Sun Tracking Control Strategy Engineering Essay Free Essays

It is good known that in theory, 41 % more sunshine is available by tracking the PV faculty to follow the day-to-day class of the Sun, comparative to fixed installings. The overall aim of this survey is to develop a control algorithm that improved public presentation and dependability the two-axis solar tracker. To accomplish this end, this survey dressed ore on optimising the LM3S811 based accountant board, thrust hardware and package. We will write a custom essay sample on Sun Tracking Control Strategy Engineering Essay or any similar topic only for you Order Now Keywords: embedded system design, two-axis Sun trailing, control algorithm. A ±ntroductA ±on Solar energy systems and equipment such as PV and twenty-four hours illuming systems, solar aggregators, and solar-powered heat engines work best when their aggregators aim straight at the Sun. Adding a solar tracker to these systems increases their efficiencies at the disbursal of initial and operational costs and system complexness. It has been estimated that the usage of a trailing system, over a fixed system, can increase the power end product by 20 % – 40 % with cost addition 10 % -30 % [ 1-3 ] . Since the Sun ‘s place in the sky alterations with the seasons and the clip of twenty-four hours, tracker is used to aline the aggregation system to maximise energy production. Several factors must be considered when finding the usage of trackers. Some of these include: the solar engineering being used, the sum of direct solar irradiation, feed-in duties in the part where the system is deployed, and the cost to put in and keep the trackers. Concentrated applications like concentrated photovoltaic panels ( CPV ) or concentrated solar power ( CSP ) require a high grade of truth to guarantee the sunshine is directed exactly at the focal point of the reflector or lens. The two basic classs of trackers are individual axis and double axis. Single axis solar trackers can either hold a horizontal or a perpendicular axis. In concentrated solar power applications, individual axis tracker is used with parabolic and additive Fresnel mirror designs. Dual axis solar trackers have both a horizontal and a perpendicular axis leting them to track the Sun ‘s evident gesture virtually anyplace in the universe This paper presents a control scheme for a two axes solar tracker that is executed in an ARM based Stellaris L3S811 microcontroller. Correct sun place is inferred from the GPS. The proposed control scheme consists of a combination between ; an unfastened cringle tracking scheme, and a closed cringle scheme. The overall aim of this survey is to develop a control algorithm that improves public presentation and dependability the two-axis Sun tracker. To accomplish this end, this survey concentrates on optimising the accountant board, thrust hardware and package. Two-axA ±s Sun tracker The Sun ‘s beams can be decomposed into two constituents, one perpendicular to the panel surface, and the other analogue to the surface, where merely the former radiation can be received by the panel. Therefore, the angle between the Sun ‘s beams and the normal of the panel which is called the incident angle should be every bit little as possible. Incidence angle alterations with the diurnal and seasonal fluctuations. Therefore, the fixed-installed solar aggregators can non to the full absorb the solar radiation energy. If at any clip by automatically tracking solar aggregators, panel place can be adjusted harmonizing to the Sun ‘s flight to cut down the incidence angle ; it will be able to absorb more solar radiation energy than the fixed panels in the same irradiation conditions. The panel of dual-axis Sun tracking system rotates around the two reciprocally perpendicular shafts, AZ shaft and lift shaft, shown in Fig 1. It will track the Sun ‘s AZ angle and l ift angle, so that the panel can accomplish incident angle of 0. Two methods are normally used in solar trailing to place and follow the place of the Sun at any blink of an eye of clip between dawn and sundown: the closed cringle control method and the unfastened cringle control method. The closed cringle control method uses several feedback detectors such as LDR, photodiode, light-intensity detectors, mention cells and a signal processing circuit [ 4-6 ] . The signal processing circuit compares the end product signals of the detectors and operates on a feedback cringle with the coveted signal status. The end of the cringle is to bring forth maximal entire mistake signal from detectors by continuously seting the tracker way until the shadow on the detectors is the lower limit. A drawback of the closed cringle control method is that it can non efficaciously track the Sun on a cloudy twenty-four hours without a robust algorithm. Fig. -Structure of the two-axis Sun tracker. The unfastened cringle control method uses the longitude and latitude informations of the solar tracker location to find and track the place of the Sun [ 7, 8 ] . It has the advantages of easy scheduling and high truth. The system is simpler and cheaper than the closed-loop type of Sun tracking systems [ 9 ] . It does non detect the end product of the procedures that it is commanding. However, a fixed get downing way of the tracker at dawn every twenty-four hours is required in this method. Therefore, the get downing way of the tracker must be corrected from clip to clip. Consequently, an open-loop system can non rectify any mistakes so that it could do and may non counterbalance for perturbations in the system. Specifying Elevation and Azimuth Angles The algorithm for Sun trailing uses the solar lift, i? ±e and azimuth, i? ±A angles computed at the solar tracker location. The tracker must be aligned horizontally to find the lift and AZ angles accurately along with the hr and decline angles with regard to the heavenly equator or plane as depicted in Fig.1. Solar lift, i? ±e is the angle between the skyline and the line linking the beginning and the Sun that is, the complement of the zenith angle. Solar AZ, i? ±A is the angular supplanting of the projection of the line to the Sun onto the horizontal plane from the south axis. The solar lift