Critique Assignment Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Critique Assignment - Coursework Example The research being conducted is a quantitative research where trials and simulations were used to collect data. In this research, the participants were subjected to tests, some of which were multiple choices, while some involved the use of a Likert-scale, to measure their response towards the questions asked, and the research question at large. The previous studies in the research include a study by Ackerman, Kanfer and Goff (1995) with their study on cognitive and noncognitive determinants and consequences and complex skill acquisition. Another study is by Kanfer and Ackerman (1989). Kraiger, Ford and Salas (1993) are other authors whose study on the interaction between goal orientation and cognitive ability, was used in the study. Studies by Dweck (1986, 1989) on motivational processes affecting learning were also used in the literature and motivation, were also used in the literature. Farr, Hofmann and Ringenbach (1993) on goal orientation and action control theory, also had their study used in the literature of this study. Studies by Button et al. (1996) on goal orientation in organizational research, Ford, Smith, Weissbein, Gully and Salas (1998) on relationship on goal orientation, Kozlowski et al. (2001) on effects of training goals and goal orientation on multi-dimension training, and Philip and Gully (1997) on role of goal orientation, ability need for achievement and locus of control in the self-efficacy goal setting process, are among other studies listed in the literature review.

Automotive industry Essay Example for Free

Automotive industry Essay Maruti Suzuki India Limited generally famous as Maruti is an ancillary company of the Japanese automaker Suzuki Motor Corporation. It has a market share of 44.9% of the Indian passenger car market as of March 2011. Maruti 800 and Alto are their entry level cars. Ritz, A-Star, Swift, Wagon-R, Estilo are their hatch back models. DZire SX4 are Maruti’s Sedan class models. Eeco and Ertiga are Maruti’s C segment class. Grand Vitara is their Sports Utility Vehicle which is directly imported from Japan. Maruti is the 1st company in India to turn out and sell more than a million cars. Maruti Udyog Limited is renamed as Maruti Suzuki India Ltd on 17th September 2007. Maruti companies head quarter is in Nelson Mandela Road, New  Delhi. The company was customary in 1989; however the actual production commenced in 1983 with their Maruti 800. Till 2004 Maruti 800 was the India’s largest selling packed in car ever, since it was launched in 1983. More than a million units of this car have been sold worldwide so far. Maruti imports diesel engines for all their diesel cars from Fiat motors. Maruti’s manufacturing plants are located at two amenities Gurgoan and Manesar south of Delhi. Gurgoan plants installed capacity is of 9, 00,000 units per annum and Manesar plant with a capacity of 5, 00,000 units per year and a diesel plant with an annual capacity of 1, 00,000 engines and transmissions. Maruti has 933 dealerships crossways 666 towns and cities in all states and union territories of India with 2,946 service stations (inclusive of dealer workshops and Maruti Authorised Service Stations) in 1,395 towns and cities all over India. It has 30 Express Service Stations on 30 National Highways across 1,314 cities in India. Service is a major source of proceeds to the company. Most of the service stations help many stranded vehicles on the highways by sending across their repair man to the vehicle. 1.2 Definition Of Marketing According to American Marketing Association (AMA) Board of Directors, Marketing is the activity, set of institutions, and processes for creating, communicating, delivering, and exchanging offerings that have value of customers, clients, partners, and society at large. Dr. Philip Kotler defines, marketing as â€Å"the science and art of exploring, creating, and delivering value to satisfy the needs of a target market at a profit. Marketing identifies unfulfilled needs and desires. It defines measures and quantifies the size of the identified market and the profit potential. It pinpoints which segments the company is capable of serving best and it designs and promotes the appropriate products and services†. 1.3 Customer Perceived Value Customer Perceived Value (CPV) is the distinction between the prospective customer’s evaluation of all the benefits and all the costs of an offering and the perceived alternatives. 1.3.1 Customer Perceived Value of Maruti Suzuki with reference to Holbrook Model Typology of Customer Value Holbrook (1994 p. 27) asserted â€Å"Value is an interactive relativistic preference experience†. Based on this Holbrook proposed a typology of consumer value having three different dimensions: Extrinsic/Intrinsic: The consumer perceives value in using or owning a product or services as a means to and end versus an end in itself. Self-oriented/Other-oriented: The consumer perceives value for the consumer’s own benefit as against the benefit of others. Active/Reactive: The customer perceives value through direct use of an object as against apprehending, appreciating or responding to an object. These three dimensions give rise to eight types of customer value Extrinsic Intrinsic Self-oriented Active Efficiency Play Reactive Excellence Aesthetics Other-oriented Active Status Ethics Reactive Esteem Spirituality Thus for a company like Maruti it would be very apt to use this model considering that the products that Maruti Suzuki has to offer fits in quite easily in different dimensions as presented in the typology. 1.3.2 Customer Perceived Value of Maruti Suzuki with reference to Monroe Model Monroe (1990, p. 46) observes, â€Å"Buyers perceptions of value represent a trade-off between the quality or benefits they perceive in the product relative to the sacrifice they perceived by paying the price† Monroe has expressed the concept of customer perceived value as the ratio between perceived benefits and perceived sacrifice: Customer Perceived Value= Perceived Benefits ________________ Perceived Sacrifice According to Monroe perceived benefits has a positive influence on consumers perception of product value at first, and later on it may influence consumers purchase intentions. In contrast, perceived sacrifice first has a negative influence on consumers perception of product value, and later on it may influence consumers purchase intentions. Perceived Benefits Here the benefits include customers’ desired value, e.g., quality (Monroe, 1990). Sacrifices, on the other hand, include monetary (price) (Dodds, et al., 1991) and non-monetary (time, effort) (Cronin, et al., 2000) considerations. Therefore, value includes three key factors: (1) quality, (2) price, and (3) convenience (Lemon, et al., 2001), where convenience is the time and effort expended by the customers (Cronin, et al., 2000) In context to Maruti, the customer’s desired value is the quality of the car and services rendered there off. Whereas the sacrifices include the price of the car, maintenance cost, etc. 1.3.3 Customer Perceived Value of Maruti with reference to Woodruff’s Model A Value-Hierarchy Model Woodruff (1997) proposed that â€Å"Customer value is a customer’s perceived preference for and evaluation of those product attributes, attribute performances and consequences arising from use that facilities achieving the customer goals and purposes in use situations.† (p146) Accordingly the customer value hierarchy suggests that customers conceive of desired value in a means-end way. Basically it can be known as a system to run businesses throughout the country by understanding customer’s goal and satisfaction over it (Lister, n.d.) Desired Customer Customer Satisfaction Value with Received Value Customer’s Goals and Purposes Desired Consequences in Use Situations Desired Product Attributes and Attribute Preferences Starting at the bottom of the hierarchy, customers start to think about products as bundles of specific attributes and attribute performances. While purchasing and using a product they form desire or preferences for a certain attribute based on their ability to facilitate achieving desired consequence experiences. Looking down the hierarchy from the top, customers use goals and preferences to attach importance to consequences. Also the customer’s use situation plays a critical role in evaluation as well as in desires. Maruti Suzuki, being an automobile manufacturing company faces a lot of competition. Thus such a model would be very essential for their company. 1.3.4 Consumer perceived value of Maruti with reference to Zeithaml Model Means-End Model An adaptation of a model first proposed by Dodds and Monroe (1985), Zeithaml with her study in 1988 about price, quality and value towards consumers defined this into the concept of Means-End model. (Source: Means-End Model, Zeithaml, 1988) 2. Value Proposition Definition of ‘Value Proposition’ A business or marketing speech that summarizes why a customer should buy an item for consumption or use a service. This statement should prove a potential buyer that one meticulous product or service will add more value or better solve a problem than other like offerings. Companies use this statement to target customers who will benefit most from using the company’s products, and this helps maintain an economic moat. The ideal value proposition is concise and appeals to the customer’s strongest decision-making drivers. Companies pay a high price when customers lose slight of the company’s value proposition. 2.1 Value Proposition of Maruti Suzuki ‘Way of Life’ is the Value Proposition of Maruti Suzuki. As India is a country where comfort is vital while travelling, Maruti has always been the first option. As mileage is a big criterion with cars for Indians, Suzuki proves to be better than quite a few other names in cars as its vehicles have a higher mileage; for example Swift gives 22km/ltr while if you compare a Honda City gives around 12-13 km/litre. 2.2 Mission Vision of Maruti Suzuki The Company Mission To make available a wide range of modern, high quality fuel efficient vehicles in order to meet the need of different customers, both in domestic and export markets. The Company Vision We must be an internationally competitive company in terms of our products and services. We must retain our leadership in India and should also aspire to be among the global players. Their focus is on: Building a continuously improving organization adaptable to quick changes Providing value and satisfaction to the customer Aligning and fully involving all our employees, suppliers and dealers to face competition Maximising Shareholder’s value 2.3 Target Market Definition of target market: A specific group of consumers at which a company aims its products and services. Maruti Suzuki has adopted a focused approach and wisely created segments within a large market to promote their cars. Lower Income Group- Maruti 800, Alto  Middle Income Group- Wagon-R, Swift, Swift DZire, Ritz High Income Group- Maruti Suzuki Kizashi, Suzuki Grand Vitara Suzuki Grand Vitara would obviously have no takers amongst the lower income group. 2.4 Market Attractiveness Market attractiveness is a term that describes the profit possibilities available in a given market or industry. The more attractive a market is, the higher the potential profits. Companies in the process of considering entires into new industries or markets conduct a number of analyses to determine whether or not such a move would be good for the business. One such analysis is a market attractiveness analysis, conducted to find out if entering a particular market or industry would be profitable and how much the company could potentially earn. The automobile industry is a huge and diversified market. It can be divided into different segments each satisfying different needs of the customers. These different segments can be classified as: SUV’s, Sedans, Hatchbacks, C segments etc. This gives an automobile company ample amount of opportunities. Maruti Suzuki  is prevalent in all of these segments and is considered as one of the premium brands in all of these segments. In this very market other than the different segments of automobiles also is the service rendered by the company to the customers. Thus the market is as attractive as one would hope for giving Maruti Suzuki a chance to make the most of it.

