Video Production - The Importance of Documentaries Essay

Video Production - The Importance of Documentaries - Essay Example To take advantage of this broad scope for creativity offered by documentary films, the filmmakers should adopt a script-free approach. Documentaries such as Fahrenheit 911 and Bowling for Columbine, which have garnered much critical acclaim are good examples of this scrip-free approach. The filmmaker needs to possess an eye for spotting key moments in the film before, during and after the production of film content. In the words of a famous cameraperson, â€Å"working creatively and seizing the moment and turning the camera on when things are happening before the rehearsal are important†. To be successful in this approach a passionate approach to work, an elevated cause behind the production and a sense of intuition are all essential qualities in the filmmaker. In the case of Fahrenheit 911, its producer/director Michael Moore excels in all the above aspects (www.documentaryfilms.net). A central unifying concept is essential to organize disparate footages and to integrate the various points of view expressed in it. While interviews and images of talking heads are important elements, there are many nuances to them. For example, â€Å"Interviews are not enough. Interviews may help define the point of view, but they are usually a terribly cumbersome way to get the documentary idea across, because they dont show the topic; they show people talking about the topic. It takes pictures† (Barnouw, 121). The first good example of the utility value of still images in documentaries is The Civil War film made by Ken Burns. By clever maneuvering of camera across each photo, the director lets the viewers know that the rest of the film will revolve around still pictures. The time span of these visuals and the background music are also equally important to make the intended impact on the audience. In The Civil War sound track the rendition of the solitary violin â€Å"spea ks† for the

Alternative energy source Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Alternative energy source - Research Paper Example Hydroelectric power technology is currently the least expensive source of electrical power. Moreover, it is much cleaner as opposed to the power that is generated using fossil fuels. Water that is flowing, and falling has potential energy whereby hydropower is generated by converting energy into the flowing water using a waterwheel or via a turbine into practicable mechanical energy (International Renewable Energy Agency, 7). Water potential energy could be used directly without converting it because of the different in elevation-diverted water through pipelines to supply the water in the day-to-day usage. The research paper is focused on first examining a brief background overview of hydropower technology in the world and how the technology has evolved over time. Then it will be followed by discussing the history overview of the technology. The description of the technology will briefly be discussed while examining the current state of the technology. Hydropower technology is the most flexible and coherent renewable energy resource, which is capable of meeting primary load electricity necessities. In addition, with pumped storage technology, it is capable of meeting peak and unexpected demand because of the shortage or the use of sporadic power sources. According to Gatte and Kadhim, researchers have conservatively estimated that only one-third of the total world’s capacity of the hydroelectricity power has been developed, with most of this growth and development been seen occurring in Europe (96). Hydropower is produced from water that is moving in the hydrological cycle that is driven by solar radiation. The potential energy embedded in this cycle is thus enormous; however, only a very limited amount can be technically developed. It is the water flow in rivers, which can be used in generating hydropower, or more specific, the energy of water, which is moving from

Derivative Markets Essay Example for Free

Derivative Markets Essay Last dozen of years are characterized by rash growth of volumes of national and international markets of derivative finance instruments or derivative markets. By opinion of experts, appearance and development of derivative markets is the most important event of economic life within last twenty five years. In the very name of these instruments – â€Å"derives† lays the fact that they appeared and started to develop on basis of floaters and futures almost for all types of exchange products (starting with oil and gas and ending with soy beans and orange juice), and also for exchange index, percent rates, rate of exchange, etc. Presently new types of derivates appeared: on the basis of sea freight rates (London), cost of microprocessors, permissions for environment pollution (USA), etc. To the first generation of derivates specialists relate futures and stock option plans, which are used at organized markets (exchanges) in form of standardized contracts, and also popular at non-exchange market (market OTC – over-the-counter) (William Falloon pp. 26-28) currency swaps, stock option plans and inter-bank agreements regarding forward rate agreement. From the very beginning the main functions of derivates was to provide distribution of risks among participants of business deal, connected with change of stuff price, rates of exchange, percent rates, stock rates, exchange indexes, etc. Nowadays operations with derivates are still the main way of insurance from different risks and risk management. The first signs at derivative markets became successful issue of currency futures in 1972 at Chicago Mercantile Exchange; the second issue of percentage futures followed in 1975 at Chicago Board of Trade. In