Insider Essays (1022 words) - Brown Williamson, Films, The Insider

Insider The Insider A dramatization of 1995 events in which the tobacco industry allegedly covered up proof that nicotine is addictive and harmful. When Brown and Williamson executive Jeffrey Wigand (Crowe) tries to expose the industry's cover-up, he is threatened into silence. He eventually gets his story to 60 Minutes producer Lowell Bergman (AL Pacino), but CBS decides against airing it due to political and economic pressures, and the threat of lawsuit from Brown and Williamson. Before we start, I think it's important that you know a little thing about me, and where I'm coming from. I do smoke. But I believe that most of the lawsuits filed against the tobacco industry are unfounded, desperate attempts for people to put the blame on anyone but themselves. I think social security is a safety net for the financially irresponsible. I thought The Insider was a great movie from a strictly entertainment perspective (don't get ahead of me on this one!), and I enjoyed it very much. Russell Crowe is Jeffrey Wigand, a Brown and Williamson VP of Research and Development whose conscience compels him to blow the whistle on the industry. He claims that Big Tobacco has been covering up scientific research that proves nicotine is addictive and harmful. The writing puts a lot of energy into making sure that Wigand is a sufficiently complicated character, and one that we sympathize with. To be sure, he's not entirely one-dimensional. Initially, he does what most of us would do in his position: he takes the money and benefits that the company offers him in return for silence. After all, the guy has a family to look out for. But then Wigand is tortured over his passiveness, wondering if he should take a more aggressive stance with his potentially damaging knowledge. 60 Minutes producer Lowell Bergman, sensing a big story in the works, tries to coax Wigand into talking. An energetic Al Pacino, who fights to get the story on the air, only to have it snuffed by CBS, plays Bergman here. Allegedly, the television network was possibly up for sale around the time of this story, and airing it might have damaged their image with controversy, making it less appealing to potential suitors. This, coupled with the threat of lawsuit from Brown and Williamson, made CBS refuse to air the story. The Insider portrays these events as a crusade on the part of Bergman and Wigand to get the truth out there, against the will of Big Business and Bigger Tobacco. And while Bergman is never portrayed as much more than a journalist with an uncharacteristic amount of integrity, Wigand is a great character to follow as he tries to balance out everything around him. Tortured and sleepless, his reactions are what you would expect from someone forced to choose between the safety of his family with the gravity of what he knows. Most of it makes for edge of your suit viewing. Suspense abounds, and AL Pacino's confrontations with the evil corporate executives, censors, and whatnot are the centerpiece of the movie. He gets to climb up on the soapbox and belt out a few speeches about truth and justice and freedom and right and wrong and all that other fun stuff. It's tense, and it's really quite fascinating, actually. From a dramatic standpoint, this movie couldn't have asked for better performances. Gina Gershon makes an appearance in the movie as a tough, icy corporate attorney for CBS. As a standard caricature of faceless law more interested in money than people, she's fabulous. The Insider runs at over two and half hours, but always remains interesting and never drags. The biggest issue I have with this movie is how it so comfortably passes itself off as an unbiased, historical representation of what happened between real life executive Jeffrey Wigand, real life producer Lowell Bergman, and real life corporation Brown and Williamson. The problem is that the movie is so well crafted and so interesting that it's very easy to accept it as 100% Grade A Truth. However, this is clearly Wigand's story, and closer inspection would reveal that the main characters here are just a little too perfect to be real. Did Bergman really storm into the offices of CBS and rant