Greek Gods and Myths :: Greece Mythology Gods Goddesses Essays

Greek Gods and Myths Andromeda is a herm pillar St. George defeats a dragon = paganism is replaced by Christianity Perseus travels to the axis mundi (which is always a narrow passageway) He attends Hippodameias marriage where he uses the gorgon head (transmutation of Athena) and changes the dinner guests into stone (herm pillars) He changes the whole nature of Mycenae of the Old Minoan tradition into the age of Zeus The meaning of Mycenae is changed to mushroom, from what it had once been named after the sisterhood The liminal hero has moved forward to Zeus role Another story of Perseus (backwards version) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- His dads name is Proitos, and moms name is Strong Cow (Queen) Proitoss daughters are named as the sisterhood of Proitides The Proitides start itching because of the oestral cycle and they become cows They encounter Perseus and tear him to pieces Another Perseus -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- His name is Bellerophon, which means killer of Belleros He also rides on Pegasus just like Perseus He comes to Strong Cows city Strong cow gets the oestral itch and falls madly in love with Bellerophon He keeps away from her The queen lies to her husband Proitus and says that Bellerophon had raped her Proitus gives Bellerophon a letter that tells him to go to Africa=underworld Bellerophon goes to Africa and then is sent on a mission to find a deadly beast named Chimaera that is composed of a lion with a tail of a serpent. He is successful in finding the Chimaera. And during his mission he sleeps with many women from the underworld. While riding on Pegasus, Pegasus smells the mares on heat on Mt. Olympus and rushes to get there. Bellerophon falls from Pegasus and is maimed. He wanders in the midst of Asia. Hercules (in Greek= Herakles) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If one is moving towards and Olympian identity, they should leave behind their physicality. Herakles gets his name from Hera, sinister name named after the goddess. The false atamology of the name means killer of Hera, or the great queens finger guy. He leans on a pillar and is the pillar guy of the goddess. He is associated with the entheogen of the club=the trunk of the olive tree; lion skin; archery =toxins; and cup of wine Antias -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- He is the one who greets you when you come to the underworld. He is an African who has a close association with mother earth, and is chthonic.

Critique Zara’s strategy based upon an evaluation of the external and internal environments facing Zara.

Introduction Using your evaluation of the external and internal environments facing Zara, you are asked to critique Zara’s stated strategy of expansion into (Eastern) Europe and Asia. Consider whether the strategy is feasible, suitable and acceptable. In your answer, consider both the likely benefits as well as challenges that Zara is going to face. How does the emphasis on online expansion fit into the company’s international strategy? Zara opened its first store in 1975 in La Coruna, located in northwest Spain. International expansion of the Zara brand began with the opening of a store in Oporto in 1988. By the end of January 2006, Zara was operating in 59 countries with 852 stores: 664 stores in Europe (including 259 in Spain), 100 in America, 45 in the Middle East and Africa and 31 in Asia. Foreign sales accounted for 69% of the company’s turnover in the year 2005, with Europe being the biggest market so far. This paper critiques Zara’s strategy of expansion into ( Eastern) Europe and Asia, based upon an evaluation of the external and internal environments facing Zara. The decision for global expansion is due to both push and pull factors. The push factors are those which encouraged the organization to search for international opportunities. The pull factors include attractive situations in the host market . Limited market growth opportunities at home were major influences in the decision to expand internationally. With the opening of their first store, Zara discovered that for some, the Spanish fashion and design market was on verge of saturation. Key pull factors included the entry of Spain into the European Union. The globalization of the world’s economies, the economy of scale to be made and the similarities of consumer spending patterns was an additional pull factor. Strategy is feasible, suitable and acceptable The internationalization of Zara seemed to follow the classic stage model by first entering the culturally or geographica lly closest market prior to taking chances in a more distant market. This method aided the company’s learning curve. These stages include: †¢ Reluctance as well as trial: Zara focused their expansion on the domestic market. The maturity of the Spanish market led Zara to search for international opportunities. Expansion into Portugal was seen as an attractive as well as familiar market because of their geographical and cultural proximity to Europe. †¢ Cautious expansions: During this stage Zara expanded into markets with geographical and psychological proximate as well as with minimum levels of socio-economic developments by adding one or two countries each year to their market portfolio. Zara then began operating in France’s fashion capital, with sights on the geographical contiguous EU and points for later expansions in Northern Europe, including Belgium and Sweden. Benefits as well as challenges that Zara is going to face Zara owns many stores in Europe and Asia; international expansion has been adopted by way of three separate entry modes: †¢ Subsidiaries: This direct investing strategy is a very expensive method of entering and it involves a high level of quality management control as well as business risk. Zara adopted such strategy for European as well as Asian countries, which had been perceived for having high growth potential along with low business risks. †¢ Joint venturing: This is a cooperative strategy where manufacturing facilities and a know-how of local companies have been combined with expertise in foreign companies in the same market, particularly in large, competitive markets where it is difficult to acquire property for setting up retail outlets and where there have been the other types of barriers which need cooperation with a local firm. †¢ Franchisee: This strategy has been chosen for high-risk countries that are culturally different and have little market opportunities along with a low sale forecas t. Franchisees of Zara follow a similar business pattern to their subsidiaries regarding product, store location, interior design, and logistics, as well as human resources. When an entry mode has been decided for a specific country, Zara has followed patterns of the expansion called in company as oil stain. Experience guides Zara in these stages of expansions in each country. Emphasis on online expansion fit into the company’s international strategy Experience gained in international environments made Zara intent on rapid global expansion, with regard to the cultural and geographic proximate. Zara consolidated its position in the European market as a method of gaining a foothold in the new countries. Due to the expansion of the European Union, at the start of the year 2006, Zara was operating in 59 countries with 800 stores, with plans to add many more in countries such as Italy, France, Germany and Great Britain, with Asia as the headquarters of international operations. References Alexander, N. (1995b). Internationalisation: interpreting the motives, in McGoldrick P. and Davies, P., International retailing: trends and strategies. London: Pitman Publishing. Johanson, J. a.-P. (1975). The internationalisation of the firm four Swedish case studies. Journal of Management Studies, 12 , 305-322. Martinez, J. (1997). Jose Maria Castellano. Economistas, 73 , 118-126.

Lemurs in Madagascar Assignment

Associate Level Material Lemurs in Madagascar Assignment View the â€Å"Lemurs in Madagascar – Surviving on an Island of Change† video. Using the information found in this video, and in Ch. 5 and 6 of Visualizing Environmental Science, answer the following questions in 25 to 100 words each. 1. What are Madagascar’s biomes? Discuss the major features of at least one of these biomes. Use the textbook for biome examples. A= In Madagascar their biome is the tropical rainforest. A feature of a biome from the tropical rainforest is the temperature; it is usually warm yearly with rain every day.There are 3 different layers to the biome in the tropical rainforest, first being the layer on top of trees, the second layer being on the leaves, and the last layer being on the ground of the rainforest. 2. What changes happening in Madagascar are posing challenges for lemurs? Give details about the sources, time scale, and types of change. A= the changes that are happening are creating many challenges to lemurs is the destruction of the tropical rainforest by humans.Lemurs eat the leaves from the trees, and if the trees are being cut down it is destroying not only the rainforest but the lemur’s source of food. 3. Which types of lemurs are adapting to the changes? Which types of lemurs are not adapting well? Why? A= the lemurs that are doing well with the changes are the ones secondary to the habitats altered by people, these lemurs are called the ring-tailed lemur, they use the crops of the people to find food due to the destruction of the rainforest.The lemurs that are not adapting well are the bamboo lemurs, they eat only bamboo and since a lot of plants are gone they do not have food to eat. 4. What behavioral and physical traits are being favored in lemurs in the changing Madagascar environment? A= well some of the lemurs are able to adapt to the changes and they are studying this type to see what will help them change and also to see if that c hange can be shown to other lemurs. 5. Why might lemurs not evolve to adapt to the changes in Madagascar?A= this can happen is a lemur only eats a certain type of plant and if there is no longer that plant in the rainforest then the changes for that breed of lemur will not be good. 6. Which biogeochemical cycles may be altered by anthropogenic activities on Madagascar, and how? A= this involves the transition between atmospheric gases, soils, oceans and living organisms. Since the humans continue to destroy these resources in Madagascar areas will continued to be effected. Reference â€Å"Lemurs in Madagascar: Surviving on an Island of Change. † Films Media Group, 2006. Films on Demand.