the first half of 1980-s rapid growth (Remolona, Eli, M., pp. 28-43) of operations with derivates, followed with appearance of more and more new types of derivates. In 1980 appeared New York Futures Exchange; in 1982 London international Financial Futures and Options; in 1986 – MATIF Marche a terme international de France in Paris; in 1988 Swiss Options and Financial Futures Exchanges, etc. At these and other organized (exchange) markets trade is fulfilled by standard (typical) contracts, which are sold or at exchange auctions (MATIF in France), or with help of automatized information systems (for example, Globex). Final calculations for all deals are made by computational (compensational) palates (George Benston and Shehzad Mian pp. 217-246) The first â€Å"legal† operation of currency swap (exchange of dollar to Swiss francs) was made in August 1981 between American company IBM and International Bank of Reconstruction and Development. Market of percentage swaps appeared in the United States by initiative of company â€Å"Sallie Mae†. The major part of swap operations was executed by leading international banks, which in the beginning were present as mediators between participants of currency swaps. In succeeding years banks became to work as active participants of derivative deals, acting at their own cost and in their own interests.   When in the first half of 1980-s derivative market was developing mainly in the United States, in the second half derivative market started to develop quickly in Europe and Japan. Volume of world market of swap operations increased from 200 milliard dollars in 1985 to 2900 milliard dollars in 1990. Such quick growth was stipulated with legal standardization of contracts, development of information systems and means of communications. According to data of questionnaire which was executed by International Swaps and Derivatives Associations, volume of world derivative market for the beginning of 1993 was 5.4 trillion dollars, including percentage swaps – 3.9 trillion dollars, currency swaps – 860 milliard dollars, cap and floor operations – 577 milliard dollars. By approximate estimation of magazine Swap Monitor, volume of derivative markets was much higher – 7 trillion dollars (at the same date of 1993). In the United States only 6 banks control 90% of derivative markets. In France 80 banks act at the market of currency contracts; at option market – 24 banks. Volume of operations with derivates at exchange and non-exchange markets, which make French credit institutions and which are shown at their balance, in 2.2 times exceeds amount of their balances. By information of International Calculations Bank, already in 1991 volume of OTC market was 4500 milliard dollars. From that time its volume significantly increased. Quick growth of derivative market volume in the beginning of 1990-s is connected with increasing of instability and uncertainty at world financial markets, also influenced by such events as was at Persian Gulf, collapse of USSR, crisis of European system of currency, etc. besides, progress in the field of informational technology, which allowed to process big volumes of information almost immediately and great funds, involved in financial turnover, give grounds to speak about existence of real industry of derivates. As we already spoke about, quick growth of derivative market was accompanied by appearance of new and new their types and kinds; this process developed and continues to develop in legal and non-official market. Financial instruments, which represent different combinations of derivates of the first generation, quickly were added to the first derivate generation (for example, combination of percentage options â€Å"cap/floor†, swaptions – combination of swap and option. In the beginning of 1990-s appeared such exotic instruments as swaps for non-typical indexes, annulated swaps, options for options, etc. One of novelties for Parisian exchange was issue of bons doption, which gives right to the buyer for purchase of actions or debentures by fixed price. During the last four years number of diversities of such warranties increased from 15 to 500, they are in easy access to any investor, even those who doesn’t have big amount of money. Appearance of new types and kinds of derivates is stipulated not only by increasing demands of clients in more perfect means of insurance from risks (Ludger Hentschel and Clifford Smith Jr., pp. 101-126), but also by constant perfection of informational technology and equipment, mechanisms of price formation and models of risk management. At the same time legal standards of regulating operations with derivates were developed and perfected; new forms of standard contracts appeared. Operations with derivates started to be used more frequently not only for insurance from risks and risk management, but for aims of speculation, i.e. receiving profit from them. By opinion of experts, nowadays the following subjects take place at the derivative markets: Industrial companies, which can use operations with derivates to reach such aims as: Decreasing of indebtedness burden at the expense of getting necessary financial means by possible cheap price; Increasing of flexibility in management of financial holdings, not limited by usage of debentures or short-term commercial documents; Perfection of management cash balance and regulation of financial flow, connected with cash inflow and cash spending; Fast receiving of necessary funds by relatively low prices in case unexpected needs in financing take place; Perfection and dynamics of process management by liquid assets of enterprise. Although enterprises, which use all enumerated possibilities of operations with derivates, are quite rare, from now on these operations cannot be ignored by those enterprises, who