Thursday, December 26, 2019

Tisiphone the Greek Goddess

Tisiphone is one of the Furies or Erinyes in Greek mythology. Tisiphone is the avenger of murder. Her name means voice of revenge. The Erinyes were formed when the blood of Uranus fell on Gaia when the son of Uranus, Cronus, killed him. The Furies pursued particularly heinous criminals and drove them mad. Their most famous victim was Orestes, whose crime was matricide. The names of the other Erinyes were Alecto and Megaera. Characteristics In the Eumenides, the tragedy by Aeschylus about the Erinyes and Orestes, the Erinyes are described as dark, not quite women, not quite Gorgons (Medusas), featherless, with rheumy eyes and partial to blood. (The Appearance of Aeschylus Erinyes, by P. G. Maxwell-Stuart. Greece Rome, Vol. 20, No. 1, pp. 81-84) Jane E. Harrison (September 9, 1850 - April 5, 1928) says the Erinyes at Delphi and elsewhere were ancestral ghosts, who later became detached ministers of divine vengeance. The Erinyes are the dark aspect of the benevolent Eumenides -- the angry ghosts. (Delphika.-(A) The Erinyes. (B) The Omphalos, by Jane E. Harrison. The Journal of Hellenic Studies, Vol. 19, pp. 205-251) It is also claimed that Eumenides is a euphemism for the Erinyes.

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Racial Representation in American History X Essay

A movie American History X (1988) deals with white supremacy and racism. We can see a variety of racial representation in this movie. We’re going to see implicit racial associations and racist stereotypes seen in the film first with the framework of John Russell’s discussion in his research â€Å"Race as Ricorso: Blackface(s), Racial Representation, and the Transnational Apologetics of Historical Amnesia in the United States and Japan,† examine the background and arguments on race in the movie, and see the editorial point of view of the film maker at last. There are so many symbols that representing race in this movie. Two young white brothers are featured in the story. The older brother Derek had been a white supremacist. He killed two black†¦show more content†¦It turned out that they did not, but the notion of â€Å"being raped by blacks in the prison† is shared not only with Derek but also with the audience of the movie. This notion probably comes from what Russell calls â€Å"the sexual body images of black males† (Russell, 2011, p.132). Derek has no communication with any members of these macho black guys. In the movie, they are just depicted as â€Å"beasts that may sexually offend others.† Since the possible victim is a white, it also indicates that the rape would be a kind of interracial pornography (There is almost no description of black females in the movie. The only one is the black shop-keeper who was insulted by Derek and his racist members). The other symbolic icon of blackness can be found in the characteristic of Lamont, who is a black inmate and becomes a good friend of Derek in the laundry room in the prison. He talks and makes jokes a lot, which also characterizes him as a typical young black male who has a big mouth. Another representation of black character is Dr. Sweeny. He is a high school principle who holds Ph.D. and tries to help both Derek and Danny. He is seen as a well-educated black role-model. He is also seen as the person who has gone through the Civil Right Movement in the 1960s and 1970s. He is a man of dignity and plays a â€Å"good guy† in this movie. During these events, some flashbacks of past events are inserted occasionally. One of them is a basketball match with a young black group. Here Derek finallyShow MoreRelatedAmerican History X : Tony Kaye Essay1651 Words   |  7 PagesAmerican History X (Tony Kaye. 1998), is an example of a Hollywood film that boldly embodies Bernardi’s argument; â€Å"US cinema has consistently cons tructed whiteness, the representation and narrative form of Eurocentrism, as the norm by which all ‘Others’ fail by comparison† (Bernardi page5). The plotline centres on the main character; a former neo-Nazi skinhead named Derek Vinyard, and his attempt to stop his younger brother- Danny Vinyard from getting involved in the white supremacy gangs of LosRead MoreMalcolm X vs. Martin Luther King Jr.1723 Words   |  7 Pageschallenge and opposition to the racial injustices and segregation that had been engrained in American society for hundreds of years. Events that took place in the 1950s and 1960s, such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the March on Washington, sit-ins, speeches and numerous protests define this momentous time in United States history. Speeches during this period served as a means to inspire and assemble a specific group of people, for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X it was the black community thatRead MoreMalcolm X Vs. Martin Luther King Jr . Essay1717 Words   |  7 Pageschallenge and opposition to the racial injustices and segregation that had been engrained in American society for hundreds of years. 