angle, i? ±e, of the orientation system in the perpendicular plane, ?e, can be calculated as follows [ 9 ] sini? ±e=sini? ¤ sini? ¦ +cosi? ¤ cosi? ¦ cosi? · ( 1 ) Where e is the lift angle of the system i? ¦ is the latitude. is the hr angle ( 15 A ; deg ; / hr ) , where ? = 0 at local midday. is the solar decline, where ? is calculated from Cooper ‘s equation, ( 2 ) N is the twenty-four hours of the twelvemonth ( 1 – 365 ) with N = 1 stand foring the 1st of January. Fig. – The relation between lift and zenith angles. The azimuth angle of the system in the horizontal plane, ?A, is calculated as [ 9 ] . ( 3 ) The solar trailing system normally returns to its initial remainder place after sundown, and starts to track the Sun after the Sun rises above the skyline. The dawn and sunset times can be calculated utilizing [ 13 ] for system location. DesA ±gn and application 3.1. Mechanical Design The panels ‘ support construction was designed with two grades of freedom in order to change the disposition and orientation. Besides, the construct of the panel ‘s support every bit good as the system that allows this support to go around around the two axes was developed. The tracker is composed of a fixed base which is straight on the land, holding a mechanism that connects the base to the back uping construction of the panels. This mechanism consists of two parts, which have a grade of freedom ( from each other ) in two axes. For altering the disposition of the construction, extra linear actuator is mounted to the solar tracker control system. Linear actuators are highly precise by design, particularly when compared to pneumatic and hydraulic solutions. Screw based mechanical additive actuators allow to progress or withdraw the motivation rod by highly little increases, which is required for the exact placement of solar tracker. Electric additive actuator consumes highly low electricity and are available in 12 Volts d.c. it can be powered by the solar panel itself supported by a battery. Linear actuators can be remarkably little, particularly when sing the scope of gesture that is required for traveling the Sun tracker. Photograph of the mechanical construction is shown in Fig. 3. Fig. – Mechanical construction of the Sun tracker. 3.2. Hardware Design The hardware design combines the embedded microcontroller with two DC motor drivers, rotational DC motor, DC motor controlled additive actuator, solar rotary motion mechanism, GPS, pyranometer, wind gauge, tilt switches and MEMBS based inclinometer. A general block diagram of the control system is shown in Fig. 4. Global placement system ( GPS ) is connected to the microcontroller via a standard consecutive RS-232 port. GPS sends to the microcontroller sentences, that contains a twine of characters, continuously. These sentences chiefly include longitude, latitude, height, day of the month and clip for location where GPS is placed. Since microcontroller has the existent clip clock circuitry, it is moderately accurate over short periods, but it needs standardization sporadically. As a consequence, the GPS clock signal is used to update the microcontroller ‘s internal clip sporadically and therefore effects of the long term mistakes are eliminated. As portion of the attempt to better solar tracker dependability and better understanding public presentation, a pyranometer is being added to solar tracker. This pyranometer allows the informations acquisition system to mensurate exactly the irradiance witnessed by the PV faculties on that tracker, and therefore better supervise the impact of the tracking algorithm on the energy end product of the system. Solar tracker steps tilt angle with potentiometer that has long-run dependability job. A higher dependability option is a solid-state inclinometer. It has three chief advantages ; inherently higher dependability, higher declaration less than 0.1 A ; deg ; , direct measuring of angle. In this undertaking, micro electromechanical systems based on electronic inclinometer ADXL345 is used [ 11 ] . Digital end product informations is formatted as 16-bit two ‘s complement and is accessible through either a SPI ( 3- or 4-wire ) or I2C digital interface The inclinometer would typically be mounted straight underneath a tracker ‘s plane, from where the disposition can be measured. Fig. – Sun Tracker control system block diagram. The solar tracker is fitted with bound switches to guarantee robust operation. A micro roller switch mounted on the base of the solar tracker prevents multiple revolution completion of the AZ tracking phase. The solar aggregator besides includes two more bound switches on the zenith tracking phase to forestall over travel harm to the additive actuator mechanism. The initial reset balance usage tilt switches. The mechanism include four tilt switches ( E, West, south and north ) To protect tracker constituents from over air current velocity, system besides requires an wind gauge to mensurate wind velocity. Consequently, we need powerful and cost-efficient microcontroller to link all these parts and manage to track the Sun. It must hold two consecutive port, ( UART ) one for communicate computing machine the other 1 for GPS, two PWM signals for motor A and motor B, one I2C port for solid-state inclinometer, hardware counter input for wind gauge, parallel input for pyranometer, at least four digital inputs for tilt switches. In add-on, these characteristics we need package development tools for microcontroller. Sing the computation of the mentioned before, 32-Bit Stellaris microprocessor LM3S811 which is optimized for small-footprint embedded applications, fits best to the Sun tracker system. TI Stellaris LM3S811 microcontroller has a Reduced Instruction Set Coding ( RISC ) ARM nucleus, internal oscillators, timers, UART, USB, SPI, pull-up resistances, PWM, ADC, parallel comparator and watch-dog timers are some of the characteristics [ 10 ] . Software Design The developed Sun tracking algorithm enables high-precision finding of Sun angles and times for dawn, solar midday and sunset year-round. The flow chart of the algorithm is drawn in Fig. 5. The computation of the Sun angles with the Sun tracking algorithm package merely requires the specification