Organizational Culture Is Within The Control Of Management

Introduction Interest in the area of corporate culture is said to have originated in the 1970s as a response to the success of Japanese management and the perceived failure of traditional organizational analysis (Hofstede, Neuijen, Ohayv Sanders, 1990; Ouchi, 1985; Martin Frost, 1999). Since then, research has flourished, with particular emphasis placed on the link between culture and corporate performance (Kilmann, Saxton Serpa, 1985). Observations of the most well-known, best run companies, like IBM and Google, seem to suggest that having a unique, cohesive culture can propel a company above the competition (Kilmann et al., 1985). Following from this, it makes sense that figuring out how to control culture to achieve competitive advantage has received a lot of attention from scholars and management alike (Anthony, 1994). In this essay, we will look to explore the extent to which organizational culture is within the control of management. To do this, we will begin by defining culture and shedding light on the debate that culture can be seen in one of two ways – as something that organizations have versus something organizations are (Nord, 1985; Schneider, Ehrhart, Macey, 2012). This contradiction defines the conversation on whether or not managers can control culture. On one hand, if culture is something an organization has, then we can think of it as a variable that one can control, at least to some extent (Meek, 1992; Baker, 1990). In contrast, those who argueShow MoreRelatedThe Role and Responsibility of Company Leadership in Shaping Organizational Culture1712 Words   |  7 PagesAccording to (Organic Workspaces, n. d) an organization’s culture refers to the observable, powerful forces in any organization, usually constituted by the employees’ shared values, beliefs, symbols , and behaviors. The organizational culture ideally influences its decisions and actions (Tharp, n. d). (Watkins, 2013) also defines organizational culture as a consistent and observable pattern of behavior in organizations. An organization’s culture channelizes individual decisions and actions at a subconsciousRead MoreOrganizational Culture And Its Functions863 Words   |  4 PagesINTRODUCTION Organizational culture involves systems of beliefs and values that guide the behavior of individuals within the organization and how they shape behavior (Kummerow, 2013). Organizational structures, on the other hand, dictate the assignment, coordination and control of roles and responsibilities to achieve organizational goals (Pathak 2011). For a company to perform effectively it needs to grow, organizational development is one element of growth that focuses on practice an research focusedRead MoreToyota: a Glimpse of Leadership, Organizational Leadership, and Organizational Structure836 Words   |  4 PagesToyota: A Glimpse of Leadership, Organizational Behavior, and Organizational Structure Courtney Berry Organizational behavior is the study of application of individuals’ behaviors within structured groups within an organization (Robbins Judge, 2007). The field of study identifies behaviors within specific groups and individuals in organizations and how the structures of organizations play a role in behaviors (Robbins Judge, 2007). In the past several months, the leading company in the carRead MoreCorporate Culture Essay1176 Words   |  5 PagesThe culture within an organization can make or break how productive and how responsive the business operates. Organizational culture is the set of shared, taken-for-granted implicit assumptions that a group holds and that determines how it perceives, thins about, and reacts to its various environments, (Kinicki, A. and Kreitner, R., 2009).With that being said it becomes important to set values that you want everyone to work by. This will help when new employees are added to the team and will alsoRead MoreThe Characteristics Of Or ganizational Culture1392 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction Organizational culture is very important because it is all about the beliefs, philosophy, principles and morals that every individuals will share within an organization. Furthermore, organizational culture brings unity, loyalty, direction, competition and identity in an organizational and making it an influential element in the accomplishment of the organization. Therefore, it has a powerful influence on the individuals because it sways how employees should act, dress and execute theirRead MoreEssay Management vs. Leadership1138 Words   |  5 PagesManagement vs. Leadership The comparison and differences of traits between leadership and management techniques and styles is like comparing apples and oranges. Leadership should be an asset of management but unfortunately not all managers have leadership qualities A manager is a director, an overseer, someone who dictates employees. A leader is focused on organizing and inspiring people to be entrepreneurs. The role and responsibilities of both leaders and managers in creating and maintainingRead MoreManagement vs. Leadership1184 Words   |  5 PagesManagement vs. Leadership The comparison and differences of traits between leadership and management techniques and styles is like comparing apples and oranges. Leadership should be an asset of management but unfortunately not all managers have leadership qualities A