry of Railways   | 15-09-2012  | Till Date  | | 33| MR. H. T. Imam  | Adviser  | 7-01-2009  | Public Administration Affairs   | 5-06-2011  | Till Date  | | 34| Dr. Mashiur Rahman  | Adviser  | 7-01-2009  | Economic Adviser   | 22-01-2009  | Till Date  | | 35| Professor Dr. Syed Modasser Ali  | Adviser  | 7-01-2009  | Health Family Welfare and Social Welfare Affairs   | 22-01-2009  | Till Date  | | 36| Dr. Alauddin Ahmed  | Adviser  | 7-01-2009  | Education, Social Development and Political Affairs   | 22-01-2009  | Till Date  | | 37| Dr. Tawfiq-E-Elahi Chowdhury, BB  | Adviser  | 14-01-2009  | Adviser to the Honble Prime Minister   | 14-01-2009  | Till Date  | | 8| Dr. Gowher Rizvi  | Adviser  | 9-07-2009  | International Relations Affairs   | 9-07-2009  | Till Date  | | 39| Advocate Mostafizur Rahman  | State Minister  | 6-01-2009  | Ministry of Land   | 31-07-2009  | Till Date  | | 40| Capt. A B Tajul Islam (Rtd. )  | State Minister  | 6-01-2009  | M inistry of Liberation War Affairs   | 6-01-2009  | Till Date  | | 41| Arch. Yeafesh Osman  | State Minister  | 6-01-2009  | Ministry of Science and Technology   | 5-12-2011  | Till Date  | | 42| Begum Monnujan Sufian  | State Minister  | 6-01-2009  | Ministry of Labour ; Employment   | 6-01-2009  | Till Date  | | 43| Mr. Dipankar Talukdar  | State Minister  | 6-01-2009  | Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs   | 6-01-2009  | Till Date  | | 44| Mr. Ahad Ali Sarkar  | State Minister  | 6-01-2009  | Ministry of Youth and Sports   | 6-01-2009  | Till Date  | | 45| Advocate Md. Shahjahan Miah  | State Minister  | 24-01-2009  | Ministry of Religious Affairs   | 24-01-2009  | Till Date  | | 46| Advocate Abdul Mannan Khan  | State Minister  | 24-01-2009  | Ministry of Housing and Public Works   | 24-01-2009  | Till Date  | | 47| Advocate Md. Kamrul Islam  | State Minister  | 24-07-2009  | Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs   | 24-01-2009  | Till Date  | | Law and Justice Division   | 24-01-2009  | Till Date  | | | Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division   | 24-01-2009  | Till Date  | | | Parliament Secretariat   | 24-01-2009  | Till Date  | | | 48| Advocate Shamsul Hoque Tuku  | State Minister  | 24-01-2009  | Ministry of Home Affairs   | 31-07-2009  | Till Date  | | 49| Advocate Jahangir Kabir Nanak  | State Minister  | 24-01-2009  | Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives   | 24-01-2009  | Till Date  | | Local Government Division   | 24-01-2009  | Till Date  | | | Rural Development and Co-operatives Division   | 24-01-2009  | Till Date  | | | 50| Mr. Md. Motahar Hossain  | State Minister  | 24-01-2009  | Ministry of Primary and Mass Education   | 24-01-2009  | Till Date  | | 51| Mr. Muhammad Enamul Huq  | State Minister  | 31-07-2009  | Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources   | 31-07-2009  | Till Date  | | Power Division   | 31-07-2009  | Till Date  | | | Energy and Mineral Resources Division   | 31-07-2009  | Till Date  | | | 52| Mr. Mozibur Rahman Fakir  | State Minister  | 31-07-2009  | Ministry of Health and Family Welfare   | 31-07-2009  | Till Date  | | 53| Mr. Promode Mankin  | State Minister  | 31-07-2009  | Ministry of Social Welfare   | 16-09-2012  | Till Date  | 54| Begum Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury  | State Minister  | 31-07-2009  | Ministry of Women and Children Affairs   | 31-07-2009  | Till Date  | | 55| Mr. Md. Mahabubur Rahaman  | State Minister  | 31-07-2009  | Ministry of Water Resources   | 31-07-2009  | Till Date  | | 5 6| Mr. Omor Faruk Chowdhury  | State Minister  | 15-09-2012  | Ministry of Industries   | 15-09-2012  | Till Date  | | 57| Mr. Md. Abdul Hyee  | State Minister  | 15-09-2012  | Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock   | 15-09-2012  | Till Date  | | 58| Maj. Gen. (Retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique  | Adviser to the Honble Prime Minister  | 8-01-2009  | | | | |

The Future of Democracy in Canada essays

The Future of Democracy in Canada essays Consider the following claim: "Canada will become a more democratic country in the next 25 years". One might take exception to this claim, countering that Canada is not only a democratic country in 2004, but is a country whose democratic character is envied in most parts of the world. Conversely, within Canada, one does not need to dig too deeply in society to find people who are dissatisfied with the state of Canadian democracy. This dissatisfaction is not limited to embittered followers of the far right political parties who almost continually are unable to persuade a majority of Canadians to support their policies. Nor is this dissatisfaction limited to Quebec and French speaking communities in other provinces who their culture and values to be under threat from the onslaught of Anglo Canadian culture. In fact, pockets of serious political dissatisfaction exist across the country. Unfortunately (in the context of being able to pursue their objectives effectively, the only issues on which consensus typically develops among these pockets of dissatisfaction is on (a) opposition to a Conservative national government and (b) opposition to The fact that political dissatisfaction in Canada tends to be balkanized, however, does not imply that the situation is either unimportant or that political reform should not be implemented to redress the problem. Neither does the balkanized political dissatisfaction in the country indicate that such reform of the country's political is either In fact, the thesis of this essay is embodied in the claim stated at the beginning of this discussion, with which there is full agreement. "Canada will become a more democratic country in the next 25 years". If Canada is going to become a more democratic country over the coming 25 years, the people of Canada must be motivated to seek such change. Additionally, there must be some...

