Analyzing the Pressing Issues Described in Ehrlichs...

â€Å"We’re all scared. But we must tell the truth about what’s happening and challenge people to do something to prevent it† – Paul Ehrlich. (Leahy,2013) The future of our planet has been a great concern for the global community for many years. In their article ‘Can a Collapse of Global Civilisation be Avoided?’ Paul and Anne Ehrlich explore the current ecological and socio-cultural trends that they believe, if left untreated, will lead to the inevitable collapse. Unlike past civilizations, the modern global community has the knowledge, skills and technologies to solve the several pressing issues Ehrlich presents in this article. So what are those issues? Since the agricultural revolution, technological developments and advancements have†¦show more content†¦There are at least two billion people are hungry or malnourished and the Food and Agriculture Organisation estimates that food production will need to increase by 70% (FAO Report, 2009) to keep up with the demands of a growing population. Overconsumption also contributes to the widening gap. In fact, if every person consumed resources at a US level, four to five more earths would be needed! (Ehrlich, 2013)The article also poses the question of how best to humanely restrict population growth. It is suggested that women should be provided with access to education and all sexually active people are provided with contraception and access to abortions, a decision that would meet much opposition from religious organisations. Finally, Ehrlich discusses the role of the scientific community and the need for global cooperation if anything is to be done. The need for better education is greatly emphasised, not only for the public but also for governments and economists. Collaboration between social scientists and natural scientists is suggested in order to better understand how to facilitate the ‘mobilization’ of society that is required to solve these issues on a global level. Public myths such as the saving powers of technological innovation need to be broken and an emphasis placed on developing ‘foresight intelligence’, which Ehrlich claims will provide the long-term analysis andShow MoreRelatedOne Significant Change That Has Occurred in the World Between 1900 and 2005. Explain the Impact This Change Has Made on Our Lives and Why It Is an Important Change.163893 Words   |  656 Pagestwenty-first century, have left their homes every year for more than twenty-four hours and †Å"not more than one consecutive WORLD MIGRATION IN THE LONG TWENTIETH CENTURY †¢ 11 year for leisure, business or other purposes,† as tourists are described by the World Tourism Organization.5 Much of this mobility is a continuation and expansion of practices that have been going on for centuries: travel for trade and business, the colonization of agricultural lands, the movement of soldiers and

Pollution Allowances Is A Market Based Economy Policy Accounting Essay Free Essays

