Historians Can't Speculate Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Historians Can't Speculate - Essay Example Yet when the historical records of an event such as American slavery tend to be biased towards the view of it as just another type of economic enterprise, there is clear value in what might be termed memory or the an attempt to explore what actually occurred using the human imagination as a spur rather than 'actual' historical records. Beloved is a prime example of such an attempt. Historians are concerned with events which can be assigned to specific time-space locations, events which are (or were) in principle observable or perceivable, whereas imaginary writers . . . are concerned with both these kinds of events and imagined, hypothetical, or invented ones. It is interesting to note that White's definition provides for an area of coincidence between the work of the historian and the work of the imaginary writer (such as Morrison, who is a novelist) by suggesting that novelists deal with historical events as well as historians, although they may also include the fictional elements that the historian supposedly does not. As White suggests, it was after the Enlightenment and the French Revolution that history and literature started to part company. By the early 1800's "it became conventional, at least among historians, to identify truth with fact and to regard fiction as the opposite of the truth" (White, p.123) (emphasis added). This might seem almost childishly simplistic to many scholars today, but it can be related to the supposed triumph of the 'rational', often in the form of Science, over the irrational. The word science means "to know" (from the Latin scio, to know) and the only thing that can be "known" is a fact. Fiction was thus "a hindrance to the understanding of reality rather than as a way of apprehending it"(White, p.123). History was thus placed within a hierarchy that placed it indelibly above, and thus superior, to that of mere fiction. Many historians of this era did not seem to consider the fact that the histories which they were writing depended a lot upon which facts were being considered, and that this just as much choice and imagination went into writing them as in fiction. History dealt with facts, and thus the truth, while fiction dealt with non-facts, and thus lies. It was only during the Twentieth Century that history and fiction started their long journey back towards one another. In the Nineteenth Century historians did not realize that which seems self-evident today: "facts do not speak for themselves, but that the historian speaks for them, speaks on their behalf, and fashions the fragments of the past into a whole whose whole integrity is - in its representation - a purely discursive one" (White, p.125). It is this "fashioning" which makes history resemble the process a fictional writer goes through when she is creating a world of characters. The historian takes a historical event, for example, the Fall of the Bastille, and gives meaning to it by creating a kaleidoscope through which the event can be seen. The fact that the Bastille fell cannot be disputed; what that falling means can be. Both history and fiction deal with meaning, and thus can be regarded as different techniques with the same end in mind.  Ã‚  

Goal setting Essay -- essays research papers

Why Should I set my goals? Saying I’m going to have $5 million by retirement is not goal setting. Although it might sound like I have a goal, not developing a realistic path toward fulfilling it will, unfortunately, turn my supposed goal into what it really is--a pipe dream. And pipe dreams are rarely realized. Goals, however, when properly set can usually be met. Goal setting is the term commonly given for the process of setting and working towards specific, defined goals. Pretty simple really. What is difficult, however, is getting people to sit down and actually do it, even though it fits with human nature. When we want to go on a trip, we look at a map and plan our route. If we get lost, we recheck our map. When we want to build a model, we orderly follow the steps. When all is done, our human nature wins out: we reach our destination, and the model is correctly built. By learning the skills of goal setting, developing success habits, and maintaining a goal-setting routine we can have the map to success. A map that will guide us straight to the achievement of all the goals we desire and deserve. Where Do I Start I started by getting it into my mind that I deserve success /complete my certification, and that success is something I can achieve. I have a strong belief that I can reach this success, and prepared to determine the path towards that success. I am willing to accept that I can finish the certification, and I'll enjoy being successful, and I am willing to es... Goal setting Essay -- essays research papers Why Should I set my goals? Saying I’m going to have $5 million by retirement is not goal setting. Although it might sound like I have a goal, not developing a realistic path toward fulfilling it will, unfortunately, turn my supposed goal into what it really is--a pipe dream. And pipe dreams are rarely realized. Goals, however, when properly set can usually be met. Goal setting is the term commonly given for the process of setting and working towards specific, defined goals. Pretty simple really. What is difficult, however, is getting people to sit down and actually do it, even though it fits with human nature. When we want to go on a trip, we look at a map and plan our route. If we get lost, we recheck our map. When we want to build a model, we orderly follow the steps. When all is done, our human nature wins out: we reach our destination, and the model is correctly built. By learning the skills of goal setting, developing success habits, and maintaining a goal-setting routine we can have the map to success. A map that will guide us straight to the achievement of all the goals we desire and deserve. Where Do I Start I started by getting it into my mind that I deserve success /complete my certification, and that success is something I can achieve. I have a strong belief that I can reach this success, and prepared to determine the path towards that success. I am willing to accept that I can finish the certification, and I'll enjoy being successful, and I am willing to es...

