Ban on smoking in public places

Since the beginning of civilization, man has always persuaded his interests for recreation by using tobacco as a frontline substance for his leisure. As time passed by, more production of tobacco started till it reached a stage where today there are numerous cigarette companies selling their cancer sticks at the most reasonable rates. The desire to light a cigarette has always been one of the top most priorities of people who indulge in smoking and in their pretext of soothing their desire for a smoke; they more often than not forget the amount of hazard and trouble caused by the smoke emitting from their cigarettes.Cigarette smoking is one of the worst ways of self destruction and even after knowing its negative impact on the body, a smoker always tends to overlook the danger associated with it and continues to smoke irrespective of the location in which he is standing. The issue of raising a ban on smoking in public has always been a controversial one and has always been taking the side of a non-smoker than people who are indulgent in public smoking. Non- smokers always tend to move away from a location where a smoker is footing and always have a feeling of their sentiments being abused or overlooked by a person who is smoking near them.The history of the smoking ban can be dated to the sixteenth century when the Pope Urban VII made it mandatory law of smokers not being welcomed near the premises of the church and also issues a penalty for people who violated this law. This law however did not catch as much attention as the issue is catching on the twenty-first century. Today because of the advancements of medical science and research on the adverse effects of smoking, we have been able to pin point the negative impacts of smoking on a smoker and the passive smoker near by to him.The following will shed some light on the physical negative impacts of smoking on a smoker: ‘Smoking causes lung cancer, heart disease, emphysema, complicated pregnancy. Smokin g by pregnant women result in fetal injury, premature birth, and low birth weight. Smoking is associated with a reduced bone mass and an increased risk of osteoporosis’ (Courtesy: Cheap Cigarettes, â€Å"Effects of Cigarette Smoking†. Retrieved on December 2, 2008 from http://www. cheap-cigarettes. com/Effects_of_Cigarette_Smoking. asp)There are evidences too on the fact of smoking affecting post operational procedures, especially related with ones in which transfusion of blood is on a higher side because of the attempt to join bones or tissues which due to accidents and other trauma are disarrayed from each other. Apart from knowing these entire statistics a persistent smoker would continue to smoke and silently destroy his body, but for that soothing experience the smoker might make some innocent bystander a partner of his misery, by making him a passive smoker.The second hand smoke inhaled by a passive smoker is considered to very dangerous and it causes a lot more harm and eventuality than what it looks at the moment. The worst effect however of passive smoking is on children, and the following evidence will vindicate the point of having smoking bans in public places due to its adverse effects on children: ‘Exposure to tobacco smoke doubles the chances of your child for illnesses like bronchitis, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia. They are also more likely to suffer from ear infections (glue ear), tonsillitis, and asthma. It may damage a child's olfactory function’ (Courtesy: â€Å"Passive smoking†.Retrieved on December 2, 2008 from http://www. stopsmokingtoday. com/dync/13/Passive_Smoking. html) Legislators and law makers understood the total provocation being inhaled by passive smoking and brought the necessary amendments to the laws of the state by banning smoking in public places. The need for the law to amend was felt by lot of people who were unnecessarily being forced to hazardous health conditions for no fault of their own. Smoking which were rampant in leisure places like pubs and restaurants were the most harmful, as a majority of people have a habit of smoking along with taking intakes of alcohol.This nature of these smokers brought the non smoking populace visiting such leisure outlets in very uncomfortable positions and in one way brought an infringement of the constitution to these victims of passive smoking. There was a nationwide applause for the banning of smoking in public places and a majority of the nation was giving it thumbs up and also considered it an important decision which was taken to curb smokers from spreading any amount chances of passive smoking to non smokers. The following evidence will shed light on the nation’s opinion of having a smoking ban in public places:‘Gallup’s 2004 consumption habits survey reveals that the American public is fairly accepting of such ban. A majority of 58%Americans currently say they favor a ban in their state that would mak e it illegal to smoke in workplaces, restaurants and bars’. (Courtesy: Alec M. Gallup, Frank Newport , â€Å"The Gallup Poll: Public Opinion 2004† .Page 306. Retrieved on December 2, 2008. Gallup Organization. Published by Rowman & Littlefield, 2006) There are a lot of advantages that can be grouped with the banning of smoking in public places.Firstly a commuter or a non smoker can have fresh whiffs of air without the mixture of tobacco endorsed smoke hovering around. Secondly the ban itself makes the smoker smoke less which in turn is helping him from reducing the health hazards which he would eventually inflict on himself over the period of time. The ban on smoking in one way slows down the process of self damage that smokers tend to endure with their constant puffing. It has estimated that around thousands of Americans die every year due to active and passive smoking, and the ban would definitely help the figure of passive smoking by a great extent.The ban comes wit h a whooping of $50 for the first violation and $75 for repetitive violations. This becomes more deterrent for an active smoker and eventually brings him on the brink of leaving the habit or the least bringing down his no. of cigarettes by a good amount. Another big advantage related with the ban, is that the risk of fire catching up in factories or other places to due to a burning cigarette is greatly reduced and it brings the work place into a much safer and a cleaner zone. Also it helps saves the energy consumed by ventilators that are required to recycle the air in such places.However there are certain sets of disadvantages of such a ban too and the most primary one is they way smokers get into more hazardous situations in smoking zones. Here due to a large amount of smoke gathering the ventilation is slower which results in itchiness of the eyes and other lung problems because of the amount of passive smoking inhaled by active smokers. This somehow gives smokers a second class treatment as it becomes acceptable for the government for non smokers not to undergo minimal passive smoking but to allow massive passive smoking for active smokers in such zones.A lot of restaurants and bars feel the crunch as their smoking customers refrain from coming to them and thus it bring a drop to their turnovers. In today’s high stress working atmospheres, employees are feeling more frustrated as somehow the tension which they could feel being released by their smoking has been feverously curbed. Smoking ban is one of the most righteous decisions of the government helping non smokers from the unwanted dangers of nicotine filled smokes.However when the law was being implemented not much attention has been given to smokers rights and at times it is becoming a little hypocritical situation. Nevertheless the main objective of such a ban bring back a life to their citizens which could be void of at least one addiction and would be more fruitful to them in terms of having a hale and hearty standard of living. Reference: 1) Cheap Cigarettes, â€Å"Effects of Cigarette Smoking†. http://www. cheap-cigarettes. com/Effects_of_Cigarette_Smoking. asp 2) Passive smoking†. http://www. stopsmokingtoday. com/dync/13/Passive_Smoking.html 3) Alec M. Gallup, Frank Newport , â€Å"The Gallup Poll: Public Opinion 2004†. Gallup Organization. Published by Rowman & Littlefield, 2006 4) http://www. notosmoke. com/herbal-smoking-articles/pros-and%20cons-of-smoking-ban. htm 5) BRADLEY S. KLAPPER, â€Å"WHO Urges Smoking Ban in Public Places†. May 29, 2007. http://rds. yahoo. com/_ylt=A0geu.. NnTVJvk8BvQdXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEyamNvY2Y3BHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDNQRjb2xvA2FjMgR2dGlkA0Y4NjJfOTM-/SIG=13u9q6ff9/EXP=1228336909/**http%3a//www. sfgate. com/cgi-bin/article. cgi%3ff=/n/a/2007/05/29/international/i122741D62. DTL%26type=politics

Work Force Diversity

Executive Summary: We've looked at the challenges that Indian companies face because of diversity, both at the workplace and the marketplace. Wave also seen the ways companies can use, to not only manage existing diversity but also to promote it and gain a competitive advantage in the market. Probably, the most important aspect that comes out from the study is that diversity is finally all about human beings, and how they differ from each other.Any company that understands Its key stakeholders well – Its employees, TTS shareholders, its partners and most importantly, its customers, can thrive in the most diverse of environments. â€Å"The next time some academics tell you how important diversity Is, ask how many Republicans there are In their sociology department† – Thomas Swell I: Diversity in the context of an Indian Business Organization The objective of this article is twofold. Firstly it tries to identify the various elements of diversity, as it exists in a modern Indian Business corporation.Secondly It looks at he methods that the companies can employ, not only to understand and cope with the diversity but also to leverage it towards building wholesome business relationships. Diversity in many ways Is closely connected to another term that we see commonly used today, which is ‘Change'. Managing diversity is an essential part of change management. If Indian companies have to thrive in today's changing global marketplace. It has to learn to manage diversity, both within the company and without. Managing Workforce DiversityDiversity is defined as the personification of various cultures within a social or business environment. The fundamental principles of any culture include their value systems, beliefs, habits, and lifestyle. The varied inclusions consist of individuals from different ethnic backgrounds, cultures, and religious beliefs; without regard to their gender, age, or lifestyle. Diversity Includes dimensions that expand t he criteria outlines in the U. S. Government equal opportunity and affirmative action mandates (Anonymous, 2005).Diversity In the workplace has become the number one targeted objective In organizations globally. Effectively managing diversity in areas such as religion, culture, stress, age, gender, race, and sexual orientation is the key to achieving global success in the workplace. Work Force Diversity By motivates at the workplace and the marketplace. We've also seen the ways companies can use, each other. Any company that understands its key stakeholders well – its employees, diversity is, ask how many Republicans there are in their sociology department† – f diversity, as it exists in a modern Indian Business corporation.Secondly it looks at relationships. Diversity in many ways is closely connected to another term that we marketplace, it has to learn to manage diversity, both within the company and their gender, age, or lifestyle. Diversity includes dimension s that expand the criteria (Anonymous, 2005). Diversity in the workplace has become the number one targeted objective in organizations globally. Effectively managing diversity in areas such as