Angels Demons Chapter 3235

â€Å"Sorry for the slow flight,† the pilot apologized, emerging from the cockpit. â€Å"Had to trim her back. Noise regulations over populated areas.† Langdon checked his watch. They had been airborne thirty-seven minutes. The pilot popped the outer door. â€Å"Anybody want to tell me what’s going on?† Neither Vittoria nor Langdon responded. â€Å"Fine,† he said, stretching. â€Å"I’ll be in the cockpit with the air-conditioning and my music. Just me and Garth.† The late-afternoon sun blazed outside the hangar. Langdon carried his tweed jacket over his shoulder. Vittoria turned her face skyward and inhaled deeply, as if the sun’s rays somehow transferred to her some mystical replenishing energy. Mediterraneans, Langdon mused, already sweating. â€Å"Little old for cartoons, aren’t you?† Vittoria asked, without opening her eyes. â€Å"I’m sorry?† â€Å"Your wristwatch. I saw it on the plane.† Langdon flushed slightly. He was accustomed to having to defend his timepiece. The collector’s edition Mickey Mouse watch had been a childhood gift from his parents. Despite the contorted foolishness of Mickey’s outstretched arms designating the hour, it was the only watch Langdon had ever worn. Waterproof and glow-in-the-dark, it was perfect for swimming laps or walking unlit college paths at night. When Langdon’s students questioned his fashion sense, he told them he wore Mickey as a daily reminder to stay young at heart. â€Å"It’s six o’clock,† he said. Vittoria nodded, eyes still closed. â€Å"I think our ride’s here.† Langdon heard the distant whine, looked up, and felt a sinking feeling. Approaching from the north was a helicopter, slicing low across the runway. Langdon had been on a helicopter once in the Andean Palpa Valley looking at the Nazca sand drawings and had not enjoyed it one bit. A flying shoebox. After a morning of space plane rides, Langdon had hoped the Vatican would send a car. Apparently not. The chopper slowed overhead, hovered a moment, and dropped toward the runway in front of them. The craft was white and carried a coat of arms emblazoned on the side – two skeleton keys crossing a shield and papal crown. He knew the symbol well. It was the traditional seal of the Vatican – the sacred symbol of the Holy See or â€Å"holy seat† of government, the seat being literally the ancient throne of St. Peter. The Holy Chopper, Langdon groaned, watching the craft land. He’d forgotten the Vatican owned one of these things, used for transporting the Pope to the airport, to meetings, or to his summer palace in Gandolfo. Langdon definitely would have preferred a car. The pilot jumped from the cockpit and strode toward them across the tarmac. Now it was Vittoria who looked uneasy. â€Å"That’s our pilot?† Langdon shared her concern. â€Å"To fly, or not to fly. That is the question.† The pilot looked like he was festooned for a Shakespearean melodrama. His puffy tunic was vertically striped in brilliant blue and gold. He wore matching pantaloons and spats. On his feet were black flats that looked like slippers. On top of it all, he wore a black felt beret. â€Å"Traditional Swiss Guard uniforms,† Langdon explained. â€Å"Designed by Michelangelo himself.† As the man drew closer, Langdon winced. â€Å"I admit, not one of Michelangelo’s better efforts.† Despite the man’s garish attire, Langdon could tell the pilot meant business. He moved toward them with all the rigidity and dignity of a U.S. Marine. Langdon had read many times about the rigorous requirements for becoming one of the elite Swiss Guard. Recruited from one of Switzerland’s four Catholic cantons, applicants had to be Swiss males between nineteen and thirty years old, at least 5 feet 6 inches, trained by the Swiss Army, and unmarried. This imperial corps was envied by world governments as the most allegiant and deadly security force in the world. â€Å"You are from CERN?† the guard asked, arriving before them. His voice was steely. â€Å"Yes, sir,† Langdon replied. â€Å"You made remarkable time,† he said, giving the X-33 a mystified stare. He turned to Vittoria. â€Å"Ma’am, do you have any other clothing?† â€Å"I beg your pardon?† He motioned to her legs. â€Å"Short pants are not permitted inside Vatican City.† Langdon glanced down at Vittoria’s legs and frowned. He had forgotten. Vatican City had a strict ban on visible legs above the knee – both male and female. The regulation was a way of showing respect for the sanctity of God’s city. â€Å"This is all I have,† she said. â€Å"We came in a hurry.† The guard nodded, clearly displeased. He turned next to Langdon. â€Å"Are you carrying any weapons?† Weapons? Langdon thought. I’m not even carrying a change of underwear! He shook his head. The officer crouched at Langdon’s feet and began patting him down, starting at his socks. Trusting guy, Langdon thought. The guard’s strong hands moved up Langdon’s legs, coming uncomfortably close to his groin. Finally they moved up to his chest and shoulders. Apparently content Langdon was clean, the guard turned to Vittoria. He ran his eyes up her legs and torso. Vittoria glared. â€Å"Don’t even think about it.† The guard fixed Vittoria with a gaze clearly intended to intimidate. Vittoria did not flinch. â€Å"What’s that?† the guard said, pointing to a faint square bulge in the front pocket of her shorts. Vittoria removed an ultrathin cell phone. The guard took it, clicked it on, waited for a dial tone, and then, apparently satisfied that it was indeed nothing more than a phone, returned it to her. Vittoria slid it back into her pocket. â€Å"Turn around, please,† the guard said. Vittoria obliged, holding her arms out and rotating a full 360 degrees. The guard carefully studied her. Langdon had already decided that Vittoria’s form-fitting shorts and blouse were not bulging anywhere they shouldn’t have been. Apparently the guard came to the same conclusion. â€Å"Thank you. This way please.† The Swiss Guard chopper churned in neutral as Langdon and Vittoria approached. Vittoria boarded first, like a seasoned pro, barely even stooping as she passed beneath the whirling rotors. Langdon held back a moment. â€Å"No chance of a car?† he yelled, half-joking to the Swiss Guard, who was climbing in the pilot’s seat. The man did not answer. Langdon knew that with Rome’s maniacal drivers, flying was probably safer anyway. He took a deep breath and boarded, stooping cautiously as he passed beneath the spinning rotors. As the guard fired up the engines, Vittoria called out, â€Å"Have you located the canister?† The guard glanced over his shoulder, looking confused. â€Å"The what?† â€Å"The canister. You called CERN about a canister?† The man shrugged. â€Å"No idea what you’re talking about. We’ve been very busy today. My commander told me to pick you up. That’s all I know.† Vittoria gave Langdon an unsettled look. â€Å"Buckle up, please,† the pilot said as the engine revved. Langdon reached for his seat belt and strapped himself in. The tiny fuselage seemed to shrink around him. Then with a roar, the craft shot up and banked sharply north toward Rome. Rome†¦ the caput mundi, where Caesar once ruled, where St. Peter was crucified. The cradle of modern civilization. And at its core†¦ a ticking bomb. 33 Rome from the air is a labyrinth – an indecipherable maze of ancient roadways winding around buildings, fountains, and crumbling ruins. The Vatican chopper stayed low in the sky as it sliced northwest through the permanent smog layer coughed up by the congestion below. Langdon gazed down at the mopeds, sight-seeing buses, and armies of miniature Fiat sedans buzzing around rotaries in all directions. Koyaanisqatsi, he thought, recalling the Hopi term for â€Å"life out of balance.† Vittoria sat in silent determination in the seat beside him. The chopper banked hard. His stomach dropping, Langdon gazed farther into the distance. His eyes found the crumbling ruins of the Roman Coliseum. The Coliseum, Langdon had always thought, was one of history’s greatest ironies. Now a dignified symbol for the rise of human culture and civilization, the stadium had been built to host centuries of barbaric events – hungry lions shredding prisoners, armies of slaves battling to the death, gang rapes of exotic women captured from far-off lands, as well as public beheadings and castrations. It was ironic, Langdon thought, or perhaps fitting, that the Coliseum had served as the architectural blueprint for Harvard’s Soldier Field – the football stadium where the ancient traditions of savagery were reenacted every fall†¦ crazed fans screaming for bloodshed as Harvard battled Yale. As the chopper headed north, Langdon spied the Roman Forum – the heart of pre-Christian Rome. The decaying columns looked like toppled gravestones in a cemetery that had somehow avoided being swallowed by the metropolis surrounding it. To the west the wide basin of the Tiber River wound enormous arcs across the city. Even from the air Langdon could tell the water was deep. The churning currents were brown, filled with silt and foam from heavy rains. â€Å"Straight ahead,† the pilot said, climbing higher. Langdon and Vittoria looked out and saw it. Like a mountain parting the morning fog, the colossal dome rose out of the haze before them: St. Peter’s Basilica. â€Å"Now that,† Langdon said to Vittoria, â€Å"is something Michelangelo got right.