English-Cultural Studies- Generation X Essay Example for Free

English-Cultural Studies- Generation X Essay Throughout the years, rock and roll stars have greatly emerged in the consciousness of every American youth. In a world that appears to be uncontrollably spinning, the pied pipers of rock have acted as jesters, pillows, and poets for every incoming generation. The forerunners like Sex Pistols, the Who, the Doors, the Stones, the Beatles, and other rock and roll Hall of Famers, many of whom have become millionaire icons, rebelling against the society and pulling out the rich and seemingly boundless vein of alienation and angst among teenagers of the Generation X. During the 1990s, the rise of grunge music characterizes an imperative element of what has been the alternative rock trend in that decade. Nirvanas Kurt Cobain made it to the pinnacle higher than any other rock and roll stars. Like several other rockers, Kurt Cobain became a sensation through the standards of his times. Generation X considered Kurt Cobain as their poet emeritus, he was the Richard Cory of his generation, joining the ranks of Elvis, Keith Moon, Jim Morrison, and Brian Jones as the white icon who apparently had everything, but threw it away. Generation X or Gen-X came into its own throughout the later part of 1980s and early 1990s. An inclination for grunge music epitomized by the band Nirvana expressed the disenchantments of a generation ceaselessly destined to exist in the gloominess of its elders. As it is ordinary in generational shifts, Gen-X philosophy has considerable inferences of disbelief against things held dear to the earlier generation. Accordingly, grunge music became the defining character of Generation X, who came of age throughout this period. Generation X Generation X consists of individuals who finished high school between the periods 1989 and 1996 (Bozenda 2). However, laggards have also been identified beyond those years, but were already considered the minority of their graduating class. In its glory days, Generation X, through its music, boasted tremendous recognition. For Generation X-ers, MTV was their sanctuary, and has been pronounced, the only TV channel that did not care just as much as them (Bozenda 2). Grunge saturated in this stretch of time and, without a doubt, it fit the bill. There were different classes of Generation X-ers: the light X-ers were typically just into the music and could not be easily identified; the medium X-ers were way into the music, and do really look the part; the heavy X-ers took the way of life to its limits, and were concerned with nothing but the music; and the major X-ers who are identifiable even these days, as they tend to talk slowly, typically wear clothes that are older than they are or, clothes that they did not buy, and feel more comfortable in a gloomy room (Bozenda 2). I. Origins of Generation X Although the precise dates of birth defining Generation X are highly disputed, on the whole, this age demographic consists of people born in the 1960s and 1970s. As an expression, without existing meaning, the term was made the title of a 1964 pulp novel, and was chosen as the name of young Billy Idol’s punk rock band (â€Å"Generation X†). Moreover, Douglas Coupland took it from a sociological text of Paul Fussell, which he later popularized in his book Generation X: Tales For An Accelerated Culture (â€Å"Generation X†). It was only after the publication of Couplands book that the media started to prevalently exploit the term as a name for the generation, by introducing Generation X as a group of undereducated, alienated, flannel-wearing lazybones with body piercing who had worked at McJobs and drank Starbucks coffee. Generation X has a great deal to be confused about: Prozac-happy therapy, the lingering presence of AIDS where love can turn into death; drive-by shootings, declining prospects, few good jobs, unparalleled levels of teen suicide and violence; and absentee parents striving to succeed in the two-income economy, Beavis and Butthead mean-spiritedness sufficing as social interpretation, and an increasing prejudice in particular sectors toward the homeless and poor (Hill). Generation X has undergone most of the 14 years of Reagan-Bush-Clinton economics, particularly the governmental policies of free trade (Hill). As a result, Kurt Cobain slammed, thumped and wailed his guitar against the converging walls of the putrefying society around him, and the existing generation followed into his direction feeling that they as well are experiencing the societal strap to be getting tighter. Unfortunately, in due course Cobain could not break out; therefore, taking the easy way out or perhaps the difficult one, by taking his own life. Generation X-ers Music As categorized through music: light X includes Pearl Jam, Nirvana, and other foremost radio bands; mid-X includes all of the above, and bands like Kyuss, Monster Magnet, as well as other bands that started small but eventually got