Petition for Dropping Essay Example for Free

Petition for Dropping Essay Greetings!   I would like to request for â€Å"dropping† the following subjects: Ballet (year sect lab), Modern Dance (year sect lab), Music for Dancers (year sect lab), and Folk Guitar (year sect lab) due to circumstantial difficulties, time conflict and incompliance with the course requirements.   This year, I switched to BA program which does not require the course Ballet and Modern Dance. The aforementioned courses are not indicated in my plan of study and also taking both of them at the same time will be a huge risk on my part.   Before I entered the university, I have always been a dedicated gymnast. My ballet instructor, however, advised me to discontinue with gymnastics since it is not good in helping with my alignment and flexibility. Unfortunately, I found that putting a stop to my gymnastics class bodes mistake on my part since my ballet moves worsen and my flexibility and alignment rusticates. I have decided that I will revert to my gymnastics lesson outside school and stop with ballet. This is to comply with the demands of my instructor and to fulfill my needs as a long time gymnast.   Recently, I have incurred several absences due to an injury from my Modern Class which resulted to a bad back and hip joint. My absences also extend to other classes like Folk Guitar and Music Dances. Understand that the situation makes it difficult for me to cope up with the rest of the class for the said subjects. My time table is also aggravated by my part-time job and as such, I find it really difficult to attend to my classes since I must work for my schooling. Attached herewith is a copy of my change in program, physician’s certification, and job certification.   Hoping for your consideration regarding this issue.   Thank you very much. Yours sincerely, ___your name______ ___course, stud no.__

The Failure and Rebirth of Burmese Nationalism Essay -- International

All people in the world strive to find a sense of belonging. This sense is coupled with ethnic identities, cultural customs, and social implications. The groups that inhabit the corner of the world, now known as Myanmar, have had great struggles and upheavals through the last century. They have been stricken with World War, independence struggles, as well as military dictatorship. The Burmese groups have tried with diligence to establish their own states, but in the end all has fallen upon them and their tale is one of grief and sadness. The failure of Burmese nationalist movement is through the conflicting interests of the world, the clashes between Burmese ideology, and the differences of ethnic acceptance. However badly the movement failed, a new movement has taken form and is a blossoming root of hope for the millions of Burmese living in poverty today. The area in Southeast Asia that contains Burma today has been a place of human life for millennium. Leaders came and went, and the usual cycle of empires, kings, and regimes passed over the people of Burma. The scene of nationalistic fervor, however, starts after the takeover of Burma by the British through the entirety of the nineteenth century (Badertscher). Like always, â€Å"the British began to permeate the ancient Burmese culture with foreign elements†, thus starting the colonial period of Burma’s history and of struggles to resist such control (â€Å"Burma†). Using a divide and conquer strategy, British command authorized minorities like the Karen group of Burmese to be â€Å"in the military and in local rural administrations† (â€Å"Burma†). This way they built resentment that is still apparent in many cases today. The nationalist movements present globally in the nineteenth and twent... ...artin, Patricia. "Aung San Suu Kyi." Aung San Suu Kyi (2011): 1. MAS Ultra - School Edition. Web. 10 Apr. 2012. "Nothing New But the Name." The Economist 20 Oct. 1990. Student Research Center. Web. 3 Apr. 2012. . Pittman, Todd, and Aye Aye Win. "Myanmar Elections: Aung San Suu Kyi, Opposition Leader, Wins Parliament Seat." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 01 Apr. 2012. Web. 3 Apr. 2012. . Steinberg, David I. Burma, the State of Myanmar. Washington, D.C.: Georgetown UP, 2001. Print. "The History of Burma." Canadian Friends of Burma. Web. 10 Apr. 2012. .

