Tuesday, December 10, 2019
IT Management Issues for Courier Company- myassignmenthelp.com
Question: Discuss about theIT Management Issues for Courier Company. Answer: Introduction ICT or simply Information and communications technology is the extension of IT or information technology, which eventually strains on the complete amalgamation of all types of computer network and telecommunications (Holtshouse, 2013). This assimilation of the systems of a computer network with telecommunications by utilizing a unified system of cabling and signal management is known as ICT. This report provides a precise description on value as well as usage of ICT in any particular courier company (Bilbao-Osorio, Dutta Lanvin, 2013). This report even discusses about the use and benefit of information and communications technology in the regular business operation of that company. Discussion ICT in Courier Company The courier companies usually operate in all sectors and in places throughout the world. Any type of package or letter can be easily sent by taking help of a courier service (Bloom et al. 2014). The main benefit of this courier service is that it does not remain restricted in one place; rather package or letter can be sent anywhere worldwide. Moreover, it is sent with great speed and the time consumption is extremely less. Information and communications technology is utilized for retrieving, manipulating, storing and even transmission of data. Any type of operation can be done with utmost security and there is no limit for the data amount (Rice Leonardi, 2014). Any courier company has to deal with bulk data and therefore, they should utilize such a technology that would useful to them. All types of wrong or erroneous data can cost a lot for the company and the package or letter can be misplaced. ICT could be a major help in this scenario as it helps in dealing with bulk data (Holtshouse, 2013). The only thing that the courier service will have to do is the linking of database and computer network with telecommunications. The complexity of data management would be less due to this and they would be able to do their work accordingly. Benefits of Information and Communications Technology in Courier Company A courier company would be extremely benefiter if they will opt for ICT in their everyday business operation. The most significant benefits are given below: i) Inexpensive: The most significant benefit of ICT in a courier company is its cost effectiveness (Bilbao-Osorio, Dutta Lanvin, 2013). This type of technology is extremely cheaper and thus could be easily afforded. ii) Increased Communication: The second benefit of ICT in a courier company is that it increases communication between the organization and its clients. iii) Great Availability of Service: The third important benefit of ICT in any particular courier company is the great availability. The clients can connect or contact them all the time worldwide. iv) Privacy and Security: Security and privacy are again one of the most important benefits of information and communications technology in any courier company (Bloom et al. 2014). The data with which they deal are extremely secured and the privacy is high. Conclusion Therefore, conclusion can be drawn that, the assimilation of computer network and telecommunication system can be termed as information and communications technology. This type of technology can be used in all the business operations in an organization. The cost as well as complexity of the data management is solely mitigated with ICT. Various courier companies use ICT in their regular business operations for mitigating the risks of data loss. This report has given a simplified description about the various benefits of usage that a courier company can obtain from ICT. References Bilbao-Osorio, B., Dutta, S., Lanvin, B. (2013, April). The global information technology report 2013. InWorld Economic Forum(pp. 1-383). Bloom, N., Garicano, L., Sadun, R., Van Reenen, J. (2014). The distinct effects of information technology and communication technology on firm organization.Management Science,60(12), 2859-2885. Holtshouse, D. K. (2013).Information technology for knowledge management. Springer Science Business Media. Rice, R. E., Leonardi, P. M. (2014). Information and communication technologies in organizations.The SAGE handbook of organizational communication: Advances in theory, research, and methods, 425-448.
