The Collapse of Gupta India

The Gupta Empire may have lasted only about 230 years (c. 319–543 CE), but it was characterized by a sophisticated culture with innovative advances in literature, arts, and sciences. Its influence continues to be felt in art, dance, mathematics, and many other fields today, not just in India but across Asia and around the world. Called Indias Golden Age by most scholars, the Gupta Empire was likely founded by a member of a lower Hindu caste called Sri Gupta (240–280 CE). He came from the Vaishya or farmer caste and founded the new dynasty in reaction to abuses by previous princely rulers. The Gupta were ardent Vaishnavas, devotees of Vishnu (the Supreme Being of Truth to the sect) and they ruled as traditional Hindu monarchs. Advances of the Golden Age of Classical India During this Golden Age, India was part of an international trade network which also included other great classical empires of the day, the Han Dynasty in China to the east and the Roman Empire to the west. The famed Chinese pilgrim to India, Fa Hsien (Faxien) noted that Gupta law was exceptionally generous; crimes were punished only with fines. The rulers sponsored advances in science, painting, textiles, architecture, and literature. Gupta artists created marvelous sculptures and paintings, perhaps including the Ajanta caves. The surviving architecture includes palaces and purpose-built temples for both Hindu and Buddhist religions, such as the Parvati Temple at Nachana Kuthara and the Dashavatara Temple at Deogarh in Madhya Pradesh. New forms of music and dance, some of which are still performed today, flourished under Gupta patronage. The emperors also founded free hospitals for their citizens, as well as monasteries and universities. The classical Sanskrit language reached its apogee during this period as well, with poets such as Kalidasa and Dandi. The ancient texts of the Mahabharata and Ramayana were converted into sacred texts and the Vau and Matsya Puranas were composed. Scientific and mathematical advances include the invention of the number zero, Aryabhatas astonishingly accurate calculation of pi as 3.1416, and his equally amazing calculation that the solar year is 365.358 days long. Establishing the Gupta Dynasty In about 320 CE, the chief of a small kingdom called Magadha in southeastern India set out to conquer the neighboring kingdoms of Prayaga and Saketa. He used a combination of military might and marriage alliances to expand his kingdom into an empire. His name was Chandragupta I, and through his conquests he formed the Gupta Empire. Many scholars believe that Chandraguptas family was from the Vaishya caste, which was the third tier out of four in the traditional Hindu caste system. If so, this was a major departure from Hindu tradition, in which the Brahmin priestly caste and the Kshatriya warrior/princely class generally held religious and secular power over the lower castes. In any case, Chandragupta rose from relative obscurity to reunite much of the Indian subcontinent, which had fragmented five centuries earlier after the fall of the Mauryan Empire in 185 BCE. Rulers of the Gupta Dynasty Chandraguptas son, Samudragupta (ruled 335–380 CE), was a brilliant warrior and statesman, sometimes called the Napoleon of India. Samudragupta, however, never faced a Waterloo, and was able to pass on a greatly expanded Gupta Empire to his sons. He extended the empire to the Deccan Plateau in the south, Punjab in the north, and Assam in the east. Samudragupta also was a talented poet and musician. His successor was Ramagupta, an ineffectual ruler, who was soon deposed and assassinated by his brother, Chandragupta II. Chandragupta II (r. 380–415 CE) expanded the empire still further, to its greatest extent. He conquered much of Gujarat in western India. Like his grandfather, Chandragupta II also used marriage alliances to expand the empire, marrying into control of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, and adding the rich provinces of Punjab, Malwa, Rajputana, Saurashtra, and Gujarat. The city of Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh became a second capital for the Gupta Empire, which was based at Pataliputra in the north. Kumaragupta I succeeded his father in 415 and ruled for 40 years. His son, Skandagupta (r. 455–467 CE), is considered the last of the great Gupta rulers. During his reign, the Gupta Empire first faced incursions by the Huns, who would eventually bring down the empire. After him, lesser emperors, including Narasimha Gupta, Kumaragupta II, Buddhagupta, and Vishnugupta, ruled over the decline of the Gupta Empire. Although the late Gupta ruler Narasimhagupta managed to drive the Huns out of northern India in 528 CE, the effort and expense doomed the dynasty. The last recognized emperor of the Gupta Empire was Vishnugupta, who ruled from about 540 until the empire collapsed around 550 CE. Decline and Fall of the Gupta Empire As with the collapses of other classical political systems, the Gupta Empire crumbled under both internal and external pressures. Internally, the Gupta Dynasty grew weak from a number of succession disputes. As the emperors lost power, regional lords gained increasing autonomy. In a sprawling empire with weak leadership, it was easy for rebellions in Gujarat or Bengal to break out, and difficult for the Gupta emperors to put such uprisings down. By 500 CE, many regional princes were declaring their independence and refusing to pay taxes to the central Gupta state. These included the Maukhari Dynasty, who ruled over Uttar Pradesh and Magadha. By the later Gupta era, the government was having trouble collecting enough taxes to fund both its hugely complex bureaucracy and constant wars against foreign invaders like the Pushyamitras and the Huns. In part, this