intend to lead dynamic strategy of management by thief financial resources. Different investment funds, which control investment portfolio, use operations with derivates as flexible means of funds management. Special companies or funds (so-called stockjobbers), which make derivative operations to receive profit, because those operations allow even with small expenses to get big profit, indeed, in condition of favorable circumstances for such stockjobber. In such a way American fund Quantum Fund, which belongs to famous financier George Sores, and which is specialized on currency deals, including derivates as well, since 1969 every year increased its income for 35%; today it exceeds 4 milliard dollars. Totally in the United States there are more than 3 thousand of such funds, which manage approximately by 25 milliard dollars, which are used only for speculative operations. There are 23 similar funds, which are legally registered in France. Individual stockbrokers, which make operations with derivates at their own expense. Activity of those subjects, which in the USA are called â€Å"local† and in France â€Å"negociateurs independants de parquet†, assists in increasing of liquidity financial market. Special companies-organizers of the market, including compensational palates, which control execution of contracts and execute calculations, receiving definite commissions. In such a way in France company MATIF received for each operation of purchase or sale of pressing contract 6.25 francs, what allowed to increase own funds to 800 million francs. In 1993 MATIF worked up 72 million of contracts, whereas at Chicago Mercantile Exchange were sold 179 million of contracts. Banks, working in legal and non-official market, receive the biggest income from derivative operations. Supervision instances controlling bank activities (for example, there is Bank Commission in France) are anxious because of uncontrolled growth of bank derivative operations. Operations with different kinds of options, especially related to such indexes, which change quickly, as shares indexes, prices for non-ferrous metals, raw materials, etc. give the biggest concern. Supervision instances don’t limit usage of derivative operations in order to insure credit and market risks (Sanjiv Ranjan Das pp. 7-23), but at the same time they establish rule of paying capacity, in accordance with which amount of own derivate funds of certain credit enterprise should cover credit (risk of unredeemed credit) and market risks. Other aspects of regulation non-organized markets are not developed enough. In all leading Western countries development of those measures is behind the tempo of growth of OTC market capacity, where calculation (compensational) palates are absent and business deals have long-term character. For organized derivative markets the main problems still are guaranteeing security and control. Compensational palates watch timeliness of final calculations and amount of deposits of their members, which operate at derivative market. These deposits guarantee that they will fulfill their obligations: in case amount of deposit is lower than definite level, it should be filled up immediately. In such a way, at MATIF’s accounts are 20 milliard francs, paid-in by its members as guarantee of calculations. Financiers work to standardize contracts for derivative deals in the international level. In such a way, created in 1985 International Swap and Derivatives Association worked out frame contract for derivative operations, consisting of two parts: in the first part there are obligatory common statements (ways of calculations and their regulation, declarations of the parties, procedures of canceling the contract, etc), and in the second part there are statements, which can be changed by wish of the parties. In June 1993 report of 30 leading specialists for financial operations was published, where they formulated recommendations to banks and other enterprises, which lead operations with derivates or are their final users. By opinion of experts, these enterprises should give acces to that market only for professionals. Many experts point at explosive character of derivative market, because there can appear chain reaction of bankruptcy (domino effect). Non-exchange market is more dangerous in this respect, where the business deals are often concluded â€Å"for the word of honor†. Unexpected collapse of one of the banks can cause chain reaction of bankruptcies of other banks. By words of A. Taylor, president of Royal Bank of Canada, derivates represent bomb of delayed-action, which, once exploded, can completely ruin world financial system. Although derivative deals have a lot of risk and can provoke the crisis, you cannot live without them in the modern financial markets, because they assist in increasing of liquidity and effectiveness of financial markets, decreasing of cost for market transactions (deals). As was written in French magazine â€Å"Expansion†, future experts, probably, will examine derivates as financial novelty, which saved world economical growth from paralysis. Works Cited: George Benston and Shehzad Mian, 1995 Financial Reporting of Derivatives: An Analysis of the Issues, Evaluation of Proposals, and a Suggested Solution, Journal of Financial Engineering, September, pp. 217-246. Sanjiv Ranjan Das, 1995 Credit Risk Derivatives, Journal of Derivatives, Spring, pp. 7-23. William Falloon, 1992 How Appetites are Growing for OTC Equity Derivatives, Futures Magazine, January, pp. 26-28. Ludger Hentschel and Clifford Smith Jr., 1995 Controlling Risks in Derivatives Markets, Journal of Financial Engineering, June, pp. 101-126 Remolona, Eli, M., 1992-3 The Recent Growth of Financial Derivative Markets, Federal Reserve Bank of New York Quarterly Review, Winter, pp. 28-43.