Monday, December 2, 2019
Theory Of Capital Essays - Capital, Production Economics
Theory Of Capital This essay is an explanation and importance of complementarity and substitution in the theory of capital. Complementarity can be usually seen in goods with"sympathetic shifts in demand." It is also important to realize the narrowness of the traditional treatment of complementarity. Complementarity is analyzed in a single enterprise and also in the economic system as a whole. In the latter complementarity is analyzed in an economic system in equilibrium and also in disequilibrium. In an economic system with equilibrium all the acts of all individuals are consistent with each other and all factors of production are complementary. The system with disequilibrium on the contrary, realizes that while a factor of substitution eliminates another factor, another will be created, though possibly it might be of a different mode. It is idealistic to think that capital structure can only exist in equilibrium, but realistically, capital structure is in a state of continuous transformation. Any major change creates a situation of instability of the capitalistic economy. A clear example of this is the accumulation of capital on profits and the inducement to invest. As capital accumulation grows, investment opportunities and the rate of profit decline. Also, the existence of unused human or material resources provides potential complements for new productive combinations, which in result produce the changes in capital. These unused resources have two main functions in the world of dynamic change. First, they reduce the shock when disintegration exists, and second they stimulate the investment of capital goods complementary to them. In conclusion, the theory of capital is a dynamic discipline, and is not in static equilibrium. It is useless to view capital change as quantitative change in one factor and supposing that other factors remain constant. An important topic in the capital theory is the internal capital change, which is the reorder of existing capital for unexpected change. And finally, all that has been mentioned is not only essential in the theory of capital, but also has a great importance in the theory of industrial fluctuation.
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
American Politics in Transition essays
American Politics in Transition essays For the United States, as for most states in the world, the 1980s and 1990s were a time of change and challenge. During this period the effects of change both within the US and internationally acted as push factors in many areas of life, including economics and politics. This sudden change was primarily due to global shocks and recessions, increased foreign economic competition, the end of the Cold War and the demise of the Soviet Union, the development of revolutionary new technologies, the achievement of post-industrial society within the US, slower rates of domestic economic growth, and the demographic changes within American society. By the Mid 1980s important developments had occurred within interest groups, political parties. By 1990s national debates were being held in regard to Americas future in the post-Cold War world, Americas economic competitiveness, culture, morality and the states relationship with society. Five major things must be taken under account when discussing American politics in transition. 1) the basic nature of the American political system, 2) the sources of political change since the late 1960s, 3) the conservative renewal and the new conservative agenda, 4) the Reagan-Bush legacy in politics and public policy 5) the new political and economic constraints in the era of divided government, and 6) the public policy environment of the 1990s. At the core of American political culture I support for the values of liberty, egalitarianism, individualism, populism and laissez-faire. The nature of this society with also has glorification of the individual, and the rejection of conservative theories of organic society, hierarchy, and natural aristocracy. Being an American means accepting this liberal Democratic creed (laissez faire), while those who reject it are considered to be un-American. ...
Saturday, November 23, 2019
Meningitis essays
Meningitis essays Meningitis Outbreaks Among College Students Imagine waking up one morning with flu-like symptoms, only to find out that you have contracted a potentially fatal disease from someone in a class or in your dorm. Meningococcal meningitis is a rare but serious infection that occasionally infects college students and others living in relatively isolated, confined communities such as dormitories, thus making college students at a greater risk for contracting the potentially fatal disease. Meningitis is an inflammation of the linings of the brain and spinal chord caused by either viruses or bacteria. Viral infections are more common than bacterial infections, usually occurs in late spring and summer. Viral outbreaks are often accompanied by stiff neck, nausea, headache, vomiting, and rash. Cases of viral meningitis run a short uneventful course. On the other hand, bacterial infections are very rare and occur sporadically throughout the year, especially in late winter and early spring. Bacterial meningitis in college students is most likely caused by a rare strand of the bacteria known as meningococcal meningitis. This potentially lethal infection is accompanied by fever, headache, vomiting, rash, and changes in mental state. The time of progression related to meningococcal meningitis causes grave illness and rapidly progresses to death if Outbreaks of meningitis occur in relatively isolated, confined as small communities and institutional settings and have recently become popular on college campuses. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the incidence of meningococcal meningitis outbreaks has risen sharply in recent years, with a total of 33 outbreaks on college campuses This is quite possibly due to the close living environments that students are accustomed to. Since 10% of the general population carry men ...