manager is a director, an overseer, someone who dictates employees. A leader is focused on organizing and inspiring people to be entrepreneurs. The role and responsibilities of both leaders and managers in creating and maintainingRead MoreBusiness Failure of Worldcom in the Light of Organizational Behavior Theories1313 Words   |  5 Pagesthe Light of Organizational Behavior Theories Abstract Business failures occur usually due to lack of organizational leadership and unethical practices prevalent within an organization. Managers and leaders tend to be a lighthouse for any organization and if they adopt unethical ways, then the entire organization suffer from extreme loss and disgrace. WorldComs bankruptcy scandal is a big example of business failure which was linked to leadership, management style and organizational behavior prevalentRead MoreThe Crisis Management Of Philippines Essay894 Words   |  4 PagesLocal Studies A local study conducted by Magdalena L. Mendoza (2014) about the crisis management of Philippines. The author stated that there was an absence of solid foundation, inability to distill foreign values, and the â€Å"disconnects† between national culture and local articulation have resulted in the â€Å"adulteration† of Philippine management culture. This culture gap might have been the responsible for the country’s slower pace of development. The adulteration being referred to is the starkRead More Organizational Behavior Essay973 Words   |  4 Pages Organizational Behavior: A Case of Effective Management nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; â€Å"Organizational structure is the formal system of task and reporting relationships that controls, coordinates, and motivates employees so that they cooperate and work together to achieve the organization’s goals†. (George et al, 2002). The importance of structure can’t be stressed enough. Having an organizational structure ensures that each member of the organization has the correct goals of their particular

Should Probation Be A Criminal Offense - 950 Words

In Missouri, there are publicly two forms of probation, SIS probation and SES probation. SIS (Suspended Imposition of Sentence) probation is where a defendant pleads guilty to or is found guilty of a criminal offense, and then is placed on SIS probation for a fixed period of time. Once the probationer successfully completes the probationary period without further criminal charges and if all of the requisites of probation are completed, an SIS will not result in a conviction â€Å"showing† on a criminal record if an Order of Non-Disclosure is obtained which will clear the probationer’s background. Missouri (2013) has a rate about 26% lower than the national average number of probationers per 100,000 people (NIC, 2013). Despite this, Kansas City, according to an October 2014 report by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts (AO) showed that a dwindling number of federal probation officers in KC now must supervise a growing population of released offenders who have the most comprehensive criminal histories in the system (Morris, 2014). In a contemporary world, probation officers could be accurately referred to as brokers of service since they are expected to broker community services and monitor their clients progress and activities in the community. The rules and regulations governing the conditions of probation, parole and conditional release, (referred to as the White Book, 2014) spell out the terms of the contract between the Missouri Board of Corrections and theShow MoreRelatedPre Sentence Investigation ( Psi )832 Words   |  4 PagesPre-Sentence Investigation (PSI) are done in criminal cases and used to assist the Court in getting a clear picture of the defendant as possible so there can be a fair sentencing hearing. As the probation officer assigned to the offender s case the PSI will be used to make an initial assessment of needs and risks. Pursuant to Rule 32 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure the PSI Report should contain the following: (A) identify all applicable guidelines and policy statements of the SentencingRead MoreThe Issue Of Criminal Law1495 Words   |  6 PagesName Teachers Name Date Criminal Justice The topics I am going to use are Criminal Law: It tells about the history, details and the reason that why we need to have some criminal law or laws and why there are so many different laws for different kind of criminals? Probation: Probation is chance to live in your own community by obeying some rules we will discuss what is the history of probation and what kind of importance does it have for society The job for probation and parole officers: ItRead MoreParole and Probation1107 Words   |  5 Pagesranging to non imprisonment yet supervised ways used to deal with criminal offenders who are facing conviction or who has been convicted.. There are punishment an offender may receive such as fines, community service, electronic surveillance also know as house arrest, shock probation, intensive supervision, residential community supervision etc. The most common punishment used by the justice system is probation as well as parole. Probation is the release of an offender from detention , subject to a periodRead MorePretrial Release and Diversion Programs918 Words   |  4 Pagestrial for the crime, the defendant is placed in a probation-type scenario. The court