The Internet And The Network Society Media Essay

The Internet And The Network Society Media Essay Throughout the past three decades, a plethora of major social, technological, economic, and cultural transformations (Castells, 2010: p. xvii) have combined resulting in the emergence of a new society the network society (see Castells, 2001a, 2001b, 2008, 2009. 2010; Hardt and Negri, 2000; van Dijk, 2006). Despite some commentators suggesting that the etymology of the term network society is extremely vague (Cavanagh, 2007), it is important, at this point, to provide a definition before proceeding to the subsequent discussion of changes which have occurred within and as a consequence of the network society. Manuel Castells (2001a), arguably the most significant theorist in this field, provides in my view the most concrete definition describing the network society as a society where the key social structures are organised around electronically processed information networks (p. 4). In this sense, the infrastructure of the network society is determined by the relationship between so cial, technical and media networks (van Dijk, 2006). It is beyond the scope of this paper to provide an all-embracing, comprehensive review of the network society and all of its components, therefore, the fundamental changes which have occurred vis-à ¡-vis communication will form the focus of this section. In the network society, face-to-face interaction remains the most prevalent and, arguably, the most important form of communication for various reasons. However, a number of technological devices have supplemented and, in part, replaced this form of communication (van Dijk, 2006). It is important to note that the rise in wireless devices, such as the mobile phone, have had a profound effect on the methods by which social beings interact. For example, in 2009, mobile phone use in the United Kingdom was almost ubiquitous (81%) (Office for National Statistics, 2010). In regards to mobile phone use amongst children, it was reported that more than half (56%) of those aged 8 11 had used a mobile device in 2007, primarily for text messaging (61%). Meanwhile, for those aged 12 15, mobile phone use was near ubiquitous (90%) with a significant majority (87%) sending at least one text message per week (Office for National Statistics, 2008). Thus, with the rise of wireless networks have enable d people to apply the telephone for communicatory purposes in alternative ways; for example the mobile phone allows and is increasingly used for text messaging, multimedia messaging, and Internet access. According to Castells (2010), we have witnessed an increasing technological convergence between the Internet and wireless communication and multiple applications that distribute communicative capacity throughout the wireless networks, thus multiplying points of access to the Internet (p. xxvi). A key example of such expansion is the recent proliferation of the iPhone which is estimated to surpass 100 million sales in 2011 (Chen, www.wired.com, 2010), and whose users define it as divine (Campbell and La Pastina, 2010), the Jesus phone, and the holy grail of all gadgets (Danneskjold, 2007; also see Campbell and La Pastina, 2010); as Apple proclaim when advertising the recently launched iPhone 4, This changes everything. Again (Apple, www.apple.com, 2010). However, the iPhone does not fundamentally change communicatory practices, but rather much like the Internet it supplements them offering itself as a tool which one can apply when seeking alternative routes of communication. Thus, communication is supplemented rather than replaced by the rise in technological devices, in this sense, technological devices do not influence social change (Castells, 2010), but rather, create a pathway through which social change can occur. This ideology rests upon the premise that a reciprocal relationship exists between people and technology, after all, technology would cease to exist without the presence of people. Let me now turn to the proliferation in Internet use which has occurred over the past decade, its profound influence on communication, and its position within the network society. Since the turn of the twenty-first century, Internet use has grown exponentially by almost 444 per cent (Internet World Stats, www.internetworldstats.com, 2010). As of this writing, approximately 29 per cent of the global population are currently connected to the Internet; furthermore, in the United Kingdom, a recent survey found that Internet use currently stands at 70 per cent, an increase from 58 per cent in 2003 (Dutton et al., 2009). As a result, the Internets role in the mediation of everyday practices and activities is expanding, for example, various studies have reported that we are increasingly using the Internet for banking (Wood and Williams, 2007), shopping (Wood and Williams, 2007), listening to and purchasing music (Jooyoung Lee, 2008), dating or e-dating (Couch and Liamputtong, 2008), and communication particularly through