The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World. Clash of Ignorance Essay Example for Free

The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World. Clash of Ignorance Essay This article by Edward Said is a follow up to an earlier article by Samuel Huntington titled â€Å"The Clash of Civilization† that was themed around civilization being a source of conflict in the modern world. The focus of Huntington’s article is the prediction of ideological differences between the different cultures say religions Christianity and Islam being a source of conflict in the world. Summary of the article This article â€Å"Clash of Ignorance† by Edward Said aims at faulting the earlier assumption in the â€Å"Clash of civilization† where it is only assumed that the major cultures say the West and Islamism are in conflict. The high level of ignorance in the theory and generalization of the West and Islam as cultures is the main thematic concern by Said in this article. The article faults the general ascribed ideology of the West versus the rest as in the cold war period to a now new modern ideology of Islamism versus the West. Critical Discussion Said makes an argument against some of the popular entities in global politics in modern day. The entities are Islamism and the â€Å"West†. Reference is made of Huntington’s article that foresaw the cause of conflict in future politics as being driven by the differences between nations and the different groups of civilization. The general assumption from this is the fact that conflicts will thus be cultural. In the â€Å"Clash of Ignorance† the author is against this classification of groups in conflict. Said is in contention of Huntington’s theory on the use of the 9/11 terrorist attack on America as an affirmation to the existence of the two sides in global conflict across the globe CITATION Sai01 l 1033 (Said, 2001). According to Said, the involvement of the terrorists in the 9/11 attacks was just a representation of a small fraction. This thus cannot be construed to be a representation of Islam’s across the world. This argument is strengthened by Said through his allusion to a stand by a practicing Muslim who contends that Islamic extremists are not by any form a representation of the religion in itself but people who are out to distort the face of the religion CITATION Sai01 l 1033 (Said, 2001). Said also argues against the idea that Muslims across the globe have an assumption of being a superior culture. This is indeed not a properly sampled and proved theory with empirical evidence of the billions of Muslims across the globe. The assertion by the Italian Prime Minister of Islam being adamant to being part of modernity is also wrong according to Said. This can be proved through the embracing of different â€Å"western† technologies and the use of the said technologies in the 9/11 attacks on America. Further evidence points at the embracing of western style clothing by some Muslims even the women. The above stated evidence by Said points to the heightened ignorance in factual evidence as regards to calls of existence of conflicts between Islam and the â€Å"West† CITATION Sai01 l 1033 (Said, 2001). In this article, Said makes numerous efforts as a result of lack of evidence to show the divide being asserted between the â€Å"West† and â€Å"Islam†. He points out the different societies across the world where both sides in this alleged divide live in harmony. The increased level of anti-Islamic perspectives s portrayed in the media in the â€Å"West† is enough evidence of the level of hate speech directed towards Muslims who stay in the â€Å"West†. Said contents that the genesis of such anti Islamism begun in Europe in the wake of the destruction of Roman Empire by the Arab conquest. This led to the destruction of Christian unity at that time and now the resentment against Muslims has now been reignited. Positive aspects of the past relationship between the two cultures have been overshadowed by this loathe towards Islam. For instance the west embraced science, sociology and philosophy of Islam yet now they seen to cast negative aspersions about the religion in general based on a few activities of terrorists in the name of religion CITATION Sai01 l 1033 (Said, 2001). In most parts of the article, Said revisits the similarities between the two sides of the alleged divide and accuses the West of having selective memory and double standards. This is based on some of the atrocities committed by the West that are similar to the September 11 attacks in the name of religion. Examples of such atrocities include the Branch Davidians and the supporters of Jim Jones the reverend. Said further attacks the use of powerful idioms in print media in the â€Å"West† since most of these articles do not appreciate the complicated histories between the two sides. He argues that this instead fuel the infatuation of being a Westerner CITATION Sai01 l 1033 (Said, 2001). Said insists on the fact that Islamic extremists misrepresent the religion. This thus can be seen as an effective way to deal with Huntington who uses terrorism to cement the rift between the â€Å"West â€Å"and â€Å"Islam†. The evidence by Said proves his claim of Muslim representation. His demonstration of the lack of distinction between the two sides and the successful integration of the two cultures in clothing, adoption of technology and co-existence in some societies show the lack of conflict between the two cultures. However, his subjective statements across the article taint his argument. His critic of Huntington’s book â€Å"The Root of Muslim Rage† was personal as he says Huntington did confuse himself by showing he is such a clumsy thinker. Generally, this article â€Å"The Clash of Ignorance† is quite a persuasive piece of work and convincing. It makes it easy to understand the complex nature of the theme â€Å"Islamism† and the â€Å"West† CITATION Kar12 l 1033 (Karim Eid, 2012). Conclusion From the analysis explored in this article, the different stakeholders must unite to fight the increasing divide between the two sides of the divide. A closer detailed look at the evidence linking terrorism and Islam raise more speculation about the connection between the two. Terrorism will continue to provide the terrorists a continuous stream of income to finance their activities. Terrorism should thus not be blamed on ideological conflict between the different cultures of the world. Said emphasis is on ignorance and lack of facts on Islam being the reason it is blamed for the increased level of radicalism hence global conflict CITATION Sai01 l 1033 (Said, 2001). References   Huntington, S. P. (2007). The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World. New York: Simon and Schuster. Karim, K. H., Eid, M. (2012). Clash of Ignorance. Global Media Journal Canadian Edition Volume 5, Issue 1, 7-27. Said, E. W. (2001, February 14). Clash of Ignorance. Retrieved from The Nation: www.thenation.com Source document