Assignment Final Paper Topic Essay Example for Free

Assignment Final Paper Topic Essay This work contains GEN 499 Week 3 Assignment Final Paper Topic Thesis Statement and Annotated Bibliography Education – General Education Review the Final Research Paper instructions located within the Final Research Paper link. The Final Research Paper is due in Week Five. To help with the preparation of the paper, complete the following and submit it to your instructor for feedback. Topic : Refer to the Final Research Paper guidelines for your topic selection. Confirm your topic, and identify how this selection relates to your academic and professional pursuits. Review the feedback from your topic choice presented in the Week One discussion. How did your argument stand up to the examination of your peers? Thesis : Write a direct and concise thesis statement, which will become the point or perspective you will argue or prove in the Final Research Paper. Refer to the Ashford Online Writing Center for information on how to develop a solid thesis statement. APA Reference Page : For this paper, you will conduct research in peer-reviewed journals or other sources that are considered to have academic information. You will need a minimum of five professional scholarly sources, at least one of which is a multimedia source. For each source, you are responsible for summarizing the source and examining how it will support you in defending your argument. Keep in mind the Academic Research standards for all Ashford University Papers. Academic Research Academic research and papers must meet certain standards of quality recognized by the academic community. What constitutes quality, academic research? Primary sources, which are documents from the time period being discussed Secondary sources supported by research in primary sources Credible sources (experts in the area of study)   Relevant research (materials are p†¦ For downloading more course tutorials visit – https://bitly.com/1rubFkT If you are returning to college with a kid or more, you might assume that on-campus living is not an option. This is not always true. Alot of colleges provide a place for children to live as well. Colleges and universities have accepted the fact that some students are older and already have families. Be sure to ask early about housing options for families, because it tends to fill up very fast. Education – General Education Review the Final Research Paper instructions located within the Final Research Paper link. The Final Research Paper is due in Week Five. To help with the preparation of the paper, complete the following and submit it to your instructor for feedback. Topic : Refer to the Final Research Paper guidelines for your topic selection. Confirm your topic, and identify how this selection relates to your academic and professional pursuits. Review the feedback from your topic choice presented in the Week One discussion. How did your argument stand up to the examination of your peers? Thesis : Write a direct and concise thesis statement, which will become the point or perspective you will argue or prove in the Final Research Paper. Refer to the Ashford Online Writing Center for information on how to develop a solid thesis statement. APA Reference Page : For this paper, you will conduct research in peer-reviewed journals or other sources that are considered to have academic information. You will need a minimum of five professional scholarly sources, at least one of which is a multimedia source. For each source, you are responsible for summarizing the source and examining how it will support you in defending your argument. Keep in mind the Academic Research standards for all Ashford University Papers. Academic Research Academic research and papers must meet certain standards of quality  recognized by the academic community. What constitutes quality, academic research? Primary sources, which are documents from the time period being discussed Secondary sources supported by research in primary sources Credible sources (experts in the area of study) Relevant research (materials are pertinent to the area of study) In graduate work, the use of peer-reviewed journal articles (journal articles reviewed by recognized experts in the relevant field of study) is required. Assignment Final Paper Topic. (2016, May 19).

Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 7

Case Study Example The complains from the field consultants, immediately erupt as they complain of decision infringement on time spending and insensitivity to the relationship of business development. With little difference in the calling patterns after three months, Westerly defends her initiative and gives an amended proposal of the implementation plan of the product (Gabarro 57). Some critical problems emanating from this case are that Westerlys approach was not materializing as there were no remarkable changes in the pattern calls. This had serious implications that cost her so much in that her credibility with the organization was at stake and the RSDs as well as, the field consultants. Another problem was the risk of having poor relationship with the field consultants who did not take in her changes well. If the relationship failed that would mean serious risk for the organization. Some of the non critical problems would be slight losses during the transition period as well as small offenses that may take place due to change implementation as many people find it hard to accept change, but in time, this heals naturally and the accommodate the change if it works for the better (Gabarro 59). The proposed recommendations for this particular case would be to put up a strategy plan that focused on long term implications and at the same time, a plan that would have less negative implications on the organization as per the current time. This can be achieved by understanding the clientele, markets and priority to the development of

Environmental Health and Epidemiology Assignment

Environmental Health and Epidemiology - Assignment Example Again, 7.82 females under the age group of 20 – 24 years per 100,000 is ascertained to acquire skin cancer while for the same age group 0.41 males per 100,000 females are identified to suffer from skin cancer. For the age group under 25 – 29 years, 11.85 per 100,000 females are identified with skin cancer; on the other hand, the male population of 0.45 per 100,000 females are reckoned to have skin cancer. Female population has further been estimated at 11.85 of under the age group of the 30 – 34 years per 100,000 while 0.45 males per 100, females are diagnosed with skin cancer. At the same time, for the female age group ranging 85 years and above, per 100,000 females with skin cancer is ascertained to be 40.27 while for the same age group of males, the incidence rate is 3.14 for skin cancer. Correspondingly, the highest ratio of males over 100,000 females with skin cancer is reckoned to the population falling in the age group of 85 years and above, while the lowe st age group is estimated to be the male population ranging between 20-24 years. The weighted mean of stratum-specific rate (age-adjusted rate) is recognized as the crude rate or overall rate. The variations between the crude rates of the two populations entail distinctions in the distribution of characteristics. Thus, the crude rate is compared to the age-adjusted rate based on these differences (Diener-West & Kanchanaraksa, 2008). Table 2 determined the number of expected counts in the male population by adjusting to the female rates. According to the above table, it is estimated that where 0.37 females per 100,000 have the risk of skin cancer, 1889077.43 males are estimated to be diagnosed with skin cancer. Accordingly, it has been identified that the highest expected male population is 117980732 per 100,000 female population with skin cancer. On the other hand, the

Marketing managment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Marketing managment - Essay Example Volkswagen also works in helping the consumers gain loan from leading banks along with delivering several insurance products in regards to the purchase of automobiles. The major brands of Volkswagen AG are like Audi, Skoda, Bentley and others through which the company endeavours to gain a global market. During 31st December 2009 the company through the operation of its premier brands was able to achieve a sales figure of around 4 million automobiles on a global scale. The company is also endeavouring to takeover premium brands like Scania AB and Porsche to help expand its business operation (Volkswagen AG, 2011). The company on a global scale reflects a significant position in the automobile industry by conducting sales of around 6.2 million automobiles during 2007. In regards to market share the company accounted for around 9.8 percent share in the global car market. The marketing strategy taken by Volkswagen endeavours to create a market niche for the major nine brands of the compa ny. Market for the cars for Volkswagen varies along a scale from low to higher value Sedans (Group Portrait, 2011). The micro environmental analysis of the company can be conducted based on specific strategic tools like Porter’s Five Forces Model. The Porter’s Five Forces Model helps in understanding the position of the company in the light of the potential of the consumer and supplier base. Further the tool also focuses on the competitive position of the company in the market. It endeavours to understand the policy framework of the company to counter the threats from the competitive world. Having focused on the different internal stakeholders like suppliers, consumers, the competitor base of the company and also on the internal policy system the analysis further proceeds to signify the threat of the existence of substitute products. Consumer Potential-In regards to meeting the demands of the consumers the company focuses on continuously evolving to usher in new models

Maya Angelou Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Maya Angelou - Research Paper Example In addition, Angelou has been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for her poetic volume titled Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water ‘Fore I Diiie (Moyer). Recently Angelou was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom that is the highest civilian honor in the United States. On the political side Angelou was an active member of the esteemed Harlem Writers Guild that was instrumental to the Civil Rights Movement. Her contributions to the Civil Rights Movement are numerous and undeniable. She served with Dr. Martin Luther King during the Civil Rights Movement that speaks for her involvement in the movement. Angelou has been differentiated from other authors based on her representation of autobiographical fiction. Her first published work I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings saw her being heralded as a pioneer in a generation of new memoirist. The work was the first of its kind in its projection of the lives of African American women. Angelou’s public discourse on her personal life ma de the work all the more interesting and controversial at the same time. Her efforts over the years through her work and her public dialogue have made her an unofficial spokesperson of African American people and women (Lupton). Within the domain of her written work, Angelou has done her best to challenge the traditional structure of autobiographies. This can be seen as a deliberate attempt on the author’s part given her pervasive use of critique, changes and expansion of the frontiers of memoirs. Most of Angelou’s work is based on themes such as racism, identity crisis and familial issues. While retaining the interest of the audience using unconventional techniques, Angelou has nonetheless raised controversy after controversy so that some of her works have been banned inside the United States. Her work can be gauged better if it is seen through the lens of the author’s personal experiences and her reflections in her memoirs. This text will attempt to analyze An gelou’s work and personal experiences in order to paint a better picture of the author’s struggle against racial injustice. One of the primary themes in Angelou’s work is racism that can be traced in her works ranging from the first piece I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings to her last piece titled A Song Flung up to Heaven. The author has utilized the metaphor of a caged singing bird that is trying to escape its confine repeatedly in order to portray the author’s personal social confinement. The primary means of this confinement were none other than racism and oppression (Lupton). Another aspect of this metaphor is that the bird is singing from the start of the struggle to its very end indicating a determined spirit who is ready to take onto life as it comes along. Angelou’s personal life is a reflection of this commitment to live through thick and thin alike. Certain critics have observed that Angelou’s perspective on evil in society being div erted at young African American women was instrumental in shaping her ideas from childhood to adulthood (Als). In the start of her works, the author can be seen as â€Å"fanatically opposed to white people† (Hagen) however, this can be seen changing as the series progresses. This is not to indicate that the author is somehow racist herself or possess racial hate but it merely indicates the progression of ideas from a young child’s mind to the understanding of an adult person. Throughout the series Angelou

