Essay Marshall McLuhans Understanding Media - 3740 Words

Marshall McLuhans Understanding Media In his groundbreaking work, Understanding Media, Marshall McLuhan posits that technologies in the â€Å"electric age† rendered it impossible for the individual to remain â€Å"aloof† anymore . Over the course of the late 19th to early 20th centuries, while an increasing presence of electric machines in daily life irrefutably signaled our nation’s arrival into the electric age, society’s â€Å"central nervous system [was] technologically extended to involve [each individual] in the whole of mankind,† McLuhan states (20). Previously disconnected, isolated individuals and groups suddenly became compressed, involved in each others’ lives, and unified into a network. As opposed to the preceding mechanical age, this†¦show more content†¦Finally, Houdini’s performances, which were especially popular in the first decade of the 20th century, created a social space where individuals could gather together and watch a man fulfill their fa ntasy: escape from modern society. The irony is that Houdini’s shows, which unified individuals into groups or audiences, succeeded by flaunting separation and freedom from technology, instead of celebrating any unifying qualities of technology. Regardless of whether their work was intellectual or not, these three turn of the century artists suggest that Americans were more ambivalent about the role of technology in their lives than McLuhan indicates. Adams, James, and Houdini do not pretend that technological progress can be prevented, nor do they protest that society should retreat to the safe mechanical age. Rather, they argue that in the electric age, technologies can be just as divisive and separating as they are uniting. For Henry Adams, technology and forces in the future create separation in two ways: first, evolving technology creates a generational gap that separates the old American from the new; second, evolving technologies ultimately lead mankind toward destruction, thereby separating people from theirShow MoreRelatedEssay about The Medium is the Message1923 Words   |  8 Pagesâ€Å"The medium is the message,† uttered by the late media scholar and theorist Marshall McLuhan, and they have been revered and dissected ever since they were spoken. There has been several different interpretations on the premise of McLuhan’s words, and the meaning behind them. The best way to start unraveling his theory, is to get a general understanding of the terms used in his famous quote. In McLuhan’s own words, a medium is simply â€Å"an extension of ourselves.† Simply put the medium personifiesRead MoreHow Money Has Changed Society Essay709 Words   |  3 PagesHow Money Has Changed Society *Works Cited Not Included Marshall McLuhans lasting contribution is his vision of the ways technology affects and changes history and culture. McLuhan proposes that technologies are not mere add-ons to who and what humans are but, rather, alter them as though the technologies really are extensions of humans. Technology determines culture and history to the extent that it shapes and controls the scale and form of human association and actionRead MoreNarcissuss Facebook Profile Essay1187 Words   |  5 PagesIn Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man, Marshall McLluhan uses the Greek myth of Narcissus as a metaphor for our inability to notice the gradual societal changes engendered by new extensions of ourselves. McLuhan writes that because â€Å"the content of any medium is always another medium† (McLuhan 8), we tend to focus on the obvious, not that the message of that medium, the â€Å"social consequences... [that]...result from the new scale that is introduced into our affairs by each extensio n of ourselves†Read MoreMarshal Mcluhan1677 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction We live in a world, which is dominated with technology. Marshall McLuhan theorized that technology will and has become an extension of the human body in order to improve on it and better its functional value and we shall all be united in a â€Å"Global Village†. In this essay, I shall cover some information about Marshall McLuhan, his theories, and analyze the Nintendo Wii gaming console using a tetrad of questions to explain his theory. Marxism and Capitalist Society At its core, MarxismRead MoreMarshall Mcluhan s Theory Of Hot And Cold902 Words   |  4 PagesMarshall McLuhan’s theory of â€Å"hot† vs. â€Å"cool† classified media into two groups and took into consideration extensive understandings of how the media interacts with audience and catoragized them based of an extensive list. Although McLuhan gives an excellent theory of hot vs cold media, time has shown how a hot media has the power of transforming into a cold media and vise verse. In his essay, â€Å"Media Hot and Cold,† McLuhan identified film as a very hot media and the internet as a very cool media,Read MoreThe Perception Of Media During The 20th Century1067 Words   |  5 Pagestime, Marshall McLuhan, has advanced and changed the worlds perception of media during the 20th century. â€Å"The medium is the message† is said to be one of the most famous statements in history as it focuses towards the overall idea of media, studying the traits and effects of the senses of an individual. Though he is hailed as an influential figure of the internet age, having understood the power of the internet long before anyone else, many new things have been introduced to the world of media todayRead MoreInformation flows around the world1952 Words   |  8 PagesMarshall McLuhan, a Canadian philosopher of communication theory, developed the concept of the term ‘Global Village’ in two of his earliest books—The Gutenberg Galaxy, in 1962, and Understanding Media: The Extension of Man, in 1964. He defined global village as a small village where electronic media made it possible, and how the information flows from parts of the world at the same time (Mcluhan, 1964). No matter how far or near of anything happen around the globe, people can see and hearRead MoreUnderstanding The Medi The Extensions Of Man1334 Words   |  6 Pageswritten task one is a opinion column about the Marshall McLuhan’s book Understanding the Media: the Extensions of Man. He believed that the world has to live within a mosaic of culture, exemplified by the TV news, the only unifying factor which - the fact that they occurred on the same day and hour. efficient media studies is dealing not only with the content of the media, but also with the very media, with the cultural context in which the media operate. It emphasizes its basic idea that new technologiesRead MoreHow Does The Control Of Production Mean For The Media Produced?878 Words   |  4 Pagestheoretically and physically, define the media, medium, and message that is produced within it? What does the act of production mean for the media produced? Media, through technology and its use by agents in social and material production, operates on a local and a global level through its production and dissemination. This creates spaces in which roles and agendas can be played out to the conclusion of an end product. This end product, however, is not only the produced media, but the anticipated receptionRead MoreGoogle vs. Intelligence Essay1062 Words   |  5 PagesInternet as our main conduit of information. The advantages (ease of use, instant availability) seem attractive, which leads to widespread adoption, but the interface itself may limit our intellectual capacity. As Carr observes from media theorist Marshall McLuhan’s work, â€Å"media are not just passive channels of information. They supply the stuff of thought, but they also shape the process of thought† (Carr). Because reading is not an automatic skill for humans, but a learned behavior, our flexible brains

Behavioral Theory Of Cognitive Therapy - 795 Words

Behavior Therapy began in the 1950s as a behavioristic reaction to the mentalism of psychoanalysis. Rather than resolving the unconscious conflicts that supposedly underlay the patients’ symptoms, behavior therapists like Joseph Wolpe sought to modify the symptoms themselves, directly, by means of techniques derived from learning theory. From their point of view, symptoms were not caused by disease; rather, the symptoms were the disease. In some cases, such as phobias and obsessive-compulsive behaviors, the assumption was that the symptoms were learned behaviors that could be unlearned; even if the symptoms were not acquired through learning, however, it was assumed that they could be modified by learning (some forms of behavior therapy were called behavior modification), (Bickhard, dated 1980). Cognitive Therapy: Later, was supplanted by a cognitive therapy which attempted to alter the patient s behaviors, whether overt or covert), by changing the patient s cognitions; ear ly proponents of cognitive therapy were Aaron (Tim) Beck, known for his cognitive theory of depression, and Albert Ellis who practiced what he called rational-emotive psychotherapy. In 2006, Beck received the prestigious Lasker Award for clinical research -- the first ever given to a psychiatrist for research on treatment. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: Even with the new mentalism of cognitive psychology, the goal of cognitive therapy was to change the patient s behavior, so the hybrid termShow MoreRelatedCognitive Behavioral Theory And Behavioral Therapy2176 Words   |  9 Pages â€Æ' A Cognitive Behavioral Approach to The Case of Stan Overview – Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Cognitive behavior therapy, or CBT, combines both cognitive and behavioral principles and methods in a short-term treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapies are based on a psychoeducational model that emphasizes the role of homework and places responsibility on the client, assuming an active role both during and outside of the therapy sessions (Correy 2009). CBT can be thought of as a combination of bothRead MoreCognitive Theory : Cognitive Behavioral Therapy3341 Words   |  14 PagesCognitive Behavioral Therapy in Educational Settings Rebecca Yoder John Carroll University Abstract Cognitive theories are believed to centralize around the idea that a thought is the cause for emotions. Cognitive theory has directly influenced the development of other cognitively based therapies that provide a more in-depth and concentrated approach to the presenting problems of a client. Specifically, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one division of the cognitive theory that focuses onRead MoreCognitive Behavioral Theory Of Cognitive Behavior Therapy1756 Words   |  8 PagesTheoretical Analysis Cognitive Behavioral Theory Several prestigious and monumental contributors commenced the development of cognitive behavioral therapy. The four main catalysts have been Albert Ellis, Aaron Beck, Judith Beck, and Donald Meichenbaum. Each of these trailblazers lead a different aspect of cognitive behavior therapies. While working through his own personal fears and anxieties, Albert Ellis developed what is now termed rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) and is the firstRead MoreCognitive Behavioral Theory And Family Therapy3298 Words   |  14 Pages Cognitive Behavioral Theory in Relation to Family Therapy Amy Trimm Fall 2104 Texas AM Central Cognitive Behavioral Theory in Relation to Family Therapy Abstract This essay is intended to evaluate one therapeutic intervention or theory that may be used in Family therapy. The theory being examined is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or for short CBT. The essay will begin with defining CBT and discussing the underlying principles, techniques and concepts of the approach. Some practicalRead MoreCognitive Behavioural Theory Of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy2365 Words   |  10 PagesCognitive behavioural therapy is a major area of interest within the field of counselling. The cognitive behavioural approach has made significant contributions towards counselling over the years. As a result of this the cognitive behavioural approach has become more widely practiced (Dobson and Dobson, 2009). Despite these contributions, cognitive behavioural therapy has experienced a few limited cons as well as effective pros. In spite of this, previous studies have provided evidence, which confirmsRead MoreCognitive Behavioral Therapy Vs. Theory Of Mind1826 Words    |  8 PagesCognitive Behavioral Therapy vs. Theory of Mind: A Focus on Anxiety Reduction in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder Adolescence is a crucial time when children begin to figure themselves out and what they want to do with their lives, all the while being introduced to higher level responsibilities. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can heavily impair this process and make the transition from child to teenager increasingly difficult, especially if they are also diagnosed with General Anxiety DisorderRead MoreCognitive Behavioral Therapy Theory And Practice1810 Words   |  8 PagesReport Module Code: PS715 Module title: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Theory and Practice: Foundation Current literature suggests that the practising of cognitive therapy techniques on oneself is a valuable and useful way to learn about cognitive therapy (Beck, 1995; Padesky Greenberger, 1995; Padesky, 1996). Padesky (1996, p. 288), for instance has written: ‘‘To fully understand the process of the therapy, there is no substitute for using cognitive therapy methods on oneself â€Å". Beck (1995, p.Read MorePsychodynamic Theory, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, And The Family Systems Theory920 Words   |  4 Pagesthere are many different theories that counselors should get to know in order to figure out which theory fits their own personal style of counseling. Some counselors stick to one specific theory, but many take on an integrative approach and use multiple theories within their practice. The four psychological theories that I am focusing on in this paper are the contemporary psychodynamic, theory, cognitive behavioral therapy, person-centered therapy, and the famil y systems theory. The contemporary psychodynamicRead MoreA Personal Theory of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Counseling Essay2719 Words   |  11 PagesRunning head: A PERSONAL THEORY OF COGNITIVE- 1 A Personal Theory of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Counseling Mary L. Terry Student ID #: 22185762 Liberty University Abstract A counselor’s job is to journey along with their client and to provide insight and support to those who are at risk and those who are hurting and searching for comfort and acceptance. If the counselor is a Christian they will also want to share our Heavenly Father’s love with the counselee and help guide themRead MoreAlbert Ellis s Theory Of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy2042 Words   |  9 PagesAlbert Ellis Albert Ellis was one of the most influential psychotherapists in the establishment of cognitive behavioral therapy because he founded Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). Ellis was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1913. He had low emotional attachment with his parents because his parents being emotionally distant from him and his siblings. He took great responsibility in raising his two younger siblings. He graduated in 1934 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business. After