† Langdon had never seen St. Peter’s from the air. The marble faà §ade blazed like fire in the afternoon sun. Adorned with 140 statues of saints, martyrs, and angels, the Herculean edifice stretched two football fields wide and a staggering six long. The cavernous interior of the basilica had room for over 60,000 worshipers†¦ over one hundred times the population of Vatican City, the smallest country in the world. Incredibly, though, not even a citadel of this magnitude could dwarf the piazza before it. A sprawling expanse of granite, St. Peter’s Square was a staggering open space in the congestion of Rome, like a classical Central Park. In front of the basilica, bordering the vast oval common, 284 columns swept outward in four concentric arcs of diminishing size†¦ an architectural trompe de l’oiel used to heighten the piazza’s sense of grandeur. As he stared at the magnificent shrine before him, Langdon wondered what St. Peter would think if he were here now. The Saint had died a gruesome death, crucified upside down on this very spot. Now he rested in the most sacred of tombs, buried five stories down, directly beneath the central cupola of the basilica. â€Å"Vatican City,† the pilot said, sounding anything but welcoming. Langdon looked out at the towering stone bastions that loomed ahead – impenetrable fortifications surrounding the complex†¦ a strangely earthly defense for a spiritual world of secrets, power, and mystery. â€Å"Look!† Vittoria said suddenly, grabbing Langdon’s arm. She motioned frantically downward toward St. Peter’s Square directly beneath them. Langdon put his face to the window and looked. â€Å"Over there,† she said, pointing. Langdon looked. The rear of the piazza looked like a parking lot crowded with a dozen or so trailer trucks. Huge satellite dishes pointed skyward from the roof of every truck. The dishes were emblazoned with familiar names: Televisor Europea Video Italia BBC United Press International Langdon felt suddenly confused, wondering if the news of the antimatter had already leaked out. Vittoria seemed suddenly tense. â€Å"Why is the press here? What’s going on?† The pilot turned and gave her an odd look over his shoulder. â€Å"What’s going on? You don’t know?† â€Å"No,† she fired back, her accent husky and strong. â€Å"Il Conclavo,† he said. â€Å"It is to be sealed in about an hour. The whole world is watching.† Il Conclavo. The word rang a long moment in Langdon’s ears before dropping like a brick to the pit of his stomach. Il Conclavo. The Vatican Conclave. How could he have forgotten? It had been in the news recently. Fifteen days ago, the Pope, after a tremendously popular twelve-year reign, had passed away. Every paper in the world had carried the story about the Pope’s fatal stroke while sleeping – a sudden and unexpected death many whispered was suspicious. But now, in keeping with the sacred tradition, fifteen days after the death of a Pope, the Vatican was holding Il Conclavo – the sacred ceremony in which the 165 cardinals of the world – the most powerful men in Christendom – gathered in Vatican City to elect the new Pope. Every cardinal on the planet is here today, Langdon thought as the chopper passed over St. Peter’s Basilica. The expansive inner world of Vatican City spread out beneath him. The entire power structure of the Roman Catholic Church is sitting on a time bomb. 34 Cardinal Mortati gazed up at the lavish ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and tried to find a moment of quiet reflection. The frescoed walls echoed with the voices of cardinals from nations around the globe. The men jostled in the candlelit tabernacle, whispering excitedly and consulting with one another in numerous languages, the universal tongues being English, Italian, and Spanish. The light in the chapel was usually sublime – long rays of tinted sun slicing through the darkness like rays from heaven – but not today. As was the custom, all of the chapel’s windows had been covered in black velvet in the name of secrecy. This ensured that no one on the inside could send signals or communicate in any way with the outside world. The result was a profound darkness lit only by candles†¦ a shimmering radiance that seemed to purify everyone it touched, making them all ghostly†¦ like saints. What privilege, Mortati thought, that I am to oversee this sanctified event. Cardinals over eighty years of age were too old to be eligible for election and did not attend conclave, but at seventy-nine years old, Mortati was the most senior cardinal here and had been appointed to oversee the proceedings. Following tradition, the cardinals gathered here two hours before conclave to catch up with friends and engage in last-minute discussion. At 7 P.M., the late Pope’s chamberlain would arrive, give opening prayer, and then leave. Then the Swiss Guard would seal the doors and lock all the cardinals inside. It was then that the oldest and most secretive political ritual in the world would begin. The cardinals would not be released until they decided who among them would be the next Pope. Conclave. Even the name was secretive. â€Å"Con clave† literally meant â€Å"locked with a key.† The cardinals were permitted no contact whatsoever with the outside world. No phone calls. No messages. No whispers through doorways. Conclave was a vacuum, not to be influenced by anything in the outside world. This would ensure that the cardinals kept Solum Dum prae oculis†¦ only God before their eyes. Outside the walls of the chapel, of course, the media watched and waited, speculating as to which of the cardinals would become the ruler of one billion Catholics worldwide. Conclaves created an intense, politically charged atmosphere, and over the centuries they had turned deadly: poisonings, fist fights, and even murder had erupted within the sacred walls. Ancient history, Mortati thought. Tonight’s conclave will be unified, blissful, and above all†¦ brief. Or at least that had been his speculation. Now, however, an unexpected development had emerged. Mystifyingly, four cardinals were absent from the chapel. Mortati knew that all the exits to Vatican City were guarded, and the missing cardinals could not have gone far, but still, with less than an hour before opening prayer, he was feeling disconcerted. After all, the four missing men were no ordinary cardinals. They were the cardinals. The chosen four. As overseer of the conclave, Mortati had already sent word through the proper channels to the Swiss Guard alerting them to the cardinals’ absence. He had yet to hear back. Other cardinals had now noticed the puzzling absence. The anxious whispers had begun. Of all cardinals, these four should be on time! Cardinal Mortati was starting to fear it might be a long evening after all. He had no idea. 35 The Vatican’s helipad, for reasons of safety and noise control, is located in the northwest tip of Vatican City, as far from St. Peter’s Basilica as possible. â€Å"Terra firma,† the pilot announced as they touched down. He exited and opened the sliding door for Langdon and Vittoria. Langdon descended from the craft and turned to help Vittoria, but she had already dropped effortlessly to the ground. Every muscle in her body seemed tuned to one objective – finding the antimatter before it left a horrific legacy. After stretching a reflective sun tarp across the cockpit window, the pilot ushered them to an oversized electric golf cart waiting near the helipad. The cart whisked them silently alongside the country’s western border – a fifty-foot-tall cement bulwark thick enough to ward off attacks even by tanks. Lining the interior of the wall, posted at fifty-meter intervals, Swiss Guards stood at attention, surveying the interior of the grounds. The cart turned sharply right onto Via della Osservatorio. Signs pointed in all directions: Palazzio Governatorio Collegio Ethiopiana Basilica San Pietro Capella Sistina They accelerated up the manicured road past a squat building marked Radio Vaticana. This, Langdon realized to his amazement, was the hub of the world’s most listened-to radio programming – Radio Vaticana – spreading the word of God to millions of listeners around the globe. â€Å"Attenzione,† the pilot said, turning sharply into a rotary. As the cart wound round, Langdon could barely believe the sight now coming into view. Giardini Vaticani, he thought. The heart of Vatican City. Directly ahead rose the rear of St. Peter’s Basilica, a view, Langdon realized, most people never saw. To the right loomed the Palace of the Tribunal, the lush papal residence rivaled only by Versailles in its baroque embellishment. The severe-looking Governatorato building was now behind them, housing Vatican City’s administration. And up ahead on the left, the massive rectangular edifice of the Vatican Museum. Langdon knew there would be no time for a museum visit this trip. â€Å"Where is everyone?