The Proper Approach to Writing a Rhetorical Examination

The Proper Approach to Writing a Rhetorical ExaminationAn outstanding rhetorical examination is the outcome that a student desires when they are taking the test. They want to achieve the most impressive result for the kind of essay they choose to write and for the subject matter that they choose to cover. Knowing the correct rhetorical assessment technique can help them accomplish this goal.Before one starts thinking about writing a rhetorical examination, they should first determine what topic they would like to study on. The question of the essay should be relevant to the topic that they choose. For example, if they choose to write an essay on travel, they should determine how they will travel around by using the questions in a rhetorical examination sample essay.The approach that a student uses for writing a rhetorical examination must also be consistent with their objectives for the assignment. For example, if the student wants to learn how to do research, they should ask questio ns about the things that they would like to learn when they go on vacation. They could use questions like: 'How do you make a successful visit to a foreign country?' or 'What are some tips to make the experience more fun?'Also, there are some questions that can be used to form logical parts of the essay. One may ask questions like: 'What is the best way to spend a day on vacation?' or 'What will you remember about the trip?' They could also ask questions about whether to go to a certain destination or if they should visit another part of the country.Next, a student must choose a passage that he or she believes will stand out to other students. To do this, they must think about how the passage can stand out. Some examples of passages include:The passage should be something that will draw the reader's attention to it and to the main idea of the essay. Then, the questions that were asked should relate to the passage.In writing the essay, the reader should have an idea as to what the es say is all about. If it is a survey essay, they should be able to figure out the purpose of the essay fairly quickly. Also, it is helpful to read a variety of essays before the essay is due so that the student has an idea as to how each essay will be structured.When writing the passage, the writer should ask questions about the passage. This can help them to better understand the content of the essay. Also, the writer should be able to see what the main ideas of the essay are.

Pregnancy essays

Pregnancy essays As a teenager, one is faced with many different obstacles that must be overcome. The pressure about school, homework, after school activities, a job, a boyfriend, and family all contribute to what makes up a teenager's stressful life. One important thing that teenagers face is sex. There is an increasingly amount of teenagers having sex at a younger age. If one chooses to have sex, there are consequences that must be thought about in a mature way. At 17-years-old, most people would think a girl is too young to even think about having sex. But with society these days, promoting sexuality, it's not something that's unheard of. There are some girls out there who have sex when they're just beginning their teen years. The seriousness of having sex is usually overlooked when it happens so young. We don't realize the risk involved; you have to worry about contracting an STD or HIV or becoming pregnant. The last thing a girl wants to do is to become pregnant, especially with so many other things to worry about. Some people wait until marriage for religious or their own moral reasons. However, those who choose to have sex before they are married must face the consequences that come their way. In order to prevent pregnancy, using protection and birth control is your best bet. Birth control would be a necessity if you are sexually active. Condoms do prevent pregnancy but there is always the chance of it tearing or some other accident. Also, if you become sexually active, you should make sure that you visit a doctor in order to find out that everything is properly taken care of. Testing your partner for diseases is also a smart idea, just in case he has contracted something he doesn't know about. If a girl does become pregnant, there are a couple options she's able to take advantage of. There is always the way of abortion, which I am completely against. Having an abortion is unfair to the unborn child and the easy way ...

