Is Artificial Intelligence a Threat?

 

In the contemporary world, human beings are increasingly living longer and healthier lives than was the case decades ago. This is an important measure because it shows that despite some of the problems that are prevalent within it, the world has become a better place for human beings. However, despite this being the situation, the headlines in newspapers and other media tend to show considerable human suffering, to such an extent that there seems to be little hope in the world. Challenges such as climate change, rising sea levels, and the threat of mass extinction from the political and climatic instability that have become prevalent in the world have created a highly pessimistic attitude towards the future. While this may be the case, it is essential to consider that humans are increasingly developing new technologies in order to ensure that there is the achievement of the ideal lifestyle. Among the most prominent of these new technologies is artificial intelligence (AI), which is predicted to have a considerable impact on the lives of humans in future. AI is an essential technology because its advancement will ensure that there are numerous benefits for humanity. It has the potential of making sure that such activities as weather predictions and cancer diagnoses, as well as other critical aspects of human society are made much easier.

AI is the technology of the future and its fullest potential is yet to be unlocked. It brings with it numerous opportunities and challenges, with the former being more pertinent than the latter. The opportunities presented by AI are among the most important when it comes to making sure that humans end up not only surviving on the planet, but also undertaking tasks that are critical. Prominent individuals such as Bill Gates have sought to promote the idea that AI provides an opportunity for humans to be more creative and productive than is currently the case. However, Elon Musk, on the other hand, promotes the idea that AI has the potential of ending up posing an existential threat to humans (Bentley, Brundage, Häggström, & Metzinger, 2018). While these two individuals differ on the characteristics of AI and whether it is a threat, they both agree that AI is the technology of the future and it will end up becoming an inseparable part of human life. Therefore, rather than seeing AI as a threat, it is necessary for individuals to make sure that they undertake a reflection on the manner through which this technology can be managed in such a way that rather than posing a risk to humanity, it can be a means of providing considerable benefits (Boden et al., 2017). AI is not just a matter of the future, but has become a critical aspect of the lives of individuals across the world. Thus, for better or for worse, AI is and will continue to be a part of the lives of humans, and this is to such an extent that it will likely end up playing an important role in such important aspects of life such as the administration of the criminal justice system.

In addition, rather than being a threat, AI is a highly competent technology which has the ability of executing a large number of tasks at a rapid pace. This is an ability that is beyond most humans, because the latter often need a lot of time and resources to accomplish even the simplest of tasks. AI is important because it has the ability to overcome the cognitive and organizational limitations displayed by humans and instead handle many tasks in a very short time with limited resources. A consequence of this reality is that humans are in need of AI in the process of making sure that tasks that are beyond them can be accomplished not only at a faster pace, but also in a more competent manner with few errors. The latter process, however, should not be considered a threat to the human workforce, because contrary to popular belief, humans are still a necessary aspect in any organization, even if they adopt AI (Yudkowsky, 2008). AI is only considered a threat because of its ability to undertake tasks at a faster pace, but while this may be the case, it is necessary to consider that there is need for humans in the same work environment in order to undertake a diversity of tasks that not only require reasoning, but also a physical touch. AI can be made use of in a diversity of contexts, which is critical in the contemporary world. Under such circumstances, AI is a technology that can complement humans, and its use, not only in the workplace setting, but also in the social environment, could go a long way towards not only improving lives, but also making life much easier for individuals.

Also, the appropriate application of sophisticated AI systems can help in the resolution of numerous intractable societal problems and conflicts. AI systems can be used in the promotion of resolutions to collective action problems, which are among the most prevalent in the contemporary world (Bentley et al., 2018). This is especially the case considering that there is a constant need to make sure that there is the promotion of a situation where there is the improvement of coordination between diverse groups in a bid to achieve similar goals. Coordination between different parties is often required to ensure that there is the effective achievement of common goals. However, it is human nature to be competitive as a means of making sure that individual goals are achieved at all times. However, the use of AI is critical in making sure that there is the achievement of common goals, in such a way that makes it possible to make seemingly unattainable goals a reality. It is often difficult to monitor human behavior and to detect defects in them in order to ensure that work takes place as expected. While this may be the case, it is noteworthy to consider that the use of AI can bring about considerable improvements, in such a way that makes sure that there is the promotion of effective means of detecting human behavior, especially the ones that might prove negative to the achievement of the tasks that are being carried out, especially in a project or within activities in the workplace. Moreover, AI can play a pivotal role in the establishment of means through which governments coordinate their activities within international institutions. While human intentions tend to be concealed within opaque minds, the same cannot be said about AI, which, because of its openness can be able to ensure greater accountability.