† Vittoria asked, surveying the deserted lawns and walkways. The guard checked his black, military-style chronograph – an odd anachronism beneath his puffy sleeve. â€Å"The cardinals are convened in the Sistine Chapel. Conclave begins in a little under an hour.† Langdon nodded, vaguely recalling that before conclave the cardinals spent two hours inside the Sistine Chapel in quiet reflection and visitations with their fellow cardinals from around the globe. The time was meant to renew old friendships among the cardinals and facilitate a less heated election process. â€Å"And the rest of the residents and staff?† â€Å"Banned from the city for secrecy and security until the conclave concludes.† â€Å"And when does it conclude?† The guard shrugged. â€Å"God only knows.† The words sounded oddly literal. After parking the cart on the wide lawn directly behind St. Peter’s Basilica, the guard escorted Langdon and Vittoria up a stone escarpment to a marble plaza off the back of the basilica. Crossing the plaza, they approached the rear wall of the basilica and followed it through a triangular courtyard, across Via Belvedere, and into a series of buildings closely huddled together. Langdon’s art history had taught him enough Italian to pick out signs for the Vatican Printing Office, the Tapestry Restoration Lab, Post Office Management, and the Church of St. Ann. They crossed another small square and arrived at their destination. The Office of the Swiss Guard is housed adjacent to Il Corpo di Vigilanza, directly northeast of St. Peter’s Basilica. The office is a squat, stone building. On either side of the entrance, like two stone statues, stood a pair of guards. Langdon had to admit, these guards did not look quite so comical. Although they also wore the blue and gold uniform, each wielded the traditional â€Å"Vatican long sword† – an eight-foot spear with a razor-sharp scythe – rumored to have decapitated countless Muslims while defending the Christian crusaders in the fifteenth century. As Langdon and Vittoria approached, the two guards stepped forward, crossing their long swords, blocking the entrance. One looked up at the pilot in confusion. â€Å"I pantaloni,† he said, motioning to Vittoria’s shorts. The pilot waved them off. â€Å"Il comandante vuole vederli subito.† The guards frowned. Reluctantly they stepped aside. Inside, the air was cool. It looked nothing like the administrative security offices Langdon would have imagined. Ornate and impeccably furnished, the hallways contained paintings Langdon was certain any museum worldwide would gladly have featured in its main gallery. The pilot pointed down a steep set of stairs. â€Å"Down, please.† Langdon and Vittoria followed the white marble treads as they descended between a gauntlet of nude male sculptures. Each statue wore a fig leaf that was lighter in color than the rest of the body. The Great Castration, Langdon thought. It was one of the most horrific tragedies in Renaissance art. In 1857, Pope Pius IX decided that the accurate representation of the male form might incite lust inside the Vatican. So he got a chisel and mallet and hacked off the genitalia of every single male statue inside Vatican City. He defaced works by Michelangelo, Bramante, and Bernini. Plaster fig leaves were used to patch the damage. Hundreds of sculptures had been emasculated. Langdon had often wondered if there was a huge crate of stone penises someplace. â€Å"Here,† the guard announced. They reached the bottom of the stairs and dead-ended at a heavy, steel door. The guard typed an entry code, and the door slid open. Langdon and Vittoria entered. Beyond the threshold was absolute mayhem. Angels Demons Chapter 3235 â€Å"Sorry for the slow flight,† the pilot apologized, emerging from the cockpit. â€Å"Had to trim her back. Noise regulations over populated areas.† Langdon checked his watch. They had been airborne thirty-seven minutes. The pilot popped the outer door. â€Å"Anybody want to tell me what’s going on?† Neither Vittoria nor Langdon responded. â€Å"Fine,† he said, stretching. â€Å"I’ll be in the cockpit with the air-conditioning and my music. Just me and Garth.† The late-afternoon sun blazed outside the hangar. Langdon carried his tweed jacket over his shoulder. Vittoria turned her face skyward and inhaled deeply, as if the sun’s rays somehow transferred to her some mystical replenishing energy. Mediterraneans, Langdon mused, already sweating. â€Å"Little old for cartoons, aren’t you?† Vittoria asked, without opening her eyes. â€Å"I’m sorry?† â€Å"Your wristwatch. I saw it on the plane.† Langdon flushed slightly. He was accustomed to having to defend his timepiece. The collector’s edition Mickey Mouse watch had been a childhood gift from his parents. Despite the contorted foolishness of Mickey’s outstretched arms designating the hour, it was the only watch Langdon had ever worn. Waterproof and glow-in-the-dark, it was perfect for swimming laps or walking unlit college paths at night. When Langdon’s students questioned his fashion sense, he told them he wore Mickey as a daily reminder to stay young at heart. â€Å"It’s six o’clock,† he said. Vittoria nodded, eyes still closed. â€Å"I think our ride’s here.† Langdon heard the distant whine, looked up, and felt a sinking feeling. Approaching from the north was a helicopter, slicing low across the runway. Langdon had been on a helicopter once in the Andean Palpa Valley looking at the Nazca sand drawings and had not enjoyed it one bit. A flying shoebox. After a morning of space plane rides, Langdon had hoped the Vatican would send a car. Apparently not. The chopper slowed overhead, hovered a moment, and dropped toward the runway in front of them. The craft was white and carried a coat of arms emblazoned on the side – two skeleton keys crossing a shield and papal crown. He knew the symbol well. It was the traditional seal of the Vatican – the sacred symbol of the Holy See or â€Å"holy seat† of government, the seat being literally the ancient throne of St. Peter. The Holy Chopper, Langdon groaned, watching the craft land. He’d forgotten the Vatican owned one of these things, used for transporting the Pope to the airport, to meetings, or to his summer palace in Gandolfo. Langdon definitely would have preferred a car. The pilot jumped from the cockpit and strode toward them across the tarmac. Now it was Vittoria who looked uneasy. â€Å"That’s our pilot?† Langdon shared her concern. â€Å"To fly, or not to fly. That is the question.† The pilot looked like he was festooned for a Shakespearean melodrama. His puffy tunic was vertically striped in brilliant blue and gold. He wore matching pantaloons and spats. On his feet were black flats that looked like slippers. On top of it all, he wore a black felt beret. â€Å"Traditional Swiss Guard uniforms,† Langdon explained. â€Å"Designed by Michelangelo himself.† As the man drew closer, Langdon winced. â€Å"I admit, not one of Michelangelo’s better efforts.† Despite the man’s garish attire, Langdon could tell the pilot meant business. He moved toward them with all the rigidity and dignity of a U.S. Marine. Langdon had read many times about the rigorous requirements for becoming one of the elite Swiss Guard. Recruited from one of Switzerland’s four Catholic cantons, applicants had to be Swiss males between nineteen and thirty years old, at least 5 feet 6 inches, trained by the Swiss Army, and unmarried. This imperial corps was envied by world governments as the most allegiant and deadly security force in the world. â€Å"You are from CERN?† the guard asked, arriving before them. His voice was steely. â€Å"Yes, sir,† Langdon replied. â€Å"You made remarkable time,† he said, giving the X-33 a mystified stare. He turned to Vittoria. â€Å"Ma’am, do you have any other clothing?† â€Å"I beg your pardon?† He motioned to her legs. â€Å"Short pants are not permitted inside Vatican City.† Langdon glanced down at Vittoria’s legs and frowned. He had forgotten. Vatican City had a strict ban on visible legs above the knee – both male and female. The regulation was a way of showing respect for the sanctity of God’s city. â€Å"This is all I have,† she said. â€Å"We came in a hurry.