A carnival barker is trying to convince me that, for a modest sum, I could enter the mind of another person and retain all of his or her thoughts, dreams, emotions, and memories. While it was a tempting idea, I thought it would be horrible if that worked both ways. What if that person retained the essence of me while I was poaching the essence of them?
I looked around the fair and wondered when it had become something like Ringling Brothers, Barnum, and Bailey in a Kafka story like the prelude to Amerika or The Starving Artis? I heard lions roaring inside circus tents and saw elephants hanging out by a peanut gallery where a puppeteer was doing Punch and Judy shows with masked figures who strongly resembled Celebrity Death Match Claymation characters modeled after current politicians. I asked the barker who was now dressed up in a clown costume, whether I could choose whose mind I could borrow for the evening and he said, ”Sure, but that costs extra.” I was afraid to ask how much but he must have peered into his crystal ball and assured me that there were several convenient payment options, layaway plans, credit card loans and even an extended pay option that sounded like a 30-year mortgage with low financing that was a limited time offer. All I had to do was sign here and we’ll go to town. I have a pin for the blood-letting you’ll need to sign the oath. “Don’t worry, “ he assured me, “it only hurts for a little while, then you just get used to it.”
Lunch with Charlie: an Anxiety Dream Poem
All the buildings look like turn-of-the-last-century Utica brownstones but I think we are actually, in Albany. I’m trying to get downtown on foot but somehow find myself on a bus that takes the wrong fork off the main road into a different city that looks like Utica but could be Schenectady. I pull the overhead stop wire that signals the driver to stop but he doesn’t and the wire snaps. The driver arbitrarily, abruptly stops, stands up, and says, “Last stop everyone out.” And he forces all of us out into the middle of nowhere. Luckily my old boss is driving by in his vintage Caddy, picks me up and suggested we stop for lunch at Hymie’s Pork Shop in Troy which is always the next stop after Nowhere on the bus line. Then I’m sitting at a table with a movie star and some local political movers and shakers all of whom are friends of my boss who seems to have disappeared. The star turns out to be Charlie Sheen and he has a bandage on his right cheek that covers a wound from one of his old movies. Charlie is affable and funny and I feel very comfortable with him all throughout an extremely long lunch and after. Later, in the Caddy, I tell my boss about the great time I had at lunch with Charlie and he says, “You were lucky. He can turn on you like that.” And he snaps his fingers. I ask him where we are going now and he says, “Downtown.” But I’m afraid to ask him in what city.
Dream Lottery Anxiety Poem
This is what it must feel like to win the dream lottery, I thought. All I had to do was give the patron’s pet turtle his daily walk, on a leash, and I could collect an all expenses paid overnight trip to London for a first run new play at The Savoy.
Once I had hooked the turtle up On his leash and we began our walk I could see this was going to be much more difficult than I originally thought.
Then I’m in London, outside the theater, after the overnight, unable to sleep on the flight trip, plus the half hour commuter train ride from Gatwick into town and several tube stops, I’m so tired I wonder if I can stay awake through the first of nine acts, play.
Then I’m on a different sidewalk outside Proctor’s theater in Schenectady with Neil the tavern scammer, and he has a cardboard box of rare baseball cards he borrowed from a six-year-old kid playing nearby and he’s telling me we could sell the cards at Finnigan’s and split the money 50/50 which meant I would sell the cards because no one in their right mind would buy a collectible from Neil. All I had to do was keep the kid occupied long enough for the cards to be appraised but the kid runs out into the street and is hit by a car and Neil is gone. All I had to do now was get the box of cards up six floors of a brick building which meant finger climbing a vertical wall in a trash infested alley to the window where Neil was yelling down at me, “Make sure you don’t drop the cards.” And somehow, I make it most of the way up, one-handed, and Neil says, “Let me take those for safe keeping.” And then I’m in the street holding the bloody kid to my chest and the cards are ruined, strewn all around, covered in blood and a child’s scrawl in magic marker and I’m hoping that the ambulance comes in time for the first act.