It is pertinent to consider that while AI is applied in a diversity of ways, one of the most pertinent is in government surveillance. This is an extremely important activity because it involves a process where there is the promotion of the interests of the public. Among these interests is security, which is a critical element of the role of government, with AI ensuring that there is the establishment of means through which monitoring on individuals, especially those who are either suspected of crime, or terrorism, to such an extent that they end up being prevented from undertaking some of their activities. However, while this may be the case, it is essential to consider that AI is often abused by governments and companies in such a way that they encroach on the privacy of individuals. A consequence of this situation is that it ends up leading to accusations of AI being out of control and the argument that it should not be used in any form of monitoring. The latter case is one that can be considered to be false, because it is the users of AI, rather than AI itself, who are responsible for its abuse (Epstein, 2015). AI is an extremely useful technology when it comes to ensuring that there is the promotion of effective security, and this is especially the case considering that AI can be made use of as a means of monitoring areas of potential cooperation, such as arms control and cybercrime. It is also essential to consider that while AI can be abused, it is mostly used for the achievement of good objectives and is a tool and not intelligence all on itself, because its major controllers are humans. Thus, AI is not the threat that it is made out to be, and to consider it to have the potential of facilitating abuse of the privacy of individuals by governments and companies is not true.

AI is an essential tool when it comes to the process of unlocking a society that is based on ethics and leisure for individuals within it. Predictions have shown that AI is going to play a critical role in making sure that there is the automation of jobs (Lawrence, 2017). The automation of human jobs will ensure that the individuals involved have more time in their hands to undertake activities that they enjoy. Instead of taking over human jobs, AI is a tool which will ensure that there is the promotion of the goal of bringing about significant changes to the work environment (Russell, Hauert, Altman, & Veloso, 2015). AI will not replace human workers, and instead, the latter will have to be present in the workplace to ensure that the AI systems are working properly. As the ultimate controllers of these systems, human workers will require to develop new skill sets aimed at making sure that they advance the skills that they already have to encompass the involvement of AI in their work environment. While the time period before the automation of all human jobs has still not been determined, it is noteworthy to consider that with automation, human workers will have more leisure time. Instead of being a threat to jobs, AI will ensure that there is the establishment of a new type of society, where there is the renegotiation of the social contract in such a way that leaves humans at an advantage. A new social contract would involve the establishment of stronger ethical requirements within society, in such a way that individuals would be helped by AI to undertake their work in a manner that is as efficient as possible, while at the same time allowing for the continued presence of humans in the workforce as controllers and supervisors of the AI systems.

AI is the technology of the future and it is here to stay. Therefore, it is necessary to make sure that there is an understanding of the way that this technology is going to expand its influence across various aspects of the lives of individuals. However, this technology should not be viewed as a threat because it is one that, despite its seemingly independent nature, is actually under the direct control of humans. This means that even in a situation where jobs and other functions increasingly become automated; there are instances where there will be a process that seeks to involve humans in the workforce. In addition, the automation of various aspects of human life has the potential of triggering a new type of society, where individuals within it agree to a new system that enhances the human role (Chui, Manyika, & Miremadi, 2015). For example, governments could end up agreeing to create a value in work, and that paid work should continue because it is one of the ways of enhancing its value. A consequence of this situation is likely to be that humans will end up seeking to undertake activities that they find to be rewarding to themselves rather than just being involved in the workforce because of a desire to earn money. Furthermore, in a system that is dominated by AI, humans could end up in a scenario where they are able to earn some money from their governments to help them live comfortably while at the same time seeking to establish a society where they are able to have a higher standard of living through their own efforts. AI has the potential of making sure that human society is greatly improved from what it is today, where the economic worries of individuals make it extremely difficult for individuals to focus more on their personal interests.