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In his other works he has shaped an image of how racially min ded the Criminal Justice System is and how such injustice has been applied to African Americans. Based on Tonry`s credentials, the book reviewed in this paper complies valuable and trustworthy statistics and information, and also author`s own experience in this particular field. The book â€Å"Punishing Race: A Continuing American Dilemma† is a workRead MoreBlack Power And The Fight For Civil Rights914 Words   |  4 Pagesmovement called Black Power started to make way into America. Many African Americans who were frustrated with how the fight for civil rights was going (mostly youths) developed confidence and pride of their race and culture. This movement has many different definitions, but the image that sticks out is the radical militant side. One example of this group was the Nation of Islam that had a very charismatic figure head in Malcom X, who preached for separation from whites and also labeled them as the devilRead MoreComic Books, By Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, And Fra nk Millar1714 Words   |  7 Pagesconclusion in the realm of equality, however, as many Americans would tell you it has so far to go. The tribulations and sacrifices by so many to gain the attention of the public and the officials that run the government. That has been through protests, sit-ins, and speeches. The African- Americans have led the way with other minorities coming to the frontlines of equality for all of humanity. 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Monday, December 9, 2019

Clouds vs. The Apology free essay sample

In Aristophanes Clouds and in Platos Apology we see extensive fictional representations of the historical figure, Socrates, who left us no literary works under his own name. When comparing these two representations, readers often assume, as a result of the nature of the comedic genre, that Aristophanes portrayal of Socrates is exaggerated and fallacious. On the other hand, Platos account is often taken more seriously as a result of the philosophical genre and the respected reputation Plato has as wildly influential thinker in Western culture. Nevertheless, there are more congruencies between the two representations than one would initially think. Ill discuss some similarities between the two works that gives specific portrayals of the mystery that is Socrates. First and foremost, I must point out the obvious but main difference between these two works; Platos Apology is a philosophical dialogue while Aristophaness Clouds is a comedy. For this reason, we can say that purpose of each is very is different. The first is a work of serious philosophy while the second is a work of entertainment intended to make people laugh, usually by poking fun at people. Second, in terms of characterization, Plato paints a picture of Socrates, as a philosopher to the end, that is, a person who truly lives a life of the pursuit of truth. In addition, Platos view of Socrates is filled with courage, a person who is unafraid of death. In the work, a number of citizens from Athens accuse him of corrupting the youth and not believing in the gods. Of course, Socrates disagrees. In fact, Socrates states that he is doing the city of Athens a great benefit by questioning things. In light of this, Plato portrays Socrates as one who is persecuted unjustly. In Aristophaness Clouds, Socrates is seen as the worst kind of sophist; he is the head of the Thinkery. Aristophanes says that Socrates is the one who can make the weaker argument stronger and the stronger argument weaker. He is not seen as a student of philosophy and truth, but a confused thinker whose feet never touch the ground. In â€Å"Clouds,† by Aristophanes, and â€Å"Apology,† by Plato, Socrates is portrayed in completely different ways. In â€Å"Clouds,† Aristophanes attempts to ridicule Socrates and his followers, the Sophists. In his play, Aristophanes demonstrates that Socrates is corrupting the young men of Athens, and he uses satire to exaggerate many of the teachings brought forth by Socrates. Plato, who was a dedicated follower of Socrates, painted his mentor in a very positive light. Although most of the â€Å"apology† is actually a speech given by Socrates, we can assume that Plato had an interest to spin the story in a way that would favor Socrates, and the depiction was radically different from that of Aristophanes. In both works, excellent arguments and points attempt to prove the character and moral integrity of Socrates. In Clouds Aristophanes attempted to ridicule Socrates and his followers with satire, and the work was never meant to be taken as a serious representation of his life. It was, however, a strong political statement, and it influenced and encouraged the public of Athens to sentence Socrates to death. In â€Å"Apology,† Plato writes the speech given by Socrates and we can assume that it is not far from the truth. There is no satire in The Apology and it was intended as a speech to spare a person’s life rather than a play to inform and entertain. Aristophanes describes the â€Å"Thinkery,† which young men join in order to get an alternative education. This â€Å"Thinkery† is radically different from a traditional Athenian school. Socrates, who is in charge of the school, encourages his students to look differently upon the world. Socrates suggests that the Gods do not exist, and he teaches his followers to be materialistic and corrupt instead of honest and humble. Strepsiades, who is the main character in the play, decides that he can avoid paying his debts by joining the Sophists and learning how to argue using convincing rhetoric. He is convinced that the teachings are powerful enough to convince anybody of anything, even if his point is completely illogical or dishonest. This argument is called the â€Å"worse argument,† and the play focuses on this speech tactic. In