was due to the common peoples dislike of the meddlesome and unwieldy bureaucracy. Even those who felt a personal loyalty to the Gupta Emperor generally disliked his government and were happy to avoid paying for it if they could. Another factor, of course, was the near-constant rebellions among different provinces of the empire. Invasions In addition to internal disputes, the Gupta Empire faced constant threats of invasion from the north. The cost of fighting off these invasions drained the Gupta treasury, and the government had difficulty refilling the coffers. Among the most troublesome of the invaders were the White Huns (or Hunas), who conquered much of the northwestern section of Gupta territory by 500 CE. The Huns initial raids into India were led by a man who is called Toramana or Toraraya in Gupta records; these documents show that his troops began to pick off feudatory states from the Gupta domains around the year 500. In 510 CE, Toramana swooped down into central India and inflicted a decisive defeat at Eran on the Ganges river. The End of the Dynasty The records indicate that Toramanas reputation was strong enough that some princes voluntarily submitted to his rule. However, the records do not specify why the princes submitted: whether it was because he had a reputation as a great military strategist, was a blood-thirsty tyrant, was a better ruler than the Gupta alternatives, or something else. Eventually, this branch of the Huns adopted Hinduism and was assimilated into Indian society. Although none of the invading groups managed to completely overrun the Gupta Empire, the financial hardship of the battles helped hasten the end of the dynasty. Almost unbelievably, the Huns, or their direct ancestors the Xiongnu, had the same effect on two of the other great classical civilizations in earlier centuries: Han China, which collapsed in 221 CE and the Roman Empire, which fell in 476 CE. Sources Agrawal, Ashvini. Rise and Fall of the Imperial Guptas. Motilal Banarsidass Publishers, 1989. Chaurasia, Radhey Sham. History of Ancient India. Atlantic Publishers, 2002.Dwivedi, Gautam N. The Western Limits of the Gupta Empire. Proceedings of the Indian History Congress 34, 1973, pp. 76–79.Goyal, Shankar. Historiography of the Imperial Guptas: Old and New. Annals of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute 77.1/4, 1996, pp. 1–33.Mookerji, Radhakumud. The Gupta Empire. Motilal Banarsidass Publishers, 1989.Prakash, Budha. Last Days of the Gupta Empire. Annals of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute 27.1/2, 1946, pp. 124–41. Vajpeyi, Raghavendra. A Critique of the Huna Invasion Theory. Proceedings of the Indian History Congress 39, 1978, pp. 62–66.

The Future of Renewable Energy and RE Policy Mechanisms

Albert Einstein, the famed physicist, once noted that â€Å"We can’t solve our problems with the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.† Today’s world is faced with the dual threats of climate problems brought on by the use of fossil fuels and the economic challenge caused by the increasing scarcity and demand for those fossil fuels. It is time for society to look beyond the limited and dirty fossil fuels as the energy of choice and promote the use of the abundant renewable energy sources we are endowed with. Because the subsidies to wind and other alternative energies ultimately generate more income than their initial costs and because we continue to subsidize fossil fuels, we should modify governmental tax policy to incentivize†¦show more content†¦manufacturing jobs, even in the depths of the recession, †¦ with over 400 American manufacturing plants now producing †¦ all the major turbine components, towers, and blades† ( awea.org). Investments, stimulated by the PTC, have catalyzed advancements in wind technology, lowering the cost of wind energy installations by 90% since 1990 (Passero 132). With the use of PTC, wind has proven its competitive position relative to traditional fossil fuels and â€Å"provided 26% of all new U.S. electric capacity in 2010 †¦ and over the past four years †¦ more than 35% of all new U.S. electric capacity† (awea.org). With such dramatic growth, is the PTC still necessary? In order for renewable energies to compete with the established fossil fuels, the playing field must be level. â€Å"The Congressional Research Service notes that fossil fuel subsidies are †¦ as old as fossil fuels †¦ and for more than 90 years have taken subsidies via generous tax breaks† (awea.org). One recent attempt to analyze subsidies on all levels pegged â€Å"2006 federal fiscal subsidies for energy at nearly $75 billion, with over 85% of those subsidies g oing to fossil fuels ($49 billion), nuclear energy ($9 billion), and ethanol ($6 billion). The remaining $10 billion in federal subsidies were split between the broad array of renewable energies with wind receiving 3.4%, solar 2.8%, and hydroelectric 2.2%.† The massive subsidies to fossil fuels originate primarily fromShow MoreRelatedTypes Of Re Policies On The Growth Of Renewable Energy Sources And Technologies1710 Words   |  7 PagesChapter 3- Comparison of RE policies This chapter will examine the available literature on policies used to encourage the growth of renewable energy sources and technologies. A wide variety of policies have been introduced around the world with differing levels of success. This chapter will look at some of them and discuss whether Scotland should adopt, intensify or even abandon each one. 