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Kingfisher patisseries goes international Essay
Kingfisher patisseries goes international - Essay Example ed offers from Singaporean and Korean food processors because of Patrickââ¬â¢s limited knowledge of those markets as well as ambiguous regulations that governed the import and sale of food products in those countries (Kotler, 2007). This should have served as an example for Patrick and Kingfisher into not entering into markets about which they know little about. This issue raises questions about client-supplier relationships and as shown in the case, all recipients from the suppliers cannot be relied upon to act in good faith or show compliance with local regulations that are in place in the countries in which they operate. Further, Denzo Gato cannot be excused of negligence or ignorance about the local regulations as he is expected to fully comply with the same. Taking all these factors into consideration, the conclusion is that Kingfisher should not have entered into contractual obligations with Denzo Gato. As the case shows, Kingfisher lost out on the contract as well as suffered monetary losses as well. Q2) In my opinion, Denzo Gato was not a good choice for Kingfisher in terms of compatibility. First, Denzo Gato operates in what is known as the ââ¬Å"grey areaâ⬠between complying with regulations in the letter of the law and the spirit of the law. Denzo Gato does not fully comply with the regulations and operates in between the relevant laws. The case illustrates the fact that Denzo Gato was a large chain that covered the supermarkets as well as four star hotels. However, this means that Kingfisher is not compatible with Denzo Gato in terms of size or scale of operation (Hartman, 1995). The other aspect of incompatibility is because of the technological gap that exists between Kingfisherââ¬â¢s operations and that of Denzo Gato. There is a clear instance of Kingfisher not being technologically compatible with that of Denzo Gato. The case shows the instances where Denzo Gato had to repeatedly ask Kingfisher to upgrade its manufacturing processes and align them
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
How Do The Specific Course Materials Connect, Align, Support, and Term Paper
How Do The Specific Course Materials Connect, Align, Support, and Intersect With Concepts Addressed In The Book The Servant - Term Paper Example This research will begin with the statement that effective leadership is one of the major attributes of organizational success. Northouse has described leadership as a process that assists individual to influence a group of people in terms of achieving a common goal. Leadership acts as a catalyst to influence four fundamental factors of an organizationââ¬â¢s productivity such as labor, land, entrepreneurship, and capital. The leadership style of management or owners is very important for effectively structuring the culture of the organization. There are a number of leadership styles that have been evaluated and examined by researchers overall period of time. As per Selznick, the style of leadership must differ according to the structure of the organization, work culture and personality as well as tolerance of subordinates. Hunter has described the effectiveness and importance of servant leadership for organizational management in his book ââ¬Å"The Servantâ⬠. The theory of s ervant leadership illustrates that in order to increase the effectiveness of leadership activities a leader needs to serve first. Rather than a leadership style or technique, servant leadership can be described as a pattern of behavior that can assist management to gather long-term benefit. Hunter has described the impact and application of this leadership style through the tale of a business executive and his failure as a boss, coach, father, and husband.Ã
Sunday, November 17, 2019
Benjamin Franklin Essay Example for Free
Benjamin Franklin Essay Can a man be as vast as a nation? Did the life-experiences and cultural contributions of a single individual play as pivotal a role in the establishment of American democracy and American culture as any written declaration, constitution, or law? Without a doubt, there are historians who stand at the ready to assert that Benjamin Franklin was just such an individual. Numerous books, scholarly articles, essays, encyclopedias, and even works of fiction have contributed and continue to contribute to the mythic status of Benjamin Franklin in American history. However, there is is good reason to reject any surface-level interpretation of Franklins important contributions to the founding of American Democracy, and read with great care the complex and extensive evolution of Franklins actions and stated philosophies over the span of a great many years. The resulting image of Franklin when the myth of Franklin and the historical Franklin are compared is one of a challengingly deep and complex thinker, and of a man who acted in keeping with his deepest philosophical, moral, and spiritual beliefs many of which were quite radical in his day and many of which were astonishingly traditional. The truth of the matter is that Franklins extant