Friday, August 21, 2020
It was the blurst of times
It was the blurst of times Much like my one-time alter-ego Javert, Ive always seen things in a good-and-evil, right-and-wrong, red-and-black kind of way. So, whenever I get a piece of e-mail thats accidentally been replied-to-all, I say to myself, Wow, youre so dumb. How do you even, like, get dressed in the morning when you cant understand how e-mail works? Heck, Im almost ready to give them 19 years on the chain gang just for adding another letter to my already unmanageable inbox. Now, I also have this not-so-secret crush on Pine, the mail client thats used on Athena. I used to only use it when I wanted to check my mail quickly ina computer cluster or something, but lately Webmail has been running incredibly slowly for me, so Ive taken to opening it up through computers in my lab via athena.dialup.mit.edu. Its just so easy to usetype D when you want to delete something, C to compose, X to expunge (oh yeah). No messy clicking involved with Pine I can go through spam in like a third of the time of webmail. When you want to reply to e-mail, you have to hit R. It then asks you Reply to all recipients? and Include original message in reply? You have to answer these with either Y or N. And you have to be careful, or else this happens: I guess there are worse things I could e-mail my entire 10.28 class the fact that my talk will be titled Detection and Purification of Green Fluorescent Protein for Bioprocess Applications, and at least I didnt make any egregious spelling errors like I do in all of these blog entries. I did, perhaps mistakenly, refer to Dr. Hamel as a Professor Hamel, and although hes an amazing instructor, I think he is one of the few lecturers in Chemical Engineering who hasnt yet been awarded a full professorship. Hes just so adorable and French, though, I dont see how they could resist giving him tenure this long, really. So, even though I curse accidental replies-to-all, I figure that nobody else in the word really thinks like I do. Thats always a safe assumption. So I figured everyone would just quickly scan through the e-mail and summarily delete it. Not so. One hour later, Shyam 07 came up to me in the student center and jokingly informed me that he, along with the rest of 10.28, enjoyed learning the title of my talk. Oh, Shyam 07 not cool. Im just going to keep typing Shyams name because I want him to Google himself one day and know that Im still upset with him I am over this seemingly trivial event and I will hold it against him for the rest of his life. Shyam Shyam Shyam Shyam Shyam Shyam MIT 07 Chemical Engineering Shyam Shyam Shyam Shyam Shyam Shyam from Tucson, Arizona Shyam Shyam Shyam Shyam Shyam Just playin, Shyam. Youre still cool. But my secret shame will be with me forever. But, then again, it was also the best of times this week. On Monday, we had to submit the primary themes for our theme-and-variations final projects to Dr. Hughes. This was mine. On Wednesday, my theme was heard by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer John Harbison. You may be surprised that MIT has a Pulitzer Prize-winning composer on its music faculty. Actually, yeah, thats really surprising, isnt it? Anyway, the story: we had a special guest teacher in 21M.302 because MIT is looking to hire a new full-time faculty member. They invited all the candidates in to teach undergrad classes and also scheduled free lunches open to the entire campus, so all students could give give their own feedback to the department on the hiring. Dr Polish Guy was really cool, and gave us a concise, yet detailed analysis of a brilliant Mozart theme-and-variations. He then had to take three of the ten compositions we submitted on Monday, sight-read them, and provide constructive criticism on them all the while evaluated by seven institute professors in the back of the room. Including JOHN HARBISON!!! I dont think he was really listening, but it makes a nice story, and a good stock answer to the inevitable prefrosh question Whats the coolest thing that happened to you at MIT? One of my friends in the Chamber Music Society was actually coached on a Strauss string quartet by Harbison his freshman year. So Im not quite as cool as he is. Back when American Idol 1 was just getting started, I was reading an article in Entertainment Weekly profiling the ten finalists. Obviously, this was a long time ago, since I still had time to read entertainment publications. Anyway, 10th-place finisher Jim Verraros was asked when he knew that he had made it in the entertainment industry which is kind of a funny question, since youve probably never heard of Jim Verraros before in your life. But I digress. Here is his answer, which I will never forget: Paula Abdul was listening to me sing. No offense to Paula Abdul, but I think this means Im cooler than Jim Verraros now. Thank you, John Harbison. DID YOU KNOW? If I ever were to form a rock band, it will be named Tenzing.