blogging (Stern, 2007; Ekdale et al., 2010) and social networking (Boyd, 2001, 2007, 2008; Boyd and Ellison, 2008; Houghton and Joinson, 2010; Patc hin and Hinduja, 2008, 2010). In regards to communication, the Internet amalgamates both data communication and mass communication (van Dijk, 2006). In particular, such integration has occurred since the emergence of the World Wide Web which has resulted in the mass communicative character of the Internet becoming increasingly visible, for example, one need only examine the explosion of web pages created by organisations (.org), corporations (.com and .co.uk), governing bodies (.gov), institutions, and the increasing field of user-created content (i.e. blogs, forums, bulletin-board systems (BBS), and non-profit sites such as Wikipedia.org or Wiki Leaks). Thus, under the paradigm of the network society one can posit that the Internet presents itself as an integrated network (Castells, 2001a, 2001b, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2010; van Dijk, 2006). EXPLAIN INTEGRATED NETWORK HERE. The Internet thus fundamentally changes the character of communication through the integration of text, images, and sounds in the same system, interacting from multiple points, in chosen time (real or delayed) along a global network, in conditions of open and affordable access (Castells, 2010: p. 356). Despite its fairly recent proliferation, an expansive body of literature has emerged analysing the effects of increased Internet use particularly concerning communication and sociability -, the following section will now engage in a critical overview of the salient arguments put forth. Identity has been subject to widespread theoretical and empirical inquiry for over half a century, dating back to Eriksons (1950) path-breaking work (Schwartz et al., 2010). Eriksons work triggered a wave of academic inquiry into identity development, most of which attempted to delineate personal identity (Cà ´tà ©, 2006). However, despite an expansive database of literature on the subject, identity is still recognised as an ambiguous and slippery term (Buckingham, 2007: p. 1). Its ambiguity arises from its application in many different contexts and for many different purposes (ibid, 2007), as a result, divergent accounts of identity have emerged which lead to confusion over what identity actually constitutes. For the purposes of this essay, the conception of the self will be examined and the ways in which the self is presented and the impression managed in social situations. Primarily grounded in contemporary Western culture, cultural practices (Boyd, 2001), and Western ideology, a plethora of conceptions of the self have emerged. The concept of identity frequently refers to, at least, two conflicting aspects of the self. First, there exists the internalised self, and second that which is the projected version of ones internalised self (ibid, p. 21). This distinction has been constructed by researchers in various ways, for example, political economist and moral philosopher Adam Smith (1976/1760) divides identity into the object self and the acting self, Mead (1934), meanwhile, distinguishes between the I and the me whereby the me connotes an individuals social identity of which the I become conscious in the early psychological development of the child, or as Giddens (1991) puts it, the I is, as it were, the active primitive will of the individual, which seizes on the me as the reflection of social ties (p. 52). Psychoanalysis has also concerned itself wi th conceptions of identity, for example, the pioneering work of Sigmund Freud (1974/1923) . . . insert Freud In spite of the evident differences which persist between these quite divergent accounts of identity, they all recognise that the self is a complex, muddled concept due to its separation between internal notions and external ones. However, an alternative model proposed by French psychoanalyst Jacques Lacan (1968) puts forth a suggestion that no internal self actually exists, but rather individuals only possess external selves. Writing in the 1950s, Erving Goffman (1959/1990, 1963) provided a dramaturgical account of social interaction whereby face-to-face interactions, in an array of social settings, were hypothesised as akin to a theatrical performance. Goffmans model suggests that all social interactions can be hypothesised as a series of interactive performances, where the actors and their presentations are in a flux altering their presentation of selves (Goffman, 1990) based upon their assumptions of what is acceptable in a particular situation and the feedback they receive from their audience (Boyd, 2001). Moreover, people perform all aspects of themselves, not just their ideas. An example of this can be located in the writings of Judith Butler (1990) who suggests that whilst sex is a biological trait and thus cannot be altered unless one undergoes a medical operation to remove genitalia people perform their gender (Butler, 1990). Thus, Drawing from Goffmans dramaturgical