† The guard nodded, clearly displeased. He turned next to Langdon. â€Å"Are you carrying any weapons?† Weapons? Langdon thought. I’m not even carrying a change of underwear! He shook his head. The officer crouched at Langdon’s feet and began patting him down, starting at his socks. Trusting guy, Langdon thought. The guard’s strong hands moved up Langdon’s legs, coming uncomfortably close to his groin. Finally they moved up to his chest and shoulders. Apparently content Langdon was clean, the guard turned to Vittoria. He ran his eyes up her legs and torso. Vittoria glared. â€Å"Don’t even think about it.† The guard fixed Vittoria with a gaze clearly intended to intimidate. Vittoria did not flinch. â€Å"What’s that?† the guard said, pointing to a faint square bulge in the front pocket of her shorts. Vittoria removed an ultrathin cell phone. The guard took it, clicked it on, waited for a dial tone, and then, apparently satisfied that it was indeed nothing more than a phone, returned it to her. Vittoria slid it back into her pocket. â€Å"Turn around, please,† the guard said. Vittoria obliged, holding her arms out and rotating a full 360 degrees. The guard carefully studied her. Langdon had already decided that Vittoria’s form-fitting shorts and blouse were not bulging anywhere they shouldn’t have been. Apparently the guard came to the same conclusion. â€Å"Thank you. This way please.† The Swiss Guard chopper churned in neutral as Langdon and Vittoria approached. Vittoria boarded first, like a seasoned pro, barely even stooping as she passed beneath the whirling rotors. Langdon held back a moment. â€Å"No chance of a car?† he yelled, half-joking to the Swiss Guard, who was climbing in the pilot’s seat. The man did not answer. Langdon knew that with Rome’s maniacal drivers, flying was probably safer anyway. He took a deep breath and boarded, stooping cautiously as he passed beneath the spinning rotors. As the guard fired up the engines, Vittoria called out, â€Å"Have you located the canister?† The guard glanced over his shoulder, looking confused. â€Å"The what?† â€Å"The canister. You called CERN about a canister?† The man shrugged. â€Å"No idea what you’re talking about. We’ve been very busy today. My commander told me to pick you up. That’s all I know.† Vittoria gave Langdon an unsettled look. â€Å"Buckle up, please,† the pilot said as the engine revved. Langdon reached for his seat belt and strapped himself in. The tiny fuselage seemed to shrink around him. Then with a roar, the craft shot up and banked sharply north toward Rome. Rome†¦ the caput mundi, where Caesar once ruled, where St. Peter was crucified. The cradle of modern civilization. And at its core†¦ a ticking bomb. 33 Rome from the air is a labyrinth – an indecipherable maze of ancient roadways winding around buildings, fountains, and crumbling ruins. The Vatican chopper stayed low in the sky as it sliced northwest through the permanent smog layer coughed up by the congestion below. Langdon gazed down at the mopeds, sight-seeing buses, and armies of miniature Fiat sedans buzzing around rotaries in all directions. Koyaanisqatsi, he thought, recalling the Hopi term for â€Å"life out of balance.† Vittoria sat in silent determination in the seat beside him. The chopper banked hard. His stomach dropping, Langdon gazed farther into the distance. His eyes found the crumbling ruins of the Roman Coliseum. The Coliseum, Langdon had always thought, was one of history’s greatest ironies. Now a dignified symbol for the rise of human culture and civilization, the stadium had been built to host centuries of barbaric events – hungry lions shredding prisoners, armies of slaves battling to the death, gang rapes of exotic women captured from far-off lands, as well as public beheadings and castrations. It was ironic, Langdon thought, or perhaps fitting, that the Coliseum had served as the architectural blueprint for Harvard’s Soldier Field – the football stadium where the ancient traditions of savagery were reenacted every fall†¦ crazed fans screaming for bloodshed as Harvard battled Yale. As the chopper headed north, Langdon spied the Roman Forum – the heart of pre-Christian Rome. The decaying columns looked like toppled gravestones in a cemetery that had somehow avoided being swallowed by the metropolis surrounding it. To the west the wide basin of the Tiber River wound enormous arcs across the city. Even from the air Langdon could tell the water was deep. The churning currents were brown, filled with silt and foam from heavy rains. â€Å"Straight ahead,† the pilot said, climbing higher. Langdon and Vittoria looked out and saw it. Like a mountain parting the morning fog, the colossal dome rose out of the haze before them: St. Peter’s Basilica. â€Å"Now that,† Langdon said to Vittoria, â€Å"is something Michelangelo got right.† Langdon had never seen St. Peter’s from the air. The marble faà §ade blazed like fire in the afternoon sun. Adorned with 140 statues of saints, martyrs, and angels, the Herculean edifice stretched two football fields wide and a staggering six long. The cavernous interior of the basilica had room for over 60,000 worshipers†¦ over one hundred times the population of Vatican City, the smallest country in the world. Incredibly, though, not even a citadel of this magnitude could dwarf the piazza before it. A sprawling expanse of granite, St. Peter’s Square was a staggering open space in the congestion of Rome, like a classical Central Park. In front of the basilica, bordering the vast oval common, 284 columns swept outward in four concentric arcs of diminishing size†¦ an architectural trompe de l’oiel used to heighten the piazza’s sense of grandeur. As he stared at the magnificent shrine before him, Langdon wondered what St. Peter would think if he were here now. The Saint had died a gruesome death, crucified upside down on this very spot. Now he rested in the most sacred of tombs, buried five stories down, directly beneath the central cupola of the basilica. â€Å"Vatican City,† the pilot said, sounding anything but welcoming. Langdon looked out at the towering stone bastions that loomed ahead – impenetrable fortifications surrounding the complex†¦ a strangely earthly defense for a spiritual world of secrets, power, and mystery. â€Å"Look!† Vittoria said suddenly, grabbing Langdon’s arm. She motioned frantically downward toward St. Peter’s Square directly beneath them. Langdon put his face to the window and looked. â€Å"Over there,† she said, pointing. Langdon looked. The rear of the piazza looked like a parking lot crowded with a dozen or so trailer trucks. Huge satellite dishes pointed skyward from the roof of every truck. The dishes were emblazoned with familiar names: Televisor Europea Video Italia BBC United Press International Langdon felt suddenly confused, wondering if the news of the antimatter had already leaked out. Vittoria seemed suddenly tense. â€Å"Why is the press here? What’s going on?† The pilot turned and gave her an odd look over his shoulder. â€Å"What’s going on? You don’t know?† â€Å"No,† she fired back, her accent husky and strong. â€Å"Il Conclavo,† he said. â€Å"It is to be sealed in about an hour. The whole world is watching.† Il Conclavo. The word rang a long moment in Langdon’s ears before dropping like a brick to the pit of his stomach. Il Conclavo. The Vatican Conclave. How could he have forgotten? It had been in the news recently. Fifteen days ago, the Pope, after a tremendously popular twelve-year reign, had passed away. Every paper in the world had carried the story about the Pope’s fatal stroke while sleeping – a sudden and unexpected death many whispered was suspicious. But now, in keeping with the sacred tradition, fifteen days after the death of a Pope, the Vatican was holding Il Conclavo – the sacred ceremony in which the 165 cardinals of the world – the most powerful men in Christendom – gathered in Vatican City to elect the new Pope. Every cardinal on the planet is here today, Langdon thought as the chopper passed over St. Peter’s Basilica. The expansive inner world of Vatican City spread out beneath him. The entire power structure of the Roman Catholic Church is sitting on a time bomb. 34 Cardinal Mortati gazed up at the lavish ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and tried to find a moment of quiet reflection. The frescoed walls echoed with the voices of cardinals from nations around the globe. The men jostled in the candlelit tabernacle, whispering excitedly and consulting with one another in numerous languages, the universal tongues being English, Italian, and Spanish. The light in the chapel