Sunday, May 24, 2020
The Polished Hoe Analysis - 945 Words
There are shared assumptions that have developed overtime as a means of understanding the world, which are unique in every culture; these are commonly referred to as social constructions. In The Polished Hoe, written by Austin Clarke, these constructions become clear, in efforts to shed light on the inequalities that plague habitants of the Caribbean who inherited specific invariable traits. In the land of Bimshire, Barbados as we know it, being classified as anything other than a landowning white male, comes with a host of prejudices that deems one to a lifetime of indirect servitude. Gender is a clear barrier that decides whether someone becomes a wealthy citizen, or a submissive spouse at the mercy of her superior. Hence, the untoldâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦And how to bury them. Inside their hearts. Concealed in their blood. They were strong women, then. Tough women. Women who gave birth in the fields today, and returned to raise their hoe and lift their load two afternoons l ater; wthin fourty-eight hours. In the same fields. Yesâ⬠(37). Throughout the Caribbean, the small population of white people controlled the majority of the wealth. Like everywhere else in the world, money is directly associated with power and social class. Women being seen as menââ¬â¢s inferiors, rather than their partners, is a social construction that plagues areas that have been affected by colonialism. That puts black women at the bottom of the social latter, with wealthy white men at the to; consequently, black women were viewed as disposable. Aside from gender, race played a huge role in deciding someoneââ¬â¢s social class. Although race in the Caribbean is viewed differently than in the United States, darkness still comes with the same negative realities. Being of lighter complexion comes with better economic opportunity, and envy for darker counterparts. This is perpetuated because of colonization. White men became in places of power, and natives begin to connect prosperity with Eurocentric traits. Seeing that themselves prevented women from becoming successful, the only way they could provide a virtuous life for their child was to marry someone of a
Thursday, May 14, 2020
Essay on Wilsonââ¬â¢s League of Nations and Its Legacy
Wilsonââ¬â¢s League of Nations and Its Legacy As much of the world lay in shambles as the closing to the War to End All Wars approached, President Woodrow Wilson contemplated the global state of affairs. In his Fourteen Points, Wilson expresses his desire for ââ¬Å"a just and stable peaceâ⬠and outlines ways in which to accomplish it. One of his pointsââ¬âthe fourteenthââ¬âsuggests the creation of a group of nations with a common purpose. As his idea took root, it grew into the League of Nations. Despite good intentions, the League of Nations proved too weak to be effective at the outbreak of World War II. Even though the League itself failed, the legacy of its framework and missions live on in the current international system, most obviously in theâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦Doing so would further one of Wilsonââ¬â¢s goals: ââ¬Å"to make the world safe for democracyâ⬠(Mingst 51). Though it is usually true that the only sure thing in life is change, the goals of the international community have not wavered. The passage of time has seen many generations, conflicts, and leaders, yet the desire for international security and peace remains steadfast. It is this constancy that has allowed the framework and organizational mechanics of the League of Nations to be recycled into a new but fundamentally similar entityââ¬âthe United Nations. Though the two entities are not exactly the same, the rebirth of the League of Nations as the much stronger United Nations is evident. Even just a superficial comparison of the Covenant of the League of Nations with the Charter of the United Nations leads to recognition of their similarity. The preambles of the documents of both organizations set almost identical primary goalsââ¬âââ¬Å"to promote international co-operation and to achieve international peace and securityâ⬠ââ¬âand cite the same ways to go about achie ving this goal. The tragedy and horror that resulted from World War I left a bitter taste in the mouths of people worldwide. In order to prevent such events from happening again, President Wilson desired to form a group of nations dedicated to the preservation of international peace. This groupââ¬âtheShow MoreRelatedThe Great Presidents By Woodrow Wilson Essay1281 Words à |à 6 PagesPresidential greatness isnââ¬â¢t necessarily determined just by success or remembrance, but is determined by the ideas that a president has and how it impacts the people. Each president sets out with an agenda to accomplish and to leave a legacy behind, however, only few presidents are remembered, celebrated, and taught about. The history of great presidents often correlates to time of war for America. This is because great presidents often emerge to the people in times of crisis, such as wars. Of theRead MoreThe Antitrust Act Of Woodrow Wilson1532 Words à |à 7 Pagesand competition (First Inaugural Address , online). His success lies in the work the FTC did to protect the interests of small businesses and consumers then, and the work they continue to do to protect us from more modern threats such as hackers. Wilsonââ¬â¢s failures began when he entered foreign policy. Over the course of his presidency, the