big; heavy X also includes all of the above, Soul Coughing, Fu Manchu, as well as other bands that remained small but got major underground progress; and major X, which also includes all of the above, along with Desert Sessions, The Atomic Bitchwax, and bands that remained indie or stayed underground (Bozenda 2). Generation X music commenced in 1989, peaked in 1994, fell inconsistent in 1997, and eventually disappeared in 2000 (Bozenda 2). The year of 1996 proved to be the final year wherein grunge musicians were very much dynamic, seeing that many lasts had taken place during this year. The Screaming Trees and Soundgarden released their respective last studio albums entitled Dust and Down on the Upside; Alice in Chains gave their concluding shows with their estranged, ailing front-man Layne Staley; Pearl Jam released their last chart topping album entitled No Code; and Nirvana released their only album following the greatest hits album Nirvana in 2002, which is the live album entitled From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah. Over the few ensuing years, grunges usual attractiveness promptly died away. Several grunge bands have continued touring and recording but with more limited success, most notably, Pearl Jam. I. The Grunge Music The term grunge was coined in the late 1980s by a British journalist to depict the style of music a group of bands played during the period in the Seattle area (Schmitz). During the period, the most recognized grunge band was a group called Green River, whose fame was confined within the Seattle area. Accordingly, once in a while, grunge music is referred to as the Seattle Sound in view of the fact that it was created as a subgenre of alternative rock played by bands from the state of Washington, mostly in the Seattle area, during the mid-1980s. Grunge is generally categorized through its sludgy guitar sound that makes use of a high level of feedback, fuzz and distortion effects. Grunge combines elements of heavy metal and hardcore punk, and is also normally characterized by heavy drumming, dirty guitar, and angst or apathetic-filled lyrics, although various bands performed with more credence on one or the other. Grunge music shares a similar lyrical concern and raw sound with punk genre. However, grunge involves more complex instrumentation, dissonant harmonies, and slower tempos, which is indicative of heavy metal. Some individuals linked with the growth of grunge, including the Melvins and Sub Pop producer Jack Endino, described grunges fusion of heavy rock authorities such as Kiss as musical provocation (Grunge 1). Grunge artists regarded heavy rock bands as cheesy but even so took pleasure in listening them. Buzz Osborne of the Melvins illustrated it as an endeavor to see what extreme things bands could carry out and yet pull off. In the early 1990s, Nirvanas signature stop-start song arrangement became a genre standard of the time. II. Grunge Music Scene Notwithstanding the fact of being looked down upon by most critics, glam metal bands, such as Warrant, Poison, and Motley Crue had been taking over the charts, particularly in the United States, during the 1980s. Glam metal bands was famous for their macho, gaudy clothing style, obsequious riffs, misogynist lyrics, and an apparent lack of social responsiveness, all done for the mere purpose of entertaining and staying ahead of the race of drawing mainstream audiences. These characteristics were well-liked throughout the 1980s, but they began to have the differing effect on audiences towards the last part of the decade. Most music critics and grunge fans believe that grunge progressed as a well-liked genre and as a result accepted by mainstream audiences as a response to the dwindling attractiveness of glam metal. Accordingly, the popularity of grunge music abruptly contrasted to glam metal. When the public realized the viable alternative to heavy metal music, the attractiveness of glam metal began to disappear as the recognition of grunge began to soar. Inspired by indie rock, heavy metal and hardcore punk, the early grunge movement came together around Sub Pop, which is a Seattle independent record label. Grunge bands were renowned for their indie approaches and their negative response to mainstream and theatricals success. Grunge became commercially flourishing in the first half of the 1990s, largely as a result of the release of Pearl Jams Ten album and Nirvanas Nevermind album. The accomplishment of these bands heightened the recognition of alternative rock and made grunge the most popular genre of hard rock music of the decade. However, a number of grunge bands were not comfortable with this popularity, as the genre became intimately linked with Generation X in the United States, given that the understanding of each rose at the same time. Although by the late 1990s the majority of grunge bands had faded or disbanded from public view, their previous impact persists to influence the most modern rock music today.