The Telephone :: Informative, Technology, Inventions

The Telephone   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The telephone itself is a rather simple appliance. A microphone, called the transmitter, and an earphone, called the receiver, are contained in the handset. The microphone converts speech into its direct electrical analog, which is transmitted as an electrical signal; the earphone converts received electrical signals back to sound. The switch hook determines whether current flows to the telephone, thereby signaling the central office that the telephone is in use. The ringer responds to a signal sent by the central office that causes the telephone to ring. As simple a device as the telephone, had a mighty big impact on society during the 30's. This was due to the fact that, it was during the 30's when telephone service became economically feasible and also reliable.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Men and women alike were captivated by the intrique and fascination of talking to relatives and friends, miles and miles away. Not only did the telephone pamper to individual woes, but it provided a very useful industrial service. It allows commercial companies to expand their horizons infinitely easier than ever before. It became possible to set up meetings and discuss business matters with partners thousands of miles away. Companies that posessed a telephone had a enormous advantage over the rest. And in a time as economically troubled as the 30's depression, everyone was looking for a competitive edge.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The telephone wasn't invented in the thirties, nor was the first transatlantic line built then, but the thirties represents a time in history when the world was changing incredible fast and much of that change was made

Essay on Journeys Essay

A journey is a path of hardship which leads an individual to accept the past and move towards the future. This concept is embodied through the play ‘Away’, by Michael Gow, which explores the spiritual journey of characters through the transition of a physical journey. This idea of a physical journey provoking a spiritual change is portrayed through the poem ‘I wandered lonely as a cloud’ by William Wordsworth and â€Å"Running out of time† by anonymous. Each respective composer conveys their interpretation of journeys, evident through Gow’s characters of Coral and Tom, introducing the theme of acceptance. A journey is a process which allows an individual to experience hardships and difficulties, leading to the theme of acceptance. This theme has been demonstrated through the character of Coral, the mother of a fallen son in war, resulting in her depression and isolation. The events experienced through Corals physical and inner journey is therapeutic by which her understanding of acceptance is shaped. Corals inner journey is evidently overcome in Act 5, scene 1, which reveals Corals renounced sense of understanding and acceptance as she, â€Å"Lifts out a handful of shells† (Page 56). The significance is placed on Coral physically letting go of the sea shells. This action symbolises her ability to ‘let go’ of the skeletons of her past, representing her deceased son. Gow also utilises the symbolism of shells to demonstrate the significance of acceptance towards an individual’s wellbeing. This connotes to the idea of change and allows the audience to understand Corals experiences of struggle and strength to accept the past. The idea of acceptance and moving on is further portrayed when Coral and Roy leave the shells behind them. The perception of change is further reinforced through the following stage direction in Act 5, scene 1, and â€Å"Coral comes in carrying her hat upside down† (Page 65). Corals hat being flipped conveys how there is no need for disguising herself from the world anymore, depicting the composer’s purpose of illustrating the inner journey undertaken by the experiences of Coral. Contrastingly, the idea of self-acceptance is often challenged when an individual embarks on a journey, clearly evident throughout the poem, â€Å"I wandered lonely as a cloud†, by William Wordsworth. Through this physical ourney, an inner journey of self-isolation is apparent. The persona’s failure to move on from his solitude is reflected through his inner thoughts and perceptions, evident through who perceives, â€Å"A crowd/ a host of golden daffodils†. Wordsworth personifies a crowd of people to that of daffodils to create a sense of curiosity and interest within the reader. The poet further communicates the persona’s solitude through the lines, â€Å"I wandered lonely as a cloud†. This simile is emphasized through the use of repetition in the title and the first line, to identify the personas lonely nature which highlights both his physical and inner journey. Towards the end of the poem, the personas earlier solitude is now blissful solitudness. Correspondently, the play ‘Away’ by Gow highlights how each character undergoes a journey of self-discovery, hardship, bonding and overcoming the dealings of reality. The inner journey of Corals solitude and depression creates a connection with the persona in the poem, â€Å"I wandered lonely as a cloud†, allowing both composers to effectively portray similar ideas involving concepts of journeys. The concept of journeys can be portrayed when a individual fails to accept the past and move on. Ideas of acceptance are reinforced through the character of Tom in the dramatic play ‘Away’. Tom is a 14 year-old school boy who struggles with his inner journey, as he finds it difficult to accept the fact that he has terminal cancer, he does not have long to live. By Tom covering up his illness and isolating himself from others, it is immediately evident that he does not accept his current situation. As the play progresses however, the theme of acceptance begins to unfold. Tom finally realises the reality of his illness and through the help of Meg, accepts his current situation. His acceptance is clearly demonstrated in Act 3, scene 5 where, after the storm, Tom wears a Hawaiian shirt at the beach, â€Å"Tom is wearing board shorts and a Hawaiian shirt† (Page 41). This stage direction symbolises a new beginning of change for Tom and his parents. Through Tom wearing a ‘colourful’ shirt on the beach, it is evident that he is finally overcoming his barrier of fear and isolation. The imagery of colours conveys that the storm has passed and things have gotten brighter and better. Through costume and colour, it is undeniable that acceptance is formed. This allows the audience to effectively identify a change in Tom’s journey of acceptance. The composer’s purpose of conveying the theme of acceptance is shaped through the character of Tom. The inner thoughts and perceptions of an individual begin to unfold when the theme of acceptance is evident. The concept of acceptance is evident throughout the poem, â€Å"Running out of time† composed by anonymous. The composer demonstrates towards the reader, the persona’s inability to move on and accept current situations, reinforced in the following line, â€Å"While still more and more pain inside†. The composer utilises repetition to further highlight and suggest that the persona is attempting to mask his depression and melancholy attitude.. Through this, it is clear that the persona is undergoing some form of an inner journey of self-isolation. The persona’s inner journey is further depicted through the gloomy tone created by the composer. Keep hiding behind the smile, pretending to be happy†. The use of the depressing tone symbolises the way Tom is not accepting the dealings of reality and that he is going to die. Tom is disguising himself and hiding away the truth from others, further relating back to how the persona is covering up his illness. The composer of â€Å"Running out of time† creates a connection with the character of Tom and the persona, further illustrating how an individual’s inner thoughts may shape the ability to accept the present.