U.S. was involved in Nicaragua, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Mexico and various other countries, the greatest intervention occurring in our southern neighborââ¬â¢sRead MoreWoodrow Wilson s President Of The United States1476 Words à |à 6 Pagesknown as the President who led our nation through the First World War Wilson also happens to be well remembered through Wilsonââ¬â¢s famous Fourteen Points. President Wilson had also led America through important events on the domestic front and in her foreign affairs. Almost every American has heard of President Thomas Woodrow Wilson as his legacy is still seen in America today as all his choices had a significant effect on America and her future. During President Wilsonââ¬â¢s presidential terms, American IndustryRead MoreWoodrow Wilson s Vision For A League Of Nations1321 Words à |à 6 Pagesshaped how he would help foreign nations. Through the proposal of the 14 point speech on new methods to dispute in worldwide affairs peacefully, and the immediate rejection by the senate, his legacy was brought in the creation of foreign countries who unite peacefully to diplomatically dispute. In relevance to time, the freshly established Soviet Russia, imposed a different view that conjugated that by the one declared by Wilson. The vision for a league of nations was conceived by the horrifyingRead MoreTheodore Roosevelt vs Woodrow Wilson Essay880 Words à |à 4 Pagesforeign policies of Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson. Which do you think was a more effective president? Why? In foreign affairs, the white mans burden helped to justify Roosevelts New Imperialism in foreign policy. Uncivilized nations would gain eventual independence once they had conformed to the American model of government and democracy. Roosevelts corollary to the Monroe Doctrine set up the U.S. as policeman in the western hemisphere. Under TR, the U.S. empire extended toRead MoreThe World s Foreign Policy1593 Words à |à 7 PagesAs the world turned over into the 20th century the threat of war could be seen throughout European countries. Tensions arising from alliances, the arming of nations, and the deep seated hatred still present from past loses were all too present. In late July of 1914 the powder keg that was Europe would erupt and the countries would be pushed into the fires of war. However, the United States of America would stand on the sideline for some time before becoming involved in an affair they had no careRead More Woodrow Wilson and Vladimir Lenin Essay1099 Words à |à 5 Pagesborn and raised in Russia, and Wilson was born and raised in the United States. They each had their own ideas on how peace should be achieved, but they were alike in one way though; they were both important revolutionaries of the twentieth century. Wilsonââ¬â¢s vision for the postwar world was direct and accommodating of the entire world and was more appropriate unlike Leninââ¬â¢s vision; Lenin believed peace is obtained by waging war first, a belief I believe is more realistic. Wilson believed that peaceRead MoreEssay on Woodrow Wilson1285 Words à |à 6 PagesWoodrow Wilson President Woodrow Wilsonââ¬â¢s legacy of being a peace-keeping president has lasting impression on the United States. From his great intellect and progressive reform, to the tragedy of the Great War and his hope for peace, Wilson was a strong leader through it all. Decades after his death, he is still remembered as the man that he was: an ethical and caring person who desperately wanted to better the world. It was in the beginning of the 20th century when this man finally left his markRead MoreThe United States Into World War I1368 Words à |à 6 Pagesthe war even though the United States tried to remain a neutral nation, they had no choice but to join the Allies and enter into the first world war. The First World War was caused by several different happens among the nations. The European nations signed secret treaties that created a system of alliance and the leadership was poor. There were no international organizations to help them deal with the problems at large. The nations built huge armies to defend themselves and gain empires. With allRead MoreThe Beginning to World Instability: World War I956 Words à |à 4 Pagesover the installation of Russian communism were among the negative legacies of World War I. Combined they would contribute to an unstable geopolitical climate inevitably leading to future world conflict. The European and Middle Eastern map changes ushered in by the Allied victors at the end of World War I were punitive and had an unfortunate effect on future world stability. The Allies determined that they would create new nations to split up the ex-German territories and ex-Ottoman Empire colonies
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
The Slave System By Solomon Northup - 1618 Words
