Wednesday, December 25, 2019
Evolution And Its Impact On Students Worldview - 1310 Words
Perhaps the greatest challenge in the Christian academic community surrounds the question of evolution and its impact on studentsââ¬â¢ worldview. Trepidation concerning the topic of evolution and its implications may launch students into a pit of uncertainty and doubt. This outcome is certain if the topic at hand is presented in such a way that fails to encounter studentsââ¬â¢ questions in an academically enriching environment. Historically, the act of challenging notions of familiarity results in outcomes that can strengthen previous assumptions or reveal new possibilities in which the mind can unravel the natural worldââ¬â¢s many mysteries in its function. Consequently, new discoveries and questions regarding the order of the natural world initiateâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦Furthermore, humility is the key to the approach to biblical hermeneutics and the workings of evolution. Accepting that we do not have the necessary knowledge obtained through scriptural analysis to prove or disprove evolution is the first step in this endeavor. We as humans do not possess ultimate scientific or hermeneutical knowledge. The acquisition of such knowledge would ultimately eliminate our belief in God. The origins of Earth and humanity cannot be confirmed via first person accounts or a YouTube video upload. The age of our race, planet, and universe pale in comparison to the message of the Gospel. Our redemption from sin through Christ is the foundation of our faith, as well as our key to salvation. However, such statements must be made following the critical analysis of historical, hermeneutical, and theological elements. Saint Augustine recognized that non-believers were exceptionally aware and knowledgeable in many facets of scientific discovery and thought. In Mark A. Nollââ¬â¢s Jesus Christ and the Life of the Mind, Noll explores Saint Augustineââ¬â¢s role in encouraging Christians to maintain awareness and caution when engaging with non-believers in top ics that they are not knowledgeable of. Augustine also claimed that science and faith should work together in a harmonious relationship. Early scientific discovery did little to question literal interpretations of the
Tuesday, December 17, 2019
Do Animals Have Minds - 774 Words
Humans have for centuries pondered on the mind, its existence, its beginning, itââ¬â¢s limit, itââ¬â¢s substance, and fought many different arguments against them all. But how do we know if any animals have a mind? Is intelligence unique to humans? Professor Donald Griffin has pointed out that ââ¬Å"consciousness is not a tidy all-or-nothing entity, it varies with age, culture, experience and gender. And if animals have conscious experiences, these presumably vary widely as well.â⬠If humans have minds, it must be possible that animals also have minds. And though no one would believe that earthworms and earwigs have thought processes like our own, it has been proven that chimps share 98% of genome with humans. Chimps have also shown that they can lieâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦By saying this we would have to wonder why other animals have not also adapted to our level. What could be stopping them? If we are all made of the same chemicals what has held the others back an d why are we the only creatures to make it this far? There are many strong counter- arguments to animals also having minds. We would have to wonder what else could be making the difference, and only by stepping totally out of a materialist view and into a realm beyond science can we begin to figure this out. Rene Descartes through the Cartesian method of thinking from the very foundations of what he was sure, established ultimately that he is thinking, that it is the only thing he is sure of. We can only be sure of what is self- evident. He argues that ââ¬Ëthe senses are not designed to give us knowledge at all, but are rather meant to help us move through the world in a very practical wayââ¬â¢. So can we be sure at all that animals have minds, as intellect may be the only truth and we can not communicate clearly enough with animals to know this? Most animals rely on their senses rather than judgement (something tested by science in various tests on animals), something which Descartes believes separates humans from animals. And if senses are not at all a help to the mind but a guide for the body to move through life in a practical way, animals surely do not have minds, as they are lacking the ability to judge. In evaluating these two arguments, I wouldShow MoreRelatedUnderstanding the Capacity for Reasoning in Humans and Animals799 Words à |à 3 PagesWe have concluded that mind and body work together as one. In humans, we have a mental experience happen with a biological experience together whether we are conscious of it or not. This has led to recovery from illness, like an optimistic person with cancer or someone to become ill, like an aggressive type-A personality with cardiovascular problems. Our bodies work with the mind in the opposite direction as well. While it cannot be denied that humans display behaviors not seen in nonhuman animalsRead MoreA Brief Biography of Rene Descartes1580 Words à |à 6 Pagesto past notions. The seventeenth century was a pivotal point in history, which can be attributed by through works of philosopher Rene Descartes, who had endorsed the mechanistic conception of the world and the human body by coining notions such as mind, substance, and the knowle dge argument; although his notions were not always accepted, he managed to provide valid support. Born in France, Rene Descartes, dubbed The Father of Modern Philosophy was, in a way, a Renaissance man having contributedRead MoreGeorge Orwell : Language As Tool Of Propaganda1300 Words à |à 6 PagesLanguage as a Tool of Propaganda Throughout the story, you see the way that the pig, Squealer, gives information to the ââ¬Å"lowlyâ⬠animals. He tells them what the leading pig, Napoleon, wants them to know, but he tells it in a way that it seems they are benefitting. Squealer had a way of persuading the other animals to listen to him, through his actions and manipulation. ââ¬Å"The best known among them was a small, fat pig named Squealer, with very round cheeks, twinkling eyes, nimble movements and a shrillRead MoreLanguage And The Human Language1235 Words à |à 5 Pages scientists argue as to whether or not animals truly have language. In my opinion animals do not have language but rather they have a communication system. I believe language is specific to human beings and cannot universally be applied to the way animals communicate. While I believe animals all possess their own systems to communicate, because they cannot understand or apply the intricacies of the human language such as grammar, I do not believe they have language. First, in support of my stanceRead MoreDifferent Types Of The Mind : The Human, Animal, And Mechanical Theory1032 Words à |à 5 Pages Introduction The mind is made up of numerous classes of procedures that can be studied empirically; this paper will limit this field to psychology. There are three different types of the mind: the human, animal, and the mechanic. The human mind is the paradigm of the mind; the mechanical mind exists as a challenge to materialism or mind-brain identity theory. This leads to the anti-materialist argument: intelligence is made up of levels of mental processes in which the mind is the genus and intelligenceRead MoreConsciousness : The Conscious Mind Essay1696 Words à |à 7 PagesConsciousness in Animals The conscious mind is a complex thing that has many questions that science is yet to answer. The conscious is composed by awareness and responsiveness in oneââ¬â¢s mind, it is expressed by oneââ¬â¢s emotions, thoughts, and actions. Consciousness to me is defined by the ability to be aware and responsive. Awareness is an element that distinguishes the conscious from the unconscious. To be aware is to be knowledgeable of your surroundings and to know what is happening in the worldRead MoreOrwell s Animal Farm, By George Orwell856 Words à |à 4 PagesStultifying to self-delusion In novel ââ¬Å"Animal Farmâ⬠by George Orwell, he mentions the animals in the farm they all have the vision of freedom after Old Majorââ¬â¢s prediction. They rebilled against the farmers and after their victory they tasted the revolution. The farm was renamed ââ¬Å"Animal Farmâ⬠and made the constitution of the manor ââ¬â ââ¬Å"the seven commandments.â⬠Soon there is a split on the revolution between the pigs, Snowball was declared as an enemies of the revolution. Since then Napoleon and SquealerRead MoreAnalysis Of Rene Descartes869 Words à |à 4 PagesAristotle, he believes that mind is the first reality where idea and precipitations occurs. There are some absolute truths, which can be never be apart and they can be verified easily. He believes that truths which are absolute always have the simplest explanations. For example, 2+2=4 is one of the idea which no one can deceive, it will always be truth. The ideas which have simple explanations or are absolu te are also necessary ideas. There are some ideas, which have some possible chance that theyRead MoreHuman Nature And The Mind974 Words à |à 4 PagesHuman Nature and The Mind Human nature and the mind have been studied for ages. As humans, we tend to think, feel, and act in certain ways that are often elucidated by nature and evolution. In fields such as Psychology, Philosophy, and Science, human nature and the mind have been extensively studied to develop theories about why humans act, think, and feel that way that we do. It is believed by some that humans are born a certain way by nature. There are three ways that people tend to believe humansRead MoreDescartes And Descartes s The Meditations987 Words à |à 4 Pagesbased on your own mind and do not need to go to the outside world. Aristotle and Descartes wouldnââ¬â¢t agree. For example, a blind person. Aristotle would say he cannot know light so he would have to see it from some outside source to get knowledge. Descartes would say to not go to the outside world to find truth. Descartes would recommend meditation: self- reflection. First, you will look at your own mind, using your own mind to look at your mind. Then from that meditation on your mind you can figure
Sunday, December 8, 2019
Comparing and Contrast Emilia and Desdemonas love for their husband free essay sample
ââ¬Å"I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear. â⬠(Martin Luther King, Jr. ) In the play Othello this quote shows relation to how love occurs among the main characters. This is highlighted though the relationship that Emilia and Desdemona have with their respective husbands. Throughout, the relationship of these characters with their spouses will be analyzed. The relationship between Emilia and her husband Iago will be expressed as well as the relationship between Desdemona and her husband Othello. Then the similarities and differences between the two relationships will be compared. Emilia and Iago had a very complex relationship. They do not have a strong and equal relationship displaying love. This is not what one would expect to exist between a man and his wife. Iago uses Emilia as his puppet; he mocks and disrespects her. He appears to not care much about her well being. This is seen in the lack of affection he shows to his wife. Iago seems as though he does not have the ability to love anything or anyone. However Emilias feelings towards her husband completely different from the negative feelings he has towards her. Emilias love towards Iago is filled with so much passion and devotion. She tries her utmost best to please Iago. I nothing but to please his fantasy. (Act 3. Scene 3) This is seen when she steals Desdemonas handkerchief hoping her husband would be appreciative. She is experiencing unrequited love. This is odd as the object of her affections is her husband,whom has no feelings towards her. He is undeserving of her love,as Emilia could be offering all this love to one whom actually deserves it. This is a good character trait in Emilia. Due to her not getting the love she wants from husband, she develops the belief that women should be able cheat on there husbands. Subsequently they had a rocky relationship,even though Emilia really did love her husband. In contrast, Desdemona and Othello had a powerful relationship. This is seen in the manner they chose to get married. To choose to elope and get married without your fathers blessing is a big undertaking for Desdemona. However she went through with it. She eloped with him because in her eyes she believed that he was the perfect man for her. They have strong ââ¬Å"young loveâ⬠. In the beginning of the play Othello would worship Desdomona ââ¬Å"She lovââ¬â¢d me for the dangers I had passââ¬â¢d, And I lovââ¬â¢d her that she did pity them. â⬠(Act I. Scene 3). Emilia is in love with Othello and completely devoted to him. She is not with him for his looks,but with him for his heart. Othello cherished Emilia and treated her like a princess. However, Othello love for Desdemona was too strong that made him think Desdemona was cheating on him. Ultimately this pushes him into doing something that leads to Desdemonas death. Therefore Emilia and Desdemonas relationship with their husband was completely different. This is seen in the way they interact with their respective spouses and generally what their views on their spouses were. The major difference between Emilias relationship and Desdemona relationship is that in Emilias relationship the love she had for her husband was not mutual, while Desdemonas own was unlike that. Desdemona actually loved her husband,and he her. Also Iago used Emilia for his gain. ââ¬Å"To have a foolish wife. â⬠(Act 3. Scene 3) The manner in which Iago treats Emilia is terrible as he verbally abuses her. In contrast Othello and Desdemonas love was very strong. ââ¬Å"But that I love the gentle Desdemona, I would not my unhoused free condition, put into circumscription and confine for the seas worthâ⬠(Act 1, Scene 2) He express his love for Desdemona to her father, even though he was against their love. Another difference between the two relationships, is that Desdemona is in an interracial marriage and Emilia is not. Othello is a black man,while Desdemona is white. This is not a usual union at this time. Desdemona refuses to marry rich, white men or handsome Veneration men that most would expect her to marry. She chooses instead to marry Othello. Emilia chose to do what is expected and marry a man of her own kind. Unlike Desdemona, who chooses to step outside of her comfort zone. As a result leaving the two with very different dynamics of a relationship. The similarities between Emilia relationship and Desdemona relationship is that they both are married to men who are involved in the army. They are both patriotic as they try to defend their nation, from anything that tries to. They both have a huge responsibility in protecting there country from war. Desdemona and Emilia both had downfalls in there relationship. The downfalls in Emilias marriage is the way in which she allowed herself to be treated. Since the beginning of the play, she knew that she wasnt getting treated properly by her husband,nonetheless she stayed with him. Desdemonas downfall began when her husband stopped trusting her. The way he began asking her so many questions and developing that huge rage towards her,led to the fall in there relationship. For him to accuse her of infidelity was the breaking point in their relationship, while Emilias fall started from the day she married Iago. Overall, love plays a huge role in the difference between these two dominant relationships in the play. It plays a big contribution to the characters downfalls. Emilia searches for love from the person ,whom should be offering it to her the most. This as a result leads her to think that adultery is okay. In addition Othellos love towards Desdemona caused a conflict between them and lead to the death of Desdemona, Emilia and Othello himself. Love has a strong impact to the characters relationship, and hence causes their ending. This play was able to show how love can alter persons perception of reality. Ultimately leading to decisions ran by our emotions. Instead of being well-thought out and planned.