George Orwell’s “1984” Free Essays

For as long as literature has been around, culture and society are repeatedly being judged and criticized. For varying purposes, their interpretations have varied throughout time. First, culture as a term used in academic or daily speeches refers to different concepts and understandings, however, the original meaning, which came from ancient Greek and Roman cultures, has obtained different meanings today built of the different needs and uses of any field. We will write a custom essay sample on George Orwell’s â€Å"1984† or any similar topic only for you Order Now On the other hand, society stands for â€Å"the aggregate of people living together in a more or less ordered community† [Oxford Dictionaries] (or it could simply be an organization/club formed for a specific purpose. These two concepts, though similar, are very different. Culture represents the learned schemas/behaviors, while on society at the most basic level is the interaction of group individuals. However, through said interaction, individuals develop and communicate a manifestation of culture. In George Orwell’s â€Å"1984† dystopian novel, the concept of society is represented as a concept in which individuals have neither freedom nor hope nor feeling. The novel uncovers Winston Smith’s struggle to fight the oppressive political system known as the Party. The ultimate goal of the party is to have absolute power over its people and to control every aspect of human life. Not too far from that, the society in The Reader is presented as lacking in tolerance and acceptance of lesser educated people. They discriminated people who were not able to read in a society where books and education were easily accessed (and free) and the common thing among the community, so to them, it was odd for an individual to not take advantage of it. In Germany at the time, the population valued education and intelligence greatly and viewed these as an indicator of success and a â€Å"normal† life. The illiterate were considered a lower class whom most people would look down on and treat as idiots or ignorants not worth their time. For these reasons, Hanna Schmitz, the lover of Michael Berg – protagonist of the story, kept her illiteracy a secret because of her fear of being ridiculed and judged, and, her shame revealed just how much people were prejudiced and judgmental towards the uneducated lower class. Like I mentioned previously, the 1984 society was very oppressive and hostile. It is meant to represent Freud’s theory on the inner workings of our mind: Ego, Superego, and Id. His theory explained that our mind and consciousness levels are divided into 3 parts. First, the ID represents our primal impulses, our pleasures, and our urges and wishes. Next comes the SUPEREGO. The superego enforces moral codes of the ego and censors the id. Finally, the EGO helps balance the id and superego. It is concerned with the rational, moral, and more self-aware aspect of the mind. Using this psychoanalytic point of view, Winston Smith’s rebellion from the party is described as a mind where the id is ruling over the other two. Freud describes this psychoanalytic process as a method normally used to treat patients with mental disorders, so in the eyes of the Party, Winston is seen as someone with a mental disorder who needs to be â€Å"fixed†. The Party How to cite George Orwell’s â€Å"1984†, Papers

Nutrition and Carbohydrates free essay sample

In today’s society everyone is looking for the next best thing, there are all kinds of fad diets out there that are consistently making outrageous promises to consumers. The latest in the fad diet trend is the â€Å"Low Carbohydrate/High Protein† diet. To break it down simply  proteins are needed to help the body to grow and repair while carbohydrates provide energy. Both are needed in order for a person to remain healthy, which is why fad diets that promote one over the other are harmful to our bodies. Fad diets such as the â€Å"low carb/high protein† diet tend to have one thing in common. They promote the exaggerated benefits of their program and show unrealistic results all while telling the consumer that their diet is the best, the safest, or the most natural diet available. What they fail to make known are the potential health problems that going on crash or fad diets can cause. Fad diets such as the â€Å"low carb/high protein diet† all have well documented risks that should not be overlooked when doing research on weight loss. Are low carb/high protein diets and the rapid weight loss they promise worth the potential harm we could be doing to our bodies in the long run? On a daily basis we decide what we are going to put into our bodies with the knowledge that what we choose to eat affects the body in different ways. Carbohydrates are one of the crucial macronutrients that perform an essential role in fueling the human body. They provide the body with energy and in order for the body to use carbohydrates for energy food must undergo digestion, absorption, and glycolysis. It is recommended that 55 to 60 percent of our caloric intake come from carbohydrates. It is important to keep in mind that there are different types of Carbohydrates. There are good and there are also bad carbohydrates and it is up to us to choose which ones to digest as part of a healthy diet. Eating a healthy diet would ideally include Carbohydrates but it is possible for the body to exist without them. Certain diet programs suggest cutting out Carbohydrates all together in order to lose weight. It is up to the consumer to decide to include Carbs in their diet or accept the potential risks of cutting them out completely. There are simple Carbohydrates which are most commonly referred to as blood sugar are found in sugared sodas, pastries, and high processed foods. Then there are complex Carbs which are composed of starch, glycogen, and dietary fiber. These types of Carbs are commonly found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. The starch represents the digestible carbohydrate that gets broken down in order to release sugar into the bloodstream to produce energy. Glycogen is similar to starch but, the primary storage site in the human body is the liver and the muscles. Proteins are equally as important as Carbohydrates and play a critical role in keeping the body healthy. There are many health benefits that come from including protein in your diet. The body needs to ingest enough protein to help with tissue repair if you sustain an injury. Proteins help the body to fight off illness and disease and also keep the immune system functioning properly. Our bodies can produce almost every amino acid needed to remain healthy but there are nine amino acids that our bodies cannot produce. Therefore we must obtain these nine amino acids by keeping a balanced diet that is high in protein. Though they are becoming more and more popular, â€Å"High Protein, Low Carbohydrate Diets† have their pros and cons. When protein levels become escalated due to high amounts of saturated fats such as those found in animal products, problems may occur. These problems could eventually lead to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and several types of cancer. Restricting Carbohydrates from your diet is essentially cutting off the fuel from your brain, heart, and other organs thus depriving the body of what it needs to function. Diets that advocate cutting Carbohydrates count on the fact that your body will go into a different metabolic state called ketosis, in order to lose weight. When the body is in Ketosis it begins to pull energy from the carbon fragments that the breakdown of fat creates. The beginning stages of ketosis can be recognized easily as the consumer begins to feel less hungry and the weight starts to come off rapidly. Though this seems like an optimal outcome, restricting Carbohydrates could lead to health problems such as kidney failure or kidney stones. The issues associated with protein packed diets are that often times once the consumer decides to stop the diet, the weight they lost is rapidly regained, leading to a potentially dangerous cycle of â€Å"yo-yo dieting. † Diets such as these can place you at risk for certain deficiencies. Sometimes too little or too much of something may result in poor health which is why balance is so important. Eating a low carbohydrate diet has adverse side effects such as headaches, bad breath, constipation, muscle weakness, and feelings of fatigue. The effects of not having of not having complex carbohydrates result from restricting plant based foods, which are in phytochemicals and antioxidants and these chemicals offer protection against diseases. The healthy solution is choosing fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans as your carbohydrate source since these contain vitamins, nutrients, and fiber that our bodies need. Consuming high protein diets consisting of red meats or other high fat food are linked to high cholesterol. The benefits of a healthy and balanced diet should include high energy levels, internal organs working properly, and overall physical and mental good health. With the United States being at the forefront of the obesity epidemic, many have turned to fad diets as a solution, without concern for the potential risks. Comparatively to living a natural and holistic lifestyle, dieting has been proven to be ineffective and detrimental in the long run. Throughout history diets have been proven to be unreliable and at times unsafe, which is why it is so important to understand that having a healthy well-balanced diet is the key to weight management and overall good health.