The slave system was kept in existence for many years since the early 1600ââ¬â¢s. A never ending cycle of pain, and harsh conditions From being in 12 years of slavery, Solomon Northup recounts the time when he had once been a free man to be kidnapped of that freedom back in 1841. The relationships that Northup encountered were neither positive or negative . From friends he gained or his slave masters, the relationships were shaped by slavery and helped intact the slave system. In those relationships, how the supervisors of the slaves treated them impacted the slaves work ethic and the friendships that were made during this harsh time, thus supporting the slave system. One of the first social relationship Solomon encountered when he entered slavery was James H. Burch. When Solomon was captured, Burch chained him up and put him in a cell; something Solomon was not used to at all. Although he claimed he was a free man, Burch beat him every time he said he was, and forcing Solomon to say he was from Georgia. Burch frightened Solomon with his beatings and threatening words and because of how cruel Burch was, Solomon kept his mouth shut and refused to say he was a free man to any of his future slave masters, fearing of the treatment again. With James Burch treating the slaves in that matter; implemented to the system of slavery, forcing the slaves to become who they wanted them to be. That allowed slaves to follow orders, and not to protest against the supervisor s treatment,Show MoreRelatedAnalysis Of The Movie Twelve Years A Slave Essay1684 Words à |à 7 PagesWithout slavery, Americaââ¬â¢s history would not be the same anymore. The film Twelve Years a Slave by Steve McQueen is an adaptation of the 1853 slave narrative memoir twelve Years a slave by Solomon Northup. The movie gives us just enough ideas and information how slavery was back then. With just the first few minutes, the movie already brings its audience in about slavery by opening up with a gro up of slaves receiving instruction on cutting sugar cane. The film principal message about slavery concernsRead MoreDehumanization in Twelve Years a Slave: Narrative of Solomon Northup1295 Words à |à 6 Pages Solomon Northup was born free, in Minerva, New York in 1808. Northup became known in his community as an exceptional fiddle player. When two men approached Northup and offered him good wages to go to Washington DC, to play in a travelling music show, he quickly accepted. Solomon Northup was drugged, kidnapped, captured, and sold into slavery. He served for many masters; some were violent and cruel while others treated him humanely. Solomon Northup experienced shear torture, cruelty, and the lossRead MoreThe Life Of Frederick Douglass And Solomon Northup1278 Words à |à 6 Pagesstrived to rid themselves from the system. However, within these numbers there were few who succeeded, and even fewer who recorded their journeys in the form of a book. The autobiographies, Twelve Years a Slave and Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, written by Frederick Douglass and Solomon Northup respectively, documented the lives of how their enslaved authors fought their way to freedom. The book s portrayed not only the hardships of their lives as a slave but also how they achieved resistanceRead MoreThe Slave System And The Treatment Of Slaves Essay1493 Words à |à 6 PagesSlave narratives were written for several main purposes such as to present a true description of the slave system and the treatment of slaves, to show the religious ideals of the main characters, and to appeal to abolitionists by showing the common humanity of slaves. Solomon Northupââ¬â¢s dominant purpose in writing the narrative novel Twelve Years a Slave is to present a true description of the slave system and the treatment of slaves. This purpose is chosen over the rest because he gives a clear explanationRead MoreThe Protest Without Hatred By Solomon Northup968 Words à |à 4 PagesProtest without Hatred ââ¬Å"12 years a slaveâ⬠is a book about the slavery in the pre-Civil War South. It was written based on a true story that happened to Solomon Northup who is also the author of the book. The story was a violent protestation, but also full of love without any hatred of Black people, who were being slaved for all their life. The Slavery was abolished in North America; however, it still existed in the South America at that time. Solomon Northup, a Black citizen of New York City, wasRead More12 Years A Slave : An Accurate And Verifiable Account Of The Common Slave Experience Essay1633 Words à |à 7 PagesHistory 2111 November 23, 2015 12 Years a Slave The film 12 Years is an accurate and verifiable account of the common slave experience in the United States in the antebellum South. 12 Years a Slave is set in the mid to late 1800s and tells a true life story of the life of Solomon Northup a free Black man sold south into slavery. He was the son of an emancipated slave. Northup was from upstate New York, and was kidnapped and sold into slavery in the South. Northup lived, worked, and was married in upstateRead MoreSlavery Is A Terrible Thing905 Words à |à 4 Pagesinto slavery, and sometimes slaves actually escape to freedom. If an African American was considered a free man, he or she had to get official documentations stating so. Even after the documents were given to them, some of them still found themselves as slaves. There are many different stories about slavery, but just because a slave escapes from slavery, does not mean he or she is free from a slaveââ¬â¢s mindset. Although they were in different positions in life, sl aves and free African Americans experiencedRead MoreA Man With Black Skin Essay1818 Words à |à 8 Pagesalso experienced the painful lash of slavery. Solomon Northup, who presumably died with the same freedoms he entered the world with, spent twelve years imprisoned in a system that he knew of, but was not familiar with. This southern slave institution proved to have infested southerners with a mindset dissimilar to the ideals of the Constitution, but rationalized it with their capitalistic and Christian culture. This same rationalization would send Northup