Sunday, December 1, 2019
Women and Family in Chinese History
Historical Biography Meihui Huian was a woman born in the Ming and Qing period. Her first name Meihui meant beautiful wisdom while her last name Huian meant obliging and quiet.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Women and Family in Chinese History specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In the context of her family background, she was born in a humble family of four children. She had two brothers and one sister. She was the elder of the siblings. This gave her several responsibilities among the family members. As a family, they used to live in the south part of the country. They were well up and were financially stable since her parents were educated and worked in institutions under the dynasty government. During her childhood years, she underwent foot binding. Foot binding was a tradition in China where the feet of young girls were tightly bound in order to prevent the feet from growing further. Meihui happened to undergo this painful process. During the dynasty days, foot binding was considered a very important tradition. The society supported it since bound feet were perceived to be intensely erotic. A woman who had bound feet was probable to make a prestigious marriage. Meihui was a beneficiary of the trait gained from bound feet. It was believed that women with bound feet had a swaying walk. This was due to the tiny steps they took while walking. Many men found this effect very erotic. When Meihui underwent the process of foot binding, she did not like. However, after growing up and learning more about the process, she felt right concerning it. In the context of marriage, she was married by a local resident. Her marriage occurred while in her late teenage. As she grew into a beautiful woman, the interest from men grew. The men came to home to inquire about her availability for marriage. However, her father valued her and felt that she will be married when she decided it was right. When time was right for her, she met a man that she felt love and affection for him. It was agreed that she has made the decision, and a marriage was set. She was married in a traditional Chinese marriage. The ceremonial ritual took place involving a marriage that was established on the basis of pre-arrangement between the two families. There were several factors that were considered before the marriage. This included religion, culture, reputation and wealth (Ebrey 35).Advertising Looking for essay on asian? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In the process of getting married, there were several traditional marriage rituals that were conducted. The key rituals were bride price, wedding gifts and the wedding ceremony. The marriage of Meihui was a ceremonial and colorful event. On the day of marriage, there was traditional band from Meihuiââ¬â¢s home to her husbandââ¬â¢s home. This included Meihuiââ¬â¢s sedan and her maids of honor seda n. This was part of the wedding procession. They stopped at the door of her husband and ceremonies were conducted to welcome her into her new home. The ceremonies were a way of welcoming Meihui and her family to the brideââ¬â¢s home. The ceremonies include being offered wine and tea. All the wedding expenses were catered for by the groomââ¬â¢s family. Then finally came time to exchange vows (Ebrey 70). In her natal family, she played the role of training her siblings on the societal and cultural values. She was noticed to have good morals in her early teenage age hence her parents wanted her to pass these values into her siblings. She educated her siblings on the importance of being responsible and having good morals. While growing and becoming mature, she believed that there were womanly qualifications for a woman to be an ideal woman and thus she had to have these essential credentials in her life. The womanly qualifications mainly reflected on the womanââ¬â¢s behavior, m anners and character. She reflected on implicit obedience (Ko 143). In her marital family, she played the role of a wife. She took the proper roles of a woman. She had a strong affection and selfless dedication to her husband. She had respect to her husband. She worked hard and was submissive towards her marital family. Towards her marital family, she played the role of a moral woman by displaying proper conduct, proper virtue, proper speech and proper countenance. These virtues were viewed as morally upstanding qualities. They added individual greatness on the women who gained them. Through the knowledge she had, she maintained the precepts for women. These guidelines for women were mainly principles relating to the virtue, speech, manner and merit of a woman. All these were associated with the behavior characteristic of women. Concerning her virtue, she was reserved and did not express her intelligence and outwardly beauty. Also, she did not outdo others with her skills. Towards h er marital family, she showed respect to both the mother and father-in-law. She was obedient to the mother and father-in-law. She observed the role of the father-in-law and mother with full respect by obeying them (Ebrey 21).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Women and Family in Chinese History specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More During her marriage, she faced family tension. Though she observed key virtues that a woman must perceive, family tension was still evident. The family tension was mainly caused by her husband who at times did not show respect to her marriage. She also faced issues with her in-laws at times. Her family difficulties while in marriage were a challenge to her and her marriage (Ebrey 41). In the target of coping with the family tension, difficulties and crises, she showed humility, whole hearted devotion and implicit obedience in her marriage. She practiced the value of having or showing respect towards other people. This described the positions between her and her husband. She considered being more humble while in her marriage and thus she reflected on her life and that of her husband. She viewed the main role of a woman being a wife was to attend her husband. She believed that the woman was supposed to serve her husband in everything that he required and do all the activities that her husband wished to be accomplished. She alleged that respect and caution were key elements in marriage. As a wife, she showed full respect towards her husband. She offered respect and created a feeling regard towards her husband. As a wife, she had full dedication towards her husband. She expressed her whole hearted devotion through love and loyalty to her husband. When she faced family difficulties with her in-laws, she viewed the father-in-law and mother as particularly eminent people to her and the family context hence she showed acknowledgement and submission to them (Ko 144). She enjoye d her marriage a lot and was happy to be married despite her family tension and difficulties. She enjoyed being a wife and also the duties that were delegated to her. She adored showing her womanly qualities that gained her respect among many. Explanatory Note The biography I created is a reflection of Meihui Huian who was a Chinese woman character that I created. On reflecting on her as a woman and a wife, I believe that she had a solid idea and opinions in her life that could act as role models to other women. She also created the precepts for women with the target of guiding herself to live properly. I chose to discuss her because she had a significant influence on the lives of other women and their lifestyle.Advertising Looking for essay on asian? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The significance about her story is that it is a unique inspirational story. The story about Meihui Huian reflects on having value as a woman and maintaining that quality. As a woman in the dynasty periods, she showed several sensibilities. These sensibilities were both aesthetic and spiritual. She was seen to be intellectual in activities that she was involved. This was evident through her good morals and respect to all. She also had good ideas, thoughts and opinions in matters that concerned women and family (Ko 144). Meihui Huian reflected on using conservative reaction in order to create peace in her life and marriage. Her lifestyle was intended at improving the perception of a woman. She wanted to show other people that living with certain qualities were fruitful and beneficial. In her life, she showed that a woman was to be a being with womanly qualities in order to create a good impression concerning her. She was also involved in the well upbringing of her siblings since she was the one who gave them lessons on virtues and good morals. Works Cited Ebrey, Patricia B. The Inner Quarters: Marriage and the Lives of Chinese Women in the Sung Period. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1993. Print. Ko, Dorothy. Teachers of the Inner Chambers: Women and Culture in Seventeenth-Century China. Stanford, Calif: Stanford University Press, 1994. Print. Mann, Susan, and Yu-Yin Cheng. Under Confucian Eyes. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2001. Print. This essay on Women and Family in Chinese History was written and submitted by user BartRozum to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
Spring Poems (Classic and Contemporary) Collection
Spring Poems (Classic and Contemporary) Collection Our anthology of poems celebrating spring begins with a selection of classics: Tu Fu,ââ¬Å"A Spring Viewâ⬠(c. 750), translated by Witter Bynner Li Po,ââ¬Å"Waking from Drunkenness on a Spring Dayâ⬠(c. 750), translated by Arthur Waley William Shakespeare,ââ¬Å"Spring,â⬠song from Loveââ¬â¢s Labors Lost (1598) Thomas Nashe,ââ¬Å"Spring, the Sweet Spring,â⬠from Summerââ¬â¢s Last Will and Testament (1600) William Shakespeare,Sonnet 98 - ââ¬Å"From you have I been absent in the springâ⬠(1609) John Webster,ââ¬Å"Vanitas Vanitatum,â⬠from The Devilââ¬â¢s Law Case (1623) Thomas Carew,ââ¬Å"The Springâ⬠(1640) Robert Herrick,ââ¬Å"Corinnaââ¬â¢s Going a-Mayingâ⬠(1648) Matsuo Basho,ââ¬Å"Spring Rain,â⬠ââ¬Å"Spring Airâ⬠and Four Haiku (c. 1680) William Blake,ââ¬Å"To Springâ⬠(1783) Robert Burns,ââ¬Å"Composed in Springâ⬠(1786) William Wordsworth,ââ¬Å"Lines Written in Early Springâ⬠(1798) Kobayashi Issa,ââ¬Å"Three Spring Haikuâ⬠(1804, 1818) Samuel Taylor Coleridge,à ¢â¬Å"Work Without Hopeâ⬠(1825) Christina Rossetti,ââ¬Å"Spring Quietâ⬠(1847) Walt Whitman,ââ¬Å"These I, Singing in Springâ⬠(1860) Emily Dickinson,ââ¬Å"A Light exists in Springâ⬠(#812) Emily Dickinson,ââ¬Å"A little madness in the Springâ⬠(#1333) A.E. Housman,ââ¬Å"Loveliest of trees, the cherry nowâ⬠(1896) Robert Frost,ââ¬Å"A Prayer in Springâ⬠(1915) Robert Frost,ââ¬Å"Two Tramps in Mud Timeâ⬠(1934) D.H.à Lawrence,ââ¬Å"The Enkindled Springâ⬠(1916) Amy Lowell,ââ¬Å"Spring Dayâ⬠(1916) Robert Louis Stevenson,ââ¬Å"Spring Carolâ⬠(1918) Gerard Manley Hopkins,ââ¬Å"Springâ⬠(1918) John Clare,ââ¬Å"Young Lambsâ⬠(1920) Carl Sandburg,ââ¬Å"Three Spring Notations on Bipedsâ⬠(1920) e.e. cummings,ââ¬Å"in Just-â⬠(1920) William Carlos Williams,ââ¬Å"Marchâ⬠(1921) Edna St. Vincent Millay,ââ¬Å"Springâ⬠(1921) A.E. Housman,ââ¬Å"Spring Morningâ⬠(1922) To which weââ¬â¢ve added a selection of the new poems on spring themes weââ¬â¢ve received from contemporary poets around the world: Denis Dunn, ââ¬Å" 6:13 march morningâ⬠Michael Graves, ââ¬Å"Poem to Spring in a Time of Global Warmingâ⬠Dorothea Grossman, ââ¬Å"Springâ⬠Ruth Hill, ââ¬Å"Light Advancing Through Treesâ⬠and ââ¬Å"Aweâ⬠Doug Holder, ââ¬Å"Spring On School Street. Somerville, Mass.â⬠Margaret James, ââ¬Å"Sundayâ⬠and ââ¬Å"March 18â⬠Wayne Jarus, ââ¬Å"The Flower Gardenâ⬠Guy Kettelhack, ââ¬Å"Dithyramb for Springtimeâ⬠Christine Klocek-Lim, ââ¬Å"First Crocusâ⬠Steve Meador, ââ¬Å"The Morning Afterâ⬠Justine Nicholas, ââ¬Å"Quinquagesimaâ⬠and ââ¬Å"Magnoliaâ⬠Jack Peachum, ââ¬Å"Virginia in Springâ⬠and ââ¬Å"Epiphany in Carolinaâ⬠Don Rehling, ââ¬Å"Mountains Meltingâ⬠Lisa Shields, ââ¬Å"Calling Cardâ⬠and ââ¬Å"Pinkedâ⬠Larissa Shmailo, ââ¬Å"Spring Vowâ⬠Ingrid Toth, ââ¬Å"Spring 1946â⬠Melissa Varnavas, ââ¬Å"Ashleyââ¬â¢s Gardenâ⬠Bill Vartnaw, ââ¬Å"Sprin gâ⬠Enjoy these poems of the season!