Under Construction Anxiety Dream
I’m at the Busy Corner that no longer exists, window shopping at the Boston Store that got torn down years ago and I’m looking for custom, handmade t-shirts for heavy metal bands that would never come to the Utica War Memorial venue for love nor money and then I’m walking down Genessee Street looking for an address on streets that were removed during urban renewal in the 60’s to build the-around-the-city arterial and I decide to see if the red brick colossus of Genessee Street apartment building we lived in when we were first married is still there. And it is, in all its unique weird glory and I remember watching random parades for stuff that was neither a holiday nor explicable as worthy of mention in any other place in the world except for Utica, from a Juliet balcony you could step out on but not with your full weight on unless you were feeling suicidal. And I remember how living there was like being on set of Rosemary’s Baby with your pregnant wife wondering how they rippled those ceilings, why there were windows facing an air shaft whose only purpose was to see how much garbage could accumulate down there before the rats took over and why walking down the loose marble tile floor felt like a trip to the gallows following a slow, creaking elevator ride to get there. Then I am outside again walking but none of the streets, houses, buildings look familiar and all the Dutch Elm trees are back and a hundred feet tall and weaving about in the gusting wind like something out of The Shining, the novel, and I feel like I escaped from something into something worse though the people I’m with on the parade float seem nice and I ask, “What is the parade for?” But no one seems to know but The Shriner who seems to be leading the procession points to a construction site where the pavement saws are dismantling the sidewalks, the streets, the open-air shopping center, where they are going to put the Under Construction signs that seem to be everywhere but nothing actually seems to be doing anything but Coming Soon. This seven foot guy in a fez says to me, “We thought you’d never get here. Hold this.” And hands me a sparking, taped-together bunch of what looks like dynamite sticks and turns to run. “Oh,” he says before he leaves, “you might need this.” and he hands me a yellow reflective vest and a hard hat. Says something about ducking and covering but I am way beyond ducking and covering now.
This article discusses the role of reading culture in the development of society and the individual. It highlights the importance of reading in expanding thinking, enriching one’s spiritual world, and increasing knowledge and cultural awareness from both scientific and social perspectives. The necessity of promoting reading among young people and its positive effects are also emphasized.
Introduction
The book is one of the most important sources of human civilization and contributes greatly to the intellectual and spiritual development of society. In today’s era of globalization, when the flow of information is rapidly increasing, forming and strengthening a reading culture has become even more essential. Reading enriches human intellect, develops independent thinking, broadens perspectives, and helps individuals become intellectually mature. Therefore, the development of reading culture is one of the key factors in raising the overall cultural level of society.
Main Part
1. The Essence of Reading Culture
Reading culture encompasses respect for books, the need for reading, the ability to choose the right literature, analyze the text, and draw practical conclusions from what has been read. Societies with a strong reading culture demonstrate high levels of knowledge, enlightenment, intellectual development, and critical thinking.
2. The Impact of Reading on Personal Development
Mental development: Reading strengthens brain activity, improves memory, and enhances thinking skills. Language growth: A person who reads regularly gains a richer vocabulary and develops the ability to express thoughts clearly. Spiritual enrichment: Literary works shape moral values, expand spiritual understanding, and strengthen ethical qualities. Creativity: Reading enhances imagination and develops creative thinking.
3. The Impact of Reading Culture on Societal Development
In countries with a high level of reading culture, science and technology develop rapidly, competitiveness increases, and an enlightened generation emerges. Societies where people read actively tend to have higher levels of literacy, culture, respect for the law, and social engagement.
4. The Relevance of Promoting Reading Among Youth
Today, spending excessive time on smartphones and social media has weakened the habit of reading among young people. Therefore, promoting reading through educational institutions, families, and society, as well as strengthening library activities, is extremely important. Young people who develop a love for books grow into knowledgeable, morally mature, and thoughtful individuals.