Free Essays on Deep Thinking

Throughout this course I have learned so much about how life is, and can be, explored through using the beliefs you carry, the values you learn, and the qualities you enhance. Most of all, I have learned that life is too short to let your time slip away and let the values of you and your family hold wither due to lack of self esteem and outside support and encouragement. The characteristics of time and values are the most definite when trying to create a â€Å"name† for yourself. You need time to set the pace for your priorities and define personal goals toward time management. By determining your own personal purpose for life, also known as your mission statement, you establish a way of means to finish and conclude special tasks; whether it be general or personal goals. I’ve learned that without goals set for yourself, you may find it hard to succeed in life; personally, financially, emotionally, mentally, etc. However, in order to set goals, you need to have the background of values to determine what is most important to you. Traditional and societal values have had a major impact on my life. I understand, now most definitely, how important and influential positive family customs are needed in my life, now and forever. Also seeing that I am just one person makes life a little less stressful by allowing me to become the person I want to be in the future. Without my family and other resources my past, present, and future would not be the same. I enjoy having the satisfaction of knowing that I am here on earth to embark on a journey that will set forth my future plans and my future self.... Free Essays on Deep Thinking Free Essays on Deep Thinking Throughout this course I have learned so much about how life is, and can be, explored through using the beliefs you carry, the values you learn, and the qualities you enhance. Most of all, I have learned that life is too short to let your time slip away and let the values of you and your family hold wither due to lack of self esteem and outside support and encouragement. The characteristics of time and values are the most definite when trying to create a â€Å"name† for yourself. You need time to set the pace for your priorities and define personal goals toward time management. By determining your own personal purpose for life, also known as your mission statement, you establish a way of means to finish and conclude special tasks; whether it be general or personal goals. I’ve learned that without goals set for yourself, you may find it hard to succeed in life; personally, financially, emotionally, mentally, etc. However, in order to set goals, you need to have the background of values to determine what is most important to you. Traditional and societal values have had a major impact on my life. I understand, now most definitely, how important and influential positive family customs are needed in my life, now and forever. Also seeing that I am just one person makes life a little less stressful by allowing me to become the person I want to be in the future. Without my family and other resources my past, present, and future would not be the same. I enjoy having the satisfaction of knowing that I am here on earth to embark on a journey that will set forth my future plans and my future self....

tuberculosis prevention essays

tuberculosis prevention essays Tuberculosis is becoming a world-wide problem. Three million people die of TB each year, and over 22,000 cases are reported each year in the United States. There are also an estimated 10 to 15 million people in the U.S. who are infected with the TB germs with potential to develop TB disease in the future (Huglas, February 1998). The modern era of tuberculosis began in the mid 1980s. At that time it was realized that tuberculosis had not only ceased to decline in many developed countries, notably the U.S.A., but was actually increasing. It is estimated that deaths from tuberculosis will increase from 3 million a year currently to 5 million by the year 2050 (Tilson, 1998). Tuberculosis spreads through coughing and sneezing and it is highly contagious. Someone in the world is newly infected with TB each second. One-third of the worlds population is now infected with TB bacilli (World Health Organization). There is virtually nothing anyone can do to protect himself or himself from TB. You could get into a taxicab and if somebody who was there three hours before had been coughing, those particles will remain suspended in the air for a few hours. Although effective and affordable treatment have been available since 1950, the drugs generally must be taken for 6 to 8 months. Many patients stop taking them as soon as they begin to feel better because of a lack of education. Premature cessation of the treatment will result in a relapse and possibly the emergence of a drug resistant strain (Hugles, February 1998). Tuberculosis is out of control in many developing countries of the world. Within the developed world, immigration is the greatest factor contributing to the increase in cases. Current events suggest that the situation will deteriorate further before the international community provides sufficient resources to regain the upper hand in the war against tuberculosis (World Health Organization). The practical solutio...

Biography of Musical Inventor Joseph H Dickinson

Biography of Musical Inventor Joseph H Dickinson Joseph Hunter Dickinson contributed several improvements to different musical instruments. Hes particularly known for improvements to player pianos that provided better actuation (the loudness or softness of the key strikes) and could play the sheet music from any point in the song. In addition to his accomplishments as an inventor, he was elected to the Michigan legislature, serving from from 1897 to 1900. The Life of Joseph H. Dickinson Sources say Joseph H. Dickinson was born in Chatham, Ontario, Canada on June 22, 1855, to Samuel and Jane Dickinson. His parents were from the United States and they returned to settle in Detroit in 1856 with the infant Joseph. He went to school in Detroit. By 1870, he had enlisted in the United States Revenue Service and served on the revenue cutter Fessenden for two years. He was hired at age 17 by the Clough Warren Organ Company, where he was employed for 10 years. This company was one of the largest organ makers in the world at that time and  made over 5,000 ornate inlaid-wood organs per year from 1873 to 1916. Some of their organs were purchased by Queen Victoria of England and other royalty. Their Vocalion instrument was a leading church organ for many years. They also began to manufacture pianos under the brand names of Warren, Wayne, and Marville. The company later switched to manufacturing phonographs. During his first stint  at the company, one of the large combination organs Dickinson designed for Clough Warren won a prize at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. Dickinson married Eva Gould of Lexington. He later formed the Dickinson Gould Organ Company with this father-in-law. As part of an exhibit on the accomplishments of black Americans, they sent an organ to the New Orleans Exposition of 1884. After four years, he sold his interest to his father-in-law and went back to the Clough Warren Organ Company. During his second stint with Clough Warren, Dickinson filed his numerous patents. These included improvements for reed organs and volume-controlling mechanisms. He was not the first inventor of the player piano, but he did patent an improvement that allowed the piano to start playing at any position on the music roll. His roller mechanism also allowed the piano to play its music in forward or reverse. Additionally, he is regarded as the main contributing inventor of the Duo-Art reproducing piano. He later served as superintendent of the Aeolian Companys experimental department in Garwood, New Jersey. This company was also one of the largest piano manufacturers of its time. He received over a dozen patents during these years, as player pianos were popular. Later, he continued to innovate with phonographs. He was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives as a Republican candidate in 1897, representing the first district of Wayne County (Detroit). He was re-elected in 1899. Joseph H. Dickinsons Patents #624,192, 5/2/1899, Reed Organ#915,942, 3/23/1909, Volume-controlling means for mechanical musical instruments#926,178, 6/29/1909, Volume-controlling means for mechanical musical instruments#1,028,996, 6/11/1912, Player-piano#1,252,411, 1/8/1918, Phonograph#1,295,802. 6/23.1916 Rewind device for phonographs#1,405,572, 3/20/1917 Motor drive for phonographs#1,444,832 11/5/1918 Automatic musical instrument#1,446,886 12/16/1919 Sound box for sound-reproducing machines#1,448733 3/20/1923 Multiple-record-magazine phonograph#1,502,618 6/8/1920 Player piano and the like#1,547,645 4/20/1921 Automatic musical instrument#1.732,879 12/22/1922 Automatic piano#1,808,808 10/15/1928 Music roll magazine

UN Raises Aid Appeal for Pakistani Quake Victims in Race Against Time Essay

UN Raises Aid Appeal for Pakistani Quake Victims in Race Against Time - Essay Example As the paper declares relief agencies are trying to rush shelter and medical treatment to villages in the mountainous region before they are cut off by winter snow within around three weeks. The Red Cross warned in a statement on Wednesday that thousands of the most vulnerable survivors in remote villages could die of exposure if they are left without care or shelter in the freezing cold of the Himalayan foothills. This discussion stresses that the UN has been struggling to fill its current appeal of $312 million for emergency assistance over six months and says that the shortage is slowing the relief effort. Pakistan's Senate chairman, Muhammad Soomro, and minister for economic affairs Hina Rabbani Khar, are expected to outline the extent of destruction of life and property in Pakistan caused by the 7.6 magnitude earthquake. The quake devastated an area of more than 28,000 square kilometers (11,000 square miles), depriving more than 1.1 million people of their jobs and reducing thousands of schools and hospitals to rubble, according to Pakistani officials. Byrs said that the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), which is delivering urgently needed tents for about 3.3 million homeless people in Pakistani Kashmir, and the World Food Program, which provides food rations, were short of funding. Bad weather has been forecast in the region this week, while snowfall is expected to ground most of the 100 or so h elicopters ferrying help to isolated villages in the region by the middle of next month, according to the UN.

Week 3 - Marketing discussion questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Week 3 - Marketing discussion questions - Essay Example In case of Industrial Buying, this person is called Purchase Manager. A common day example can be mothers of a teenager who give permission to their kids for buying toys of their own choice. The primary concern for such type of buyer is price. They are usually not impressed by the qualities of product as compared to other products. External factors greatly affect such kind of buying decisions. The primary tool for marketers facing such type of buyers is the price-comparison list of competitors and the independent list of features of product. b) The Expert: sometimes the consumer is not fully aware of the qualities or features of the product and they rely on expert advice for purchase of such products. For example IT consultants usually analyze the type of organization and then help the overall purchase of IT solution for the organizations. As a common day example, products such as pampers are bought by mothers who know exactly what type and quality of pampers will perform the required function for her baby. Internal factors need to be considered in marketing products to experts. To market your product to such buyers, always show the expert what your product can do. What benefits it can give to the consumer. Show him the best features of your product. c) The User: when you have to market your product to end user, always show them how the product can solve their real world problems. Marketing is very crucial in such cases. Understand their need and then market the product to make them sure that your product can fulfill their need and provide them with the desired benefits (Changingminds, 2007). 2. Amanda’s own confection offers different valentine’s chocolates such as cupid bad, hearts cello bag, and they are usually priced as $1.1 per oz. (Amandasown, 2007). Fannie May offers boxes fill with different shapes of chocolates and are priced at approximately $1.625 per oz. (Fanniemay, 2007). Then we also have Rivera Chocolates who

An Effective Approach to Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

An Effective Approach to Management - Essay Example He should see that the tasks accomplished are according to customer satisfaction (Williams, 2010, pp.7-8) In essence, there are five specified tasks of a manager. Managers â€Å"set goals, organize activities, motivate and communicate, measure performance, and develop people.† (Daft, 2011, p.5) There are different approaches to management. Some of the most influential ones are classical approach, the human relations approach and contingency approach. Each approach offers valuable insights for practicing managers in their efforts to define management problems and opportunities, and to develop ways to deal with them. This paper focuses on human relations approach of management with Accenture as case study. The traditional classical theory of management was a drawback in many ways. It failed to comprehend the behavioral patterns of individual employees. This theory is a concept of rigid laws in management practice. This theory is based on the assumption that employees are motivated only by financial incentives, and ignored the human aspect of employees i.e. their social and psychological needs. This theory assumed that productivity is the only objective of an organizational body and ignored the multiple goals of the organization. Overall, the classical approach is more mechanical with no focus on motivation and inter-personal relationships between employees and management personnel (Agarwal, 1983, p.29) As a result a natural outgrowth of this management theory is the human relations theory also known as behavioral management theory. This theory came into practice in the 1930s (Griffin & Moorehead, 2009, p.85) and is based on the concept â€Å"satisfied workers will give more work.â₠¬  (Daft & Marcic, 2010, p.30) The initial focus of the theory was on worker cooperation and thoughtful management, but gradually the focus shifted to the daily performance of workers. The concept of this theory was to integrate skilled and quality performance with motivation aspects.