oversees the defendant for a set period of time and if the defendant complies with the terms of the pretrial-diversion program, the defendant is not tried for the initial crime. Conditions of pretrial diversion may include coun seling, drug or alcohol rehabilitation, community education programs, community service, and not committing any additional criminal offenses. These programs are effective on certain types ofRead MoreEssay about Criminal Justice Internship1129 Words   |  5 PagesDallas County Adult Probation Denise Catherine Tobias 133 North Industrial Blvd Dr. Barrum Dallas, TX 75207 REPORT #7 Evaluation and Consolidation of Goals Your final report should be a complete report of your internship experiences under the title How I Evaluate Myself as a Future Criminal Justice Worker, and may not exceed five typed pages. Describe the extent to which the theoretical knowledge included yourRead More criminal justice internship Essay1122 Words   |  5 Pages Dallas County Adult Probation nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; Denise Catherine Tobias 133 North Industrial Blvdnbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; Dr. Barrum Dallas, TX 75207 nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;REPORT #7nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Evaluation and ConsolidationRead MoreJuvenile Justice System1739 Words   |  7 Pageslawbreakers could avoid being classified in legal records as criminals. â€Å"The laws were designed to provide treatment, rather than punishment, for juvenile offenders† (Neubauer, 444) California is a decentralized state which means that delinquency services are organized at both the state and local level in California. County probation departments administer detention, commitment, delinquency intake screening, predisposition investigation, and probation supervision (Neubauer, 447). New Jersey is a combinationRead MoreJuvenile Justice System Essay1694 Words   |  7 Pageslawbreakers could avoid being classified in legal records as criminals. â€Å"The laws were designed to provide treatment, rather than punishment, for juvenile offenders† (Neubauer, 444) California is a decentralized state which me ans that delinquency services are organized at both the state and local level in California. County probation departments administer detention, commitment, delinquency intake screening, predisposition investigation, and probation supervision (Neubauer, 447). New Jersey is a combinationRead MoreThe Origins Of Juvenile Justice1385 Words   |  6 Pagesjuvenile system when compared to the adult system. Ans: the creation of the juvenile court was to not punish juveniles as adult but to rehabilitate them. When referring to the terms use in the adult criminal court compare to the term use in juvenile court it varies. Some term used in the adult criminal are: Defendant, charges/indictment, arraignment, prosecution/trail, verdict, sentence, imprisonment, inmate/prisoner, and parole. In the juvenile court they used the terms respondent, petition, hearingRead MoreThe Criminal Justice System And The United States Essay1445 Words   |  6 PagesOvercrowding The Criminal Justice System has made many changes since it first started in the 17th Century. The Criminal Justice System first began in the United States during the colonial times, when the colonist had to follow the rules of the British. During the Colonial times, the Criminal Justices System was not as fair as our current system is today, which meant a lot of people did not have liberties and were ultimately treated unfairly. Times have definitely changed for the Criminal Justice System

Project Delivery Methods-Free-Samples for Students-Myassignment

Question: Analyse various Project Delivery Methods. Answer: Introduction WestLINK aim at increasing the chances of success of this project by integrating the design and management of the activities. Thus, this report briefly analyses various project delivery methods and recommend the best option based on the various assumptions and rationale. Some of the project delivery methods that are briefly highlighted include design-bid-build, design-build and CM@Risk among others. The report further highlights various types of financial contract based on the most relevant project criteria. The discussed financial contract type must be the most pertinent for this type of project and include Lump sum, guaranteed maximum price and cost plus fixed fee contracts. Lastly, the report analysis and recommend the most viable procurement method that can be used to widen the project scope and size. Specifically, the report evaluates Competitive, Best value and Negotiated procurement methods and recommends the most suitable one for a process of this magnitude. Background of case study The case involve the preparation of a comprehensive plan for a client on how to select the best and most viable project delivery system, the financial contract type and the most relevant procurement procedure. The Sydney motorway network is embarking on the improvement and construction of various roads to supplement the existing one. In order to attract funding from the Australian Government to effectively execute the project, this plan is necessary. The proposal will ensure effective monitoring of the quality of the work and ensure relevant approaches are undertaken towards the completion of the project. Some of the inherent