The James Lange theory Essay Example

The James Lange theory Paper The world is a big place, filled with people full of curiosity and with their own individual quests. People are constantly talking, looking, hearing, smelling, and gaining knowledge from things and people from their environment. The scope of knowledge gained on a day to day basis is therefore vast. To what extent though, is this knowledge we acquire true? People are constantly seeking for answers to their questions or solutions to their problems; in a way, they seek a pathway to truth. The quote: rather than love, than money, than faith, than fame, than fairnessgive me truth (Thoreau) justifies that truth is a necessity of life and every man seeks it to distinguish between reality and fantasy. To understand truth, we need to know its three basic theories. The correspondence theory states that a statement is true if it corresponds to a fact. The Coherence theory says that a proposition is true if it fits in with our overall sets of belief. Finally, the pragmatic theory states that a proposition is true if it is useful or works in practice. We will use these three theories to understand when our senses can be trusted to give us the truth. We will write a custom essay sample on The James Lange theory specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The James Lange theory specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The James Lange theory specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The human species are said to have the weakest of all senses in terms of potency because they can be easily deceived. Perception is a very sophisticated issue because not everything we perceive is real. Optical illusion for sight, not hearing low and high frequency sounds, knowing what a thing tastes like because of its label or the fact we know what it is, not being able to differentiate between different smells, and the reflex reaction for the sense of touch are vivid examples of how things we perceive through our senses sometimes differs from objective reality. We can simplify this by saying that senses just provide the raw information which is then processed through knowledge in the brain to give us a clear and bigger meaning of that information that we believe is true. Therefore, our senses themselves cannot be relied upon to give us the truth. Ultimately, we can never know the absolute truth but only get relatively close to it by combining our senses along with the ways of knowledge- this is the only time we should trust our senses to give us truth. Before getting into details of when we should trust our senses to give us truth, let us look at a classic example of Helen Heller. Even though she was not born blind and deaf, a disease led her to the pit of blackness at a very young age. She was the first deaf blind person to graduate from college. Sight and hearing are considered to be the most important of all senses because it is these that shed light on the outside world and help us stay in touch with our surroundings and communicate with the society around us. Helen proved that her senses were not the only requirements to know the events and survive in the bustling world around her, but language, emotions, perception, and reason- the ways of knowing are equally crucial in order to perceive the truth. Language is a human mode of communication that is not limited to verbal speech only; but also includes visual, auditory, or symbols that can be easily manipulated. Language is constantly surrounding us: when we describe something, express our feelings, write, point out at something, make a sad droopy face, or even when we touch someone or something. Language is one of the main ways by which we acquire knowledge from the world around us and is one of the many pathways that leads to truth because it is through language that we can express our beliefs. Language can also be seen in plants (chemically) and animals (special gestures or sounds through positive reinforcement) furthermore proving how involved it is in our day to day basis. A person like Helen Keller came to communicate by the sense of touch when she realized that motions her teacher was making on her palm, while running cool water over her hand, symbolized the idea of water. Because she was blind and deaf, she had no idea of the concept of language, words, or how to express herself. She found a way around this complication by the means of language through her sense of touch. She used the Tadoma method of touching the lips and throat of others as they speak, combined with fingerspelling letters on the palm. Therefore, she made the sense of touch her mode of communication (her language) and used it in her day to day life to acquire knowledge from the world of underlying facts around her. Over her years of experience and practice, she obtained a set of beliefs that unveiled the blackness and shed light on the world of facts around her, thus applying to the theories of truth. The Eskimo-Aleut language has a hundred words for the word snow; therefore they see the truth in much more detail because of the deeper meaning than other people who do not speak the language. Words can also mean different things in other languages and expressions (body language) can be easily misinterpreted. This is why in order to get the truth, one needs experience with language; this might take a long time but would take us closer to the ultimate truth. Emotions are often deceiving and can seem as an obstacle to the truth we seek. According to the James Lange theory, emotions are generally physical in nature and it is these that trick our senses. This suggests the weak property of emotions because it can be easily hindered due to our physical nature. For instance, if we are deserted on an island and have not eaten or drank anything for quite some time, our emotions kick in causing us to hallucinate and even the slightest sound would cause us to be suspicious. However, if the source of the problem was dealt to (hunger and thirst), then no such thing would happen. It is also because of emotions that our reasoning skills weaken.

To Kill a Mocking Bird essays

To Kill a Mocking Bird essays The Pulitzer Prize winning novel, To kill a mocking Bird explores many aspects of a township in the 1920s. Throughout the novel the characters emerge from situations as either victors or victims. Even though Maycomb is shown to be a quiet peaceful town, there is much hidden conflict that was commonly accepted by society in this era. This conflict occurs when characters cross social boundaries and break societies unwritten laws. A victor can be defined as the winner or conqueror over an opponent or situation. The opposite of this is a victim, which means someone who loses or is disadvantaged by a situation or a person with selfish aims. However, in the book these titles are not earned in a competition, but largely by a persons social status. Atticus Finch, Dolphus Raymond, Tom Robinson and Mayella Ewell are characters that represent victor or victim. Obviously a victor, Atticus Finch is a tolerant and accepting man who looks to the good will of all people and recognises everyone for who they are. He is moralistic and passes this trait onto his children, Scout and Jem. Despite the social structure of the time, Atticus strongly believed in equality throughout the human race. An example of this would be his passion in the Tom Robinson case. Atticus represented Tom Robinson wholeheartedly, fighting for true justice, all along knowing the odds were against him. This attitude is evident when he said to Scout, This case, Tom Robinsons case, is something that goes to the essence of a mans conscience Scout, I couldnt go to church and worship God if I didnt try to help that man.p116. Throughout the novel Atticus showed many more acts of an unbiased nature, he is a true victor. Clearly another victor, Dolphus Raymond, like Atticus finch, is tolerant and accepting of all people. He choses to live his life a way that is looked down upon by Maycomb society. An example of this, is that he has biraci ...

Applied or practicing anthropology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Applied or practicing anthropology - Essay Example Within each of these two sectors, there is also much diversity when it comes to what is really being produced or sold by them. On the whole, the annual rate of growth of the consumer product industry for manufacturing has been estimated to be 11.5% whiles that of the sales sectors has been pegged at 18% (Domingos 66). This shows a very strong and formidable industry in consumer products. Writing on the differences in the growth rate of these two sectors of the same industry, Cho indicated the sales sector experiences higher growth rate because of the level of involvement in this sector (51). This is to say that there are so many people involved in the sale of consumer products than can be said of those involved in the manufacturing of consumer products. Certainly, it is common to find a person engaged in the sale of one form of one form of consumer product or the other, wherever a person may be found. The visibility with the consumer sales sector has been attributed as a response to the rapid needs of consumers for these products (Case and Shiller 33). In a typical market, the sales sector of consumer product industry can be subdivided into wholesale and retail, where the growth within the retail division has also been said to be ahead of the wholesale division (Hatzi and Otto 97). Again, this situation has been attributed to the extent of proximity between retailers and consumers. This is because whereas wholesalers sell consumer products to retailers and other professional businesses, the retailers sell directly to customers or consumers (Gwartney, Stroup and Sobel 121). For this reason, whenever there is discussion on consumer demand, the first point of call is the retail, who receives the pressure from consumers. As far as China and for that matter Shenzhen is concerned, the retail division of the consumer product sales sector can be widely divided into traditional retailers and lifestyle retailers.