In conclusion, the presence of AI is not a threat to humans, and should instead be considered to be an advantage because it is a technology whose potential is limitless. The achievement of the goal of automating work could go a long way towards making it possible for human society to change for the better in such a way that enhances the lives of individuals. AI is also an essential aspect when it comes to bringing about an enhancement of efficiency in the delivery of services, in such a way that promotes the establishment of more responsible government, while at the same time helping in bringing about more effective ways of managing problems associated with collective action such as climate change mitigation. AI is going to become the biggest part of the global economy in future, and its increasing use in various technologies shows that it is widely accepted by people across the world. So far, it has not proven to be a threat, and has instead become one of the best ways of helping facilitate the ease of life among individuals.

The Gun Range

 

Learning how to shoot accurately is one of the skills that are considered essential for any gun owner. This is the reason why gun ranges, both indoor and outdoor, have been developed over the years. However, all gun ranges require that individuals who make use of them know and understand the safety rules and procedures. This is the reason why in recent years, a considerable number of gun ranges have developed short videos that show their members what they need to know before they begin making use of the ranges. When an individual goes to the gun range, one of the most essential acts is to sign a waiver that states that he or she understands and will abide by all the safety policies that have been developed by the range. Furthermore, signing the waiver ensures that the gun range is waived from any liabilities in case of a situation where a user ends up hurting either themselves or someone else, because such a situation is normal and is often expected from time to time. The gun range is a place where individuals learn more about being responsible gun handlers and helps ensure that safety is always made a priority.

It is important that close attention is paid to the list of rules that the range has, because almost all ranges have their own unique set of rules that need to be followed. These rules are pertinent to the respective range and they include those things that they may either allow or not allow. It is essential that the rules are double checked because they are posted prominently, and in situations where the individual is not sure, it is important that the range officer is asked before anything new is tried; especially in situations where something has not been tried before on that particular range. There are instances where some ranges, especially trap ranges, do not allow the use of pump shotguns that have a pistol grip. Another example is those ranges that do not allow individuals to make use of drills that involve the drawing of pistols from the holster because it is deemed dangerous.

There are a number of rules that have to be followed within a gun range and these have to be considered at all times. These rules exist for the safety of both the users of the range as well as their neighbors within the range, and it is important that they are followed to the letter. One of the most essential rules that have to be followed is that guns should not be loaded until such a time as the user is on the firing line and is ready to begin shooting. It is also important that the muzzle of the gun is constantly pointed down range because it is an essential means of enhancing the safety of all individuals using the range. It is also critical that the user keeps their gun within a case until they are in position along the shooting line, and following this step, it is essential that the user only shoots at their target and avoid shooting across lanes at all times. Within the gun range, it is a requirement that the users are careful not to shoot towards the floor, the sidewalls, or the ceiling because to do so has the risk of having ricocheting bullets damaging the facility. Furthermore, they have the bullets have the potential of ending up coming back towards the line, which puts the individuals in the range at risk. This is the reason why targets within gun ranges are often hung up at a certain height to make sure that the safety of the individuals within them is upheld. It is critical that the user does not hang a target that is smaller at the bottom of the one that has already been set up because to do so has the potential of making the individual involved end up aiming at the floor; which is a risky move.

In the gun range, the use of paper targets is often recommended because it enhances the safety of the shooter. Such targets are safe to shoot because the bullets pass through directly without going in unpredictable directions. It also does not create any fragments and leaves very little trash behind; ensuring easier maintenance of the range. Among the most important aspects of operating within a range is that it should involve the use of eye and ear protection to prevent any injuries due to flying fragments or extremely loud noise that has the potential of causing permanent hearing problems.

Gun ranges are among the most interesting places to be because they help individuals enhance their shooting skills. Furthermore they are pertinent to the development of means through which individuals can safely handle their firearms without posing a danger to others around them. It is therefore critical that those individuals who make use of gun ranges follow the rules that have been set for them because it ensures that they are not only able to keep themselves and others safe, but also learn more about their responsibility as gun owners.