Creon And Antigone Character Analysis - 1538 Words

The characters Creon and Antigone, from Sophocles’ Antigone, act as cautionary figures for the audience as they warn against the intense belief in and dedication to a single perspective, as doing so leads to a certain lack of malleability that is detrimental to maintaining a fully functioning society. The onlookers of this play, the Athenian people, come to naturally notice the benefits of remaining within the middle ground between beliefs such as those that Creon and Antigone stood for. The unfortunate events that follow these characters actions accentuate the need for balance between the two components that influence societal laws; these elements become understood as the heavenly or divine laws of the gods, and the written or state laws†¦show more content†¦This new leader declares his belief that regardless of the motivation and logic behind a leaders decrees, regardless of its relation to tyranny, any form of objection is unacceptable. In the eyes of Creon a small act of defiance, unconcerned with the reason, is one step to close to total anarchy and destruction of the state. This dramatic emphasis on this ties directly to the decision that Creon makes later on when he ultimately chooses to make an example out of Antigone. Rather than putting Antigone to death in the way that a common criminal would be, Creon states, â€Å"I’ll take her off the beaten track, where no one’s around, and I’ll bury her alive underground, in a grave of stone,† (Sophocles 773-774). Creon finds himself willing to take direct action to bring justice to Antigone and plans to do so in a rather gruesome and memorable way. The authority of the state identifies with the authority of the patriarch. If one is upheld, then the other must be as well. Creon does not know any better than this and discredits all claims that might persuade him otherwise. Antigone portrays the same issue of unconditional support to a specific viewpoint; however, she lies on the side of the argument as Creon. Her dedication to the divine and moral laws that she naturally feels guided by completely take over all of her actions and thoughts throughout the play. In response to the law Creon has made, Antigone argues: I neverShow MoreRelatedCharacter Analysis of Antigone and Creon in William Shakespeare ´s Antigone1144 Words   |  5 PagesAntigone and Creon, the two displayed tragic figures of Antigone, both led themselves to their demise because of their love for themselves and the hate they both share for one another. Antigone’s proven love is of the afterlife while her hate is for her uncle and king, Creon. Creon may share the love of himself, however, it is not quite the same as Antigone’s love. Creon loves to rule the city of Thebes and hate’s Antigone, which is very odd for both characters because they are family. 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