ââ¬Å"downriverâ⬠to a twelve-year purgatory, oneRead More12 Years a Slave and Crossing the River: Postcolonial Critique1155 Words à |à 5 Pagesthe Atlantic slave trade, subsequently producing unconscious bigotry and racialized fantasies. As a postcolonial United States absconded from the political, cultural and economic ways of Great Britain, imperialism remained as a consequence of the human colonialism of slavery. S teve McQueenââ¬â¢s adaptation of 12 Years a Slave depicts the legacy of slavery and racism, and its relation to the African American diaspora. Through the collapse of identity and white prevalence, 12 Years a Slave subverts orderRead MoreAn Analysis Of Solomon Northup s 12 Years A Slave Essay1370 Words à |à 6 PagesSolomon Northup, in his autobiography 12 Years A Slave, uses religious language to depict the horrendous nature of institutional slavery and slaveholders. In specific, the primary use of religious language in Northupââ¬â¢s autobiography is to express his and many other slavesââ¬â¢ sufferings and subjugation, to present the biblical justification adopted by slaveholders to mistreat their slaves, and to convey the significance of religion to him and the African American slaves; therefore, religious language
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
Discuss An Issue Of International Concern And Its Importance To You Essay Example For Students
Discuss An Issue Of International Concern And Its Importance To You Essay It was easy to empathize with Andy Dufresne and the other prisoners in The Shawshank Redemption as they suffered in their prison cells, I suffered while watching the movie. It was not because I disliked the film far from it. But while the prisoners in the movie were serving their sentences in Shawshank Prison, I served my own three hour sentence for drinking five cups of fruit punch before entering the theatre. When the credits finally began to scroll, I strode quickly to the mens room, opened the door and found, to my dismay, that all seven urinals were already occupied. Well, not exactly. There were only four people using the urinals a person at every other one. Although there was a considerable line of guys eagerly awaiting the opportunity to relieve themselves, the three odd urinals remained unused. I did not dare to use one of the unoccupied urinals. Instead, I waited my turn along with the two dozen other men ahead of me. I reached the urinal a scant few seconds before losing c ontrol. Why is it that the middle urinals in mens restrooms remain tacitly forbidden? Whether a set of urinals is in an executive washroom or in the train stations public washroom, no man dares to use a urinal located next to a urinal in use. There seems to be no rational explanation for this, and it bothers me that this issue is given so little attention. Some men claim they just want a bit of privacy. An understandable reason, to be sure, but it lacks substantiation. In the mens restroom of a particular gym close to my home, there are 3 urinals. As one might expect, the middle urinal remains unused. If privacy is the reason for this, why do the men at the gym shower together? There are no barriers whatsoever in the showers, nor are the urinals separated from the shower room. On busy days, all shower heads are used, and these same men who shower together refuse to relieve themselves while standing next to one another. So much for the privacy excuse. The issue is even more confounding when one learns that this is an international phenomenon. The every-other-one rule is not limited to developed countries where public restrooms are common; my father grew up in a tiny village in India and told me that Indian men relieve themselves at every other tree, even though there is plenty of distance between adjacent trees. The whole situation becomes even more ludicrous when it is learned these same men bathe together in the river!Granted, there is a high degree of levity in an issue such as this. But when one considers how many people suffer on a daily basis, we move from amusement to acute discomfort. Undoubtedly, men can empathize with each other, for we all know the feeling of squeezing our legs together and hopping from foot to foot while waiting for an isolated urinal to become available. Women must surely understand the agony of waiting there are always ridiculously long lines in front of womens restrooms. This issue is not one I alone deem important; it has probably crossed the mind of nearly every person who has ever had to wait. The primary reason for its importance to me can be stated simply: waiting for facilities is decidedly uncomfortable. It is absurd that I, as well as nearly every male who has ever used a public facility, must suffer from holding it in when there is an unused urinal in the restroom; I would make a brazen attempt to use this urinal, but I fear the incredulous looks my bathroom comrades would give me. The every-other-one rule piques my curiosity not only because of its lack of substantiation, but because it is an excellent reflection of humanitys other quirks. Why is it that we lock our car doors while keeping the windows rolled down? Why do we push the up button on the elevator control pad immediately after seeing someone else push it? If I can find out why it is socially unacceptable to stand next to another man while in the rest room, maybe the elusive answe rs to the rest of these imponderable questions will also become apparent. Until then, I will only watch movies with generous intermissions.