Amish and Modern American Society

Module B: Close Study of Text Text: Witness ‘Witness’, an American film, directed by Australian director Peter Weir, is a film set in 1985 about a clash of modern American society, and an idyllic Amish community. Maeri Saeli describes it as â€Å"the two worlds meet, but never merge† This is shown in the interaction between ideas, characters and techniques that make an impact on the audience. The main ideas represented in this text are Violence versus non-violence/ pacifism versus direct action, relationships, and the clash of cultures. Through exploring these ideas characterisation becomes evident and many techniques are used such as film techniques, symbolism and these can be recognised by analysing scenes. Violence versus non-violence is represented through the clashing of the two cultures and the differences of their cultural values and ideals. The modern American society, where Book is originally situated is evidently a society that uses much violence to achieve things whenever necessary. This type of society is visually implied by Peter Weir as being corrupted, seedy and violent in nature which is shown through darkness, and filming is often conducted under the cover of night, in crowded and cramped spaces, and by using artificial lighting. For example the scene conducted at the Happy Valley night club shows this type of violent and depressive society. Book grabs a suspect from inside the cramped and sordid bar, takes him outside into the night and slams his face into the car window, for Samuel to identify, where we see the shocked faces of Samuel and Rachel who wait inside a light blue car which represents their purity and innocence during this situation and this contrasts with the dark, violent and ‘foreign’ society that surrounds them. As this light coloured car is owned by Book, it is also suggestive that although he uses violence, Book is a good and moral man at heart which is revealed throughout the film. Thus these examples show that this modern American society is one where you cannot ‘judge a book by its cover’ and they allows the audience to observe the individualistic and greedy views of the modern American society. However, this American society is constantly juxtaposed by the peaceful, harmonic nature of the Amish, which seem to have a connection with their land and they possess much morality. They are a completely pacifist society, which means that they do not believe in resorting to violence under any circumstances. Their society is represented by light (natural lighting/daylight), pastel colour schemes, long shots of the sky, barns and open fields, particularly in the opening scenes, and they are shown as a community whereas those in the modern American society are represented as individualistic. Throughout the film, Book develops as a character and learns that violence does not necessarily have to be resorted to under every circumstance. This is specifically shown in the ‘showdown’ scene, when Book is able to disarm Schaeffer by persuasion rather than by violent means, and the Amish community all gather around to bear witness and thus act as an aid in persuading Schaeffer to give in. Witnessing is a reoccurring motif throughout the film and it is reinforced as a basis of the film through the title, as well as the audience who witness the narrative of the film unfold. The symbolism of the ‘gun’ represents the evil and corruption of humans; its creation was by humans and it is now used to kill other humans. This is shown through the corruption of Samuel against the Amish views, as he witnesses the murder, becomes curious of the gun and his corruption is shown ultimately when he states â€Å"I would only kill a bad man†. This scene involves the audience with purpose of raising the issue: who is to decide when a man is bad? This involves the audience as they are able to make their own opinion on the easy corruption of such an innocent and young character. Eli, Samuel’s grandfather is represented as an important mentor and role model for Samuel when he sits down to confront Samuel about the gun, so rather than avoiding the issue of violence and danger that has entered Samuel’s eyes he takes it as an opportunity to educate. The clash of cultures, and the understanding that they can never merge, comes through Book and Rachel’s relationship. The ‘Barn Dancing Scene’ clearly represents how their love is forbidden in the Amish community and that their culture differences could never let them be together, even though they are desperately in love. In this scene, the lyrics of ‘what a wonderful world it would be ’ are played through Book’s car stereo as they dance under the headlights of the car that he has been repairing in the barn – thus there is a juxtaposition here and ‘clash’ of the two worlds which is evident as the car does not look right in the setting of a barn. The lyrics suggest that although their relationship could be wonderful, the WOULD shows that it would never happen under the circumstances. The quick cut editing and close-ups as they dance show their ffection for each other, and the fun that they have in each other’s company, however this is interrupted by a shocked and angry Eli who represents the views of the Amish community and this strengthens the idea of forbidden love. The idea that the two cultures could never successfully cooperate with each other in the long term, and the idea that the Amish society are conformists and value community, and the modern Ame rican society functions under individuality and personal gain, is shown in a scene set in a nearby town of the Amish. When young American ‘rednecks’ insult and wipe ice-cream across Daniel’s face, Book get increasingly angry. However, Eli states to Book, â€Å"it is not our way,† whilst Book replies, â€Å"But it is my way. † The emphasis on OUR and MY represents the two different cultural ideals as well as reinforcing the different views on violence in the societies. Book has been trained to be a cop finds this belief in himself and his justification of violence very hard to deny, thus showing how he could not permanently give up his American lifestyle in order to live with the Amish, to be with Rachel. Although the Amish believe in pacifism, without Book’s help, Samuel would have most probably been murdered by Schaeffer and McFee and this would have caused much more devastation in the Amish community. Therefore the audience, and the Amish community, are thankful for Book’s contribution in the community. This acceptance of Book is shown in the ‘sendoff’ scenes where Eli says â€Å"Be careful among them English† to Book, showing that Book is now recognised as a good, valued man despite their differences and that Eli knows that Book is not the stereotypical ‘Englishman’ that Eli fears but that he is a much deeper and kind person than expected. Throughout the film, it is inevitably shown that Peter Weir possesses many skills in the art of film-making and his use of interaction between ideas, characters and techniques are effective in impacting on the audience.

A Discussion and Analysis of the Seven Sins of Memory Essay

A Discussion and Analysis of the Seven Sins of Memory - Essay Example Whereas the memory is a complex process that each and every human being possesses, the fact of the matter is that it cannot succinctly be described in general terms. Rather, understanding he unique ways in which different types of memory and memory loss relates to the individual is a fundamental step in attempting to grasp a further understanding of the way in which memory is governed and integrated within the human being. Remembers as a means of drawing inference from the discussion of these seven distinct types of memory loss. The first of these which Schacter introduces to the reader is that which is termed transient memory loss; or the type of memory loss that relates to a particular memory fading over a period of time. In this particular type of memory loss, the subject is able to recall a great deal more with relation to recent events than with regards to those that took place a long while ago. As the author notes, this particular type of memory loss is especially related to episodic memory in the fact that each and every time a particular episode is recalled it is, re-written, as it were; thereby altering the memory and making it more difficult to recall within the future (Renk et al, 2007). This type of memory loss most specifically affects the hippocampus. The second sin of memory, as the author dubs these failings, is that of absent mindedness. This is perhaps the most widely discussed and well known of the memory loss issues as it relates to attention span and issues with the memory interface. This type of memory loss most intimately affects the short term memory and can of course be exhibited in situations such as forgetting where one placed the remote control, leaving one’s keys inside the car, or forgetting about important dates or appointments.

