Léon Theremins Contributions to Music and Society Essay -- Biography

To start, Là ©on Theremin, originally known as, Lev Sergeyevich Termen, was a very influential Russian inventor throughout human history. He is most popular for his invention of the Theremin, one of the very first electronic musical instruments ever made. In addition, Là ©on Theremin is the inventor of a plethora of other inventions, some including the burglar alarm, the Great Seal bug, and the Terpsitone. There are innumerable interesting things that can be said about this innovative person. Without him, society wouldn’t experience, or enjoy the things we have, the same. This research will discuss Là ©on Theremin’s biography, his contributions to music, and his countless inventions that benefited, and improved society on a global scale. First, Là ©on Theremin, originally born with the name, Lev Sergeivitch Termen, was born on the year, 1896, in St. Petersburg, Russia. He was of German and French ancestry and had a sibling by the name of Helena. When he became seven years old, he took an interest in electricity. By the age of thirteen, Theremin began to observe and test high frequency circuits. Later on, within his years in high school, he was able to present to an audience optical effects using electricity, and by the age of seventeen, he had his own laboratory to continue his electrical experiments. It was very clear that the young, Là ©on Theremin, had a brilliant mind. As he grew older, he was â€Å"educated as a physicist and musician,† (Là ©on Theremin) and later began to develop what is known today as the theremin. After the creation of this notable instrument, the theremin, he â€Å"demonstrated his theremin to the Soviet revolutionary leader, Lenin,† in 1922. From there, he was sent on a to ur, which included â€Å"sell-out concerts,† (Là ©on... ...ame. Many of the things he created were considered unthinkable at his point of time in society and because of his ability to dramatically alter how we think of, or use the world, Là ©on Theremin, will be remembered in history, forever. Works Cited Wierzbicki, James. "Weird Vibrations: How The Theremin Gave Musical Voice To Hollywood’S Extraterrestrial â€Å"Others†." Journal Of Popular Film And Television 30.3 (2002): 125-135. OmniFile Full Text Select (H.W. Wilson). Web. 29 May 2012. WILLIAM, GRIMES. "Leon Theremin, Musical Inventor, Is Dead at 97." New York Times, The (NY) 09 Nov. 1993: 10. NewsBank - Archives. Web. 29 May 2012. "Leon Theremin." Hutchinson's Biography Database (2011): 1. MAS Ultra - School Edition. Web. 30 May 2012. "Clara Rockmore (1911-1998)." Computer Music Journal 22.4 (1998): 14. Academic Search Premier. Web. 30 May 2012.