Health-related Products Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Health-related Products - Case Study Example An increasing score of people is always on the lookout for effective health-related products. Nike iPod sport kit enables the iPod to play any music that motivates the person to perform exercise in accordance with his/her physical condition. It is a perfect device for a health-conscious person who loves listening to music while working out, and who doesn't these days. So far we have been quite successful in following our mission, which is to provide the health-conscious individual with an entertaining exercise experience. Since our product is at the earliest stage of the product life cycle, informing the consumer about the practical benefits of the Nike iPod Sport Kit is critical. Hence, in order to increase the sales of the sport kit, it is mandatory to form a partnership with the gyms, which would hopefully be beneficial for all three companies. 1. As gyms pose the most dangerous threat to the sales of the Nike iPod sport kit, it would be wise to partner with them in order to get decent market publicity. Hence, Nike and Apple would be able to avail the opportunity of selling not only this device but also other products, to gym members and at the gym stores. On the other hand, gyms would also receive numerous benefits from this partnership. Originally unknown gyms partnering with Nike iPod would eventually, be known to be sponsored by Nike and Apple. They would be using these huge brand names in order to attract as many new members as possible. Furthermore, it would also be easier to maneuver the regular costumers of Nike and Apple, to gain memberships at their gyms. 2. There also needs to be a change in the consumers of Nike iPod sport kit. As males are the chief consumers of this product, the aim of this partnership is to convince females into buying this product. Young females of age 22 - 35 years of age are the secondary targets, as they already are members of various gyms. The primary targets are middle or upper class workingwomen, especially those involved in the corporate industry. Use of the product by corporate women would increase its exposure throughout the business industry, resulting in an instant acknowledgement of the innovative technology applied by Nike and Apple Inc. The popularity of this product would also give rise to the sales of other goods manufactured by these companies. A demand for these brand names would further rise in the common market. Advantages of Partnership: For Customers People exercising outside would be able to constantly monitor and regulate their physical state. They can avail the facilities of the gym even when it is not accessible to them for some reason. Holidays or early closing of the gym would not stop people from healthy monitored exercise. High accuracy of the device and its easy operation surpasses the gym equipment in usage. The technology of motivating the user by the choice of songs keeps him running everyday. For the Company The partnership increases exposure of the device to all regular exercisers working out in gyms. The ipod Nano gains further recognition in its quest to maintain its leadership in mp3 players. The best place to explain operation of the device is a gym as it can be practically

What systems are used to effectively manage service quality in the Essay

What systems are used to effectively manage service quality in the hospitality industry Discuss and evaluate the benefits and issues that arise from a strategi - Essay Example The strategic systems available for measuring quality of service delivery involve revenue enhancement strategies, routine and in-depth staff performance evaluations and tools which are directed specifically at the firm’s clientelle. This project discusses the aforementioned strategic tools whilst also highlighting the potential positive and negative outcomes of these approaches to measuring service quality. One dimension of service quality pertaining to customer perceptions of the appropriateness of service delivery involves the functional elements of service delivery, such as the tangible methodology of practice regarding how the service was delivered (Miguel, Silva, Chiosini & Schiitzer, 2004). These delivery elements include basic concepts such as the friendliness of staff members, availability of staff, quality of food preparation, ease of check-out in the hotel environment or any other aspect which involves the facility and the service aptitudes of the industry’s internal staff (Grossman, 1999). From a different researcher perspective, these elements of service delivery are categorised as interaction quality which directly involves the customer-staff interventions and associations during the process of patronising the hospitality firm (Alexandris, Kouthouris & Meligdis, 2006). The strategic approach to measuring the quality of the aforementioned aspects of service delivery can be accomplished, in theory, in a distinct process: Assessment of customer-based revenue streams utilised comparatively to changes in service methodology to determine a correlation between frequency of customer re-visit to the facility and changes to the service delivery practices in the firm between strategic groups. As a step toward strategic revenues management, the process of obtaining the firm’s highest conceivable revenues based on the sale of the firm’s total capacity (Ng, 2006),

Physics assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Physics assignment - Essay Example This research will focus on using wave models to describe and give various properties concerning waves. During the research, there will be some demonstrations to prove that traveling waves propagate. Though, the particles of the medium are stagnant. Various properties of waves will be studied. Among the main properties of waves is the speed at which waves travel through a given medium. Wavelength is also another property of the waves that will be considered in depth and lastly the wave frequency. Another area of research will be determining the different types of waves. The distinct properties of waves will be considered in order to identify and classify various types of waves in existence. Waves make particles of the medium in which they are travelling to be displaced. This displacement of particles affects their equilibrium positions in the medium. For a string, the particles to be displaced are either small segments of the string or its sections. Wave displacement forms a crucial while discussing about formation of harmonic oscillations commonly referred to as sinusoidal waves. Wave speed: Taking a look at travelling waves, it becomes clear that waves have a source. A laboratory practical to analyses the source and behavior of waves will be carried out. During the laboratory experiment, a metal wire, sensor, pulley and a hanging mass will be connected as shown in the set up below. The hanging mass is attached at the end of the string to provide tension. When a horizontal pick is used to pluck the string just at the pulley, a pulse is created in the string and travels along it in form of a disturbance. A timer is started by the pulse created in the wire by the plucking effect. The timer continues recording the time until the traveling pulse reaches the sensor, which stops it. When the mass attached to the other end of the string is changed, the

What systems are used to effectively manage service quality in the Essay

What systems are used to effectively manage service quality in the hospitality industry Discuss and evaluate the benefits and issues that arise from a strategi - Essay Example The strategic systems available for measuring quality of service delivery involve revenue enhancement strategies, routine and in-depth staff performance evaluations and tools which are directed specifically at the firm’s clientelle. This project discusses the aforementioned strategic tools whilst also highlighting the potential positive and negative outcomes of these approaches to measuring service quality. One dimension of service quality pertaining to customer perceptions of the appropriateness of service delivery involves the functional elements of service delivery, such as the tangible methodology of practice regarding how the service was delivered (Miguel, Silva, Chiosini & Schiitzer, 2004). These delivery elements include basic concepts such as the friendliness of staff members, availability of staff, quality of food preparation, ease of check-out in the hotel environment or any other aspect which involves the facility and the service aptitudes of the industry’s internal staff (Grossman, 1999). From a different researcher perspective, these elements of service delivery are categorised as interaction quality which directly involves the customer-staff interventions and associations during the process of patronising the hospitality firm (Alexandris, Kouthouris & Meligdis, 2006). The strategic approach to measuring the quality of the aforementioned aspects of service delivery can be accomplished, in theory, in a distinct process: Assessment of customer-based revenue streams utilised comparatively to changes in service methodology to determine a correlation between frequency of customer re-visit to the facility and changes to the service delivery practices in the firm between strategic groups. As a step toward strategic revenues management, the process of obtaining the firm’s highest conceivable revenues based on the sale of the firm’s total capacity (Ng, 2006),

Monarch Butterfly Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Monarch Butterfly - Research Paper Example Butterflies and moths belong to the order, Lepidoptera (Capinera, 628). The special characteristics of this order are the presence of a â€Å"complete, holometabolous life cycle, with separate egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages† (Capinera, 631). And this is why butterflies are classified under this order. A Monarch butterfly has also a similar wing span which comes to â€Å"3.5 to 4 inches† (Garber, 76). Another common feature of the members of Lepidoptera order is that all of them have â€Å"four wings and also scales covering at leats some body parts (Capinera, 631). In Monarch butterflies, the scales are seen â€Å"as a patch near the central veins of the hindwings† (Capinera, 631). There are two subspecies in Monarch butterfly (Oberhauser and Solensky, 1). The species, Danaus plexippus plexippus, is found in â€Å"Southern Canada, the USA, Mexico, most Caribbean Islands, Central America and northern South America† (Oberhauser and Solensky, 1). The sec ond subspecies, Danaus plexippus erippus is seen in â€Å"Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Eastern Brazil† (Oberhauser and Solensky, 1). Monarch butterflies are cold-blooded insects (Learner.org). So they are comfortable in cool climates as in such an atmosphere, they do not need to spend much energy (Learner.org). It can be seen that â€Å"the body of the caterpillar will be covered with nine brown rings aside from black head and it features three pairs of ‘true’ legs with claws attached and five pairs of prolegs that extend backwards† (Monarch-Butterfly.com). To differentiate a female monarch butterfly from a male, one has to look for a simple identification mark -â€Å"the male monarchs have a black spot on each of the hind wings over a vein. The female monarch butterfly does not have this spot† (Monarch-Butterfly.com). In one year, four generations of monarch butterflies complete their life cycle (Monarch-Butterfly.com). Th e life cycle of a monarch butterfly on the other hand includes four stages, namely, the egg, the larvae, the pupa and the butterfly (Monarch-Butterfly.com). The annual life cycle of this majestic insect can be considered to begin in the months of February and March when they mate (Monarch-Butterfly.com). After mating, the butterflies migrate to the Northern and Eastern parts of North America and lay their eggs there in the months of March and April (Monarch-Butterfly.com). It is on the milkweed plant that the Monarch butterflies lay their white eggs (Monarch-Butterfly.com). The eggs will be seen on the undersides of milkweed leaves, usually near the top of the plant. Each female butterfly lay â€Å"several hundred eggs† and the eggs hatch in four days (Monarch-Butterfly.com). There are many invertebrate predators that feed on Monarch eggs and larvae like, red velvet spider mite (Oberhauser and Solensky, 6). The caterpillar is herbivore and feeds only on milkweed leaves for tw o weeks and then attach to a small stem or a leaf of the plant and starts metamorphosing into the pupa stage (Monarch-Butterfly.com). Because of the insistence of the caterpillars on eating only the milkweeds, Monarch butterflies gained another name, the â€Å"milkweed butterfly† (Monarch-Butterfly.com). The caterpillars are only â€Å"about 0.1 inches long† weighing 0.55 grams (Monarch-Butterfly.com). Caterpillars have alternating bands of yellow, white, and black, on their body with a black stripe between pairs of