the play, Strepsiades decides that his son can learn the â€Å"worse argument† and use it to free Strepsiades of his debts: â€Å"So if you could learn this Worse Argument for me, then all these debts I owe on our account I wouldn’t have to pay, not even a penny! † (Aristophanes I. 116-118). Aristophanes is suggesting, in a comical way, that Socrates would support such immorality, and that he would be willing to teach the â€Å"worse argument† solely for this purpose. Socrates spends much of his time thinking of ridiculous theories and playing with words. Most of the topics he mentions are absurd and do not show the sophistication that Socrates claims to strive for. Also, Socrates seems very sure of his arguments despite the fact that he has no real evidence to prove them: â€Å"Clouds fill up with lots of water, then they’re forced to move about, sagging suddenly with rain, then getting heavier perforce, collide with one another, breaking up and making crashing sounds† (Aristophanes IV. 375-380). Whenever Strepsiades is confused or disagrees with the words of Socrates, he is quickly attacked and ridiculed. Socrates is portrayed as an arrogant, â€Å"all-knowing,† and rude old man who is turning the younger generation into a bunch of corrupt, selfish, and egotistical men who have no respect for the elderly or for the traditional ways of thinking. Towards the end of the play, Aristophanes illustrates an argument between the â€Å"better argument† and the â€Å"worse argument,† and he demonstrates the fact that both of them have very serious flaws. â€Å"Worse argument,† however, is represented as much more powerful and damaging to society: â€Å"Worse argument: ‘He can have it; whatever his line, I’ll shoot him down with phrases fine, concepts novel and though sublime† (Aristophanes IX 941-943). Although it is a comedy, Aristophanes still gets the point across about Socrates. After viewing such a play, it is difficult not to see Socrates in a different, more negative light. The overall depiction of Socrates in this play is very self-serving, brash, inconsiderate, ignorant, and morally reprehensible. In The Apology, Plato suggests that the real Socrates is a man very different from the man depicted in Clouds. In The Apology, Socrates stands in front of an Athenian jury after he is charged by Meletus with corrupting the young. Socrates may be facing a sentence of death, and he does his best to persuade the jury that he is not guilty of the accusations against him, and that Meletus accuses him for his own selfish purposes. Socrates also mentions that it is very narrow minded and thoughtless to use â€Å"clouds† in any serious decisions. Socrates tells us, â€Å"Socrates is guilty of wrongdoing in that he busies himself studying things in the sky and below the earth; he makes the worse into the stronger argument, and he teaches these same things to others. You have seen this yourself in the comedy of Aristophanes, a Socrates swinging about there, saying he was walking on air and talking a lot of other nonsense about things of which I know nothing at all† (Plato 23). By explaining that it would be irrational to make such an important decision based on a play, Socrates attempts to disassociate himself with the Socrates of â€Å"clouds. † Socrates gives an excellent speech justifying his actions and attempts to free himself of the chargers against him. He supports his argument with many excellent points and makes himself seem free of any wrongdoing. He speaks about honesty and truth, highlighting it as the most important principle by which he lives by. He tells the jury that if he was in fact guilty of corrupting the young, he would have many more accusers: â€Å"If I corrupt some young men and have corrupted others, then surely some of them who have grown older and realized that I gave them bad advice when they were young should now themselves come up here and accuse me and avenge themselves† (Plato 36). Socrates states, however, that the public has been generally pleased with this existence, and that Meletus is the only many who holds a grudge against him. Socrates then attempts to dismiss the accusation of not believing in the gods. In his affidavit, Meletus states that Socrates does not believe in the gods. Socrates disputes this and explains that he does believe in the gods, and that Meletus has used faulty logic to make such an accusation: â€Å"Then since I do believe in spirits, as you admit, if spirits are gods, that is what I mean when I say you speak in riddles and in jest, as you state that I do not believe in gods and then again that I do since I do believe in spirits† (Plato 30). In this instance, Socrates uses logic that somewhat reminds us of â€Å"clouds,† but in this case, his ideas are much more consistent and are not based on some sort of ridiculous premise. With this argument, Socrates proves himself a truly wise and intelligent man who can pinpoint a specific issue and think deeply about it in a very sophisticated way. In this representation, Socrates is very much unlike the Socrates character in Clouds. Aristophanes and Plato paint two very different portraits of Socrates. While Aristophanes uses comedy and satire to ridicule Socrates and his teachings, Plato writes The Apology in a way that depicts Socrates as a modest, wise, considerate, and honest hero. Given that both authors had their own biases and political motivations, it is safe to assume that the truth about Socrates lies somewhere in the middle.