of the day of the month, clip and exact longitude, latitude and lift of the location through a GPS system. Fig. – Flow chart of Sun tracking algorithm. The algorithm we developed for the control of the Sun tracker is composed of two chief subdivisions. In the input subdivision, the solar lift and AZ angles every bit good as dawn, sundown, solar midday and present solar times are calculated harmonizing to subdivision 2 and used as shared variables in other parts of the package. When the system starts, Stellaris foremost sets tracker to the place place and so takes GPS information to cipher the Sun set and rise times. The present solar clip is compared with the dawn and sunset times to find whether tracking should get down or halt. At dark clip, it waits following sample clip. Sample clip period may be defined harmonizing to proficient restraints. First restraint is GPS hot start clip that is 1 second for GPS. It can non be shorter than this value. The other restraint is the energy consumed by motor A and B during one tracking measure. We set sample clip to 2 minute during experimental work. The present solar clip between dawn and sun set clip ‘s Stellaris reads pyronometer value to look into if there is adequate solar radiation to bring forth power. Otherwise, Sun tracker stays at place place until solar radiation rise to lower bound of solar radiation. After solar radiation reaches the coveted value, so algorithm reads anemometer value to specify whether the Sun tracker can travel safely. If non, Sun tracker stays at place place at least during one sample clip. Otherwise, it starts tracking the Sun. In the end product subdivision of the algorithm, the package takes azimuth, ?A, and lift, ?e, angles from shared variables and converts them to drive gesture. The deliberate angles ?e, ?A, are so subtracted from the old place values. Harmonizing to the obtained angle difference and their marks, microcontroller sends PWM and way signals to the motor accountants. Motor A and motor B takes solar panel to the new place. Motor A can drive solar panels to turn in the horizontal plane in order to track the alterations in AZ angle ; its positive place is westbound. Similarly, motor B can drive solar panels to turn in the manner of fliping so as to track the alterations of solar lift angle ; its positive way is downward. At the terminal of tracking, the place of mechanisms demands to be defined. The electronic inclinometer ADXL345 sends x, Y, omega axis values to the Stellaris. This digital axis values are converted to angles by the microcontroller. By comparing the mensural angles with deliberate angles, the two motors take different motions to complete come up to the coveted place of the solar panel. Finally, when this twenty-four hours is over, the system backs to the place place to wait for the following twenty-four hours. ResultS and dA ±scussA ±on Sun tracker was tested both in the research lab and out-of-doorss utilizing SM-55 solar panel [ 12 ] . During the out-of-door trial, the Sun tracking system was moved to outside of a edifice so that we could compare the consequences between fixed place and two-axis Sun tracking systems. During a 24-hour test period, the two-axis solar tracker was required to run for about 2 proceedingss every hr to keep proper alliance with the Sun. Fig. – Outdoor trial consequences of sun tracker. During the trial procedure, solar panel charged to the battery, and solar panel current and electromotive force values were measured and stored every minute utilizing a information lumberman. End of the twenty-four hours, the solar panel, charged the battery up to 408.2 Watt-hour energy for about 11 hours. The recorded information on the twenty-four hours 5.5.2012 proved that the two-axis solar tracking PV panel produced more energy than the fixed 1 with about 40.7 % . ConclusA ±on In this survey, a cost effectual two-axis Sun tracker has been developed. The ARM Cortex-M3 nucleus microprocessor successfully calculated the tilt angle of the solar panel in order to look into the accurate Sun lift angle. The placement technique, which has been investigated by the DC motor and additive actuator, reduced the mistake in turn uping the lift AZ angles to 0.1 A ; deg ; . The proposed tracker has increased the energy collected by 40.7 % . How to cite Sun Tracking Control Strategy Engineering Essay, Essay examples

Commanding heights episode 3 free essay sample

Commanding heights: The New Rules is the third film in the series and is about the 21st century economy. PBS sponsored the film under the direction of Michael Sullivan to inform the public about the economic situation. They speak about how the economy adapted to what is today. How the world nationalized third world countries allowing exchange and investment. Episode 3 addresses the current and future problems of a globalized world. Thats the structure of the film. The film clearly, thoroughly, and excitingly explains this through historic facts and stories told by citizens who lived during the changes. This is not an economics lesson but rather a high dramatic event that impacts peoples lives. Commanding Heights shows that it is people who create the ideas, it is people who accept or reject them, it is people who profit or suffer by them. The series travels to the locations where events happened, and in many cases, interviews the people who made them happen, from Bill Clinton to Milton Friedman to workers in various countries. Episode three encompasses that along with globalization and an open free market and period of peace and advancement of technologies and ideological views will happen. A global economy will introduce a path to peace and prosperity for rich and poor nation alike. The New Rules of the Gamin 1992, things looked bad for the U.S. economy: Western Europe was assembling into a powerful economic alliance (the European Union) to compete with America, Japan’s economy was unstoppable, and the U.S. was in the worst recession in decades. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was a trade agreement between the U.S., Canada and Mexico that lowered, but did not eliminate, many trade barriers between the three countries. In large part, Bush wanted to get NAFTA approved to strengthen the U.S. economy against Japan and Europe. The negotiations for NAFTA began under his term. NAFTA became an issue during the 1992 elections. Bush wanted NAFTA 100%, Perot wanted it cancelled, and Clinton wanted NAFTA, but with important amendments added to force Mexico to raise labor and pollution standards so they would have to compete on more even footing with American workers. Clinton won, and his plan was put into action. The labor unions gave Bill Clinton the support he needed to win. NAFTA led to a huge increase in the amount of trade between the three countries. Likewise, each country had significant GDP growth that was directly attributable to the freer trade. The biggest growth was in Mexico, in wealth and employment. The impact on the U.S. was that 400,000 American jobs were lost to more competitive workers and factories south of the border, American unions sustained major and lasting damage to their political influence and membership, and the gap between rich and poor Americans grew wider. As in previous cases, deregulation and freer trade benefitted a whole economy in aggregate while severely hurting a small percentage of people and massively benefitting some companies that are able to take advantage of the new trade policies. In the global economy, annual trade in tangible goods and services is worth $8 trillion while trade in currencies is worth $288 trillion. U.S. workers in both public and private sectors have trillions of dollars invested in work-related retirement funds. The experts who manage these funds are enormously powerful. A large portion of American workers’ pensions is invested overseas. Thus, most American workers are significantly invested in the global economy. After NAFTA, Clinton pursued other important trade liberalization policies across the world. One of his major accomplishments was strengthening the global free market in the aftermath of Communism’s collapse. In 1994, Mexico faced political and economic crisis, and the country came to the brink of defaulting omits foreign debt. There was real fear that the country, left to its own devices, could fall into chaos, and millions of refugees would head north into the U.S. Clinton had crisis meetings with his advisors over the issue and decided to give Mexico a $50 billion loan. It worked to stabilize the country, Mexico repaid the money ahead of schedule, and the U.S. looked like a benevolent actor to the world. However, many critics considered Clinton’s actions to be a prime example of moral hazard: By bailing out the Mexic an government, the U.S. was in essence bailing out thousands of private investors who had put money into the country without properly weighing the risks. The bailout signaled the private sector that it could make similarly bad future investment choices without fear since the U.S. would again rescue them. Critics feared this would make sovereign debt crises more likely. â€Å"Globalization† is defined as the free flow of goods, services, capital, and labor across national borders. China has a number of â€Å"Free Trade Zones,† which are small geographic areas in which companies can build factories to build and export anything with very few restrictions. The Zones are exempt from China’s otherwise strict business and export laws. Seaports and airports are usually located very close tour within Free Trade Zones. At long last, Japan’s economic bubble burst in the 1990’s and the country slid into a major recession that it never really recovered from. American fears of Japan someday â€Å"taking over† the world economically were quickly and permanently dispelled. In the beginning America was behind Japan and Europe in trading and economic growth, thus NAFTA was created to allow trading between North America. The United States were now able to trade freely with Canada and Mexico, providing great economic growth for all three countries in North America. When trading borders opened up Tijuana became a massive manufacturer of televisions for the United States, Northern Mexico was able to open up many jobs giving opportunities to Southern Mexicans. This created an economic boom in North America leading to a surge that would be able to compete with other Countries, because this would allow us to buy cheaper goods. In the end although it hurt American Jobs because Mexico’s goods were cheaper, Both Bush and Clinton wanted NAFTA to succeed in order to put labor and pollution laws into effect in all the countries involved. It would not work unless there was laws put into effect along with more countries following the guideline this is because it would allow other countries to gain a monopoly against us. At the current point now NAFTA is failing, countries are now producing unions and people are realizing the rights they have and that moving to new Countries they will make more money for doing the same exact things they were doing before, For example Mexicans are moving north to the United states in order to collect more money for the same jobs, Thus taking away jobs for Americans in the United States. The first bailout we gave to Mexico during the Clinton era was truly an act of kindness from the United States, and was also a mistake, it allowed Mexico to realize the spending they were doing was not quite how it should have been, workers left and their economy went with them. All in all, the new global economy depends on the globalization of countries rich and poor alike. These interconnections will allow every countries economy to trade and invest in products they want and need. However, they must be cautions in how it happens because the human monster greed always wants more, As in the example of Mexico’s unions proves. The globalization of free trade brings these troubles and monopolies and they need to be dealt with. Migration of people and jobs counter the balance that effects the globalization of pooper countries negatively. Along with migration comes problems, these migrations can cost the area where these people are flocking to, cutting jobs for the natives for slightly cheaper wages. Globalization can lead to a road of peace but we need a balance in order for the idea of globalization to work and to have everyone happy.