challenges that necessitate such a plan include the companys inability to sustain the fast-tracking and control of related costs. Correspondingly, without such a plan, it will be difficult for the company to ensure that workers are safe from the massive traffic from Paramatta road given that more than 140,000 vehicles occasionally move through the corridor. Besi des, a strict 2023 deadline for the project completion implies that WestLINK must adhere to the specified plan that is subsequently detailed. Project delivery methods According to Mollaoglu-Korkmaz et al. (2011), project delivery method refers to a detailed system that is used in the organization and financing specific projects, facilitating operations and maintaining related services. Specifically, project delivery involves such processes and mechanisms involve in the design and building projects. WestLINK must enter into a contractual relationship with the Australian government among other important agencies to effectively design and successfully construct the project. There are numerous factors that influences the selection of project delivery methods. For instance, the experience of the company to the contacted, qualifications and capabilities must be taken into consideration. Likewise, the scale, form, purpose and project complexity are also important factors that cannot be ignored whatsoever (Harold Kerzner, 2013). A project sequence, establishment of timelines, costs and the inherent ability to fast-track project progress are other important factors that will influence project delivery methods (Laslo, 2010). GOALS/CRITERIA CRITERIA WEIGHT Project delivery methods Design-bid-build Design-build CM@Risk Score Weighted score Score Weighted score Score Weighted score Project delivery speed 30 5 150 8 240 5 150 Seamless communication 20 5 100 5 100 5 100 Cost control 30 4 120 6 180 6 180 Work with local subcontractors 20 5 100 6 120 5 100 Total 470 640 530 Design-build with a weighted score of 640 is recommended. This method involves a single entity that is responsible for the design and construction of the project. The company responsible for the project design must ensure that all relevant performance specifications are met before suggesting the start of the actual project (Harold Kerzner, 2013). A single contractor is tasked with developing a contractual relationship with the project owners to identify related costs and better their relations at early stages. The figure below shows this relationship. Under this project delivery method, the involvement of a single entity will save the project owner from the typically difficult bidding process, enhance communication and facilitate effective control and design of the project (Kent Becerik-Gerber, 2010). However, the project owner must give clear details on the specific need and objectives of the project coupled with regular management of the contract to ensure absolute understanding of the stipulated activities (Burke, 2013). Also, the project owner has limited option on the choice of the most appropriate project subcontractor and this may significantly affect delivery. This report recommend this project delivery method to execute the specified construction activities. Under this project delivery method, the project owner is required to seek professional design services who will provide a detailed project design before initiating the actual construction activities. The project is opts to unify such relevant entities to conduct the design and construction activities. According to Mollaoglu-Korkmaz et al. (2011), the best project delivery method must adhere to various financial, organizational and time constraints that are clearly stipulated under the agreement. As outlined in the figure above, the project owner contracts a project design professional who may include a design-build professional and subsequently seeks the services of a general contractor who will facilitate construction process (Kent Becerik-Gerber, 2010). This project delivery method is recommended because it is tested and both the project owner and contractor have increased control and involvement in the design process. The table below gives a summary of recommended project delivery system. Project delivery system Project deliver roles Owner decision maker Project management Design Contracting Construction Coordination of construction Construction coordination and administration Design- build Owner (O) General contractor (GC) GC GC GC O GC and O General contr. owner CM CM GC GC GC CM Advisory mgmt. Owner Construction manager (CM) CM O GC CM CM The delivery method is also appropriate because the project has a strict 2023 deadline, and WestLINK is absolutely committed towards meeting the stipulated deadline without any significant cost overrun. The contractor and owner will also be able to fast trace the construction phases and identify possible costs earlier enough. The contractor is also solely responsible for any risk in the design and this is explicitly stipulated in the contractual agreement (Meskendahl, 2010). Financial contract type: Lump Sum contract GOALS/CRITERIA CRITERIA WEIGHT Financial contract types Lump Sum Unit price GMP CPFF Score Weighted score Score Weighted score Score Weighted score Score Weighted score Project delivery speed 30 7 210 5 150 4 120 5 150 Cost control 20 6 120 6 120 5 100 4 80 Quality work 25 6 150 4 100 6 150 6 