Monday, December 2, 2019

Technology and the Future of Work Essay Example For Students

Technology and the Future of Work Essay Every society creates an idealised image of the future a vision that serves as a beacon to direct the imagination and energy of its people. The Ancient Jewish nation prayed for deliverance to a promised land of milk and honey. Later, Christian clerics held out the promise of eternal salvation in the heavenly kingdom. In the modern age, the idea of a future technological utopia has served as the guiding light of industrial society. For more than a century utopian dreamers and men and women of science and letters have looked for a future world where machines would replace human labour, creating a near workerless society of bundance and leisure. (J Rifkin 1995 p. 42) This paper will consider developments in technology, robotics, electronic miniaturisation, digitisation and information technology with its social implications for human values and the future of work. It will argue that we have entered post modernity or post Fordism, a new age technological revolution, which profoundly effects social structure and values. We will write a custom essay on Technology and the Future of Work specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Some issues that will be addressed are: elimination of work in the traditional sense, longevity, early retirement, the elimination of cash, the restructuring of education, industry nd a movement to global politics, economics and world government. In particular this paper will suggest that the Christian Judao work ethic with societys goals of full employment in the traditional sense is no longer appropriate, necessary or even possible in the near future, and that the definition of work needs to be far more liberal. It argues that as a post market era approaches, that both government and society will need to recognise the effects of new technology on social structure and re-distribute resources, there will need to be rapid development of policies to assist appropriate social djustments if extreme social unrest, inequity, trauma and possible civil disruption is to be avoided. Yonedji Masuda (1983) suggests we are moving from an industrial society to an information society and maintains that a social revolution is taking place. He suggests that we have two choices Computopia or an Automated State, a controlled society. He believes that if we choose the former, the door to a society filled with boundless possibilities will open; but if the latter, our future society will become a forbidding and a horrible age. He optimistically predicts our new future society will be computopia which he describes as xhibiting information values where individuals will develop their cognitive creative abilities and citizens and communities will participate voluntarily in shared goals and ideas. Barry Jones (1990) says we are passing through a post-service revolution into a post- service society which could be a golden age of leisure and personal development based on the cooperative use of resources. Jeremy Rifkin (1995) uses the term The Third Industrial Revolution which he believes is now beginning to have a significant impact on the way society organises its economic activity. He describes it as the third and final stage f a great shift in economic paradigm, and a transition to a near workless information society, marked by the transition from renewable to non-renewable sources of energy and from biological to mechanical sources of power. In contrast to Masuda, Jones and Rifkin, Rosenbrock et al. (1981) delved into the history of the British Industrial Revolution, and they concluded firmly that we are not witnessing a social revolution of equivalent magnitude, because the new information technology is not bringing about new ways of living. They predicted that we are not entering an era when work becomes largely unnecessary, here will be no break with the past, but will be seeing the effect of new technology in the next 20 years as an intensification of existing tendencies, and their extension to new areas. I suggest that Rosenbrock may come to a different conclusion with the benefit of hindsight of changing lifestyles, 15 years later, such as the persistent rise in unemployment and an aging society. Population is aging especially in developed countries and will add significantly to a possible future lifestyle of leisure. Most nations will experience a further rapid increase in the proportion of their population 65 years and older y 2025. This is due to a combination of the post war baby boom and the advances in medicine, health and hygiene technology with the availability and spread of this information. Governments are encouraging delayed retirement whereas businesses are seeking to reduce the size of their older workforce. The participation rates of older men has declined rapidly over the past forty years with the development of national retirement programmes. In many developed countries the number of men 65 and older who remain in the workforce has fallen below ten percent. Due in part to technological advances there are more older eople and they are leaving the workforce earlier. Thus this body of people will contribute to the growing numbers of people with more leisure time. Clerk 1993) Professor Nickolas Negroponte (1996) of the MIT Media Lab, points out that in percentage per capita it is those people under seventeen years of age and over fifty five who are the greatest users of the Internet, and that the Internet and other information technologies encourage democracy and global egalitarianism. Furthermore he envisions a new generation of computers so human and intelligent that they are thought of more as companions and colleagues rather than echanical aids. Jones (1990) points out a number of elements relating to the adoption of new technology that have no precedent in economic history and suggests that there is a compelling case for the rapid development