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In rural areas predominantly in developing countries, energy application is seen majority in household use as well as certain agricultural activities and the running of small scale enterprises. â€Å"Africa’s energy sector is vital to its future development and yet remains one of the most poorly understood areas within the global energy system† (IEA, 2014). Ghana is often consideredRead MoreEssay On Carbon Credit1630 Words   |  7 Pagesusually bought and sold at international market. The Multi- Commodity Exchange of India (MCX) will soon become the third exchange in the world to trade Carbon Credits. developed countries can also provide clean electricity by introducing latest renewable technologies in the form of solar, wind to developing countries and get Carbon Credits in return. There are no complex procedures for this system which increases the system stable and more successful. Asian countries like India, China are biggestRead MoreThe Renewable Energy Technology Innovation Essay2267 Words   |  10 Pageshumans have inflicted on earth: renewable energies. This paper will discuss the renewable energy technology innovation required to mitigate climate c hange. There are five main areas of renewable energy I discuss in this paper. In the first section discusses the potential for renewable energy technology. The second section outlines some of the main scenarios that illustrate future use of energy. The third section explores the economic potential of renewable energy. The last two sections compare theRead MoreThe Indian Solar Pv Market10243 Words   |  41 Pagesat rates lower than those offered by domestic banks. Coupled with the falling cost of solar modules, this low-cost financing strengthened the industry by contributing to an impressive drop in the cost of solar energy even as new capacity was added. The viability gap funding (VGF) mechanism employed in the first batch of NSM Phase 2 projects in 2014 allows developers to bid for additional upfront capital required to make the project financially viable at a tariff of Rs 5.45/ kWh. Utilizing a reverseRead MoreModern Lifestyle Is Completely Dependent On Reliable Energy Supply2116 Words   |  9 PagesModern lifestyle is completely dependent on reliable energy supply. We cannot imagine world, its further development and constant economic growth without security of energy supply. But new reserves of fossil fuels are becoming more difficult to find, what makes energy industry to invest in and use unconventional resources such as shale gas and oil sands. Prices of oil, gas and energy itself will get higher but the demand of energy does not seem to decrease. What is more, the European Union hence

Hypocrites by Imani Coppola free essay sample

It’s unfair that every review of anything Imani Coppola has ever recorded starts off with a mention of her sole, two-decade-old hit â€Å"Legend of a Cowgirl.† She’s come so far lyrically and musically since then. Still a teenager when she scored her 15 minutes of fame, Coppola won over a small fan-base with â€Å"Legend† and its parent album, 1997’s â€Å"Chupacabra,† which is best described as a set of cheeky short stories set to sample-happy hip-hop arrangements. Two decades later, Coppola is still making music, albeit for a smaller audience. Her latest release, â€Å"Hypocrites,† was crowdfunded via PledgeMusic and dropped this past summer. Not only is it among her timeliest records – it’s loosely a concept album mocking technology and hipsters – but it’s also among her best. Gone are the days of ’60s sampling and tales of cartoonish alter egos. In their place are wry commentary on our tech obsess ion and idiosyncrasies. We will write a custom essay sample on Hypocrites by Imani Coppola or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page For this record, her twelfth, technology replaces racism and the work world as her #1 enemy. On â€Å"Facetime Continuum,† she plays the role of a techie who unplugs her boyfriend’s life support so that she can charge her iPhone; the Auto-Tune, though it has destroyed many a song, works well in this context: it evokes T-Pain and adds to the song’s technological focus. â€Å"Swipe,† meanwhile, employs the same Auto-Tune while mocking many of the cliches Coppola has noticed on Tinder: â€Å"Take me on your boat/I wanna ski down your slippery slope,† she mockingly begs, knowing full well that those images are selected solely to impress viewers. Unfortunately, the novelty of the Auto-Tune wears off, so by its third and fourth appearances, it’s more grating than entertaining. For one thing, it often makes Coppola’s vocals difficult to decipher, which is a real shame, given that her lyrics are so often amusing and insightful. Additionally, as the album winds to a close, many of the songs feel interchangeable with their tinny production. Not even a sample of the â€Å"Ghostbusters† theme can pull â€Å"Like You Didn’t Know† (a diatribe apparently directed at Coppola’s cat) from the Auto-Tune wreckage. It’s no coincidence, then, that the highlights are the songs on which she foregoes the Auto-Tune for an approach that, while not exactly stripped-down, is infinitely more listenable. The best track is â€Å"Mixed Nut,† on which Coppola mocks hipsters while commenting on her own multiracial origins. It makes â€Å"#Selfie† sound tame by comparison: â€Å"I talk in upspeak, so it sounds like I’m asking a question †¦ even when I’m not.† â€Å"Just Feels Good,† another standout, successfully navigates the fine line between a feel-good song and an irritating earworm. Its lyrics (â€Å"The sunshine’s feelin’ my vibe/I got sunglasses on, my happy face†) are simplistic, to be sure, but the song possesses the self-awareness and restraint needed to make it palatable. Despite the fact that the album occasionally veers to the overly conceptual – from the Auto-Tune to the incessant heckling of hipsters – it’s a fun listen nonetheless, and one of the better records in her discography. At best, the album will make you think; at the very least, it will make you chuckle.

The Unexpected Essays (1201 words) - 9, , Term Papers