The Nature Of Kingship In Hamlet English Literature Essay

The Nature Of Kingship In Hamlet English Literature Essay You will never say that Shakespeares plays are only mundane waste of ink. The manner in which Shakespeare treats the nature of kingship in Hamlet reflects the essential tone and themes of these works. I am going to illustrate this through this paper. Shakespeares plays are always influence on people, they are fascinating and truthfully, sincere and touching. Each of his tragedies shows us pure evil or eternal love: different humans relationships that are why Shakespeares works are famous throughout the centuries. Time changes and people change with it, but main problems and questions are still the same. It can generally be said that this great author shows many-sided peoples relations and feelings, contradictory or high-minded actions. The purpose of the essay is to prove the thesis basic statement and analyze Hamlets reaction to the appearance of his fathers ghost. The paper contains such requirements as thesis, argument and content that demonstrate an awareness of complexity and co ntradiction in approach to the text; writing shows evidence of abstract, critical and careful original thought; thesis provides a strong, coherent critical argument that is developed through the course of the essay. Main question To understand the plot and context of this play Hamlet clearly we should mention the period when it was written and events, which accompanied that period. According to Atchley, Hamlet expects his audience to perceive the Ghost for what it is, a diabolical manifestation on a mission to trick Hamlet into forfeiting his soul the plays devastating/destructive conclusion supports this interpretation. In exhorting Hamlet to commit murder through an act of revenge, the Ghost plays most foully for Hamlets soul. The piteous action that the Ghost makes is directed [à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦] at Hamlet, to wring his emotions and drive him to distraction to make Gertrude think him mad. And it succeeds (2002, pg 12-14, 18). As far as I am concerned, Shakespeare is said not to be publisher of any of his plays and thus none of the original manuscripts has survived. However, during his lifetime eighteen unauthorized versions of his various plays were published in some editions by different publishers (in addi tion, during era of Elizabeth there were not any copyright norms or laws that could protect Shakespeares various works). Henry Fuseli depicted the Hamlet, who is under his fathers ghost control: In Hamlet, a play in no small part pervaded by abstractions and conscious role playing, we find that the kingship is shown in terms of abstractions, contradictions and the self-conscious playing of the king. Hamlet lost his father, who was killed by the king. Moreover, his mother was dishonored by the same man. Thus, for the reasons given above, Hamlets heart was full of revenge lust. After the king was unmasked, Hamlet was betrayed and send far away, nevertheless, he returned to find the truth. At the end many people died, unfortunately, Hamlet too. This story takes your breath and a part of your heart as Shakespeares works usually do. But in spite of all the things with which Hamlet professes dissatisfaction, it is said that Hamlet and heir apparent of Denmark should think about such problems in philosophical and personal terms. Because of his own carelessness he forgets about the problems of the country and the threats to its stability from within. Unfortunately, blindness and truth will never be divided without the eruption of chaos. This picture illustrates the Hamlets meeting his fathers ghost. According to Atchley, the religious atmosphere in Elizabethan England and how this may have affected Shakespeares audience are considered, particularly the differing Catholic and Protestant beliefs concerning ghosts and the supernatural. Instead of defining the true nature of ghosts for his audiences, Shakespeare incorporates within his play both Catholic and Protestant views of the Ghost and also presents a third perspective on the Ghost, one steeped in folkloric tradition (2002, pg 5-20). Hamlet thought and supposed that his father