Zeigarnik Effect Essay Example for Free

Zeigarnik Effect Essay The Zeigarnik Effect is named after the Russian psychologist, Bluma Zeigarnik (1926), who noticed an odd thing while sitting in a restaurant in Vienna. The waiters seemed only to remember orders which were in the process of being served, but little recollection of the completed orders. Zeigarnik went back to her lab to test out a theory about what was going on with the waiter. More than fifty years after the Bluma Zeigarnik study, Kenneth McGraw and his team returned to conduct the same study. The conclusion in both studies was that once people start something, they are more inclined to finish it. There is, however, one exception to the Zeigarnik Effect; it won’t work unless you are actually motivated to complete the task or achieve the goal. The Zeigarnik Effect says our brains hold-on to unfinished tasks; in other words, we like to finish what we start. The Zeigarnik Effect is about the human tendency to remember uncompleted tasks more than the tasks already completed. When people manage to start something they’re more inclined to finish it. What the Zeigarnik Effect teaches is that one weapon for beating procrastination is starting– something, sometime, somewhere†¦ anything. Don’t start with the hard task, try something easy first. Once you’ve made a start, however trivial, there’s something drawing you on to complete the task. Zeigarnik ascribed their results to a ‘state of tension’, akin to a cliffhanger ending: Your mind wants to know what comes next. It wants to finish. In conclusion, memory is a good indicator as to whether people continue to be interrupted by thoughts of incomplete tasks. Constant thoughts of incomplete task components cause it to be retained in memory better. Interruptions that cause a person to fall behind in their objective also cause anxiety that brings about constant thoughts of unfinished business.

The School: Postmodernist Ideas Essay -- essays research papers

The School: Postmodernist Ideas Barthelme's "The School" is the first postmodernist story I have ever read. When I read it for the first time, my lips formed a bitter smile. In my imagination, postmodernist stories differed from the classical ones in the arrangement of the ideas and in the standard that postmodernists reject society. True, â€Å"The School† does differ in composition, for example the absence of introduction, but though it sounds somewhat comical, it does also have an incorporated pessimism that makes me reflect on the story. I think this pessimism is the cause that postmodernists reject society. The notion of rejection comes in the story through the death cases. It seems strange why Barthelme uses the notion death in his story, but I think the reason is that this is the best way to stress that every living thing is losing its importance. Hopeless pessimism interweaves with the idea of rejection, and I find them together everywhere, in every death case. For Barthelme, what is lost is unrecoverable. Pessimism, mostly expressed in taking death naturally, spreads uniformly all over the story, from the first paragraph about the orange trees to the last when the new gerbil enters the classroom. In this school, where the children are supposed to receive education, everything dies. The fish, the salamander, and the orange trees die though children take much care of them. The teacher is pessimistic although life goes on and a new ...

The Diagnosis and Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Essay

The Diagnosis and Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder There are many factors to consider in the evaluation and treatment of Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This paper will discuss the strategies that have proven most effective in treating the disorder, including: drug therapy, cognitive therapy, and family-based therapy. It will focus on the benefits of flexibility, emphasizing combination therapy, especially with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has become an increasingly familiar disorder within the world of health and medicine. The recurring obsessions and compulsions associated with the disorder seem quite easy to identify, yet the acknowledgement of OCD in children had been overlooked for quite some time. Many people believe â€Å"that children have no reason to develop depression or anxiety disorder such as OCD† (Wiznitzer, 2003). Diagnoses and treatment of OCD patients has only recently shifted from adults to children. Some of the most important questions facing psychologists studying OCD today are how to determine which children suffer from OCD and what treatments most effectively reduce or eliminate their symptoms. Researchers have offered that by applying some of the information learned from treating adults, our understanding of the disorder in children may improve immensely. With the majority of psychologists agreeing with this proposal, OCD has gained a large amount of attention in the last couple of decades. Recent studies have estimated that â€Å"the condition is 2 to 20 times more common than previously thought and has been the catalyst for research activity in the area† (Waters, 2000). Though this heightened attention is good news for suffering children, it has not been as helpful as originally expected. A number of unnecessary drug-based therapies have been implemented in an attempt to meet the increasing demand of OCD treatment. Many of these drugs have proved successful in treating anxiety disorders; however, many OCD cases require more complex treatments. Many could benefit from several alternative forms of OCD treatment, such as family oriented treatments and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Unfortunately, the advantages of combining these methods with drug therapy have nearly been overlooked in the scramble for easy answers. â€Å"Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has emerged as a s... ... important to realize that OCD varies in type and severity, so treatment will vary in their effectiveness. â€Å"Whatever is tried, it is important to urge flexibility, as a combination of drug and behavioral treatment may be needed† (Rapoport, 2000). Recent studies such as the ERP and RIDE approve and recommend CBT in treating OCD. They also emphasize the importance of flexibility in successfully treating the disorder. Many cases may benefit best from a combination of drug and behavioral treatment. Bibliography Rapoport, J., & Inoff-Germain, G. (2000). Treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder in children and adolescents. Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry, 41(4), 419-431. Steinberger, K. (2002). Classification of OCD in children and adolescence. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavic, 106(2), 97-102. Wagner, A. (2003). CBT for Children and adolescents with OCD. Brief Treatment and Crisis Intervention. 3(3). 291-306. Waters, T., & Barret, P. (2000). The role of the family in childhood obsessive-compulsive disorder. Clinical Child & Family Psychology Review, 3(3), 173-184. Wiznitzer, M. (2003). Why do psychiatric drug research in children? Lancet, 361(9364). 1147-1148.

Kendrick lamar Essay

Kendrick lamar is a modern time rapper who expresses his opinions on judgement,drugs,money,love and fame through the form of music. Any song you listen too, he will always make you evaluate yourself and the world around you. Kendrick Lamar has the same effect as every other modern rapper effects. He changes the norms and values that teens will apply to their personal lives. Teens are affected this way because thats how the interpret his music. I interpret it a different way. He actually delivers messages through his music. Kendrick lamar is a modern time rapper who expresses his opinions on judgement,drugs,money,love and fame through the form of music. Any song you listen too, he will always make you evaluate yourself and the world around you. Kendrick Lamar has the same effect as every other modern rapper effects. He changes the norms and values that teens will apply to their personal lives. Teens are affected this way because thats how the interpret his music. I interpret it a different way. He actually delivers messages through his music. Kendrick lamar is a modern time rapper who expresses his opinions on judgement,drugs,money,love and fame through the form of music. Any song you listen too, he will always make you evaluate yourself and the world around you. Kendrick Lamar has the same effect as every other modern rapper effects. He changes the norms and values that teens will apply to their personal lives. Teens are affected this way because thats how the interpret his music. I interpret it a different way. He actually delivers messages through his music. Kendrick lamar is a modern time rapper who expresses his opinions on judgement,drugs,money,love and fame through the form of music. Any song you listen too, he will always make you evaluate yourself and the world around you. Kendrick Lamar has the same effect as every other modern rapper effects. He changes the norms and values that teens will apply to their personal lives. Teens are affected this way because thats how the interpret his music. IÂ  interpret it a different way. He actually delivers messages through his music. Kendrick lamar is a modern time rapper who expresses his opinions on judgement,drugs,money,love and fame through the form of music. Any song you listen too, he will always make you evaluate yourself and the world around you. Kendrick Lamar has the same effect as every other modern rapper effects. He changes the norms and values that teens will apply to their personal lives. Teens are affected this way because thats how the interpret his music. I interpret it a different way. He actually delivers messages through his music. Kendrick lamar is a modern time rapper who expresses his opinions on judgement,drugs,money,love and fame through the form of music. Any song you listen too, he will always make you evaluate yourself and the world around you. Kendrick Lamar has the same effect as every other modern rapper effects. He changes the norms and values that teens will apply to their personal lives. Teens are affected this way because thats how the interpret his music. I interpret it a different way. He actually delivers messages through his music. Kendrick lamar is a modern time rapper who expresses his opinions on judgement,drugs,money,love and fame through the form of music. Any song you listen too, he will always make you evaluate yourself and the world around you. Kendrick Lamar has the same effect as every other modern rapper effects. He changes the norms and values that teens will apply to their personal lives. Teens are affected this way because thats how the interpret his music. I interpret it a different way. He actually delivers messages through his music.

The Convenience of Today’s Technology

Who would have ever thought that you will be able to communicate with a person, just by typing a letter push press and send all from one location. Today’s technology is more convient, faster, and cost effective. As one of the projects that I have worked with for years is preparing the church newsletter, programs, notes, and other resources. In the past we had the manual and then the electric typewriters. When typing and a mistake were made, before the correction ribbon on the electric typewriter, you had to continually hit the back button and retype the correct letter. Your choice of print was very limited with the typewriter. There was no way to do spell check. Every paper had to be carefully proof read by a department of peoples. If you were adding a picture to your paper, you had to find pictures out of books and they were limited. Once the picture was found it had to be cut out and paste or taped to the paper. In order for someone else to add an article to the paper they had to type their part, get it proofread and then transport it to the location of the paper being prepared. In today’s world we have the technology that allows us to do all printing while sitting in one location. There are different types of programs to choose from to publish the newsletter, program, and other resources You have many different fonts to choose from depending on the type of message you are sending. There are thousands of clipart from cartoon, silhouettes, to any thing you can name to add as an image to your project. After finding the set up that fits your needs you can start your project, you can begin to type in your message in the designated area. To insert an image, you can go to the clipart or internet to locate the desired image. The computer does the spell check and some grammar checking as well. Usually when a word is misspelled it is underline with a squiggly red or green line. Some proofreading is still required but it may not take a team of people as in the past. In order from some one else to add a message to the paper being prepared all you need to do is send it to them by email as an attachment. As a downfall to this technology, if everyone is in the same office working with the same programs all will work well. However, if I’m working from home on my personal computer and I send it to another person at home, we may be working with different programs. Some people may have older systems while others may be on a up to date system. In conclusion, the convience of today’s technology and printing is much easier and faster in this day and time. As the years go on we will be amazed at how technology will advance in the future.