was usually sublime – long rays of tinted sun slicing through the darkness like rays from heaven – but not today. As was the custom, all of the chapel’s windows had been covered in black velvet in the name of secrecy. This ensured that no one on the inside could send signals or communicate in any way with the outside world. The result was a profound darkness lit only by candles†¦ a shimmering radiance that seemed to purify everyone it touched, making them all ghostly†¦ like saints. What privilege, Mortati thought, that I am to oversee this sanctified event. Cardinals over eighty years of age were too old to be eligible for election and did not attend conclave, but at seventy-nine years old, Mortati was the most senior cardinal here and had been appointed to oversee the proceedings. Following tradition, the cardinals gathered here two hours before conclave to catch up with friends and engage in last-minute discussion. At 7 P.M., the late Pope’s chamberlain would arrive, give opening prayer, and then leave. Then the Swiss Guard would seal the doors and lock all the cardinals inside. It was then that the oldest and most secretive political ritual in the world would begin. The cardinals would not be released until they decided who among them would be the next Pope. Conclave. Even the name was secretive. â€Å"Con clave† literally meant â€Å"locked with a key.† The cardinals were permitted no contact whatsoever with the outside world. No phone calls. No messages. No whispers through doorways. Conclave was a vacuum, not to be influenced by anything in the outside world. This would ensure that the cardinals kept Solum Dum prae oculis†¦ only God before their eyes. Outside the walls of the chapel, of course, the media watched and waited, speculating as to which of the cardinals would become the ruler of one billion Catholics worldwide. Conclaves created an intense, politically charged atmosphere, and over the centuries they had turned deadly: poisonings, fist fights, and even murder had erupted within the sacred walls. Ancient history, Mortati thought. Tonight’s conclave will be unified, blissful, and above all†¦ brief. Or at least that had been his speculation. Now, however, an unexpected development had emerged. Mystifyingly, four cardinals were absent from the chapel. Mortati knew that all the exits to Vatican City were guarded, and the missing cardinals could not have gone far, but still, with less than an hour before opening prayer, he was feeling disconcerted. After all, the four missing men were no ordinary cardinals. They were the cardinals. The chosen four. As overseer of the conclave, Mortati had already sent word through the proper channels to the Swiss Guard alerting them to the cardinals’ absence. He had yet to hear back. Other cardinals had now noticed the puzzling absence. The anxious whispers had begun. Of all cardinals, these four should be on time! Cardinal Mortati was starting to fear it might be a long evening after all. He had no idea. 35 The Vatican’s helipad, for reasons of safety and noise control, is located in the northwest tip of Vatican City, as far from St. Peter’s Basilica as possible. â€Å"Terra firma,† the pilot announced as they touched down. He exited and opened the sliding door for Langdon and Vittoria. Langdon descended from the craft and turned to help Vittoria, but she had already dropped effortlessly to the ground. Every muscle in her body seemed tuned to one objective – finding the antimatter before it left a horrific legacy. After stretching a reflective sun tarp across the cockpit window, the pilot ushered them to an oversized electric golf cart waiting near the helipad. The cart whisked them silently alongside the country’s western border – a fifty-foot-tall cement bulwark thick enough to ward off attacks even by tanks. Lining the interior of the wall, posted at fifty-meter intervals, Swiss Guards stood at attention, surveying the interior of the grounds. The cart turned sharply right onto Via della Osservatorio. Signs pointed in all directions: Palazzio Governatorio Collegio Ethiopiana Basilica San Pietro Capella Sistina They accelerated up the manicured road past a squat building marked Radio Vaticana. This, Langdon realized to his amazement, was the hub of the world’s most listened-to radio programming – Radio Vaticana – spreading the word of God to millions of listeners around the globe. â€Å"Attenzione,† the pilot said, turning sharply into a rotary. As the cart wound round, Langdon could barely believe the sight now coming into view. Giardini Vaticani, he thought. The heart of Vatican City. Directly ahead rose the rear of St. Peter’s Basilica, a view, Langdon realized, most people never saw. To the right loomed the Palace of the Tribunal, the lush papal residence rivaled only by Versailles in its baroque embellishment. The severe-looking Governatorato building was now behind them, housing Vatican City’s administration. And up ahead on the left, the massive rectangular edifice of the Vatican Museum. Langdon knew there would be no time for a museum visit this trip. â€Å"Where is everyone?† Vittoria asked, surveying the deserted lawns and walkways. The guard checked his black, military-style chronograph – an odd anachronism beneath his puffy sleeve. â€Å"The cardinals are convened in the Sistine Chapel. Conclave begins in a little under an hour.† Langdon nodded, vaguely recalling that before conclave the cardinals spent two hours inside the Sistine Chapel in quiet reflection and visitations with their fellow cardinals from around the globe. The time was meant to renew old friendships among the cardinals and facilitate a less heated election process. â€Å"And the rest of the residents and staff?† â€Å"Banned from the city for secrecy and security until the conclave concludes.† â€Å"And when does it conclude?† The guard shrugged. â€Å"God only knows.† The words sounded oddly literal. After parking the cart on the wide lawn directly behind St. Peter’s Basilica, the guard escorted Langdon and Vittoria up a stone escarpment to a marble plaza off the back of the basilica. Crossing the plaza, they approached the rear wall of the basilica and followed it through a triangular courtyard, across Via Belvedere, and into a series of buildings closely huddled together. Langdon’s art history had taught him enough Italian to pick out signs for the Vatican Printing Office, the Tapestry Restoration Lab, Post Office Management, and the Church of St. Ann. They crossed another small square and arrived at their destination. The Office of the Swiss Guard is housed adjacent to Il Corpo di Vigilanza, directly northeast of St. Peter’s Basilica. The office is a squat, stone building. On either side of the entrance, like two stone statues, stood a pair of guards. Langdon had to admit, these guards did not look quite so comical. Although they also wore the blue and gold uniform, each wielded the traditional â€Å"Vatican long sword† – an eight-foot spear with a razor-sharp scythe – rumored to have decapitated countless Muslims while defending the Christian crusaders in the fifteenth century. As Langdon and Vittoria approached, the two guards stepped forward, crossing their long swords, blocking the entrance. One looked up at the pilot in confusion. â€Å"I pantaloni,† he said, motioning to Vittoria’s shorts. The pilot waved them off. â€Å"Il comandante vuole vederli subito.† The guards frowned. Reluctantly they stepped aside. Inside, the air was cool. It looked nothing like the administrative security offices Langdon would have imagined. Ornate and impeccably furnished, the hallways contained paintings Langdon was certain any museum worldwide would gladly have featured in its main gallery. The pilot pointed down a steep set of stairs. â€Å"Down, please.† Langdon and Vittoria followed the white marble treads as they descended between a gauntlet of nude male sculptures. Each statue wore a fig leaf that was lighter in color than the rest of the body. The Great Castration, Langdon thought. It was one of the most horrific tragedies in Renaissance art. In 1857, Pope Pius IX decided that the accurate representation of the male form might incite lust inside the Vatican. So he got a chisel and mallet and hacked off the genitalia of every single male statue inside Vatican City. He defaced works by Michelangelo, Bramante, and Bernini. Plaster fig leaves were used to patch the damage. Hundreds of sculptures had been emasculated. Langdon had often wondered if there was a huge crate of stone penises someplace. â€Å"Here,† the guard announced. They reached the bottom of the stairs and dead-ended at a heavy, steel door. The guard typed an entry code, and the door slid open. Langdon and Vittoria entered. Beyond the threshold was absolute mayhem.