The Medium is the Message

Human communication has developed from primitive forms, such as symbols and mimes, to more complex modern forms such as language. Communication, as a discipline, has attracted the attention of many scholars and professionals. Numerous theories have been put forward, all of which attempt to stake a claim as to what constitutes communication.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on The Medium is the Message specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Within the theoretical foundations of communication, there exist the medium theory proposed by experts such as McLuhan, Ong and Meyrowitz. The medium theory postulates that effective communication is determined by the medium of communication. McLuhan uses the terms medium to also refer to communication technologies such as the TV, the radios, the internet and many others. Thus, the meaning of a message is any change introduced by the medium within the communication process. This implies that communication technologies affect how people perceive the world around them. Such technologies also introduce new communication patterns into human affairs. Such patterns change people perception education, business trade among phenomena. Within this paper, the medium theory is analyzed Vis a Vis the internet. Suffice to state that the medium theory has come under intense criticism. Critics argue that McLuhan and other medium theorist ignore other basic variables, which determine the effectiveness of communication. Despite the criticisms, it can be concluded that the effectiveness of the internet as a communication medium is found to corroborate McLuhan’s (1964) theory. Medium theorists such as McLuhan, Ong and Meyrowitz propose that modern communication has been mediatised. This implies that the medium the message. The medium of communication modifies communication process in that it determines how people transfer, receive, perceive and interpreted messages. Th e meaning of every message is determined by the medium and not the content or the manner in which the message is relayed (Centre for Media, Communication and Information Research 2011). McLuhan and other media theorist postulate the media, rather than the actual content of the message should be the centre of study in relation to how meaning is derived. Furthermore, every form of medium is unique and has unique characteristics. Therefore, different forms of media modify communication differently. To understand the medium theory, it is important to critically evaluate the meaning and implication of the terms ‘medium’ and ‘medium is the message’ (Federman 2004). McLuhan (1964) uses the terms ‘media’ and ‘technology’ to also refer to the medium of communication. McLuhan refers to Medium as â€Å"any extension of ourselves that helps us in perceiving the world around us† (1964).Advertising Looking for research paper on socia l sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In general terms, medium refers to technologies through which messages are passed from the speaker to the recipient. McLuhan (1964) further gives two types of media; hot and cool media. By hot media, McLuhan (1964) refers to any form of technology, such as the radio, that requires limited involvement by the user. Conversely, cool media, such as the TV requires maximum involvement by the user. Other examples of medium forwarded by McLuhan include print media forms such as newspapers, bulletins, tabloids and magazines. McLuhan controversially adds that technologies such as cars and the light bulb are among useful communication media. These Media are the lenses through which people see the world around them. McLuhan (1964) adds another form of medium; the content. McLuhan (1964) argues that â€Å"a typical characteristic of every medium is that the content carried by that medium is medium i n itself†. Thus medium becomes a form of language with its own language structure and rules. McLuhan (1964) asserts that medium intensifies and speeds up the process of communication. Medium changes the â€Å"scale, pace and pattern† through which people associate with others as well with the world around them resulting to â€Å"psychic and social consequences† (Weisband, Schneider Connolly 1995). This implies that media determines how people interpret the world around them. The social consequences create the meaning of the message regardless of the content of that message. Therefore, the meaning of the message is purely determined by the medium. This phenomenon is referred to as the ‘medium is the message’ (McLuhan 1964). McLuhan (1964) uses the term medium and media refer to technologies, such as the internet, the TV and the radio that aid communication. In view of McLuhan’s (1964) assertion, the internet is one of the modern technologies t hat modify communication process. According to Adeel (n.d.) the use of internet has increased over the last few years. Numerous studies have been conducted on the effects of internet to social cultural changes within societies. In a study conducted on the effects of internet use in Pakistan, Adeel (n.d.) found out that despite being a medium of social interaction, the use of internet amongst Pakistanis has led to social isolation within families. Pakistanis spend more time on the internet than with other family members.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on The Medium is the Message specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Therefore, the internet leads to isolation within families. Furthermore, the internet is easily accessible and has therefore negatively affected Pakistanis’ reading culture as well as outdoor social activities. Rather than spending time playing outdoor games, Pakistani children spend more ti me on the internet playing online games. Therefore, the internet has impinged on the ability of the Pakistani young generation to interact. Other than social isolation, the internet has also led to erosion of cultural values. The internet is a free media, and thus connotes freedom of content and viewership. Anyone can post any form of content on the internet without restriction. Thus, the internet has increased access to content containing negative messages such as pornography and violence. Furthermore, internet has led to increase in cyber crime and other anti social behavior such as racial, gender, religious discrimination. Brey (n.d.) departs from the path taken by Adeel (n.d.) and focuses on the positive influences that the internet. Brey (n.d.) argues that the internet has increased access to information