Comparison Critique of two Famous Speeches Essay

Comparison Critique of two Famous Speeches - Essay Example What makes their speeches unique and special were the contrasting messages that each speaker delivered. Though delivered at different points in American history, each president successfully managed to convey the thoughts and emotions of the American public to the world. The speech of Pres. George W. Bush was delivered before the joint session of congress back in 2001. Without the use of visual aids and backed up only by an off camera teleprompter, the president stood before the politicians and international delegates in order to express the deep gratitude of the American people for the outpouring of love and support from the international community after the terrorist attacks. This was a historically significant speech as it signaled the beginning of America's decade long war on terror that took them from the arid desert of Afghanistan all the way to the oil rich country of Iraq. It was the day that America finally joined in on the growing war on terror because of the attack on their homeland. This was in effect, similar to the speech that Pres. Roosevelt gave on the fateful day that the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. This speech turned the tide of history and dictated the end of the reign of terrorism in the Middle East. The opening dialogue of his speech tried to lighten the severely somber mood by reminding the American public that they were not alone in this tragedy. This was a tragedy that affected the whole world and nations such as South Korea, Britain, and others were not ashamed to show their sympathy by offering songs and prayers in support of America. After that the speech fell into its actual topic, which was how America was going to respond to the unprovoked attack and what it would cost the nation. It was not difficult to follow his train of thought during the speech as all the plans of action were laid out in a concise manner meant to educate the listener/viewer with its main ideas which were clearly supported by evidence. Americans have many qu estions tonight. Americans are asking, "Who attacked our country?"... The terrorists' directive commands them to kill Christians and Jews, to kill all Americans and make no distinctions among military and civilians, including women and children. This group and its leader, a person named Osama bin Laden, are linked to many other organizations in different countries, including the Egyptian Islamic Jihad, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan. (Transcript of Pres. Bush's Address) Thanks to Pres. Bush's constant quoting of verified information from government sources such as the American CIA and British MI6, all the listeners deduced that their president had the credibility to deliver the information and, therefore, must be telling the truth. By using persuasive and highly descriptive information regarding the advent of the Al-Qaeda, Pres. Bush was able to garner unprecedented national and international support that was necessary in order to mount the war on terror. He explained in his own colorful and highly descriptive words that: The evidence we have gathered, all points to a collection of loosely affiliated terrorist organizations known as Al Qaeda. They are some of the murderers indicted for bombing American embassies in Tanzania and Kenya and responsible for bombing the USS Cole. Al Qaeda is to terror what the Mafia is to crime. However, its goal is not making money; its goal is remaking the world and imposing

The role of accounting in the collapse or failure of Allco Essay

The role of accounting in the collapse or failure of Allco - Essay Example Causes of the Collapse of Allco Corporate collapse of Allco occurred like many other collapses but reasons of other collapses had been different than with Allco, which collapsed due to duality of the positions of the chairman and the CEO, the two topmost positions in the company, i.e., one of the chairman and the other of the chief executive were managed by the same person, by late David Coe. Media identified Coe as the executive chairman although later Bob Mansfield was the chairman and David Clarke, the chief executive (Walters, 2013). Financial environment worldwide was particularly not conducive otherwise but Allco suffered from the deficiency in corporate mechanism as board of corporate governance behaved like a private company. Criticality of Board Independence Board independence is very critical factor in the scheme of corporate things. The Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) has very clearly advised not to lead the two roles of chairman and chief executive officer by the dit to person. There has never been any ambiguity over this recommendation. Freedom of the board has been from the very beginning the leading principle of good corporate governance, as defined in the preamble of ASX. This issue is linked to the sound health of the capital markets, which has been central to the Australian economy. Take for example the case of Enron where the positions of the CEO and the chairman were managed by Kenneth Lay. Enron collapsed because of cheating and corruption of 18 years in securities (Walters, 2013). The same cannot be said about Allco that it cheated and practised corrupt practices but members of the board were found to be in compromising positions when it came to the issue of loan to one of its associate companies, the Allco Principles Trust (APT). Corporate Mechanism at Allco Former chief executive of Allco, David Clarke revealed the complicated corporate mechanism of the Company, which at one time had a market value of $5 billion and in 2008 it came r olling down to owing above $1 billion, affecting 50 related companies, facing settlement. The fall back in structured finance reduced the share price to almost half in late 2007. An associate company APT was given a loan of $50 million to ensure that margin calls do not bring down Allco share price. The leading shareholders of APT were holding senior executive level positions in Allco with Allco shares as capital (Lannin, 2010). Connection between Stock Prices and Earnings The relation between stock prices and earnings inspire managers to practice earning management. Generally, it is observed that public firms show increased discretionary accruals. Managers are additionally inspired to fulfil the stock market expectations of shareholders. They are motivated to leverage income before listing in stock market, for securing investors’ interests and outcomes of earning management can reflect on the capital market (Soffer et al., 2000). Functions of Allco Board A company’s b oard caters to the stakes of its shareholders, as executives are too busy in day-to-day management of the company. It is the responsibility of the chairperson to ensure that shareholders’ funds are invested to earn nice dividends. In the present condition, shareholders felt very unrelated and ignorant where their funds were invested and what role their super funds were playing in corporate governance (Walters, 2013).

Enterprise Rent A Car Case Analysis Commerce Essay

Enterprise Rent A Car Case Analysis Commerce Essay With a vast network of over 6,000 rental locations and 850,000 cars, Enterprise Rent-A-Car is the largest rental car company in the United States. In fact, based on these statistics alone one can evaluate Enterprise as a success story. Indeed, the company offers a unique and customer friendly service such as picking up customers and taking them to the rental office. Enterprise has developed many assets that provide competitive advantages, such as proprietary computer applications. The company carefully cultivates and trains its employees in a methodology that is highly useful for its business while also receiving accolades from peer organizations. By focusing on local rental opportunities, Enterprise has successfully continued growing its business against rivals such as Avis and Hertz, while keeping up with current trends. At the same time, the company has been able to open up more opportunities through its recent growth of the car sharing market. Additionally, the business model tha t Enterprise runs can be deemed largely successful as it has been able to accomplish many of the goals that Enterprise has established. Moreover, as popularized through its now famous commercials, Well pick you up Enterprise has been able to demonstrate its philosophy to its customer base. This slogan clearly states that at its core, Enterprise is all about customer service, making rental easier for its customers by picking customers up and taking them to the rental office. Yet this only scratches the surface in terms of understanding the broad and effective customer service programs that Enterprise employs. In fact, through extensive research, Enterprise has learned that customer loyalty was driven not only by just the idea of customer satisfaction, but by ensuring that customers were indeed completely satisfied. This distinction between satisfaction and complete satisfaction was as result of Enterprises customer service researched that revealed local renters ranked ratings for completed satisfaction based on three criteria such employees attitude and helpfulness, speed of the transaction as well as the cleanliness of the vehicle. If 70% of the customers were completely satisfied (checking off all three criteria) then such customers were deemed as completely satisfied and likely to be repeat customers where as if the satisfaction figure was at 22%, this meant these customers are less likely to be repeat customers of Enterprise. Thus in this way, complete satisfaction meant repeat business for Enterprise. In fact, a total commitment to complete customer satisfaction is engrained within the Enterprise culture, and is best exemplified by the Enterprise Service Quality Index, a proprietary evaluative tool designed by Enterprise to measure customer satisfaction. Enterprise also has sought competitive advantage by developing tools and assets that its competition failed to duplicate. In fact, from early in its history, Enterprise has chosen to focus on local rentals, leaving airport rentals as the focus of a large number of its rental competitors. Enterprise has dominated the insurance rental market not only by applying for and becoming preferred providers, but also because the company has provided its clients insurance companies a direct interface into Enterprise reservation system, empowering the insurance companies to make reservations for their customers. Thus, in this way, the company essentially has invested heavily to create its clients insurance companies their own proprietary software reservation system, allowing them to supply the specific features most needed tailored to their needs while also avoiding the licensing fees and other challenges associated with a third party software application. The company is very choosy with the types of employees it hires, and considers its employees and training program to be of critical importance. The training of personnel by Enterprise begins at recruitment, with an expectation that each employee will slowly rise through the ranks of the company by earning each step they take. This provides the employees with a full understanding of how Enterprise prefers to do business and a full commitment to the eight founding values of the company. There is a clear promotion path that is laid out before them, so employees understand at all times that they have a future with the company as long as they are willing to work for it. Employees are empowered at Enterprise, as the company views each branch location as a separate, semi-autonomous little company within their network. Although a high turnover rate would be of concern to most companies that experience the level of turnover that Enterprise does, the Enterprise business model is such that beca use the company places its employees in such a competitive environment, higher turnover is expected and is accounted for through additional recruitment efforts. Thus Enterprise feels that this makes its employees more driven to succeed, thereby attaining higher levels of performance as a result. From a competitive standpoint, both Avis and Hertz have made efforts to enter the local car rental market that Enterprise dominates. It is hard to see how these two companies can be nearly as successful in this market as Enterprise because of the companys unique positioning with insurance companies as a preferred provider. As long as Enterprise maintains this position and continues to tap into new growth strategies such as shared car rentals, it should be successful in maintaining its leadership status within the local rental category. In addition, car sharing is a current growth market that many companies such as Enterprise and Hertz and investing into in order to grow. There are multiple considerations that explain the interest of this segment to customers, such as environmental considerations of reducing car ownership, less expense for renting a few hours versus days, and convenience for those who do not wish or need to have a car full time. In areas such as large cities or college universities, the appeal is very clear and significant. With the largest network of local car rental offices, Enterprise should have easier access to this new market since the can easily offer car sharing option as an added service to customers from their existing locations. In fact, both Hertz and Enterprise are developing contracts with universities, corporate campuses, and municipalities. Therefore, Enterprise should continue this expansion in order to achieve a leadership status within this rental category. In order to properly evaluate the Enterprise Rent-A-Car business model and determine its success, the Enterprise Service Quality Index (ESQi) was developed through extensive customer research. ESQi evaluates each location branch in its ability to deliver complete customer satisfaction. This index provides a specific measurement for each location branch through surveying of customers. In this way, the branches are essentially put into competition with each other, and compensation is based partially on performance criteria. Enterprise strives to achieve balance across its branches to remain consistent with respect to customer service. The main goal of the company is to increase the number of customers who are described as completely satisfied. Therefore, based on both criteria, Enterprise is considered to be effective in its customer service efforts. In fact, within a ten year period, the ESQi index increased from 67% to 80% for those customers considered completely satisfied. In addit ion, the gap between the best service and worst service branch locations narrow from twenty eight points to nine points over the same time period. Moreover, tools and assets can be evaluated based on the success of sales and achievement of customer satisfaction. Human resources methodology such as hiring and training were also assessed through employee retention, industry accolades and employee achievements. Furthermore, Enterprise has continued successfully in forging ahead in the local car segment based on the companys market growth and penetration. Of course, how effective Enterprise will be in the growing car sharing market remains to be seen, although at this point the success rate can easily be determined by what has been accomplished, and how well Enterprise is positioned to move forward. Based on the current evaluation, the company has been successful thus far in these areas as well. Other tools and assets that are considered to have made a difference at Enterprise such as linking and empowering insurance companies that use Enterprise as its preferred provider to the companys reservation system, proprietary software that runs the Enterprise reservation system, and the companys focus on customer service through proprietary software applications. Enterprise holds a dominant position in the insurance car market, enabling insurance companies to better serve their customers. The proprietary software better services customers as it is totally customized to the Enterprise business model. This proprietary software also provides additional services to the insurance companies by providing direct access to the status of repair work on vehicles, notifying them when repair work is complete and lowering their car rental expenses as a result. In these ways, Enterprise has indeed effectively reached its objective. Employee retention is a potential issue for Enterprise. While the company does compensate through additional recruitment efforts, twenty five percent of new hires leave the company after six months, undoubtedly increasing recruitment costs. On the other hand, Enterprise is considered among the top 50 companies to launch a career by Businessweek magazine, and the company has articulated a clear career track that provides employees with knowledge that there is a future at Enterprise. Another important consideration is employee achievements. The company does provide many awards and recognition for those employees who are considered to have achieved excellence and it is notable that many of the companys service innovations were created by branch managers and their teams. One such innovation that was created in the field is what arguably Enterprise is best known for, which is picking up customers and bringing them to the rental office. Enterprise is considered effective in this category a s well, although it would be a good idea for Enterprise to increase its effectiveness by exploring ways to increase employee retention, perhaps through additional management training and conducting internal surveys to determine the right course of action in this realm. Additionally, Enterprises continued success in the local car market is virtually ensured through its close partnership with insurance companies and status as a preferred provider. The additional services Enterprise has provided to the insurance companies, such as access to its reservation system and the ability to check on the status of car repairs, augment their position in this market. Indeed, in this way Enterprise has a fundamental strength in the local car segment and its business model has been very effective. Moreover, the car sharing market has proven to be an area of growth for Enterprise, having successfully brought on dozens of partners such as universities, corporate campuses, and cities. There are competitors such as Zipcar that are larger in this segment, yet such competitors are currently not profitable. Hertz is also growing in this area and they appear to have a larger presence at this point than Enterprise. Of course, although Enterprise has been effective at expanding into this new area whether the company can continue to be effective still remains to be seen. While not a direct part of the evaluation, there are other tangible advantages within the business model of Enterprise. As the largest rental car company in the United States, Enterprise enjoys the status of industry leader, and perceptually there are advantages to this status. Historically Enterprise has maintained very low overhead in many types of expenses, which is achieved through limited national advertising and employee incentives to keep operational costs down. Finally, in conjunction to insurance local rental market, Enterprise also has enjoyed a large share of the leisure discretionary rental market. Enterprises fleet management program is also unique and advantageous, as this program handles the sales of its own used rental cars without being locked into a specific car manufacturer for new car purchases like most of competitors.