writings are so rich and voluminous that one can find almost any sort of Franklin one wishes to find, (Frasca, 2007) but, certainly, in comparing the historical Franklin to the mythic Franklin, important insight into American history and into the psychology of American culture can be gained. Franklins career can be said to have begun very early in his life, when he left school at 10 years of age to help his father (Franklin, Benjamin, 2007); not long afterward, he was apprenticed to his half brother James, a printer and publisher of the New England Courant, to which young Ben secretly contributed. After much disagreement he left his brothers employment and went (1723) to Philadelphia to work as a printer (Franklin, Benjamin, 2007). Franklins early life was later given its first boost toward mythic status with posthumous publication of Franklins Autobiography in 1791, not long after Franklins death. If the Autobiography helped to foster the mythic status of Franklin in American history, it was but one of the many examples of Franklins written contributions to American culture. During his active career, Franklin was immersed not only in science and history, but in philosophy and ethical theory as well. His popular writings contained both humor and moral axioms notably in his very popular publication, Poor Richards Almanac, which was In his day the great source of profit to every printer [ ] which was issued yearly, and which was the vade-mecum in every household that could spare the necessary two or three pence annually (Ford, 1899, p. 400). Franklins steady contributions to American popular culture during his lifetime included not only the folk wisdom of Poor Richard, but with much-needed humor for the American continent: In America, however, either because the immigrants had been recruited from the unfortunate and the religiously austere, or because the hardness of the conditions resulted in a sadness which tinctured the lives of the people, there seems to have been a practical extinction of all sense of the humorous. (Ford, 1899, p. 388) Against this background, Franklin himself often a deep-thinker and a moody person articulated the first instances of a natively American sense of humor. This fact is very important in evaluating both the mythical and the historical Franklin because the mythic Franklin remains empty of all but a few slight traces of Franklins triumphant career and reputation as a humorist. His status as such is very important because, as mentioned, it is Franklins cultural contribution to America as well as his political contributions which cements his status as a Founding Father and which has resulted in the extensive influence Franklin has held over American culture from its earliest beginnings. Franklin used humor in a very conscious way to pave the way for his more considered ethical and moral ideas; more importantly he seized the opportunity to define humor in America for generations: perhaps his most remarkable attribute is that the future historian of the now famous American humor must begin its history with the first publication of Poor Richard (Ford, 1899, p. 389) and, by doing so, Franklin placed himself in a key position to define through humor just what it mean to be an American. His capacities as a humorist do not seem to have been affected, but rather emerged naturally out of his personality. Franklin used humor to not only define himself and to partially define American culture, but as a method to settle scores or take shots at traditional beliefs or institutions: His irresistible inclination to screw a joke out of everything is illustrated by the scrapes he got himself into with his advertisers. Employed to print an announcement of the sailing of a ship, he added an N. B. of his own, to the effect that among the passengers No Sea Hens, nor Black Gowns will be admitted on any terms. Some of the clergy, properly incensed, withdrew their subscriptions from the Gazette. Yet this did not cure him of the tendency, and he was quickly offending again. (Ford, 1899, p. 394) Humor and literary works provided one means for Franklin to influence the development of early American culture and these aspects are slightly contained in the myth of Benjamin Franklin, with the humorous aspects downplayed. For example, Poor Richards Almanac is probably part of the Franklin myth in most peoples minds and they probably also are aware that Franklin offered axioms of wisdom in this Almanac, but many people are probably deeply unaware that Franklins gift for humor was not only an important part of his literary output, but an aspect of his personal philosophy and a method by which he engaged other people and also helped to resolved conflicts. Another aspect of the Franklin myth is that he invented electricity by tying a key to a kite-string. Like many myths, this myth has a basis in historical reality: His experiment of flying a kite in a thunderstorm, which showed that lightning is an electrical discharge[ ] and his invention of the lightning rod[ ] won him recognition from the leading scientists in England (Franklin, Benjamin, 2007) but it is a slim basis. What the lightning and key myth represents in a