Term paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

Term Paper Example poor moral ethics and this is further evidence in the fact that they had initially denied knowledge of the action which clearly means they were ashamed them. This paper will endeavor to analyses and critique the Shi Tao vs. Yahoo case study by applying several moral frameworks through which the ethicalness of Yahoos actions will be critiqued. These frameworks are; the Utilitarian, the publicity and Principle of Human Dignity and Infinite Worth with the intention of proving that yahoo acted in an unethical way and betrayed its users by compromising Tao’s safety for the sake of sustaining their business interest in China. Shi Tao, a journalist with China’s Business time news had posted information on how the government had intended to curtail the celebration of the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Protest by ordering journalists and media houses not to address the matter. He posted the information on an online forum based in New York, consequently the Chines State bureau sought Yahoos help in apprehending him and the latter provided information that led to the location of his IP address and then to his office computer, after which he was arrested and convicted. After the conviction, reporters without boarders exposed yahoos role in the matter and although the firm initially denied any knowledge as to why they were asked from the information they later admitted. In justification, yahoo claimed that they were obliged to conform to the laws of the country which required they share information with the state. The firm nonetheless came under fire from various critiques who challenged the legitim acy and morality for their actions accusing them of acting as police informers on Dissidents. Lui Xiabo, one China’s prominent Chinese dissidents accused Yahoo of failing to respect the rights of Shi in because they let their business interests dull their moral sensibility (Dickie). Other critics said that if the firm acknowledges their actions were not ethical, they

Corporate Social Responsibility and Mass Media Essay

Corporate Social Responsibility and Mass Media - Essay Example The Story of Corporate Social Responsibility (2006), Dunne said that corporate social responsibility has eventually come to mean â€Å"responsiveness†. â€Å"Responsiveness† does not imply any particular action but a range of actions or range of possible responses based on a company’s perception of social or consumer needs and the company’s role in responding either to society’s or the consumers’ needs. Carroll (1999, p. 268) explained that meaning of corporate social responsibility has undergone an evolution from its â€Å"beginning in the 1950s, which marks the modern era of CSR.† Carroll (1999, p. 268) pointed out that the â€Å"alternative themes† in corporate social responsibility â€Å"included corporate social performance (CSP), stakeholder theory, and business ethics theory.† Against the Dunne (2007) viewpoint, the Carroll (1999, p. 268) viewpoint is that corporate social responsibility is â€Å"a core construct that yields to or is transformed into alternative thematic frameworks.† On investigating whether corporate social responsibility adds to financial return, Cardebat & Sirven (2010) concluded that the results of their study do not provide evidence that the adoption of corporate social responsibility improves corporate financial performance. Cardebat & Sirven (2010) used statistical and econometric methods in testing hypotheses on the role of corporate social responsibility on company financial performance. On the other hand, the work of Ali et al. (2010) indicated that the practice of social responsibility may or may not promote the retention of consumer. Based on the study, it can nevertheless be argued however that the practice of corporate social responsibility can promote the retention of the customer base. In my study, I have chosen two cases: the case of the Aviva plc and the case of Thames Water Company. For reasons that will be explained later, Aviva appears to be a lead ing example of a company based in the United Kingdom that espouse corporate social responsibility consistently and diligently for the last several years and has gained additional prominence for the espousal as well as practice of that responsibility. Aviva claims to have â€Å"300 years of insights† which can be interpreted as having 300 years of engagement in the same or similar business (2011). Alternatively, the company â€Å"300 years of insights† is also described as â€Å"300 years of heritage† (2011). In contrast, Thames Water, a water company appears to have experienced a period in which its public image was at its worst. Lately, however, data are suggesting that Thames Water has invested in corporate social responsibility and may be profiting today in the said investment. Nevertheless, it appears that there are still avenues through which Thames Water’s practice of corporate social responsibility can be improved and which the company can exploit for greater profitability. II. Case 1: Aviva plc Aviva claims to the â€Å"world’s sixth largest insurance group and the biggest in the UK, with 36,100 serving around 44.5 million

Origins of Cold War Essay Example for Free

Origins of Cold War Essay The Cold War was one of the most important historical events in the world, which had created a great impact that is still felt within the international community. The United States and the Soviet Union became the two most influential and powerful forces during this era. The relationship between the two former allies was anchored on political, ideological and economic interests, which at the end of the Second World War came as threats wherein developed bitterness and rivalry for power over the years (Hoesel, 1992). The Cold War which has been referred to as the period of â€Å"elusive peace† dictated that the United States of America as the world’s leading hegemonic power, with the defeat and disintegration of the Soviet Union at the end of the war. The Cold War indeed has been a conflict involving former allies, United States of America and the Soviet Union due to the difference in political ideologies held by the two superpowers (Nosotro, n.d).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The difference in political ideologies caused the development of animosity and hostility between United States and the Soviet bloc. The United States having been supportive of capitalism clashed with the communist Soviet Union (Nosotro, n.d). Although there had been no direct confrontation between the two world superpowers, indirect confrontations among the United States and Soviet allies were enough to assess the impact of the Cold War. Economic, political and military affairs of the two states and their allies underwent massive policy changes in order to keep abreast with the happenings during the Cold War. The â€Å"arms race† was one of the most important indirect military offensives that took place between United States and Soviet Union, both states trying to produce more sophisticated weapons ahead of the other. This in turn created a great impact on the two states’ economic and social services sectors (Kishlansky, 2005).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   As such, the political allies of both United States and Soviet Union were also affected as both governments of the two states worked towards spreading influences in less developed countries. The series of decolonization became rampant and emphasized in regions such as Asia, Latin America, Africa and Middle East. And as such, the conflicts brought by the Cold War were instantly shifted and transmitted within these areas (â€Å"The Elusive Peace The Cold War,† 1992). References Hoesel, F.V. (1992). The Soviet Union and the United States. Soviet Archives Exhibit. Retrieved August 23, 2008, from http://www.ibiblio.org/expo/soviet.exhibit/intro2.htmls Kishlansky, M. (2005) Civilization in the West, Volume C (since 1789), 7th edition. Nosotro, R. (n.d). The cold war. Hyperhistory. Retrieved August 23, 2008, from http://www.hyperhistory.net/apwh/essays/big/w30coldwar.htm The elusive peace the cold war. (1992). History World International. Retrieved August 9, 2008, from http://history-world.org/coldwar.htm