Gender Identity

Gender Identity Kenneth Williams Psy 340 4/1/2013 Raymond Bragg Sex may be biological and although we may be born male or female, culturally that is not only what defines our gender roles, agree or disagree, there are many cultural influences that affect today’s gender roles. We are at a point culturally were traditional definitions are often a moot point, in my home and the homes of my children traditional roles are followed, but in many homes today that is not the case, cultural influences have often taken over for traditional values what may have been the standard once is no longer.Include the roles of biological factors, nature and environmental influences, nurture on sexual differentiation and gender identity. Nature is responsible for the growth of a person from the sperm and egg level until the natural development into a normal adult. The genetic makeup of a human being is responsible for their sex, skin color, color of their eyes and hair as well as distinguishing feat ures which are inherited from their parents. Nature can only assist in the growth of a fetus into a normal well-developed adult who may have inherited some special talents.Thus it can be concluded that nature uses the genetic coding to help in physical development and does impart some positive or negative traits to an individual’s natural development. However, it is nurture which can be used to improve he positive traits and diminish the negative traits in a child. It is indeed important to recognize that nature in the form of inherited traits does exist but a person’s overall behavior is influenced a great deal by the nurture or â€Å"upbringing† and the environmental factors involved in this upbringing. Several recent studies carried out on infant and child behavior have shown that there is significant evidence to support the fact that nurture strongly influences human development especially in the early years† (Collins 2000). In traditional society most parents encourage their kids to take part in extracurricular activities like learning music, dance or sports in accordance with the child’s talents and interests. The talents have been given by nature but they can only be developed into skills through the hard work of nurture.Based on your evaluation, determine which has the greater influence on gender identity: nature or nurture. Undoubtedly, nurture plays a very big role in early human development. Nurture in some way or another aids in speeding up an individual's capacity to study and learn new things. There is the common saying that â€Å"practice makes perfect,† so an individual can improve knowledge by practicing to adapt to all the situations in these circumstances or environment (Sports or academia). The part which nurture plays in human development has been demonstrated by psychologists in experiments in which stepping practice was administered to a cohort of inference for just a few minutes many times in a d ay. It was later that these children were able to walk several days earlier than infants who had not been given stepping practice† (Zucker2000). Influence has its effect on any outcome. Discuss the current arguments about sexual identity and how evidence from biopsychology may help resolve the argument.It is obvious that nature is responsible for producing healthy and well-developed babies, but it is also nurture that plays an important role in the early stages of human development also. †Research has concluded beyond doubt that early human development is quicker and more focused due to nurture as it builds up on the talents provided by nature. Nature may be responsible for the normal development of the fetus into a normal and healthy infant, but it cannot entirely develop that fetus into an intelligent, knowledgeable or athletic adult. (Collins 2000) This is possible only through the exposure and influence that nurture gives a person. Therefore, it would be a true state ment to say that nature has some degree of influence, nurture also strongly influences early and further human development. To determine where the greater influence comes from is based on one’s own morals, beliefs and own personal influences. The argument on wheatear someone is born gay or influenced is an argument that has been going on for ages and will continue, is it nature or nurture?Are great athletes born or made, there has to be genetic influence, but, that natural ability has to be nurtured, the same argument can be made for something as meaningless as being a model, they may be born beautiful but, the care of one’s self has to be taught. Resources www. apa. org/helpcenter/sexual-orientation. aspx Lalumiere, M,. Blanchard, R,. Zucker, K,. (2000) Sexual orientation and handedness in men and women: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin. 126. 575-592. Collins W. A. , Maccoby, E. E. , Steinberg, L. , Hetherington, M. E. , Bornstein, M. H. (2000). The case for na ture and nurture. Am. Psychol. 