Comparing Marting Luther King Jr. and Henry David Thoreau Essay

Comparing Marting Luther King Jr. and Henry David Thoreau Martin Luther King Jr. and Henry David Thoreau were both people who were sent to prison for defying laws that they believed were unjust towards society. These two men were very different people but were very much the same. Each had his own theories and reasoning behind their acts, but their goals were always the same. Each man believed in standing up in what they believed in no matter what the repercussions. In Martin Luther King's letter he says and believes that everyone, no matter where they live are together in one community. You can't say that what ever happens in Atlanta does not affect you in Birmingham. If there is an injustice in Atlanta it affects you in Birmingham and is a threat everywhere no matter who you are. If you live in the U.S. you are never considered an outsider. King also believes that no one is weak and unimportant and that everyone has a role in the community. No matter how small of a job he has, if he doesn't perform his obligations the community c...

The Gambia

For my first location I will be investigating the Gambia. I have chosen the Gambia because it's not a very large country and there's plenty of information available for it. The Gambia is mainly a winter sun destination this means that most visitors go there when it's cold here but hot there in the months of November to February. It's a long haul destination with a 6-hour flight and is Africa's smallest country only 30miles wide and 300miles long and is known as the ‘smiling cost'. The Gambia is very popular because it's a bird watchers paradise with tropical birds never seen before and also because everyone speaks English also it has famous museums to learn more about the slave trade like ‘Roots'. Majority of the population is Muslim. Development of tourism in the Gambia The Tourism in Gambia started some 40 yrs ago, when Gambia got its independence from British rule in 1965 and has increased every year from than. The development of hotels has had a definite increase with statistics recording around 660 tourist in 1965, than a very big increase from 1975 with over 25, 000 and the latest records show an even larger increase with 112,986 tourists in 1998/99. This is a very large number of tourists considering that the population is only 1,367,124 (approx). The main increase is due to the all inclusive hotels were guest pay one price up front for all their food, drink and entertainment in the hotel. The all inclusive hotels have been a problem because tourist do not bother to leave the hotel and see the natural beauty and meet the local people which means they do not benefit from the tourist because they cant sell the souvenirs or other things and the tourist miss out because they do not get to explore the beauty of the country and try local cuisines which also means that local restaurants loose out. Another problem is that not all of the money stays in the country because usually the hotels are foreign owned and the money reaches the mother company and this is when leakages occur. There are a few advantages due to the hotels which are that many local people get jobs in the hotels which means less unemployment and also the contribute to the local economy due to government taxes. The government did try to close the all inclusive hotels down because of all the problems they were causing but because of this tourist stopped coming all together so they had to bring them back again. The impacts of tourism on the physical environment Tourism in the Gambia has had both positive and negative impacts. The infrastructure of the country has a big part in the environment, the negative sides of the infrastructure are that building work such as hotels and restaurants mean that large amounts of land has to be cleared to make room for all the facilities which mean that the natural rainforest have to be cut down which also may mean the loss of habitat. There is a great deal of soil erosion and footpath erosion on frequently visited destinations, which in the future could cause problems. The positive sides are that with the new hotels and restaurants for the tourist they need to make basic things like clean running water, electricity and a sewage system, which will also benefit the local people. Another advantage is that greater awareness on the interests in the landscape and vegetation is being taken, also there is a greater need for preservation of ancient monument. The impact of tourism on the local community Majority of the Gambia is Muslim who have very strict food, drink and dress regulations. Tourist especially from European countries who know little about the belief may behave in an inappropriate manner while visiting there. Women lay topless on the beaches and men walk around half naked around the market area, this causes conflict between the tourist and local people because the locals were bought up to learn that those things are wrong. An example is if tourist walk around holding hands it would upset the local community because they think that there children mite start to think its okay to do this. Because of the tourist the crime rate usually goes up because of tourist getting drunk causing disturbance, women getting raped and more drug related crimes go up and this could also mean that the local people think this is the correct way to behave, this is known as the demonstration affect this causes great conflict between generations because the new generation may think that there religion is old and out of date and change their traditional morals and general behaviour. Also traditional ways of cooking will be changed because most tourist want fast food so local restaurants will have to change there ways of cooking and also music and arts will be changed because of foreigners wanting TV's and radio's. English words will replace the local language. All this means that the local communities will loose there traditional way of life and will have to change to survive. It can also be argued that all of these problems are not all due to the impacts of tourism because in the modern world you have TV were the local's can see the lifestyle of foreigners and will try to copy it, reading magazines and also because of the people travelling to other countries all adds up to the changes.