Duties and Responsibilities in Ones Work Role Essay

1. Describe the duties and responsibilities of own work role As a practitioner, we are obliged to adapt to different sittings for children and young people. Every setting will offer certain benefits and sometimes drawbacks. When working with children and young people, we need to respect the duties and responsibilities of our own work role, The effective practice as a team member will depend on communicating with co workers and heads. One must respect confidentiality of every child and the parents too. You must always put the parents first as the primary care giver of the child. Information concerning a child/children should never be shared or given out to anyone who may ask. Data protection must be respected. Physical punishment must never be implemented upon a child. They are many ways to show that the child’s needs to be corrected. You could use the â€Å"Time Out† system. This is a discipline technique that involves placing children in a boring place for several minutes. There the child will realise that he/she has misbehaved. Time out really means time out from any attention. There could sometimes be cases where the child/children come from different countries hence their different beliefs. We must respect all different beliefs and be careful when working with the kids during activities. One example could be, don’t mention â€Å"pigs† if doing a farm animal activity when a Muslin child is present in class. It could cause problems and upset the specific child/children. This is why, as a practitioner, we must so our homework and make sure cases like this will not arise. This is respecting their customs. All children should be treated equally and never have â€Å"favourites†. When staff meetings take place we must always respect anyone’s contribution and also to other people (outsiders) like social workers, speech therapists, physiologists etc. These people may be very important in the help of any child/children that might have a disability or certain needs. Whenever a child may act in a different way and maybe trying to attract attention, this should not be discarded. It may be that a certain child is abused at home and is reaching out for help. The best thing one should do is to speak to your superior and then to Setha, the abuse centre in Malta, to seek advise as how to go about handling the given situation. All the above mentioned are vital elements to relay duties and responsibilities of our own work role. Once these vital elements are put into practice, we should create a happy, safe environment for the children concerned.

American History and The Seperation of Church and State Essay

American History and The Seperation of Church and State - Essay Example The separation of church and state is an issue that should not continue to be debated as this matter was settled nearly 300 years ago in this country and culture. However, subjects such as whether evolution should be taught in school continue to plague the American dialogue and, opposed to the intentions of the Founders, the political arena as well. In founding the new nation, Thomas Jefferson, working on a bill for his own home state of Virginia, drafted the first document to expressly address the connection between church and state based on the ideas of Locke. â€Å"Taking this idea from Locke, Jefferson proposed that Virginia end all tax support of religion and recognize the natural right of all persons to believe as they wish.† (â€Å"Separating Church and State† 1997) The bill didn’t pass right away, but a reintroduction of it by James Madison while Jefferson was serving as ambassador to France saw acceptance and the first time in history that a government had acted to legally separate church and state. It was three years later, in 1789, when Madison proposed several amendments to the new Constitution that would further define the federal government’s restrictions as far as it pertained to religious beliefs. The very first of these amendments begins with â€Å"Congress shall make no law respect ing an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (â€Å"The Constitution†) Despite this, by the time Jefferson himself became president in 1801, the separation of church and state remained an issue of paperwork in many of the states, where laws regarding who could vote (only Christians in good standing), establishing religious holidays and holy days and enforcing taxes to support the Christian church were still enforced. When Jefferson was criticized for refusing to proclaim a national day of prayer, he responded

Consumer behaviour within financial services Essay

Consumer behaviour within financial services - Essay Example The paper is based primarily on the views of the literature regarding the consumer behaviour on several industrial sectors and specifically the financial services industry. The development of consumer behaviour in modern financial markets can be influenced by a series of parameters including the structure of the particular market, the needs of consumers and the local cultural and social trends. UK can be considered as an indicative example of the interaction between consumer behaviour and the strategies followed by firms in the financial services industry. More specifically, the study of Nairn revealed that ‘the Sandler report of 2002 found a  £27bn shortfall in the UK nation's savings; the report highlights the industry changes necessary for citizens to increase investment for their future and thus reduce this deficit’. The above report is mentioned by Nairn because of its importance for the development of a specific mode of consumer behaviour in the financial service s industry. Moreover, the examination of all issues related with commercial activity in financial services industry showed that ‘the marketing departments in financial services organisations can go beyond this and harness 'risk tolerance' as a segmentation variable to alter behaviour on a more targeted, micro level; it is suggested that this practice could have an even more profound effect than that envisaged by Sandler’.

Balanced Score Card Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Balanced Score Card - Essay Example "The aspects that the scorecard contains should be quantifiable or measurable. This is because it would be difficult to interpret something that cannot be measured in the first place." (Metrics, Scorecard, KPI's Measure Tools 2008). It could be seen that although financial parameters are seen as measuring tool of performance, there are now other aspects also which are equally critical in terms of customers, employee satisfactions, innovative methods, quality, quantum of sales, etc. The fundamental truth behind the Balance Score Card is to ensure that " that no single measure can provide a clear performance target or focus attention on all the critical areas of business, they proposed the concept of a Balanced Scorecard as a more sophisticated approach for meeting these shortcomings." (Pienaar & Penzhorn, 2000, pp.202-209). Just as financial ineptitudes could bring down a company, in the present context it is seen that even fall in sales, loss of goodwill, quality issues, etc could spell disaster for the company. at cannot be measured in the first place.

Free to explore topics and thesis of your choice, but paper has to Research

Free to explore topics and thesis of your choice, but has to have very strong thesis - Research Paper Example To aid in this analysis, focus will be drawn on three films that have undertones of criticism of this particular educational system. These series are collectively known as the Yeogo Goedam I,II and III. Whispering Corridors is a series containing five movies that was first released on the 30th of May, in the year 1998. Being horror by genre, it came at a time when horror was not exactly popular and the teen films had dwindled to non-existence. The cast consisted of new actresses and actors save for a single who actor who played the part of a teacher. Whispering Corridors took a different turn from the conventions of serried films. This is because all of the each of the series is independent from the previous ones and the characters are new in all of them. The common thing between them all is that they are all horror and they are all casted in an all-girls boarding school. Despite the fact that it came as a far cry from the popular genres at the time, the audience’s response to it especially the teenage response, was very great. It was not released during the summer vacation as per the norms of teen movies, the reaction then had something to do with the context of the film. It did well in the box office having reached 2.5 million admissions. This success came after the producer, OH Ki-Min, had been turned down by over en production companies who did not see the place of horror in the Korean Film industry. It was finally accepted by Cine 2000 and Cinema Services who went against the odds of the industry and produced what turned out to be a benchmark for subsequent horror films in Korea. Notable though is the film’s lack of extreme emphasis on horror itself much as it is presented as a horror movie. What they do is employ the horror undertones as a channel of conveying various issues that affect the Korean society. This paper will focus on the first three of the series, that is, Whispering Corridors 1 (Yogo Kwedam I), Memento Mori (Yogo Kwedam II) an d Whispering Stairs (Yogo Kwedam II). Whispering Corridors 1, also known as Yeogo Goedam, touches on important social and cultural issues in its storyline, especially issues that border the unique South Korean educational system. The fact that it depicted the educational system in negative light made the film be subjected to rigorous censorship. After the ban on the censorship it was released for public viewing. It of course caused a stir upon its release but at the end of the day the message that was intended had been put across. The plot of the movie focuses on three platonic relationships between the girls who have some affiliation with the school, Jookran High School For Girls. The first friendship ties are between Hur and Jin-Ju. The second bunch of friends is Ji-Oh and Jae-Yi. The other one is between So-Young and Jung-Sook. So-Young and Jung-Sook, however, have such a strained relationship that they are not in speaking terms with each other. The movie opens with a female teac her at the school, Park, is talking on phone with another teacher about a discovery she has made on a former student of the school, Jin-Ju. Mrs Park has been nicknamed Old Fox due to her unkind treatment of the students who attended the school. She says that Jin-Ju, apparently dead, is back. She however gets killed before she gives a full statement of her discovery. Her body is discovered by three students, Jae-Yi, Jung-Sook and Ji-Oh, the following day. The administration

Health Research Methods Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Health Research Methods - Essay Example In youth, physical inactivity has been identified as an important predictor of excess weight gain. Concurrent with increases in overweight and obesity, physical activity has decreased among children and adolescents. During middle and high school years, marked declines in physical activity have been observed, particularly among girls, regardless of race. One reason for the decline in physical activity in the childhood may be the reduction of physical education in schools. In the developed world, increasing use of computers and television also markedly decrease children's activity level. As a result of this, while many children get little to no physical activity, even those who meet current recommended activity guidelines may still not be exercising sufficiently (Ebbelling, Pawlak, and Ludwig, 2002, 473-482). The degree of obesity in children cannot be assessed by any classification as it is done in case of adults. In case of children, it is expressed traditionally by percentile measures. Children who have a body mass index (BMI) between 85th and 95th percentile are considered at risk for overweight, and those who are at greater than 95th percentile are considered overweight. ... as been elucidated that worldwide, there has been a trend towards increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity in children, and this could lead to a increased predisposition to metabolic syndrome and related complications. Overweight children more often become overweight adults, and as increases, this poses serious risk for health (Freedman et al., 2004, 10-16). Obesity has been known to be associated with and sometimes causative of serious medical complications in the adult life, which can be sequelae of the childhood obesity. Moreover, serious medical complications of obesity may lead to enhanced mortality in children (Lobstein and Frelut, 2003, 195-200). Therefore monitoring the prevalence and preventing them childhood becomes an important question. Since prevention has been recognised to be the best form of intervention in obesity in childhood, it is important to find out the risk factors that may be associated with childhood obesity. Current evidence from existing research suggests that primary or idiopathic obesity in children has been linked with nutritional factors right from the formula feeding to caloric intake, nutritional balance, food groups, physical activity, and many other factors (Cuttler, Whittaker, and Kodish, 2003, 722-724). Therefore interventions in these areas to curb the risk factors would be able to improve the obesity status of the children in the community. Research Question: Based on this hypothesis, an appropriate study can be designed that can investigate the effects on risk factor interventions in obese children in order to answer the question can risk factor modification interventions be effective in reducing obesity in a study population comprising of children Aims: To investigate the short-term and long-term effects of risk factor