National Implications: Historical View of Black School

This study by Drs. James E. Ginn, J D Gregory Jr., Henry North, and Leola Robinson based partially on the studies done by Raymond J. Lockett and George M. Vincent in Louisiana and Mississippi respectively. As with Lockett’s and Vincent’s researches, the authors of the study in scrutiny wanted to outline the social, economic, and political profile of the Black school board members, this time in Texas. As the authors reiterate, they were not gearing for a full replication of the Lockett and Vincent articles. Instead, their main purpose is to map out any possible trends with regards to choosing Black school members. Using the same questionnaire devised by Lockett for his Louisiana Black school board member study, with just minor modifications to suit those in Texas, Ginn et. al were able to survey 79% of the Black school board members in Texas, as listed in the Black Elected Officials: A National Roster. Basically, the study resulted in an enumeration of the personal characteristics, motivational factors, and attitudes on social changes of those currently elected African-American school board members. Also in the conclusion was a revelation of which sectors provide the biggest financial and moral support for Black electorates plus the strategies of these Black members in implementing social change. True enough, Dr. Ginn et. al’s paper was successful in its aim to produce a profile but it failed to state any trends in relation to the conclusions made by Lockett and Vincent, except with the motivational factors in regarding candidacy. As Dr. Ginn et. al’s paper reveals, Texan Black school board members deem the improvement of the school system as the topmost reason for seeking office, unlike Louisianan Black school board members who listed that as only the second most important reason. For the Blacks in Louisiana, the prestige that comes with the office is the primary reason to be in the school board. Those in Mississippi, on the other hand, think that the improvement of the African-American race is what matters. With the other aspects uncovered by the research, though, this comparison and contrast with the results of the Louisiana and Mississippi results was missing. But aside from that obvious slight, there were other parts of the study that must be called to attention. The authors of â€Å"National Implications†¦Ã¢â‚¬  failed to present the tables of the survey result and provide a satisfactory description of the results. They loved using the word â€Å"likely†, which tends to weaken the foundation of their results. The first two paragraphs under the heading â€Å"Results of the Study- Personal Characteristics† mentioned the word â€Å"likely† seven times in fifteen sentences. Mentioning exact figures would have been better for it could have solidified the claims of the authors. Another thing that I can critique with the paper is the authors’ assumption that their readers are already well-aware of what is written in their sources’ works. They have failed to describe at least minimally what their sources are talking about. One glaring example is the part where they mention that â€Å"Tyres Hillway and Nunnery and Kimbrough listed several advantages of the mail questionnaire† yet failed to list what these advantages are. It would have been better if their endnotes at least contained a description of the findings of their references. Yet, despite these research results blunders, the article was able to provide some useful insights. In my opinion, the article had the potential of being relevant for those who wants to look into mapping out preferences in school board members – black or white. Dr. Ginn et. al’s research can be the starting point of laying down reasons as to why school board members are elected into their position. Perhaps the most important thing that can be picked up from the said research is the gems about the African-Americans. The research made use of sources and variables that were true in 1985 and before. At that time, the roles of Black Americans are still delineated and everyone was still pretty much adjusting to the integration of the races. But as true as the results may be in the time the study was conducted, I can say that times have changed immensely. The article by Dr. Ginn et. al made me appreciate just how progressive America has become. A lot of efforts have been done to ensure that the country provide equal opportunities to both African-Americans and Caucasians. Whereas before, Blacks are still being â€Å"pushed† to run for political power and promote the welfare of their race, today it is already to common to have the African-Americans represented in political office. There are still the occasional discriminatory remarks and acts, but these are no longer accepted and are now condemned. Also, almost everyone is now well-adjusted to the integration of blacks and whites. Yes, we have come to an era where discriminations is something we do not tolerate. The African-Americans’ are proving that they are viable leaders and are capable of holding an important position. And despite the limitations of â€Å"National Implications: Historical View of Black School Board Members of the State of Texas Until 1985†, it was important in making me realize that times have really changed†¦for good.