55:218-232. Gender Identity Gender Identity Kenneth Williams Psy 340 4/1/2013 Raymond Bragg Sex may be biological and although we may be born male or female, culturally that is not only what defines our gender roles, agree or disagree, there are many cultural influences that affect today’s gender roles. We are at a point culturally were traditional definitions are often a moot point, in my home and the homes of my children traditional roles are followed, but in many homes today that is not the case, cultural influences have often taken over for traditional values what may have been the standard once is no longer.Include the roles of biological factors, nature and environmental influences, nurture on sexual differentiation and gender identity. Nature is responsible for the growth of a person from the sperm and egg level until the natural development into a normal adult. The genetic makeup of a human being is responsible for their sex, skin color, color of their eyes and hair as well as distinguishing feat ures which are inherited from their parents. Nature can only assist in the growth of a fetus into a normal well-developed adult who may have inherited some special talents.Thus it can be concluded that nature uses the genetic coding to help in physical development and does impart some positive or negative traits to an individual’s natural development. However, it is nurture which can be used to improve he positive traits and diminish the negative traits in a child. It is indeed important to recognize that nature in the form of inherited traits does exist but a person’s overall behavior is influenced a great deal by the nurture or â€Å"upbringing† and the environmental factors involved in this upbringing. Several recent studies carried out on infant and child behavior have shown that there is significant evidence to support the fact that nurture strongly influences human development especially in the early years† (Collins 2000). In traditional society most parents encourage their kids to take part in extracurricular activities like learning music, dance or sports in accordance with the child’s talents and interests. The talents have been given by nature but they can only be developed into skills through the hard work of nurture.Based on your evaluation, determine which has the greater influence on gender identity: nature or nurture. Undoubtedly, nurture plays a very big role in early human development. Nurture in some way or another aids in speeding up an individual's capacity to study and learn new things. There is the common saying that â€Å"practice makes perfect,† so an individual can improve knowledge by practicing to adapt to all the situations in these circumstances or environment (Sports or academia). The part which nurture plays in human development has been demonstrated by psychologists in experiments in which stepping practice was administered to a cohort of inference for just a few minutes many times in a d ay. It was later that these children were able to walk several days earlier than infants who had not been given stepping practice† (Zucker2000). Influence has its effect on any outcome. Discuss the current arguments about sexual identity and how evidence from biopsychology may help resolve the argument.It is obvious that nature is responsible for producing healthy and well-developed babies, but it is also nurture that plays an important role in the early stages of human development also. †Research has concluded beyond doubt that early human development is quicker and more focused due to nurture as it builds up on the talents provided by nature. Nature may be responsible for the normal development of the fetus into a normal and healthy infant, but it cannot entirely develop that fetus into an intelligent, knowledgeable or athletic adult. (Collins 2000) This is possible only through the exposure and influence that nurture gives a person. Therefore, it would be a true state ment to say that nature has some degree of influence, nurture also strongly influences early and further human development. To determine where the greater influence comes from is based on one’s own morals, beliefs and own personal influences. The argument on wheatear someone is born gay or influenced is an argument that has been going on for ages and will continue, is it nature or nurture?Are great athletes born or made, there has to be genetic influence, but, that natural ability has to be nurtured, the same argument can be made for something as meaningless as being a model, they may be born beautiful but, the care of one’s self has to be taught. Resources www. apa. org/helpcenter/sexual-orientation. aspx Lalumiere, M,. Blanchard, R,. Zucker, K,. (2000) Sexual orientation and handedness in men and women: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin. 126. 575-592. Collins W. A. , Maccoby, E. E. , Steinberg, L. , Hetherington, M. E. , Bornstein, M. H. (2000). The case for na ture and nurture. Am. Psychol. 55:218-232.