The Unexpected by It was a Saturday morning, and I thought it would be a good time to go to the beach with my friends since I had nothing to do for the rest of the week. So I decided to call my best friend Sarah to see if she wanted to drive with me down to the beach Unfortunately, she had a wedding to go to, so she was not able to make it. I was a little disappointed, but I decided to go to the beach by myself. I left home at 3:30 p.m. and arrived at 5:00 p.m. to the beach house. Everything looked the same wa as it did last summer when I came with my sister. The only difference was now I was alone, and that was little scary. The next morning I went to one of my favorite cafes The Italian Coffee. This Cafe held good memories since last summer I worked there. The owners Mr. Roger and Mrs. Roger told me that a job was available if I wanted to work. I thanked them, but e lained that I had other plans for the summer. I told them that the restaurant looked great since it had been renovated. It was very noisy and crowded, yet it had a wonderful atmosphere that customers like. Perhaps, it was the Italian music and the w derful smell of fresh coffee that attracted them. Suddenly a lady came over to my table and asked, '' How are you, Raquel?'' I told her, '' I'm sorry Maam I don't recognize you!. She replied, ''Oooh, Raquel , I'm Elizabeth's aunt''. I said, ''Of course, excuse me''. We started talking about h the place was crowded, and she told me that she had to meet a friend here, but she had not shown up. I told her that it was nice seeing here, but I was expecting a call and I had to go. She promised me she was going to tell Elizabeth to call me so w could get together for lunch soon. When I got home to check the answering machine, the telephone rang. It was mom. She said that Sarah was planning to come Monday, and if I needed anything to give her a call. I thanked her and said,'' You are not going to believe where I just came fr ?. She quickly replied, ''Don't even ask it '' The Italian Coffee''. '' You are right '' I giggled. '' The Rogers are doing great, working like crazy trying to make everything perfect '', I added. She said, '' Honey, I'll give you a call Friday n ht OK!. Good bye!''. So far my day was going great. I sat down and watched MTV. It was a re-run of '' The Real World''. I quickly fell asleep on the couch for two hours and was awakened by the door bell. It was Claudia Roger explaining that her mother had told her that was in town, so she decided to drop by. I told her , '' I'm glad you came by. Are you doing anything for lunch?''. When Claudia told me that she was available, we decided to go to the Dixie to get a cheese burger. On the way to the Dixie , we made a quick stoop by the shoe store to ask Mr. Edwards to tell his daughter that I was going to meet her at 5 o'clock so we could play volley ball with my friends. Mr. Edwards was concerned because he had eard rumors about a kidnapper in town. Since Elizabeth and I were running late , we didn't really pay munch attention to what he was saying. When we got home, Claudia left to go to work. Feeling in the mood for going to the beach, I packed all my th gs and drove there. When I got to the beach I couldn't find my friends, so I grabbed a magazine and all of the sudden felt asleep. Waking from my nap, I had a premonition that something bad was going to happen. I went back to the shoe store in the mall to tell Mr. Edwa s that I didn't see his daughter down at the beach. He didn't know where she was either. He became hysterical and decided to

buy custom The Impact of Education in Our Lives essay

buy custom The Impact of Education in Our Lives essay 1.0 Introduction In the recent past education has being considered as a basic necessity in molding both character and professionals in specific fields. Burbules and Torres (2000), note that the value of education has attracted global attention with most states heavily investing in educational facilities to enhance the quality of education. This is because the positive impact of education in peoples lifestyles is evident. Burbules (2000) further notes that the value of education in peoples lifestyles is what sets them apart from animals. The impact of education in peoples lifestyles is evident in from the manner they think, solve problems, and socialize with others and the character they exhibit. Education remains a key player in determining ones future success. These positive impacts of education in ones lifestyle are what interest me, because it gives hope to our future. It transforms both the economic and social status picture into something remarkable with positive results in ones lifestyles (Preece, 2006). Education has facilitated creativity and innovation al with the aim of improving our living conditions. Eaxleee (2008), observes that education is crucial in our lifestyles today. He notes that in addition to the above mentioned importance, education has the following impacts in our lives. It increases our wisdom Helps us adapt change It leads to an enriching life of self fulfillment Fosters change and development Reports in the conversations and literature with most adult students and professionals depict the fact that education is valued and has had great positive impacts on many individuals. Research carried out by Dr. West in 2009 indicate that most professionals attribute their success to their educational backgrounds such as early involvement in leadership, and the ability of education to widen their minds. This paper aims at establishing the positive impacts on education in our lives. The paper will also focus on the manner in which education changes ones way thinking and solving problems with special emphasis on the future impacts of education to our lifestyles. The paper will apply qualitative research method in attaining these objectives because it is easy to understand and cheap to apply. Therefore, the impacts of education in our lives will be appropriately depicted by the qualitative research method. 