Microsoft Corporation

Microsoft Corporation Microsoft Corporation is a United States-based multinational computer technology corporation that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of software products for computing devices. Headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA, its most profitable products are the Microsoft Windows operating system and the Microsoft Office suite of productivity software. Business organisation and environment Internal environment Objective * Our mission is to enable people and businesses throughout the world to realize their full potential. Finacial resources (March 31, 2009, In millions) * Asset $ 68853 * Liabilities $ 23823 * Stockholders ¡Ã‚ ¯ equity $ 36943 * We generate revenue by developing, manufacturing, licensing, and supporting a wide range of software products and services for many different types of computing devices. Skills and capabilities * As of June 30, 2008, we employed approximately 91,000 people on a full-time basis, 55,000 in the United States and 36,000 internationally. Of the total, 35,000 were in product research and development, 26,000 in sales and marketing, 17,000 in product support and consulting services, 4,000 in manufacturing and distribution, and 9,000 in general and administration. External environment Market environment * Our customers include individual consumers, small and medium-sized organizations, enterprises, governmental institutions, educational institutions, Internet service providers, application developers, and OEMs. Competitor * We have five operating segments: Client, Server and Tools, Online Services Business, Microsoft Business Division, and Entertainment and Devices Division. * Client: Competing commercial software products, including variants of Unix, are supplied by competitors such as Apple, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, and Sun Microsystems. * Server and Tools: Our server operating system products face intense competition from a wide variety of server operating systems and server applications, offered by companies with a variety of market approaches. * Online Services Business: OSB competes with AOL, Google, Yahoo!, and a wide array of Web sites and portals that provide content and online offerings of all types to end users. * Microsoft Business Division: Competitors to the Microsoft Office system include many software application vendors such as Apple, Corel, Google, IBM, Novell, Oracle, Red Hat, Sun Microsystems, and local application developers in Europe and Asia. IBM (Smartsuite) and Corel (WordPerfect Suite) have measurable installed bases with their office productivity products. * Entertainment and Devices Division: Our Xbox hardware business competes with console platforms from Nintendo and Sony, both of which have a large, established base of customers. Intermediaries * We distribute our products primarily through the following channels: OEM; distributors and resellers; and online. * OEM: Our operating systems are licensed primarily to OEMs(original equipment manufacturers) under agreements that grant OEMs the right to build computing devices based on our operating systems, principally PCs. Under similar arrangements, we also market and license certain server operating systems, desktop applications, hardware devices, and consumer software products to OEMs. We have OEM agreements covering one or more of our products with virtually all of the major PC OEMs, including Acer, Dell, Fujitsu, Fujitsu Siemens Computers, Gateway, Hewlett-Packard, Lenovo, NEC, Samsung, Sony, and Toshiba. * Distributors and resellers: We license software to organizations under arrangements that allow the end-user customer to acquire multiple licenses of products. * Online: We distribute online content and services through Live Search, Windows Live, Office Live, our MSN portals and channels, the Microssoft Online Services platform, which includes offerings for business, and other online channels. * Consumers and small- and medium-sized organizations obtain our products primarily through resellers and OEMs. Political implication 1. Collaborating with Industry and Law Enforcement Microsoft Corporation actively pursues cybercriminals through vigorous civil enforcement in the United States and it works in partnership with law enforcement agencies worldwide to deter cybercrime and bring criminals to justice. Since 2003, Microsoft has supported more than 550 enforcement actions worldwide against spammers, phishers, and distributors of spyware and other malicious code. Microsoft has also engaged with the Federal Trade Commission and attorneys general in California, Florida, Massachusetts, Texas, and Washington State, to investigate and pursue cybercriminals. Microsoft works to ensure that governments and law enforcement agencies receive the appropriate tools, necessary training, and extensive technical and investigative support to assist in their efforts to combat global cybercrime and work to make the Internet a safer place for everyone. Training. Microsoft is deeply committed to assisting law enforcement with the identification, location, and prosecution of online fraudsters. * Microsoft has worked with the attorneys general in Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, Kansas, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Utah State to provide comprehensive training about Internet investigations to law enforcement officials. * Microsoft hosted LE Tech 2006 (October 2006 in Redmond, Washington), a conference to introduce law enforcement officials to new Microsoft software and services that will affect cybercrime investigations over the next few years. Tools and technical support for investigations. Microsoft supports law enforcement agencies around the world with advanced investigative technology to address cyber threats. * In France, Microsoft participates in Signal Spam a platform (created with public and private sector entities) through which Internet users can report suspected spam. Data that is collected through Signal Spam is shared with Internet service providers (ISPs) and French law enforcement authorities to assist in antispam investigations and prosecutions. In the first ten days after the programs launch, users reported nearly 300,000 instances of spam. * In August 2006, Microsoft launched the Law Enforcement Portal, a secure, centralized resource that provides law enforcement with access to Internet crime-related information as well as tools, training, and technical support to assist in investigations. Anti-phishing efforts. Microsoft is dedicated to stopping phishers and works in alliance with groups to implement anti-phishing measures worldwide. * Microsoft is the founding member of Digital PhishNet (DPN), which fosters cooperation among industry and law enforcement agencies to share information, provide training, and educate consumers about phishing sites. Microsoft encourages worldwide participation in DPN by Internet service providers, online auctions, financial institutions, and law enforcement agencies. * Microsoft acts with the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG) and the Authentication and Online Trust Alliance (AOTA) to promote good public anti-phishing policies and best practices for enforcement of those policies. * In March 2006, Microsoft launched the Global Phishing Enforcement Initiative (GPEI), a worldwide consumer protection campaign in which industry and law enforcement joined forces to combat phishers. The GPEI works to protect the public from fraudulent sites and provides worldwide investigative support to help prosecute phishers. Antispam efforts. Microsoft supports law enforcement with cutting-edge technical and investigative techniques developed specifically to address cyberthreats. To that end, the company has provided technical support to governments around the globe, including in the United States, Europe, Asia, and South America. * Microsoft has been a leader in promoting SpotSpam, a project co-funded by the European Commission, which aims to limit the spread of spam. The project seeks to establish antispam hotlines in France, Germany, and Poland. * Microsoft also participates in Signal Spam. Created with public and private sector entities, Signal Spam provides a platform through which Internet users can report suspected spam. 2. Promoting a Safer Internet Experience for Children Child Exploitation Tracking System. Microsoft worked closely with Canadian police and international law enforcement agencies to develop Child Exploitation Tracking System (CETS), a unique software tool that enables investigators to store, search, share, and analyze large volumes of evidence and to share that evidence with other police agencies. Following its development in Canada, CETS has been implemented in Brazil, Chile, Indonesia, Italy, and the United Kingdom; Colombia and Spain have announced their intent to adopt it. Microsoft continues to promote CETS to governments and law enforcement agencies throughout the world. Global Campaign Against Child Pornography. Microsoft joined with Interpol and the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (ICMEC) in 2004 to initiate this campaign. Since then, Microsoft has worked with ICMEC and Interpol to help provide training for law enforcement personnel about computer-facilitated crimes against children. As of October 2007, more than 2,400 law enforcement officers from 106 countries have received training to help them identify suspects, investigate offenses, and deal with victims of online child abuse. 3. Supporting Important Legislation Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime. Microsoft has joined industry partners to encourage countries to adopt and ratify the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime. This global legal tool requires signatory countries to adopt and update laws and procedures to address online crime. Microsoft also provides technical assistance and consultation to help countries comply with their obligations under the convention. Model legislation. In April 2006, Microsoft joined ICMEC in announcing its model legislation, which seeks to modernize child pornography laws for the 184 member countries of Interpol. Microsoft has pledged to support worldwide efforts to develop and enforce these laws. 4. Successes in the Fight Against Cybercrime Operation Bot Roast. Microsoft provided technical information and analytical support to aid the FBI in Operation Bot Roast. Announced in June 2007, Operation Bot Roast is an ongoing investigation and operation that aims to disrupt and dismantle botnets. Lawsuit against Bizads UK. In December 2006, the English High Court ruled in favor of Microsoft in a lawsuit against Bizads UK, which had fraudulently sold lists of up to 10,000 e-mail addresses at a time to spammers. The court restricted Bizads UK from further spam-related activities and awarded damages to be assessed later. 129 legal actions against phishers. In November 2006, Microsoft took action against phishers who were targeting users of MSN Hotmail. These legal actions included 97 criminal complaints and three civil settlements in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Anti-spam prosecution in Australia. In October 2006, Clarity1 Pty Ltd. became the first company convicted under Australias tough new anti-spam laws and was fined more than US$4 million for sending hundreds of millions of junk e-mail messages. Microsoft supported this historic prosecution by providing evidence of e-mail messages received by spam-trap accounts to the antispam investigators at the Australian Communications and Media Authority in 2005. Anti-spyware lawsuits. In January 2006, Microsoft and the attorney general of Washington State filed parallel anti-spyware lawsuits. This action was the states first legal action under the Washington Computer Spyware Act, which was enacted in 2005. Microsoft filed its own lawsuit that alleged violation of the same law. Arrests for financial fraud and identity theft. In January 2006, Bulgarian law enforcement officials arrested eight people who were involved in an international criminal network that was responsible for online financial fraud and personal data theft. Microsoft provided Bulgarian officials with information that helped in the investigation and subsequent identification of the alleged perpetrators. Settlement with Spam King. In August 2005, Microsoft reached a US$7 million settlement against self-proclaimed Spam King Scott Richter and his Colorado-based company, OptInRealBig.com LLC. Microsoft began the suit in December 2003, in conjunction with a parallel action by the New York State attorney general. Arrests of Mytob and Zotob worm authors. In August 2005, Microsoft provided United States and worldwide law enforcement agencies with investigative and technical support that led to the arrest of the individuals suspected of authoring and distributing the Mytob and Zotob worms. Turkish and Moroccan law enforcement agencies made the arrests fewer than two weeks after the Mytob and Zotob worms were unleashed. Individual at work Microsoft has an innovative corporate culture and a strong product development focus that is designed to keep us on the leading edge of the industry. We believe that our employees are the companys most important asset. They are the source of our creative ingenuity and success so we empower each staff member to take initiative in solving problems, coming up with new ideas and improving the organisation. Microsoft values diversity and respects each persons individuality When you sell software to 180 million people, in 70 countries, speaking 150 languages, you cant afford to have a singular point of view. Microsoft employs people from many nationalities and backgrounds. * Who we looking for Great people with great values Microsoft concentrates on hiring people we believe fit into the company culture: people who are driven to succeed, enthusiastic about how they can contribute to the organisation and unafraid of suggesting and implementing new ideas. Our recruits are not always IT professionals; many come from backgrounds such as the banking, law or pharmaceutical industries. What they bring to Microsoft is a diversity of knowledge and understanding of the needs of particular industries that helps them relate to, and provide optimum service to, our customers. Microsoft needs people who are creative, energetic and bright, absolutely passionate and committed to our mission of helping others realise their potential. These people share the following values: * Passion for customers, partners and technology; * Integrity and honesty; * Open and respectful with others and dedicated to making them better; * Willingness to take on big challenges and see them through; * Committed to personal excellence and self-improvement; and * Accountable for commitments, results and quality to customers, shareholders, partners and employees. This creates a workforce with a broad range of skills and expertise. We also encourage and nurture lateral thinking. Our workers are given a high level of autonomy to come up with and offer innovative solutions. If this is important to you, it is highly likely you will enjoy the environment Microsoft offers it ¡Ã‚ ¯s employees. A place where you can get things done and have fun at work! * Diversity Microsoft values diversity and respects each persons individuality At Microsoft we have made a corporate commitment to the principle of diversity. We believe that diversity enriches our performance and our products, the communities in which we live and work, and the lives of our employees. As our workforce evolves to reflect the growing diversity of our communities and global marketplace, our efforts to understand, value and incorporate differences become increasingly important. We have established a number of initiatives to promote diversity within our own organisation, including education and training programs that provide employees with the awareness, skills, knowledge and ability to embrace differences. The programs also communicate the importance of a respectful work environment in maximising the performance of every employee. Microsoft employs a diverse workforce representing a broad range of cultural, linguistic, socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds including disabled employees and people from all corners of the globe. We are proudly an equal opportunity employer. * Community Spirit Make a difference from day one At Microsoft, we share a passion for technology and what it can do for people. It doesnt matter who you are or where you live, technology can make a positive difference in your life. It can help you learn faster, achieve more, simplify your life and have more fun. Technology has helped children and adults acquire a passion for learning, given businesses of all sizes the tools they need to compete in an ever-changing marketplace, and provided people with disabilities the access to a new world of job and life opportunities. And we believe the best is yet to come. We help build our communities to unlock their potential Amazing things can happen when the right people, tools and resources come together. At Microsoft, our employees and our technology help unlock this kind of potential every day, through our corporate giving program and through donations of personal time and resources by our employees. Since 1983, Microsoft and our employees around the world have donated more than $100 million in cash, $100 million in software and thousands of volunteer hours in our communities around the world. Across our Asia, each Microsoft subsidiary has its own local initiatives for social giving and community outreach. Our employees are passionately involved in many charitable initiatives across Asia that help people realize their potential. To learn more about Microsoft ¡Ã‚ ¯s giving campaigns you can follow this link: International www.microsoft.com/giving (US link) * Work/Life Balance Make a difference from day one Our employees are our most valued asset, and in recognition of this, Microsoft provides flexible programs, resources and tools to help them create their own kind of balance in life. In this hectic industry, careers are demanding, but if your work is to be fun and rewarding it must take its place and priority alongside your other life interests. At Microsoft, we aim to make the workplace as flexible as possible to enable our employees to have freedom, balance and autonomy. The work/life balance initiatives and programs offered to our staff throughout Asia differ depending upon location, local laws and resource availability. Some of the benefits provided to staff in different locations include: * Onsite and online parenting resources * Variety of sports and health benefits * Broadband connection to your home (enabling staff to work from home when required) * Job-share (where role permits) * Microsoft counselling service for employees and their families * Social club * Career guidance and planning * Mentoring program * Employer-sponsored discount program * Laptop computers and mobile technology * Community support initiatives for various charities The programs cover the individual employee, work, family and community. In addition to the specific work/life balance programs available, Microsoft is firmly committed to the goal of creating a healthy, flexible, and productive work environment that allows employees to engage in a challenging career while balancing their work/life needs. For more information about what programs of this nature are offered in individual countries across Asia, please contact a member of our Recruitment team today. * Women in IT Make a difference from day one Microsoft is proudly an equal opportunity employer of women and proactively seeks to ensure our workforce embraces excellence in gender diversity. Microsoft works closely with local government agencies across Asia and other recognized employers of choice so as to ensure we are constantly contributing to the improved status and treatment of women in the IT industry. This ensures our organisation is compliant with the latest legislative requirements and aware of best practices in the industry for women. Microsoft annually reviews its female diversity practices relating to: * Recruitment and selection * Promotions, transfers and terminations * Training and development * Work organisation * Conditions of service * Dealing with sex-based harassment * Dealing with pregnant and potentially pregnant employees and employees who are breastfeeding At Microsoft male and female employees are paid and rewarded on the same measurements based on the role and the merit of performance. There is no distinction based on gender. Furthermore, there is no distinction based on gender with regards to Microsofts recruitment processes, promotions and transfers, eligibility for benefits, training or conditions of service. Growing the female ranks in the IT industry As a thought-leader in the IT industry Microsoft is committed to the ongoing development of female professionals and encouraging new professionals to the industry. We are actively involved in a number of industry networking groups that focus on Women in the IT industry so we can ensure that our female employees have a voice on important issues and that we continue to develop and attract great female talent to the company. Annually, Microsoft supports and actively participates in the Global Womens Forum and across Asia our subsidiaries have internal networking and support groups for our female employees. Microsoft is also proud to support the development of females in the graduate community by offering Internship placements and various programs to improve the skills of emerging female technologists. Mothers at Microsoft Microsoft welcomes the applications from female candidates who are pregnant, planning pregnancy or returning to the workforce following a maternity leave absence. This is a family friendly environment, so don ¡Ã‚ ¯t be surprised if you visit our offices and meet a few little people! Our employees often bring their children in for a visit to work or to participate in family day events. Harassment Microsoft has a zero-tolerance policy for Sex-Based Harassment and strong policies in place to encourage the equal and appropriate conduct of all employees. * Parents in the Workforce Microsoft enjoys a family friendly environment so it is not uncommon to see spouses and children dropping by for lunch onsite. Microsoft supports parents in the workforce and those returning to the workforce. We do have a Parental Leave policy in place for the primary carer of children and your Recruiter can provide you with further details. If you need time away from work to celebrate the birth of your child and provide care, Microsoft supports you and your right to return to fulltime employment when you are ready. Local Labour Laws apply. Our families are the most important priority in life. Microsoft supports Parents in the Workforce by having flexible and convenient programs in place to ensure you can have balance between your family and your career. Just some of these benefits include: * Parental leave * Parents at Microsoft online resource * Microsoft counselling service for you and your family * Broadband program to enable you to work from home when necessary * Laptops and mobile technology * Discounted software program for private purchase * Flexibility to consider job-share where position enables Conclusion