Friday, November 22, 2019
12 Greek Words You Should Know
12 Greek Words You Should Know 12 Greek Words You Should Know 12 Greek Words You Should Know By Daniel Scocco Along with Latin, Greek is probably the language that most influenced other languages around the world. Many English words derive directly from Greek ones, and knowing their origin and meaning is important. Below you will find 12 Greek words that are commonly used in our society. The next time you hear someone saying Kudos to you, you will know where it comes from. 1. Acme The highest point of a structure. The peak or zenith of something. One could say that Rome reached the acme of its power on 117 AD, under the rule of Trajan. The acme of modular, factory-built, passively safe reactor design, however, is found in South Africa. People there have been experimenting with so-called pebble-bed reactors for decades. (The Economist) 2. Acropolis Acro means edge or extremity, while polis means city. Acropolis, therefore, refers to cities that were built with security purposes in mind. The word Acropolis is commonly associated with Greeces capital Athens, although it can refer to any citadel, including Rome and Jerusalem. The Beijing Olympics torch relay reached the ancient Acropolis in Athens on Saturday amid heavy police security and brief demonstrations by small groups of protesters. (New York Times) 3. Agora The Agora was an open market place, present in most cities of the ancient Greece. Today the term can be used to express any type of open assembly or congregation. The most characteristic feature of each settlement, regardless of its size, was a plaza- an open space that acted as a cemetery and may have been a marketplace. It was also, the archaeologists suspect, a place of political assembly, just as the agora in an ancient Greek city was both marketplace and legislature. (The Economist) 4. Anathema Anathema is a noun and it means a formal ban, curse or excommunication. It can also refer to someone or something extremely negative, disliked or damned. Curiously enough, the original Greek meaning for this word was something offered to the gods. Some thinkers argue that while collaboration may work for an online encyclopedia, its anathema to original works of art or scholarship, both of which require a point of view and an authorial voice. (USA Today) 5. Anemia Anemia refers to a condition characterized by a qualitative or quantitative deficiency of the red blood cells (or of the hemoglobin). Over the years, however, the term started to appear in other contexts, referring to any deficiency that lies at the core of a system or organization. In comments to the Dallas Morning News, Dallas Fed President Richard Fisher, the lone dissenter in last weekââ¬â¢s decision to keep the federal funds target at 2%, said the U.S. faces ââ¬Å"a sustained period of anemiaâ⬠and that ââ¬Å"in the second half of this year we will broach zero growth.â⬠Last week Fisher wanted higher rates, his fifth-straight dissent in favor of tighter policy. (The Wall Street Journal) 6. Ethos Translated literally from the Greek, ethos means accustomed place. It refers to a disposition or characteristics peculiar to a specific person, culture or movement. Synonyms include mentality, mindset and values. Consumerism needs this infantilist ethos because it favors laxity and leisure over discipline and denial, values childish impetuosity and juvenile narcissism over adult order and enlightened self-interest, and prefers consumption-directed play to spontaneous recreation. (Los Angeles Times) 7. Dogma Dogma refers to the established belief or set of principles held by a religion, ideology or by any organization. Dogmas are also authoritative and undisputed. Outside of the religious context, therefore, the term tends to carry a negative connotation. Notice that the plural is either dogmata or dogmas. Its not a new type of web, its just where the web has got to ââ¬â its also a terrific excuse for much chatter on the blogging circuit, and a huge amount of dogmatism. (Financial Times) 8. Eureka The exclamation Eureka is used to celebrate a discovery, and it can be translated to I have found!. It is attributed to the famous Greek mathematician Archimedes. While taking a bath, he suddenly realized that the water displaced must be equal to the volume of the part of his body he had submerged. He got so excited with the discovery that he left his home and started to run and shout Eureka! through the streets of Syracuse. Those eureka moments in the shower or on the bus when something suddenly starts to make sense only happen if you keep plugging away. (The Guardian) 9. Genesis Genesis means birth or origin. There are many synonyms for this word, including beginning, onset, start, spring, dawn and commencement. Genesis is also the name of the first book of the Bible. And when Mr McCain headed to the safe shoals of policy wonkery, Mr Obama flayed his idea of calling for a commission to investigate the genesis of the financial crisis as the resort of politicians who donââ¬â¢t know what else to do. (The Economist) 10. Phobia Many people wrongly think that a phobia is a fear. In reality it is more than that. Phobia is an irrational and exaggerated fear of something. The fear can be associated with certain activities, situations, things or people. Poorer communities have a phobia of undercooked food. Very advanced societies enjoy their fish and meat either raw or very close to it. To the French their idea of cooking a steak is so perfunctory one might as well hack the thing off the cow and tuck in. (Financial Times) 11. Plethora You have a plethora when you go beyond what is needed or appropriate. It represents an excess or undesired abundance. In California, for example, some neighborhoods have been blighted by the plethora of empty homes. Joe Minnis, a real estate agent for Prudential California, knows foreclosed homes in San Bernardino that have been systematically stripped, trashed and tagged by gang members. (Business Week) 12. Kudos Kudos means fame or glory, usually resulting from an important act or achievement. It is interesting to notice that in Greek and in the Standard British English, Kudos is a singular noun. Inside the United States, however, it is often used in a plural form (e.g., You deserve many kudos for this accomplishment!) They deserve the kudos because they could be deemed responsible for the marked improvement in the commercials during Super Bowl XL last night. (New York Times) Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:100 Idioms About NumbersTop 11 Writing Apps for iOS (iPhone and iPad)I wish I were...