of policies to assist appropriate social adjustments. He points out that manufacturing has declined as the dominant employer and that there has been a transition to a service or post industrial economy in which far more workers are employed in producing tangible and intangible services than in manufacturing goods. The cost of technology has fallen dramatically relative to the cost of human labour. Miniaturisation has destroyed the historic relationship between the cost of labour and the cost of technology, allowing exponential growth with insignificant labour input, which is leading to the reduction of labour in all high volume process work. Sargent (1994) points out that in Australia during the last decade, the rich have become richer and the poor poorer: the top 20 per cent of households received 44 per cent of national incomes in 1982, and by 1990 this had risen to 47 per cent. But the top 1 per cent received 11 per cent of incomes in 1982, and this rose to 21 per cent in 1990. Meanwhile unemployment continued to increase. Jones (1990) further points out that the new technology has far greater reliability, capacity and range than any which proceeded it. Microprocessors can be directed to do almost anything from planning a school syllabus and conducting psychotherapy to stamping out metal and cutting cloth. It is cheaper to replace electronic modules than to repair them and the new technology is performing many functions at once and generating little heat or waste and will work twenty four hours a day. The making and servicing of much precision equipment which required large skilled labour force has been replaced by electronic systems that require fewer workers. The relationship between telecommunications and computers multiplies the power of both, the power for instant, universal communications is unprecedented, consequently the influence of any individual economy to control its own destiny is reduced. All advanced capitalist nations and many third world and communist blocks are now largely interdependent, this has led to an international division of labour and the growth of the multinational corporations. The global economy is rapidly taking over from individual nations. The adoption of each new generation of technology is increasing and is rapidly becoming cheaper than its predecessor. Technologies developed in the 1960s have seen rapid rates of development, adoption and dissemination. Less developed countries can now acquire the new technologies due to the rapid decrease in cost, and the combination of their low wages and the latest technology make them formidable competitors in the global market. Almost every area of information based employment, tangible services and manufacturing is being profoundly influenced by new technology. Jones (1990) notes that few economists have addressed the many social mplications that stem from the development of science and technology. Most economists thinking is shaped by the Industrial Revolution and they are unable to consider the possibility of a radical change from the past, they give no hint that Australia has passed a massive transition from a goods based economy to a service base. Attempts to apply old remedies to new situations are simply futile. Jenkins (1985) disagrees with Jones and argues on behalf of the traditional economic model suggesting that it will continue to work well in the new era and the facts do not support any causal relationship between automation, higher roductivity, and unemployment. .u82c2146094d238575028ff336db264a8 , .u82c2146094d238575028ff336db264a8 .postImageUrl , .u82c2146094d238575028ff336db264a8 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u82c2146094d238575028ff336db264a8 , .u82c2146094d238575028ff336db264a8:hover , .u82c2146094d238575028ff336db264a8:visited , .u82c2146094d238575028ff336db264a8:active { border:0!important; } .u82c2146094d238575028ff336db264a8 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u82c2146094d238575028ff336db264a8 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u82c2146094d238575028ff336db264a8:active , .u82c2146094d238575028ff336db264a8:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u82c2146094d238575028ff336db264a8 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u82c2146094d238575028ff336db264a8 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u82c2146094d238575028ff336db264a8 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u82c2146094d238575028ff336db264a8 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u82c2146094d238575028ff336db264a8:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u82c2146094d238575028ff336db264a8 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u82c2146094d238575028ff336db264a8 .u82c2146094d238575028ff336db264a8-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u82c2146094d238575028ff336db264a8:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Advertising English EssayHe claims that it cannot be emphasised too strongly that unemployment does not stem from the installation of new technology. He says it is the failure to automate that risks jobs and the introduction of new technology will increase the total number of jobs. Further, he suggests that the primary reason for introducing new technology such as computer controlled robots is to reduce costs and to improve product quality and that lower costs mean lower prices. This results in increased demands for goods and services, which in turn generates higher output and employment and profits. He uggests that higher profits induce higher investment and research and development expenditure whilst the domestic producers of robotics and microelectronic based equipment increase output and employment. He sees the greatest problem simply in the need for occupational restructure of employment, as the need for software experts, computer programmers, technicians and engineers are likely to sharply rise. Rifkin (1995) like Jones believes that the old economic models are