Literature review on competitive advantage Essay

Literature review on competitive advantage - Essay Example The concept of competitive advantage has evolved over the past few decades and has now become an integral part of strategic management of any organization. Much research has been conducted on the attainment of competitive advantage and effective ways to sustain it. This literature review aims to explain the concept of competitive advantage in the light of different authors, along with their proposals of effective strategies to sustain it. Few examples have been chosen from the available literature to highlight the practical implementation of the concepts of competitive advantage. 2. Literature Review The concept of competitive advantage was introduced in the study of strategic management by Ansoff (1965). His ideas and propositions are known to form the basis of vital aspects of the development of growth strategy of any organization. Lowy and Hood (2004) quoted Ansoff (1965) and stated that his extensive experience and research in the field of diversification planning, highlighted re levant aspects and issues that should be considered for an effective growth strategy. Hindle (2008) also discussed the contributions of Ansoff and stated that some of the valuable contributions of Ansoff’s work in the field of strategic management are related to the attainment of competitive advantage and core competencies. Priemand and Butler (2001) pointed out that Ansoff’s work seemed to stress on the relevance of industry-based factors (threats and opportunities) more than the resource-based ones (weaknesses and strengths). Dix and Mathews (2002) provided a basis of strategy formulation and explained the attainment of competitive advantage; he stated that the development of strategic decisions involve the analysis of the core competencies and resources of the company. Prahalad and Hamel (2003) also considered the identification of core competencies as an important aspect of competitive advantage. The core competencies, that are unique and distinguishing from the co mpetitors, can serve to become the competitive advantage if they are availed in the presence of good opportunities in the market. The concept of competitive advantage was further researched upon by Porter (1998). Porter explained the formulation of a competitive strategy as the broad plan of how businesses should compete in the market (in the presence of various environmental factors) to meet their goals. It also involves the policies according to which goals and objectives of the organization can be met. Porter also stated that competitive advantage can be explained as the combination of having low expenses, differentiation value for the company and a strategy that enables the company to focus on their main objectives. Porter (1998) accumulated all the aspects that might be related to the attainment of competitive advantage onto a single page. He described it as the ‘Wheel of Competitive Strategy’. The underlying bases of the strategy are the basic goals that are aspir ed to be achieved by the company and the vision which is set as the main direction of the company. Various aspects on the rim of the wheel, like marketing, product line, finance and control etc have to be considered to attain competitive advantage in the market, while being influenced by the main vision of the company.

Following In The Footsteps :: Personal Narrative Teaching Education Essays

Following In The Footsteps When I was growing up, I was always around the teaching profession. My mother is an educator and I had always been told that I would make a great educator too because my mother was a teacher. They said it was in my blood. I was never too sure about that. I never really knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. I did not know if teaching would be right for me. I did not know until the summer after graduating from high school; the summer I found my calling in life. At the time I did not know it, but the summer after graduating from high school would be one of the greatest summers of my life. During this summer, I became involved in a program called Energy Express. In this program, I had my own classroom of approximately ten students. I instructed these students in improving their reading and writing skills. I became more deeply involved with the program as the summer progressed and I fell in love with the art of teaching. Until this time, I did not know of anything that gave me the type of joy that teaching gives me. I had not known what a thrill that it would be for me to watch a child that could not read at all in June, read very well by the time August came around. I knew for sure after my summer was over with Energy Express that I wanted to be an educator, but not just any educator. I want to be the teacher that has a lasting impact on the lives of every single student that comes into my classroom. During my tenure with Energy Express and in my Education classes at Concord College, I have developed my teaching philosophy. I believe very strongly in cooperative learning, meaning that students should be heavily involved in the classroom by participating in group activities and discussions. By participating in a discussion and/or hands-on lesson, the student is more likely to retain what he or she has been taught. I also believe that teachers should do their absolute best to inspire the children to learn by making the classroom a fun place to learn, but at the same time having structure and discipline.