Developmental Differences Between Autistic Children And Normal Child De

Autism is an intricate developmental disability that characteristically appears during the first three years of life. The consequence of a neurological disorder that involves the functioning of the brain, autism affects the normal growth of the brain in the region of social interaction and communication skills. Autism literally means living in terms of the self. To an observer, a child in a state of autism appears to be self-centred since he shows little response to the outside world. However, paradoxically, the child in such a state has little awareness of being a 'self'. (Tustin, 1972, p. 1) Children and adults with autism normally have problems in verbal and non-verbal contact, social communications, and leisure or play activities. Autism is one of five disorders coming under the umbrella of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD), a category of neurological disorders characterized by "severe and pervasive impairment in several areas of development," including social interact ion and communications skills (DMS-IV-TR). The five disorders under PDD are Autistic Disorder, Asperger's Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD), Rett's Disorder, and PDD-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS). Autism is a spectrum disorder. In the normal autism of early infancy there are the components from which this can take place but which are not developed. In 'total' pathological autism there has been such a profound arrest or regression that the building of this inner construct has been impeded or impaired so that the child is completely out of touch with the outside world and with people. Reaction to the outside world and people is in terms of bodily functions, organs and zones. (Tustin, 1972, p. 178) The indications and characteristi... ...ng autism, autistic children most of the time have himerosal, mercury and neuro-developmental disorders as well that can not be found in normal children at the same time. The small differences in mercury exposure and detoxification ability drive huge differences in the brain development of small autistic children as compared to normal children. Children less than 5 years old with autism might repeat actions over and over again, and they might have trouble if family routines change. But he normal children of the same age don’t have such problems. References Fisher, James T. "CHARLIE'S WORLD : A family battles autism." Commonweal 8 Sept. 2000: 13. Questia. 5 Sept. 2003 . Tustin, Frances. Autism and Childhood Psychosis. London: Karnac Books, 1972. Autistic Children May Retain Mercury, September 5, 2003, http://www.monitor.net/monitor/0307a/austisticmercury.html

Bilingual Education for Migrant Students and Assistive Technology :: essays papers

Bilingual Education for Migrant Students and Assistive Technology â€Å"In recent years the Hispanic population in America has achieved status as the largest minority group in the United States surpassing African-Americans (Baker, p.438).† This sudden increase in the Hispanic-American population is monumental when looking at the past few hundred years when African-Americans held the spot as the largest minority group in the United States. Across the United States this sudden and unprecedented influx of primarily native Spanish speakers has become more visible in some areas than others. Due to the rapid growth and migration of this group it can be seen that many migrant children have not had the time or the opportunity to learn English well enough to achieve success at their particular grade level in the public school system. Many of these bright and eager to learn migrant students fall by the wayside upon entering the public school system. Due to the rapid increase in populations of migrant students in various parts in the United States it h as become necessary for localized school systems to adopt and implement programs, utilizing assistive technology, to incorporate English language proficiency programs to help teach migrant students so that they might have a chance at achieving success and continuing to higher education taught exclusively in English. Over the past three decades a sudden and steady rise in the Hispanic population in the USA has become evident. While most of these migrants are coming from Mexico and Central America, they are all coming for better work opportunities. (STATS). Over the years more and more migrant families have taken residence in the USA. Now the Hispanic population is the largest minority group in America (SOURCE). As the amount of migrant children has increased, so has the need to incorporate these children into the local school systems so that they might have a chance to catch up with other children of their own age. Since the sheer number of migrant children, primarily of Spanish speaking countries, has increased so rapidly, the need for transitional English language proficiency programs has become more vital to the long term success of educating migrant children. According to J. Wirt, a writer for the National Center for Education Statistics, in general, Hispanic-Americans have a higher dr opout rate from school and attain lower levels of education that non-Hispanics (Wirt, 2000, pg. 1). Wirt also continues to state that the more recent a migrant arrives in the United States the higher the chance for one to drop out or not continue to higher education.

Why the Sea is Salty :: essays research papers

Why is the sea salty? One theory states that the sea is salt because of the â€Å"mid-Ocean† rift. Fresh basalt flows up through the rift along with â€Å"juvenile water; water that is made up of many of the components of sea water including chlorine, bromine, iodine, and many other molecules. Also some salts get into the ocean through volcanoes and even fresh water rivers carries salt into the sea. The sea is composed of many other things. Scientist over the years has conducted many experiments to prove not only of what the sea is made have but also many other things. In 1715 a scientist named Edmund Halley had a theory to prove the age of the ocean by the rate of salt that is transported through the rivers. In 1889 a scientist by the name of John Joly decided to test this theory and found out the sea is approximately ninety million years old. Also another scientist by the name of Antoine Laurent Lavoisier conducted the first analysis of seawater two hundred years ago. Another concept developed b y John Murray in the nineteenth century states that the weight is never determined but instead the total amount of chloride ion is carefully measured and a total for all other ions is computed by applying the constancy of relative proportions. Also A.M. Marcet, Johann Forchammer, and Wilhelm Dittmar have researched this theory. Now in the last forty years geochemist have really began looking into the chemistry of the ocean. Not only can the chemistry tell us what the sea is made have but also a history of the sea. For example the salinity of the sea has not really change in its history. The reason the sea’s salinity has not changed is because of its strong buffering zones. Today’s scientist has also begun to look at rain as it reaches the sea.