inappropriate in the Third Industrial Revolution and describes views similar to Jenkins as century old conventional economic wisdom and a logic eading to unprecedented levels of technical unemployment, a precipitous decline in purchasing power, and the spectre of a worldwide depression. It is questioned whether Jenkins solution of re-training will be able to replace all displaced workers. Educator Jonathon Kazol (1985) points out that education for all but a few domestic jobs starts at the ninth grade level. And for those, the hope of being retrained or schooled for a new job in the elite knowledge sector is without doubt out of reach. Even if re-training and re- education on a mass scale were undertaken, the vast numbers of dislocated orkers could not be absorbed as there will not be enough high-tech jobs available in the automated economy of the twenty-first century. A British Government backed study by Brady and Liff (1983) clearly supported this view. They concluded that jobs may be created through new technology, but it will be a very long time before the gains could offset the losses from traditional industries. Even the neo-classical economists continue to subscribe to traditional economic solutions, yet they have been met with stiff opposition over the years. In Das Kapital, Marx (McLelland 1977) predicted in 1867 that increasing the automation f production would eliminate the worker altogether, and believed the capitalists were digging their own graves as there would be fewer and fewer consumers with the purchasing power to buy the products. Many orthodox economists agreed with Marxs view in many respects, but unlike Marx, supported the notion of trickle down economics and said that by releasing workers, the capitalists were providing a cheap labour pool that could be taken up by new industries that in turn would use the surplus labour to increase their profits that would in turn be invested in new labour saving echnology which would once again displace labour, creating an upward cycle of prosperity and economic growth. Such a viewpoint may have some validity in the short-term but one must consider the longer term effects of such a cycle, it is questionable whether it could be sustained. Another important question is whether consumerism will continue unabated, whether it is a normal human condition to see happiness and salvation in the acquisition of goods and services. The word consumption until the present century was steeped in violence. In its original form the term, which has both French and English roots, meant to subdue, to destroy, to pillage. Compared with the mid 1940s the average American is consuming twice as much now. The mass consumption phenomena was not the inevitable result of an insatiable human nature or a phenomenon that occurred spontaneously, quite the contrary. Business leaders realised quite early that they needed to create the dissatisfied customer, and to make people want things that they had not previously desired (Rifkin 1996). Nations throughout the world are starting to understand the ill effects that production has on the natural environment, and the acquisition of oods and services on the psyche. With more people with less money, and a trend towards a lifestyle that emphasises quality rather than quantity, it is questionable whether consumerism will, or is desirable, to continue. Science and technologys profile grew to such an extent in the early part of this century in the United States that the supporters and proponents of technocracy were prepared to abandon democracy, and favoured rule by science rather than rule by humans and advocated the establishment of a national body, a technate, that would be given the power to assemble the nations resources and ake decisions governing production and distribution of goods and services. The image of technology as the complete and invincible answer, has somewhat tarnished in recent years with the number of technological accidents such as those which occurred in nuclear power stations at Chernobl and Three Mile Island, and threats of nuclear war and environmental degradation increasing and coming to the fore. Yet the dream that science and technology will free humanity from a life of drudgery continues to remains alive and vibrant, especially among the younger generation. During the 1930s, government officials, trade unionists, economists and usiness leaders were concerned that the result of labour saving devices, rising productivity and efficiency, was worsening the economic plight of every industrial nation. Organised labour wished to share the gains by business, such as increased profits and fewer workers required. They joined together, to combat unemployment by fighting to reducing the working week and improve wages, thus sharing the work and profits amongst the workers and providing more leisure time. By employing more people at fewer hours, labour leaders hoped to reduce unemployment brought on by labor-saving technology, stimulate purchasing power nd revive the economy. Clearly unions saw the problems resulting from technological change to lie partly, in increased leisure time (Rifkin 1996). Unemployment is steadily rising, global unemployment has now reached its highest level since the great depression of the 1930s. More than 800 million people are now underemployed or are unemployed in the world, while the rich are becoming richer and the poor getting poorer. Unemployment rates among school leavers in South Australia is as high as twenty five per cent and nine per cent for the rest of the community, which leads one to question whether the traditional conomic model is working. Trade unions have pursued their response to unemployment throughout the years with wages and salaries growing and the working week reduced, for example in the UK the working week has reduced from eighty four hours in 1820 down to thirty eight hours in 1996 (Jones 1990). Typical government response to unemployment has been to instigate