Programming Under The Wizards Spell :: essays research papers

The computer is a tool that has become indispensable to the modern family and company. In flourishing so successfully the computer has passed from incredibly complex and unusable to anyone how was not well versed in its intricacies, to consumer oriented and user-friendly. In Ellen Ullman's essay, Programming Under The Wizard's Spell, she attempts to convince to reader that the computer has been over simplified to the point of no return. The simplification of the computer made it more user-friendly and there for more appealing to customers, this only blinded people into using the computer the way corporate America wanted them to, using without understanding. First, this essay is a hybrid, it is a mix of the expository and comparison and contrast essay. In the first part she attempts to examine the differences between various Microsoft operating systems and the Unix operating system. Then the author tries to answer the question ''What is it ?'' and ''What is it not ?'' in paragraphs 3, Ullman states : ''Unix always presumes that you know what you're doing.'' and in referring to Microsoft she states it as: "Consumer-oriented, idiot-proofed, covered by its pretty skin of icons and dialog boxes [...]". She has tactfully drawn the boundaries between the two products which start to take one the appearance of the good and the corporate induced bad. Ullman has now inferred her goal, she wishes to convince the reader of her convictions of the new computerised corporate America. Also, she uses simple wording, narration and a somewhat comic anecdote of her experiences, effectively leading the reader into drawing negative conclusions about the new consumer oriented computer. She does not truly attempt to be objective but gives that illusion by shortly stating in the first paragraph: ''a reasonable, professional choice in a world where Microsoft platforms are everywhere''. This was a reasonably good statement that inspires in the reader to believe that Ellen Ullman is waying the good and the bad. Further more, once finished, the reader can only conclude that there where so many more bad things than good things about Microsoft that it most likely a bad product hinged on reducing our computing freedom. This conclusion is of course the only one possible to anyone how reads the essay. she made it this way but without actually expressing this opinion herself, she is merle telling a story littered with an unfavourable tone that seeped out of the text by her choice of wording: "My computer.

Stefan’s Diaries: The Craving Chapter 25

Anger was all I had left, and I let rage fuel me the way human blood had in my first weeks as a vampire. I couldn't believe Damon's indifference, couldn't understand who he'd become. But him not helping didn't change what I needed to do: save Lexi. Across the street a gentleman upon a coal-black mare was talking amiably down to a shopkeeper. The moment the shopkeeper went in to get something I grabbed the horse's reins and, breaking my vow for the second time in twenty-four hours, I compelled the rider to dismount and enjoy a nice long walk back home. Though normally I'd be faster than a horse, I was hungry and drained, so with gentle whispers and a crack of the reins I was off uptown, loudly galloping upon the New York City streets. She was a fine beast and responded to my every gentle nudge, the slightest clench of my knees. With the wind in my hair and the leather in my grip, I almost felt like my old self again. But the sky was beginning to lighten, in that hushed crystal blue of early morning, and I had to urge every last bit of speed out of the horse. Lexi's life might depend on it. As we mounted the long drive up to the Richards' and took the small path to the family chapel on the right, I knew I had made the right decision. I could smell the old one's presence, the miasma of old blood, death, and decay that followed around him like a shadow. My horse whinnied in terror. I leaped off the horse before she had really stopped and gave her a gentle spank. â€Å"Go home,† I ordered. She reared up, as if unwilling to give up her newfound freedom, then turned and galloped away. I ran into the great hall where I was wed, pushing aside a lone servant who stood in my way. Lexi was there, tied to the altar like an ancient sacrifice. The smell of vervain burned my nose – her ropes had clearly been soaked in it. The sun had risen, and its presence came in the form of a bloodred puddle from an east-facing stained glass window. As the light slowly moved toward her feet she squirmed and gasped, trying to pull her legs out of the way. A wisp of smoke rose up where the deadly sun had just begun to touch her toes, and the strange smell of burning flesh filled the room. â€Å"Lexi!† I yelled. â€Å"Stefan!† she sobbed in pain and relief. I thought fast. It would take me far too long to figure out how to remove the vervain-soaked ropes, and there was nothing I could cover the windows with, no tapestries or easily pulled-up rugs or runners. Without thinking of my own safety, I ran over and grabbed her small white hand, slipping my ring over her finger. â€Å"But, Stefan,† Lexi protested. â€Å"You need it if you're going to keep chasing after and saving me,† I said, pulling all her ropes off. The vervain burned my fingers raw, but preserved her until she was free. Despite the pain in my fingers, I felt light and hopeful. I had done it. I'd saved Lexi. â€Å"Now let's get you – â€Å" But at that moment, a vervain-soaked net fell on us both, searing every inch of my body. â€Å"Run!† I shouted, pushing Lexi out of the way. She rolled to the floor, then reached for the edge of a pew to help right herself. As she extended her arm, though, it passed through a shaft of sunlight. Her eyes widened in wonder, clearly shocked that no smoke appeared and her skin didn't burn. And then she disappeared, blurring with vampire speed away from the scene. I put up my hands, trying to keep the netting off my face, but I twisted and cried out wherever the poisoned rope touched me. The ancient vampire appeared, giant leather gloves on his hands and a big grin on his pale face. â€Å"Hello.† The corners of his mouth pulled back too far, revealing a set of strong white teeth wedged in decaying gums. â€Å"So predictable, coming to rescue a damsel in distress.† That foul odor of a slaughterhouse enveloped me like a hot wind in August: inescapable, absolute, and horrible. Despite the burning nets, I tried to turn away from it. That only made him chuckle. â€Å"Where is the one who is always near you and just out of your grasp, like a shadow? Where is your brother?† I clenched my jaw. Knowing Damon, he was swilling his third whiskey, preparing to feast on a saloon girl or two. Lucius studied my silent face, seeming to mistake it for bravado. â€Å"Well, it is no matter. I will get him eventually. Your brother is more like a real vampyr than you, no interest in anything outside his little world, no desire to do good. He may survive for a trifle longer.† â€Å"What do you plan to do with me?† I demanded. Though in truth, now that Lexi was safe, I didn't fear for my own safety. I wished only to have the chance to kill the monster, to stop him from exacting further revenge and preying on more humans. But the vervain was drawing out my Power like a siphon, and I knew even scratching the old one would be a small victory. The beast grabbed the net and threw me over his shoulder like I was nothing more than a bag of mice or feathers. â€Å"My plans are not particularly spectacular,† he said as he lumbered down the church's aisle. There were still rose petals on the floor, I noted, drying away into thin scraps of nothing. The flowers in vases were wilted, everything left to wither after the murder of the brides. â€Å"But they will be enduring. Vampires can survive a very, very long time. Without food. Slowly starving over the centuries and still not dying.† The net shifted as he shrugged. â€Å"Well, eventually, perhaps. I've never seen it happen, but I suppose we'll find out.† He took a sudden left into the private chapel, stopping in front of a set of double doors – the crypt, I suddenly realized with mounting dread. Although the doors were solid, carved marble, Lucius had no problem throwing them open, dumping me out of the net, and tossing me into a tiny stone room, barely larger than the dozen coffins interred there. For one brief moment, I relished the feel of the cool air rushing over my burned skin. But then he let out a low growl. â€Å"When your hunger for blood eats you from the inside and makes you go mad, do not worry – I will be there, listening. Watching. And laughing.† My last sight was of the ancient standing, outlined in a bright halo of the living world, waving. Then he threw the doors closed with a slam that echoed to the very heavens, and I was in utter darkness. I raced to the doors and threw my weight against them. They didn't even rattle. Trying to quell my rising hysteria, I took in the dank, musty room, searching for an opening, a secret exit, an out, even though a voice at the back of my mind screamed, â€Å"It's a crypt, Stefan! Death is the only way out!† I wove through the maze of coffins and sarcophagi. Even in my panic I noticed the ornate carvings and brass hinges. One of the marble tombs had the portrait of a young girl engraved in high relief. She had wide eyes and bow-shaped lips. I slumped over the carving, as though I could hug the girl resting beneath it. At least Lexi was safe, I told myself. If nothing else, at least I could spend the centuries knowing that she was out there somewhere, living her life – protected by my ring. And maybe, just maybe, trying to find me. â€Å"So long,† I whispered to Lexi in the silence of the tomb. As if on cue, the doors to the crypt opened one last time, and a petite blonde came hurtling through, landing with a thud at my feet. â€Å"Lexi!† I cried as the doors slammed shut behind her, plunging us into darkness again. â€Å"Hey there,† she said weakly. â€Å"Fancy meeting you here.†