Much Ado About Nothing Notes

Much Ado About Nothing—Romantic Comedy * Much Ado about Nothing * Love and War; Love as War—starts with soldiers coming back from war and wanting love; love becomes a battlefield * Young Lovers: Claudio and Hero * â€Å"Not(h)ing† Messina: Confusions of Appearance and Reality * Love and War; Love as War * 1. 1: World waiting for the return of youth and love * Learn of soldiers even before they enter scene: * Youthful Claudio, ll. 12-16 Benedick (older man) introduced by Beatrice, ll. 28-9—he is being introduced by mockery; Beatrice makes the joke and marks her different from the other women in the play—she is loud, jokes about men, able to fight with words, witty, and Benedick is the same way * Beatrice and Benedick’s â€Å"merry war,† ll. 56-9 * Martial world replaced by â€Å"merry† one * What happens when skills necessary for success on the field of battle enter domestic world? * Romantic Couples * Potential Lovers: Claudio a nd Hero (make up the main plot, but some of the least interesting characters in the play—relatively quiet) * Beatrice and Benedick (subplot—more mature, more worldly, and they are much more talkative/interesting) * Claudio and Hero: * Claudio’s first line in play introduces interest in Hero, l. l. 154-70; â€Å"Note†: * To take notice of; to consider or study carefully; to pay attention to; to mark (OED 5. a) * To become aware of; to notice or perceive mentally; to be struck by (OED 5. b) * Claudio and Hero * Nature of Claudio’s love? ll. 278-289 Contrast between affections prior to and post military action * Hesitancy to use the word â€Å"love† * Don Pedro’s plan (ll. 300-312): * Disguise (Pedro says he will disguise as Claudio for the ball and approach Hero) * seduction as military action * World of the Play: Messina * Place of propriety and hospitality: * Disguise, deceit runs rampant through play * Inability to distinguish betwee n appearance and reality predominant feature of life in the world of play 1) â€Å"Not(h)ing† Messina: Confusion of Appearance and Reality 2) Educating Young Lovers: From Appearances to Faith ) Merry Warriors: Beatrice and Benedick * World of the Play: Messina * Gossip—Overhearing, mishearing, and eavesdropping—central to play * â€Å"Nothing† and â€Å"noting†: to take notice of; to consider or study carefully; to pay attention; to mark (OED 5. a) * Pedro’s plan to woo for Claudio sets off chain reaction of misapprehensions: * 1. 2: Antonio tells Leonato that Pedro plans to woo Hero for himself (when in reality, Claudio is trying to woo her) * 1. 3: Borachio overhears Pedro and Claudio discussing plan, tells Don John the Bastard (Don John gets the story right! * 2. 1: Wooing by proxy * Masquerade/Disguise (dance to welcome back the soldiers) * Deceiving Claudio: Don John and Borachio, ll. 155-63 (they pretend he is Benedick) * Claudioâ€⠄¢s soliloquy ll. 164-74 * Does not question what he has been told: â€Å"Tis certain so. † (The prince woos for himself) * Love as impediment to friendship * â€Å"Eye as lover (synecdoche: â€Å"A figure by which a more comprehensive term is used for a less comprehensive or vice versa; as whole for part or part for whole, genus for species or species for genus, etc. (OED)) * Goes simply by what he sees Valediction (or rejection) to Hero * Leonato (Hero’s father) gives Claudio Hero’s hand, ll. 285-299 * Couple silent, must be prompted to speak * Beatrice cues them to speak * Hero is silent: sense of youthful embarrassment or confusion * they are overwhelmed and ignorant * Educating Young Lovers: From Appearances to Faith * â€Å"False† Hero, Take Two: Don John’s spectacle of infidelity * Claudio’s problem with trust, 3. 2. 111-3 * Shame Hero publicly: In plain view of all * 4. 1: Broken Marriage Ceremony * Claudio returns bride to father ll. 29-41: The blush: sign of innocence or experience? * Innocence: â€Å"How could you say these things? † * Experience: â€Å"Busted! † * â€Å"[E]xterior shows† of virtue (39) * He takes it as guilt, not as innocence * He is completely wrong. She is innocent. * Claudio’s second valediction to Hero, ll. 99-107 * speaks to his youthfulness that he is so easily swayed by only outward appearances * Re-educating Claudio * 5. 1: Realization of mis-noting (He is wrong. Learns of Don John’s lies) * 5. 3: Mourning ceremony (spends night at tomb of Hero) * Agrees to marry Hero’s cousin without seeing or knowing her. Claudio publicly retracts slander ll. 3-10 * In death, shame transformed into fame (Hero has become a hero through death) * Night gives way to dawn (shifts from grieving to hope; cover of darkness or confusion to a wrapping up of the play) * 5. 4: Hero’s â€Å"Resurrection† * Scene re-works and reverses 2. 1 (masked ball): women’s identities concealed by masks * Ceremony corrects Claudio’s initial error, in which he identified and valued Hero by outward signs * Merry Warriors: Beatrice and Benedick * Beatrice: â€Å"I pray you, is Signor Montanto returned from the wars of no? (1. 1. 28-9) * Opening exchange between host and guests takes bawdy turn, ll. 90-106 * Joking suggests male suspicion of female sexual inconstancy * Doubting Women’s Constancy * â€Å"A woman’s gentle heart, but no acquainted / With shifting change, as is false women’s fashion† (Sonnet 20, 3-4) * Cuckold, ry: â€Å"A derisive name for the husband of an unfaithful wife† (OED 1) * Idea that deceived husband would grow horns which would reveal him to his community as a dupe of his wife and her lover * Fear of Being Cuckolded Horns (bovine rather than antlers) associated with visibility: make things seen * Cuckold is emasculated, not merely by having his place taken by another, but i n being rendered vulnerable to representation * Husband becomes spectacle of ignorance to all around him * Verbal Energy of Warring Words * Public protestations against love: * Benedick vows to live as bachelor 1. 1. 227-256 * Beatrice against falling in love 2. 1. 5-17, 40-60 * Shared sentiments (and wit) mark Beatrice and Benedick as suited for one another * Gender and Speech Claudio on match with Hero 1. 1. 278-80 * Marriage as alliance * Economic concerns bind women * Parental (patriarchal—seems like there are only dads in Shakespeare’s plays) desires seem to govern women’s speech * Gulling the Reluctant Lovers * to pass the time prior to the wedding of Hero and Claudio, Don Pedro Proposes another theatrical interlude (trick) 2. 1. 342-366 * Tricking couple involves making them a spectacle, a form of comedic entertainment without their awareness * Matching Beatrice and Benedick involves form of structural cuckolding * 2. : Men â€Å"Hunt† Benedick * T ricksters pretend to speak truth, while Benedick â€Å"notes† their conversation (so he can listen in on their conversation) * Men describe Beatrice’s suffering from unrequited love, ll. 87-119 * to gull: to make a gull of ; to dupe, cheat, befool, â€Å"take in:, deceive (v. 3, def. 1) * Leonato’s authority and Hero’s virtue convince Benedick of â€Å"truth† * Benedick transformed, ll. 210-33 * Enumeration of Beatrice’s virtues contrasts Claudio’s interest in appearance * Converted into lover: â€Å"for I will be horribly in love with her† (l. 23) * 3. 1: Women Snare Beatrice * Actresses follow Don Pedro’s script (? —are they actually following the script) * Silent Hero? ll. 34-36, 47-56, 60-70, 72-80 * Focus on Beatrice’s faults rather than Benedick’s virtues * Beatrice to temper her voice to Benedick’s wishes, ll. 107017) * New Alliances: Repudiation scene (4. 1) * All doubt Hero but witty lovers (Beatrice and Benedick) * Beatrice tests Benedick’s love, ll. 262-289 * â€Å"Kill Claudio† (288)

Are Leaders – born or made?

The most argumentative and the most widely researched  topic in the field of leadership is – if the leaders are born or made. As on today, the  resultant phenomenon of the widely done research is neutral, with few of the researcher’s  supporting the former assumption while few supporting the later one. The critical point in  the discussion had been the genetical influence on an individual which makes him/her a  leader. Although, it is not deniable that few leaders the world has seen were born to rule,  however, I would like to give my opinion in regards of the later i.e. Leaders are made. The basic feature which defines a leader is – Intelligence.  Every individual born is blessed with intelligence, it is just how one groom one’s  intelligence level and put in to the best use which makes him/her a leader. Besides,  intelligence there are many more characteristics which an individual needs to inculcate in  oneself to become an inspirational leader. These characteristics include strong will and  determination towards achievement, influencing the people’s mind and actions, highly  self motivated, possessing skills and talents and nourishing and nurturing them at  regular time periods. All these features and many more added to them turns a simple  individual into a leader. The leadership skills and talents could be either adopted or learnt  by one whilst moving ahead at different spheres of life. A stabilized ongoing  development of the intellectual growth and enhancement of various skills and talents at  different levels of an individual development plays a pivotal role in the making of a great  leader. Today’s world has seen a large number of leaders in  different spheres. As Shakespeare puts in â€Å"Some are born great, some achieve greatness  and some have greatness thrust upon them†. No single conclusion could be deprived on  the formation of these leaders. It is essential for a person to realize and recognize the  traits they possess at earlier later stages in life and later enhancement of these traits would  result in utilizing them optimally throughout the life. A consistent approach towards  grooming ones skills and talents besides developing intellectual growth would be the  most efficient source to become a great leader. Adopting different leadership traits while  working would also prove to be beneficial. Experience would definitely get counted in as  positive in leadership development. Leadership is not only determined by the character and  capacities of the leader, but definitely also by the followers: if there are no followers  there is no leader. Empowerment, ownership and curiosity are the features which ones  derived evolves leadership in every individual (Lance, 2004). All the features discussed  so far could be easily adopted by any normal sound minded individual. No hard and fast  rules are required to adopt them and no genetical attributes are needed to acquire them –  it is just an individual’s strong will and determination over becoming a leader which  would turn him/her into a great leader. Thus, I conclude, stating although a large number  of leaders are termed as born – leaders, yet there work and experience have made them  leaders in actual sense. REFERENCES: à   Adair, John. 1998: Leadership Skills. CIPD Publishing à   Covey, Stephen. R. 2004: The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness. Simon & Schuster Publishers à   Secretan, Lance. 2004: Inspire! What Great Leaders Do. John Wiley & Sons Publishers. à   Zenger, John. H. 2002: The Extraordinary Leader: Turning Good Managers into Great Leaders. McGraw –Hill Professional Publishers.                                                         

Busy Bee v. Simon et al.