model, two fundamental components exist concerning the passage of social information between individuals (Boyd, 2001). The ability of an individual to convey information explicitly rests upon the expression that he gives and the expression he gives off (Goffman, 1990: p. 14). The first connotes traditional communication practices such as verbal symbols in order for the actor to convey the information in a coherent manner. The second involves a wide range of action that others can treat as symptomatic of the actor (ibid, p. 14). This may include body language, facial expressions, gestures, or interaction with the immediate environment. Thus, social messages are not simply a set of factual data (Boyd, 2001), but an ongoing negotiation in communication relying on both the signals presented by the actor as well as the signs perceived by the observer (p. 23). A further component of Goffmans theory is the concept of the body. Indeed, in everyday interact ions the body is of integral importance when we perform our identity. Primarily occurring in face-to-face interactions, we utilise our bodies as tools whereby, conveying to other people, we use our bodies to project information about ourselves (Boyd, 2007: p. 11). In doing so, we wear appropriate clothing, make considered movements, make important use of objects or props in Goffmans terminology in our immediate environment, and convey messages through suitable gestures, facial expressions, and body language. Erving Goffman defines these processes as impression management (Goffman, 1959). When one is indulging in impression management, albeit unconsciously at times, they are attempting at best presenting themselves as what the audience Among the most notable developments which have occurred on the Internet over the past decade, and particularly the past few years, is the exponential increase in social network sites (SNSs) (Choi et al., 2010). Sites such as Facebook, MySpace, Netlog, and Bebo have attracted millions of users across the globe, many of whom integrate this form of social networking into their everyday practices (Boyd and Ellison, 2008; Kreps, 2008). In the recent Oxford Internet Survey, for example, social networking emerged as the most popular new application amongst Internet users (aged 14+) in the United Kingdom with almost half (49%) of users reporting the creation or update of a social networking profile, up from only 17 per cent in 2007 (Dutton et al., 2009). In regards to children and teenagers, Lenhart et al., (2010a) discovered that the use of social network sites had increased significantly since 2006 where just over half of teens (aged 12 to 17) (55%) indulged in on-line social networking co mpared to almost three-quarters (73%) as of 2010 (Lenhart et al., 2010). On the basis of such widespread diffusion, commentators have suggested that the explosion in the popularity of SNSs is due to the freedom with which an individual can construct a personal profile page to represent themselves and interact with others (Patchin and Hinduja, 2008, 2010). At a basic level, social network sites allow individuals to create digital representations of themselves (Patchin and Hinduja, 2010: p. 199) through posting biographical information, compiling personal journals and blogs, indicating likes and dislikes, demonstrating their interests, and embedding multimedia (i.e., video, pictures, and music or audio). Thus, SNSs centre on the profile (Tufekci, 2008), within this profile the most significant point where identity is managed and performed is an individuals About Me section. The about me section is a reserved space on a profile where a user can . CONTINUE As has already been noted, in an effort to make a good impression, individuals survey the immediate area, examine how other people are acting, and make a rational choice on the appropriate performance for that particular social situation this rational choice may indeed be drawn from an established repertoire of performances which have been applied in the past (Goffman, 1959, 1967; Boyd, 2007, 2008). During the performance, people mould their behaviour depending on the feedback and reactions they receive, thus attempting to increase the likelihood of being perceived by their audience as they intend. These processes are what Erving Goffman (1959/1990, 1967) defines as impression management and the presentation of self. Mediated environments, such as those that the Internet produces, like social network sites formalise and fundamentally alter the identity processes of self-presentation and impression management (Boyd, 2008: p. 119). As a result, children and teenagers in particular face a complex challenge whereby they must formally write themselves into being (Sunden, 2003: p. 5) through the elaborate task of creating profiles which complicates impression management processes due to the limited nature of feedback in on-line environments such as MySpace and Facebook. In his groundbreaking text, The Presentation of Self (1959), Goffman exquisitely formulates a