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Human Resources Administration Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words
Human Resources Administration - Assignment Example The issue regarding the sales representative of the company is about performing unethical behavior within the company. The sales representative of the company has violated the rules of the working guidelines of the company by selling certain products into the flea market. In other words, the sales representative of the company has performed a kind of fraudulent practice that could adversely cost the company in the long term. The unethical or fraudulent practices are generally carried out due to several reasons. The reasons for performing certain fraudulent practices within a company or an organization can be owing to ensuring their survival in the business or reducing the burden of financial problems by executing unethical practices within the company. In this case, the sales representative has performed unethical and conducted fraudulent practice with the company by selling certain products into the flea market. The crucial reason of the sales representative for performing such fraudulent act is due to the financial burden that the sales representative faced while being separated from his spouse. It has been recognized that the accused sales representative of the company, Bruce has performed an unethical as well as fraudulent act by selling certain products of the company into the flea market. The sales representative of the company has purchased certain products by participating in the staff purchase program that is allowed by the company every month to its employees. The sales representative got the idea of selling the products into the flea market that he acquired from the staff purchase program which is conducted by the company for the sake of their employees. In order to respond towards the fraudulent or unethical practice that is performed by the sales representative, certain major actions need to be taken into consideration. The key action would be to
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Economic viability of the shale gas boom in the US Literature review
Economic viability of the shale gas boom in the US - Literature review Example economy, environment as well as political status in the future. Natural gas is known of reducing air pollution as a result of using coal by 30 percent (Energy Information Administration 2009 and Energy Information Administration (US) 2009). As a result of this, majority of the people believe that the use of natural gas will aid reduce pollution of air by fossil fuels such as coal and oil. The production and utilization of domestic fuels will have a significant impact on the economy of any state by creating job opportunities as well as increasing income through royalty payments (Energy Information Administration (US) 2011 and Schlumberger 2011). Additionally, the use of natural gas will enable the U.S. utilize the money used to be spent on fuel imports on other valuable goods (Energy Information Administration (US) 2010 and Energy Information Administration (US) 2011b). Although there are many shale gas reserves in the U.S., the most important is Marcellus Shale (Bloomberg 2011). Marc ellus Shale is located in Pennsylvania as well as Upstate New York. It has gained significant attention because of its closeness to most populated areas, its huge deposit size, and the amount of recoverable gas it has. Some of the factors that affect the productivity of the Marcellus Shale include ââ¬Å"the drop in natural gas prices, overproduction claims, a decade of rising costs and apparent production declines in the shale gas wellsâ⬠(Energy Information Administration 2012b). Economic analysis of this circumstance will enable the examination of the profitability of the shale gas well in the Marcellus Shale through looking at production as well as variables (Schoen 2011). The results gotten will then aid in evaluating whether producers are in a position to profitably extract natural gas despite the current market conditions. Profitability will then be measured by calculating crucial metrics such as internal rate of return of the chosen
Sunday, November 17, 2019
The Importance of Photosynthesis and Respiration Essay Example for Free
The Importance of Photosynthesis and Respiration Essay The Importance of Photosynthesis and Respiration Explain how photosynthesis and respiration are linked in order to provide you with energy from the food you eat: Photosynthesis is the process in which certain life forms are able to use sunlight to create energy. This energy is created by making carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and water in the presence of chlorophyll. Plants release large amounts of oxygen into the atmosphere as they produce much more than needed during the photosynthesis process. Aerobic respiration is an important process in life as we know it. This process further breaks down molecules and sugars using oxygen. During this process adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is created, used to store and transfer energy to cells throughout the body. (Aerobic respiration, 2010) Photosynthesis and aerobic respiration are both needed for each other to be able to perform their primary functions. One without the other would not work properly. Between both of these processes we receive three main sources; water, carbon dioxide and oxygen. Plants and animals require all three of these in order to live. Carbon dioxide and oxygen are a lot like a circle. Animals need oxygen to live and emit carbon dioxide, while plants need carbon dioxide to produce carbohydrates and omit oxygen, thus completing the circle. (Photosynthesis, 2005) During the photosynthesis stage a plant produces oxygen that aerobic respiration will use in order to break molecules, during this process electrons are released creating energy and a substance called adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is created. Through ATP, complex molecules are broken down into simple ones, allowing them to be used appropriately. (Photosynthesis, 2005) In the absence of oxygen some cells and organisms can use glycolysis coupled to fermentation to produce energy from the sugar created by photosynthesis: Fermentation allows for the production of energy without oxygen using organic compounds. Fermentation produces ATP with organic compounds like carbohydrates as the electron acceptor instead of oxygen, although less than cellular respiration. Yeast and muscle cells are capable of both cellular respiration and fermentation to harvest energy. When yeast cells are in a non-oxygen placement, the cells are forced to ferment. This is partially what it means when brewers ferment there beer. Our bodies use cellular respiration, to produce ATP, as our primary source of energy during normal activity. Although when we exert large amounts of energy all at once like running sprints would do, the normal cellular respiration would be unable to keep up with the required amount of oxygen to create ATP, therefore fermentation begins to assist making ATP. Cells use enzymes as biological catalysts to increase or accelerate the rate of reactions, such as those in photosynthesis or glycolysis. This allows reactions to occur under conditions that sustain life: An enzyme is simply a catalyst; also something extra thatââ¬â¢s only purpose is to speed a process up that would otherwise take a very long time. Our bodies have copious amounts of these enzymes whose only purpose is to speed up needed reactions and bonds between separate chemicals throughout the body. This bonding process is completed through what is known as enzyme substrate interactions. (Enzyme, 2005) An enzyme-substrate is most easily explained as being an extremely specific key whole in which only a specific enzyme has access to, allowing that enzyme to enter the key whole and pushing to molecules into one. An enzyme-substrate complex substrate undergoes a chemical reaction forming a new product. The substrate still has the ability to break away from the enzyme at this point allowing it the ability to form with a different substrate. An enzyme product is simply a solution. The eventual mating of two chemicals to bond together forms a new enzyme product. Enzyme activity is regulated a couple of different ways, one is known as allosteric inhibition and the other is known as competitive inhibition. Competitive inhibitors bind with the active site forcing the substrate to compete with it, hence the title competitive inhibition. Allosteric inhibition is when an ion bonds to something physically on the enzyme, no on the site, changing the shape of the enzyme. (Enzyme, 2005)? References Aerobic respiration. (2010). In The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather guide. Retrieved from http://www. credoreference. com. proxy. cecybrary. com/entry/heliconhe/aerobic_respiration Enzyme. (2005). In The American Heritage Science Dictionary. Retrieved from http://www. credoreference. com. proxy. cecybrary. com/entry/hmsciencedict/enzyme Photosynthesis. (2005). In The American Heritage Science Dictionary. Retrieved from http://www. credoreference. com. proxy. cecybrary. com/entry/hmsciencedict/photosynthesis
Thursday, November 14, 2019
Free Essays on Homers Odyssey: Scylla and Charybdis :: Odyssey essays
The Odyssey - Scylla and Charybdis One of the most difficult tasks as a parent is to teach your child lifes lessons. Many have tried, and many have failed. But over the ages most successful ideas have come in a form of story or tale. Aesops Fables, nursery rhymes, and other tales of caution are used even today to teach this common knowledge one must have. In the Greek civilization, thousands of years ago, many children were taught through these fun and interesting stories. The Odyssey is one of these tales. Through the many episodes telling the adventures of one man, Odysseus, numerous life lessons and morals were taught to the reader. One valuable episode in The Odyssey is Scylla and Charybdis. Not only does it provide excitement and interest for the reader, but it is an effective part of The Odyssey because of its superb insight to Odysseus character, and the clear life lesson that is taught. Especially in todays' world, one key to making a story interesting or exciting is to include action. For example many recent blockbuster hits are action packed. Titanic, Independence Day, and Terminator 2, all are examples of these hits. The Odyssey is no exception to this trick or technique. In the episode Scylla and Charybdis the plot is filled with intense confrontations, a heroic leader, and more. Some of this can be easily identified, for example, when Homer writes; "... scarcely had that island faded in the blue air than I saw smoke and white water with waves in tumult- a sound the men heard, and it terrified them. Oars flew from their hands; the blades went knocking wild alongside till the ship lost way..." (756-763) What the author is doing is letting the reader foreshadow. A technique which creates suspense, a vital element in any action story. The author then explained what was being hinted at; "... we rowed into the strait- Scylla to our port and on our starboard beam Charybdis, dire gorge of the salt-sea tide. By heaven when she vomited all the sea was like a cauldron seething over intense fire..." (796-800) "... [The] dark sand raged on the bottom far below.
Tuesday, November 12, 2019
Brazil socio economy Essay
Brazil is one of the South American countries and the fifth largest country in terms of geographical area. It has population of over one hundred and eight three million people. The Brazilââ¬â¢s natural resources largely includes gold, iron ore, manganese ,bauxite platinum, tin ,uranium, timber and petroleum among others. In most part of Brazilââ¬â¢s history, it has experienced very slow economic growth. For instance, during the colonial period sugar, gold and slavery did not boost the economy of the country. In fact, in mid-eighteenth century, Brazilââ¬â¢s economy retardation did worry Portuguese rulers. During the time of independence, Brazil had one of the least productive economies in the western hemisphere than any other New World colony. After the independence it did not show much progress. When the industrial revolution seemed to gather momentum, imperial Brazil economy was stagnating. As slavery ended marking the fall of the empire, its per capita Gross Domestic Production (GDP) was less than a half that of Mexico and making one sixth of the United State. This show some improvement from 1913 to 1980 where it sustained significant economic growth though interrupted by the Great Depression in early years. However, over the past quarter century, its economy has barely grown. Each time it makes attempt to rise it falls back. Similarly, its social inequality has also been historical. Social inequality has been there through different periods, in various economic models, in dictatorships and in democratic transitions. Therefore, the main purpose of this presentation is to discuss reasons which that have contributed to social inequality and economical stagnation in Brazil. From 1500 to late 1930s, the Brazilian economy relied heavily on the production of primary products for export. In fact, its economy assumed colonial master policy that was sternly enforced during its reign that for about three centuries has curbed the development that lasted past independence. There were some changes that occurred when slavery was abolished and waged labor adopted. First important structural transformation steps were recorded in 1930 when Brazil changed into a modern, semi-industrialized economy. They were intensely felt between 1950 and 1981 when economic growth rates remained quite high with establishment of diversified manufacturing base. After World War II rapid socioeconomic transformation took place. But since early 1980s, Brazilââ¬â¢s economy has been encountering economic huddles that have seen it have very slow growth if not stagnation. When second oil shock stuck in 1979, the prices of oil importation in Brazil double and this had effects on trade in that it lowered terms of trade further. The increase in world trade rates caused rise in Brazilââ¬â¢s balance payments and size of foreign debt though country did not stop borrowing meanwhile it tried to maintain high-growth strategy. In start of 1980s, foreign debt became so acute which led to introduction of program that could generate growing trade in surpluses so that country could amortize the foreign debt. This was achieved by reducing imports and expansion of exports. Consequently, real gross domestic production declined. Mexican debt crisis of 1981 blocked Brazilââ¬â¢s access to international financial markets that caused much pressure for its economic adjustment. Structural Adjustment Plan was introduced by International Monetary Fund that enabled the country to meet interest payments on the debt. However, this subsequently resulted in much of economic decline compounded with high inflation rate. It happened that, inflation accelerated further due to a combination of number of factors namely the exchange ââ¬ârate devaluations of austerity program, growing public deficit and escalating indexation of financial balances and wages among others. The exchange ââ¬ârate devaluations of the austerity program and growing public deficit formed a classical cause of inflation. Nevertheless, increased