three arguments Essay - 741 Words

Three arguments Word critical argument analysis essay, focuses on three professional essays and how these authors construct their arguments using opinion and evidence. There are many different ways in which authors can construct their arguments. In the highly controversial topic of legalizing marijuana I found three very different styles of arguments in which the authors backed up their opinions with facts. In my reading of these arguments each writer had there own style. The first essay by Stephen B. Duke, Cannabis Captiva Freeing the World from Marijuana Prohibition, the second Medical marijuana laws in 50 states: Investigating the relationship between state legalization of medical marijuana and marijuana use, abuse†¦show more content†¦The author used facts in history to support his argument. In this essay, Medical marijuana laws in 50 states: Investigating the relationship between state legalization of medical marijuana and marijuana use, abuse and dependence, the authors took a survey taken by individuals who lived in states where marijuana was legal and residents of states where marijuana was illegal. Cerda (2011)† We combined abuse and dependence into one outcome, since empirical findings indicate that it better captures the underlying prevalence of cannabis use disorders than dependence or abuse alone. While substance use disorders were originally conceived as a bi-axial syndrome with dependence capturing more physiologic dimensions of addiction and abuse capturing more behavioral consequences, there is now substantial evidence to indicate that abuse and dependence criteria, including cannabis use disorder criteria, represent a uni-dimensional construct† (para. 10). In this argumentative essay the writer takes the results of the survey and concludes that there is a strong relationship between use, abuse and dependence in states that have made marijuana legal. This argument shows that by keeping it illegal there are less people who use, abuse and become dependent on it. The author used a survey in which took results of states where marijuana was legal and where marijuana was illegal to support his argument. In the article, Poll: Nationwide Marijuana LegalizationShow MoreRelatedThree Spheres of an Argument1199 Words   |  5 PagesAccording to Goodnight, there are three spheres of an argument. These spheres are personal, public and technical. Arguments in the personal sphere are often unrestricted and unsophisticated interactions with family and friends. Arguments in the technical sphere are based on a specific expertise or specialized knowledge. 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