The Ethical Dilemma Of Jean Mcguire Essay - 1690 Words

Jean McGuire has worked as a land salesperson for Sunrise Land Developers for the past six months. Upon starting she was advised by her superior to use techniques on prospects that rely on psychological manipulation to close the deal. The techniques deceive the prospect about the availability of the lot and put them in a now or never position. Jean objected to the use of such devices and as a result her sales have fallen well below those of her co-workers’. Unsure what to do and worried about losing her job it appears Jean is facing an ethical dilemma. This dilemma will be subsequently discussed using the Kantian perspective and the contrasting utilitarian perspective. The nature of an ethical dilemma according to Rossy (2011) is that the ‘right’ thing to do is not clear and resolution is neither simple nor easy. Jean is being asked to use closing techniques she isn’t comfortable with; at first glance it may appear to be a clear choice not to use the deceptive techniques. However, as a single mother the right choice for Jean is unclear because her job and ability to support her children is potentially on the line. Often in an ethical dilemma the right answer â€Å"comes with a price tag† (Rossy, 2011, p.37) and it’s about arriving at an outcome you can live with (Ghillyer, 2010). This is the case in Jean’s situation as her two options have their own disadvantages. Jean can choose to use the techniques she feels so uneasy about, increase her sales and keep her job or else refuseShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Jean Mcguire s Closing The Deal Essay1475 Words   |  6 Pagesplay a huge part in decisions made everyd ay. In the case study â€Å"Closing the Deal†, Jean McGuire is faced with an ethical dilemma, there are a number of ways this ethical dilemma can be resolved however not all options include ethical morals. Jean McGuire works for Sunrise Land Developers selling lots. Wright Boazman the sales director at the company states Jean â€Å"lacks technique† (Shaw, 2014, p. 236). Jean McGuire has a decision to make on which sales technique she is going to use, Wright uses â€Å"theRead MoreLegal And Social Environment Of Business Essay1240 Words   |  5 PagesBusiness Assignment One: Ethical Dilemmas Due Date: Monday 18th August @ 6.00pm Paper Coordinator: Number of Words Used: Jean McGuire works as a land salesperson for a real estate company called Sunrise Land Developers who specialise in selling lots to prospective clients. Her clients require her to represent the lots in an accurate light. The company’s sales director Wright Boazman demonstrated effective sale closing techniques to McGuire when she first began at theRead MoreEthical Dilemmas : What Should Jean Do? Essay1551 Words   |  7 PagesEthical Dilemmas: What should Jean do? Jean McGuire works as a salesperson of land property in Sunrise Land Developers. Jean’s superior Wright Boazman, the sales director, described the importance and efficiency of using â€Å"deal-closing techniques†. This technique is usually used to motivate the prospect into buying the lot, because often people really want to buy a lot but hesitate at the last few minutes of signing agreements. Wright introduced the most effective closing technology termed â€Å"the otherRead MoreJean Mcguire, A Land Salesperson For The Company Sunrise Land Developers Essay1596 Words   |  7 PagesJean McGuire works as a land salesperson for the company Sunrise Land Developers. Six months into the job, Jean has lost more than made sales for the company and is thinking about using the sales technique described by her boss. Other sales representative’s use it and have proven to be a success, however, it involves deceiving clients by giving misleading information, which Jean insti nctively objects to. The technique is to make the interested client think that someone else is also interested inRead MoreThe Characteristics Of Jean s Ethical Dilemma Essay1851 Words   |  8 PagesChristopher Wells Student ID: 10122074 Word Count: xxxx Jean McGuire works as a sales representative for Sunrise Land Developers selling land to potential customers (hot prospects). Jean’s role as a land salesperson is to help the prospect make a decision to buy the property. When she is told by the Sales Director Wright Boazman to use a variety of effective â€Å"deal-closing techniques†, Jean realises such techniques are nothing more than a form of psychological manipulationRead MoreStrategic Marketing Management337596 Words   |  1351 Pagesorganizations compete Identifying competitors’ objectives Identifying competitors’ likely response profiles Competitor analysis and the development of strategy The competitive intelligence system The development of a competitive stance: the potential for ethical conflict Summary CONTENTS vii Stage Two: Where do we want to be? Strategic direction and strategic formulation 7 Missions and objectives 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 Learning objectives Introduction The purpose of planning Establishing