Catalonian Secession Movement

 

In recent years, the politics of Catalonia, a region in Spain, has experienced a rise in a political alliance among the regional parties that seek independence. A number of factors have led to this development, with most of them taking place at the national level of Spain. The first of these was the economic crisis of 2008[1], which was a blow to the economy of Spain, and from which it is in the process of recovering. Also, there was the rise of numerous corruption cases of top government official at both the regional and national levels of government, as well as a failure to achieve a bipartisan agreement that would have reformed the statute of autonomy in 2006.[2] It is also essential to consider that the Spanish constitution of 1978 had a federalist design that was unsatisfactory to the political elite of Catalonia. A consequence of this situation, as well as the rise of Catalonian nationalism, has been that it has brought about louder calls for independence. In this paper, there will be an analysis of the attempts by the Catalonian government to secede from Spain, and to show that despite some legitimate issues that it has raised, Catalonia does not have the right to secede.

A unified Spain, rather than a divided one, is a critical part of the security, both political and economic, of not only the EU, but also the whole world. The secessionist movement in Catalonia is one that has essentially sought to ensure that there is a split from Spain in order to form its own nation. This is a region that has had a long history of autonomy within the kingdom of Aragon. Furthermore, despite their claims of difference, Catalans speak a language that is quite similar to Spanish.[3] The emphasis on differences can be considered fraudulent on the part of the political class in Catalonia that has essentially come to the realization that it is likely to gain more power within an independent state rather than as a part of Spain. The exercise of the right to secede is one that should be conducted under circumstances where it is a part of the highest moral principles, in such a way that other parties are not to interfere with the process.[4] This is an extremely important factor because it shows that the Catalonian independence bid is one that is technically at odds with the morality of secession. Spain is an interested party to the process, and Catalonia cannot secede without Spain’s permission because to do so would essentially lead to a process of taking away a part of the latter country.

The Spanish Constitution of 1978 is one that was ratified by a majority of Catalonians. This constitution allowed for the achievement of considerable autonomy for the region. Furthermore, the Spanish Constitution, which the Catalans ratified, does not agree to any form of secession, because to do so would lead to the disruption of national integrity.[5] However, despite this being the case, it is noteworthy to consider that the Spanish government has not often made it easy for Catalans to feel like an integral part of the country. This is unlike in Canada, where despite the French Canadians being a minority, there have been a number of prime ministers from this community, which has made them feel like an integral part of Canada. The same cannot be said of Spain, where there has been no Catalan prime minister; a situation that has exacerbated some members of the community and intensified calls for self-determination through secession. Perhaps if the Catalans had been provided with a greater say in national affairs, there would have been fewer calls for independence. It is also necessary to consider that there have also been fights between the national government and the regional Catalonian one over such issues as language instruction, spending, and taxes, among others, which have further made the problem worse.

It is essential to consider that the Catalan independence movement is based on the ethnic identity of people of Catalan origins. A consequence has been that this movement has been accused of being one that promotes elitism in Catalonia, where there is little consideration for Spanish speaking peoples living in the region. The independence movement is one that essentially only considers the rights of ethnic Catalans above those of all others living in the region. Because of this, the movement is illegitimate because the Catalan government has been given not only autonomy, but also considerable control over its own internal affairs, such as in taxation. The Catalan politicians cannot say that they are escaping discriminatory distribution of resources[6], because Catalonia is one of the most economically stable regions within Spain. However, despite this being the case, there are still calls for independence, which shows that there are ulterior motives within the political class. There is likely a bid to ensure that they gain more power than is the case as part of Spain, in such a way that rather than representing the people of Catalonia as a whole, they are seeking to bring about a split from Spain that will ensure their political dominance based on an ethnic Catalan majority.