MBA 820, Finance, Summer 2005, Final Exam :: OSU Ohio Business Finance

MBA 820, Finance, Summer 2005, Final Exam OSU Ohio State University Answer Key Included Part I: Multiple-Choice: [1 point each] 1. If the Markets Desk at the New York Federal Reserve Bank purchases T-bills, this will: 1. Increase the Federal Funds Rate 2. Decrease the Federal Funds Rate 3. Raise the value of the dollar on the foreign exchange market 4. Lower the value of the dollar on the foreign exchange market 5. Both a and c 6. Both a and d 7. Both b and c 8. Both b and d 2. Demand influences production according to (choose the answer/answers that does/do NOT apply): 1. Classical Economics 2. Keynesian Economics 3. Monetarists 4. New Classical Economics 5. New Keynesian Economics 3. For a country to peg its exchange rate, the country’s central bank must (choose the answer/answers that does/do NOT apply): 1. Keep monetary autonomy 2. Change the money supply 3. Buy short term bonds 4. Buy foreign exchange 5. Accumulate reserves 4. GDP in 1981 was $2.96 trillion. It grew to $3.07 trillion in 1982, yet the quantity of output actually decreased. This is because: 1. Prices increased 2. GDP is not the same as Real GDP 3. Statistical discrepancies caused in error in the 1981 reading 4.

Learning the Culture and Language of the Media: A Critique

This article emphasized the necessity of learning the culture, norms and language that media uses in order to establish a mutually beneficial relationship between the media publisher (i.e. newspaper organizations) and another institution requiring publicity specifically academic institutions.Mass media plays a significant role in academic institutions in terms of promoting its programs, conveying a reputed image and establishing accountability and transparency.   Academic institutions on the other hand not only serve as sources of important news information (i.e. scientific breakthroughs) but of expert opinion which are necessary to reinforce the truth of the reports, which is the moral duty of journalists as public servants.The rest of the article elaborates on the different components of culture and language in media that needs to be understood by academic institutions which included: honesty, accuracy and reliability, importance of timeliness, sense of respect and ethics, restri ctions of news holes, consideration of readership, and significant differences in language or jargon, among others.Following Bredemeir and Stephenson (1962), sociology is an effort to illuminate as much as human behavior within the limits imposed by a scientific frame of reference and focusing attention on culture and groupness. This article features the unique framework in which journalist approach media publication in contrast to the framework of academicians or people in academic institutions.For instance, the concept of timeliness, readership and newsholes are crucial elements in mass publication that strictly impose restrictions on editorial priorities, which may run in conflict with an academician’s concept of newsworthiness and appropriateness of publication.   Thus, there are times when journalists are unable to immediately accommodate the news suggestions or features contributed by academic institutions.One of the most important things that this article emphasized is the business nature of mass media.   As business entities, news organizations try to balance newsworthiness and public service with the need to create a news product that retains readers and attracts new subscriptions on which depend their advertisements and sponsors, which often repulsively occupies the largest space in the paper to the disgust of readers.   One should understand that these advertisements constitute the bread and butter of news organizations.â€Å"It is important to understand the demographics of the news organization's readership to see if it corresponds with the demographics of the audience you're trying to reach† (Yee).   Editorial priorities and contents should match the orientation and demographics of the readership.   This is important in deciding which newspaper organization to use for an article or news you wish to publish.For instance, if one’s contributed article concerns a local initiative or statute (e.g. California Health and S afety Code on animal welfare), then it would be advisable to choose a local newspaper.   If it’s a highly technical breakthrough that concerns only a group of people (e.g. discovering a bug of the Windows Operating System), then it should published in an IT Newspaper.   But if the issue you tackle is a national or global concern (e.g. discovery for the treatment of N1H1 virus), then a national newspaper should selected.While the article was profoundly educational and informative, there is one issue averred by the author that needs further analysis and evaluation. Describing mutual relationships with mass media using C.T. Daniel, the author asserted that â€Å"relationships (with mass media) are governed by strict ethical standards and do not involve expectations for returned favors.†Daniel only adheres to the importance of honesty in media relations but the author incorrectly or inadvertently stated this as a matter of fact.   Everybody may have been familiar tha t the media had been used to condition people’s thinking and control their behavior through propaganda.   Harold Lasswell pioneered in recognizing the use of mass media for propaganda to control opinion and manipulate people which entailed a discrepancy between the information and the message conveyed among people.   (Heath and Bryant).Moreover, journalists are also humans who are subjected to commit errors.   Thus, contrary to the article, readers should not accept or absorb the information provided by newspapers plainly but should still remain evaluative and analytical in the news and articles that news organizations provide.Works Cited:Bredemeir, HC, & Stephenson, RM The analysis of social systems. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1962Heath, R. and Bryant, J. Human Communication Theory and Research: Concepts, Contexts, and Challenges. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 2000Jennifer A. Yee   Ã¢â‚¬Å"Learning the Culture and Language of the Media† ERIC Educational Reports. FindArticles.com. 01 Jun, 2009. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_pric/is_200009/ai_3530272867/  