5. Ways to Improve Reading Culture
Encouraging interest in books within the family
Organizing reading weeks in schools and universities
Modernizing the activities of libraries
Expanding the use of electronic books and audiobooks
Conclusion
Reading culture is one of the most essential factors for the intellectual and spiritual development of society. Reading broadens a person’s thinking, enriches their worldview, and shapes their approach to life. Moreover, societies with a high level of reading demonstrate strong cultural, scientific, and developmental capacity. Therefore, every individual, especially young people, must strengthen their need for reading and make books an integral part of their everyday life.
References
1. Abdulla Avloniy – Turkiy Guliston yoxud Axloq
2. Speeches of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and materials on spirituality
3. Reading Culture and Its Role in Social Development – collection of scientific articles
4. Abdulla Qodiriy – O‘tkan kunlar, a source of national literature and spirituality
5. Modern textbooks on pedagogy and spiritual studies
I am Satimboyeva Risolat Ilhomboy qizi. I was born on 16 February 2007 in Hazorasp district of Khorezm region. I am currently a first-year student at the Tashkent International University of Financial Management and Technologies in Tashkent city. I studied at School No. 12 in Hazorasp district of Khorezm region and participated in numerous academic olympiads, winning honorable 1st and 2nd places.
I hold several international certificates in Russian and Turkish languages. I have also worked as a tutor, teaching students Russian, and I can speak both Russian and Turkish fluently. During my school years, I actively took part in reading competitions and was repeatedly awarded certificates in the “Best Reader” and “ exemplary student” nominations.
I participated in intellectual competitions such as “Zakovat,” advancing to the regional level. My photos were displayed at school as one of the most exemplary young readers and role-model students. I am the holder of many certificates and also frequently participates in literary anthologies. In my free time, I write poems and continue doing so; one of my books has already been published.
Reaching this level at the age of 18 is largely due to the support of my parents and grandmother, whose encouragement has played a significant role in my achievements.
Semantic analysis of the use of gerund and infinitive
Suyarova Gulsanam Sherzod qizi Student of CSPU Department English language and theory The group of 22/5 suyarovagulsanam6@gmail.com
Annotation In this article, the features of using the tense forms of the to-infinitive and the gerund, the verbs after which one of them is used, as well as the verbs that can be followed by both the infinitive and the gerund, and their semantic differences are analyzed. Key words: verbs, infinitive, gerund, features
Annotatsiya Ushbu maqolada to-infinitive va gerundning zamon shakllarini qo‘llash xususiyatlari, ayrim fe’llardan keyin ulardan qaysi biri ishlatilishi, shuningdek, o’zidan keyin ham infinitive, ham gerund talab qiladigan fe’llar hamda ularning ma’nodagi farqlari tahlil qilinadi. Kalit so’zlar: fe’llar, infinitiv, gerundiy, xususiyatlar Аннотация В данной статье анализируются особенности употребления временных форм инфинитива с частицей to и герундия, глаголы, после которых используется один из них, а также глаголы, после которых могут употребляться как инфинитив, так и герундий, и различия в их значении. Ключевые слова: особенности, глаголы, инфинитив, герундий.
In the grammatical system of the English language, verb forms hold a particularly significant position. A verb not only conveys an action or a state but also functions as the central grammatical element of the sentence. Categories such as tense, person, number, and continuity of action are expressed through verbs. Therefore, the accurate use of verbs is vital for learners. In English, verbs have various non-finite forms such as the infinitive, gerund, and participle. These forms enrich speech by adding semantic nuances such as cause, result, condition, or continuity. In Uzbek, non-finite verb forms correspond to verbal nouns and also possess their own tense distinctions.
The Tense Forms of the Gerund 1.Simple Gerund (V+ing): expresses a present or general action. Example: She advised going to the party yesterday.
Perfect Gerund (having + past participle): denotes an action completed before another. Example: Can you remember writing a letter to me for the first time?