The secession of Catalonia from Spain has the potential of causing numerous disruptions. This is especially the case considering that Catalonia as a state would end up having a very difficult time joining the European Union because Spain, as a member state, has the power to veto this move. The same would be the case with the use of the Euro, which would make many of the multinationals doing business in Catalonia to relocate to other parts of Spain, where conditions are more favorable. It is therefore essential to view the harsh response that the secessionist movement has received from Spain from the perspective of the latter seeking to protect the legitimate expectations of most of its citizens.[7] The secession of a region could as well be opening a Pandora’s box, which would result in a situation where other regions of Spain would also demand independence. Furthermore, there is the potential that it would have a domino effect in other parts of Europe, such as the independence movements in Scotland, and in Scania, Sweden, where there are also calls, albeit quieter, for independence. Therefore, it is unlikely that Spain will allow for the independence of Catalonia anytime soon because to do so has the potential of bringing an end to its unity as a nation.

In conclusion, the Catalan secession bid has the potential of ending up leading to the generation of animosity towards regional autonomies in the Spanish public. In the discussion above, there has been an analysis of the attempts by the Catalonian government to secede from Spain, and this has ended up showing that despite some legitimate issues that it has raised, Catalonia does not have the right to secede. Secession is a problem that has to be dealt with quite carefully by the Catalan political class because it involves a situation where there are numerous potential problems that might arise because of it. Even if the bid is successful, it is essential to consider that the new nation will have many difficulties, including in joining such critical institutions as the EU and NATO, which it currently is a part of, and are presently taken for granted. Spain’s harsh response to this crisis can be considered to be a means of making sure that there is the promotion of its legitimate interests while upholding the expectations of all the people of Spain.

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[1] Kathryn Crameri, "Political Power and Civil Counterpower: The Complex Dynamics of the Catalan Independence Movement," Nationalism and Ethnic Politics 21, no. 1 (2015): 104.

[2] Robert Liñeira and Daniel Cetrà, "The Independence Case in Comparative Perspective," The Political Quarterly 86, no. 2 (2015): 263.

[3] Liesl Drew, "'I'm from Barcelona': Boundaries and Transformations between Catalan and Spanish Identities," (Uppsala University, 2017), 22.

[4] Allen Buchanan, Secession: The Morality of Political Divorce from Fort Sumter to Lithuania and Quebec (Boulder, CO, San Francisco, CA, Oxford: Westview Press, 1991), 27.

[5] Carmen Gonzalez, "The Catalan National Identity and Catalonia's Bid for Independence," Conn. J. Int'l L. 32 (2016): 115.

[6] Buchanan, 38.

[7] Ibid., 87.

Persepolis

 

Persepolis is a story that I found to be quite captivating, although initially, I had trouble associating with the narrative because of the differences in cultural and social backgrounds. However, while this may have been the case before, I came to the realization that there were a considerable number of similarities between Marjane and myself on several levels. I consequence was that I ended up conducting a closer reading of the entire book as well as the film in a bid to make sure that I learned more about this individual who, despite coming from a different culture and country from myself, displayed quite a number of similar characteristics and shared some of the experiences that I had encountered. Reading Persepolis has ensured that I am able to bring about a situation where I seek to relate events that have happened to others to those that have happened to me, and not dismissing them, as was previously the case. I believe that the choices that I made when it came to the telling of this story are based on my perspectives concerning my family, studying abroad, my difficulties with learning foreign languages, and my lack of knowledge concerning political matters.

One of the most fundamental aspects that I discovered concerning Persepolis is that it is a story that is heavily influenced by the family values of the author. This is to such an extent that it essentially seeks to show the way that Marjane lived in a manner through not only reduced the worry that her family had for her, but also as a means of promoting the legacy of members of her family who were deeply involved in the fight for more freedoms in a country that had a repressive government. In the book Persepolis, she states that “The revolution is like a bicycle… When the wheels don't turn, it falls” (Satrapi 4). However, I seem to have mostly taken the matter of family for granted when writing my analysis because I am an individual who is not as close to my family as Marjane is. Instead, I have often had difficulty with both of my parents, since my father was always often not at home when I was growing up since he was constantly working, while I have never had a good relationship with my mother, with whom I constantly fought over petty issues. Therefore, I have never known a close family relationship and never developed any, even with my extended family, as was the case with Marjane. I have often been kind of a loner, and believe that I am better off without any of my family members because they do not add any value to my life. A consequence is that when considering Persepolis in my bluebook, I did not concentrate too much on the subject of family since it is not one of the greatest priorities in my life.