compressed form is the long and complex contribution to the natural sciences and to popular inventions which actually was a part of the historical Franklins career. In regards to his actual scientific achievements, Franklin is noted by historians to have been a brilliant inventor and adapter of existing technologies: He repeated the experiments of other scientists and showed his usual practical bent by inventing such diverse things as the Franklin stove, bifocal eyeglasses, and a glass harmonica (Franklin, Benjamin, 2007); he is regarded as having a very brilliant scientific mind and a keen sense of practical implementation of abstract ideas. These qualities are also present in Franklins philosophical and political ideas which will be discussed shortly and together, Franklins scientific, philosophical. and political vision actually coincide with the popular aesthetic already shown to have been a part of his literary output. In some ways, Franklins cultural contributions mirror a deeply democratic sense of purpose and fulfillment: the creation of common axioms, a common wisdom, along with useful technologies are not separate from Franklins political vision. Ironically, the egalitarianism which is inferred in Franklins guiding principles is less present on the surface in his specifically political writings. When specifically considering Franklins political beliefs and writings, it should be pointed out that Franklin was actually very different from the other Founding Fathers. He was older and more committed to the British Empire and certainly more cosmopolitan and urbane than they were (Morgan, 2005, p. 551) and because Franklin lived abroad for just under twenty years in England and having traveled a lot through Europe, Franklin was in many ways the least American of the revolutionaries (Morgan, 2005, p. 551). This duality in the historical Franklin is, of course, completely absent from the lightning and key mythic Franklin who is regarded as a Founding Father of American democracy. This last idea of the myth of Franklin is true enough, but as this paper has hopefully shown, the historical picture of Franklin is a more ambiguous and much more complex than the myth. This is an understandable condition because part of what myth does with historical events is to simplify them and streamline them so that the symbolic impact can be made more powerful and less diluted by alternate interpretation. It would be difficult if not impossible, for example, to generate a mythic vision of Franklin which included the historical reality that Franklin preferred the social and intellectual life of London to that of Philadelphia (Morgan, 2005, p. 551) or that his landlady, Margaret Stevenson, and her precocious daughter, Polly, provided Franklin with more compatible intellectual companionship than did his own wife and daughter (Morgan, 2005, p. 551) so these very real and very important aspects of Franklins actual life and his actual personality are absent from the Franklin myth. Yet these aspects, and others, are extremely important in helping to define and understand what exactly Franklin contributed as a Founding Father of American democracy. That his cultural contributions, whether humorous, literary, or scientific not only fostered his myth but actually altered the course and evolution of American society is demonstrable by way of historical evidence. What, then, were Franklins political contributions to the early American nation? Did Franklin evidence as much resourcefulness and thoroughness in his political career as he evidenced in his career as a printer, or humorist, or inventor? One very interesting aspect of Franklins life is that he dealt with not only the revolt of the American colonies against a British Empire which he loved, but also with the resulting estrangement from his own (illegitimate) son during the course of the war. Franklins actions at the outbreak of the Revolutionary War give a solid glimpse into his sympathies and beliefs at the time: As trouble between the British government and the colonies grew with the approach of the American Revolution, Franklins deep love for his native land and his devotion to individual freedom brought (1775) him back to America. There, while his illegitimate son, William Franklin, was becoming a leader of the Loyalists, Benjamin Franklin became one of the greatest statesmen of the American Revolution and of the newborn nation. (Franklin, Benjamin, 2007) As a statesman, Franklins contributions can be at least to some degree quantified and cited: he was postmaster general, a delegate to the Continental Congress, an appointee and signatory to the committee which wrote the Declaration of Independence, he was also sent to Canada with Samuel Chase and Charles Carroll of Carrollton to persuade the people of Canada to join the patriot cause (Franklin, Benjamin, 2007). The mythic vision of Franklin as a powerful statesman delivering powerful, moving oratory before the Continental Congress, or laboriously poring over draft versions of the Declaration of Independence are confronted by anecdotes of historical fact. An example of this is John Adams, who contemptuously described a Franklin from day