The Tense Forms of the Infinitive
Simple Infinitive (to + verb): action simultaneous with or following the main verb. Example: It seems to rain.
Continuous Infinitive (to be + V-ing): expresses an ongoing action at the same time as the main verb. Example: My brother pretended to be listening to music.
Perfect Infinitive (to have + past participle): action occurring before the main verb. Example: He refused to have stolen the money.
Perfect Continuous Infinitive (to have been + V-ing): continuous action prior to the main verb. Example: She seems to have been learning English for two years. Verb Usage
Infinitive is used to express purpose, after adjectives (happy, eager), after nouns/pronouns (something, someone), after too/enough, and in structures like it + be + adjective. Example: I always do my homework to achieve good results.
Gerund functions as a noun, is used after certain verbs (enjoy, avoid, consider), after expressions (be busy, can’t help, have difficulty), and after prepositions. Example: Reading is useful for us.
Change of Meaning with Gerund and Infinitive Some verbs allow both forms but change meaning depending on which is used:
Remember: remember to do = not forget / remember doing = recall
Stop: stop to do = pause for another action / stop doing = quit
Try: try to do = attempt / try doing = experiment
Regret: regret to do = be sorry / regret doing = feel sorry about
Mean: mean to do = intend / mean doing = involve
Forget: forget to do = not remember / forget doing = not recall
The correct use of gerund and infinitive is essential for learners of English. These forms influence not only grammatical accuracy but also the semantic content of speech. A clear understanding of their forms, functions, and meaning differences allows learners to express themselves more fluently and precisely. The main difference between gerunds and to-infinitives in terms of temporal meaning lies in the fact that the gerund generally expresses the action as a process or a factual event, while the to-infinitive conveys purpose, intention, or result. Perfect forms highlight actions that have already occurred, whereas passive forms indicate actions performed upon the subject or actions that are required to be performed. Consequently, the correct use of gerund and to-infinitive forms is a crucial means of accurately expressing temporal meanings in English.
References
Quirk, R., Greenbaum, S., Leech, G., & Svartvik, J. A Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language. London: Longman, 1985.
Murphy, R. English Grammar in Use. Cambridge University Press, 2019.
Huddleston, R., & Pullum, G. K. The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language. Cambridge University Press, 2002.
Eastwood, J. Oxford Guide to English Grammar. Oxford University Press, 1994.
Swan, M. Practical English Usage. Oxford University Press, 2005.
Tashkent University of Humanitarian Sciences 2nd-year student Sobirova Iroda Аbdulaziz qizi
Innovative Directions for Entrepreneurship Development: Theoretical Foundations and Practical Strategies
Abstract The article reveals the essence and significance of innovative entrepreneurship as a key factor in economic development. It analyzes the main innovative directions for the development of entrepreneurship, including digitalization, technological, and social innovations. Based on the mechanisms of state support for the innovative activity of small and medium-sized businesses and world experience (for example, Japan), proposals and recommendations have been developed. Keywords: Innovative Entrepreneurship, Digital Economy, Product Innovation, Technological Innovation, Social Innovation, Venture Capital, Technoparks.
Introduction In the transition to an innovative path of economic development, entrepreneurship, especially small business, plays a crucial role. Success in modern market conditions is not limited to effective management of existing resources, but also requires the search for new ideas and their implementation in practice (innovative activity) (Source 1.1). The objective of the article is to scientifically and theoretically substantiate the innovative directions for entrepreneurship development and to propose effective strategies for their implementation.
Essence and Types of Innovative Entrepreneurship One of the main tasks of entrepreneurship is creativity and the pursuit of creating new products (services) (Source 1.1). Innovative entrepreneurship is the initiative that introduces new products to the market, implements new production technologies, or brings in new forms of business organization.