However, I felt a deep connection with Marjane mainly because she, like myself ended up studying abroad. This is an individual who was sent abroad by her parents as a means of protecting her against the repressive regime that government her home country. Marjane portrays herself as an individual that was extremely rebellious, and this was to such an extent that she ended up in a situation where she was constantly getting into trouble with the religious police. Her rebellious nature became a serious problem for her to such an extent that her parents made the decision to send her to a French lycée in Vienna, Austria, where she would be able to be herself. This is a situation that I also found myself in, although under different circumstances. Because of the considerable trouble that I had with my parents, especially my mother, they made the decision to send me to boarding school at the age of 11. I went to boarding school in Switzerland and it was during this period that I ended up experiencing a foreign culture for the first time. Like Marjane, I had to cope with a new environment where almost everyone and everything seemed to be out of place for me. It was essentially a culture shock that I had to endure for several months until I became acclimatized to the new environment. I have come to the realization that in my writing, I have put most of my efforts on the parts of Persepolis where Marjane was abroad, and I believe that this decision was influenced by my own experiences in a foreign land.

Among the biggest problems that I encountered when studying abroad were the difficulties that I had with language. This was especially the case considering that the school was located near Geneva, which is a French speaking part of Switzerland. A result of this situation, as stated in the bluebook (Gao), was that I could not interact well with people outside the school. Instead, I often found myself in a situation where I remained in school or became a loner. I had no such problems with having interactions with my fellow students in the school because most of them also came from other parts of the world, which meant that we all had to make use of English for most of our interactions. I believe that these experiences may have had a profound influence on the way that I addressed Persepolis. I believe that Marjane’s life in Austria, a country which had nothing in common with her own, as well as the situation where she experienced language barriers in her first few months of living there, resonated well with me to such an extent that I sought to address this part of her life more. I find that the experiences that she had, while not completely similar to mine, since she ended up living on the streets for months, as depicted in the film (Satrapi and Paronnaud), still had an influence on me since I could picture myself in her shoes. I have come to find that living in a country where the culture and the language are completely different from one’s own can be an extremely difficult experience. However, like Marjane, whenever I talked to my parents, I often hid from them the difficulties that I was experiencing, instead telling them that everything was alright, so that they would not end up worrying about me.

Moreover, I seem to have almost completely avoided addressing the matter of politics in Persepolis. This is an area that is very prominent in both the book and the film, yet I ended up in a situation where I avoided the topic, instead focusing more on Marjane’s experiences abroad. The fact that I concentrated so much on this area is critical because it shows that I am an individual that has been raised in a culture where politics are not that important. In my home country, there is only a single political party, and this is one that is dominated by politicians who tend to seek only what is best for themselves. I was raised within an environment where I am completely influenced by the stereotype of a politician that is corrupt and self-seeking. Therefore, I ended up not placing a lot of emphasis on the considerable political content that can be found within Persepolis, and it was only following the intervention of a Russian friend that I came to the realization that it contained a lot of political themes that I had not considered before. A result is that I have come to realize that my bias against politicians should not apply to all members of this class, and I should be able to understand that there are differences between all of these individuals, with some being genuine while others are indeed corrupt. This realization ensured that I was better able to make sure that I took a more objective approach when it came to the analysis of Persepolis.

In conclusion, it is noteworthy to consider that my choices when telling Persepolis were heavily influenced by my own experiences and perspectives concerning life. I mostly applied my experiences in a boarding school abroad in the narrative, which resulted in a situation where I came to associate more with the period where Marjane was abroad. I have come to realize that Marjane and I share a considerable number of experiences in this part of our lives, and this is the reason why I wrote more about it.

Reference

Satrapi, Marjane. Persepolis I & Ii. Random House, 2008. Print.

Persepolis. 2007. Rigault, Xavier, Marc-Antoine Robert and Kathleen Kennedy.

Hera by Sos P

A song by Kenyan artist Sos P. The new talent in the country is showing a sense of progress and it is only a matter of time before the Kenyan music industry takes off in earnest on the backs of such artists.