was killed by his uncle. Talking about the Hamlets reaction to the ghost that he met, I must mention that after Hamlet met his fathers ghost, his thought was to revenge. The most awful and terrifying thing for Hamlet was even not the treat of his uncle (when he killed Hamlets father), but the fact that mother married to his uncle. When Hamlet saw his fathers ghost he was worried, surprised and it evoked in Hamlet so many contradictory thoughts. The fathers ghost appeared in Act I Scenes I, IV, and V, and Act III Scene IV in the play. The ghost appeared always at night. Hamlet was really scared and terrified when he met his fathers ghost and he had doubts: is it his fathers ghost or devil. The fathers ghost told Hamlet that he was murdered by his uncle. Thus, Hamlet decided to revenge, because his fathers ghost asked him. However, Hamlet suspected his uncle in murder even before the fathers ghost appeared. Hamlet does not have any doubts. Hamlet and Goracio are the most reasonable and clever persons, whose words and thoughts are based on logical arguments and reasons. Goracio was really good and faithful friend, who helped Hamlet during all his life. In consequence, they paid for it, unfortunately. According to Atchleys words, the question becomes, once the Ghost has accomplished his goal by motivating Hamlet to commit revenge (and, hence, to loose his soul), why does it appear later in the closet scene and in its nightgown? The answer is to perform two functions: first, to prevent Hamlets convincing of Gertrude to repent; the Ghosts appearing only to Hamlet intensifies Hamlets apparent madness such that Gertrude attributes Hamlets accusations to his insanity. Her moment of grace has passed (2002, pg 16). The theme about the reaction of Hamlet on the meeting his fathers ghost is very specific. It is obvious that Hamlet was scared and worried when he met the ghost of his murdered father. He just evoked in Hamlet feeling of confidence in that his uncle was evil and bad person (who had to be punished evidently). In addition, Hamlet was definitely embarrassed in the reason of his mother and his uncle marriage. Definitely, it can be said that Hamlet is complicated and mysterious wor ld, which contains of pure love, evil and jealousy that makes people mad and obsessed. Does this play teach us something? Without any doubts, it does. It can definitely be said. This play is a mysterious world, it can be judged or understood, but never wiped off. Creations of their authors, plays include feelings, words, and dearest moments. Any way, each of us has to choose its own way, its own ending of the story and love. Conclusion According to Atchley, the counter argument is that the Ghost tells the truth surrounding the circumstances of old Hamlets death, as corroborated by Claudius private confession of guilt; but a devil is capable of telling the truth if it enables him to achieve his goal (2002, pg 5-20). Shakespeares plays touch human feelings and relationships, first, friendship and love. That is why people are looking for the answers for their questions in Shakespeares creations. That is why this man is known by each of us. That is why his works leave some trace in our minds and hearts. It can generally be said that this great author shows many-sided peoples relations and feelings, contradictory or high-minded actions. His plays are heart touching, overwhelming and breathtaking. People look for answers in his plays and sonnets, because he illustrates different relationships between us, and each of it shows how people face problems and difficult questions. Therefore, Shakespeare is a great writer who cr eated many masterpieces. He showed how cruel and liberal, evil and worrying can be our world. Moreover, I can claim that you will not be disappointed after reading his works. The entity struggle between love and betray, good and bad, life and death worries the brightest minds of humanity, including Shakespeare. Each of us eventually spends a good deal of time thinking about such problems, sooner or later our thoughts become older and more serious. Thus, we turn to great people words and works to be helped. Of course, thoughts can be different, but one fact is beyond doubts.