2.0 Method A qualitative research approach was applied in this study with the phenomenology theoretical perspective which is common in most qualitative research methods (West, 2009). The phenomenological approach was mainly applied in a quest o understand the underlying value of education to individuals as depicted by the societies they live in. In addition, the context proved to be crucial in interpretation of data collected because this method requires that the researcher be focused on the sense of meaning that others give to their own circumstances and not present his personal views. This method was found to be suitable in these circumstances mainly because it affirmed the importance of the interviewees perspectives and the manner in which they view this topic (West, 2009). Although questions as to the reliability and validity of this method have been raised, it still stands out as the methods which can allow a researcher to objectively carry out a study of the subjective a described by Dr. West, R. in 2009. The qualitative research method applied in this study involved a rigorous process of collecting, analyzing, and revising the conceptions and images of interviewees. My orientation in this research remained crcial to the success of this study and it remained a privilege to be an observer. My interviewees were composed of graduates who has just finished colleges were still green in the career fields and professionals with varsity experience in the field of law, medicine and engineering. This is because such people have experienced life and have knowledge on the positive impacts that education is likely to have on their lifestyles. These groups of interviewees are also likely to open up and say exactly what they feel about my research questions because they have gone through enough experiences in life. These interviewees were recruited from departmental offices within an oil company and a national hospital. The data I collected through this method included words, vocal and facial expressions, feelings, attitudes and other sort of behaviors involved. The data was stored inform of field notes from the observations I made and interview transcripts which helped facilitate the success of the rigorous analysis I did on my research question. The process I engaged throughout the study-included collection, analysis and coding of the study as depicted in most qualitative research methods (West, 2009). The blending of these the processes encouraged flexibility which proved to be an essential ingredient all through my study because it enabled me acquire more information and appropriately analyze the data that was relevant to my study. West (2009) asserts that many scholars have acknowledged the importance of qualitative methods in the fields of education and its impacts to our lifestyles. He notes Rubenson (1999) and Mezirow (1975) as some of these scholars. Apparently, there seems to exist a call for descriptive studies as to the importance of education in individual lifestyles. Rubenson (1999) acknowledged the importance of studying depth interviews to the emerging debate on the impact of education in our lifestyles. Mezirow (1975) stressed that qualitative studies capture the richness of living encompassed with the fullness of experience. He encouraged the application of qualitative analysis as a means of testing both theories and assumptions. These crucial perspectives provided by qualitative researchers created the foundation for my personal research methodology. 3.0 Research Procedures and Design Following the observations and assumptions made above, the qualitative study of the lifestyles of graduates and professionals was proposed which applied semi-structured interviews as the basic research approach. The research began with unstructured questions such as How has education changed your lifestyles? Often, there was only a n occasional question from me for the purposes of clarification. I managed to carry out 30 interviews scheduled that were scheduled between January 4th and April, 8th 2011. A total of 5 three interviews were carried each week with the last two weeks being used to analyze the obtained data so as to understand my research findings. All interviews carried out were tape recorded and accompanied by relevant hard copies of the interviews. The interviews were open-ended and followed a conversational style. It approximately took 45 minutes for each interview. I also took down field notes in relevance to the interviews and included the observations I made and my casual encounters with my interviewees. I also prepared memoranda of each particular taped interview. In addition to the interviews, I also acquired some data that include comments made teaching and administrative colleagues, papers and other secondary sources that gave me an ongoing literaature review about this particular topic. Finally, I entered all the taped interviews, field notes, and memoranda into computer files. I applied the Ethnographer, which is a software used in coding files into organized themes and topics to systematically arrange the files for easy future access and references. A scheme of letters and numbers was applied in designating major categories and subcategories to make the data more clear and easy to understand. I also ensured that hard copies were made available. I am optimistic that the data analyzed will continue being of great importance for future references. The script below shows part of the interview that I conducted with the Saudi Aramco Oil company field engineer called Qui Ching. Qtn. Why do you