Cgi (Computer Generated Imagery)

Sandra Lewis English 102. 033 Mr. Larsen April 3, 2011 Computer-Generated Imagery Forever Changes The Face Of Film And Television Movies were entirely revolutionized in the 1990s after the release of Toy Story (1995), the first feature length animation made entirely from CGI (computer-generated imagery) to be released. When it came to the drawing boards, productions companies changed the ways they had traditionally made animated movies. Movies made with CGI became easier to produce, more eye appealing, and realistic. The production of movies was entirely renovated.In the world of animation, CGI made the creating and editing of animated movies possible to change a scene in a month rather then a year. Movies have stuck to CGI majority of the time making it the new standard for most viewers, the new type competition between production companies, and the new requirement on resumes for hopeful animators. CGI gave the production of science-fiction movies the possibility to have a realistic feel. The significant differences between CGI and classical hand-drawn animations are not only the obvious; one being done by computer and one is on paper.The biggest difference is time efficiency and believability. A computer-generated image can be done one of two ways: a picture that is hand-drawn and then scanned into a computer or an entirely computer produced image, with a software specially designed for computer made imagery (Abbott, Pg. 91). After this step computer animators can move images around in one thousandth of the time it would take to move a hand-drawn image. Hypothetically meaning that if a hand-drawn scene took you twenty-four hours to move images around, with a CGI it would take twenty-four seconds. That changes the entire playing field when it comes to filmmaking.The ability to go in and out of scenes and move the image or objects not wanted, without distorting the background or surrounding images, is a step that has made CGI animator friendly. The images and s cenes that have been created are easily adjusted to perfection. For example in the television series The Silver Surfer which was a blending of cel and computer-generated imagery, it was possible to move him from one side of the screen to the other without distorting the rest of the image (in scenes that were completely CGI). CGI made thousands of jobs for editors and created a new field of expertise in film.With todays technology in special effects designers have walked a fine line between artist and technician. The increasing use of computer technology for special effects has made them seem more like modern day computer scientists rather then their predecessors. â€Å"Not only does the hardware and software require the highest level of computer expertise to operate, but the technicians must research, develop, and experiment with the technology in order to acquire its desired effects. † (Abbott, pg. 91) An animator today has to know not only how to draw and be creative, but a lso have to know how to do all of this on a computer.Therefore CGI has changed not only the production, but also the hiring and background education needed to become an animator. According to Manovich â€Å"Achieving synthetic realism means attaining two goals-the simulation of the codes of traditional cinematography and the simulation of the perceptual properties of real life objects and environments. (Bostic, Pg. 358) This is no longer just art and design of film, this is computer-programming and engineering at its very best. Movies have entirely been turned around due to the convenience and reality that CGI brings to the table. Never before have we been able to realize such fantastic imagery, blending live action with computer-generated imagery with seamless agility. † (Bostic, pg. 359) There is now a level of difficulty even for professionals in the field of special effects to determine what is reality and what is computer-generated. The imagery we see on TV and in the mo vie theatres has entirely changed what our expectations are when about to watch a movie. If a movie like Godzilla (1954) came out in todays’ world, the likely hood of it being a success is not probable.Watching a rubber suited monster attack a city is not the most eye pleasing special effect. A movie with no special effects doesn’t contain the believable factor. Where as a movie such as Jurassic Park (1993) containing several CGI, is one that brings a realistic feel to the dinosaurs. Humans and creatures/animals interacting with a realistic feel made science fiction movies much more believable. For example, in hit series of movies, Star Wars: Phantom Menace (1999) Jar-Jar Binks, a Gungan that helps Qui-Gon-Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi, was completely CGI created and continuously standing near humans.The combination of background, scenery and creatures mixed with humans in outer space was â€Å"mind blowing† cool. The series became one of the most popular of all time. When imagining CGI involving humans and creatures, I think of a creature of social reality as well as a possible creature of science fiction (a hybrid machine). The ability to do this has opened a futuristic and fictional possibility to movies that was never possible. To watch a human on screen mutate, transform, or travel through time and dreams, creates a world that one can only imagine.CGI has turned horror, fantasy, and martial art into a form of hybridized science fiction. According