Norway Oil Success Essay examples - 1714 Words

Introduction The oil industry in Norway has seen enormous success that is virtually unmatched by any other country in the world. Since the discovery of oil on its coast in 1969, the country has experienced steady economic growth. Accordingly, Norway’s massive GDP is a reflection of this growth; as of 2012, it ranked in the top 25 of the world (The World Bank, 2012). The cohesion between oil and economics in Norway has worked for a number of reasons. Firstly, policy makers have kept a close eye on the management of Norway’s massive oil reserves. Strict guidelines are implemented so that the reserves will not only last for future generations, but also benefit the current economy. That being said, policies old and new have positive†¦show more content†¦At the time, Norway approached its oil reserves with caution. The government asserted that the bottom of the Norwegian sea belonged to Norway, and the oil industry would strictly be run by Norwegians (Foster, 1974). This alone ensured Norwegians security in what now appears to be Norway’s greatest asset. Today, the oil sector in Norway acts as an exemplar for other countries attempting to exploit their resources. Countries are attracted to the seemingly flawless planning by the Norwegian government. Oil has contributed to the country’s enormous GDP, sitting at just under $500-billion US, in 2012 (Trading Economics, 2013). This attracts countries like Tanzania and Canada, among many others, who are attempting to adopt similar policies to emulate the same success (Hsieh, 2012; â€Å"Tanzania; Emulate Norway†, 2012). This comes as no surprise. Information from Statoil (2014), one of the largest oil extracting companies in Norway, predicts that in the future, 1.4 million barrels of oil will be produced per day. With such high production rates, it is no wonder Norway has implemented policies to maximize socio-economic benefits. Political Approaches Strategic government planning has enabled Norway’s oil industry to grow remarkably efficiently. In a move that defies most economic models in practice today, Norway seeks to adopt management which provides unity between the oilShow MoreRelated Norway and Its Climate Changes1054 Words   |  5 Pagesis a major global issue and is a pressing issue in Norway as well. The country has ratified the Kyoto Protocol and signed on to other treaties regarding the state of the earth. Similar to its history, current climate changes may have adverse effects on the culture and economy of Norway. Two significant climate change issues in Norway are carbon dioxide (CO 2) emissions and the warming of the Arctic Ocean; both have important impacts on both Norway and the world. Climate change is not a new phenomenonRead MoreThe Kingdom of Norways Country Analysis Essay examples1409 Words   |  6 PagesThe Kingdom of Norways Country Analysis Norway is one of the most developed countries in Europe. Although they are not apart of the European Union, their economy has bloomed due to good growth in the export markets and petroleum investments along with public sector demand and low-interest rates. Because they are the worlds fifth largest exporter of oil and gas, this contributes to about a third of their revenue. Their good growth has also had a positive effect on other parts of the economy suchRead MoreEssay about Capitalism and Socialism1566 Words   |  7 Pagesproduce them, and allows markets to guide who gets them. IN the United States, oil is an example of an industry that is run by this principle. Life would be different, however, if the nation was socialist. Socialism is an economic theory that mandates that the governing body, rather than the consumers and firms, control some of the firms on behalf of the community. For example, in Norway and even in capitalist Mexico the oil industry is owned or controlled by th e government. Capitalism and socialismRead MoreThe Advantage of Having a Hybrid Car in Kosovo1683 Words   |  7 Pagesfor fossil fuels, especially oil, may have peaked not only because of a slow economy, but also because of hybrids and other automotive technologies in the process of being developed. In such a case, these companies may have to find other ways of supplying energy, aside from simply putting raw crude oil on the market, if they are to survive. NORWAY EXAMPLE Norways electric car market speeds ahead While the Scandinavian country of Norway may be one of the largest oil producers in Europe, it alsoRead MoreOpec And The Price Of Oil873 Words   |  4 PagesOPEC and the price of oil The organization of the petroleum exporting countries or OPEC was created at Baghdad Conference in Iraq in September 1960. The founding members of organization were Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. These five states were later joined by nine other countries: Qatar (1961), Indonesia (1962), Libya (1962), United Arab Emirates (1967), Algeria (1969), Nigeria (1971), Ecuador (1973), Gabon (1975), and Angola (2007). Ecuador and Gabon withdrew from the organizationRead MoreComparative Politics Is An Essential Field Within Political Science1477 Words   |  6 Pageswidespread corruption can have significant repercussions on sustainability, the balance of power, and individual rights within a nation state. In 2015, Transparency International ranked North Korea the second most corrupt nation in the world, while Norway was ranked the sixth least corrupt. This paper will examine the staggering juxtaposition in corruption levels between the two nations based on the contrast in th eir respective governmental regimes and institutions. It will dissect the causes for thisRead MoreThe Harmful Effects Of Greenhouse Gases On The Earth s Atmosphere2434 Words   |  10 Pages⠁ ´ One of those countries was Norway. Norway was one of the most progressive countries in environmental regulations, first imposing a tax on greenhouse gas emissions in 1991.⠁ ´ The Norwegian government felt the most effective way to lower their carbon emissions would be to place a high tax on the oil and gas industry in an attempt to force the companies to find greener ways of extracting the oil.⠁ µ They believed that by doing this, it would cause the overall price of oil to rise for domestic consumersRead MoreQatar : The Richest Countries1735 Words   |  7 PagesQatar. Qatar is located near Saudi Arabia and according to the website named http://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-richest-countries-in-the-world.html states â€Å"...has the highest GDP of 140,649†. The country Qat ar also has a very well or developed oil industry as claimed on website â€Å"http://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-richest-countries-in-the-world.html†In addition, as stated in the website â€Å"http://www.lifeinqatar.com/Pages/en/article/living/interesting-facts-about-qatar.html† states â€Å" QatarRead MoreImpact of International Environmental Laws on Oil and Gas Production1993 Words   |  8 Pagesï » ¿Evaluation of the Impact of International Environmental Laws on Oil/Gas Production Background National oil companies (NOCs) are reported as having become key actors within, as well as shapers of the international oil market. (Chen, 2007, p.4) Chen additionally states that in consideration of the shadowing of geopolitics with geology a great many of the worlds primary basins are situated countries that have administrative capacity that is limited and governments that are highly authoritarianRead MoreCurrent Sources Of The State Of Indonesia1721 Words   |  7 Pagessources of the state revenues. It is also a very important strategic commodity and often as political issue. The revenues from oil and gas have driven the economic growth and contributed significantly for the development of Indonesia. In the world, legislations which regulate oil and gas are varies from country to country. In spite of many variations, in general, the upstream oil and gas activities, based on two systems, the production-sharing contracts and the licensing systems. Indonesia was the country

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The Objectification Of Women During The 20th Century

Objectifying is an adjective often put on the table in conversations about the depiction of women. The Objectification of women did not start with photography, but it certainly did not end with photography either. The progression of objectification was only blossoming in the 19th-20th century. At that time, most acknowledged photographers were men. Men were expected to live a public life, whether it was working in a factory or socializing with ‘likeminded’ men in public places, like parties or out and about taking photographs. On the other hand, women were usually expected to live their lives largely at home, taking care of the cooking, cleaning, and child nurturing. ‘Free time’ for women was not meant to be spent socializing but rather only doing things related to the maintenance of the family. Even though men basically assumed their uselessness out of the household, women were oddly the ultimate photographic subjects. The rise of Pictorialism was what some would call the movement that birthed modern photography. Pictorialist desired to separate photography as art from scientific means to which it had been applied; the suggested subject matter and compositional strategies usually consisted of nude women. A painterly quality with an otherworldly aesthetic is what set pictorialism apart from other photo graphic practices at the time. This notion of perfection is what really captures my attention. What I find quite interesting is that looking into this aesthetic every manShow MoreRelatedThe Women Of Algiers, By Barbara T. Smith s Molting1112 Words   |  5 PagesFrom Objectification to Celebration Molting Barbara T. Smith’s Molting was created using pencil and glitter on paper. It features a