The Day They Came To Arrest The Book Review :: essays research papers

My novel ‘The Day They Came To Arrest The Book’ was based upon racism in the late 70’s. An era which occurred before I existed. There are many movies and books depicting events from this time, some of which I have seen or read. I had always thought that my views on racism were somewhat close to the truth, after reading the novel I realized that I had been wrong. Therefore, this novel has altered my feelings and opinions which I had towards the treatment of the Negro race. Before I read this novel I had only ever seen the effects of racism from a white person’s point of view. After reading this I began to understand how life would have been for a black person during this time, and the effects which it would have had on their job, family and own self-esteem. The main point of the book was whether or not, 19th century novel, Huckleberry Finn should be allowed to be a part of the school’s curriculum considering its portrayal of racism. Having a mixed race school many opinions were voiced. In the novel, Huckleberry Finn was treated like the bible. The white people swore by it. To suggest it was wrong and inappropriate, as the blacks of the community did, was something which was frowned upon. Although most of the blacks recognized the fact that Huckleberry Finn held some truth of the past. Everyone is brought up differently, and most oftenly people’s views are a result of their parents views. My parents’ views on racism have swayed me lightly. Much of what I believe has been affected by today’s society itself. Since I have never experienced any first hand racism, the sort which was shown in the book, I have only this to go on. In the novel, nearly every black child sided with his/her parents. That was to throw the book out of the school. Their parents didn’t want them to be subjected to such a crude and negative portrayal of black people. Their attitude affected their children’s views. To everyone’s surprise, one child, was more open-minded. Gordon McLean a black child stated that he did not want to voice an opinion until had read the book. This I found strange considering his father, Carl McLean headed the protest committee and was the most narrow-minded person featured in the book. Carl McLean had grown up during a time where racism was alive and thriving and even though it wasn’t as strong during the present time he still didn’t want his son to go through what he must have been affected during this time.

Essay --

The Compson family has three sons; Benjamin (Benjy), Quentin, and Jason, along with a daughter, Candace (Caddy). Benjy is the youngest son of the family and is mentally disabled, Quentin is the oldest son of the family and is the only child of the family who is trying to find some meaning of life, and Jason is the son who can care less about love and family. Caddy on the other hand, is the most important character in the novel, whose views are shown less, and others views on her are shown alot more, being a big part of the novel. Their parents Mr. and Mrs. Compson do not show much love for their children. The only child Mrs. Compson shows some love for is Jason, who perhaps doesn’t care about her love and is actually the worst of the children. William Faulkner dedicates the first three sections of the novel to the three sons of the Compson family, and saves the last one for himself. Even though Caddy is the most important character in the novel, Faulkner does not have a whol e section on her, instead every section reflects on her life. Benjy is a speechless â€Å"idiot†, who can’t really do anything to get things straight, yet he can sense when something good or bad is happening. When anything bad happens, all Benjy does is moan and cry. Benjy remembers all the bad things that happened to him. Benjy wanted his mother to love him and always be there for him, yet she didn’t care much about him and never really loved him, which is why at a young age, Caddy took care of Benjy. Benjy loved Caddy very much and saw her as the only pure, loveable person. When Caddy loss her virginity, it really bothered Benjy and all he could do was mourn and cry. Earlier in the novel, when Caddy was a young girl and had a muddy underwear, it foreshadowed ... ...use he was planning on committing suicide. Quentin just wanted Caddy to be protected and for her to stay away from other men. Like Benjy, Quentin never had his mother’s love. This is why they both see Caddy as a mother figure. Quentin wanted his mother to always be with him, yet she was never there for him. Quentin said in the novel, on page 172; â€Å"If I’d just had a mother so I could say mother, mother†. Quentin really wished he had his mother’s love. Mrs. Compson didn’t care much about her other children as much as she did for her son Jason. Mrs. Compson only showed her love for Jason, even though Jason is perhaps the worst of the children. Mrs. Compson only trusted Jason out of all four of her children. Jason took advantage of his mother and stole large amounts of money from his mother. Jason doesn’t really care about anyone, but himself. Jason hates all women

Is Graffiti an Art or a Crime Essay