think education is important? Ans. Education shapes character and help model persons into reputable individuals in the society. It is therefore important. Qtn. How did your educational background shape you to who you are today? Ans. My educational background helped me get conversant with my societal norms and it helped mould my character to suit the society in which I live in. It made me conversant with my cultures and religions that are reflected in the moral values I uphold today. Qtn. Do you think education has greatly influenced your lifestyle? Ans. Apparently, it has. Education is what has seen me through my career. It gave me the basic life and professionals skills that I apply in my professional life today. Trough these skills am able to earn a living! Qtn. How has education affected your social life? Ans. The leadership skills I acquired throughout my study life have seen me through the corporate management ladder because they positively influence the manner in which I socialize with colleagues and address problems. 4.0 Results and Discussions After analyzing the field data obtained, it was evident that education has played a crucial role in molding individual characters. As one of the interviewees put it when asked why education is important he explained, Educations plays an important role in shaping character Faure (2003), asserts that education is important in our daily lifestyles because it shapes character by widening ones mind, magnifying our wisdom and changing ones way of thinking and interpreting life problems. It was also seen that education greatly contributes into building successful careers that earn a way of living for many individuals. When an interviewee who was a lawyer was asked the question as to how his education background had shaped him to who he was today, he was quick to note that education equipped him with the necessary skills to make rational judgments and relevant decisions in life and this is reflected by his career as a lawyer. Many scholars have attributed the success of competent professionals to quality educational backgrounds (Preece, 2006). For instance, lawyers from universities such as Harvard are seen as competent enough compared to their colleagues from Brooks law school. From the research, education was also seen as being pivotal to economic development and social restructuring. This was reflected by the answers given by most interviewees when they were asked what they thought was the importance of education to an individuals future success. Most of them were of the pinion that quality education trigger development in a nation. This is also attributed in the works of Preece (20006) that associates quality education with the Americas economic success. Buy custom The Impact of Education in Our Lives essay buy custom The Impact of Education in Our Lives essay 1.0 Introduction In the recent past education has being considered as a basic necessity in molding both character and professionals in specific fields. Burbules and Torres (2000), note that the value of education has attracted global attention with most states heavily investing in educational facilities to enhance the quality of education. This is because the positive impact of education in peoples lifestyles is evident. Burbules (2000) further notes that the value of education in peoples lifestyles is what sets them apart from animals. The impact of education in peoples lifestyles is evident in from the manner they think, solve problems, and socialize with others and the character they exhibit. Education remains a key player in determining ones future success. These positive impacts of education in ones lifestyle are what interest me, because it gives hope to our future. It transforms both the economic and social status picture into something remarkable with positive results in ones lifestyles (Preece, 2006). Education has facilitated creativity and innovation al with the aim of improving our living conditions. Eaxleee (2008), observes that education is crucial in our lifestyles today. He notes that in addition to the above mentioned importance, education has the following impacts in our lives. It increases our wisdom Helps us adapt change It leads to an enriching life of self fulfillment Fosters change and development Reports in the conversations and literature with most adult students and professionals depict the fact that education is valued and has had great positive impacts on many individuals. Research carried out by Dr. West in 2009 indicate that most professionals attribute their success to their educational backgrounds such as early involvement in leadership, and the ability of education to widen their minds. This paper aims at establishing the positive impacts on education in our lives. The paper will also focus on the manner in which education changes ones way thinking and solving problems with special emphasis on the future impacts of education to our lifestyles. The paper will apply qualitative research method in attaining these objectives because it is easy to understand and cheap to apply. Therefore, the impacts of education in our lives will be appropriately depicted by the qualitative research method. 