What steps should Gabrielle take in these circumstances to make the loan and also minimize the risk of loss to Busy Bee? What advice would you give Simon with respect to this franchise opportunity? Simon was recommended by his father to arrange financing through a company named the Busy Bee Trust Company In order to pay for the franchise opportunity. Two possibilities may occur If the loan Is Issued and the business Is established. The hot dog stand may turn out to be a huge success enabling Simon to fulfill all of his obligations towards Busy Bee.In contrast, Simony's franchise business may not turn out to be as profitable as expected, resulting In Simon not being able to pay off the loan Issued by Gabrielle. Chances are that If the franchise opportunity does not turn out to be successful, Simon will not have enough assets on hand to pay off the loan. As mentioned in the case, Gabrielle is leaning towards providing the loan: however, she should only issue it if the risk to Busy Bee is minimized. Listed below are a few steps that Gabrielle can take in these circumstances to minimize the risk of loss toBusy Bee: Gabrielle could issue a collateral loan for $20 000. A collateral loan is when something is put up as a security by the borrower which can be sold or repossessed in the event of a default. A chattel mortgage works in the same manner; except a chattel is personal property. There needs to be some form of security in order for Gabrielle to minimize the risk of the loan. The purpose of the collateral loan would be to reduce the risk for Busy Bee, since they would be able to get something of value in case a default occurred.In this case, Simon could offer any collateral of his choice including his car. This would enable Busy Bee to have the right to take ownership of the car or sell it if the loan is not fulfilled by Simon. It is very important to get the assurance from Simon that he will be securing one of his assets or money to minimize the risk to the loan . Gabrielle could also tell Simon that the loan will be Issued only if he signs a guarantee contract. â€Å"A guarantee is a promise to perform the obligation of another person if that person defaults. † By unshakable named the Busy Bee Trust Company in order to pay for the franchise opportunity. Two possibilities may occur if the loan is issued and the business is established. The out to be as profitable as expected, resulting in Simon not being able to pay off the loan issued by Gabrielle. Chances are that if the franchise opportunity does not turn As mentioned in the case, Gabrielle is leaning towards providing the loan; however, issued only if he signs a guarantee contract.

Chase Strategy OPS571 Week 3 Essay

This week a portion of our study focused on sales and operations planning. The sales and operations planning process helps companies provide better customer service, lower inventory, shorten customer lead times, stabilize production rates, and give top management a better view of the business (Chase & Jacobs, 2011). Sales and operations planning evolved into aggregate planning that stresses the importance of cross-functional teamwork and tightly integrated efforts between sales, distribution, logistics, operations, finance, and product development (Chase & Jacobs, 2011). Aggregate planning focuses on intermediate-range (three to 18 months) plans that target lowering costs and using capacity most efficiently. The main purpose of an aggregate plan is to determine the best combination of production rate, workforce level, and inventory (Chase & Jacobs, 2011). Chase Strategy The chase strategy is one of three production strategies for aggregate planning in use today. According to Hamlett (2013), the chase strategy, or demand matching strategy, sets production to meet or match the demand for products. It is an appropriate strategy for production situations with variable demand and little to no inventory. To handle variations in demand, a company matches the production rate to the order rate by hiring and firing employees. The chase strategy is used mostly in service industries that focus on meeting forecasted demand and adjust the workforce accordingly. Meeting demand can come in the form of workforce adjustments that include the use of day labor, contractors, seasonal workers, and overtime pay. Advantages and Disadvantages A primary advantage is the flexibility to meet demand fluctuations. Another advantage is keeping inventory low, freeing up cash to buy other items such as raw materials or components, thus reducing inventory carrying costs that are associated with holding inventory in stock. The cost of capital, warehousing, depreciation, insurance, taxes, obsolescence, and shrinkage are all inventory carrying costs (Hamlett, 2013). Due to variations in product demand a company using the chase strategy can experience fluctuating workforce levels in response to changing demand. The impact to the company is increased hiring and training costs and a decrease in employee morale (Ritzman & Krajewski, 2003). Examples of Chase Strategy The combination of improved productivity and flat or declining global demand has businesses requiring supply chain re-engineering. The result of these efforts has made them more efficient than ever before. Finding demand to absorb the supply generated is a growing challenge that has affected companies large and small, including the iconic chocolate company Hershey’s (Kash, 2011). After years of growth and success, Hershey’s hit a rough period in which senior management saw diminished financial results. Management realized they were not properly aligned to compete effectively, requiring an overhaul in strategy. Research and employee surveys revealed senior management was not aligned in their beliefs about how the company should compete in the future. The result was conflicting messages across the entire operation. Marketing had not responded to retailers growing need for lower inventories, better use of shelf space, and less product packaging complexity (Kash, 2011). The changes in the marketplace caused Hershey’s to review every aspect of its â€Å"demand chain† without impacting the current supply chain in place. Hershey discovered that many products were not aligned with consumer demand and retailers were not happy about carrying increasing inventory due to confusing product offerings (Kash, 2011). The company identified the need to move from a supply-driven approach to a demand-driven, consumer-focused strategy based on a pull versus push model (Kash, 2011). It was clear Hershey could no longer win pushing more variations of supply into the market; instead it needed to employ a customer focused supply approach. The resulting transition to a demand-driven model exceeded expectations with the company, in February 2010, announcing record cash flows from 2009 operations doubling 2008 cash flows and 35 percent higher than 2004 record cash flows (Kash, 2011). Another example of a company using the chase strategy is retailer Neiman Marcus that ramps up temporary employment to meet an increase in holiday sales. The increased employees are utilized both in-store and in the warehouse to meet customer demand. Neiman Marcus mails out their â€Å"Christmas Book† in mid-September and sees a large increase in orders immediately afterward. Sales volume begins a steep ascent that peaks in early December (Auguston, 1992). The September demand represents 52 percent of peak shipments, and October represents 91 percent of peak shipments. Demand in November and December are in excess of 100,000 shipments per week reaching a peak demand volume of 28,000 orders per day translating to more than double normal sales (Auguston, 1992). Neiman Marcus meets this enormous demand shipping 90 percent of holiday sales within 1 day and 99 percent within 2 days with 99.4 percent accuracy. Achieving these extraordinary results requires advanced planning that includes hiring 300 additional people to work in their distribution center during the holiday season. Twenty percent of these temporary workers return each year (Auguston, 1992). Conclusion The chase strategy helps companies match production to demand by hiring and firing workers as necessary. The chase strategy is a best fit for companies that require manufacturing flexibility and change capacity on a frequent basis. The major cost of this strategy is the hiring and firing of workers and the associated decline in morale. For industries that require highly skilled labor, or where there is strong competition for labor, this strategy is not an optimal choice. This strategy is effective when low-skilled labor is acceptable and during periods of high unemployment. References Auguston, K. (1992, December). Neiman Marcus Plans Picking to Meet Peak Holiday Demands. Modern Material Handling, 10(25), 44-48. Chase, R., & Jacobs, F. R. (2011). Operations and Supply Chain Management (13th ed.). Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill Irwin. Hamlett, K. (2013, Spring). Strategies Used in Production Planning & Scheduling. Retrieved from http://smallbusiness.chron/strategies-used-production-plannig-scheduling-1808.html Kash, R. (2011, April). The Hershey Company: Aligning Inside to win on View as multi-pages

The Idea of Existentialism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Idea of Existentialism - Essay Example The meaning of certain terms in life such as wrong, right, true or false is determined by the individual. They believe that indeed â€Å"beauty depends on the beholder† (Rene 78). The existentialist's concerns about philosophy ponder that it is neither an effort to investigate and get to the knowledge of the world nor an exceptional occupation that deals with only a few. Philosophy is seen as being fully incorporated into life. Sartre, one of the earliest existentialists often points out that, to be sure, professional philosophers are essential to building up an intricate set of techniques and ideas. Nevertheless, life can be philosophically lived with the absence of nominal knowledge that philosophy entails. There are two historical forerunners for this belief has been brought on board by the think tanks of the existentialism. The first one is about the traditional Greeks and in particular the image of Socrates including the Stoics as well as Epicureans (Spiegelberg 44). They argue that the Socrates was not only an armature but in his search of the better living, he proposed not to have anything that deals with the formation of a system and his teachings took place often in open places. This implies that the existentialists were only just extraordinary. In the previous centuries, speedy development of industrialization and progression in technology was evident, which were often seen as a separation of the human from a properly natural way of living. The second thought of philosophy as a way of life was the German Idealism. The philosophy here is thought as an action that is the fundamental part of the history element of the human beings, and not the outer surface of life as well as of the world that acts as a spectator.  