Image of the United States in the Middle East

 

The image of the United States in the Middle East has become significantly tarnished since its war on terror began in Afghanistan and Iraq. The latter resulted in the collapse of state institutions while at the same time creating sectarian violence. It has therefore become essential for the United States to ensure that it promotes a more positive image in the region.

One of the most important ways through which it can ensure that it promotes its image in the region is getting actively engaged in solving crisis involving its allies. This is especially the case in the Qatar Crisis where a number of American allies have ganged up against Qatar, another ally. A strong involvement from the United States could significantly work towards ending the crisis and forcing an end to the Qatar blockade.

Another step that the United States can take is promoting peace in the Middle East. America has often taken sides when it comes to sectarian conflict, as seen in the war in Syria where it has supported Sunni rebels against a largely Alawite government, with the same situation being the case in Yemen. It should, however, seek to ensure that it remains neutral in such conflicts and become a mediator for peace in such conflicts.

In conclusion, the tarnished American image in the Middle East can only be promoted when it is seen as a neutral party that promotes peace. Its interests will be furthered in this way because otherwise, the continued aggressive behavior, as seen in Yemen, could end up backfiring. Such an event could lead to the destruction of American credibility in the region.

Is Globalisation Good For Business?

Globalization has become one of the most important forces in the world today and it has come to have significant influence on business. It is good for business because it enables them to ensure that they have access to new markets, while allowing them to expand swiftly. There is no one purpose for globalization, but it is instead a force that is essentially connected to business. Globalization has developed because of the human urge to develop and to acquire those goods and services that they do not produce themselves. Therefore, businesses are well served because they are able to ensure that they provide the services and products that are in high demand in different parts of the world (Wirtz, Tuzovic, & Ehret, 2015). Globalization allows them to make sure that they are better able to ensure that there is the advancement of their interests because rather than relying solely on their local markets, they have a diversity of markets to choose from. They are also able to bring about the establishment of partnerships with other businesses across the world in such a way that they ensure that their production costs are significantly reduced while at the same time creating an environment where they can easily shift their operations to take advantage of such incentives as cheap labor (Søderberg, Krishna, & Bjørn, 2013). A consequence is that globalization, rather than being a hindrance for business, can be considered a boon because it ensures that there is stable growth while at the same time promoting the production of high quality goods because of competition.

One of the most significant aspects of globalization is that it is often promoted by businesses. Businesses actively work towards making globalization happen because it provides them with many opportunities. Among these opportunities is that globalization provides opportunities based on cheaper production costs and more consumers to sell to. In developed countries, globalization has an influence on all types of businesses, even small ones. These businesses are able to take advantage of outsourcing opportunities provided by globalization to ensure that they produce their goods cheaply (Gerbl, McIvor, Loane, & Humphreys, 2015). The make use of the cheap labor as well as the lower production costs that are provided in such countries as Brazil, Mexico, and China to ensure that they remain competitive, especially against their much larger rivals. These businesses have also been able to achieve a considerable amount of growth through rapid expansion and this is to such an extent that those companies with the greatest competitive edge, including small businesses, are able to attain growth at a faster rate if they operate in a globalized environment. The creation of an environment where it has become possible for even small businesses to thrive has been brought about by globalization and this has ensured that a greater number of individuals obtain the benefits of this phenomenon (Brush, Edelman, & Manolova, 2015). Therefore, rather than looking at globalization in a negative light, it is essential to weigh its benefits to those businesses that have been able to remain competitive because of it. Under such circumstances, globalization would not be looked upon as such a bad thing at all.

Globalization can be considered to be based on competition between businesses. This is because it promotes lower production costs which are essentially a competitive advantage for those businesses that have the best strategies and capabilities to survive in the globalized environment. Furthermore, there are other competitive advantages for businesses especially considering that they are better able to have access to untapped markets, a diversity of services, as well as investment opportunities which ensure that they can swiftly expand in a manner that allows them to remain competitive. The competitiveness brought about by globalization can be considered an essential means of making sure that there is the advancement of business interests. This is especially the case considering that once a business that develops a certain product or service goes global, it is essential for its rivals in the market to follow suit otherwise, they end up losing their competitive advantage. Thus, while globalization is about growth, it is also about the establishment of a powerful competitive position so that a business can be able to maximize its potential. The considerable business growth that has been seen since the advent of globalization in the contemporary world has been based on the competitive advantage that it offers. Those businesses that cannot stay competitive through the development of products or services that are in high demand end up collapsing while those with the greatest competitive advantage continue to thrive. Businesses in a globalized world have to ensure that they maintain the highest standards in order to ensure that they remain competitive.