and thus many cultures have become enlightened. Furthermore, the internet has created a culture of globalization. Biggs (2000) concurs with this, further adding that the intern et has brought together people of various cultures together, and gradually has blurred cultural differences amongst the netizens. This has created a new culture amongst the netizens. As such, the internet culture is slowly evolving. Biggs (2000) concludes that Intent is on its way to becoming a culture in itself. Medium theorist asserts that media scales up the process of communication resulting to new psychic experiences which in turn modifies meaning. Salomon (1990) explains that the internet is one of the modern technologies that have brought new possibilities which traditional technologies such as the newspaper, the TV and radio could not afford users. Salomon (1990) adds that the internet has the ability to affect peoples â€Å"minds in interesting and important ways†. In relation to this theory, Voiskounsky (1998) adds that modern technologies, such as the internet, aid in development of psychic abilities in human beings. The internet is thus seen as a mediator between human cognitive processes and the communication process. Salomon (1990) and Voiskounsky (1998) seem to form their argument on the core of Vygotsky’s (1962) theory on the relevance of cognitive mediation. Cole (1996) adds that Vygotsky’s theory proposes that the human mind is a crucial instrument that determines the meaning of communication symbols. The assertion above can be taken in light of McLuhan’s (1964) assertion that a communication medium shapes how people associate with others as well as with the environment around them.Advertising Looking for research paper on social sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Regardless of the content of communication, the internet affects people in similar ways. Thus internet users are most likely to derive the similar meaning from a message passed through the internet. Studies on the influence of the internet as a medium of communication go way back to the 1990s with scholars such as Dyson being among the first to document findings. Dyson (1997) argues that the internet gives people the opportunity to â€Å"redefine their societal roles†. The internet has enabled people to find new ways to govern their lives. Issues such as education, business and commerce as well as communication are mediated by internet and have therefore taken a new meaning; the internet has enabled people to perceive education, business, commerce and communication differently. This implies that the internet has enabled people to study and do business more efficently. Dyson (1997) assertion that the internet has enabled people change the way they perceive education, business and communication corroborates McLuhan’s (1964) assertion that communication medium is â€Å"an extension of ourselves that helps us in perceiving the world around us†. The medium theory of communication postulates that the medium determines how messages are received, translated and interpreted. This assertion discounts other variables of communication that determines the outcomes of the communication process (Meyrowitz 2001). Such variables include the style and method of communication. In criticising the medium theory, Meyrowitz’s (2001) assertions are analyzed Vis a Vis the material culture and its relationship to communication technologies. According to material culture theorist, peoples’ perception of the world is determined by social and cultural factors. Therefore communication does not occur in a vacuum but intended to pass a predetermined message. As explained earlier, material culture theorists stipulate that social and cultural factors determin e how people perceive the world. There are two material subcultures: lowbrow and highbrow cultures. Lowbrow culture is defined as a way of life amongst the low class. It is also referred to as popular culture, famously recognized as pop culture. Pop culture utilizes style rather than medium as the means of effective communication. Specifically, humor and sarcasm are the dominant styles of communication within the pop culture (Jordan 2005). Conversely highbrow culture refers to the lifestyle of the high class (Peterson and Kern1996). Lowbrow and highbrow cultures utilize various forms of communication technologies such as the TV, Newspaper, magazines and the internet. The purpose of each of these technologies is to relay socially constructed messages. As such, the media only relays a message and does not modify it. The medium theory stipulates that effective communication depends on medium. The medium of communication is the most crucial variable in determining how a message is perce ived. While McLuhan (1964) offers plausible examples and illustration on the assertion that the medium is the message, this notion is yet to gain universal acceptance. Critics argues that McLuhan (1964) and other medium theorist ignore other variables that also influence communication process. For instance, the material culture theorists argue that the prevailing societies and cultures influence the construction of the message. For the message to be effective it has to be transmitted in a specific manner. According to material theorist the medium is only useful in transferring messages and does not modify them. Therefore, technologies such as the internet do not determine the meaning of the message. Despite the criticism by material cultural theorist, the medium theory tends to outweigh the criticism since it is evident that the internet has changed the way in which people view the world around them. McLuhan’s (1964) main assertion is the medium is the message. This implies t hat the meaning of any message is solely determined by the medium through which it is carried. In this regard, the medium theory overlooks the content and the style of communication amongst other variables that determine the effectiveness of communication. The e application of the medium theory especially with regards to internet as one of communication technologies has been evaluated and found to be true. Through the internet, people have been able to accelerate their social interactions and associations. Furthermore, the internet has altered people’s perception of the world around them. The medium theory is not universally acceptable. The use of internet as a medium of communication goes beyond its ability to modify the process of communication. As exemplified by material culture theorists, the internet enabled the transfer of