The Companions Are the Source of Much Grief for Odysseus Essay Example for Free

The Companions Are the Source of Much Grief for Odysseus Essay Odysseus, the strong, courageous, dedicated hero, travelled for miles on end to return to his home land of Ithica and to bring with him the twelve fleet ships carrying his loyal companions. However throughout this epic poem Odysseus’ companions have been the bearers of much grief for Odysseus, in many ways from questioning his leadership to simply dying in battle. And slowly during this epic poem each of his twelve fleet ships has been struck down. The stories of Odysseus’ companions begin from the very opening of book nine, on the coast of Ismarus home to the Cicones. Odysseus and his men â€Å"sacked the place and destroyed its men folk† after taking their women and their vast spoils, Odysseus warned his men to dispatch with haste. But they were not quick minded enough, and a tremendous battle broke out between Odysseus and his men and the Cicones. Seventy two of Odysseus’ men were brutally killed. We can see here that this would cause much grief for Odysseus and his remaining companions, for his men had made it through the battle of Troy and where rejoicing to be returning home to Ithica, now he would have to return to grieving families awaiting their heroes return and for some, now their hero’s would never return. This is a classic example of the kind of grief Odysseus feels throughout the epic poem, because this is how many of his companions have presented Odysseus with grief, through death. Whether it was falling in battle or devoured by a monstrous creature. For instance when, Odysseus and his remaining companions sailed to the island of the Cyclopes, where with twelve companions, he entered the cave of the Cyclops Polyphemus. This giant devoured, one after another, six of the companions of Odysseus, and kept Odysseus and his other men as prisoners in his cave. Witnessing their loyal companion’s cannibalistic murders right in front of them Odysseus and his men â€Å"wept and raised their hands to Zeus in horror.† This again must have made Odysseus overridden with grief for not only did he watch his men be killed but he was the one that led them to this ferocious one eyed monster. Again he has lost more of his men which means more grieving families; at home in Ithica questioning the Gods for the death of their loved ones. However, death is not the only way that Odysseus is exposed to grief some of the monsters that Odysseus and his followers encountered would not kill his men but simply make them forget all longing for home, and the nostros that they were feeling. One of these monsters would be the Lotus-eaters, â€Å"a race that eat the flowery lotus fruit.† Some of his companions were so much delighted with the taste of this flower that they wanted to remain with the Lotus-eaters and think no more of Ithica. This must have caused much anguish for Odysseus as he did not know how to help his compelled comrades. But being the intelligent and strong hero he is he â€Å"used force to bring them back to the hollow ships, and they wept on the way† but once on board he tied them up and continued with his voyage. The sirens also allow men to forget their home for with their beautiful voices would sing bewitching songs to drive these men to their death. Luckily with the help of Circe the sorceress who told Odysseus that if he wanted to hear the sirens song and live that he should allow his men to tie him to the mast of his ship while they covered their ears with softened bees wax and steer the boat onward while Odysseus listened. Odysseus, in the epic poem has also encountered Companions that have questioned and mistrusted his leadership; this is that of Odysseus’ second in command of Odysseus’ ship during the voyage back to Ithica after the Trojan War his name was Eurylochus. In the Odyssey he is portrayed as an unpleasant, cowardly individual who undermines Odysseus and stirs up trouble. When Odysseus and his men arrive on the island of Aeaea home to Circe Eurylochus is chosen to lead a group of twenty-two men to explore the island. While touring the island they see Circe’s house and all but Eurylochus enters, he himself suspects Circe’s trap and when the men are turned into pigs he runs back to warn Odysseus. Odysseus prepares himself to confront this witch and save his crew however Eurylochus refuses to guide him to Circe’s palace and urges Odysseus to escape and leave the men to their fate. This must have caused an uncountable amount of grief and pain for Odysseus for Eurylochus was his second in command, Odysseus therefore must have trusted this man with his life and thought rather highly of him. Then for him to tell him to abandon his loyal companions who have been there for him since Troy and save himself must have hurt Odysseus a great deal. After Odysseus returns from Circe’s palace having rescued his companions, Eurylochus insults Odysseus and threatens to kill him. Here we see Odysseus being befriended and almost killed by his second in command obviously causing much grief for our brave hero. Overall I feel that the companions are the source of much grief for our fearless hero. However most of them did not wish to bring grief upon their leader. For most it was simply an unfortunate death leading to Odysseus grieving for the loss of them.

Local, National, Private and Global Brand Differences

Local, National, Private and Global Brand Differences Brand has becomes a familiar things toward the consumer, having a brands also help consumers in many ways and anything that was unbranded will going hardly in the market. The brands also could create value on the product. For example, Nike product that a product that could create value among the consumer. Besides that brand also assist the product into numerous ways and also as a legal protection. The product that has a brand will difficult to the other product to copy the product. In addition, brand also could makes sense to understand that branding is not about getting your target market to choose you over the competition, but it is about getting your prospects to see you as the only one that provides a solution to their problem. The brand can be variety types. Each of its will have their own style of branding and using their own strategy. The local brand, private brand, national brand, and global brand were the main brand that the manufacturers in all over the world use it. So, it better for the manufacturer to know each of this kind of brand that been use nowadays. Besides that, the strategies that being used of these four brands also will be different. Brand strategy is aimed on influencing people perception about the brand such as they were persuaded to act in a certain manner, for example buying and using the products and services offered by the brand and purchase at a higher price. In addition, most brand strategies aim to persuade people to buy and use by offering them some form of experience. Branding is typically an activity that was undertaken in a competitive environment that aims to persuade people for the brand. Firstly is the national brand. This kind of brand is a brand that circulated throughout the country. The product is only being nationally distributed and marketed. Moreover the national brands are owned and advertised by a manufacturer. National brand also can differ from the local brand or regional brand. In marketing side, this type of brand is more difficult than the local brand. In order to market their product they have to know their consumer very well but it may took a long period of time. The cost also was big. This is because in order to market the national brand they have to know their customer widely. Moreover, this kind of brand will use to market their brand is other country by radio, print and television advertising. The advertisement also can be customized for local and national brands so that the public could get familiar with the brands. Companies which sell national brands count on the reputation of their brands to get the market share. The national brands may appeal the consumer by their brands name. Consumer often looks the brands which are familiar and easy to identify. National brands may play on distrust of regional or private label brands to get consumer to buy them. Its also have to encourage people to ask question, for example the quality of generic or store branded products. Most national brands started with small regional brands then will slowly grew over time. New companies products are constantly being established and some of the company will go on to capture of the market and expand it to a wider area and lastly will become national brands. The example of the product in Malaysia which is from the regional brand and eventually become a national brand is Padini brands This type of brands has to create their own brands strategy in order to make their products being achieved in the market. This national brand has to focus on the brand equity strategy. They have to create a loyal customer and the customer who aware about their brand. Some of the retailer will use the packaging strategy. They will design the unique packaging so that consumer will remembered the brand directly. For example, an Avon product is gaining preferred shelf positions by partnering with retailers and using packaging and displays as part of a marketing. In the new scenario, the national brands equity is often used to endorse a store brand. That could raise the stature of the company brand. Secondly, the local brand. This type of brand is a brand that sold their product or marketed their brands product in a small or restricted geographical area. This type of brand only can found in the one country or region. It may also be a brand that is developed for a specific national market, however the amazing things is the local brand is more often being done by the consumers than by the producers. The local brand is very easily in marketing their products. It was not hard to know their customer because of the area that they have to study about their customer is not wide. The local brand may used many strategy in order to makes their brand is being aware by the consumer. The local brands were a brand that easy to develop. For example of the brand that only famous in the Philippines could survive in the Philippines market. They have used brand strategy by knowing their customer need and want and the relevant brand name according to their culture. The local brand has to create a modified branding if the product that they sell were similar with the other products. The uniqueness of the brand name or sign may attract the consumer attention. The other type of brand product is the private brand. This is the brand where the retailer or the member buys from a manufacturer in bulk and puts its own name on the product. This mare give more advantages on the retailer, such as will give more freedom and flexibility in pricing. Other than that is more control over product attributes and quality, lower selling price and eliminates much of the manufacturers promotional costs. The private brand also gives a benefit to the manufacturer. The private brands provide another outlet for distributing their products or services. By producing the same goods as for their national brand distribution and labelling them with private brands for varies clients, the volume of production is often higher than it would be otherwise. For example of the private brand was Macys. It was recognized as a retail industry leader in developing private brand merchandise that differentiates the assortments in their stores and delivers exceptional value to the customer. Merchandise for each private brand available only at Macys, is developed to appeal to a certain customer lifestyle. The marketing programs also have been supported by creating a precisely defined image. Macys also develops private label goods to meet specific customer needs and fill gaps in the assortment. The strategy that this private brand should use is, firstly the unit of package. This is the strategy that could be developing on this brand. Nowadays it difficult to assign a private label character even though the product have enhance the customer loyalty because of any reason. This kind of product will not qualify as the private brand label. In addition, using the relabeling strategy also can be used. The unit of pack must bear only the brand name of the particular store or any other party the store may choose for its private label programme. Private labels will enhance the profitability by increasing the negotiation power of the retailer and better value that been creates may get the customer loyalty. Global brand can be defined as a brand which perceived to reflect the same set of values around the world. The global brands were more focusing on enduring relationship with consumers across countries and cultures. Nowadays there were many of the global brands was sold in international markets. For example of the global brand are Facebook, Apple, Coca cola, McDonalds and Sony. These brands are selling the similar product in the multiple markets and it also can be considered as successful global brands. These kind of brand also can be easily recognize by the cross cultural of consumer. In addition, there were many advantage of the global brand. Firstly the marketing costs will be lower and then the brand imagery was consistency and being maintained. Furthermore the global brand also have to be variable, it may be differ from country to country. The elements that have to be differ from one place to other place are the corporate slogan, product and services, products names, product feat ures, positioning of the products and the marketing mix also have to be change. The change will may depend on the differences of the language, style of communication, cultural differences, brand development, and consumption patterns. The global brand can use many strategies, for example the broad strategy areas that can be used are the brand domain. These brand domains are experts in one or more of the aspects. In order to used this kind of strategy the person must have an intimate knowledge, not only about the technologies shaping but also the pertinent consumer behaviour and needs. Brand recognition also one of the branding strategies. This kind of strategy was specialists distinguish themselves from competition by raising their profiles among the consumers. It can be use as to convince consumer to showed their brands is different than the other competitor. However brand strategy is not a given and needs to be constantly be reassessed. The brand managers must decide what the best course of action for their brands is in particular markets, based on an analysis of the relevant internal and external influences on the brands. In conclusion there were many differences among the local, private, national and global brand. The people who use any one of the brands have to understand clearly about the brands, so that they can implement many kinds of strategy. Understanding this four types of brand will make the person can decide which one he or she want to used. Any types of brand that being choose must have their own advantages and disadvantages, it depends on the individual to used it and manage the disadvantage that they may face.