public works programmes and to manipulate purchasing power by tax policies that stimulate the economy and lower tax on consumption. It can been seen in Australia that governments no longer see this as the answer, in fact there is an opposite pproach with a strong movement for a goods and services tax, to redistribute wealth, as proposed by the defeated Liberal Party of Andrew Peacock in 1992, and now being re-introduced. Many job creation schemes and retraining programmes are being abandoned by the new Australian Liberal Government of John Howard. However the power of the workers and unions in 1996 is severely restricted. The unions have lost the support of workers as reflected in their falling membership, and no longer can use the threat of direct action with jobs disappearing fast. The Liberal Government passed legislation to limit collective bargaining, with nions power of direct action becoming even more eroded and ineffective because of global competition and division of labour, and automation gave companies many alternatives. Unions have been left with no option but to support re- training, whether they believe it is the answer to unemployment or not. Today, it seems far less likely that the public sector, the unions or the marketplace will once again be able to rescue the economy from increasing technological unemployment. The technological optimists continue to suggest that new services and products resulting from the technological revolution will enerate additional employment. While this is true, the new products and services require less workers to produce and operate, and certainly will not counteract those made redundant through obsolete trades and professions. .u77dcf6003565b00f38dcd6a11d2bd0f0 , .u77dcf6003565b00f38dcd6a11d2bd0f0 .postImageUrl , .u77dcf6003565b00f38dcd6a11d2bd0f0 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u77dcf6003565b00f38dcd6a11d2bd0f0 , .u77dcf6003565b00f38dcd6a11d2bd0f0:hover , .u77dcf6003565b00f38dcd6a11d2bd0f0:visited , .u77dcf6003565b00f38dcd6a11d2bd0f0:active { border:0!important; } .u77dcf6003565b00f38dcd6a11d2bd0f0 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u77dcf6003565b00f38dcd6a11d2bd0f0 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u77dcf6003565b00f38dcd6a11d2bd0f0:active , .u77dcf6003565b00f38dcd6a11d2bd0f0:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u77dcf6003565b00f38dcd6a11d2bd0f0 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u77dcf6003565b00f38dcd6a11d2bd0f0 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u77dcf6003565b00f38dcd6a11d2bd0f0 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u77dcf6003565b00f38dcd6a11d2bd0f0 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u77dcf6003565b00f38dcd6a11d2bd0f0:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u77dcf6003565b00f38dcd6a11d2bd0f0 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u77dcf6003565b00f38dcd6a11d2bd0f0 .u77dcf6003565b00f38dcd6a11d2bd0f0-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u77dcf6003565b00f38dcd6a11d2bd0f0:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Part One EssayDirect global marketing by way of the Superhighway the Internet and other forms of instant telecommunications is making thousands of middle marketing employees obsolete. For example the SA bank introduced phone banking some while ago, they now are the first bank in South Australia to trade on the Internet (http://www. banksa. com. au), and many rural banks are closing. Also, it has just een announced by the electoral commission that voting by telephone will be trialed next year, with enormous potential job loss. The widely publicised information superhighway brings a range of products, information and services direct to the consumer, bypassing traditional channels of distribution and transportation. The numbers of new technical jobs created will not compare with the millions whose jobs will become irrelevant and redundant in the retail sectors. Jones (1990) notes that there is a coy reticence from those who believe that social structure and economics will continue as in the past, to identify the ysterious new labour absorbing industry that will arise in the future to prevent massive unemployment. Jones believes that industry X if it does appear, will not be based on conventional economic wisdom but is likely to be in areas where technology will have little application, he suggests it may be in service based areas such as education, home based industry, leisure and tourism. Despite Barry Jones predictions, most service industries are very much affected by new technology. Education is fast becoming resource based with students in primary, secondary, technical and tertiary levels expected to do their own esearch and projects independent of class teachers with schools being networked and teaching through video conferencing. The conventional teacher is fast becoming obsolete, with the number of permanent teachers reducing, There are numerous examples of workers in service industries being displaced by technology. Shop fronts such as banking, real estate, travel and many more, are disappearing. Small retail food outlets continue to collapse, with the growth of supermarkets and food chains organised around computer technology, and on- line shopping from home. Designers of all types are being superseded by CAD omputer design software. Even completely automated home computerised services such as a hardware and software package called Jeeves is now available. Business management and company directors are finding voice activated lap top computer secretaries far more reliable and efficient than the human form. The New Zealand Minister for Information and Technology, Hon. Maurice Williamson MP, wrote the foreword for the paper How Information Technology will change New Zealand: On the threshold of the twenty first century we are entering a period of change as far reaching as any we have ever seen. Since the industrial revolution people have had