string(88) " trading is a sort of method to pull off and command pollution, is based on the market\." Pollution allowance is besides called as emanation rights. This construct is foremost introduced by John Davis in 1968 in the book â€Å" pollution, belongings and monetary value † ( Opschoor, Lohman and Vos, 1994 ) . It refers to the emitters in environmental protection supervising and disposal sections ‘ quota allotment, and in the premiss to guarantee that the rights do non damage the other public environmental rights, shall bask the right to the discharge of pollutants ( Gibson, 1996 ) . We will write a custom essay sample on Pollution Allowances Is A Market Based Economy Policy Accounting Essay or any similar topic only for you Order Now In 1968, when the American economic expert Davis foremost proposed this construct, its intension is the authorities as society ‘s representative and the proprietor of the environmental resources sells the right of emanation of pollutants to the highest bidders like securities ( Gibson, 1996 ) . Polluters can purchase this sort of right from the authorities, or from the defilers who have the emanation right. Polluters can besides purchase or reassign the ownership of emanation right. 1.2 characteristic of pollution allowances Pollution allowances is a market based economic system policy and economic stimulation method ( Gainesand, 1991 ) . It to the full exerts the market mechanism ‘s function in resource allotment. The features of pollution allowances are chiefly manifested in the undermentioned facets: First, a pollution allowance is an economic policy and economic stimulation method. The United Nations economic organisations and development liberty council in 1991 January proposed â€Å" proposal of utilizing economic agencies in environmental policy † and suggested members more extensively and steadfastly to follow economic steps, as other policies means complement or replacing ( Aggie, 1995 ) . This proposal put frontward four types of economic methods for mention: the first is the fees and a revenue enhancement, the 2nd is a tradable license ; the 3rd is sedimentation system ; the 4th is fiscal subsidies ( OECD, 1998 ) . From the proposal can see pollution allowance is a sort of economic methods to protect the environment. In 1992 The United Nations conference on environment and development passed the Rio declaration, the rule 16 points out â€Å" sing defilers shall bear the cost of pollution in rule point of view, national governments should do more attempts to advanc e the internalisation of environment cost and use of economic agencies, and proper attention of public involvement, and do non falsify international trade and investing. † The meeting passed the docket 21, in which chapter 8 stresses â€Å" need to do appropriate attempts, more efficient and more extended usage of economic agencies † ; â€Å" Governments should see roll uping agencies of economic system and the market mechanism to set up the effectual combination of economic agencies†¦ , direct control method and the voluntary agencies ( Lehman, 1996 ) . This symbolizes that pollution allowance is wholly different from other environmental economic policies. Second, pollution allowance is a market-based pollution control manner. U.S. federal legislative acts provides a sort of â€Å" market control † manner to utilize market mechanism to forestall pollution and waste decrease marks ( Milne, 1996 ) . The cost of pollution externalization frequently causes societal equity and low economic efficiency, the market control manner is through pollution cost allotment alteration to better efficiency and equity, its get downing point is to take the pollution cost as a cost of merchandise, instead than allow it ascribe to the society. The Clean Air Act 1990 in amendments proposed system of emanation trade is a sort of typical market-based pollution control manner ( OECD, 1993 ) . Now this form more altered to the development of market economic system, so besides progressively used by authoritiess. Third, pollution allowance is by supplying ways and means to better the efficiency of the cost of administration pollution, application signifiers of economic levers to mobilise the enthusiasm of pollutant discharging endeavors, in order to recognize the pollutants cuts for the intent. It is a sort of specific and runing theoretical account, non straight reflected in its environmental aims, but to accomplish aims and supply ways and agencies ( Cook, 2009 ) . Pollution-discharge right trade can utilize the entire sum control make policy execution conditions, give full drama to the flexible economic stimulation map, do up and rectify entire sum control itself low efficiency job because of â€Å" command – control † ( Lohamann, 2009 ) . Theoretical survey and pattern show that, compared with concentration control, entire sum control, particularly capacity sum control, is the effectual step to protect the environment capacity of resources. 