Monday, April 6, 2020
Polyphonic Hmi Mixing Math and Music free essay sample
Customers: Establishing the target market is the focus of the case. There are different avenues they can venture down. The key is to figure out which will be generate sales more quickly and prove to be the most beneficial to the company. Polyphonic options are to market to the record labels, producers, or the unsigned artists. Collaborators: Polyphonic first idea was to market their technology of the HAS to retailers. The retailers would have stations in their stores so that people can rate songs. The problem was that they could not find a software company to work with.Competition: There are no other forms of technology that predict the successfulness of songs in the music industry. The current method used is producers gut feelings. Context: The music industry is rapidly changing. New hits and duds are released everyday. If record companies can better predict the successes of songs, they could save a lot Decision Area Polyphonic has several decisions to make before getting this project off the ground. We will write a custom essay sample on Polyphonic Hmi: Mixing Math and Music or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The first decision that has to be made is who to target Hit Song Science toward. Polyphonic can either target HAS toward record labels, producers, or to unsigned artists. After that decision is made, we need to come up with a suitable market plan. We need to figure out how HAS should be positioned, what price should be charged, and how Polyphonic should approach the selling process. Identification and Evaluation of Alternatives The alternatives the management team of, Barcelona-based, Polyphonic HIM were faced with were who was their best target market and what was a suitable marketing plan to best position their new technology, Hit Song Science (HAS).Their alternatives are the following: . To pursue record labels by offering assistance in deciding on whether to market an album, in selecting which song to release first, and in testing new artists looking for a record deal . 2. To pursue producers by offering a chance to test songs or albums at some stage during the production process and tweak them to maximize heir hit potential. 3. To pursue unsigned artists by offering the ability to check the hit song potential of their songs and thus find out whether they had a shot at making it in the industry.In the first option HAS would be positioned towards essentially saving record labels money. With the technology of HAS record labels would be able to evaluate an albums sales potential before actually spending the money to market the album. They would also be able to rank songs in an album for the purposes of releasing the best possible single. This would decrease emotional Judgments, thus allow record abeles to have bigger promotional budgets without the risks of failure. In addition, record labels would also have the ability to test an unsigned artists potential prior to offering them a record deal.In the second option HAS would be focused on presenting itself as adding value and reducing pressure to create and oversee a successful album. HAS would increase hit song credibility which would reduce the pressures of presenting a hit song to a record label. The technology would also provide producers the ability to evaluate a song prior and/or during a recording session which would reduce recording time and money. In the third option HAS would be positioned to increase the likelihood of being signed by a record label. HAS would give artists the ability to evaluate their demo recording prior to submission to a record label.Pros and Cons with pursuing record labels Failure risks associated with releasing a new album would be reduced ; Stress/ risks associated with the decision of selecting which song to release as a single would be reduced ; Assistance in the evaluation of marketing budgets for a single/album ; Ability to testing artists potential prior to record deals Cons Possible album hits could be easily overlooked arguing producers Increases credibility Ability to evaluate a song prior/during recording sessions Cons May hinder possible creative breakthroughs in the industry Pros and Cons with pursuing unsigned artists Secure hit potential in their demo recordings Cons Not financially supported by a record label Recommended Course of Action Based on information taken from Exhibits 6 and 8 from the case study, Hit Song Science should market its product and services to record labels attempting to catch a larger share of the market. The elitist attitude of executives at companies likeUniversal (current market leader) would make this product extremely difficult to sell. These executives are experiencing much success in their industry and have a mindset of if it anti broke, dont fix it, while also taking pride in their individual skill at recognizing hits and busts alike. Bottom dwellers in the industry will be more apt to try and retain more market share through unconventional methods. The great thing about this market is that the so-called bottom dwellers consist of Just about every company other than Universal. Universals North American market share is so nominate that MI, BMW, Sony, Warner, and the Independents are dwarfed in comparison.This leaves large market for Hit Song Sciences services. Given Hit Song Sciences success with artists such as Nora Jones and Maroon 5, there is a strong pitch to give to company executives that appeal to more than Just their desperation to attain more of the industry market sh are. Hit Song Science has name recognition. Exhibit 8 shows how our technology correctly calculated which songs had hit potential and which would be busts. When taking the highest and lowest rated tracks on the album and comparing them to actual market performance, our ululations were dead on. Hit Song Science has created an unconventional source