2.0 Method A qualitative research approach was applied in this study with the phenomenology theoretical perspective which is common in most qualitative research methods (West, 2009). The phenomenological approach was mainly applied in a quest o understand the underlying value of education to individuals as depicted by the societies they live in. In addition, the context proved to be crucial in interpretation of data collected because this method requires that the researcher be focused on the sense of meaning that others give to their own circumstances and not present his personal views. This method was found to be suitable in these circumstances mainly because it affirmed the importance of the interviewees perspectives and the manner in which they view this topic (West, 2009). Although questions as to the reliability and validity of this method have been raised, it still stands out as the methods which can allow a researcher to objectively carry out a study of the subjective a described by Dr. West, R. in 2009. The qualitative research method applied in this study involved a rigorous process of collecting, analyzing, and revising the conceptions and images of interviewees. My orientation in thi research remained crucial to the success of this study and it remained a privilege to be an observer. My interviewees were composed of graduates who has just finished colleges were still green in the career fields and professionals with varsity experience in the field of law, medicine and engineering. This is because such people have experienced life and have knowledge on the positive impacts that education is likely to have on their lifestyles. These groups of interviewees are also likely to open up and say exactly what they feel about my research questions because they have gone through enough experiences in life. These interviewees were recruited from departmental offices within an oil company and a national hospital. The data I collected through this method included words, vocal and facial expressions, feelings, attitudes and other sort of behaviors involved. The data was stored inform of field notes from the observations I made and interview transcripts which helped facilitate the success of the rigorous analysis I did on my research question. The process I engaged throughout the study-included collection, analysis and coding of the study as depicted in most qualitative research methods (West, 2009). The blending of these the processes encouraged flexibility which proved to be an essential ingredient all through my study because it enabled me acquire more information and appropriately analyze the data that was relevant to my study. West (2009) asserts that many scholars have acknowledged the importance of qualitative methods in the fields of education and its impacts to our lifestyles. He notes Rubenson (1999) and Mezirow (1975) as some of these scholars. Apparently, there seems to exist a call for descriptive studies as to the importance of education in individual lifestyles. Rubenson (1999) acknowledged the importance of studying depth interviews to the emerging debate on the impact of education in our lifestyles. Mezirow (1975) stressed that qualitative studies capture the richness of living encompassed with the fullness of experience. He encouraged the application of qualitative analysis as a means of testing both theories and assumptions. These crucial perspectives provided by qualitative researchers created the foundation for my personal research methodology. 3.0 Research Procedures and Design Following the observations and assumptions made above, the qualitative study of the lifestyles of graduates and professionals was proposed which applied semi-structured interviews as the basic research approach. The research began with unstructured questions such as How has education changed your lifestyles? Often, there was only a n occasional question from me for the purposes of clarification. I managed to carry out 30 interviews scheduled that were scheduled between January 4th and April, 8th 2011. A total of 5 three interviews were carried each week with the last two weeks being used to analyze the obtained data so as to understand my research findings. All interviews carried out were tape recorded and accompanied by relevant hard copies of the interviews. The interviews were open-ended and followed a conversational style. It approximately took 45 minutes for each interview. I also took down field notes in relevance to the interviews and included the observations I made and my casual encounters with my interviewees. I also prepared memoranda of each particular taped interview. In addition to the interviews, I also acquired some data that include comments made teaching and administrative colleagues, papers and other secondary sources that gave me an ongoing literature review about this particular topic. Finally, I entered all the taped interviews, field notes, and memoranda into computer files. I applied the Ethnographer, which is a software used in coding files into organized themes and topics to systematically arrange the files for easy future access and references. A scheme of letters and numbers was applied in designating major categories and subcategories to make the data more clear and easy to understand. I also ensured that hard copies were made available. I am optimistic that the data analyzed will continue being of great importance for future references. The script below shows part of the interview that I conducted with the Saudi Aramco Oil company field engineer called Qui Ching. Qtn. Why do you think education is important? Ans. Education shapes character and help model persons into reputable individuals in the society. It is therefore important. Qtn. How did your educational background shape you to who you are today? Ans. My educational background helped me get conversant with my societal norms and it helped mould my character to suit the society in which I live in. It made me conversant with my cultures and religions that are reflected in the moral values I uphold today. Qtn. Do you think education has greatly influenced your lifestyle? Ans. Apparently, it has. Education is what has seen me through my career. It gave me the basic life and professionals skills that I apply in my professional life today. Trough these skills am able to earn a living! Qtn. How has education affected your social life? Ans. The leadership skills I acquired throughout my study life have seen me through the corporate management ladder because they positively influence the manner in which I socialize with colleagues and address problems. 