2. Accounting intervention of pollution allowances 2.1 accounting intervention of pollution allowances As environmental direction alterations from concentration control to entire sum control, at nowadays for environmental pollution fee besides changes from originally pollutants exceeds charge to emanation charges. Chemical and papermaking industries paid blowdown will increase more 30 % – 80 % than the original, thermic power industry ‘s paid blowdown will better about 10 times ( Aggie, 1995 ) . For pollution emanation endeavors, environmental policy is an endeavor ‘s of import economic policy, implement a policy measures taken, and its related assets, liabilities, income and contemplation control is besides more and more by the authorities, the society and the endeavor concerned. At present in the endeavor accounting system still merely at direction disbursals ‘ item undertaking â€Å" pollution fees † check endeavors ‘ paid blowdown. This pattern defects are as follows, foremost, because the authorities is charged pollution fees harmonizing to à ¢â‚¬Å" who pollute pay the fees † rule, such charge policy can non efficaciously motivate endeavors to actively command pollution and cut down emanations, the whole society can non recognize the sustainable development ends ( Opschoor, Lohman and Vos, 1994 ) . Second, because the environment ‘s limited pollution suiting ability and the scarceness nature of pollutants dismissed power, enterprises existent pollution emanation right shall be reflected as the endeavor resources in accounting statements, should non be used as fees. Third, from tradable emanation in the universe, some endeavors already join the sub undertakings or specific countries of pollution-discharge right trade program, in the world of pollution-discharge right trade for its comparative slowdown of the accounting criterion, and hapless maneuverability, brings trouble to the endeavors to reflect and command trading affairs needfully, and impact the accounting information determination utility. 2.2 development of emanation trading Emission trading is a sort of method to pull off and command pollution, is based on the market. You read "Pollution Allowances Is A Market Based Economy Policy Accounting Essay" in category "Essay examples" The execution of emanation right by and large is done by the environmental administrative sections under the selected restricted country or within sections, which design limited emanations and cap-and-trade plan, to give emitters ‘ quota ( Gainesand, 1991 ) . The competent sections harmonizing to the achieved decrease ends lessening quota twelvemonth by twelvemonth. This provides trading platform for emanation right. Emission trade thought is derived from â€Å" Kose theorem † , every bit long as the market dealing cost is zero, no affair what the initial belongings constellation position is, through the dealing can accomplish the optimum allotment of resources ( Aggie, 1995 ) . Emission trading is foremost used by the us federal agency in air pollution and river pollution direction, particularly since in 1990 it was used in entire SO2 emanations control, has achieved the unprecedented success, has achieved great economic benefits and societal benefits. Harmonizing to the entire U.S. accounting house estimates, American emanations are evidently controlled, at the same clip, the cost of pull offing pollution is saved by about 2 billion dollars ( Lehman, 1996 ) . Germany, Australia, UK and other states in turn conduct emanation portion trade policies and patterns. Already officially effectual Kyoto protocol besides proposes that from 2008, states can carry on emanation trading ends. The European Union has launched â€Å" waste gas emanation trading system † , seeking to utilize market economic agencies, use the â€Å" unseeable manus † to force European endeavors to take part in the procedure of nursery gas emanation decrease. The EU ‘s â€Å" exhaust emanation trading market † is the first international emanation trading market. The European committee harmonizing to â€Å" the entire control, divide the load † rule foremost identified each member C emanations, once more by each member assigned to the several national endeavors. As for allotment manner, each member authorities should apportion at least 95 % of quotas free to endeavors ; the staying 5 % quota can be adopted bidding manner ( IASB, 2010 ) . 3. Accounting issue of pollution allowances 3.1 verification of pollution allowance Emission right as a production factor is scarce and valuable, besides has the possibility of appreciation income ( Milne, 1996 ) . Harmonizing to the recognized accounting patterns, assets are defined as a consequence of past events and formed by endeavor control, and is expected to bring forth economic benefits to the endeavor resources. International accounting standard 38 â€Å" intangible assets † defines emanation right is granted by the authorities, and it is a specific signifier of the franchise right. As for the confirm scope job of intangible assets of pollution-discharge right, how to reasonably and rightly allow the initial emanation quotas to endeavors is a trouble. Western states in pattern the initial emanation rights ‘ allotment methods normally include bide, administer freely and fixed monetary value sell these 3 sorts. In position of the differences of pattern, in order to reliably step emanation trade value, accounting merely confirms the emanation righ ts through understanding mode transferred or purchased. When the active pollution-discharge right trade market is bit by bit formed, authorities freely distributed pollution-discharge right can be besides confirmed as intangible assets in the engagement. 