theory of social interaction in which he details the methods individuals apply to take into account the social environment and the role which they are functioning in it to use body language, gestures, speech, facial expressions, and other people in order to convey an impression. However, primarily due to the time period, what Goffman does not account for or, indeed, foresee is the impact technology would have and the way in which mediated situations will fundamentally impact upon the traditional art of impression management and presentation of the self. A key point here, is, the embodiment aspect of Goffmans theory. In the borderless world (OÃÅ'ˆqvist, 2009) of the Internet, bodies, in the corporal sense, do not exist thus obscuring the immediate, physical identity of the individual in question, moreover, CONTINUE!. Thus, in order to exist in mediated environments, for the first time in history, humans have to write themselves into being (Sunden, 2003). For social network sites, this entails the formation of a profile page and adding and fleshing out the fields as an act of self presentation. The sexual grooming of children is not a new phenomenon, neither is the conceptual application of the term grooming. In fact, the term has been in circulation for a considerable period of time, for the most part applied by psychologists in efforts to analyse patterns of deviant sexual behaviour (McAlinden, 2006). The The findings support the view that the Internet is establishing itself as a powerful tool for the formation of new social relationships by enabling some individuals to meet new people and make new friends, whom otherwise they would not have met. (Dutton and Di Gennaro, 2007: p. 593) For the purpose of this paper I will concentrate on only one component of the network society which is experiencing radical change, that is, communication.

Management Proposed by Fayol Essay

Critically examine the functions (elements or processes) of management proposed by Fayol. Explain why these functions are relevant (or otherwise) to today’s managers. The twentieth century has bought upon us a number of management theories which have helped to shape the overall view of management in the present environment of business. Many of those theories have stood the test of time and are still often referred to in the management world of today. One of the most famous theories referred to in management is that of Henri Fayol. Henri, a French engineer became somewhat of a hero for resurrecting a troubled mining company in which he worked, and turning it into one of France’s most successful businesses (Daft 2003). Born in 1841 and dying in 1925, Fayol spent most of his working life as a manager, where he drew upon personal experiences to facilitate in the creation of his theory of administration. In his most significant work, General and Industrial Management, Fayol discussed and identified five basic functions of management, which he believed every manager needed to perform. These were: planning, organising, commanding, coordinating, and controlling. These functions, although have been condescended down to four; planning, organising, leading and controlling, still underline much of the general approach to today’s management (Draft 2003). Although, the usefulness of Henri Fayol’s classical functions have come under question about their relevance in current managerial activities by a number of professionals, Fayol’s functions still continue to shape and have underlining influence on the basis in which managers perform in the business world of today. Planning If you have no particular destination in mind, it does not matter what road you take. However if you have somewhere in particular you want to go, then you have to plan the best way you can to get there (Robbins et al.2008). This phrase demonstrates the shear importance that planning has in managerial roles to an organisation. As organisations exist to achieve purpose, someone must clearly define that purpose and what is needed in order to reach achievement. That someone is management. Planning is the process in which managers use to identify and select appropriate goals and courses of action (Waddell et al. 2009). Without the definition of goals, the establishment of strategies to be used in order to achieve, and the development of plans that will be used to integrate activities, then an organisation simply will not continue to exist. Managers, therefore today must be aware of the many circumstances that surround the organisation. For instance their environment, whether it is the general environment, the task or even internal, managers must be aware of the effects these areas could have on the organisation not only in the present but also for the future. With suitable planning and strategies put in place, managers can help the organisation avoid such extremes as bankruptcy, with strong planning efforts regarding direction and demographic trends, growth and acquisitions. Therefore the first function of planning, proposed by Fayol to