150 Risk sharing 25 4 100 6 150 5 125 4 100 Total 100 580 520 495 480 After selecting the best project delivery system for the execution of the project, WestLINK must select the most appropriate contract type that will facilitate the process based on the above criteria. According to Mollaoglu-Korkmaz et al. (2011), a contract refers to an agreement between two or more individuals or bodies to avail specified tasks in exchange for certain payment or compensation. However, contract type highlights the layout that will be used to pay for the services that are stipulated under the contract. The recommended financial contract for this project is lump sum (also known as fixed price contract) with a total weighted score of 580. Under this contract, the project owner is obligated to pay the contractor a particular amount for completing a scale or work without necessarily providing a comprehensive cost breakdown. Specifically, the project owner agrees to pay the contractor an indicated contracted amount after the contract has been validated (Touran et al., 2010). The contractor is solely responsible for any cost overrun and can only issue a change not related to costs in the contract through an official order to the owner. Cost overruns can be as a result of the escalated cost of building materials, poor supplier performance and possible labour unrests. A single lump sum price is all that the project owner is obligated to pay the contractor before the validation of the contract (Schwalbe, 2015). Also, given the strict 2023 project deadline, the contractor must complete the project within the stipulated fixed cost under the agreement. The contractor can make profit from this contract is the project costs are below the estimated expenses (Kerzner, 2013). Also, the project owner is not eligible to claim the remaining amount after project completion. This type of contract is recommended because it eliminates the need for extensive project design and administration. Thus, the project owner must first give a clear definition of the project to enable the contractor to give a rough estimate of the total costs (Kerzner, 2013). If the project owner has a relatively tight time-frame, limited construction experience or tight budget constraints, then this type of financial contract is recommended. According to Mollaoglu-Korkmaz et al. (2011), lump sum contract obligates the contractor to avail specified services under the fixed lump sum amount as postulated under the contractual agreement. Under this contract type, if the estimated costs goes up, the profits are likely to go down. Procurement method: Negotiated contract GOALS/CRITERIA CRITERIA WEIGHT Procurement method Competitive Negotiated Best Value Score Weighted score Score Weighted score Score Weighted score Project delivery speed 35 4 140 8 280 6 210 Product quality 35 6 210 7 245 6 210 Selection flexibility 30 5 150 5 150 5 150 Total 100 560 675 570 Projct owners are tasked with selecting the best contractor based on the price, speed quality of previous work or a combination of both (Touran et al., 2010). The project owner should conduct a comprehensive assessment of the contractors and make the best decision. The recommended procurement method for selecting a contractor for a project of this magnitude is the negotiated contract with a weighted score of 675. Under this procurement method, a contractor is pre-selected based on market reputation and general qualification for the project (Pinto, 2007). The method is time saving as there are no bidding processes allowing the construction activities to start and move as quickly as possible. References Burke, R. (2013). Project management: planning and control techniques.New Jersey, USA. DESIGN-BUILD DONE RIGHT. A DESIGN-BUILD INSTITUTE OF AMERICA PUBLICATION, April 2015 Harold Kerzner, (2013) Project Management: A System Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling. Chapter 19. Kent, D. C., Becerik-Gerber, B. (2010). Understanding construction industry experience and attitudes toward integrated project delivery.Journal of construction engineering and management,136(8), 815-825. Kerzner, H. (2011).Using the project management maturity model: strategic planning for project management. John Wiley Sons. Kerzner, H. (2013).Project management: a systems approach to planning, scheduling, and controlling. John Wiley Sons. Laslo, Z. (2010). Project portfolio management: An integrated method for resource planning and scheduling to minimize planning/scheduling-dependent expenses.International journal of project management,28(6), 609-618. Meskendahl, S. (2010). The influence of business strategy on project portfolio management and its successa conceptual framework.International Journal of Project Management,28(8), 807-817. Mollaoglu-Korkmaz, S., Swarup, L., Riley, D. (2011). Delivering sustainable, high-performance buildings: Influence of project delivery methods on integration and project outcomes.Journal of Management in Engineering,29(1), 71-78. Pinto, J. K. (2007).Project management: achieving competitive advantage. Upper Saddle River, NJ, USA: Pearson/Prentice Hall. Schwalbe, K. (2015).Information technology project management. Cengage Learning. Touran, A., Gransberg, D. D., Molenaar, K. R., Ghavamifar, K. (2010). Selection of project delivery method in transit: Drivers and objectives.Journal of Management in Engineering,27(1), 21-27.