3.2 measuring of pollution allowance â€Å" Quota emanations and cap-and-trade program † will configure the participating topic ( participants ) emanations and cut their emanation quota to a certain degree ( viz. quota ) ends ( Cook, 2009 ) . By and large the quota granted by competent authorities sections to the participants is equal to the figure of the bound. â€Å" A bound emanations and cap-and-trade program † set the operation clip is a twelvemonth, and an execution of quotas normally is granted during the period to participants ( Lohmann, 2009 ) , by and large after the execution verify the existent emanations. Participants can freely purchase or sell emanation quotas, hence, the participants have three picks: can restrict its emanations ; can cut down their emanations below the quota and sell portion of them ; can bring forth more than its bound emanations, in this instance they must buy the exceeded portion emanations quota and bear the penalty. Participating endeavors should in the beginning of e ach program confirm achieved emanation. After the execution of programs, the participants are asked to pay the existent emanation quotas. If the participants can non present the adequate quotas, so must defy higher penalty. Participants held emanation quotas shall be entered an point in an history as intangible assets, and the attesting value is the existent payment. When participants ‘ emanation occurs, the already happened emanations quota duty is recognised as a liability. Should pay attending, emanation quotas ‘ obtain do non make net assets or net liabilities. 3.3 revelation of emanation trading About emanation trading fiscal place, runing consequences and hard currency flows information, participants should first study emanation quotas in the balance sheet ( Aggie, 1995 ) . Due to take part in emanation program, doing some assets expected generated hard currency flow cut down, and the damage of information shall be disclosed. Second, more information is disclosed in off-balance-sheet, including corporate revelation of the purchase and sale of pollution-discharge right trade volume and the measure. At the same clip reflecting emanation of the market monetary value alterations, and endeavors ‘ emanation trading fluctuant circumstance, this information for constructing a successful effectual pollution-discharge right trade market is really necessary. Held emanation quotas may be farther subdivided into initial awarded quotas and subsequently in the trading market purchase quota, harmonizing to the different sorts of pollution index cleavage. If a company held emanation q uotas is more than initial allotment measure, this explains endeavors in emanation market purchase emanation right. 4. Significance of pollution allowance Since Emission trade is put frontward in 1960s, particularly in 1990 it is used in SO2 field, has won great economic benefits and societal benefits. But as for the current emanation trade consequence and intending even the most successful American in pattern at that place have different sentiments. In the United States, such as New Mexico senator Minnixi calls it as â€Å" 1980s the most promising scenario † ( Aggie, 1995 ) . China ‘s many bookmans besides think, compared with traditional environmental direction manner, the broad application of market thought, will be more effectual to cut down pollution emanations. And some bookmans but think this sort of environmental direction agencies is non every bit perfect as imaginativeness. For illustration the American natural resources protection association of attorneies, the federal agency of air pollution ‘s former manager in 1986 conversation regarded this policy as a â€Å" cozenage † to let companies to incr ease pollution. At the same clip emanations ‘ trading in China is besides criticized by many bookmans, they think this policy is merely to copy the western jurisprudence, in China it has non wholly the possibility to win. I think that sufficient and sensible scene and building of pollution-discharge right trade market system can advance China ‘s air pollution and H2O pollution bar and control work and it is an of import manner of sustainable development. In the hereafter whether China ‘s air and H2O environment protection can acquire more advancement depends on whether signifier the existent significance of pollution-discharge right trade market, it non merely has economic value, more greatly environmental value. In Summary, the significance of emanation trading chiefly include the undermentioned facets: to cut the whole societal cost, efficaciously better the efficiency of pull offing pollution ; to advance companies ‘ invention, better pollution engineering ; to organize economic development and environment protection to heighten international fight ; to better the quality of environment enforcement. Decision In the decision that pollution allowances represent assets that should be reported on the balance sheets of companies entitled to such allowances. Emission trade development makes the research on emanation trade accounting issue has of import realistic significance. This paper analyzes emanation of initial acknowledgment and measuring, and concluding revelation and so on a series of accounting jobs. How to cite Pollution Allowances Is A Market Based Economy Policy Accounting Essay, Essay examples