indexation of financial balances and wage were just important mechanism for propagating inflation. At around mid 1980s, foreign debt was almost displaced by domestic debt that caused main economic problem. Previously, during period of high economic growth in 1970s, considerable portion of foreign borrowing was done by state enterprises which were the main actors in the import-substitution industrialization strategy. At first they borrowed with intention of financing their investments but later due to acute shortage of foreign exchange they were compelled by the government to borrow unnecessarily and thus increasing their debts greatly. This was worsened by the sharp increase of international rates. This followed that because the state enterprises were not supposed to go bankrupt; their debt burden was borne by the government which further increased the public debt. Coupled with disorganization of the public sector, public debt was transformed in to a big economic problem. By the end of 1980s it was necessary for large-scale fiscal reform that could result to non-inflationary financing of the public sector not only for inflation control purposes alone but also restore the public sectorââ¬â¢s capacity to be able to invest for overall economy recovery. But this was hampered by political challenges which could not make any reform to materialize. Several attempts were mounted to bring down inflation which was the most visible symptom. There were referred to as ââ¬Ëheterodox economic shocksââ¬â¢ namely Cruzado Plan, the Bresser Plan and the Summer Plan that came in succession in each year from 1987 to 1989 respectively. These plans did no make the situation any better. By the start of 1990s, the country was ushered into a new era that probably radiated some hope to recovery of the economy that was marked by the first post-military president Fernando Collor de Mello in March 1990. Hyperinflation and virtually bankrupt public sector was the first things he had to fix with his new administration. But preceding events could not promise any good outcome to mobilize stagnating economy. Two years later, the President Collor de Mello was impeached on corruption charges. Therefore, it is evident that the ââ¬Ëundevelopedââ¬â¢ of Brazilââ¬â¢s economy has been caused by several factors. Brazilââ¬â¢s geographical position is one of the factors that have contributed to its slow economic growth. This is because most of it tradable natural resources are too far from potential markets for profit exploitation. For instance, during the colonial period major export was sugar which had to be produced within fifteen miles of a port or navigable river. But the huge Amazon River system flows through vast tropical forest where land is unfertile and there were no navigable rivers that were flowing where export crops could be produced using modern scientific farming methods. Brazil though had a long coastline a few were protected harbor and without railways or truck, what was produced in interior was cattle and slaves that walked to the market The same challenges face the country even today. The issue of poor transport is affecting the Brazilââ¬â¢s industries considerably. The government has often failed to meet export target due to the countryââ¬â¢s transport problem and shipping of the production. Logistically, it has proven that even though it was to transport, the operating cost would increase the merchandise prices and hence lose in world market. This greatly removes Brazilian competitive advantage and makes it not to earn sufficient foreign exchange to boost it economy. World Bank has reveled that transport expenses account for about thirty five percent of the operating cost . This adversely affects even private companies. This generally had resulted to chronic lack of investment that has caused countryââ¬â¢s economy not to develop. Another important factor to economy growth failure is the effects of the International Monetary Fundââ¬â¢s structural adjustment policy that trace way back to the 1980s. When the Brazil foreign debt happened to be high and was challenging to service it, International Monetary Fund to help the country, it introduced Structural Adjustment Policy which acted as stabilization program. However, it was designed from an orthodox monetarist perspective whereby it prioritized debts solvency through fiscal austerity and failed to address the core problem of Brazilââ¬â¢s economy. It did not curb rising inflation or initiate significant economic growth; rather it created hardship in the country. Another cause of the economyââ¬â¢s failure to thrive in Brazil is leadership. Brazil political leadership was characterized by emperor, politicalmachine, dictator, military authoritarianism, several military coups and impeachment leaderships. Most of these leadersââ¬â¢ agenda did not feature Brazilââ¬â¢s interest in their hearts as they establish themselves. Consequently this has made country economy to retrogress. Lastly, concentration of wealth to few minorities has perversely affected the Brazilââ¬â¢s economic growth. It has been observed that income inequality distribution in Brazil is one of the most unequal in the world. This has caused high poverty rates, chronic malnutrition and preventable disease that have caused the economy to drag. It is true that Brazil is socially unequal. It has been recorded to be one of the nations with high rate inequality. Its income inequality measurements according to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) are relatively higher than even some of very poor African countries such as Lesotho, Namibia or Sierra Leone and yet it belong to the wealthiest countries. The country has high income concentration that reveals that about one percent of the population belong to the richest which constitute to less than two million of the total population having approximately thirteen percent of all of household income. These results of poverty level have shown inconsistency in regards to its economic size. According to the Institute for Applied Economic Research (IPEA) data, about thirty percent of the population with is equivalent to fifty four million people are considered to be poor. Within this same group, about twenty million people that account for almost twelve percent of the population are ranked as been extremely poor. As it can be seen, this poverty level is higher than the average ten percent in countries with a per capita income similar to that of Brazil or those countries which have a poverty level three times less than Brazil. Inequality is more pronounced in the rural areas whereby small number of large owners such as large farmers, large rural entrepreneur who are seen to monopolize most of the rural areas coexist with thousands of small land owners, landless workers and rural workers who live in precarious conditions. From the start, there exists high level of land inequalities which continues to escalate. It has been found that, the percentage of the total area occupied by the ten percent largest properties is about seventy eight percent. Similarly, there is also a gap between the rich and the poor in urban areas in which more than eighty percent of the Brazilians live presently. A good percentage of urban dwellers are living in poor conditions without proper housing and access to public equipment and public health and recreation facilities among others. Access to housing also remains highly unequal based in regional basis. For instance, while in southern region and southwest region housing conditions are approximately thirty one and twenty seven percent respectively, this percent rises to about seventy percent in the northern region and sixty percent in mid-west region. At the same note, there is also serious problem in the housing deficit whereby it is estimates that close to eight million units with ninety percent of housing deficit mainly affect poor families with an income of barely three minimum wages in a month. From this brief analysis, poverty in Brazil is associated with color and location that is, it affect the black and is concentrated in northeast region. This is because, two-thirds of all the poor in Brazil are block and seventy percent of the total population living in the in poverty are city dwellers and close to fifty one percent belong to such population who are living in northeast region. The main cause of inequalities discussed above is not due to general lack of the resources but rather it is caused by their imbalanced distribution of resources. Such inequalities in contemporary democracies seem to be attributed to tensions that exist between the ethical requirements related to ââ¬Ërightââ¬â¢ and the importance of economic effectiveness; between the legal order that promises equality and the realty of the exclusion which is brought about by the exercise of power. It is in historic records that in many of western countries there was a period when social disparities were so extreme such that society had to mobilize government mechanisms, through laws, public policies and changes in tax system that saw some degree of redistribution to eliminate the extreme forms of poverty and inequality that existed. However, in Brazil since it was a colony, empire and then a republic it has never had attempts to promote inclusion of the poorest segments of the population. It developed in all of twentieth century with considerable number of extremely poor people. Such development process that ââ¬Ëmanages povertyââ¬â¢ is referred to as a ââ¬Ëconservative modernizationââ¬â¢ by development experts which is model that describe a situation which produces significant changes in the economy without altering established socio-economic order by affecting it slowly. In social perspective, conservative modernization implies several things for instance, lack of regulation in labor market. Nearly more than half of the working population that comprises of about forty five million male and female workers do not enjoy any labor rights such as unemployment insurance, invalalidity insurance cover, paid vacation, maternity and paternity leave, family allowances and pensions. This translates that even though the country belong to the worldââ¬â¢s wealthiest counties, it has not ensured formal wages and minimum social protection to many of its workers. Another consequence of social inequalities in Brazil is due to low level of schooling. Universal access to quality education has not given a priority in Brazil. Presently, illiteracy level rates at about ten percent. Subsequently, the average number of years of schooling of the population aged fifteen and above is estimated to be seven percent when it is suppose be legally at least eight years. Despite the fact that there is improvement as observed from the indicators, the quality of education has long way to go. In rural area, the conservative approach is also felt particularly in agribusiness which is found to strengthens the economic power of large landowners while it neglect the unskilled wage-earning labor force and many small farmers that are not incorporated into the prevailing agricultural model. In large cities exclusion process also has taken its toll where major changes in production process and in the appropriation of urban space have synergetic effects. Their effects are reflected in social spatial restructuring processes that seem to enhance the segregation problem or what in other term would rightly be referred to as ââ¬Ësocial apartheidââ¬â¢. In such situation a significant proportion of the population is forced to live not only outside the formal labor market but also without access to proper housing and basic public services that are vital for quality life such as sanitation, education, health care, transport and recreation. Another cause of inequality is regressive tax system that heavily imposes a burden on the consumption and labor while on the other side spares the large capital. The data collected by the Brazilian Institute for Geography and Statistics (IBGE) in 2004 indicated that the tax load for the richest segment of the population who earned more than thirty minimum wages in a month accounts for about twenty six percent of the family income while the countryââ¬â¢s poorest workers, for those with income of less than two minimum wages had a tax load which was nearly twice high- about forty nine percent. The worrying thing is that this situation is worsening over time. The same logic is found in spending of social policies that has been systematically diminishing. For instance, a decade ago there was a mechanism that was established that could allow the Federal government to withhold twenty percent of all the taxes and contributions allocated for social actions which mounted to billions of reals that were used every year to ensure the required surplus for paying interest on and repay the countryââ¬â¢s debt. This largely contributed to inquality as the wealthiest- public debt creditor, are favored while the assistance provided by the government to the poorer population was reduced significantly. Social inequality does not only confine itself between the poor and the rich but also it is gender and race based. There is exclusion experienced by women and black people that is directly related to sexist and racist phenomena. Gender and race inequalities that has persisted for decades is an indication that individuals continue be discriminated based on their sex or color in spheres of society like in schools, labor market, political circles and family . The consequences of these perpetuated inequalities are perverse in that they make situation to look normal which in turn reinforce the stigmatization of these marginalized groups. This hinders individuals to achieve their potential and also prevents them exercise their right as Brazilian citizens. The exclusion processes that women encounters and the black people that has widened social gap is what has characterizes contemporary Brazil society. Bibliography: Beghin, N. (2008); Notes on Inequality and Poverty in Brazil: Current Situation and Challenges. Retrieved on 8th January 2009 from: http://www. oxfam. org. uk/resources/downloads/FP2P/FP2P_Brazil_Inequality_Poverty_BP_ENGLISH. pdf Brazil Historical Background and Economic Growth (2009);http://www. floridabrasil. com/brazil/guide-about-Brazil-Economy-Historical-Background-Economic-Growth. htm Coatsworth, J. H. (2007); Why is Brazil ââ¬Å"Underdevelopedâ⬠; Retrieved on 8th January 2009from:http://www. drclas. harvard. edu/revista/articles/view/934. Hamilton, C. V. (2001); Beyond Racism: Race and Inequality in Brazil, South Africa, and the United States. ISBN 158826002X, 9781588260024Lynne Rienner Publishers. Nathalie B. (2008); Notes on Inequality and Poverty in Brazil: Current Situation and Challenges. Retrieved on 8th January 2009 from: http://www. oxfam. org. uk/resources/downloads/FP2P/FP2P_Brazil_Inequality_Poverty_BP_ENGLISH. pdf Saddi, V. (2008); Lack of Infrastructure Investment in Brazil: A Constraint on Economic Growth; Retrieved on 8th January 2009 from:http://www. rgemonitor. com/economonitor-monitor/253645/lack_of_infrastructure_investment_in_brazil_a_constraint_on_economic_growth Weyland, K. G. (2002); The Politics of Market Reform in Fragile Democracies: Argentina, Brazil, Peru, and Venezuela. ISBN 0691096430, 9780691096438, Princeton University Press Wise, C. (2003); Reinventing the State: Economic Strategy and Institutional Change in Peru. ISBN 047211316X, 9780472113163, University of Michigan Press.