any organisation is not only relevant to the world in which business operates today, but also the potential to add huge value to the current and future aspects of that organisation. Organising Managers today are responsible for arranging and structuring work to accomplish the organisation’s goals (Robbins et al. 2008). Typically following planning, organising is the process managers use to establish a structure of working relationships that allow organisational members to interact and cooperate to achieve organisational goals (Waddell et al. 2009). Today’s managers determine the tasks that need to be done, who is to do them, how the tasks are to be grouped, who reports to whom and what level decisions are to be made (Robbins et al. 2008). The relevance of organising to mangers today is to create structure, which is organised with all the necessary resources. With structure, managers give employees appointed tasks, lines of authority and decision responsibility. This in turn provides employees with a sense of ownership and control over their jobs and thus strengthens initiative from them (Yoo, lemak, Choi 2006), helping to create an organisation that achieves goals. Coordinating Fayol’s management concept of coordinating sees managers encouraging direct personnel activity. Coordinating is the laying out of timing and sequencing of activities and harmonizing them all (Fells 2000). Mangers that are able to maintain the balance between the activities of the organisation, are able to succeed in creating an organisation that can come together to face problems of common interest that can surround different areas of the organisation, for instance, the many departments. The value of this concept is high, as managers from different areas within the organisation can band together and communicate as well as forecast possible problems, while offering short or long term solutions. Commanding As the word commanding suggests, managers must take authority and put the desired plan into action (Fells 200). The value of commanding in managerial roles today is important and has relevance as managers verify whether everything occurs in conformity with the plan adopted, the instructions issue and principles established (Lamond 2004) that have been previously set. Controlling After the goals have been set and plans are formulated, the structural arrangements determined, people are motivated, there has to be some evaluation of whether things are going to plan (Robbins et al. 2008) Controlling, is the function of managers evaluating how well an organisation is achieving its goals and taking action to maintain or improve performance (Waddell et al. 2009). This function is an important concept in organisational management as it demonstrates the successfulness of the organisation in terms of the achievement of goals that have been put in place by the managers. The value of controlling is extremely important, as managers are able to monitor what needs to be improved by comparing the information to performance standards and taking corrective action where necessary. Managers must ensure that the organisation is moving towards its goal and performance does not deviate from standards. Without control from managers organisational goals are not monitored and therefor e many not be accomplished affecting the overall performance of the organisation as a whole, making control very relevant to the managerial positions in business today. In conclusion, Henri Fayol’s principles of management provide and continue to provide a general management perspective for practicing managers today and an instructional tool for academics teaching in the field of management (Yoo, lemak Choi 2006). Fayol has provided a general framework for practising managers (Yoo, Lemak, Choi 2006), by which the functions of planning, organising, coordinating, commanding and controlling have a bearing connection with the practicing of managers in any managerial position across a vast number of organisations, no matter the size or level. Therefore making Fayol’s principles an essential for building strong teams and stronger organisations in today’s Business environment. References: Waddell, D, Devine, J, Jones, G & George, J, 2009, Contemporary Management, McGraw – Hill Australia Pty Ltd, North Ryde, NSW. Robbins, S, Bergman, R, Stagg, I & Coulter, M, 2008, Management 5 (Fifth Edition), Person Education Australia, Frenchs Forest, NSW. Daft, R.L, 2003, Management (Sixth Edition), Thomson Learning – South-Western United States of America, Mason, Ohio. Yoo, JW, Lemak, DJ & Choi, Y, 2006, ‘Principles of management and competitive strategies: using Fayol to implement Porter’, Journal of Management History, Vol. 12 No 4, pp.352-368, 23 July 2010, Emerald Research Database. Lamond, D, 2004, ‘A matter of style: reconciling Henri and Henry’, Journal of Management Decision, Vol. 42 No 2, pp330-356, 23 July 2010, Emerald Research Database. Fells, MJ, 2000, ‘Fayol stands the test of time’, Journal of Management History, Vol. 6 No 8, pp 345-360.