of competitive advantage.This technology has the opportunity to revolutionize the industry by either reaffirming gut instincts of the top minds in the industry, or by giving those top minds the opportunity to rethink their feelings on an artists piece of Nor. In the long run, this could save a company millions in the production and promotion of songs that will never make it as hits. With technology like HAS they can eliminate some of the risk of releasing a song that is not a hit and will not make it to he Top 40. (See Table A) Product/Place iris type of technology is not the typical fare that one would find in a retail establishment. As providers for this product/service, we must be seen as consultants.Our product will be available directly from us, the creative minds behind the technology. Price eased on fixed costs coming to $500,000 and variable costs being roughly $300 per song is appropriate. This price will allow for a reasonable breakable unit and dollar amount and still be priced way below other research methods that are currently used by record labels. Being that we are offering a relatively new and unknown product/service, we understand that it may be a stretch to assume that record companies will dish out large amounts of capital on technology that they know very little about. To help with this, we may suggest using either a free trial usage, or an introductory discounted price, only if necessary. Promotion Our product is an investment, plain and simple. A record executive or recording artist will pay money for the slight chance that this gives them the edge when attempting to offer something new to the public and in doing so, bring in more refits. Being an investment, it should be promoted and delivered accordingly. It Not be the technology itself thats promoted, however, the company which will be sold as leaders to the proverbial Promised Land for artists. The company should be promoted within the industry. There is really no market outside of it. Sales pitches should be conducted by technology salesperson with a vast knowledge of the inner Mornings of our product. And finally, the company image should exude success. Many will see using technology as a confession of failure. We have to sell it as a commitment to success. Overall Evaluation An investment in the product that Hit Song Science has developed is a great idea. En feel the most critical objection to deal with would be that the music execs do not have any need for technological assistance for a gift they obviously already have. Logic tells us that nobody has always been right about a decision theyve made in this business. There is room for improvement, and if it renders a competitive advantage, why not try it out; especially if you can get a free trial use out of it.
Sunday, March 8, 2020
The Five Fundamental Types of Editing and Which One Is Right for You
The Five Fundamental Types of Editing and Which One Is Right for You So, the hard part is over- youve written a manuscript or paper and youre now ready to move forward on the next step, which is working with an editor toward getting it published.However, a quick online search of the scope of editors and editing services offered is enough to overwhelm even the calmest of writers. Looking through freelance profiles or online agencies, youll come across various terms for services provided, including developmental editing, line editing, copyediting, proofreading, and manuscript critiquing.Which do you choose? How is one different than the other? Do you need a copyeditor and a line editor, or will one suffice? You likely have a lot of questions about the scope of editing services available, so in this article, we will break it down for you to help clear up any confusion you might have. Well discuss what each type of editing service is to help you narrow your search, specifically what professional skills are needed to perform that service, and at what stage s in the writing process you might need each.Developmental editingThink of a developmental editor as your mentor and guide for a particular manuscript. In the publishing industry, a developmental editor would assist authors from the early stages of the manuscript submission process, before a line editor, copyeditor, or proofreader even sees a word thats written.In publishing houses, the developmental editor is sometimes simply known as the editor-in-chief or associate editor. Many published books will go through a round of developmental editing (where significant parts of the manuscript are changed) and in some cases, a writer might work with a developmental editor at the planning stages of a manuscript that is yet to be written.A developmental editor would focus on issues, such as:The structure of your bookWhether your book will be marketable, and if not, how to make it marketableAny gaps in plot or characterizationAn unclear audience or lack of engagement with audienceMajor change s that need to be made regarding pacing, dialogue, or plotWhen working with a developmental editor, its important to keep an open mind and receive all feedback graciously. A developmental editor is not there to tear apart your writing (although it might seem like it at times) or make you feel incompetent as an author. He or she is there to help make your book a success and has a birds-eye view of the publishing industry and genre that you wont have in most cases.Line editingA line edit will generally occur before a copyedit is done and is meant to address the writing style and overall effectiveness of the content of the work. In other words, it is not the line editors task to find the grammar, punctuation, spelling or syntax errors of the copy, although he or she might do this to a certain extent.Mostly, a line editor would be responsible for pointing out any of the following in your writing:Problems with the emotion or tone of your writingClichà ©s or broad generalizations youve u sedProblems with