predetermined messages. Such criticism does not mean that the medium theory is false. It is still relevant and has presented new and credible ways th rough which communication is perceived. Reference List Adeel, K., Impact of internet on society -Pakistan community. Biggs, S. 2000, ‘Global village or urban jungle: Culture, self-construal, and the internet’, Media Ecology Association. Web. Brey, P., Evaluating the Social and Cultural Implications of the Internet. Web. Centre for Media, Communication and Information Research 2011, Media evolution and cultural change: Discussing medium theory and mediatisiation’. Web. Cole, M. 1996, Cultural psychology: A once and future discipline, The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA. Federman, M. 2004, What is the Meaning of the Medium is the Message? Web. Jordan. M. 2005, Weirdo deluxe: The wild world of pop surrealism and lowbrow art, Chronicle Books, San Francisco. Meyrowitz, J. 2001, Morphing McLuhan: Medium Theory for a New Millennium. Peterson, R. and Kern, R. 1996, ‘Changing highbrow taste: From snob to omnivore’,  American Sociolo gical Review, Vol. 61, No. 3, pp. 900-907. Salomon, G.1990, ‘Cognitive effects with and of computer technology’, Communication  Research, Vol. 17, No. 1, pp. 26-44. Voiskounsky, C. 1998, Internet: Culture diversity and unification. Web. Vygotsky, L. 1962, Thought and language, MIT Press, Cambridge, MA. Weisband, S., Schneider, K. and Connolly, T., 1995, ‘Computer-mediated communication and social information: Status salience and status differences’ Academy of Management Journal, Vol. 38, No. 4, pp. 1124-1151 This research paper on The Medium is the Message was written and submitted by user Cailyn Tanner to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here. The Medium is the Message

Locke Essays - Philosophy, Political Philosophy, Politics

Locke Essays - Philosophy, Political Philosophy, Politics Locke To understand classic liberalism we must focus on Locke's idea of political power and his political model as well as his economic model. Locke defines political power as a right of making laws with penalties of Death, and consequently all less penalties, for regulating and preserving property, and of employing the force of the community, in the execution of such laws, and in the defense of the common-wealth from foreign injury, and all this only for the Publick Good(Wooten, #2). This idea of thought explains Locke's main idea in the Second Treatise of Government, that everything is best for the individual rather than for the community. Locke's idea of politics starts off with a basis of men and freedom suggested to us in the law of nature. The buffer between man and brutes is the law of nature, which is a law of reason. Our faculty of reason is fitted to discover what that law says, what it measures and standards of conduct are (Yolton, 65). Men rise above these beasts only because of that faculty. It is through the law of nature, reason, and humanity that each one of us makes with all the rest of Mankind...one community, makes up one society distinct from all other creatures (1.#128). So it is people in a community that come together for the strength of the individual. Locke states that man must reside in the community to reap the benefits. If a man opposes this, then he faces the dilemma of giving up power for safety. In leaving the community of mankind in order to form smaller associates of civil societies, natural man gives up the power of preserving himself and mankind, giving that power to the civil society to be regulated by laws made by society(1.#129). In the same way, the move into civil society requires each man to give up his right to punish or kill as an individual. Criminals in this society are to be brought forth to the community's authority. Locke states that in leaving the great community of mankind and joining a civil society, we do not cease to be men, or even cease to be members of mankind (Yolton, 65). He quits his executive power of the law of nature and resigns it to the public. So each man makes himself subject to the civil law and finds his freedom in voluntary obedience. (Britannica ,1998.) The other power a man has in a state of Nature is the power to punish the crimes committed a state of natur In civil society, we are answerable to the whole community. In each community there are rules, these are set forth by authorities. However these rules are made up by the publick, or everyone in the community. These rules are eyed, the whole community is an umpire. The community must preserve the property, and in order there-unto punish the offences of all those of that society, there, is political society where every one of the members hath quitted this natural power, resigned it up to the hands of the community. And thus all private judgement of every particular member be excluded, the community comes to be a umpire, and by understanding indifferent rules, men authorized by the community, decided all differences, and punishes those offences(1.#87). The function and the purpose of Locke's civil society is protection of life, liberty, and possessions. An essential to making it work is trust between the government in the community and is in place of a ruler who fails to secure the public good. So the rulers authority is conditional rather than absolut. Each man establishes his right to property by mixing his labour. So when everyone contributes to the community they in turn are given the fruits of everyone elses labor. He has the right to expect political power to be used to preserve his property, in his own person and in his possessions, and the right to freedom of thought, speech, and worship. Locke's political system was one that was considered mixed constitution. The legislative should be an elected body, but the executive remains a single individual, the monarchand argues for s separation of legislative and executive powers (Britannica, 1998). Locke states that

3 Types of Recommendation Letters