4.0 Results and Discussions After analyzing the field data obtained, it was evident that education has played a crucial role in molding individual characters. As one of the interviewees put it when asked why education is important he explained, Educations plays an important role in shaping character Faure (2003), asserts that education is important in our daily lifestyles because it shapes character by widening ones mind, magnifying our wisdom and changing ones way of thinking and interpreting life problems. It was also seen that education greatly contributes into building successful careers that earn a way of living for many individuals. When an interviewee who was a lawyer was asked the question as to how his education background had shaped him to who he was today, he was quick to note that education equipped him with the necessary skills to make rational judgments and relevant decisions in life and this is reflected by his career as a lawyer. Many scholars have attributed the success of competent professionals to quality educational backgrounds (Preece, 2006). For instance, lawyers from universities such as Harvard are seen as competent enough compared to their colleagues from Brooks law school. From the research, education was also seen as being pivotal to economic development and social restructuring. This was reflected by the answers given by most interviewees when they were asked what they thought was the importance of education to an individuals future success. Most of them were of the pinion that quality education trigger development in a nation. This is also attributed in the works of Preece (20006) that associates quality education with the Americas economic success. Buy custom The Impact of Education in Our Lives essay

Outline the strategies adopted by the Apple Corporation in the last Essay

Outline the strategies adopted by the Apple Corporation in the last few years which has led to a transformation of the company's fortunes - Essay Example Apple faced several years of stagnation until Jobs was called back as interim CEO in 1997. Before Jobs returned Apple had lost its focus or core competency, offering 15 different products, none of which were in high demand on the computer market. He immediately put together a group of seven board members, including former CEOs from Oracle, Intuit and IBM. Apple implemented several changes under Jobs’ new leadership. Among them were cost control measures, streamlining and reformulating the product line and introduction of new products such as the iPod. After the introduction of the iPod, revenues increased from â€Å"below $10 million to $40 in 2005† (International Center for Market Research 2006). Apple’s diversification into electronics and media, with its online i-tunes store, created renewed interest in the company. Revenues from Mac computers has increased since 2005 as well. The challenge for Apple, Inc. currently is determining what types of products and se rvices will generate greater revenues. Consumers’ electronics and technology needs change over time, as new products appear on the market. Different segments require different product types, based on lifestyle and occupation. For those in creative occupations such as web design, graphics and advertising, Apple’s Macintosh computers with desktop publishing and graphics software are desirable products. For music lovers iPods are more desirable. This is a much larger segment, including several decades of consumers, though the largest portion is likely between the ages of 14 and 21.

Solar Energy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Solar Energy - Essay Example SPV technology have enabled creation of large amounts of energy from solar radiation in addition to the reduction of the costs of purchasing solar PV panels. This technology has various advantages and disadvantages in its use with implications in its future developments as explained in the following sections. The most significant advantage of the solar PV technology is that it produces environmentally friendly form of energy (Solanski, 2009). Solar cells produce silent and clean energy which illustrates the advantage of PV solar systems which do not produce harmful pollutants since they are only fueled by natural sunshine or solar radiation. In this regard, solar systems do not lead to depletion of natural resources and thus prevents endangering of human, animal and plant health (Goetzberger and Hoffmann, 2005). In terms of space, the solar PV systems have an advantage of being installed on rooftops especially in small scale energy production. Furthermore, solar PV systems have a benefit of long life span with limited need for maintenance (Solanski, 2009). Solar energy is also cheap because it is a renewable energy which illustrates that there is no need importation of fuel as it is locally available and free. More importantly, the solar PV technology allows for building of PV systems of any size depending on the energy requirements, whether large scale or small scale and thus these systems are scalable (Energy weekly News, 2012). Whereas the solar PV systems have been described as environmental friendly, it is important to note that there are some toxic elements or chemicals such as arsenic and cadmium which are used during the process of PV energy production. Nonetheless the environmental impact of these chemicals is relatively minor in addition to the fact that they would be controlled or managed through proper disposal and recycling (Solanski, 2009). Additionally, the solar PV technology presents with a disadvantage or significantly high cost of producing