your word choice or repetitive wordingRedundant or extraneous wordsRun-on sentencesFaulty transitions (or a lack of transitions)Off-topic digressionsDialogue that does not flow well or is hard to follow/readShifts in tense or point of viewPoor word choice, bland writing, or an unengaging toneDetails that need to be added for clarification for the readerAs you can see, line editing involves looking at the content to consider its overall effectiveness. For example, a line editor for a doctoral dissertation would look at the big picture and determine the usefulness of the study, how well the author has reviewed the literature related to the topic, and whether enough details are included for a convincing argument. A line editor would also point out if there are any confusing parts that are difficult to read or understand, or if there are any glaring errors in verb tense and word choice throughout.CopyeditingCopyediting is a type of editing that focuses on the technical issues of the copy. The best equipped copyeditor is one who has excellent command of English language rules, including grammar, punctuation, capitalization, spelling, syntax, citation formats and more. Included in a copyedit should be:Corrections to spelling, grammar, punctuation, and syntax. This includes corrections between British and American spellings of words, depending on the audience. For example, a copyeditor would be responsible for changing the punctuation and/or spelling if an author using British English rules publishes in an American publication.Changes to ensure consistency in spelling, punctuation, numerals, fonts, spacing and capitalization. For example, a copyeditor would catch when five is spelled out in one section of the work but written as the numeral 5 in another. He or she would then make the necessary adjustments to ensure consistency throughout the entire manuscript or paper.Notes on false or questionable information such as incorrect quotes, dates, or clai ms. This is especially important in the publishing world, where false information could lead to defamation lawsuits or a loss of reputation for the publication.Notes on the effectiveness or macro-level issues of the copy, including consistency in details of characters, places, etc.A thorough understanding and check of the formatting style required (Chicago, APA, MLA, etc.). A copyeditor should be well-versed in the rules related to the style and be able to correct any formatting, citation or punctuation errors within the copy that dont follow it.Analysis of any legal issues that might result from publication of the work, such as plagiarism or defamation lawsuits.In the various stages of the editing process, a copyedit would come after a line edit. In publishing circles, a copyeditor is usually the last person to see the copy before it goes to print.ProofreadingIn the stages of editing for publication, proofreading would be what occurs after the publication or manuscript has been pri nted once to obtain the proof. After given this proof, a proofreader would examine it to make sure that it includes everything in the original copy and make note of anything that is missing.A proofreader would then look at the proof to make sure the page numbers are correctly formatted and numbered, as well as ensure there are no incorrectly spaced line breaks or paragraphs. This includes checking to make sure each paragraph is set apart from the rest and that lines do not overlap each other or go off the printed page.As with other specific types of editing, a proofreaders job might overlap with the copywriter or line editor. However, his or her primary responsibility in the publishing world would be to examine the official proof before the final print run.Manuscript critiquing and/or book doctoringManuscript critiquing or book doctoring is when an editor reads your manuscript and provides a comprehensive assessment of it. Obviously, editors who offer this service should have extens ive experience in the industry to provide valuable critique that would greatly increase an authors chance of being published. That critique might include aspects of the manuscript such as:Character development. Have your characters been developed well enough? Does your reader connect with them?Pacing. Is the pacing too fast or too slow? Could improvements be made in pacing to make the story easier to follow or understand?Dialogue. Do your characters have believable dialogue that adds dimension to them? Is the dialogue formatted correctly and is it readable?Potential holes in the story or problems with the plot. Are there missing pieces to the puzzle in your plot that might annoy readers if they are left out of the story? Are there leaps of faith in the plot that might not make sense to a large portion of readers?Its important to know that this type of editing will likely not include line editing or copyediting, unless those are specially offered as part of a package deal. Rather, an editor offering a manuscript critique will use his or her experience in the industry to give you an honest outlook on what your manuscript has to offer and what it is lacking from the point of view of traditional publishing houses and current trends in the industry.A final wordJust as editing services offered will vary, so will the professional experience of editors. Thats why its important to choose an editor who has extensive experience in the industry or field for which you are writing, and can give informed, quality feedback to help you in your publishing efforts. For example, an editor might have an impressive resume in academic research and publishing but not know much at all about publishing in a magazine. Since the world of academic writing is vastly different than that of magazine writing, an editor specializing in one will not be the best informed concerning trends and expectations in the industry of the other.
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