Abstract
This paper explains that sociologists have established three main categories of rumors in social settings as pipe dream rumors, bogey or anxiety rumors and wedge-driving or divisive rumors and a fourth category known as home-stretches referring to anticipatory rumors. The author points out that pipe dreams rumors are the most positive form of rumors and often express the wishes and hopes of those who circulate the rumors but can be seen in a negative light such as some promises made by advertisers on the internet; bogey rumors reflect feared or anxiety-provoking outcomes, such as the 1974 Pop Rocks contamination rumor. The paper relates that wedge-driver rumors are a negative form of rumors intended to divide group loyalties or otherwise undermine interpersonal relations such as the rumor that Jews or Arabs had prior knowledge of the 9/11.

Table of Contents
Pipe Dream Rumors
Bogey Rumors
Wedge-Driver Rumors
Homestrechers

From the Paper
"The image of Bill Gates towering over rival Steve Jobs served to create, in the words of one observer, an "Orwellian" image of dominance and power. The anticipatory rumors, from the point of view of many Apple staff, had envisaged the joint presence of the two company leaders on stage. This rumor was seen as being "bad enough" and a sign of defeat by those loyal to Apple. However, the virtual presence of Gates as a looming and larger than life presence went beyond even the anticipatory rumor."

Tags:social, home-strechers, bogey, pipe-dream, wedge-driving

Abstract
The paper relates that when Richard Nixon visited China in February of 1972, he effectively brought to an end 20 years of Chinese estrangement from the west. The paper discusses how Nixon's visit was important because it actually ended many years of Chinese alienation from the rest of the world; after all, things had gone badly between China and Russia since at least the late 1950s. The paper discusses what factors prompted rapprochement and what these closer ties meant to international relations not only between America and the Soviet Union and America and China but also relations between China and regional Asian powers. The thesis at the heart of this paper is that rapprochement between America and China significantly weakened the Soviets inasmuch as it gave America a powerful ally against the Soviets - an ally that could then be used as a sort of bogey-man to extract concessions from the soviets vis-a-vis arms levels and negotiations. With that in mind, this paper explores the factors that led America towards rapprochement, the factors which drove the Chinese towards rapprochement, and the global and diplomatic changes and benefits which arose from the closer ties between the two great powers.

From the Paper
"To what extent was the establishment of relations between the United States and People's Republic of China a diplomatic revolution? When Richard Nixon visited China in February of 1972, he effectively brought to an end 20 years of Chinese estrangement from the west. Indeed, Nixon's visit was important because it actually ended many years of Chinese alienation from the rest of the world; after all, things had gone badly between China and Russia since at least the late 1950s. Over the next several pages, this essay will discuss what factors prompted rapprochement and what these closer ties meant to international relations not only between America and the Soviet Union and America and China but..."

Tags:republic, china, revolution