Santa Ana Winds Ap Lang Essays

Santa Ana Winds Ap Lang Essays Santa Ana Winds Ap Lang Essay Santa Ana Winds Ap Lang Essay Santa Ana Winds Passage Ap Lang In the piece, Joan Didion describes the Santa Ana Winds which hit Los Angeles every so often. The winds are seen as a threatening issue, as Didion describes them as dangerous and unwanted. The passage portrays her view on the Santa Ana winds as something horrendous that makes a dramatic effect on the inhabitants of Los Angeles. In the first paragraph Didion begins by describing the eerie feeling in the air with words that connote an anxious tone, such as uneasy, unnatural, and tension. She does not mention what she is describing in her piece until the next aragraph, which creates suspense and gives the reader the impression that the subject she speaks of is a terrible thing. Once she reveals the subject, the Santa Ana Winds, the piece gains a certain emphasis and the reader instantly connects it with being malevolent. Didion also depicts the scene which many denizens of the Los Angeles area will encounter during the Santa Ana period: For a few days now we will see smoke back in the canyons, and hear sirens in the night (239). In this excerpt she describes how the wind will cause many fires and maybe even deaths, which give the impression that the winds are very dangerous. The author remember how due to the wind [She] rekindle[d] a waning argument with the telephone company (239). The argument had weakened but the winds evoked a rage inside her that burst into uncontrollable actions, revealing how the wind negatively altered her emotions and actions. In the second paragraph of the passage Didion describes the Los Angeles area during the Santa Ana period. The author recalls being told that the Indians would throw themselves into the sea when the bad wind blew (239). This creates an image of the wind being a feared force, which was horrible enough to make native-Americans run and hide. She also depicts the yellow glow in the sky which is sometimes called earthquake weather. Earthquakes are destructive and significantly alter human behavior as they create disparity in the habitant. This clearly reveals that Didion believes that winds are Just as destructive as an Earthquake except the winds do their deeds by activating mechanistic behaviors. Her neighbor, during the Santa Ana period, would tell [her] that he had heard a trespasser, [and] next a rattlesnake (239). This image reveals the winds negatively altering her neighbors emotions and mental state. He becomes increasingly paranoid, defensive, and violent. In the first half of the third paragraph Didion starts off with a quote, every booze party ends in a fght. Meek little wives feel the edge of the carving knife and study their husbands necks. Anything can happen (239). By using a second view of the winds, she grabs the readers attention and also adds to the credibility of her opinion. The quote also emphasized the fluctuation of human actions due to the Santa Ana wind. The author adds that the basis for the effect is also backed by science and further personifies the wind by describing it as malevolent. Although she contradicts herself, she still gets her point across fairly well. She also adds how the doctors hear about headaches and nausea and allergies, about nervousness, about depression (239). In this sentence fragment Didion uses parallelism in order to show a connection between the symptoms which are all caused by the same Santa Ana wind, making them seem more malignant then they really are. In the second half of the final paragraph Didion begins using facts, saying that the children become unmanageable the suicide rate goes up[. ] and in the courts of some Swiss cantons the wind is considered a mitigating circumstance for crime (239). The author uses pathos to get the reader to see how the winds ause people to go wild. Their brains are negatively impacted by the wind. Near the end of the passage the author uses a periodic sentence: In any case that positive ions are there, and what an excess of positive ions does,9in the simplest terms, is make people unhappy (239). Didion uses a periodic sentence to emphasize that ultimately the winds cause unhappiness and despair in the people of Los Angeles. This sums up her opinion throughout the entire piece. Overall, Didion views the Santa Ana winds as pernicious to humans. She uses syntax, imagery, and diction to unveil and reveal her opinion to the reader.

Biography of Sir Seretse Khama, African Statesman

Biography of Sir Seretse Khama, African Statesman Seretse Khama (July 1, 1921–July 13, 1980) was the first prime minister and president of Botswana. Overcoming political resistance to his interracial marriage, he became the countrys first post-colonial leader and served from 1966 to his death in 1980. During his tenure, he oversaw Botswanas rapid economic development. Fast Facts: Sir Seretse Khama Known For:  First prime minister and president of post-colonial Botswana  Born:  July 1, 1921 in Serowe,  British Protectorate  of  BechuanalandParents: Tebogo Kebailele and  Sekgoma Khama IIDied:  July 13, 1980 in Gaborone,  BotswanaEducation: Fort Hare College, South Africa; Balliol College, Oxford, England; the Inner Temple, London, EnglandPublished Works: From the Frontline: Speeches of Sir Seretse KhamaSpouse: Ruth Williams KhamaChildren: Jacqueline Khama,  Ian Khama,  Tshekedi Khama II, Anthony KhamaNotable Quote: It should now be our intention to try to retrieve what we can of our past. We should write our own history books to prove that we did have a past, and that it was a past that was just as worth writing and learning about as any other. We must do this for the simple reason that a nation without a past is a lost nation, and a people without a past is a people without a soul.   Early Life Seretse Khama was born in Serowe,  British Protectorate  of  Bechuanaland,  on July 1, 1921. His grandfather Kgama III was paramount chief (Kgosi) of the Bama-Ngwato, part of the Tswana people of the region. Kgama III had traveled to London in 1885, leading a delegation which asked for Crown protection to be given to Bechuanaland, foiling the empire building ambitions of Cecil Rhodes and the incursions of the Boers. Kgama III died in 1923 and the paramountcy briefly passed to his son Sekgoma II, who died two years later. At the age of 4, Seretse Khama effectively became Kgosi and his uncle Tshekedi Khama was made regent. Studying in Oxford and London Seretse Khama was educated in South Africa and graduated from Fort Hare College in 1944 with a Bachelors degree. In 1945 he left for England to study law- initially for a year at Balliol College, Oxford, and then at the Inner Temple, London. In June 1947, Seretse Khama first met Ruth Williams, a WAAF ambulance driver during World War II who was working as a clerk at Lloyds. Their marriage in September 1948 threw southern Africa into political turmoil. Repercussions of  Mixed Marriage The apartheid government in South Africa had banned interracial marriages and the marriage of a black chief to a British white woman was a problem. The British government feared that South Africa would invade Bechuanaland or that it would immediately move for full independence. This was particularly a concern for Britain because it was still heavily in debt after World War II. Britain could not afford to lose the mineral wealth of South Africa, especially gold and uranium (needed for Britains atomic bomb projects). Mixed Marriage Controversy Resolved Back in Bechuanaland, the regent Tshekedi, Khamas uncle, was annoyed. He attempted to disrupt the marriage and demanded that Seretse return home to have it annulled. Seretse came back immediately and was received by Tshekedi with the words, You Seretse, come here ruined by others, not by me. Seretse fought hard to persuade the Bama-Ngwato people of his continued suitability as chief. On June 21, 1949, at a Kgotla (a meeting of the elders) he was declared Kgosi and his new wife was warmly welcomed. Fit to Rule Seretse Khama returned to Britain to continue with his law studies, but he was met with a Parliamentary investigation into his suitability for the chieftaincy. While Bechuanaland was under its protection, Britain claimed the right to ratify any succession. Unfortunately for the British government, the investigations report concluded that Seretse was eminently fit to rule. The British subsequently suppressed the report for 30 years. Seretse and his wife were banished from Bechuanaland in 1950. Nationalist Hero Under international pressure for its apparent racism, Britain relented and allowed Seretse Khama and his wife to return to Bechuanaland in 1956. They could return on the condition that both he and his uncle renounced their claim to the chieftaincy. What the British did not expect was the political acclaim that six years of exile had given him back home. Seretse Khama was seen as a nationalist hero. In 1962 Seretse founded the Bechuanaland Democratic Party and campaigned for multi-racial reform. Elected Prime Minister High on Seretse Khamas agenda was a need for democratic self-government and he pushed the British authorities hard for independence. In 1965, the center of Bechuanaland government was moved from Mafikeng, South Africa, to the newly established capital of Gaborone. Seretse Khama was elected as Prime Minister. When the country achieved independence on September 30, 1966, Seretse became the first president of the Republic of Botswana. He was reelected twice and died in office in 1980. President of Botswana Seretse Khama used his influence with the countrys various ethnic groups and traditional chiefs to create a strong, democratic government. During his rule, Botswana had the most rapidly growing economy of the world (starting from a point of great poverty). The discovery of diamond deposits allowed the government to finance the creation of new social infrastructure. The countrys second major export resource, beef, allowed for the development of wealthy entrepreneurs. International Roles While in power, Seretse Khama refused to allow neighboring liberation movements to establish camps in Botswana but permitted transit to camps in Zambia. This resulted in several raids from South Africa and Rhodesia. Khama also played a prominent role in the negotiated transition from white minority rule in Rhodesia to multi-racial rule in Zimbabwe. He was also a key negotiator in the creation of the Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC) which was launched in April 1980, shortly before his death. Death On July 13, 1980, Seretse Khama died in office of pancreatic cancer. He was buried in the Royal Cemetery. Quett Ketumile Joni Masire, his vice president, took office and served (with reelection) until March 1998. Legacy Botswana was a poor and internationally obscure country when Seretse Khama became its first post-colonial leader. At the time of his death, Khama had led Botswana to become more economically developed and increasingly democratic. It had become an important broker in Southern African politics. Since Seretse Khamas death, Botswanan politicians and cattle barons have begun to dominate the countrys economy, to the detriment of the working classes. The situation is more serious for the minority Bushman peoples, which form 6% of the countrys population, with pressure for land around the Okavango Delta increasing as cattle ranchers and mines move in. Sources Khama, Seretse.  From the Frontline: Speeches of Sir Seretse Khama. Hoover Institute Press, 1980.Sahoboss. â€Å"President Seretse Khama.†Ã‚  South African History Online, 31 August 2018.â€Å"Seretse Khama 1921–80.†Ã‚  Sir Seretse Khama.