There are three main types of innovative entrepreneurship, aimed at different goals (Source 2.3): Product Innovations: Renewal of the company’s sales potential, expansion of market share, and creation of new jobs. Technology Innovations: Saving energy and raw materials, increasing labor productivity, and renewing production capacity. Social Innovations: Improving the social environment of the enterprise, mobilizing employees towards a common goal, and enhancing the organization’s reputation.
Priority Innovative Directions for Entrepreneurship Development The main directions for the development of modern entrepreneurship include:
Digital Technologies and Digitalization In the context of the digital economy, creating a favorable business environment for the development of innovative entrepreneurship is highly relevant. This includes the application of technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cloud technologies, Big Data, and the Internet of Things (IoT) into business processes. Digitalization also enables the development of remote work forms, which serves to increase work efficiency (Sources 1.5, 1.6).
Innovative Development of Education and Human Resources Potential Modern approaches to preparing for entrepreneurial activity, especially the use of business simulation programs (training for the future), are important. This helps young people gain interest and practical skills for starting their own business. The government’s intention to integrate entrepreneurship holistically into the entire education system also indicates the priority of this direction (Sources 1.3, 2.5).
Institutional Support and Infrastructure The role of the state in regulating and stimulating the development of innovative entrepreneurial activity is significant. Key directions include: Developing the venture capital market. Establishing technoparks, innovation centers, and clusters (Sources 2.1, 2.4). Improving the system of tax incentives for entrepreneurs engaged in innovative activities (Source 1.5).
Conclusion and Recommendations The innovative development of entrepreneurship is a prerequisite for ensuring the country’s economic progress. This process should primarily be aimed at the commercialization of new ideas and increasing the innovative activity of small businesses.
Practical Recommendations Expanding Innovative Infrastructure: It is advisable to increase the number of innovation centers in the regions and support local industrial enterprises involved in technological innovations (Source 2.6). Stimulating Demand for Innovations: Ensuring a comprehensive system for the creation of new types of products and innovative technologies from the idea stage to the final consumer. Implementing Foreign Experience: Deeply studying and implementing the experience of developed countries, such as Japan, in developing regional innovative entrepreneurship (technopolises, research centers) (Source 2.7).
List of References (Bibliography) Textbooks, Monographs, and Publications Schumpeter, J. A. (2007). The Theory of Economic Development: An Inquiry into Profits, Capital, Credit, Interest, and the Business Cycle. Moscow: Eksmo. (For the theoretical foundations of innovative entrepreneurship). Freeman, C. (2011). The Economics of Industrial Innovation. Moscow: Infra-M. (To cover the impact of technological innovation on the economy). Porter, M. E. (2011). Competitive Strategy: Techniques for Analyzing Industries and Competitors. Moscow: Alpina Publisher. (For analyzing competition and innovative advantage). Scientific Articles and Journals Kadirov, A. Z. (2020). The role of innovations in the development of small business and private entrepreneurship. Iqtisodiyot va innovatsion texnologiyalar (Economics and Innovative Technologies), (1), 240–255. (To include local experience). Nabiev, N. N. (2021). Directions for the development of innovative entrepreneurial activity in the conditions of the digital economy. Moliya va bank ishi (Finance and Banking), (3), 78–85. (To cover the digitalization direction). Saidov, M. A. (2019). Mechanisms for increasing the innovative activity of business entities. Bozor, pul va kredit (Market, Money, and Credit), (6), 55–63. Statistical Compilations, Reports, and Internet Sources Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. PF-60 of January 28, 2022, “On the Development Strategy of New Uzbekistan for 2022–2026”. National Database of Legislation. (To substantiate state strategic directions). OECD. (2021). Entrepreneurship at a Glance 2021. Paris: OECD Publishing. (For international experience and statistical data). World Bank. (2020). Digital Economy for Development (DE4D) Project Report. Washington, D.C.: World Bank Group. (To analyze the impact of digital technologies). World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). (2023). Global Innovation Index 2023 Report. Geneva: WIPO. (To include global innovation ranking data).