Saturday, November 9, 2019
Marketing Review Essay
You track sales and profits, and discover that pants are selling better than shirts, apparently because the shirts are too expensive. You will look for a lower-cost supplier for shirts, or consider dropping your prices if you can afford to do so. 2. You realize that your experience as skaters is a plus; however, your lack of experience in selling clothing could hurt you. You find out that a skateboard shop in town wants to branch out into inline skating; however, you also find out that Nike is thinking about expanding its product line to include special inline skating clothes. 3. You decide that you will target college students who enjoy inline skating, and will aim to establish yourself as a company that offers trendy clothes for the student budget. 4. You decide that your business focus will be to offer fashionable yet durable clothing for inline skaters, with built-in protection for knees and elbows. 5. You offer clothing that college students would want to wear, price it for a student budget, sell it online and in sports stores near college campuses, and promote your products on Facebook. 8. As the text explains, Nike, the prominent athletic shoe manufacturer, relies heavily on athlete sponsorships to build demand for its products. Spectators at major sporting eventsââ¬âboth those attending in person and those watching at homeââ¬âfrequently see the Nike ââ¬Å"swooshâ⬠logo worn by elite athletes. Given the vast worldwide audience for Olympics broadcasts, an Olympic year gives Nike increased exposure. On a Nike situation analysis in an Olympic year, would you consider this exposure to be a strength or an opportunity? Explain your reasoning; be specific. Nike, the prominent athletic shoe manufacturer, acquired Cole-Haan, a manufacturer of dress and casual street shoes, in 1988. Depending on your interpretation of the products and markets involved, you might be able to argue that this acquisition represented any of the four major growth strategies. For EACH of the four growth strategies, offer a justification that the Cole-Haan acquisition represented that particular strategy. Donââ¬â¢t just define what the growth strategy means; apply the definition to this specific example. Once you have offered a justification for each of the four growth strategies, choose the one you think the Cole-Haan acquisition best represents, and explain why. Subway is a large chain of franchise sandwich shops. Marcia owns three Subway stores in a large city. At the end of the year, she notes that sales rose from two to five percent over last yearââ¬â¢s sales at Stores 1 and 2, but fell two percent at Store 3. Marcia decides to give large bonuses to the managers of Stores 1 and 2, and to put Store 3ââ¬â¢s manager on probation. Critique Marciaââ¬â¢s evaluation of her storesââ¬â¢ performance. What would you have done differently? Be specific. Question marks: low market share/high growth rate. Candidates for strategic marketing planning, assessing potential for growth. 2. Dogs: low market share/low growth rate. Candidates to be phased out unless they are needed to complement or boost sales of other products. 3. Cash cows: high market share/low growth rate. Sources of funding for other parts of the firm. They typically require modest promotional and production support. 4. Stars: high market share/high growth rate. Usually require continued promotion efforts and expansion of production capacity. 136. The two bases of classification are relative market share (high-low) and market growth rate (high-low). This leads to four quadrants labeled stars, cash cows, dogs, and question marks. 137. Your sales manager wants you to stop selling those products that are in slow growth markets and which the company has a small relative market share. The manager also wants you to spend more time and effort selling products that are in high growth markets and which the company has a high market share. Finally, you should continue to sell but not put additional effort into high relative market share, low market growth products, referred to as cash cows. If Ryan pursues a market development strategy, he will attempt to serve new market segments. Since his product is a restaurant, market development would likely include opening additional locations in other areas, offering the same menu. 138. If Ryan pursues a market penetration strategy, he will likely expand advertising and promotion, maybe adding billboards, promoting specials, adding hours and likely expanding the restaurant to serve more customers. If they pursue a diversification strategy, they would market new products or services to a market segment they are not currently serving. Targeting landscape design or maintenance services for commercial customers would be one type of diversification. 139. If they pursue a product development strategy, they will offer new products or services to the firmââ¬â¢s current target market. A nursery could logically provide a landscape design consulting service, landscape maintenance service, soil and pest testing service or add additional products such as indigenous plants. 140. Many elements might be included, but it is important for students to demonstrate they understand the importance of allocating resources, leveraging competencies, capitalizing on strengths and minimizing weaknesses, coordinating efforts and decisions, and facilitating smooth operations for the firm. 141. Firms operate in a complex environment, and it is easy to overlook critical issues in the overwhelming possibilities. A structured approach will minimize the possibility that important items will be overlooked. It is also a way to ensure the transparency for the rest of the organization who depend on marketing for leadership. 142. Operational excellence, because it focuses on efficiency in its supply chain. 143. Creating and developing customer value. 144. Summerââ¬âplanning; Fallââ¬âimplementation; Springââ¬âcontrol. 145. SWOT analyses help a firm evaluate the current situation, both the internal environment and external environment. 146. Opportunities that build on a firmââ¬â¢s strengths relative to those of their competitors. 147. Market penetration, because the companies are trying to sell additional products (marked down) to current customers. 148. Product development, because the CD is a new product (just recorded) and itââ¬â¢s being sold to current customers. Some students might say that it is a market development strategy. For this to be correct, they would have to argue that a different market segment that currently doesnââ¬â¢t drink orange juice is being targeted. 149. The best answer is that this is a market penetration strategy. The slogan seeks to increase sales of a current product (orange juice), which reduces the options to market penetration or market development. ââ¬Å"It isnââ¬â¢t just for breakfast anymoreâ⬠sounds like the Growers Association wants those who drink orange juice at breakfast time to consider it at other times of the day too. In other words, it focuses on increasing usage among current customers, which is market penetration. 1. Locational excellence: In addition to having a top-notch website, try to get your products into as many retail stores as possible, probably focusing on sporting goods stores. 2. Operational excellence: Develop close relationships with suppliers of fabric and other raw materials and with retailers. 3. Customer excellence: Offer outstanding service, perhaps including live chat on the website as well as no-hassle returns if the customer changes his or her mind about a purchase. 4. Product excellence: Focus on continually improving the products and making them the most advanced ones on the market, perhaps using stylish yet durable fabrics that wonââ¬â¢t be damaged in a fall. Then work to develop a clear positioning statement for your brand. 150. There are many correct answers; here is a sample. To make this question easier, you could ask the student to provide an idea for just one or two of the macro strategies. 1. Threats-could include the recession, a glut of graduates in the field, or reduced demand for professionals in the field 2. Opportunities-could include expected growth in the field, a new firm starting up in the area that will be hiring, or a shortage of graduates in the field 3. Weaknesses-possibilities include lack of experience, inability to relocate, or a low GPA 4. Strengths-students might mention internship experience, past work experience, classes taken, personal characteristics, or personal contacts Students will come up with a variety of answers depending on their individual situations. They will probably need to do some speculation for Opportunities and Threats. Here is a sample: 151. In order to make sure the students clearly classify the factors, you might want to provide an answer space with four sections; in each one, include a blank line for the name of the section and additional space for the factor. If you want to make this question more difficult, you can add to the question the following: ââ¬Å"What should Microsoft have done before deciding to discontinue the product?â⬠The answer: Microsoft should have determined the causes for the disappointing sales in order to determine whether or not another action (perhaps a different target market, a price adjustment, or a revised promotion plan) could put sales back on track. Some students might also answer ââ¬Å"Control phase.â⬠Strictly speaking, this is a phase and not a step; however, Step 5 is the only step of the process that fits into the Control phase, so you may want to accept both as correct answers. 152. Step 5ââ¬âEvaluate performance using marketing metrics. 153. A. Evaluate results; B. Situation analysis; C. STP; D. Business mission; E. Implementation 154. A reasonable argument can be made for this being a strength or an opportunity, so this is about the rationale offered. This could be viewed as a strength in that Nikeââ¬â¢s logo is ubiquitous and well-recognized, and customers in Nikeââ¬â¢s target markets will be reminded of the many sports for which Nike offers shoes and apparel. It could also be viewed as an opportunity to strengthen Nikeââ¬â¢s position overseas (due to international viewership) and to increase awareness of the breadth of Nikeââ¬â¢s products (due to increased viewership of niche sports that ordinarily donââ¬â¢t get much attention). This question helps to point out that classifications are rarely black and whiteââ¬âhow things are viewed depend on assumptions. Diversification: If you argue that dress/casual street shoes represent a different type of product from athletic shoes, but that different customers would buy Cole-Haanââ¬â¢s dress shoes from those that buy Nike athletic shoes, then the Cole-Haan acquisition enabled Nike to sell new products to new markets. Product development: If you argue that dress/casual street shoes represent a different type of product from athletic shoes, and if you argue that Nikeââ¬â¢s customers would also purchase dress/casual street shoes, then the Cole-Haan acquisition enabled Nike to sell new products to its current customers. Market development: If you argue that shoes represent one type of product regardless of the type of shoe, but that different customers would buy Cole-Haanââ¬â¢s dress shoes from those that buy Nike athletic shoes, then the Cole-Haan acquisition enabled Nike to sell its existing product (shoes) to new markets. 155. Market penetration: If you argue that shoes represent one type of product regardless of the type of shoe, and if you argue that Nikeââ¬â¢s customers would also purchase dress and casual street shoes, then the Cole-Haan acquisition enabled Nike to sell more of its existing product (shoes) to its current customers. 156. The major problem with Marciaââ¬â¢s evaluation is that her only point of comparison seems to be last yearââ¬â¢s sales figures. She should attempt to obtain information on sales trends at other Subway sandwich shops, and if possible, at competing sandwich shops in her city. For example, perhaps her competitors and/or fellow franchisees saw much larger gains, perhaps due to an improving economy. She should also seek to understand whether or not there might be an explanation for the reduction in sales at the third store. Perhaps it is located in a shopping center that has been losing tenants, which would be beyond the managerââ¬â¢s control and therefore shouldnââ¬â¢t factor into a performance evaluation. ch02 Summary Category # of Questions AACSB: Analytic 158 Blooms: Analyze 5 Blooms: Apply 52 Blooms: Evaluate 9 Blooms: Remember 23 Blooms: Understand 69 Difficulty: 1 Easy 23 Difficulty: 2 Medium 82 Difficulty: 3 Hard 53 Grewal ââ¬â Chapter 02 158 Learning Objective: 02-01 Define a marketing strategy. 40 Learning Objective: 02-02 Describe the elements of a marketing plan. 17 Learning Objective: 02-03 Analyze a marketing situation using SWOT analysis. 14 Learning Objective: 02- 18 04 Describe how a firm chooses which consumer group(s) to pursue with its marketing efforts. Learning Objective: 02-05 Outline the implementation of the marketing mix as a means to increase customer value. 17 Learning Objective: 02-06 Summarize portfolio analysis and its use to evaluate marketing performance. 27 Learning Objective: 02-07 Describe how firms grow their business. 25 Topic: Evaluating Performance 10 Topic: Growth Strategies 25 Topic: Implementing the Marketing Mix 8 Topic: Marketing Mix 6 Topic: Marketing Plan 6 Topic: Marketing Planning Process 11 Topic: Marketing Strategy 40 Topic: Portfolio Analysis 13 Topic: Step 2: Conduct a Situation Analysis 4 Topic: Step 3: Identifying and Evaluating Opportunities Using STP 1 Topic: Step 4: Implement Marketing Mix and Allocate Resources 2 Topic: Step 5: Evaluate Performance Using Marketing Metrics 4 Topic: STP 17 Topic: SWOT Analysis 10 Topic: What is a Marketing Strategy? 1
Thursday, November 7, 2019
India-Pakistan Conflict essays
India-Pakistan Conflict essays For thousands of years, countless lives have been lost in battles over disputed territories. While the primary, tangible point of contention in most border disputes is an easily identifiable piece of land on a map; such disputes are often far more complex than what can be measured in square miles. Often times, cultural tradition, ethnic heritage, and religious beliefs become dimensions that make such conflicts far more complicated than can be resolved by a simple treaty creating a new border. This is the case in the Jammu and Kashmir region, located between northwestern India and northeastern Pakistan. Prior to 1947, the region comprising Pakistan, India, and Kashmir was known as British India, and was a colony of the British Empire consisting of hundreds of small states, each of which was controlled by a local leader know as a maharajah. When the British left the region in 1947, it was up to the individual states to determine which of the two new independent countries they wished to join. Those countries with Muslim majorities opted to become part of Pakistan, while those Hindu majorities chose to become part of the new India. While for the most part this system worked out well, two areas complicated the transition. One problem came from the geographic divide between two culturally distinct pockets of Muslims in British India. The country we now know as Pakistan was the region known as West Pakistan when colonial powers left in 1947. However, the region of Bengali also possessed a heavy Muslim majority, but was separated from West Pakistan by Hindu controlled parts of India. This region, which became East Pakistan, affiliated itself with West Pakistan by religion and constitution, but not by cultural heritage. Much like Alaska is part of the United States, but divided from the rest of the nation by Canada, East Pakistan found itself surrounded by India, but constitutionally united with West Pakistan. In Kas...