Perseverance examples Essay Example For Students

Perseverance examples Essay What is perseverance? Perseverance is the ability to go on when things seem hopeless. It is also a measure of success, or at least how much sacrifice one is willing to make in the name of success. As students, it is impossible to achieve personal success without having a goal, or direction. The goal and direction that often propels us to achieve is perseverance. Perseverance is the ability to forge ahead despite setbacks that threaten to undermine all efforts to succeed. We are high school students and that means that the sense of urgency to strive for and to achieve personal success is now. With this urgency comes the expectation of having to persevere. This year has not been as easy one for us as a school body. We have been attacked by the local media, who have compared us to rotten apples It is at times like this that we need to understand how to go on in spite of obstacles that continually present themselves as a barrier between us and our goals. It is at times like this that we need to understand the essence of why we should go on. Success does not always come ea.

Antz vs. Anthem essays

Antz vs. Anthem essays The movie Antz and the book Anthem are really similar in the way that they have the same theme. In both of them we can see two characters (Z and Equality 7-2521) that emerge from society and suddenly realize that out there, there is a better reality. They live oppressed, wishing to find something new that satisfies them as individuals. The concept of evil is illustrated in both stories as the we or the colony. They try to rebel against the highest powers, one having positive results and the other one having negative results. Both of them are heroes trying to defeat what is called a collective society and create a new way of living. Successively both characters discover their need to act for themselves. Dating back since the people are conceived and mindless, the society in both the movie and the book oppresses them by determining what their job is going to be. In Antz the strongest are destined to be soldiers and the weak ones are fated to be workers. In Anthem this is different since the strong and knowledgeable ones are preplanned to have the lowest jobs in society. Equality 7-2521 is shown to be a skilled and enlightened character ever since he is born. The high powers have this in mind and send him to be a street sweeper, simultaneously sending the weak-minded ones to be part of the World Council. Another way they are oppressed is the separation of the social classes where they live. In Anthem they cant have interference with the members of other social classes; they can only talk to the members of their tribe or house. Due to this oppression they create an equal society where they grow faster and become a global power. Having the mentality that they live for the other, they w ork for the society and their needs, putting aside their own self-interests and desires. This way they make the colony or society grow faster and efficiently. The agent of evil in Antz is the general...