Topics to be Investigated Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Topics to be Investigated - Research Paper Example An Evaluation of the Extent to Which Social, Economic, and Environmental Factors Influence the Process of Waste Disposal Waste disposal is a process that involves myriad activities and also brings on board different stakeholders that play different roles. Social, economic, and environmental factors are the likely critical aspects that influence waste disposal and management. While the activities, stakeholders, and influential factors are known, the extent to which these factors influence the process of waste disposal is fundamental to assess, evaluate and subsequently discover. The operational relationship between the activities, stakeholders, and influential factors in the process are uncertain or unknown, making necessary to discover this relationship. Research problem: Social, economic, and environmental factors influence waste disposal processes, but the magnitude and extent of this influence need to be researched. Paradigm Shifts in the Use of Alternative Green Energy Sources in Combating Climate Change Climate change has persistently become a global issue, with the trends in global warming and climate change, in general, showing an over the years increase. This has raised the need for the alternative use of green energy sources in order to try and reverse the contemporary trends in climate change. The paradigm shift from the use of pollutant energy sources to the use of green energy sources in combating climate change is a critical aspect of discovering. This follows the fact that the substitution of alternative sources of energy is personally uncertain.

Cultural landscape Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Cultural landscape - Essay Example The economic status of the region is better than in other parts of the United States. The educational system is superb which provides its youth with opportunities for growth and professional development. One of the greatest virtues of Atlantic City is the diversity of its people. Religion plays a big part in the cultural landscape of a region. For instance in the Middle East religion affects the daily lives of its people evidence by the fact of the existence of a holy war that has lasted centuries. In my region religion influences the people positively because it helps build moral and ethical standards. Some of the religions that are practiced in my community include Roman Catholicism, United Methodist, Muslims, Evangelical Lutheran, Episcopal, Presbyterian, and Baptist. The religion that is practiced the most in Atlantic City is Roman Catholicism with a participation rate of 61.4% of the population (City-data). People in Atlantic City have a wide variety of religions to choose from. The religious movement in Atlantic City has helped a lot people especially the

The Puritan Dilemma Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Puritan Dilemma - Essay Example the new colony, including several deaths and several colonists returning to England, the situation in the new world has changed dramatically and we have seen a great number of new settlers arrive and settle in our area. We have found a favorable place to settle with a beautiful harbor and enjoy a great deal of freedom in practicing our religion as we see fit. This is the greatest reason why one should choose to move to our colony even should it be necessary to practice some untruth to escape the oppressive nature of the kingdom by obtaining licensing to Virginia and then traveling to Massachusetts. Under Winthrop’s guidance, the colony has done very well. We had a good start thanks to Winthrop’s efforts in carefully selecting our founding colonists to be God-fearing men and women with a good variety of skills that would be helpful in the new world. Of the first 1000 settlers, we had coopers, sawyers, doctors, pastors and other skilled workers and planters as well as an enormous supply of provisions against our first few years of establishment. The first few struggles in which some of the colonists suffered illness and death and others left feeling the new world was not for them included the death of Winthrop’s son and the surprise of finding earlier settlers dispirited and starving upon our arrival. However, thanks to Winthrop’s guidance and planning, we were not concerned about survival within our first year of foundation and have even found a means of communicating amicably with our wild neighbors. It is one of the great dilemmas of our Puritan beliefs that we must often balance our decisions between life and God. Our excellent governor tells us to contemplate â€Å"the problem of doing right in a world that does wrong† (Morgan, 1998: 203). Winthrop tells us about his love for hunting which is to such an extent that he realizes he should not take such pleasure in it if he is to properly serve God. â€Å"Puritanism required that man refrain from

Adaptive effectiveness Essay Example for Free

Adaptive effectiveness Essay The business environment is dynamic and changes constantly thus making it complex. As a result, our understanding of the environment and ability to predict its response to management actions becomes limited. In conjunction with the changing social values, a knowledge gap emerges which results in ambiguity regarding the most appropriate way to manage an organization. Despite the ambiguity, managers have to make decisions and implement organizational plans. An adaptive model of management therefore comes into perspective in providing a proper way for managers to proceed sensibly with their decisions and plans in the face of uncertainties (Nyberg, 1999). An adaptive model of management can be valuable to organizations in testing, refining and improving their policies and objectives. Despite the fact that development and implementation of organizational policies and objectives is based on the best available information and expertise, the organization is required to implement numerous new and experimental strategies. See more:  Masters of Satire: John Dryden and Jonathan Swift Essay In such situations, the organization is faced with questions regarding how best to implement the strategies such that they are aligned with its objectives and the best actions for the implementation (Nyberg, 1999). In addressing such questions effectively, an adaptive model offers the most appropriate approach. An adaptive model of management entails â€Å"integration of design, management, and monitoring to systematically test assumptions in order to adapt and learn† (Salafsky, Margoluis Redford, 2001). A comprehensive research is incorporated into conservation action to ensure the model is effective and produces best results. Moreover, the model seeks to use management intercession as a tool to examine the functioning of the ecosystem through testing of its key hypothesis (Resilience Alliance, 2010). Uncertainties are first identified and methodologies for testing their hypotheses are established. In addition to management being utilized as a tool for changing the system, it is also used as a tool for learning about the system. This paper seeks to explore the Model of Accessing Adaptive Effectiveness in organizations and its role in the realization of organizational success. The appreciative inquiry approach, a technique that supplements the adaptive model, will be examined as a result of its influence on organizational changes. Moreover, in probing the adaptive model, business impact assessment is crucial in evaluating the changes realized and their effects on the organization’s position. This paper will therefore examine the features of this model and its impact on organizational changes.