International Hospitality Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

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Editorial portrait Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Editorial portrait - Essay Example This is determined by indoor or outdoor situations where the approach is to light the interior and subject and calculate the exposure based on the interior and exterior lighting. A perfect example is the work of Art P Suwansang on the bridal image with outdoor lighting. This enables the photographer to take perfect photos valid for editorial portrait (Rand & Meyer, 125). The beauty of an editorial portrait is also determined by the wardrobe of the correspondents. This implies that clothes are essential factor in setting the scene and outlining hidden information behind the portrait. Many viewers and readers determine the feel of the portrait using clothes worn by correspondents. It places a subject in specific time to match the situation and motive of the portrait. For instance, renowned photographer Anna Williams believes that having the best wardrobe combination is a perfect idea in photography. That is why shirt or any piece of clothing may inspire viewers and readers in a photo. At the same time, a black leather jacket may inspire a rebel without cause themed shoot (Garret 1). Props also play an important role in telling a story in editorial portraits. An individual can use props to accentuate their message to their viewers and readers. According to Benning Arjan, a popular photographer, taking portraits entails gathering simple objects. When taking pictures, photographers should incorporate an interesting chair, an old clock or unique pair of glass to inspire an entire shoot. Keep the props in mind to fit the concept that has been developed for an entire shoot (Adler, 9). In conclusion, it is evident that environment, wardrobe and props are essential factors in creating a perfect editorial portrait. The photographers should be cautious in the entire shoot in order to come up with an interesting and fascinating picture for the readers and

Food Globalization in China Essay Example for Free

Food Globalization in China Essay In most Chinese traditional families, family members would sit around the dining table and dine together. Everyone would talk about the day and bond as a family. Usually, it would be the mother who would buy groceries after work and return home to cook for the family. Sometimes, the father, the children or even the grandparents would help out in the kitchen. The mother of the family would always consider the nutrition, thus for every dish, it would be well-prepared, making sure that every family member would not have any health problems, such as getting sick or malnutrition. This was what a Chinese traditional family would be like in the past where fast food restaurants and â€Å"instant† food were scarce. Today’s Chinese family has altered tremendously. Purchasing meals at fast food restaurants is such an easy task compared to the loads of work and preparation for cooking at home. As a result, a mother has lost her chance to increase her energy expenditure that she would have spent on traveling to the grocery store, choosing and purchasing items, and returning home to cook. In addition, the bonding time for the family has decreased due to lack of interactions such as cooking and dining together. Instead, a mother has found other ways to provide food for the family. She would often go straight to a nearby fast food chain, make a take-away order or purchase instant French fries or noodles from a nearby supermarket. Likewise, compared to the traditional way of Chinese dinners, where families sit around a table of different dishes, fast food menus are mostly set for individuals, the amount of time that a family spends together is again decreased, and this unhealthy diet may slowly lead to unpredicted illnesses. In a matter of time, whether you are sitting in a restaurant or walking along the shopping districts of Shanghai, you look around and you could see humongous people with waist like pillars, arms that looks like thighs and thighs that rub against each other when they walk, one hand holding a cup of Pepsi and the other feeding themselves with McDonald’s cheese burger. There will be no more people with wrinkles and white hair. The life expectancy has dropped to fifty. This is not an illusion but an anticipated look of the future: The Fat China. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, globalization is the development of an increasingly integrated global economy, which is marked by the increase in cross-border flows of goods, services, money, people, information and culture. It brings the world together by spreading different ideas, making foreign products easier to access, speeding up the pace of life, and increasing the understanding around us. Most countries welcome the rush of globalization, which symbolizes advancements. However, the negative consequences on Chinese culture are deniable and are not worth the consequences. Food globalization is spreading through the world’s diverse cultures in the form of fast food restaurants, high-caloric beverages, supermarkets supplying instant food and high-caloric imported products, and culture changes that affect family bonding time. These changes have resulted in unhealthy diets, a decrease of energy expenditure, and illnesses such as obesity. Food globalization is causing a negative effect in China. Since the 1980s, China’s openness has led to the growth of foreign fast food chains in China. Coca-cola, Starbucks, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Hà ¤agen-Daz, Dunkin’ Donuts, Baskin-Robbins, Pepsi, DQ, Pizzahut, Papa John’s and Mcdonald’s can be found almost everywhere in China (Popkin). According to Wen Dale, a member of the International Forum on Globalization, McDonald’s alone has opened up to at least 235 restaurants in China, excluding 158 Mcdonald’s franchises in Hong Kong. Every time when I go by McDonald’s in China, I can see the long lines of people, waiting for their turn to purchase the high-caloric food. When I visited Hangzhou (a city next to Shanghai) at the age of six, I already saw many KFCs around Hangzhou. Today’s Hangzhou is way different compared to twelve years ago, it is more modernized, and at the same time, it is crowded with fast food restaurants. In the shopping district of Hangzhou, there are not only Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton but also McDonald’s, Pizzahut, Hà ¤agen-Dazs, Dunkin’ Donuts, Baskin-Robbins, Papa John’s, Starbucks and many other fast food chains. Globalization brought westernization, prosperity into China as well as fast food chains. According to A.Michelle Mendez, a nutritional epidemiologist who received her master’s in epidemiology at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, supermarkets, for example, have â€Å"accounted for 48 percent of the urban food markets in China, an increase beyond the 30 percent level in 1999†. With this increase of urban food markets in China, the traditional markets that provide fresh and unprocessed products has started to decline, leading to a higher consumption of processed food. Furthermore, these urban food markets are not only found in large cities but also in poorer areas. (Mendez) The growing presence of Carrefour and Metro that imports foreign products brought giant stores that offer a wide variety of high caloric snacks and soft drinks, increasing the availability of unhealthy products. For example, the direct imports of French fries from the United States has increased tenfold between 1995 and 1999 (Mendez). Food globalization that increased the number of foreign investments produces negative changes to the Chinese Cultures (Dale). Globalization has brought large foreign supermarket firms and fast food chains into China. All of these has resulted in lifestyle changes which include a shift from natural-homemade food and beverages consumed to processed ones, a higher consumption of foreign food, a driving dietary change, an increase intake of caloric sweeteners, a reduced food preparation time and an increase in intake of pre-cooked foods. These led to an increase in obesity rate in China. For foreign food chains to produce large amount of ingredients and products and ship them all the way across the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, unhealthy chemicals are often added during production. The contemporary world is characterized by â€Å"an intense, continuous, comprehensive interplay between the indigenous and the imported†. (Jackson) This is demonstrated through the importing