to Abbott In Terminator 2: Judgment day (1991) â€Å"No longer simply the fusion of flesh and a metal endoskeleton, the new terminator was supposedly made of liquid metal able to transform from one shape to another. † (Abbott, Pg 92) Every year fiction movies are becoming more innovative with all the possibilities CGI offers. CGI has brought so much potential to the drawing boards of the movie industry. The industry has been using CGI in majority of movies for the past 15 years since the rel ease of Toy Story.The difference between Toy Story and Toy Story 3 in graphics is hardly noticeable. The biggest differences are within the new TV resolutions and Blu-Ray players. CGI has been some what updated and few glitches have been fixed, but it remains to be as used and as efficient as it was once Pixar mastered it with Toy Story in the mid ‘1990s. A movie such as Avatar, which is widely known for its graphics and unbelievable imagery, is setting new standards for CGI in the world of film. â€Å"After writing this story many years ago, James Cameron discovered that the technology he needed to make it happen did not exist.So, he went out and created it in collaboration with the best effects minds in the business. This is motion capture brought to a new high where every detail of the actors' performances gets preserved in the final CG character as they appear on the screen. Yes, those eyes are no longer dead holes but big and expressive, almost dominating the wide and lo ng alien faces. † (Honeycutt) James Cameron spent several years with highly trained computer-graphic engineers trying to exceed the limits of computer-generated imagery. In the end, after working so hard to bring a new level of realism to CGI, he made billions and broke more CGI barriers.It would be at the most difficulty to argue that CGI has not changed the, expectations that viewers have when entering a movie theater with, the requirements needed to be a successful animator today, the change in production of movies, and the possibilities that producers can bring to the screen. A film without CGI is typically not as good, because all of the films that come out of the cinema as blockbusters include a great amount of CGI and explosions, therefore as an audience we now expect them. Movies, television, and advertisement have been changed with CGI to please the audience and take cinema to a new possible level.Works Cited. Abbott, Stacey. â€Å"Final Frontiers: Computer-Generated Imagery and the Science Fiction Film. â€Å"Science Fiction Studies 33. 1 (2006): 89-108. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 4 Apr. 2011. Bostic, Adam I. Automatax: Seeing Cyborg Through the Eyes of Popular Culture, Computer-Generated Imagery, and Contemporary Theory. Leonardo, Vol. 31, No. 5, Sixth Annual New York Digital Salon (1998( pp. 357-361). Jstor. The MIT Press. ND. Honeycutt, Kirk. Avatar-Film Review. Hollywoodreporter. com. THR. ND. WEB. December 10, 2009. Manovich, Lev. The Language of New Media. Cambridge. MA: MIT , 2001

Gun Control and Regulation Essay - 1716 Words

Gun Control and Regulation The idea of gun control and regulation is becoming more and more popular throughout the U.S., although it may still bring up resistance among some people. Guns are sort of a foundation of American culture. This countrys freedom was won over bloody and heroic wars with guns. Guns are portrayed throughout television, movies, and video games. Guns are a popular symbol of power, control, authority, dominance, and can be associated with security and defense. The role guns play in our society is a highly controversial debate. I will support the gun control and regulatory side of this topic as a short-term realistic goal. There are both avid supporters of the 2nd amendment guaranteeing American†¦show more content†¦among all other industrial nations. Next to automobile fatality, gun violence is the second leading cause of death by injury in the U.S. It should become first by the year 2003 unless something is done to prevent it. In the early nineties for example, four s tates -- Nevada, Virginia, Louisiana, and Texas had trends of gun injury as the top cause of death. This type of violence it seems is almost as epidemic as AIDS is in causing death. That is a very scary thing to consider. (gunfree.org) The National Center for Health Statistics reports that firearms have taken the lives of 35,957 people in the U.S. in 1995. There is a 21.5% firearm fatality increase since 1985. And, of these fatalities, suicides rank first at 18,503 people; homicides second at 15,835 people; unintentional shootings next at 1,225 people; and 394 were undetermined. (gunfree.org) Now I would like to demystify several arguments used against gun control. The first one assumes that gun control wont stop gun violence or crime. Most criminals get guns through legal means contrary to what the gun lobby says to justify having a huge availability of guns. This is proven by the Criminal Justice Research Center. They apparently surveyed that only 27% of adult inmates and 43% of j uveniles have bought handguns illegally on the black market. On the other hand, of these inmates, 69% of adults and 55% of juveniles obtained guns through means like retail, gun shops, privateShow MoreRelatedGun Control And Gun Regulation1867 Words   |  8 PagesGun regulation has been a serious controversial topic over years. Politicians from opposite parties always have extensive debates about it during election time. Advocates