White Noise Essay Summary Example For Students

White Noise Essay Summary Thanks to everyone who voted for WHITE NOISE as Octobers Book-of-the- Month. WHITE NOISE is probably Don DeLillos most popular novel, largely because most readers see it as DeLillos warmest and most human book. In this story, the ideas that seem to captivate DeLillo are fleshed out in real life in a way that none of his other books quite achieves. Of course, there are a few stubborn souls (like me) who still feel THE NAMES, or one of his other books is better. But I think everyone agrees, WHITE NOISE is a winner. It won DeLillo the National Book Award in 1985, and it also won a larger reading audience for a great American writer. DeLillo has said that Ernest Beckers THE DENIAL OF DEATH was a book that influenced him at the time he wrote WHITE NOISE. Theres certainly no denying that death, and the many things we do to avoid facing it, is a major focus of DeLillos novel. Beckers book, which won the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction in 1974, has as its thesis the assertion that the idea of death, the fear of it, haunts the human animal like nothing else; it is a mainspring of human activityactivity designed largely to avoid the fatality of death, to overcome it by denying in some way that it is the final destiny for man. Beckers point is that this is *the* driving force in the human psyche todaywhich I think is overstating the matter a bitbut it certainly is a reality that all of us face in some way, sooner or later. As I looked through Beckers book last month, I was surprised to discover that its actually an exposition of the work of Otto Rank. Rank was the third of the three famous defectors from Freuds inner psychoanalytic circle early this century (the others being Alder and Jung), and hes known in the literary world to a certain extent because of his intimate involvement with Anais Nin. Like Jung, Rank developed a psychology of mythology and religionand, in particular, Ranks emphasis was The Hero motif. This is what Jung called the puer aeternus (or the f emale puella)the eternal youthwho never ageswho never diesto whom death is nothing. In psychology, this idea is linked closely with that of narcissism, which is considered prevalent in society today. Just look at all the things we do to avoid the appearance of aging! Jack Gladney is, at best, an unlikely Hero, I think. The extreme superficiality of his life is astounding. Everything is meant to *seem* significantHitler studies, the robes and sunglasses, the most photographed barn in America. Like so much of what we see and hear nowadayswhat its about is *sounding* like its about something important. Everything is sense impression. Never mind what a word really meansif it *sounds* solid and strong, then thats reason enough to use it. In this way we escape from nature. We create lives that protect us from the things that are out there somewhere. Im not just a college professor, says Jack. Im the head of a department. I dont see myself fleeing an airborne toxic event. Thats for people who live in mobile homes out in the scrubby parts of the country, where the fish hatcheries are. Michael Valdez Moses addresses this issue in his essay Lust Removed From Nature (in Frank Lentricchias NEW ESSAYS ON WHITE NOISE). Following Heidegger (another influence on DeLillo), Valdez Moses discusses the way technology is changing the inner experience of human beings. And in WHITE NOISE DeLillo shows us how this is done. Waves and radiation. Television serves as kind of new collective unconscious, creating a new inner frame of reference. Consider this line from William Gibsons NEUROMANCER: The sky above the port was the color of television, tuned to a dead channel. What color? Jack Gladney says at one point, His skin was a color that I want to call flesh-toned. Stephie murmurs, Toyota Celica, in her sleep. The TV is now a member of the family. We are moving toward a postmodern mentality. .ucc95b2416b61e2ff5ce3f20e1a1074d8 , .ucc95b2416b61e2ff5ce3f20e1a1074d8 .postImageUrl , .ucc95b2416b61e2ff5ce3f20e1a1074d8 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ucc95b2416b61e2ff5ce3f20e1a1074d8 , .ucc95b2416b61e2ff5ce3f20e1a1074d8:hover , .ucc95b2416b61e2ff5ce3f20e1a1074d8:visited , .ucc95b2416b61e2ff5ce3f20e1a1074d8:active { border:0!important; } .ucc95b2416b61e2ff5ce3f20e1a1074d8 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ucc95b2416b61e2ff5ce3f20e1a1074d8 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ucc95b2416b61e2ff5ce3f20e1a1074d8:active , .ucc95b2416b61e2ff5ce3f20e1a1074d8:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ucc95b2416b61e2ff5ce3f20e1a1074d8 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ucc95b2416b61e2ff5ce3f20e1a1074d8 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ucc95b2416b61e2ff5ce3f20e1a1074d8 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ucc95b2416b61e2ff5ce3f20e1a1074d8 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ucc95b2416b61e2ff5ce3f20e1a1074d8:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ucc95b2416b61e2ff5ce3f20e1a1074d8 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ucc95b2416b61e2ff5ce3f20e1a1074d8 .ucc95b2416b61e2ff5ce3f20e1a1074d8-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ucc95b2416b61e2ff5ce3f20e1a1074d8:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: hills like white elephants Essay One of DeLillos refrains (leitmotifs even) that still haunts me is the question of who will die first?Jack speaking of himself or his wife: who will leave the other to die last? to die alone? Its as if Jack is more afraid of this that he is the idea of his own death. Thesis: Jack Gladneys obsession with death illustrates the postmodern attitude that many Americans hold. Furthermore, his world is surrounded with tabloids and a national media that feeds on destroying lives. This feeling of instant gratification along with over consumption, fills the Gladney household with a warped sense on middle class values. As a hole, they can not handle their emotions and have difficulty thinking for themselves. The Gladney family represents the typical dysfunctional family of the post-1970s era. Join me as I browse through the postmodern novel, White Noise. Http://www.cwrl.utexas.edu/~mcnicholas/E309-Spring98/assign3/Lerner/wnmain.htmJack and Babette has an unbelievable obsession with death and their thoughts haunt their minds to an unhealthy style of living. What if death is nothing but sound? Electrical Noise. You hear it forever. Sound all around. How Awful. Uniform, white (198.) But I feel that the description above represents life in a postmodern world mo re realistically. Not death. The drug specifically interacts with neurotransmitters in the brain that are related to the fear of death (200.) Babette describes the effect of her Dylar medication. The obsession with death virtually runs every aspect of Mr. Mrs. Gladneys lives. The majority of grown adults have a basic fear of death but usually came to peace with themselves over time. However, Jack and Babette are looking for an instant solution 24-hours-a-day. Instead of facing reality, they create an alternative lifestyle and remain plagued in a spiral of depression. A person has to be told he is going to die before he can live life to the fullest(285.) Under normal circumstances I find this true. However, in White Noise that only becomes a reality in the last chapter. After Mr. Grays shooting, Jack begins an evolution towards a more feasible reality. Babette finally concludes that it may not matter how strong or weak Dylar is. If I think it will help me, it will help me(251.) We a re seeing the placebo effect of mediation. As a reader, I infer that the Gladney household will come to respect the healthy days they have now instead of dwelling on what will not exist in the future. In the last chapter, I would introduce that Jack has had a catharsis and come of of his bubble of troubles. http://www.cwrl.utexas.edu/~mcnicholas/E309-Spring98/assign3/Lerner/fear.htmxEverything we need that is not food or love is here in the tabloid racks. The tales of the supernatural and the extraterrestrial. The miracle vitamins, the cures for cancer, the remedies for obesity. The cults of the famous and the dead. (326)y8Book Reports