Convergence

Many of us Christians and Ministry leaders think that much of what Jesus did on earth was because He was God. When we think this, we neglect Scripture where it tells us that Jesus, though always God, deliberately chose to limit His divine attributes and power. Jon Thompson, pastor and theologian, looks at Jesus' life and ministry asking the question of, "If Jesus chose to limit His divine attributes and power, how did He do all of this?" Jon discovers that Jesus is the ultimate example for us demonstrating the Convergence of three things: 1. Jesus used spiritual disciplines to walk with the Father, and develop and learn as we do: "Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man" (Luke 2:52). 2. Jesus also used spiritual gifts (not His inherent power) to actually carry out His ministry while on earth. And, 3. Jesus used the promptings He received from the Father and the Spirit to lead His disciples into moments of revival. As you read this book, you will come to realize that Jesus, as God come in flesh, isn't just our Savior and our Lord, He is also our model for Christian life and ministry. Through the convergence of spiritual disciplines, spiritual gifts, and spiritual experiences, Jesus demonstrates for us how we, and our local churches, can hear from the father, carry out our ministry, and lead people into revival. Convergence shows how Jesus, though always God, deliberately chose to limit His divine attributes and power in order not only to show us who God is, but also to demonstrate for us what the normal Christian life should look like.

Can we can use the patterns and processes of convergent evolution to make inferences about universal laws of life, on Earth and elsewhere? In this book, Russell Powell investigates whether we can use the patterns and processes of convergent evolution to make inferences about universal laws of life, on Earth and elsewhere. Weaving together disparate philosophical and empirical threads, Powell offers the first detailed analysis of the interplay between contingency and convergence in macroevolution, as it relates to both complex life in general and cognitively complex life in particular. If the evolution of mind is not a historical accident, the product of convergence rather than contingency, then, Powell asks, is mind likely to be an evolutionarily important feature of any living world? Stephen Jay Gould argued for the primacy of contingency in evolution. Gould's “radical contingency thesis” (RCT) has been challenged, but critics have largely failed to engage with its core claims and theoretical commitments. Powell fills this gap. He first examines convergent regularities at both temporal and phylogenetic depths, finding evidence that both vindicates and rebuffs Gould's argument for contingency. Powell follows this partial defense of the RCT with a substantive critique. Among the evolutionary outcomes that might defy the RCT, he argues, cognition is particularly important—not only for human-specific issues of the evolution of intelligence and consciousness but also for the large-scale ecological organization of macroscopic living worlds. Turning his attention to complex cognitive life, Powell considers what patterns of cognitive convergence tell us about the nature of mind, its evolution, and its place in the universe. If complex bodies are common in the universe, might complex minds be common as well?

Winner of the 2007 Society for Cinema and Media Studies Katherine Singer Kovacs Book Award 2007 Choice Outstanding Academic Title A classic study on the dynamic between an individual and different media channels Convergence Culture maps a new territory: where old and new media intersect, where grassroots and corporate media collide, where the power of the media producer and the power of the consumer interact in unpredictable ways. Henry Jenkins, one of America’s most respected media analysts, delves beneath the new media hype to uncover the important cultural transformations that are taking place as media converge. He takes us into the secret world of Survivor Spoilers, where avid internet users pool their knowledge to unearth the show’s secrets before they are revealed on the air. He introduces us to young Harry Potter fans who are writing their own Hogwarts tales while executives at Warner Brothers struggle for control of their franchise. He shows us how The Matrix has pushed transmedia storytelling to new levels, creating a fictional world where consumers track down bits of the story across multiple media channels.Jenkins argues that struggles over convergence will redefine the face of American popular culture. Industry leaders see opportunities to direct content across many channels to increase revenue and broaden markets. At the same time, consumers envision a liberated public sphere, free of network controls, in a decentralized media environment. Sometimes corporate and grassroots efforts reinforce each other, creating closer, more rewarding relations between media producers and consumers. Sometimes these two forces are at war. Jenkins provides a riveting introduction to the world where every story gets told and every brand gets sold across multiple media platforms. He explains the cultural shift that is occurring as consumers fight for control across disparate channels, changing the way we do business, elect our leaders, and educate our children.

This text offers a rigorous introduction into the theory and methods of convergence spaces and gives concrete applications to the problems of functional analysis. While there are a few books dealing with convergence spaces and a great many on functional analysis, there are none with this particular focus. The book demonstrates the applicability of convergence structures to functional analysis. Highlighted here is the role of continuous convergence, a convergence structure particularly appropriate to function spaces. It is shown to provide an excellent dual structure for both topological groups and topological vector spaces. Readers will find the text rich in examples. Of interest, as well, are the many filter and ultrafilter proofs which often provide a fresh perspective on a well-known result. Audience: This text will be of interest to researchers in functional analysis, analysis and topology as well as anyone already working with convergence spaces. It is appropriate for senior undergraduate or graduate level students with some background in analysis and topology.

Media studies scholars and commentators have categorised the media in distinct periods: 'old media' such as television, radio and print; 'new media' which include online media, computers, and PDAs. Now we are in a period of 'media convergence' - print newspapers sent as MP3 - but also the increasing convergence of media policy, media ownership and media practices. This book looks at how 'traditional' media companies are moving in to converged media, questions of ownership, questions of working practices and questions of the audience.

"Addressing the issues that managers in the multimedia industry have confronted while developing and implementing this innovative technology, this book focuses on the latest research and findings in digital television technologies. Covered are the major issues surrounding digital convergence including the digital metamarket and new digital media devices and their potential for IT convergence at the macro level. Also addressed are multimedia and interactive digital television and the economic implications of these technologies. Additionally, the managerial implications of interactive digital television are covered, including branding strategies for digital television channels and the critical role of content media management."

Modern mental health issues are characterized by their complex, multi-systemic nature and broad societal impact, making them poorly suited to siloed approaches of thinking and innovation. Convergence science integrates knowledge, tools, and thought strategies from various fields and is the focal point where novel insights arise. Convergence Mental Health presents a blueprint for leveraging convergence science within the context of mental health in order to improve patient outcomes and health care systems.