for gun right believe the ability to own a gun gives people protection. Advocates for gun restriction believe guns are weapons and would do more harm than good. In the past years, the deathly incidents involving guns have significantly increased. Shooting in Orlando and the shooting in Dallas are one of the most memorable eventsRead MoreGun Control And Gun Regulation1806 Words   |  8 PagesAs I know, gun regulation has always been a controversial topic among the United States. According to a Federal report, Lisa M. Hepburn and David Hemenway discovered that over 60 percent of all homicides in the United States in 1999 involved a firearm and firearm ownership in the United States, particularly handgun ownership, is much more common than in other developed nations(Firearm Availability and Homicide: A Review of the Literature). Also the research of the Homicide Trends in the United StatesRead MoreGun Control Regulations Act Of 19751058 Words   |  5 PagesLafayette have recently been the settings of dreadful tragedies. Each of these catastrophes results in select politicians, and even President Barrack Obama, demanding Gun control across the United States of America. Some anti-gun activists desire stricter gun laws, while other anti-gun activists have acquired aspirations for a ban on all guns across the nation. They claim that the Second Amendment is outdated, and that we will be safer in the complete absence of firearms. This has been, and continues toRead MoreGun Control Regulations Should Be Banned Essay1535 Words   |  7 P agesGun violence in recent years has increased significantly in various parts of the word. Most often the ones caught in the crossfire are children and young adults; who are also perpetrators. The question every wants to know is: Are gun laws, strict enough and what else can be done to reduce such violence from occurring. This is the debate that lobbyist and government officials have been arguing over for years. With more lives being affected on a regular basis, the increase concerns arise as to howRead MoreGun Control, Or Firearm Regulation, Can Be Defined As The1929 Words   |  8 PagesGun control, or firearm regulation, can be defined as the set of laws or policies that regulate the manufacture, sale, transfer, possession, modification, or use of firearms by civilians. In America and countries across the world, the distribution and legalization of guns and gun related products has created great controversy in contemporary politics. The purpose of the debate being an attempt to find the middle area between constituent safety and rights of civilians to own or protect themselvesRead MoreGun Control Regulations Do Not Deter Violence And Crime1356 Words   |  6 Pagespeople were killed by gun violence in 2013 alone.† After the Sandy Hook shooting, in Newtown, Connecticut with a death toll of 26, Congress has still failed to pass these regulations which 90% of Americans wish to have. While tightening the gun control may not guarantee the complete absence of mass shootings or gun violence and crime, it has definately been shown to significantly reduce these rates. America is in need of tighter gun control laws because current regulations do not deter violence andRead MoreGun Control Is The Government Regulation Of The Sale And Ownership Of Firearms1660 Words   |  7 Pages2/22/16 Block 3 DC Gun Control Gun control is the â€Å"government regulation of the sale and ownership of firearms.† (Dictionary.com). In D.C., handguns, rifles, shotguns, and revolvers may be registered. Sawed-off shotguns, machine guns, short barreled rifles, unsafe handguns, assault weapons, and .50 caliber rifles are all prohibited in D.C., meaning that there is no possible way to own them. (DC.gov, 2014). A single person may only register one handgun every 30 days unless the gun was owned in anotherRead MoreNo Guns More Crime : Gun Control Laws And Regulations Across The United States1486 Words   |  6 PagesNo Guns More Crime A growing number of states in the US have passed stricter gun policies for citizens to own bare arms. The almighty goal is to have all the guns taken away from gun owners and future gun owners. The policies have adjusted citizens to go through a process just to obtain a gun license or permit. For example, rigorous background checks and sponsorship from law enforcement. This process contradicts the 2nd Amendment from the U.S Constitution. Every American has the constitutionalRead MoreThe Issue Of Gun Control1641 Words   |  7 Pages On the topic of gun control, the main objective is to aim towards regulation along with the restriction of the possession and the purchasing of firearms. The whole idea that is public policy issue, is due to the fact the right that US citizens have within the second amendment. According to Cornell University Law School in their legal information institute the second amendment is defined as, â€Å"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keepRead MoreGun Control1095 Words   |  5 PagesGun Control: The Battle Rages On Abstract This paper discusses and is centered around the on-going debate over gun control, I directly address how each major political party views this subject and what I believe the United States Government should do to be able to best combat this tremendous issue. I use research from multiple sources that contrast each side of the argument and give an overall insight into the world of modernized gun control. Gun Control: The Battle Rages On With the Second