white background with sharp black lines, creating the shape of a woman. Her skin is shaded with varying colors of glitter, and blotches of brown where the glue has discolored over time. The work is very well-balanced, filling the space with the female form. Just as Picasso’s The Women of Algiers, the viewers know that this is a female from her outlined breasts as wellRead MoreThe Yellow Wallpaper, By Charlotte Perkins Gilman1437 Words   |  6 Pages The late 19th century and early 20th century have represented a time period where American women were restricted to common household jobs, and prevented from being part of much social or economical progress. Women were expected to maintain an image of moral standard and were frequently cast in an insignificant role in society, ironically, due to the worries men had with the higher population of women (Women in the Twentieth Century and Beyond. 1). As a strong advocate for women s rights, CharlotteRead MoreThe Fight For Women s Rights1711 Words   |  7 Pagesthat advocate the equal rights of women on all grounds. While the concept has been present for centuries, its magnitude in the United States has only become largely recognized throughout the 20th century. In particular, feminism has had its most lasting effects through two large waves in the early 1900’s, whilst fighting for women’s suffrage, and the 1960’s to 1970’s, which focused on women in the workplace and counteracting the submissive roles assigned to women in the 1950’s. These political battlesRead MoreWomen s Attitudes Towards Women1538 Words   |  7 PagesWomen in China: An Exploration of Women in Chinese Society as told through Wild Swans The Chinese have long been noted for the objectification and discrimination of women in their society. From foot binding, to paying for brides, to the view of women as second-class citizens, the Chinese have maintained a poor relationship in the way they treat women. Wild Swans examines China’s attitudes towards women by demonstrating the different social, political, and moral standards her (Chang’s) mother,Read MoreAnalysis Of Disney Films Mulan And Aladdin1393 Words   |  6 PagesStarting its production of films in the early 20th century, Disney has become a very popular company targeting an audience of children and adults. By the 21st century, its films has gone through many changes according to trends during those periods of time, especially with relationships between males and females. Men has always been prominent compared to the women in the movies. Women were displayed to be very dependent on male characters to come rescue them, no signs of independency are a pparentRead MoreWomen s Rights And Feminist Movements995 Words   |  4 Pagesiconized as a time of industrial and political revolution the 20th Century provided an equally important platform for social revolution. During this era countless social movements emerged, notably so the women’s rights and feminist movements. Tremendous gains were made for women throughout the century’s span, from suffrage, to equal pay, and the availability of contraceptives. One of the most complex feminist movements of the 20th century followed the period’s most tumultuous event: World War II. WhileRead MoreThe Effects Of Gendered Representations On Advertising3307 Words   |  14 PagesRepresentations in Advertising This essay discusses the representations of women in media and advertising, including the effects they have on individuals in society. Firstly, I will review the literature on stereotypical gender roles within media and advertising. This will include traditional roles such as the housewife, and modern roles such as the sex object. Secondly, I will critically evaluate and examine the effects of these roles on women, and even men, in today’s society. Effects include body dissatisfactionRead MoreLeaving The Eu Essay774 Words   |  4 Pagesbetween the First Minister of Scotland and the British Prime Minister, both of whom are females, the Daily Mail ran a cover titled, â€Å"Never mind Brexit, who won Legs-it!†. Next to the title was a picture of the two diplomats sitting next to each other during their meeting, both dressed in skirt suits. Instead of focusing on their discussion topics and the outcome of the meeting, Daily mail chose to ignore the conversation and focus on the physical attributes of Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister of ScotlandRead MoreThe Feminism Of Harriet Jacobs1260 Words   |  6 PagesHarriet Jacobs’s personal narrative, â€Å"Incidents in the Life of Slave Girl† unveils the objectification, exploitation, and feminist perceptions of liberation from the reins of a heavily dominated white patriarchal society during the 19th century through the experiences of the main character Linda Brent. How did Jacobs reveal the hardships that slave women faced through the eyes of Linda Brent? While captive black women faced constant sexual encroachments by their slave holders, Richard Follett, authorRead MoreThe Black Body : Racial Fetishism Essay1224 Words   |  5 PagesHypersexualization of the Black Body: Racial Fetishism Sexualization is to make something sexual in character or quality, or to become aware of sexuality, especially in relation to men and women; sexualization is often linked to sexual objectification. Before the sexualization of Africans/African Americans, sexualization was given to inanimate objects, Europeans documentation of their conquest is doused with language that’s sexually suggestive to describe the nature of the â€Å"discovered† land. Columbus