Through the years, people have expressed themselves in different ways and manners. Some have chosen photography, drawings or sculpture. Others came up with new ways like graffiti which is a new form of urban expression that made controversial reactions. I believe that some graffiti is an artistic performance because of its expressive nature, beautiful display, and creative ways. The rest of it reveals a criminal behavior since it uses others’ properties without permission or consideration, harms the urban landscape, and sends negative messages. The major differences between both perceptions are the aim of the taggers and location of the tags. On the one hand, taggers have produced beautiful and expressive pieces that people appreciated. During a class trip to 5 Pointz, an outdoor art exhibit space in Long Island City, New York, where graffiti is permitted and regulated. I stood for few minutes in front of a tag of ghostly skulls surrounded by flames (The Picture). The skulls had an expression on their skinless faces that made me feel like hearing the sound of those portrayed people as if they were screaming out in pain with the sound of evil laughter in the background. This mixture of its beauty and livelihood made me and my classmates enjoy the experience. In addition, after admiring the excellence of the tags, I thought that those taggers must be very talented and creative to come up with such beautiful artworks, especially on those large surfaces and hard-to-reach places, bearing in mind that they’re only using spray paint. It makes you wonder how they could make all those fading colors and shades, and transform bare walls into three dimensional objects. They certainly are very creative and highly skilled. Before leaving the site, I noticed that there was a transportation corporation that actually had graffiti artists tag its wall with trucks to make it more appealing to commuters, which affirms that people do like and appreciate this art as long as it belongs where it is permitted. On the other hand, I denounce the effect that graffiti has had and continues to have on our urban landscape. That’s where it gets associated with vandalism, because instead of tagging specified places, taggers choose train cars, bridges and public walls, which make the cities look messy and hasty, forcing the authorities to spend unnecessary money to paint them over. Furthermore, most of graffiti, especially those done discretely and with no permission display gang names, obscene language and silly drawings which make many people think of it as crime and violence. In McCann’s novel Let the Great World Spin, Ciaran was accompanying his brother and looked across the van window to a church, and said â€Å"It was daubed in graffiti—whites, yellows, reds, silvers. TAGS 173. GRACO 76. The stained- glass windows had been broken with small stones. Even the cross on top was tagged. † (McCann, 34). When he said that even the cross was tagged, I thought that they were making a statement that their pride and art are above religion, and thus above other people’s beliefs and feelings. Graffitists were invading every surface, including sacred and religious ones. It seemed that they find their pleasure in what annoys and bothers their community, just like the person who gets pleasure in consuming drugs that are poisoning his own body. They leave others clean up, deal with the trauma of property damage, and wonder why their property became a target, whether it was hate and racism act, or just a tool in somebody’s careless adventure. Whereas many people find it hard to categorize graffiti, I think that the taggers are the ones who make of it an art or a crime based on their purposes and the locations they use. For instance, when I come across a tag that catches my eye, even if it is visually pleasant, it bothers me a lot to see that the tagger made it with the intent of defying the authorities, damaging public or private property, or just challenging and cursing his rivals, instead of making it to express himself and display his high talent. It loses its artistic value and becomes a cheap tool for his malicious intentions. I also believe that it depends heavily on where they’re putting up their work. If a graffitist uses the walls of my building without my permission, I would not be happy, and I certainly would not consider that as an artistic act, but as a reckless behavior showing disrespect. It is just as if someone rode your bike, without your permission, to perform some stunts and then brought it back to you and expected you to appreciate that. That is insane. Inversely, if the tagger performs on a spot where it is regulated and permitted (like the 5 Pointz site), I would get to see his pieces from a positive perspective. In conclusion, graffiti is basically an artistic performance that contains talent and aesthetic vision. It also is very expressive and meaningful. But, some taggers use individuals’ and public properties without their permission displaying gang-like negative messages and vandalizing our urban scenery which makes many of it considered as a criminal act. What distinguishes between graffiti being art and graffiti as an act of vandalism is the intent of its producers and the spots they chose to display their pieces. As people continue to live, there will continue to be inventions of new methods of social expression.