American Express Quality Management Marketing Essay

American Express Quality Management Marketing Essay Problem Statement- American Express using Quality Management to Excel in a Highly-Competitive Niche Market. Business Executive Exclusive Perks Card from U.S. Express (The BEEP Card) Do we launch with current levels of Business commitment in the field? Organizational Background American Express is a diversified global financal services company that was founded just prior to the American Civil War. It is best known for its business line of charge cards, travelers checks, and in fact, holds about 25 percent of the total credit card transactions in United States, largely because of its perks and programs focusing on American business (Chenault, 2009). American Express does not really sell anything tangible. Yes, they have some merchandise, but their primary focus for the consumer is to get as many American Express cards into the hands of qualified customers as possible. Money is generated through the fees charged to retailers and credit card clearing houses. But, American Express is essentially branded as a service-oriented business topnotch service that customers receive in their interaction with all U.S. Express staff (Bihlmier, 2002). One of the reasons American Express has been so successful to date, despite the ups and downs of the economy, is its focus on customer experience and branding that experience into something that feels tangible, even though it is not tangible. They have done this through enhancement of the customer experience from initial contact through final payment, tagging celebrities for endorsements, and branding the experience (McCarthy, 2005; Davis, 2010; americanexpress.com). Thus, for many businessmen, American Express is more of an experience they can call the company 24/7, 365 days per year in an emergency, have funds delivered or charges authorized by phone; they can received discounts on hotels, car rentals, meals, and even special events. Being an American Express member has its perks. And, with the new BEEP card, specifically designed for that upper echelon of corporate executive, the experience offered will be even more customized and special. Literature Review Even with billions in global assets, however, American Expresss business model is tied to the economic pulse of the business world. As one of the top rated charge cards for business and corporate use, the fiscal crises of the last few years has negatively impacted the company, and in November 2008, American Express won Federal Reserve System approval to covert its operation to a bank holding company, which made it eligible for government subsidies under the Troubled Assets Relief Program, which, at that time consisted of over $127 billion (Lanman, 2008). This troubling trend was serious enough for the Fed to waive its typical 30-day waiting period, and was the result in credit-card holders failure to repay loans at almost twice the rate of 2007. Indeed, one of the major strategic weaknesses of American Express is its tie to the economic health of the global financial markets American Express following the trends by posting several quarter profit declines even with some segments showing upturns. Given the continued volatility in the financial markets, we want to be best positioned to take advantage of the various programs the federal government has introduced. We will [also] continue to build a larger deposit base to broaden our funding sources (CEO Kenneth Chenault, Ibid). American Express is a large enough company, with core values in banking, financial services, travel, and corporate/personal credit and charge cards. They have a Strategic Planning Group that operates consulting services to management of all its business units, and also services as a conduit for executive level recruiting. (American Express Strategic Planning Group). The business model for American Express consists of several major sections, (See Figure 1) with the top grossing centers: 1) Discount Revenue from card transactions (53%); 2) Interest from card member lending services (revolving charge cards) (13%); 3) Fees from cards, travel, and other holding feeds (23% combined) (American Express Summary, WikiInvest). American Express acknowledged that 2008 was a tough year and that they are tied very closely with the spending patterns of businesses and executive cardholders in particular, the dismal performance of both the 2007 and 2008 Holiday seasons in luxury goods. Additionally, the impact of the ENRON, Arthur Anderson, and even Automobile Industry issues may force additional oversight and regulation upon American Expresss financial services division. Tactically, the company has instituted several short- and mid-range solutions to improve its financial volatility: 1) Adjust models in lending to reduce high-risk, cancel certain accounts, reduce lines of credit, and limit new cardmembers; 2) Manage risk to improve profits; 3) Enhancing services for businesses and cardmembers experiencing difficulty in order to prevent defaults (2008 Annual Report, p. 5). Strategically, the company has decided on the actions of: Reengineering Control of costs, cut back spending in every area of the business; increase efficiency and reduce or eliminate activities that were not supporting the companys highest priorities, including the elimination of 10% of the global workforce (7,000 jobs). Benefits of $1.8 billion are expected as a result of this reengineering. Partnerships Forging new Co-Branded partnerships in key international markets, primarily in the Far East and Australia. Signing 13 new partnerships and launching 130 new products with banks that issue American Express-branded cards globally. Servicing Improving servicing aspect and offering more opportunities than competitive products this resulted in earning the J.D. Power and Associates Customer Satisfaction Award. Business partnerships Even in a down economy, partnerships with businesses will continue to help American Express grow its revenue partnering in the B2B aspect will improve the ready income, while continuing to provide greater incentives for additional partnerships. (Ibid, p. 8). American Express has been through recessionary times before, and has emerged even stronger utilizing its core values and strategies. Marketing And Advertising On of the key factors in the improvement of American Express in the market is the continual thrust of its brand. American Express has taken branding to a new level one who has moved from the outmoded mold of 1960s marketing, humorously described in the III Series MADMEN,  [1]  to a more centered approach that makes every employee, essentially, a brand manager: American Express. American Express does not actually sell anything tangible. Yes, they have some American Express merchandise, but their primary focus for the consumer is to get as many American Express cards into the hands of qualified customers as possible. Money is generated through the fees charged to retailers and credit card clearing houses. But, American Express is essentially branded as a service-oriented business top notch service that customers receive in their interaction with all American Express staff (American Express Joe Bihlmier interview, 2002). American Express has done this w ith a few simple, yet very powerful, changes to its business paradigm: Customer Contact Every step of the American Express experience has been refined to be different and competitive from all other credit and charge card companies. Employees are highly trained, speak English in a professional manner, and rather than take the offensive on certain situations, begin the discussion with the customer as the #1 priority. Accuracy of Statement American Express statements are double and triple checked for accuracy, with an ease of back up data available at a moments notice. Since American Express realizes that most use is for business, they have organized their statement into categories that make it easier for the employee to report. Business Cards American Express wants large businesses, and has made it easier for company employees to receive cards and generate only their receipts back to the company. American Express will customize reports, by employee and category, for larger companies accounting management, and for some, even deliver it electronically based on their individual needs. Ease of Disputing a Charge Again, American Express assumes the client is right, and with a simple phone call, will act as an advocate for any unauthorized charges (AmericanExpress.com). Utilizing celebrities as role models Instead of having a celebrity simply pitch a product, American Express has taken two different views of improving its brand using celebrities. The celebrities actually USE the product, their names are printed on the card, and not only are they shown in their particular field of expertise (e.g. Tiger Woods, Robert DiNero, etc.), but the company has ads that play off popular archetypes (e.g. the movie CaddyShack, etc.) (McCarthy, 2005). Differential Branding Now, not only does American Express offer the Gold and Green cards, but a blue and red card, with different cards supporting credit customers (as opposed to charge customers), and the Product RED, which supports the fight against Aids, and other environmental causes. For example, one AmEx commercial shows a sexy model near a traditional Masai warrior; the model holds the RED card and says, It doesnt make you feel so guilty about spending your money! (American Express, 2007). Thus, for many businessmen, American Express is more of an experience they can call the company 24/7, 365 days per year in an emergency, have funds delivered or charges authorized by phone; they can receive discounts on hotels, car rentals, meals, and even special events. Being an American Express member, has its perks (See Appendix A Examples of American Express Branding). American Express seems to excel at creating the strategy from the outside in, rather than the typical product management idea of inside out this strategy has shown an increase in brand recognition, whether or not those consumers utilize the product at present. Thus, that recognition, as the population ages and is able to afford participating in the American Express experience is more of a marketing investment strategy, long-term, than it is a complete short-term blip (Atstiel, 2005). The Problem/Challenge The design and conformance quality are both strategic management issues that, for a company with a demographic like American Express, are vital for the success of their product. For a merchant, American Express is significantly more expensive than MasterCard or Visa, takes longer to be reimbursed, and has less flexibility in discount rates. Instead, it is the very design and conformance (value of the product and the degree to which product promises and specifications are realized) in the marketplace that makes it even worthwhile to merchants. In many cases, corporations use only American Express, and thus their employees are motivated to use that card, typically billed directly to the home office, without the same necessity for reimbursement and TE Expense Reporting. Because American Express already invested in POP materials, already shipped those materials to its list of businesses who accept the card, the key clearly was not whether the marketing folks at Ame rican Express had done their job. They had but only partially for all the collateral in the world is for naught if it is not posted, thrown away, or put into storage. That being said, the metrics of Six Sigma, and the defined error acceptance helped American Express hone in on the root of the problem regarding POP and the research behind it, as well as a means to mitigate the situation. Simply put, the current research was simply not working in terms of identifying the issues surrounding use of the card in small businesses. Opportunities/Recommendations American Express hired a research vendor to call on businesses to uncover what POP materials were being used, why or why not, and how these materials could translate into an increase value relationship for the consumer and business. Unfortunately, the data uncovered by the research vendor was fraught with inaccuracies: from poor call rates to a disconnect in research opportunities that, in fact, worked contrary to the needs of the company in providing a service to its business clients. American Express uncovered two primary causes for this disconnect by shadowing the vendor and putting principles of Six-Sigma into place to find a potential set of solutions. The two primary causes for the unacceptably high uncallable rate for American Express research were a disconnect between time of research and store hours and the ability of the research to identify individual businesses that were in compliance with American Express POP requirements. Both resulted in a loss of time and money, an unacceptable error rate, and considerable redundancy (returning to recheck). However, the research vendor was given the list by American Express. When the business signed up with American Express, they not only listed the type of business (e.g. retail, restaurant, etc.) but also their hours and days of operation. A simple Boolean search would have provided the research firm a sort of appropriate businesses and an adjustment of hours. Six Sigma already asks for statistical checks to be mad e when viewing data, had the methodology been in place within the marketing research area, the initial disconnect would not have occurred. It was not incumbent upon the vendor to know details about the client beforehand. Further, operating in a Six Sigma manner would have put a more robust vetting upon the research project prior to placing it into the field. In addition, the research protocol should have been written so that the purpose of the visit was plain to the vendor analysis of POP. If the analysis was possible without actually visiting the business (e.g. viewing the POP on the door or register), redundancies would have been eliminated (Hayler and Nichols, 2007, 55-9). Still, Six Sigma is a tool, it is not an edict. Like many tools, it is dependent upon two things: 1) How it is used, and 2) The quality of the data. Six-Sigma was originally designed for use by Motorola in the early 1980s. It was put in place in order to not only uncover, but to solve, certain manufacturing processes that were not working appropriately. It improved the company by defining a clearly focus on measurable issues that could be quantified and linked to profitability. It also increased an emphasis on managements commitment to utilizing the strategic planning system to actually implement a cause-effect relationship within the manufacturing model. However, when all the bells and whistles come off, and all the statistical data and measurement are broken down, the model is really a quality improvement template. It is not designed for any subjectivity and often fails to take into account that margin of error is different on divergent products and services (e.g. a surgical instru ment or medical device should have a lower rate of error than a new hardback novel). Further, some of the standards are arbitrary and force management to plug in data (as in the American Express market research). That being said, it is both possible to overanalyze certain ineffectual data; in other words, making certain Six Sigma data more important than it really is to ROI. However, it does effectively help management identify areas of needed improvement, of inefficiency, and of redundancy (Prasad, 2009, 32-40). Conclusions Such market gurus as Warren Buffet continues to invest in American Express and believe that it is a solid company with a solid business plan. American Express does have weaknesses, but because the do not offer tangible products, their success or failure in the marketplace is a result of their continual ability to get consumers and businesses to use their products. They have established a global service sector, they have established an extremely strong brand, they have established recognition that is top within its industry, and almost top in the era of advertising; the perception of the card remains positive; but the company is faced with an uncertain few years while the economic downturn changes globally. Luckily, the company is well-positioned to handle the slowdown, stakeholders seem patient to allow the company to restructure and refocus, and the strategic plan remains solid (Hagstrom, 1997; Evans, 2005). ? Six Sigma is a tool, it is not an edict. Like many tools, it is dependent upon two things: 1) How it is used, and 2) The quality of the data. Six-Sigma was originally designed for use by Motorola in the early 1980s. It was put in place in order to not only uncover, but to solve, certain manufacturing processes that were not working appropriately. It improved the company by defining a clearly focus on measurable issues that could be quantified and linked to profitability. It also increased an emphasis on managements commitment to utilizing the strategic planning system to actually implement a cause-effect relationship within the manufacturing model. However, when all the bells and whistles come off, and all the statistical data and measurement are broken down, the model is really a quality improvement template. It is not designed for any subjectivity and often fails to take into account that margin of error is different on divergent products and services (e.g. a surgical instrument or medical device should have a lower rate of error than a new hardback novel). Further, some of the standards are arbitrary and force management to plug in data (as in the American Express market research). That being said, it is both possible to overanalyze certain ineffectual data; in other words, making certain Six Sigma data more important than it really is to ROI. However, it does effectively help management identify areas of needed improvement, of inefficiency, and of redundancy. In the case of American Express- the Six Sigma model did uncover redundancy and most certainly does point to the need to expand and develop new market segments, thus a nswering the question of launching a new product piece into the marketplace.