Is The Holocaust Unique Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Is The Holocaust Unique - Essay Example Holocaust is the term used to describe the Nazi genocide of the Jewish people during World War II (Oxford Reference). The term â€Å"holocaust† has been used by many to describe other mass violations against humanity. The word â€Å"holocaust† is derived from holokaustos in the Greek translation of the bible and means a â€Å"completely consumed burnt offering†. The Gypsies (Romanis), the Armenians, and the Chinese under Mao all experienced one form or another of genocide. To some extent the terms genocide and holocaust have been used interchangeably to describe a mass killing of a people. So, what’s the difference? Mass killings can be called genocide but not necessarily a holocaust. The Jewish Holocaust was an attempt to kill off a specific race of people regardless of where they lived. Hitler’s version of holocaust was to kill off every Jew everywhere in the world with the intent of controlling the world with his allies. This was all inclusive, no exceptions! Genocide has been defined as being an eight stage process: Classification, Symbolization, Dehumanization, Organization, Polarization, Preparation, Extermination, and Denial. It’s when the eight stage process gets to â€Å"extermination† that their actions have earned the title â€Å"genocide†. The difference between genocide and a holocaust is that any one of the above listed eight stages is genocide. Holocaust is all the stages, one thru eight, with the intent to totally exterminate a people. The Holocaust's victims were considered to be so inferior, so threatening that their existence had to be completely eliminated (Rosenbaum, 22-23). The Nazi's called this plan "die Endlosung", the final solution to the Jewish question (Rosenbaum, 22). 2. A survivor's account. Alexander Kimel, a holocaust survivor, explains that the difference between Genocides and the Holocaust are the rates of survival (Kimel, p1.). Keep in mind that this is not an argument of numbers killed but an argument of recovery. China's Mao killed 10 million out of 800 million (1.23%), Stalin's numbers were 10 million out of 230 million (4.3%), and in the early phases of World War II out of 10,000 Jews 9900 were killed (99%). And, that trend continued through out World War Two. Recovery can and did take place in China and Russia. In Europe the Jewish community remains but a fragment of what it was and does not continue in the same ways as prior to World War Two. Many Jewish communities that had existed in Europe prior to World War Two are gone. All that remains of many communities are their vandalized cemeteries. 3. What is the purpose of the discussions about the Holocaust and genocide The Jewish community as a whole has kept alive their memories of the Holocaust. The Armenian and Romani communities have done the same. Yehuda Berger writes:

Marketing Environment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 2

Marketing Environment - Essay Example While some of these factors are easily controllable by the firm, others are difficult or impossible to change and as a result, need to be accommodated in the business decision making. According to Kotler (1999, p. 10), â€Å"A company’s marketing environment consists of the internal factors & forces, which affect the company’s ability to develop & maintain successful transactions & relationships with the company’s target customers.† A business’s marketing environment consists of various internal and external factors. These factors are sub-divided into various micro and macro factors. A business’s internal marketing environment consists of factors such as, machine, workers and employees, equipments, capital and internal operations that guide the internal marketing decisions. Internal marketing environment comprise forces that affect an organization’s ability to cater to the consumers. These factors may include sales representatives, marketing managers, marketing plans, marketing budget, inventory, procedures or logistics (Ferrell and Hartline, 2010). It also includes departments, which are often ignored during the decision making process. For instance, besides the marketing, finance and human resource, the management should also consider other departments such as, research and development, accounting department and personal department, before making any business decisions (Homburg, Workman and Jensen, 2000). A discussion on the various marketing environment factors will help in better evaluation of their influence on marketing decisions undertaken b y a business. External marketing environment factors are further subdivided into macro and micro environment factors. Micro-environmental factors consist of suppliers, marketing intermediaries, consumers and competitors. Suppliers are individuals delivering important resources for producing services and goods. Supplier policies significantly affect marketing decisions of the managers

Valuation models literature review Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Valuation models literature review - Essay Example My dissertation will focus on the financial reports of four different companies: BASF, DOW, SABIC, and Dupont. This will be aided by an economy and industry analysis as well as a ratio analysis for the each of the four firms. Valuation models will then be applied in order to arrive to price of the shares for each of the four firms. This literature review will help to find out the most appropriate valuation models to apply in order to arrive at a reasonable recommendation for investors who are interested in these four companies. A number of studies have focused on the usage of financial valuation models in the U.K. in order to evaluate a company’s equity. For example, Imam et al. (2008) aimed to find out the models that were used by financial analysts. They used a methodology that introduced the evidence by using two different ways—interviews with financial analysts and looking into the content of equity reports. Their study highlighted three major points: which valuation models are used by analysts, why are these models used, and how are these models used. In the same area, Demirakos et al. (2004) sought to explain financial analyst practices in terms of valuation by examining hypotheses related to the use of single period and multi-period forms, and also to test the usage of both the accrual and cash flow-based methods. On the other hand, Liu et al. (2002) measured the performance of a wide range of multiples and looked at the selection of relevant issues with the valuation using multiples mo del. An example from their paper showed the differences in the performance sector and the improvement of performance achieved by using other models to calculate multiples. In terms of industry importance, Alford (1992) tried to find out the impact of choosing comparables on size, sectors, and earnings growth on the accuracy of valuation by using price-earning multiples. Also, Boatsman and Baskin (1981) compared the accurateness of the price-earning multiples valuation model based on two sets of similar companies in the same sector. Moreover, Tasker (1998) tested among-industry models in the collection of similar companies by analysts and investment banks in acquisition transactions. The paper written by Barker (1999a) tested the valuation methods used by analysts and fund managers in order to discover the role of dividends in share valuation as well as to find out the importance of different valuation forms used in practice by fund managers and financial forecasters. Moreover, Barke r (1999b) applied both survey and market-based evidence in order to find out the more favorable valuation models, especially the

Is market research necessary for start-up-business Discuss Essay

Is market research necessary for start-up-business Discuss - Essay Example 1998.Marketing Research, P.106, Tata McGraw-Hill ). Business is a very fluid state; its states will never be constant, ever changing from time to time. Because of these constant changes Organizations are always posed with a question, what do I do next? Little can be answered with out any data to support. The collection of such relevant data gathers high importance especially for beginners because before organizations can launch their products they can understand the feasibility of their efforts through market research. 1. Formulating the problem: The very purpose of any marketing research is to identify the problem and its relevance to the organization. An ill defined problem can mislead the entire market research because of poorly defined research objectives. Initially for beginner, problems are plenty in understanding his/her own business and the general market conditions. Question such as whom to market? What to market are the real challenges for an entrepreneur? Marketing research helps in finding solutions for these and also many other issues. The concept of four ‘p’s (product, place, price, people) needs to be answered. 2. Developing Objectives of the research: The objectives of the research should be clear and specific. The objectives should cover the questions regarding the purpose of the study, Method in which the study is to be conducted, the information needs and the sources of information. The concept to be launched into the market whether it is a product or a service needs to be tested. However it is important to decide at which phase of market research the testing can be done. Normally while launching a startup business, businessmen use market research as a launching board for the product or service. Data collected has to be collated in such a way it yields information and the information so gathered can be utilized for preparation of a research report. Normally research analysis will be based on data depicted in the form of graphs and

Materialism as a Worldview Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Materialism as a Worldview - Essay Example Reducing the debate simply to materialism and idealism therefore, the materialist hypothesis is that all existence is an unbroken, material continuum from its origins in ancient Greece to the mind-brain materialism of the modern times (Vitzthum, 1995). Materialism as a worldview appears to be prevalent in society today. Materialism began in the 18th century (McConnell, 2003). The leading scientists of that time suffered cognitive dissonance between the beliefs of the many religious sects which then existed along with their own scientific discoveries (McConnell, 2003). They relieved their discomfort by agreeing among themselves that religion was unnecessary. Unfortunately, the amorality of materialism was so attractive to lesser intellectuals, who lacked the status to question the leaders. The same was true to businessmen, who could use materialism to justify exorbitant profits that it has become a defining feature of the culture (McConnell, 2003). Materialism and its theories can be traced as far back as the poem, The Nature of Things, written in the first century B.C. by Lucretius ("Materialism: what matters," 2007) to the more recent research done by Richard Vitzthum (1996), An Affirmative History and Definition. The doctrine of materialism was formulated as early as the 4th century B.C. by Democritus, in whose system of atomism all phenomena are explained by atoms and their motions in space (Armstrong, 1984). Other early Greek teaching, such as that of Epicurus and Stoicism, also conceived of reality as material in its nature. The theory was later renewed in the 17th century by Pierre Gassendi and Thomas Hobbes, who believed that the sphere of consciousness essentially belongs to the corporeal world, or to the senses (Armstrong, 1984). Later, the investigations of John Locke were adapted to materialist positions by David Hartley and Joseph Priestley. They were a part of the materialist development of the 18th century strongly manifested in France, where the most extreme thought was that of Julien de La Mettrie. The culminating expression of materialist thought in this period was the Systme de la nature (1770), for which Baron d'Holbach is considered chiefly responsible (Armstrong, 1984). In Western civilization, materialism is the oldest philosophical tradition. It reached its full classical form in the atomism of Democritus and Epicurus in the 4th century B.C. Epicurus argued that reality consisted of invisible and indivisible particles of free-falling matter called atoms randomly colliding in the void. Through materialism, everything that happens is explained in terms of the law of nature (Armstrong, 1984). Overview of major beliefs and representative thinkers Materialism is a simple philosophy, having two principles: 1) There is no reality except that which can be defined in terms of the physical concepts of space and time; and 2) As individuals, we have no obligations to other persons except for those obligations that we accept for our own pleasure. This second principle follows from the first (McConnell, 2003). When people use the word "materialism" they usually have one of two definitions in mind. Philosophically speaking,