Defining Psychoborg Through Michael Jackson Morimura Essay Example

Defining Psychoborg Through Michael Jackson Morimura Essay Example Defining Psychoborg Through Michael Jackson Morimura Essay Defining Psychoborg Through Michael Jackson Morimura Essay Defining Psychoborg through Michael Jackson Morimura As an artist, one’s art may be used to depict emotion, used as an outlet for expression, or even to convey a distinctive message. Whether this may be appreciative or analytical in its purpose, Yasumasa Morimura’s depiction of the pop-icon, Michael Jackson, are certainly radical in his piece Psychoborg, from 1994. As a matter of fact, there is a clear resemblance between Michael Jackson and Yasumasa Morimura himself because he uses his art in order to identify himself and construct the Other, distinguish a transformation to create a multifaceted disposition, and creates no divergence between culture, race, and gender. In his works, the Japanese artist, Yasumasa Morimura, incorporates images of himself inserted into other famous western paintings and photographs using the computer. In this particular piece, he uses a photograph of Michael Jackson in three different poses, and inserts his face into each one. By doing so, Morimura is removing himself from his own body, characteristics, and identity, which in return embody the disposition of Michael Jackson himself. The composition being divided into 3 distinct parts, well divided into the general rule of thirds, also creates balance amongst the 3 characters depicted in this photograph. It allows for the viewer to be able to distinctively notice three different dimensions in the main character. The first pose (starting from left to right) being a photograph of something superhuman which distinguishes both Morimura and Michael Jackson as individuals with animal qualities and symbolize the embodiment of someone or something other than himself. In the second pose, we see Morimura and his hands firm in a rigged pose, however his face is relaxed, seeming solitary and calm. And in the third pose featuring the character as â€Å"the freak† refers to both â€Å"Morimura and Michael Jackson as â€Å"cyborgs† rather than humans. Similarly to Michael Jackson’s Thriller video, â€Å"it is the tale of the double, the man with two selves and two souls. † Subsequently, this explains that Michael Jackson, which very similarly to Morimura, both utilize artistic methods in order to identify their Other. Through this piece, we can see that Morimura dissects his individuality and identity while placing it into another individual helps indentify himself as a charact er with dual personalities and multiple dimensions. As Joonsung Yoon states, â€Å"his artwork reveals that photography is able to deconstruct and reconstruct his own self in a new way which constitutes and realizes the self, and of our contemporary way of seeing our own absence. † We can see that Morimura uses his artwork to draw similarities between his subject(s), Michael Jackson(s), in which he is able to distinguish and establish his â€Å"Other†. As well, the photograph being black and white provides high contrast and distinction within the image. This allows the viewer to be able to differentiate the background from the 3 characters themselves, which draws attention to the rigged poses of the 3 characters. This also suggests that the one character, both Michael Jackson and Yasumasa Morimura, are in or are experiencing transformation. As this piece depicts, Morimura and Michael Jackson both being: creatures, calm, and freaks as well. The artist, Morimura believes that adaptability and flexibility are both important characteristics that both he and Michael Jackson both posses. In fact, the artist even â€Å"explained his intentions by saying he believed all people had a common desire for transformation. † By showing the different stages through diverse and contrasting poses in this piece, the viewer is able to understand the transition of the transformation in both Morimura and Michael Jackson; Morimura specifically because he is literally in transformation through his portrait being inserted into another mans body in this photograph. Michael Jackson, however, shows this through his variety of expressions figuratively through his poses. Therefore, through the transition of different poses displayed in Morimura’s piece, Psychoborg, it is clear that both individuals have numerous and diverse attributes, which are identified through transformation in his piece. In the piece Psychoborg, Morimura also breaks the barriers between race, gender, and culture. Yasumasa Morimura being of Japanese origin, places himself in the body form of an African American man, which transcends racial segregations. Joonsung Yoon expresses how Morimura â€Å"shuttles back and forth between Eastern and Western cultures. One side of the piece identifies the Western culture through the character’s outfit and attire. The piece also suggests Western cultural fragments because it is not a painting nor was it derived from a painting. The piece represents change within traditional Western art including paintings and drawings into a more radical contemporary movement, which include technological integrations from the computer. Morimura also chooses to incorporate himself into a worldly Western pop icon. Through this, he distinguishes no real distinction because he intertwines and incorporates both the Eastern and Western culture, virtually meshing them into one. Morimura transgresses his cultural territories from East to West†¦however, Morimura is not a Westerner but an Easterner. † Through the combining of a Japanese man into an African American man’s body, we can understand the integration between cultures and races. Yasumasa Morimura’s Psychoborg is a clear depiction drawing the similarities between Michael Jackson and Morimura. Morimura’s piece is extremely effective because the message presented to the viewer take on both the literal and figurative form. Through the incorporation of his own face into the body of another man, he uses his piece to identify his characteristics, and his identity, show a transformation through the multiple poses presented in the piece, and challenge cultural and racial differences between Western and Eastern cultures. Margo, Jefferson. On Michael Jackson. New York: Random House, 2006. Morimura, Yasumasa. Encyclopedia Britannica Online, 2009, Encyclopedia Britannica. 28 Oct. 2009 . Yoon, Joonsung. â€Å"SEEING HIS OWN ABSENCE: Culture and Gender in Yasumasa Morimura’s Photographic Self-Portraits. † Journal of Visual Art Practice 2001. 28 Oct. 2009 .