3 Types of Recommendation Letters A recommendation letter is a written reference that offers information about your character. Recommendation letters may include details about your personality, work ethic, community involvement, and/or academic achievements. Recommendation letters are used by many people for many different occasions. There are three basic categories or recommendation letters: academic recommendations, employment recommendations, and character recommendations. Here is an overview of each type of recommendation letter along with information on who uses them and why. Academic Recommendation Letters Academic letters of recommendation are typically used by students during the admissions process. During admissions, most schools- undergraduate and graduate alike- expect to see at least one, preferably two or three, recommendation letters for each applicant. Recommendation letters provide admission committees with information that may or may not be found in a college application, including academic and work achievements, character references, and personal details. Students might request recommendations from former teachers, principals, deans, coaches, and other education professionals who are familiar with the students academic experience or extracurricular achievements. Other recommenders may include employers, community leaders, or mentors. Employment Recommendations Letters of recommendation for employment and career references are a major tool of individuals who are trying to get a new job. Recommendations can be put on a website, sent in with a resume, supplied when an application is filled out, used as part of a portfolio, or handed out during employment interviews. Most employers ask job candidates for at least three career references. Therefore, its a good idea for job seekers to have at least three recommendation letters on hand. Generally, employment recommendation letters include information about employment history, job performance, work ethic, and personal accomplishments. The letters are usually written by former (or current employers) or a direct supervisor. Coworkers are also acceptable, but not as desirable as employers or supervisors. Job applicants who do not have enough formal work experience to secure recommendations from an employer or supervisor should seek recommendations from community or volunteer organizations. Academic mentors are also an option. Character References Character recommendations or character references are often used for housing accommodations, legal situations, child adoption, and other similar situations where understanding a persons character is important. Almost everyone needs this type of recommendation letter at some point in their life. These recommendation letters are often written by former employers, landlords, business associates, neighbors, doctors, acquaintances, etc. The most appropriate person varies depending on what the letter of recommendation will be used for. Asking For a Recommendation Letter You should never wait until the last minute to get a recommendation letter. It is important to give your letter writers time to craft a useful letter that will make the right impression. Start seeking academic recommendations at least two months before you need them. Employment recommendations can be collected throughout your work life. Before you leave a job, ask your employer or supervisor for a recommendation. You should try to get a recommendation from every supervisor you have worked for. You should also get recommendation letters from landlords, people you pay money to, and people you do business with so that you have character references on hand should you ever need them.

Death and Dying paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Death and Dying paper - Essay Example One evening while watching a television interview â€Å"Nightline†, Mitch comes to realize the existence of his once favorite lecturer who happens to be the interviewee. It is from this point that Mitch, who stays in Michigan, contacts Morrie, who stays in Massachusetts and promises to pay him a visit. Right from their first meeting after a long period, Morrie and Mitch found an opportunity to talk much about life. It is during this discussion when Mitch realizes that Morrie had forfeited his favorite hobby, dancing, after contacting ALS. From this point, Mitch is seen as coming to learn more about his life. Mitch notices that maybe he has placed his priorities in the wrong order. Mitch eventually regrets a lot for his failure to contact Morrie for all that period of time. in addition, Mitch is hit hard with the fact that he will not be able to have Morrie around his life now- Morrie will die of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Mitch then promises to pay Morrie a visit every Tuesday to learn more about life, hence the title, Tuesdays with Morrie (Albom, 2010). Based on the activities around the main characters, a reader can easily grasp a lot from the novel Tuesdays with Morrie. Primarily, the main theme pursued by the author is socialization. That is, how social contacts influence people’s lives. In addition, many readers understand how careers and shortcomings in life, such as diseases (in this case cancer and ALS) may deteriorate relationships between people. The writer uses the main characters Mitch and Morrie to convey his message to the readers. ALS is a neurological disease, which affects the brain and the spinal cord by killing neurons and eventually damaging the functionality of the brain. The ALS is a killer disease that at its advanced stages leads to the death of the patient. A lot of discussions and research works have been carried out in trying to understand better

Passage of Kyoto Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Passage of Kyoto - Essay Example The treaty has been widely accepted by both developed and developing nations in order to protect the efficiency of natural ecosystem from a severe devastation caused by the increasing growth of industrialization. However, few major global nations with enormous economic potentials have been also observed to integrate the Kyoto Protocol in the nations’ political environment inadequately. The US can be regarded as one of the major examples to disregard the integration of Kyoto Protocol obligations in its wide range of industrial policies (Hov et al., 2010). According to the observation of numerous researches relating to climate change, it has been critically identified that policy makers across different developed and developing countries are highly focused on diminishing the issue associated with climate change. The US has debated on carbon reduction measures by disregarding the Kyoto Protocol agreement in the year 2001. The governing body of the nation has backed out the treaty by claiming that the specific details as well as uncertainties in the protocol mechanism may hinder the current economic position of the US drastically (Fletcher, 2005). With regard to the political disagreement regarding the execution of Kyoto Protocol in the US, the research report primary emphasized three major research questions.