Britney Spears or Spear Britney Free Essays

â€Å"Manufactured bands have brought us some fab solo acts in the way of Mr Keating, and Robbie. Where would the screaming girlies be with out them?† J17 magazine. The truth is as long as they aren’t screaming and waving their underwear anywhere near me I don’t honestly have a problem with teeny-boppers. We will write a custom essay sample on Britney Spears or Spear Britney or any similar topic only for you Order Now Of course I enjoy the occasional joke about some larger than life band with a talent count of minus 50 but they don’t aggravate me as much you might think. Ignorance is bliss! But if I HAD to rant about anything it would be about manufactured and their music. And so to make the rant really good I might as well exaggerate some of my views and thoughts to make me appear like a true cynic and hater of all that is pop. So I sat in my room staring at my CD collection, tossing away the couple that don’t do me proud. So with my ‘Ricky Martin’ and ‘Spice Girls’ album on one side (carefully poised on the desk, teetering dangerously over the bin) and my ‘System Of A Down’ and ‘Blink 182’ on the other I sat down to write this article. OK. Ever stop to think about how much hormonally-charged energy you put into the quick quips and biting banter? Your life would be considerably more productive if you took some, what’s that word again, oh that’s it — action. I’m not suggesting that you incinerate some fresh teeny-boppers. There are laws against it. Yep even in that state of the US. But if you’re so fed up of manufactured bands and this article awakes the rebel in you, then I say ‘Go Forth, join a band and top the charts!’ OK fine maybe its not that easy but its more productive than bitchin about the manufactured lot with your mates. In this world of MTV soundbites (we are not worthy) and insanely uncreative lyrics, the manufactured band and the manufactured singer run rampant watch out Manufactured artists are about! They are people who are pooled together, not because they excel musically, but because their looks and personality can be pigeon-holed to fit a â€Å"type† : cute, funny, naughty, or sexy. It’s just that simple. Musical passion is generally becoming a fading art, with most people in it for nothing more than the money and the quick-fix of fame. Fame, you see, very rarely comes from the strength of the music. A few years ago, Britney Spears exploded onto the scene. Her virginal yet strangely flirty lyrics had paedophiles across the world intrigued. Here was a 16 year old girl who loved Jesus Christ, sung about ‘being hit’ and claimed to be a virgin. It was all so†¦fan-bl**dy-tastic. Britney went on to sell lots of records, preach Satan’s teachings and get to wear increasingly skimpy outfits in her music videos. With this much success, the clones were bound to follow. And, lo and behold, they did. Christina Aguilera was the first to jump on the pink-coated bandwagon, and one of many to ride Carson Daly’s gear-stick to TRL glory. The girl could certainly sing, but she was the blondest Hispanic in history, and the most annoying anorexic this side of â€Å"Ally McBeal†. They became more and more annoying. â€Å"Is that humanly possible?† I hear you say but as I say if in doubt turn to the merry U S of A. Enter Mandy Moore. Moore was about 12 and could barely even screech well. She sang a song about missing a guy â€Å"like candy†, which is just plain sad. Nobody misses anyone like candy. I wonder what I’d miss my pin-ups like after my brains are gobbled by the undead teeny boppers. Mmmm†¦.. The manufactured craze is continuing as I write this dread-filled article. Oily men across the industry are lining their pockets and making an absolute mint from girls who dream about â€Å"cute guys† and â€Å"Dawson†. Why is it so big? Well its not because its so cutting edge. It’s because girls are insecure. And popular culture capitalises on that. Girls think — maybe if I go out and buy that new lipstick, I’ll fit in. Or maybe if I watch this show or listen to that music, I’ll be popular. I mean, look around you now (that’s right just blatantly stare at them!), every one of these girls is incredibly insecure. You can’t even speak your mind anymore without stomping on somebody’s feelings. You make a ‘Five’ break up joke and