Essay on Swifts A Modest Proposal - 1155 Words

Swift’s Modest Proposal for the Preventing the Children of Poor People from being a burden to their Parents or Country, and for Making Them Beneficial to the Public is a satire of the English opinion of the Irish, barbarians. Though this is a satire, Swift has a good point about eating children. In the world today there are approximately 6 billion people, many being children. By the year 2050, according to the World Population Profile: 1998, the population will reach 9.3 billion. Consumption of children would help this and many other problems that afflict our society as a whole. â€Å"For first, as I have already observed, it would greatly lessen the number of papists, with whom we are yearly overrun, being the principal breeders of the nation†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"Thirdly, whereas the maintenance of an hundred thousand children, from two years old and upward, cannot be computed at less than ten shillings a-piece per annum, the nations stock will be thereby increased fifty thousand pounds per annum, beside the profit of a new dish introduced to the tables of all gentlemen of fortune in the kingdom who have any refinement in taste. And the money will circulate among ourselves, the goods being entirely of our own growth and manufacture.† (Swift, 4) The introduction of more industry to an impoverished area, if kept with in the country, can jump start the economy. Also, the point of adding a new dish to the menu of gentleman, the ingestion of human flesh could be viewed as a delicacy like chickens brains, horse, and â€Å"rocky mountain oy sters.† â€Å"Fourthly, the constant breeders, beside the gain of eight shillings sterling per annum by the sale of their children, will be rid of the charge of maintaining them after the first year.† (Swift, 4) Plain and simple fact, to raise a child significant money must be spent on nourishment, clothing, education, and other expenses. By getting rid of the expense of raising the child, and profiting from the sale, the parents profit, because breast milk is essentially free, considering that the mother already needs to eat. â€Å"Fifthly, This food would likewise bring great custom to taverns; where the vintners will certainly be so prudent as to procure theShow MoreRelatedJonathan Swift s A Modest Proposal996 Words   |  4 PagesJonathan Swift, 18th century writer and political activist, published â€Å"A Modest Proposal† in 1729 in the midst of turmoil in his home country of Ireland. Under British rule Irish citizens were left destitute and neglected, giving Swift the inspiration for â€Å"A Modest Proposal†. Jonathan Swift’s use of Aristotle s modes of persuasion and straight-faced satire broke Ireland s silence, calling out affluent members of British society and religious hierarchy alike, creating one of the most influentialRead MoreJonathan Swift s A Modest Proposal1008 Words   |  5 PagesAccording to Sparknotes, In the 1700’s, Ireland went through an economic depression as well as other problems in the country such as starvation, overpopulation and intolerable ta xation by England. The families in Ireland could not afford to maintain their children therefore the children became a burden. Politicians did nothing to improve Ireland’s situation. These ongoing Problems in Ireland led Jonathan Swift to write,† A Modest Proposal.† In his essay, Swift uses satire to give rational but extremeRead MoreJonathan Swift s Modest Proposal1562 Words   |  7 PagesEmpire. Thesis: Jonathan Swift s Modest Proposal is the most effective in conveying its proposal against Imperialism as a universal theme. Directional Statement: Jonathan Swift s Modest Proposal successfully uses evidence to support its proposal and an effective style of writing. It also presents a clearly defined problem and solution compared to George Orwell s â€Å"Shooting an Elephant† and Thomas Jefferson s â€Å"Declaration of Independence†. Point 1: Swift s Modest Proposal effectively uses appropriateRead MoreJonathan Swift s A Modest Proposal971 Words   |  4 PagesJonathan Swift is a well known writer who wrote Gulliver s Travels and many more lesser known works. A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift can be used to argue many things. The work itself is a pamphlet to that explains how one could go about the famine in Ireland. He suggests by his title that this will not be a over the top or extreme suggestion instead being modest and understandable. The most notable part of his work however is the obscenity of it as he describes in detail what the benefitsRead MoreAnalysis Of Swift s A Modest Proposal 1546 Words   |  7 PagesRoepe EN323 Rzepka 3/9/15 Swift and Blake’s Use of Irony and Persona In Satire In the context of political questions and social activism, irony, exaggeration, humor, and ridicule are all valuable rhetorical tools to expose faults and make a point (New Oxford American Dictionary). Both Jonathan Swift and William Blake confront social systems of oppression in their literary careers, most notably with A Modest Proposal and Songs of Innocence respectively. Swift’s A Modest Proposal is an address to the wealthyRead MoreJonathan Swift s Modest Proposal850 Words   |  4 PagesJonathon Swift â€Å"Modest Proposal† is shocking satire that is supposed to bring to light the ill state of the Irish nation during the time period. Swift was making a point that the state that Ireland was in a major economic crisis and was overpopulated and was in a dire need of a solution, so he propose one. But even though this was written many years ago we can still draw inspiration form it today. The essay begins as a Proposal for a solution to the extreme poverty and over population of IrelandRead MoreAnalysis Of Jonathan Swift s A Modest Proposal956 Words   |  4 Pagesissue for the Irish and became a topic of satire ridicule for writers. Specifically, Jonathan Swift demonstrates mockery of this time in one of his written works, â€Å"A Modest Proposal.† The speaker proposes to shift the issues of over population and poverty to a business like mentality by paying woman to bare children and then after a year, gaining a profit by selling and eat their children. The speaker’s proposal to consume the children of Ireland demonstrates a satirical solution to the Irish’s economicRead MoreWilliam Swift s A Modest Proposal1483 Words   |  6 Pages Argument Analyzation of â€Å"A Modest Proposal† In the 1700s, Ireland was under the control of the British. They also owned Northern Ireland. The British were causing immense numbers of problems for the Irish people because their policies were leaving people homeless and starving. Jonathan Swift was a man who was born and raised in Ireland during these times. He engrossed himself in Irish politics especially during this time. Swift saw the struggles of the Irish people and became outraged by theirRead MoreJonathan Swift s A Modest Proposal1456 Words   |  6 PagesJonathan Swift was an Irish poet and satirist of the eighteenth century. Although the son of Englishmen, Swift was born and raised in Ireland. While living in Ireland, he witnessed the death of thousands of Irish due to starvation which was caused due to crop failure. Swift, who wasn’t even personally affected by the issue, acknowledged that the death of the Irish population which he argues was caused because of the neglect of English landowners. Instead of allo wing for the issue to continue to beRead MoreJonathan Swift s A Modest Proposal1809 Words   |  8 PagesJonathan Swift’s A Modest Proposal is a satirical essay that sardonically uses an outrageous solution to the massive poverty in Ireland. He proposes this lengthy idea of eating children as the solution to the society’s problems. His serious yet hyperbolic and satirical style allows Swift an approach to get people engaged in the difficulties the Irish had to do to survive their everyday life. This essay explores Swift’s ability to use literary devices and how these techniques advance his idea about