Posthumanism cinema Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Posthumanism cinema - Essay Example Still, these films backup the idea of posthumanism, which forces human beings to think about their future. Thesis statement: The compare and contrast study on the films X-Men and Blade Runner proves that both the films are based on the same theme, but differs in the portrayal of humans and aliens/cyborgs (special references to posthumanism/ transhumanism). Compare study: First of all, both the films support the idea of posthumanism, the idea that human intelligence/ knowledge should bring forth peaceful coexistence in nature. Pramod K. Nayar states that, â€Å"Posthumanism as a philosophical approach involves a rethinking of the very idea of subjectivity because it sees human subjectivity as an assemblance, co-evolving with machines and animals† (8). Besides, both the films are symbolic of the after-effect of human effort to go beyond the limits of post-humanist theory. In the film X-Men, humans and aliens/cyborgs are portrayed as different varieties within the same group of h uman beings. To be specific, alien/cyborg in the film is named as mutant, superior to human species. Similar to the film X-Men, the film Blade Runner portrays another type of cyborg called as replicant. To be specific, this replicant is symbolic of the technological innovation in future. In the first film, mutants are less in number and they possess certain supernatural skills. Most of the mutants are not aware of their supernatural skills that differentiate them from human beings. But in the second film, replicants are produced by an international corporation named as Tyrell Corporation. So one can see that the origin of replicants is not spontaneous, but linked with the development in the field of bioengineering. In the film X-Men, the mutants like Magneto and Professor Charles Xavier are aware of their importance as mutants. For instance, Magneto decides to add more human beings to their group and to gain control over human race. Similar to this, the replicants in the second film are aware of their power, enough to challenge and control human beings. In the first film, mutants named as Professor Charles Xavier differs with Magneto because he tries to create warm relationship with human beings. Joshua David Bellin states that, â€Å"As such, by the time the final battle between the X-Men and Magneto’s forces is waged, its suggestive backdrop-the Statue of Liberty-comes to seem no more than a prop or a set piece to enhance the spectacular qualities of a conventional, and tidily moralizing, scuffle between normal and freak†(199). This difference in opinion and its after-effect is the core aspect of the film. This film portrays the story of mutants, not human beings. So, one can see that the film X-Men deals with mutation and its after-effects on human beings and the mutants. Similar to this, the female replicant in the second film named as Rachael considers itself as a human being, not as a replicant. Besides, one can see that this replicant poss esses some human qualities and emotions. Basically, this film is based on the misunderstanding between replicants and human beings, and its after-effects. The director of the film X-Men makes use of the character Professor Charles Xavier and followers as his mouthpiece to convey his message to the viewers. Similar to this, the director of the second film makes of the character Rachael (say, a replicant) as a tool to prove that human beings are responsible for the problems faced by the living

Home Depot and Lowes Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Home Depot and Lowes - Case Study Example They were initially set up as a local hardware store but it turned out to be a nationwide chain of home improvement stores. They serve to all the needs for complete home improvements like products from bathrooms to the storage rooms and paints to safes. Lowes store has approximately 216, 000 employees all over its stores. Home Depot was started in the year 1978 and is operating currently in all 50 states of United States. They were initially a warehouse and then turned out as one of the America's best home improvement retailers providing products from appliances to hard wares. They have approximately 209, 300 employees working with them through out their stores. Both these organizations provide all the home improvement products under one roof. Lowes and Home Depot have their own websites for the customers to browse through and purchase products. They offer variety of facilities as an online shop. In the recent decade online shopping has become on of the most comfortable and preferred was of buying goods and services. The E-commerce times (2005) stated "Online shopping has increased over last year because both new and experienced Internet buyers are not only researching products and comparing prices online before making a purchase, but they are also finding good holiday discounts online," said Heather Dougherty, senior retail analyst, Nielsen//Net Ratings. It is important to keep the information and the content interesting so that there is a high inflow of new and existing customers to the site. There are few factors that are very essential for a website. The Gantt chart below represents the important aspects of a website from the Polls result of Port 80, Australian web industry association. Good functionality 1 4.35% Site content 9 39.13% Meeting customer's expectations 3 13.04% Search engine optimization 2 8.70% Good graphic design 2 8.70% Keeping content current 1 4.35% Professional presentation 2 8.70% User friendliness 3 13.04% Security of site where apply eg credit cards, privacy 0 0% A study on the websites of the home improvement retailers Lowes and Home depot: Lowes' website: Lowes has an exclusive website, www.lowes.com. The site is simple and neat which has its name and their caption which is "Let's build something together". The focal point is the photo at the centre of the home page. The picture simply demonstrates the availability of all the home improvement products at the store. The picture has all the products required for a complete living providing a spacious atmosphere interpreting the availability of modest merchandises. The description below that states "Campus kick off", which insists on the availability of all the home improvement products with them under one roof. The first glance of the site provides idea about the products available at the store, the offers at the store, quick link to other services and the service desk. The products in the site are separated according to the departments and rooms. This helps in easy identification and selection of products. The page also helps customer choose products by the offers at the store and ther e are a lot of useful information about Lowes in the home page. The