The Pitfall of Admissions Essay Samples Fashion Design

The Pitfall of Admissions Essay Samples Fashion Design Fashion Essay talks about the arrival of style and its development over recent years. Fashion design might appear to be a career that involves no school training, but this isn't true. It plays a huge role in my life. It has always played a huge role in my life. Top Admissions Essay Samples Fashion Design Secrets Competitive applicants should score over the 50th percentile in all regions. Some firms offer vacation and group medical insurance plans. The admissions officers want a reason to disregard candidates. However, it's been hard to secure work in that profession, the sector is rather flooded and therefore I haven't been in a position to secure a decent, well paying job. What You Should Do to Find Out About Admissions Essay Samples Fashion Design Before You're Left Behind Essays on fashion papers also play an important part on the market for giving information on the newest trends and style. To be a fashion desig ner, you have to have plenty of creativity, imagination, fearlessness and passion. Given below are quite a few fashion topics to write about that are guaranteed to assist you get the maximum grade! Though the job of a style designer may appear easy, there are lots of abilities involved with the job. The Admissions Essay Samples Fashion Design Game Reflective Statement The intricacy of the fashion industry lends itself to a wide selection of career trajectories. For individuals working in the style business, it's a profession in itself in addition to a personal interest. The value of style in our day-to-day lives is a given. Be aware that a deficiency of formal training in art and design isn't going to affect your capacity to finish the alternate portfolio procedure. Be aware that construction management doesn't need a portfolio submission. Relax, there's a solution. That said, after drafting your own personal statement, you may have a tendency to submit it at once, especi ally if you're working on multiple applications at the very same moment. Give examples of any particular projects in which you've taken part. When you're taking the aid of our experts, they will supply you with comprehensive details on the kind of essay you are getting involved in. This is among the most crucial suggestions on this list. To accomplish this, brainstorm on topics that you're passionate about. Be original and if there's a demand for extra research, cite your references properly. A History of Admissions Essay Samples Fashion Design Refuted Transcripts have to be translated to English. Mailed and e-mailed recommendation letters won't be accepted. Personal statements are simply that personal! It is essential that we shine in the duration of our essay. Besides having an exceptional SAT score, you would have to produce the very best college essay. Sending your law school admissions essay or any other sort of essay without a profound editing is a tremendous mistake. Locate the solution within this essay. This essay attempts to answer... Nowadays, there's no lack of television or print ads using the theme of Global warming. This section has two examples of fantastic college essays. In the event if you're new to write fashion essay papers and don't have any knowledge of it, we can assist you. The Do's and Don'ts of Admissions Essay Samples Fashion Design This essay discusses how crossover fashion has turned into an acceptable portion of several dynamic societies like America. Keeping your writing personal and true only increases the passion, something which admissions teams often start looking for in an art student. You cannot refute the simple fact that you have to write a strong admission statement to enter the dream campus. Just take a peek at our college essay samples to find a notion of what colleges are searching for in your essay. When many schools encourage creativity in regards to crafting your own personal statement, it is necessary to incorporate best writing practic es to make sure a piece that is simple to read, thorough, and engaging. Now things started to get really intriguing. You want to present yourself in a manner that will grab attention. They are typically required by teachers since it may be an outlet for those students to express themselves. Essays are your very best friend. Writing should permit the writer to express his or herself in the very best way possible. In addition, it may be an essay that provides the reader an understanding of a difference between fashion in the right time of financial crisis and well-timed. Therefore, as soon as you are becoming prepared to compose the fashion essay papers, it's quite essential to be sure which you are contemplating the requirements of all sorts of individuals and discussing the topic in the proper way. After you own a topic, it's best to make an outline of ideas. So if you're looking at a potentially well-tread topic, attempt to approach it in a special way. Who Else Wants to Learn About Admissions Essay Samples Fashion Design? Official transcripts from preceding applications remain on file for as much as 12 months and might not will need to get resubmitted. The letter of recommendation isn't required and won't appear in the status checklist. Note you will not have the ability to look at your status until your application was completed and submitted. Attempts to split the code will lead to loss of fee waiver and potential withdrawal of your application.