and exporting of fast food ingredients. According to John Andrew, a citizen journalist, these chemicals are sometimes known as â€Å"food additives† and not all food additives used are foods. Instead, they are â€Å"chemical that are generally recognized as safe† (Andrew). Almost all of these additives are nowhere to be found in a local supermarket, instead, some are found in â€Å"inedible products like tox antifreeze, silicone caulk, soap, sunscreen and play sand† (Andrew). As reported by Riddhi Shah, a writer for the website Salon, Sally Davies, a New York photographer started a â€Å"part-art, part-food† science experiment. Davies documented a McDonald’s Happy Meal every few days until it spoiled. Even at day 137, â€Å"the meal still looks pretty great† (Shah). After reading this experiment, how would people still feel safe and happy consuming these â€Å"Happy Meals†? Consuming foods with chemicals or food additives may damage long-term health. Globalization brought changes that I have personally encountered. In 2007, the number of foreign franchises in China could be counted with ten fingers. There were only a few Starbucks and McDonald’s opened their first outlet near the downtown Wulin Square, the shopping district in Hangzhou. However, after only three years, the number of Starbucks has quadrupled. Today, there are at least eight Starbucks in Hangzhou compared to the only one less than five years ago. Because Starbucks is present everywhere, it is easy for individuals to grab a cup of Caramel Frappuccino (which is about 430 calories) whenever passing by. This availability has brought about a rush of coffee addicts in China as well as weight gains. Likewise, the newly opened Starbucks near Hangzhou International School where I attended high school attracts many students and faculty daily. This situation also happens to the McDonald’s near the school. The increase in availability has caused a tremendous increase in junk food consumption among the staff and students. It is easy for students and faculty to grab a coffee, or a muffin before or after school. In most countries, especially the United States, Asians are often stereotyped as skinny. However, this perception will have to be altered in the coming decade. In the past, malnutrition has been the main health problem in China. According to James. A Levine, a professor of Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, more than 60 million people have become obese in China (Levine). The data presents 23 percent of Chinese population is overweight. 12 percent adults and 8 percent children have obesity (Levine). The more serious problem is that Levine has predicted by 2020, the obesity population in China will exceed that of the United States. The Chinese population is one of the largest in the world and if as predicted by Levine, the Chinese obesity rate rises, the whole world will be affected by this change. Misra points out â€Å"that the obesity and the metabolic syndrome are immediate cursors of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease†, thus as China’s obesity rate increases, the well being of the Chinese population is evidently threatened. The increase in obesity rate will lead to maladaptive consequences such as an increase in other illnesses, and these studies provide a strong correlation with the growing of foreign fast food chains. Consequently, the increase of foreign fast food chains has affected everyone living in China. Easy accessibility to these restaurants and supermarkets reduces Chinese’s physical activity and labor intensity in both the urban and rural areas (Jackson). This increase number of foreign supermarkets has also resulted in a rise in the average intake of vegetable oil from â€Å"14.8 grams per person in 1989 to 35.1 grams per person in 2004, adding an extra 183 kcal to the population’s daily diet† (Popkin) (see table 1). In table 1, the availability for consumption of total calories has been going upslope since the 1961 and has no inclination of slowing down. Thus, these changes result in an increase in Chinese adults’ consumption on high-fat which rose from 33 percent to 60.8 percent in urban areas and 13.5 percent to 29.3 percent in rural areas (Mendez). Table 1 Regional Trends in Availability for Consumption of Total Calories, 1961-2000†¨Source: Misra, Anoop and Lokesh Khurana. â€Å"Obesity and the Metabolic Syndrome in Developing Countries†. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2008. Web. 8 November 2011. By switching from Chinese traditional diet to a Western diet, Chinese are consuming goods that are much higher in calories. In a Chinese traditional family, a dinner often included a few dishes of vegetables, a few dishes of meat (normally less than the number of vegetable dishes), a soup, and lastly a bowl of rice for each family member. One or two of the family members freshly cooked all of the food. This kind of traditional dinner included all components of a healthy meal for a well-balanced diet. For centuries, the only beverages Chinese consumed were tea, water, and breast milk after birth. â€Å"Because water has no calories, the human body did not evolve to reduce food intake to compensate for beverage consumption†, thus, adding sugar into new beverages will increase the caloric intake of an individual. (Popkin) Table 2 displays the short history of caloric beverage for humans. From breast milk, water consumption, the human as evolved to consume soda, coffee, juice, liquor and other beverages that contain sugar. Thereby, when people consume any beverage other than water, their total calorie consumption increase (Popkin). Table 2 Remarkably Short History for Caloric Beverages: Might the Absence of Compensation Relate to This Historical Revolution? Source: Popkin, Barry M. â€Å"The World is Fat.† The World is Fat (2008): n. pag. Web. 8 December 2011. The increase in availability of foreign food restaurants has led to a significant decrease of home-prepared food according to Popkin, an â€Å"obvious shift in home-prepared food and home-based meals to ready-to eat meals, often consumed away from home. With this consumption, Chinese are spending less time with their family members and more time outside of their homes. Even though families may eat out at a fast food restaurant together, as the food is served â€Å"fast†,, the social time that an individual spend with his family is still decreased. It is true that food globalization has presented positive effects on Chinese culture, such as the bringing a diverse of cuisines into China, satisfying the Chinese’s curiosity, the increase in their pace of life and the step of taking Chinese a leap forward into the understanding of the outside world. However, the negative consequences, such as the increase in health risks, and the diminishment of traditional culture that come together with food globalization are inevitable and are worth much more of the attention. These negative consequences may not seem worthwhile at this moment but when they do become serious problems, it will be too late to ameliorate. The question that is left for everyone to ponder is that do a higher standard of living, a higher pace of life worth the sacrifice? Work Cited Dale, Wen. â€Å"The Fast Food Invasion†. China Copes with Globalization: (2005): n. pag. Web 14 November 2011. Jackson, Peter. â€Å"Local Consumption Cultures in a Globalizing World†. Royal Geographical Society (2004): n. pag. Web. 13 November 2011.Levine, James A. â€Å"Obesity in China: Causes and Solutions†. Chinese Medical Journal (2007): n. pag. Web. 13 November 2011. Mendez, A. Michelle and M. Popkin. â€Å"Globalization, Urbanization and Nutritional Change In the Developing World†. Globalization of Food Systems in Developing Countries: Impact on Food Security and Nutrition (2004): n. pag. Web. 13 November2011. Popkin, Barry M. â€Å"The World is Fat.† The World is Fat (2008): n. pag. Web. 13 November 2011.Watson, L. James. â€Å"Chinas Big Mac Attack†. Foreign Affairs (2000): n. pag. Web. 12 November 2011. Wong, Seanon. â€Å"Whats In A Dumpling†. University of Chicago (2006): n. pag. Web. 13 November 2011 Wu, Yangfeng. â€Å"Overweight and obesity in China†. BMJ (2006): n. pag. Web. 13 November 2011. Tan, Cheryn. â€Å"Curry Origins and History†. Suite101, 2009. Web. 13 November 2011. Shah, Riddhi. â€Å"The Secret to the Immortality of McDonalds Food†. Salon, 2010. Web. 13 November 2011. Andrew, John. â€Å"Surprise Ingredients in Fast Food†. Natural New, 2010. Web. 13 November 2011. Misra, Anoop and Lokesh Khurana. â€Å"Obesity and the Metabolic Syndrome in Developing Countries†. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2008. Web. 13 November 2011.