Does Age Matter in Relationships Research Paper

Does Age Matter in Relationships - Research Paper Example The general trend that is most often observed in our society is when the man is older than the woman which is quite acceptable however; problems can arise if the opposite happens. Nonetheless, it is never impossible to be in a relationship which encompasses age differences as long as the couple understands each other and possesses the capability to resolve issues in case there are any. (Furman, 2000) It should be understood that here when we took about age, it does mean the physical changes that it imposes on the person; it is rather the maturity and change in the mental level that is under consideration. In a relationship, it does not really matter as to who is older and who is younger as long as there is compatibility and the maturity level matches. That is how it is often seen a 50 year old falling for someone who is half the age. An individual reaches a certain maturity level considering the various life experiences, hardships as well as personal beliefs and all this has no parti cular age limit whatsoever. One of the factors that can build or break a relationship is the common interests shared by the two people. The secret to successful relationships is mostly the similarity and convergence that exists between the hobbies and activities of individuals. Like it is said, birds of a feather flock together; this notion holds true for relationships too and is the key to most of the successful and prosperous relationships. However it does not mean that it is necessary for the couple to have similar interests, this is only possible in perfect situations which clearly do not exist. What’s more important is to share some time together doing things that interest both. One of the things that hold importance when it comes to carrying relationships with major age differences is to determine whether it will be a hindrance in doing particular activities together such as hiking, skiing, travelling etc. (Douglas, 2002) While at one point the things that contribute to a healthy relationship may be mental compatibility, similar interests and hobbies, same career choices or merely the love factor. If looked from the other point of view, the picture has a completely different dimension to it as well. The most significant among them being the biological factor, which alters the needs and priorities of people owing to their age and experience. While at one point of life, one of the two people in the relationship may want to live life to the fullest while the other might want to keep the pace slow. In some cases where women are older than men, women have to face a lot of criticism and deal with the pressures coming from the society. Biological factors such as woman’s incapability to reproduce due to old age are also inevitable and can stain the relationship if the man is not understanding and supportive and also if the issue has not been discussed before. (Jennifer, 2008) The common trends in a society, personal experiences and beliefs also pla y a great role in determining and deciding what the possible age difference should be. Women tend to be inclined towards older men owing to the fact that they are mature, well settled, and seeking for a serious and long term relationship which is quite contrary to the attitude of younger men who are non serious and are not sure of what

The Use of Public Relations During the Ashlee Simpson Essay

The Use of Public Relations During the Ashlee Simpson - Essay Example The aim of this paper is to thoroughly discuss all of these reasons, especially in regards to how the use of public relations was used in this case to keep her career alive; her PR team not only got her out of the crisis but helped to put her back in the spotlight. This is what will be dissertated in the following. Ashlee Nicole Simpson, born October 3, 1984, is an American pop rock singer and actress. "Originally known for being the younger sister of pop singer Jessica Simpson, Simpson eventually rose to prominence in her own right in mid-2004 through her chart topping album debut Autobiography and the accompanying MTV reality series The Ashlee Simpson Show." (Famous QT, 2006). Quoting herself as a "simple girl in a complex world" (Contact Music, 2006), it was only recently that Ashlee Simpson was on the rise to stardom. It was on the October 23/24, 2004 episode of Saturday Night Live that Ashlee Simpson was scheduled to perform as that night's featured musical guest. The first song she performed was 'Pieces of Me', which went through without any problems. However, when she began her second song of the night, 'Autobiography', the song 'Pieces of Me' was heard again - including her vocals - before she had raised the microphone to her mouth. It was after this brutal turn of events that Simpson called in to the music video show Total Request Live and "explained that due to complications arising from a 'severe' variation of acid reflux (which had previously been seen in The Ashlee Simpson Show) she had completely lost her voice and her doctor had advised her not to sing." (Wikipedia, 2006). This incident caused a tremendous amount of trouble for the young singer, as the public began doubting her singing talents at all and labeling her as nothing but a 'lip-syncher'. As well, "Visitors have flooded her site and bashed Simpson on her official web site's forum, the media continues to write articles and industry pros are speaking out about the use of vocal tracks during performances." (Duncan, 2004). There have been many arguments made which have stemmed from this that base around the fact that Simpson is a 'manufactured' artist with little singing talent. "It has also been argued that Simpson's image (instead of her music) is the reason for her continued success." (Wikipedia, 2006). A public relations team is responsible for Public relations specialists (who are also referred to as 'communications specialists' and 'media specialists', among other titles) serve as advocates for persons. Public relations is the art and science of building relationships between an organization and its key publics; in this case Ashlee Simpson and the public (more specifically, her younger, more targeted audience). Celebrities tend to be fans of the saying that 'any publicity is good publicity', meaning that regardless of whether it is 'good' or 'bad' publicity, it is still good for their reputation, in that it is still a means of getting their name talked about among the public. "If a celebrity says or does something embarrassing, he or she will often turn it into a strength and make it part of his or her 'image'." (Wikipedia, 2006). However, in this situation, Ashlee Simpson's PR team did have to fix some immediate damage in order to fix the