Tuesday, November 5, 2019
The Novel Writerââ¬â¢s Secret Short Stories - Freewrite Store
The Novel Writerââ¬â¢s Secret Short Stories - Freewrite Store Todayââ¬â¢s guest post is by author Jeff Somers.à He has published nine novels, including theà Avery Cates Seriesà of noir-science fiction novels from Orbit Books, the darkly hilarious crime novelà Chumà from Tyrus Books, and most recently tales of blood magic and short cons in theà Ustari Cycle. Go Short to Go Long: Going from Short Stories to Novels The Short Story is having a bit of a Moment these days. After a lengthy period of being overshadowed by longer-form fiction, readers, critics, and (most importantly) film and television producers seem to be waking up to the unique old-school pleasures of a short piece of fiction. Writers like George Saunders, who largely specialize in short stories (Lincoln in the Bardo was his first published novel), have bubbled into the mainstream- Jennifer Eganââ¬â¢s A Visit from the Goon Squad is composed of interlocked short stories, and it won the 2011 Pulitzer Prize. Some of the biggest movies of the past few years- like Arrival or The Curious Case of Benjamin Button- have been based on short stories. And Amazon just picked up Philip K. Dickââ¬â¢s Electric Dreams,an anthology series based on the short works of the famous sci-fi author. A lot of writers shy away from short stories. Stories donââ¬â¢t earn a whole lot of money, as a rule, and so can be seen as a poor use of a writerââ¬â¢s time. Plus, theyââ¬â¢re tough to write; unlike a novel, where you can spin words upon words as you write through problems, the format is tight and constricted, requiring ruthless cutting and efficient plotting. This is also whyevery writer who aspires to write and sell a novel should be writing short stories- and a lot of them. Challenge: Accepted George R.R. Martin, a man who has managed to make writing huge, wordy novels look easy, once offered this piece of writing advice: ââ¬Å"I would also suggest that any aspiring writer begin with short stories. These days, I meet far too many young writers who try to start off with a novel right off, or a trilogy, or even a nine-book series. Thatââ¬â¢s like starting in at rock climbing by tackling Mt. Everest. Short stories help you learn your craft.â⬠The fact that writing a coherent short story thatââ¬â¢s an affecting, complete piece of work is difficult is your first clue that you should be doing it. In fact, writing a short story exercises several writing muscles that will benefit your novel writing: Finishing. Probably the hardest part of writing any piece of fiction is getting to The End. Books often begin with a blaze of inspiration and excitement, then get bogged down in characters that donââ¬â¢t seem interesting, plots that go nowhere, and the slow creeping sense that you are a fraud and an impostor. Short stories train you to get from the beginning to the end without investing months or years of your time- and like any muscle memory, physical or mental, the more you get to The End the easier it becomes in the future. Efficiency. The open-ended expanse of novels (first drafts can be as flabby and overwritten as we like, after all) encourages experimentation and, to use a scientific term, noodling. All that noodling can bulk up your word count without actually moving the story forward or clarifying your charactersââ¬â¢ motivations. Word count is a satisfying metric, making you feel like youââ¬â¢ve achieved something regardless of the quality of those words. But in a short story, thereââ¬â¢s no room for noodling. Writing the short form forces you to cut your plot, your characterizations, and your world-building down to the essentials, making your game that much tighter. Creativity. Short stories also offer a way of capturing ideas when you donââ¬â¢t have time to work on a longer version of an idea. Haruki Murakami, the author of Kafka on the Shore and 1Q84 among many other amazing novels, once said ââ¬Å"A short story I have written long ago would barge into my house in the middle of the night, shake me awake and shout, 'Hey, this is no time for sleeping! You can't forget me, there's still more to write!' Impelled by that voice, I would find myself writing a novel. In this sense, too, my short stories and novels connect inside me in a very natural, organic way.â⬠In other words, sometimes a short story is just a short story, and sometimes itââ¬â¢s the tip of a novel-length iceberg. Short Stories Every Day When discussing the craft and process of writing, youââ¬â¢ll eventually hear that if you want to improve you need to write every day or as near to it as possible. The more you write (and the more you read), the better your writing will become because practice is an essential part of any skill or craft. Most of us have to work pretty hard to find the time to write every day, making that time precious. Your choice of what to work on during those precious hours (or minutes) is one of the most important decisions youââ¬â¢ll make as a writer. I strongly suggest you use that time to work on short stories unless you have a very clear concept and way forward for a novel. Iââ¬â¢ve completed 35 novels. Many of those are awful, some are mediocre, and nine have been published (so far). One reason Iââ¬â¢ve been able to plan, compose, and sell so many novels is that I write at least one short story every month, without fail. I started doing this thirty years ago, and I now have more than 500 stories written in long-hand in notebooks. When I finish one, I immediately start another. As with my novels, most of these arenââ¬â¢t great; Iââ¬â¢ve sold about 40 over the years, and most of them never make it out of the notebooks at all. My goal isnââ¬â¢t necessarily to write a brilliant, publishable short story, though- those come as a side-effect of my true goal, which is to practice. To try different things. Working on a story each month means I can play around with a narrative device for a month, then capture an idea thatââ¬â¢s been buzzing inside my head the next. After that, I can write a story focusing on a dialog trick Iââ¬â¢ve thought of, and the month after that I can write my version of someone elseââ¬â¢s story so I can tear apart their style, their mechanics, their tricks, and tics to see what can be seen. Every story I write, month after month, Iââ¬â¢m trying something new, something that maybe Iââ¬â¢m no good at, something that wonââ¬â¢t work at all- but itââ¬â¢s low-risk, because at the end of the month I write The End and mo ve on to the next idea, the next experiment, the next challenge. This has had an incredibly positive effect on my longer works. First of all, some of these experiments lead to ideas and scenarios that grow naturally into novels- my book We Are Not Good People ultimately sprang from a pretty awful short story written a long, long time ago when I thought a mullet was an acceptable hairstyle. And every time I push myself to write a story in a new way, or using new, unfamiliar tools, I get a faint echo of that first crazy energy that drove me to write in the first place. And the fact that every day, without fail, Iââ¬â¢m working on a new story means that my mind is always focused on writing and the mechanics of telling a tale, keeping me sharp. The TL;DR version is: Short stories for the Win. So, writers, how do you keep your skills and mind sharp even when your novel only exists as 4,000 Post-It Notes and a dream journal? à Jeff Somers (www.jeffreysomers.com) began writing by court order as an attempt to steer his creative impulses away from engineering genetic grotesqueries. He has published nine novels, including the Avery Cates Series of noir-science fiction novels from Orbit Books (www.avery-cates.com) and the Ustari Cycleà Series of urban fantasy novels. His short story Ringing the Changes was selected for inclusion in Best American Mystery Stories 2006,his story Sift, Almost Invisible, Through appeared in the anthology Crimes by Moonlight edited by Charlaine Harris, and his story Three Cups of Teaà appeared in the anthology Hanzai Japan. He also writes about books for Barnes and Noble and About.com and about the craft of writing for Writerââ¬â¢s Digest, which will publish his book on the craft of writing Writing Without Rules in 2018. He lives in Hoboken with his wife, The Duchess, and their cats. He considers pants to always be optional.