to day sitting in silence, a great part of the time fast asleep in his chair and sighed that he was likely nevertheless to get credit for everything achieved by the Congress, (Lopez Herbert, 1975, p. 203). Again, Franklins political reputation was based not so much in his perception among his American colleagues, but in his foreign popularity and fame. His best tactic was not spell-binding oratory or intricate legalese, but in injecting a calm pronouncement or a bit of humor (Lopez Herbert, 1975, p. 203) into difficult political processes. The question still remains as to what Franklin, personally, believed about the American Revolution during the time of the revolt and afterward and whether or not Franklin can be accurately described as a firm believer in democratic principles. The historical facts suggest that Franklin held conflicting views about democracy and royalist rule. On the one hand, he advocated personal liberty, on the other, he seemed reluctant to dismiss with the notion of a royalist government altogether. As he wrote in the Autobiography, his feelings were not at all certain during the time of the approaching revolution: In our way thither I projected and drew up a plan for the union of all the colonies under one government, so far as might be necessary for defense, and other important general purposes (Franklin, 1914, p. 131) but here there is no mention of a constitution or a strong Federal government at all. Franklins own visions for a single-chamber congress and a weak executive council were rejected (Franklin, Benjamin, 2007) and, alter, although he objected to aspects of the final Constitution, he helped to direct the compromise [and] worked earnestly for its ratification (Franklin, Benjamin, 2007). The picture which emerges of Franklin as a politician is one of a man whose core-principles were challenged by the birth of a new government, but who fought resolutely on behalf of the new nation without regard for the degree to which it mirrored, exactly, his always-evolving personal beliefs. In addition to the differences which are evident between Franklin the myth and Franklin the historical figure in regard to his literary, scientific, and political contributions to American history, two other areas of Franklins life are absent from the mythological figure of Franklin: his religious and racial convictions. Of course, it is absolutely true that Franklins religious convictions and his views on race and ethnicity evolved throughout his lifetime. On the other hand, Franklins religious beliefs seemed to occupy a central place in his interpretation of his own lifes purpose and the meaning of his life. Where religion is concerned, Franklins most intimate beliefs depict a rather traditional point of view. Because of his personal experiences and personal fortunes, Franklin tended to view the arc of his life in rather conventional religious terms: Scattered through his writings are sentences full of gratitude to God for His favor in lifting him up from such a low to such a high estate, in bringing him substantially unscathed through the graver dangers and baser temptations of human life, and in affording him the assurance that the divine goodness, of which he had received such signal proofs in his career, would not cease with his death (Bruce, 1917, p. 51) these simple, but enduring, beliefs are easily compatible with many forms of American Christianity. That said, it would be very difficult to trace an influence from Franklin to modern Christianity, nor an influence of Christianity directly on the myth of Franklin. In both fact and in myth, Franklins traditional religious ideas are downplayed due, presumably, to their being conspicuously in keeping with the common ideas of Franklins time. Interestingly enough, Franklin retained his religious convictions at the close of his very eventful life and the fruition of his religious convictions strengthened him in old age and in death. As one of his biographers wrote: WHEN THE DAY CAME, April 17, 1790, he was ready. All his life he had been gingerly taming death, stripping it of its awe and power, clothing it in appealing metaphors of travel and bliss, humoring it, giving it a place in the family circle (Lopez Herbert, 1975, p. 308) and because of his receptiveness to deeply held religious convictions which were, nonetheless, not tied to any kind of dogma or strict adherence to religious doctrine, Franklins religious philosophies and his actual death are gestures, also, of a democratic sprit and and individualist. The conflict which the religious side of the historical Franklin presents for the mythic vision of Franklin is difficult to articulate. It has to do with the fact that, while Franklins individualistic take on Christian principles and religious ideas does, in fact, make a very compatible fit with the American notion of individual liberty, Franklins avoidance of traditional dogma and doctrine results in making his individualistic religious beliefs more difficult to define and express to a popular audience. Just as there is no easy mythical expression for Franklins humor, as there is for his scientific prowess, there is no ready mythic symbol for his peculiarly