A number of companies have come to realize the advantage of making sure that they maintain their headquarters in their home countries while outsourcing their production to other countries. This is a consequence of globalization which has ensured that these companies have the option of diversifying their operations in order to not only remain competitive, but also to thrive in the market. Without the competitive advantages that are provided by the establishment of globalization, it is likely that businesses would have remained in local markets where they would not have the incentives to improve their products to remain competitive. Furthermore, local markets can become saturated and globalization provides businesses with the means of tapping into new markets for their products. The achievement of this goal ensures that there is the creation of means to bring about strategies aimed at rapid expansion and the making of profit. Therefore, businesses promote globalization because it is the best means through which they can be able to increase the number of people that they sell to, and also have an opportunity to benefit from the massive production savings that can be found in producing goods overseas.

Peter Salem

 The life of Peter Salem is an extremely interesting one because he was not only a participant in the Revolutionary War; he was also one of the relatively few African Americans to do so. He further participated in some of the most significant battles in the war as a member of different militias. Salem was a unique individual during this period because he is noted to have been extremely dedicated to the Revolutionary cause.

Salem was born into slavery in 1750 to a slave woman and was owned by Jeremiah Belknap, who later had him sold to Lawson Buckminster. While not much is known of his life prior to the Revolution, there have been suggestions that he may have been a Muslim, although this is disputed by some scholars (Rashid, 2013, p. 78). What is well known is that Buckminster, his new owner and a major in the Continental Army, released him from slavery so that Salem could enlist.

Salem was a participant in the first battles of the conflict, which took place at Concord in 1775. This is attested to through the presence of his name in the role of Captain Edgell’s militia company where he served for four days (Quarles, 2012, p. 10). Salem is also noted to have been a participant in the Battle of Bunker Hill, where he is considered one of its most important heroes. He was also a participant in the Battles of Saratoga and Stony Point, and was later honorably discharged.

Following his time fighting in the Revolutionary War, Salem got married to Katy Benson at Salem, Massachusetts, and built a cabin close to Leicester. He lived the rest of his life peacefully and gained employment as a cane weaver. His death came about in 1816 and he ended up being buried at Framingham (Quintal, 2004, p. 190). The life of an individual that had played a significant role in the Revolution, which led to the independence of the United States from Britain, came to an end.

Peter Salem fought in some of the most significant battles of the Revolution and he gave almost five years of service to the cause. He not only showed his commitment to the Revolution through extending his commission despite its having expired, he is also considered to have made some important achievements, such as mortally wounding the British Marine Major John Pitcairn at the Battle of Bunker Hill (Nell, 1855, p. 21). His efforts seem to have played a substantial role when it came to the outcome of the Revolutionary War.

In conclusion, the life of Peter Salem is one that is characterized by his considerable dedication. It is this dedication that ensured that he became one of the most prominent participants of the Revolutionary War. Salem ended up in a situation where despite being born into slavery, he went on to fight side-by-side with other Revolutionaries towards the achievement of American freedom. A consequence is that Peter Salem became one of the most important heroes of the Revolution and his place in American history was secured.

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

Nell, W. C. (1855). The Colored Patriots of the American Revolution: With Sketches of Several Distinguished Colored Persons: to which is Added a Brief Survey of the Condition and Prospects of Colored Americans: Lulu. com.

Quarles, B. (2012). The Negro in the American revolution: UNC Press Books.

Quintal, G. (2004). Patriots of Color:" a Peculiar Beauty and Merit": African Americans and Native Americans at Battle Road & Bunker Hill: Government Printing Office.

Rashid, S. (2013). Black Muslims in the US: History, Politics, and the Struggle of a Community: Springer.