to locate themselves in large centres where they could work with others, but now new technologies are rendering distance unimportant. The skills that are needed in tomorrows society will be those associated with information and knowledge rather than the industrial skills of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Changing technology will affect almost every aspect of our lives: how we do our jobs; how we educate our children; how we communicate with each other and how we are entertained. As Williamson points out, with the explosion of technologies , it is easy to ose sight of the larger patterns that underlie them. If we look at the fundamental ways people live, learn and work, we may gain insights about everyday life. These insights are the basis for new technologies and new products that are making an enormous difference in peoples lives. Stepping back from the day-to-day research for new electronic devices, life can be seen as being fundamentally transformed. There is development of a networked society; a pattern of digital connections that is global, unprecedented, vital, and exciting in the way that it propels the opportunities for entirely new markets and leisure. As people make digital technology an integral part of the way they live, learn, work and play, they are joining a global electronic network that has the potential for reshaping many of our lives in the coming decade. In the future, technologies will play an even greater role in changing the way people live, learn, work and play, creating a global society where we live more comfortably; with cellular phones and other appliances that obey voice commands; energy-efficient, economical and safe home environments monitored by digital sensors. There will be Smart appliances and vehicles that anticipate our needs nd deliver service instantly. We are seeing portable communications devices that work without wires; software intelligent agents that sort and synthesise information in a personally tailored format; new technologies that provide increased safety and protect our freedom, ranging from infra-red devices that illuminate the night to microwave devices that improve radar and communications. People are also learning more efficiently, with interactive video classrooms that enable one-on-one attention and learning systems that remember each students strengths and tailor lesson plans accordingly. There are lap-top computers and desktop video clips that bring in-depth background on current events with instant access to worldwide libraries and reference books with full motion pictures. People are working more productively, with virtual offices made possible by portable communications technologies and software that allows enterprise-wide business solutions at a fraction of the usual cost and in a shorter length of time with massive memory available at the desktop and lap-top levels. There are Intelligent photocopiers that duplicate a document and route it to a file and imultaneous desktop video-conferencing from multiple locations, sending voice and data simultaneously over the same communications channel. With the explosion of leisure activities available, people play more expansively. There are hundreds of movies available on demand at home, virtual-reality games, a growth in the number of channels delivered by direct satellite television, videophones that link faces with voices, interactive television for audience participation, instant access to worldwide entertainment and travel information and interactive telegaming with international partners (Texas Instruments 1996). This paper has considered developments in electronic miniaturisation, robotics, digitisation and information technology with its social implications for human values and the future of work. It has argued that we have entering a post-modern period and are entering a post-market era in which life will no longer be structured around work in the traditional sense, there will be greater freedom and independent living, paid employment will be de-emphasised and our lifestyle will be leisure orientated. I have argued that the social goal of full employment in the traditional sense s no longer appropriate, necessary or even possible, that both government and society will need to recognise the effects of technology on social structure and re-organise resources to be distributed more equally if extreme social unrest, inequity, trauma and possible civil disruption is to be avoided. I foresee a scenario of a sustainable integrated global community in which there will be some form of barter but cash will be largely eliminated, money will be virtual. A minimal amount of people will be involved and enjoy some forms of high tech activity, while the vast majority will have a vocation that s essentially creative and enjoyable perhaps involving the arts and music with a spirituality that involves deep respect and care for the natural world with new forms of individual and group interaction. There will be minimal forms of world central democratic government. Vast forms of infrastructure will no longer be required as citizens will largely be technologically independent. Most communication and interaction will be instant and conducted from home, office or public terminal. There will be new forms and ways of living, new family structures that may consist of larger and smaller groups. A comfortable, pleasurable and leisure based lifestyle in which all the essentials and wants will be automatically provided through the processes of the largely self- sustaining and self evolving technology. Rifkin (1995) has a similar view, and concludes that he believes the road to a near-workerless economy is within sight and that road could head for a safe haven or a terrible abyss, it all depends on how well civilisation prepares for the post-market era. He too is optimistic and suggests that the end of work could signal the beginning of a great social transformation, a rebirth in the human spirit.