the teeny-boppers have a fit. You make a Two Pac (deceased) joke and the Hip-Hop posse kindly raise their middle finger. And any comments of Marilyn Mansons femininity will have Satanis ts swarming around threatenin to send the forces of evil to your abode. In the States, songs about coming on over and getting hit in the face are all the rage. In Britain, the flavour is love. If you’re ever making a boyband, be sure they sing songs about â€Å"love† and â€Å"sex†. If you’re planning on making a girl group, make sure they sing songs about â€Å"love† and â€Å"sex†. Really its not that hard. The dudes on ‘Popstars’ make it look so hard. However, if you plan on plucking an underage girl from school (and there are laws against it) in the hopes that you’ll create the next Britney, make sure she sings songs about â€Å"genies in bottles† and being unvirginised. As I was surfin the wonderful net and followin the proverbial ‘yellow brick road’ to all that is fake†¦(with a capital F ladies and gentlemen) I discovered that Britain is just as bad as the States in terms of manufactured bands. There’s a deep-seated history involved in the art of making boybands. In the seventies, the Bay City Rollers were all the rage. Essentially, they were ugly Scottish dudes who wore Tartan costumes (kilt-like but not quite) and sang really badly (they have sound clips on the site†¦.sayin they sing badly is like saying ‘o the arctic is a bit chilly’). But the teenyboppers loved them, simply because the machine trained them to love them. It’s like that mind-washing scene in â€Å"A Clockwork Orange†. Impressionable kids are force-fed a cocktail of bland music, and few of them have the intellectual tools or inquisitive nature, and think to themselves ‘er†¦why’. Well, it’s very simpl e. These guys make money, and the formula is easy to reproduce. And people will buy anything if it’s well-packaged. Sheep. BAAAA! Best not to think about it too much. It hurts my b r a i n! Fact is, these bands make great money for their producers, all by living up to a fallacious image. It’s easy money, and while the fat cats grow obese, we’re the ones who are losing out. Because when genuinely talented performers fail to find a niche in the busy marketplace, we’ll be overcome with these beasts. I’ll be honest, though. I like a wide range of music. Sometimes I’ll be blown away (OK, hooked) by a boyband tune or maybe I’ll even shock myself and buy the track†¦(id like to stress that this is not a frequent occurrence, and any tracks I do waste my money on tend to be incinerated by some Satanist folk that hang around these parts.) OK, let me be completely honest: I prefer rock/punk music to virtually any other type of music (yes, even opera). Now, I like a lot of â€Å"respected† artists as well and I think I have fairly good taste when it comes to rating music, but there’s something alluring about Pop. I’m not saying the music is necessarily good, but it is very effective. I realise that it’s manufactured, that it’s sugary and the song lyrics are dud, but tell me you yourself haven’t caught the Pop bug at some point. These songs linger in your mind, even more so than Papa Roach screaming about how much life sucks and how we should all die. Not dissin P’Roach or anything†¦Coby, Dude, You Rule! That strange mixture of superficial positivity and cynical marketing works for some. Not me, but it does for some†¦ahh an outcast yet again. But while I won’t admit too vehemently that I enjoy cheesy pop ballads, I’d like to celebrate some of the manufactured â€Å"artists† here in this article – where no-one â€Å"in real life† will ever know. Our group up for discussion is†¦ Westlife, or using their pronunciation, â€Å"Westloife†. Flying without Wings Everybody’s looking for a something One thing that makes it all complete You’ll find it in the strangest places Places you never knew it could be Some find it in the face of their children Some find it in their lovers eyes Who can deny the joy it brings When you’ve found that special thing You’re flying without wings This is Westlife’s entry into the â€Å"we condone drug usage† halls of chart history. I know that I’m only flying without wings after ten too many beers (so that’s 10 beers in total yea). It’s obvious that these depraved young men are either promoting illegal substances (S club Seven wannabe’s) or singing about love. Whichever way you look at it, the song is pretty damn kooky. All right, it’s sweet and touching. This sucks. And to conclude†¦.o wait someone’s at the door. ::Abruptly stands knocking Ricky and Spice-eys into the bin. Looks out window:: And now I’ve been called away by a knock at my door. And the person knocking is a God-lover telling me I need the light of God. I’ve been thinking†¦God is a lot like a boyband. People go on about him 24/7 and plaster his posters on their bedrooms, but has he ever written his own tracks? How to cite Britney Spears or Spear Britney, Papers