Sunday, November 3, 2019
Characteristics of effective teams Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words
Characteristics of effective teams - Essay Example time limit needs to be considered, the group climate needs to be known, and finally the group setting needs to be known that is which type of setting the group is working on (Johnson and Johnson, 2010). Decision by Minority: It is effective when not possible for other members to meet and it is ineffective when group resources are not utilized. Group resources can include the skills and talents possessed by group members. Since various skills are required at the time of decision making, I apply me service specialist skills and my group members apply the skills of tackling with customers easily. Voting decisions are taken when many options seem suitable for implementing it in the customer services plan. Managing time is very important while making decisions in groups. Once an immediate decision was required in sending the customer request to the top management, the majority of the members decided that it should be dealt at the lower level instead of passing it to the top. Immediate actions and decisions were taken to resolve the matter successfully. Usually I being the senior service specialist have more experience in dealing with insurance related matters of customers and can answer their queries without much difficulty. It usually happens that in such cases I am referred to deal with the customer without any issues by the other group members. After the voting and the consensus methods that are applied related to the implementation of the policies for customer services, it becomes important for all three members of my group to be well versed with the decision taken so that while communicating ahead to customers the process becomes easier. Gathering the views of the entire group allows different angles and perspectives to be understood and allows in selecting the best decision possible. For customer services, it is important that the best decisions be taken so as to retain them for the future. Since my group is involved with customer issues and services of
Thursday, October 31, 2019
World trade Organization Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words
World trade Organization - Essay Example The organization has the primary goal of necessitating business between producers, exporters, and importers of services and goods. This paper seeks to describe a number of aspects concerning the WTO. The paper will discuss the development of the W.T.O, when it developed, and interests, which supported its development. The paper will also focus on how the organization related to changes in the transnational flows of production and investment. In addition, the paper will address this organization developed as part of the broader network of transnational institution. The paper will also focus on the impact of world trade organizationââ¬â¢s transnational regulation on equality and democracy within domestic states. The development of the world trade organization The world trade organization came into being in 1995. After the Second World War, organizations to deal with trade, such as General Agreement on Tariffs and trade were formed. The last talks of the General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs gave birth to the world trade organization. The WTO carried on with the negotiations initiated by the GATT. The world trade organization developed to end trade discrimination and enhance multilateral trade among nations. Thus, the General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs contributed to the formation of the World trade organization (Aturupane 2000, p. 350). ... As a result, nations realized that GAAT did not have the appropriate answers to the complex nature of global trade. This saw the formation of the WTO following a series of negotiations referred to as Uruguay Round (UR). Interests which supported the development of WTO. Aturupane (2000, p. 351) observes that a number of interests supported the development of the World Trade Organization. These interests have to do with the improvement and enhancement of global trade within nations. One of the interests, which supported the formation of the WTO include the desire to increase trade in goods as well as services. Intellectual property rights also formed part of the reasons as to why the international organization came into being. Interests to enhance trade in agricultural goods also reinforced the formation of WTO. Other organizations such as GATT had minimal trade in agricultural goods. As a result, the World Trade Organization came into being to improve trade activities in agricultural goods. Non discrimination in trade activities also enhanced the development of WTO. Before its formation, countries saw the need to address the issue of non discriminatory trade agreements. On this regard, WTO had to be formed to eradicate discrimination in the imposition of tariffs. This could see an end to trade barriers within member states. The MFN principle ensured that WTO had the mandate to ensure eradication of trade barriers. Under this principle, a country cannot impose tariffs on other member states based on discrimination. Non discrimination became the basis of multilateral trade regimes (Janow et al 2008, p. 145). Dispute settlement can be regarded as an interest as to why the WTO came into existence. Before its development, dispute
Tuesday, October 29, 2019
Tax inversions, benefits and pitfalls Term Paper
Tax inversions, benefits and pitfalls - Term Paper Example This issue was put to great publicity in April 2014 and came together with the proposed merger between two companies, AstraZeneca and Pfizer. Even though multinational public corporations have recently received more press coverage on tax inversions, middle-market and private corporations can invert and realize same tax benefits. A change of the legal location of the company from the United States to another nation allows the company to benefit from certain laws in that nation. Typical benefits that make corporations in the U.S to re-incorporate in other countries include banking laws that are more flexible. In addition, they also benefit by getting friendly corporate governance rules and lower tax rates. Bermuda is one of the most common destinations for tax inversions due to several reasons. The principal driver is because Bermuda does not tax capital gains. Also, it does not have any corporate income, dividend tax or profit. Typically, shareholders of such corporations need to pay taxes from the profits realized after inversion. Worse enough, the tax inversion transaction is mostly a stock transaction where the shareholders get no money to pay taxes on their profits in the stock. In that case, inversions are a long term play for shareholders of corporations which can bear the short term tax bite. Tax inversion also leads to unemployment in the country of origin of such corporations. The tax inversions do not typically alter the structure of operation for the company. Mostly, it means adding a smaller office in the new foreign location of the company. Therefore, even though on rare occasions, tax inversions lead to unemployment. The Bush administration passed a legislation that required corporations to continue paying taxes under current rules. Under this Act, the corporate minimum tax rules would still apply. Current rules where corporations control
Sunday, October 27, 2019
Australia For Convicts During The British Domain History Essay
Australia For Convicts During The British Domain History Essay Australia is located in the Southern Hemisphere, and it occupies the major part of Oceania. Now it is a powerful and very developed country, with a position at the top of all the standards of life conditions, life expectancy, economy and in all the social aspects. But back in time, before Australia started as a great power in the world, it was under the Great Britain domain. This is because Australia was first discovered and conquered by the British captain James Cook in 1770, and it automatically passed to hands of the British Government. The purpose of this research paper is to show the importance and influence that had in the development of the country convicts being there during this period, when they impulsed both the economy and the population in the Colony, making it a very important part of territory for the British Kingdom. First the country will be studied before it was discovered by the English, and also in the expeditions made by the Dutch in the XVII Century. As an important fact, the James Cooks discovery will be mentioned and how it led to the British Conquest of the territory. After the conquest, will be treated the development in economical, social and political aspects of Australia as a part of the British Kingdom. At the end, the role of the convicts and how they played a very important part in the everyday life during this period will be treated, and how this helped to keep Australia and an economical active place for the Great Britain Government to have a benefit from the Colony. Its important to mention that this paper was made to highlight a fundamental fact that changed both countries, Australia and Great Britain, in their future as nations. Both were changed, one was conquered, but at the end the two nations obtained a great benefit from that period of time. Chapter I: Discovery of Australia and First Expeditions Here we will speak about the first expeditions and how the country was found by Europeans, and finally conquered to end up as a Colony from the Great Britain Empire by James Cook. The Dutch discoveries: Australia long before it was discovered by the English was inhabited by natives that came from Asia and had been there for over 40, 000 years. But it was until 1606 when Australia was first sighed by the Dutchman William Janszoon. He was the captain of the Duyfken, a Dutch ship, and he called the new land Terra Australis Incognita, meaning Unknown Southern Land. Between 1606 and 1770, an estimated 54 European ships from a range of nations made contact. Many of these were merchant ships from the Dutch East Indies Company and included the ships of Abel Tasman. Tasman charted parts of the north, west and south coasts of Australia which was then known as New Holland. James Cook and the British Conquest. James Cook was an Englishman, captain and navigator that discovered first for Great Britain the coast of Botany Bay in Australia, near what we now know as Sydney. This discovery was made in his ship called the Endeavour. So, when he arrived to this coast he claimed that land part of the Grate Britain Kingdom, under the name of King George III, during 22 August, 1770. And to this land he called New South Wales, a part that is still now called like that in the eastern part of the mainland. Chapter II: The development of the Colony In this chapter will be explained the history of the country during the period of the Conquest. First, the history in years and facts about the Colony, and then the convicts, how they worked, why they were taken there and which were their life conditions living in Australia. From 1770 to 1850 On 18 January 1788 the First Fleet arrived at Botany Bay, which Joseph Banks had declared suitable for a penal colony after he returned from a journey there in 1770. So, here we can figure out how the development went after the Colony was discovered and declared, and, for Great Britain to end up with the overpopulation in the convict system and the new territory, that was vast, big and suitable to be populated. Then, the establishment changed place from Botany Bay to Port Jackson in 1788. Port Jackson is now one of the most important ports in the greatest city in the country, Sydney. On Sydney Cove, there was raised first the flag of the British Empire in 26 January 1788. During the first years the fleets of convicts arrived and arrived to Australia, and until 1868, 162000 convicts were transported to the island. As the Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts explains in its article: When the last shipment of convicts disembarked in Western Australia in 1868, the total number of transported convicts stood at around 162,000 men and women. They were transported here on 806 ships. The transportation of convicts to Australia ended at a time when the colonies population stood at around one million, compared to 30,000 in 1821. By the mid-1800s there were enough people here to take on the work, and enough people who needed the work. The colonies could therefore sustain themselves and continue to grow. The convicts had served their purpose. So we can see that the Colony had in great part convicts, the ones that were transported to do the hard work and start the development in the Colony, by creating all the infrastructure and industry that the Colony needed to perform a place like giving Great Britain the support and help to perform the trips from the Dominant Power to the Colony. Characteristics of the Australian Life As we can see in the letter written by Watkin Tench when he was in the Sydney Cove, there are pretty specific characteristics given during the Conquest, in the conditions of the inhabitants: The nautical part of the work is comprized in as few pages as possible. By the professional part of my readers this will be deemed judicious; and the rest will not, I believe, be dissatisfied at its brevity. I beg leave, however, to say of the astronomical calculations, that they may be depended on with the greatest degree of security, as they were communicated by an officer, who was furnished with instruments, and commissioned by the Board of Longitude, to make observations during the voyage, and in the southern hemisphere. There was knowledge of every kind back there; the Colony had knowledge in astronomy, Aeronautics, and all the areas of knowledge. But also there is a testimony of the Convicts, especially one that wrote this: We have to work from 14-18 hours a day, sometimes up to our knees in cold water, til we are ready to sink with fatigue The inhuman driver struck one, John Smith with a heavy thong. Here we can see the enormous differences between the two extreme poles of the society. The first testimony is from a captain that arrives to the Colony and performs the writing about the aspects of sciences and technological knowledge, meanwhile the second one is from one Convict that its practically treated like a slave, and they were forced to work (as said in the quote) from 14 to 18 hours a day, from sun to sun, in impoverished conditions. Chapter III. Role of the Convicts in the Life of Australia In this final chapter the life in Australia as a Convict Colony will be explained, from the way they lived until the deep changes they caused in the natural land that existed before their arrival. And also here will be discussed their benefits through the Colony as a whole, pushing it to be one of the most important, just behind India during that period of colonization from the Great Britain Empire Life Conditions As we saw in the second chapter, life conditions for convicts and non-convicts varied a lot during the colonisation. While one part of the population was concerned about science and technology developed there, the segregated ones were bad treated and practically slaves. We can see in this quote from Short Story of Australia there are several characteristics that were given according to the status people had in that place: Convicts were allowed to marry, and were in some instances assigned as servants to their own wives. In one notorious instance a convict transported for forgery was followed out from England by his own wife, who brought with her a considerable sum of money which the authorities had reason to believe represented the proceeds of robberies. She opened a shop in Sydney, and secured her own husband as her assigned servant. 70% of the convicts there were English and Welsh, 20% Irish and 5% Scottish, and the 6% remaining were from India, Canada, China and New Zealand. In that population there were also soldiers, who were being punished for crimes like insubordination or desertion. Governor Phillip, during his period in the Colonys Government, created this law that established that convicts were going to work according their skills, and will act as brick builders, carpenters, nurses, servants, cattlemen, shepherds and farmers. But if the convicts were educated they could get a job in an administrative organism, or work as record-keepers. If the convicts were woman, it was said that they were more useful as mother and housewives, so they took care of the children and from the houses. B. Convicts Contribution to the Colony The transportation of convicts to Australia ended at a time when the colonies population stood at around one million, compared to 30,000 in 1821. By the mid-1800s there were enough people here to take on the work, and enough people who needed the work. The colonies could therefore sustain themselves and continue to grow. The convicts had served their purpose. As expressed in this quote given by the Australian Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and Arts, a great part of the development of the Colony was given because of the Convict Labour, and how the planners in Australia managed to create a country where the force was given that people that being trapped in prisons would be useless. When the convicts passed the million in number the transportation stopped and the prisoners were useless to the colonies, which were allowed to continue with their development as a colony, yes but with all the infrastructure and potential to become a great power when it obtained the freedom from the Great Britain Empire. Australia is now a country pretty developed, and that is classified as an industrialized and first world country. The transportation ended up to New South Wales (the most developed part of the Colony) in 1 October 1850, when it was abolished. The convicts had freedom after they accomplished their mission. Some of them went as far as New Zealand, because the freedom was restricted and they were not allowed to return to their home in Great Britain, but also a lot of them stayed there for a fresh start, and continued to work there, getting new jobs. Conclusion. The purpose of this research paper was to prove that Australia is a place built by people not necessarily with a good record through the justice, but also people that at the end accomplished their job, to create a great nation and let it walk with its own feet. However, we can discuss and ask ourselves: Was all the conditions that were developed in the colony were appropriate or even worth at the end? We can say that it was necessary for the convicts to suffer a punishment, but we have to consider if that was the right one, or if the government was being cruel with them, treating them like slaves, with no rights and also with very poor life conditions.
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