individualistic religious beliefs which are rooted in traditional Christianity. Just as Franklins religious attitudes fail to find mythic expression, his ambiguous views on race and racial prejudice also are a poor fit for the Franklin myth. The attentive observer of history will take into consideration that at various points in his life, Franklin was demonstrably racist and xenophobic: Franklin was clearly unhappy about the great number of Germans who were immigrating to his home town of Philadelphia, even though many supported him by patronizing his printing business (Lapham Saunders, 2005) and also, Franklin prior to the Revolutionary War grumbled about Philadelphias bilingual (English and German) street signs and complained that the Pennsylvania parliament needed to use translators (Lapham Saunders, 2005). In addition to these historical facts, there is evidence that Franklin was not only racist, but perhaps a bit paranoid about other races and cultures. He wrote on one occasion, That the Number of purely white People in the World is proportionably very small. (Lapham Saunders, 2005) which in and of itself might be considered merely an observation of fact until it is paired with Franklins words, which preceded the statement: Why should Pennsylvania, founded by the English, become a Colony of Aliens, who will shortly be so numerous as to Germanize us instead of our Anglifying them (Lapham Saunders, 2005). These kinds of historical details and indications of Franklins character have no place in the Franklin myth. Their impact on the historical influence of Franklin is one which is very complicated and fascinating because the evolution of Franklins thoughts and actions in regard to issues of race underwent a profound change throughout his life. Although Franklin seemed to regard one race being in conflict with another in some of his writings, he nevertheless, was chosen to be president of one of the first anti-slavery societies in America, (Lapham Saunders, 2005) and he went on to help to create black schools, assist free blacks to obtain work, promote family-friendly values, and improve the social conditions black children (Lapham Saunders, 2005). The most important aspect of Franklins views on racism is that his ideas evolved over his lifetime, becoming more tolerant and egalitarian as he grew older (Lapham Saunders, 2005), however, even such a dramatic and ultimately positivistic aspect of Franklins historical biography is left out of the Franklin myth. A letter to Franklin from his sister seems to encapsulate the very kinds of ambiguities and vagaries which the myth of Franklin exists to erase. His sister remarks of the American revolution: to Propagate Is stufed into them, it is Dificult to know whither Either Party are in the Right. for my Part I wish we had Let alone strife before it was medled with folowed things that make for Peace (Van Doren, 1950, p. 107) and from this letter and others like it, the modern observer is able to glean at least a partial understanding that ideas and conflicts in Franklins time were no more clear, no more black and white than they are in our own. In conclusion, while the myth of Benjamin Franklin, the man who discovered electricity with a key tied to a kite, the man who wrote the Declaration of Independence, a man who is one of the Founding Fathers of America, is a powerful and enduring myth, the historical facts of Franklins long and eventful life offer and a more authentic illustration of early-American philosophy, politics, and culture. The conflict between the myth of Franklin and Franklin the historical figure is rooted in the fact that historical truths are often ambiguous, complex and difficult to express succinctly, whereas myth, while sacrificing authenticity often makes a far more expedient impact on popular consciousness. Franklin the historical figure achieved a far greater influence practically over the development of American culture and American politics than the myth is capable of expressing; however, the historical facts of Franklins life also sometimes stand in stark opposition to the myth which they, at least in part, began. References Bruce, W. C. (1917). Benjamin Franklin, Self-Revealed: A Biographical and Critical Study Based Mainly on His Own Writings (Vol. 1). New York: G. P. Putnams Sons. Franklin, Benjamin. (2007). In The Columbia Encyclopedia (6th ed. ). New York: Columbia University Press. Ford, P. L. (1899). The Many-Sided Franklin. New York: The Century Co. Franklin, B. (1914). The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. New York: Macmillan. Frasca, R. (2007). Benjamin Franklin Unmasked: On the Unity of His Moral, Religious, and Political Thought. The Historian, 69(2), 359+. Lapham, S. S. , Saunders, A. (2005). Benjamin Franklins Evolving Views on Race and Ethnicity. Social Education, 69(1), 13+. Lopez, C. , Herbert, E. W. (1975). The Private Franklin: The Man and His Family. New York: W. W. Norton. Morgan, D. T. (2005). The Americanization of Benjamin Franklin. The Historian, 67(3), 551. Van Doren, C. (Ed. ). (1950). The Letters of Benjamin Franklin Jane Mecom. Princeton, NJ:
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