Whats Really Being Tested in The Clerks Tale? :: Chaucer Canterbury Tales

By any contemporary standards of behavior, Griselda actions are reprehensible; not only does she relinquish all semblances of personal volition, she deserts all duties of maternal guardianship as she forfeits her daughter and son to the--in so far as she knows--murderous intent of her husband. Regardless of what we think of her personal subservience to Walter, the surrendering of her children is a hard point to get around. Even the ever-testing Marquis himself, at his wife's release of their second child says he would have suspected her of malice and hardness of her heart had he not known for sure that she loved her children (IV 687-95). It is little wonder our students, in whom we try to foster a sense of personal responsibility and human sensitivity, initially find Griselda an insipid and morally reprehensible wimp. But we retrieve patient Griselda for them. Or at least we try. We say "this tale is not about a real woman: look, it is in rhyme royal. That meant something special to Chaucer. The tale's stanzaic form signals a tale of high moral, even religious, sentence; its flat characterization and formulaic epitaphs distance Griselda and Walter from real people." Then bowing toward Petrarch and siding with the Clerk, we say this tale is not about wives' duties to their husbands; it is about the duty of the human soul to God. As Griselda was to the tests inflicted upon her by Walter, so should we be to the adversities visited upon us by God. And so is Griselda redeemed for real women. But is she--really? If we look very carefully at the language used as Walter frames the rationales for his intent for testing Griselda, we find that it is not for the proving of her pre-marital vow per se that he put her thorough his series of contemptible and humiliating ordeals. True to its title, Petrarch's A Legend of Wifely Obedience and Faith (De Obedientia ac Fide Uxoria Mythologia) clearly and consistantly pictures Walter testing his wife for her fidelity and conjugal love promised before their marriage. Chaucer's Walter, however, more often frames his designs as trials of "sadnesse," "corage," or, ultimately, "wommanheede" (IV 452, 787, 1075). The result is that in the Clerk's tale, Griselda is tested not so much for her marital fidelity as she is for her womanly virtue. And the implications of this may be as frightening as the thought of a mother adandoning her children to the hands of a murderer.

Abortion Should Remain Legal Essay example -- The Right to Life, Pro-Li

Abortion. This one word, or statement in this case, can be defined as death to some and as life to others. With two completely different explanations of a word, it is obvious that abortion is probably one of the leading topics of controversy in the world today. So, who will win the fight? The pro-choice supporters, or the pro-life supporters? It has been a battle since the first laws of abortion were enforced in the 1820’s. Neither parties are right, however neither is wrong. Abortion is a personal opinion that is conducted according to the personal reason. Honestly, although there are several people, pro-choice to be exact, that disagree, the question I ask is â€Å"Why should abortion be legal†? Isn’t it murder? Isn’t it taking a helpless souls life? In a case of an abortion, the child doesn’t stand a chance. It is unfair to the innocent and selfish of the one who makes the decision to abort the child. A legitimate reason can’t be found to take a life. When someone hits a motorist and kills them by car accident, they are prosecuted for involuntary manslaughter. These people serve time for the crime that they commit. Abortion only differs in one way; it is voluntary. The average punishment for voluntary manslaughter is life behind bars. If someone abuses a child to the point of death, they are prosecuted for homicide and will likely serve their entire life in prison. Abortion is the same as child abuse to the point of death. With legalized abortions, at the time that someone has the abortion, they hav e the procedure, and walk free and clear, several feeling no regret or guilt from their actions at all. They should have to pay for their selfish acts. The right to a legal abortion is allowing the mistake of pregnancy to become ... ...ose that are sexually assaulted. As for those that it is a personal choice to discontinue the pregnancy, I do not believe that it should be legal for personal reasons. There are thousands of people that are waiting to adopt newborns, therefore if there is not a health concern for the mother or the child, the abortion should not be allowed. I believe that this would teach our society to practice safe sex and to administer birth control more freely. So, abortion, legal or not legal? That is our question. Thinking critically, I believe that it is necessary to be a legal procedure only with limitations however. I also believe that it is the business of the pregnant women that is considering the abortion. Our society does not have a right to judge someone by the actions. Only God will judge us one day and he is the one for us to assure that we will do by his will.

Artificial Knowledge in the Truman Show Essay

In the movie â€Å"The Truman Show,† one epistemological problem that is being tackled is the problem of how man is able to become aware of things that he once had no idea about. Do we get to know things or do we acquire knowledge because of our mere experiences of things or does it involve something more than that? In order to have a better grasp of the question at hand, John Locke’s treatment of human knowledge and experience can provide us with a framework to begin with.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   John Locke’s conception of the tabula rasa tells us that in the beginning we do not essentially have any ideas and knowledge. It is through experience that we are able to acquire ideas and, hence, knowledge of the world we live in. As Locke will tell us, the mind is initially presumed to be like that of a white paper, void of all characteristics and without any ideas. Perhaps one way to interpret Locke’s assumption is that it is through our interaction with the world and with others that we begin to gain knowledge piece by piece from the time that we gain consciousness from childhood.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The movie â€Å"The Truman Show† is one which portrays the life of a man who appears to have been living in an artificial world all along—a television show. That is, everything around him is set-up, which includes the death of his father up to the time when he becomes an adult. All of his daily experience has been predetermined and that every other individual in that artificial society knows that Truman Burbank, the main character in the movie, is living in an artificial world.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Throughout the course of his life, Truman acquires knowledge through his daily interactions with those around him. Apparently, these many things which surround him are essentially imitations or close to being an exact copy of the things in the real world. Since Truman’s world is a world of artificiality, one may argue that the knowledge that he is able to acquire is knowledge which is artificial or an imitation of the real knowledge in the real world. In general, it can be pointed out that the knowledge of Truman is artificial and, hence, not real precisely because the world where he lives and the world which he acquires his knowledge from is not the real world but one which has been specifically constructed for the purpose of a television show.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   With regard to the case of Truman, Locke will most likely tell us that even though Truman’s world is artificially constructed, Truman is nevertheless able to acquire knowledge which he makes use in his daily dealing with other people around him. But more to being able to acquire knowledge, it can be said that the knowledge that Truman is able to acquire is artificial. Living in an artificial world set-up for the primary purpose of creating a television show which is supposed to run throughout one’s lifetime, it is inevitable that what one knows are things which are solely based on what one has experienced in that artificial world. Indeed, it will be illogical to say that Truman’s knowledge is that of the real world simply because Truman hasn’t had any contact with the real world outside of his artificial society which might have given him real and true knowledge. As Truman becomes more and more acquainted with the artificial world he lives in, it is most likely the case that his awareness will reflect what he has been able to experience in his world.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Moreover, Locke’s presupposition of the mind as initially devoid of any substance or of any ideas and that our minds would eventually have to acquire ideas through experience and interaction with the world explains the case of Truman growing up in an artificial world. Since Truman was born and grew up in the hypothetical world of Seahaven, Locke would presuppose that the knowledge of Truman as he grows would be strictly confined or limited to the knowledge that is available in that world. Hence, it would rather be quite impossible for Truman to arrive at any other knowledge other than the artificial ones in his artificial world. The ‘blank’ mind of Truman from his birth has been apparently filled and etched with artificial knowledge along his lifetime in that hypothetical realm.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   One interesting point, however, is the idea that even though for the people outside Seahaven, they may treat Truman’s knowledge as artificial while, on the other hand, the Truman may treat his knowledge as real knowledge because he is unaware of the external world that watches his every move. The basis for saying that Truman’s knowledge is artificial or is not real is that there is an external world which knows for a fact that Truman is living in an artificial society filled with people having artificial social connections and relationships. For the part of Truman, he may very well have no such idea and that all he may be aware of is that the way in which he understands his surrounding environment is as real as it can be.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   John Locke may very well argue that, indeed, the only way for Truman to acquire knowledge, whether artificial or real, is through his experiences. If Truman gets to experience artificial things around him, then it must be the case that he gets to have artificial knowledge using the external world as the basis for the reality of knowledge. Locke’s thought that the mind is able to acquire ideas through experience has with it a certain form of disadvantage. That is, if one is keen to experiencing artificial things in an artificial world, the greatest danger is that one will be having artificial knowledge. Thus, to live in an artificial world and to experience the things in it is to obtain artificial knowledge. In the real world, the same also holds true and that experience is crucial to the formation of human knowledge. Reference Schwoerer, L. G. (1990). Locke, Lockean Ideas, and the Glorious Revolution. Journal of the History of Ideas, 51(4), 531-548.