What Is Diesel Common Rail Direct (CRD) Injection

Diesel engine technology has advanced by seeming light-years over the last two decades or so. Gone are the days of sulfur-laden black, sooty diesel smoke spewing out of the stacks of semi trucks. The lumbering and cantankerous beasts that filled the roadways — and clogged our airways — are now just a memory. Though diesels have always been very fuel efficient, stringent emissions laws and expectations of performance by the car buying public have forced developments that have taken the lowly diesel from an embarrassment to be endured all the way to cleaner air and economic powerhouse champions. Old News: Mechanical Indirect-injection Diesels of yore relied on a simple and effective — yet not altogether efficient and accurate method of distributing fuel to the engines combustion chambers. The fuel pump and injectors on early diesels were completely mechanical, and though precision machined and ruggedly built, the working pressure of the fuel system was not sufficiently high enough to render a sustained and well-defined spray pattern of fuel. And in these old mechanical indirect systems, the pump had to do double duty. It not only supplied fuel system pressure but also acted as the timing and delivery device. Additionally, these elementary systems relied on simple mechanical inputs (there were no electronics yet) such as fuel pump revolutions per minute (RPMs) and throttle position to meter their fuel delivery. Subsequently, they often delivered a shot of fuel with a poor and ill-defined spray pattern that was either too rich (most often) or too lean. That resulted in either a rich belch of sooty black smoke or insufficient power and a struggling vehicle. To make matters worse, the low-pressure fuel had to be injected into a pre-chamber to ensure proper  atomization  of the charge before it could mosey into the main combustion chamber to do its work. Hence the term, indirect-injection. And if the engine was cold and the outside air was cold, things really got lethargic. Though the engines had glow plugs to help them start, it would take several minutes of running time before they were sufficiently heat soaked to allow smooth running. Why such a bulky, multi-stage process? And why so much trouble with cold temperatures? The main reason is the nature of the diesel process and the limitations of early diesel technology. Unlike gasoline engines, diesels have no spark plugs to ignite their fuel mixture. Diesels depend on heat generated by the  intense compression  of air in the cylinders to ignite the fuel when it’s sprayed into the combustion chamber. And when cold, they need the assistance of glow plugs to bolster the heating process. Furthermore, since there is no spark to initiate combustion, the fuel must be introduced into the heat as an extremely fine mist in order to properly ignite. The New Way: Electronic Common Rail Direct Injection (CRD) Modern diesels have owed their resurgence in popularity to advances in fuel delivery and engine management systems that allow the engines to return power, performance, and emissions equivalent to their gasoline counterparts, while simultaneously producing superior fuel economy. It’s the high-pressure fuel rail and the computer controlled electronic injectors that make all the difference. In the common rail system, the fuel pump charges the fuel rail at a pressure of up to 25,000 psi. But unlike indirect injection pumps, it is not involved in fuel discharge. Under the control of the onboard computer, this fuel quantity and pressure accumulates in the rail independently of engine speed and load. Each  fuel injector  is mounted directly above the piston within the cylinder head (there is no pre-chamber) and is connected to the fuel rail by rigid steel lines that can withstand the high pressure. This high pressure allows for a very fine injector orifice that completely atomizes the fuel and precludes the need for a pre-chamber. The actuation of the injectors comes via a stack of piezoelectric crystal wafers that move the jet needle in tiny increments allowing for the spray of fuel. Piezo crystals function by expanding rapidly when an electric charge is applied to them. Like the  fuel pump, the injectors are also controlled by the engine computer and can be fired in rapid succession several times during the injection cycle. With this precise control over injector firings, smaller, staggered quantities of fuel delivery (5 or more) can be timed over the course of the power stroke to promote complete and accurate combustion. In addition to timing control, the short duration, high-pressure injections allow a finer and more accurate spray pattern that also supports better and more complete atomization and combustion. Through these developments and improvements, the modern common rail direct injection diesel engine  is quieter, more fuel efficient, cleaner, and more powerful than the indirect mechanical injection units they have replaced.