Business Travel Booking Market Trends & Forecast Essay

†¢The report examines reasons, other than lower ticket prices, that are most likely to influence business travelers to opting for one airline over another †¢The report identifies key factors, other than lower rental costs, that are most likely to make business travelers choose one car rental company over another †¢The report assesses the importance of travel meta-search options for creating business travel plans, and identifies popular travel meta-search websites used by business travelers in the last six months. †¢The report identifies key factors that are decisive for hotel bookings †¢The report examines how companies manage business travel bookings †¢The report identifies key reasons for cutbacks in premium travel plans †¢The report examines the staying patterns of executive when a business trip is extended to a leisure trip †¢The report assesses executives’ viewpoints about cutbacks in group incentive travel programs Complete Report Available at http://marketreportsstore. com/changing-trends-in-business-travel-booking/ . Scope The report features the opinions of travel and tourism industry respondents about the changing trends in business travel booking covering the following aspects: †¢Companies’ approaches to business travel booking †¢Key factors for airline selection †¢Decisive criteria for airline booking †¢Key parameters for car rental company choices †¢Factors influencing hotel-booking decisions †¢Extension of business trips for leisure purposes – additional days’ leisure spend †¢Extension of business trips for leisure purposes – staying preferences †¢Significance of travel meta-search options †¢Popular travel meta-search websites. †¢Cutback expectations for group incentive travel programs †¢Reasons for cutbacks in premium travel plans Inquire for discount @ http://marketreportsstore. com/discount/? rname=14250 . Reasons to buy †¢The report highlights companies’ approaches to business travel bookings, enabling travel operators to restructure their business travel plans. †¢The report enables readers to take strategic decisions by understanding the relevance of travel meta-search options, and identifying popular travel meta-search websites used by business travelers. †¢The report examines key factors influencing executives’ airline and hotel-booking decisions. This will help companies to improve customer service and implement development strategies. †¢The report provides cutback expectations about group incentive travel programs, which are likely to influence growth prospects. †¢The report highlights staying preferences during extensions of business trips to leisure trips, along with the number of extra days spent for leisure purposes. This will help to gauge consumer behavior. Buy a Copy of the Report at http://marketreportsstore. com/purchase? rname=14250 For more reports on Travel, Tourism & Hospitality Click here Contact sales@marketreportsstore. com / Call +1 888 391 5441 for further information on â€Å"Changing Trends in Business Travel Booking† report OR for any other market research and intelligence needs you may have for your business.

Porsche strategy through the recent years Essay

Porsche had been successful and profitable for many years, but hit a bump in the early 1990s. Its production became inefficient and wasteful this was fuelled by the fact the U.S. economy was in a recession. The company was actually about to become bankrupt and there were talks of a possible takeover (Stredwick, 2005, pp.67-78). The auto manufacturer was saved by the then newly appointed CEO Wendelin Wiedeking. He made sure that Porsche focused on creating new strengths in lean manufacturing and synchronized engineering. This was after Porsche had been operating for many years as a craftwork company that mainly allowed the engineers to operate on their own and not with the whole production line. This made the engineers relax on making good Porsche car designs and selling better designs to outsiders that later hurt the company. Part of the decision that led to the company making major profits again was to extend Porsche product line which was mainly the sports car production it had foc used on for such a long time (Henderson & Reavis, 2012, pp.56-65). Some of these other products included the Cayenne which is an SUV, it entered the market that was competing with other brands in the SUV market this include Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Land Rover and Volkswagen. This was a risk to be closely associated with Volkswagen which is a brand that produced cars for mass production. Some considered it a sell out and a total dilution of the high standards of the Porsche cars. This car as predicted was not a first time hit but Porsche worked on its designs for three years to produce a better reliable version that was finally a hit. In 2005 it also announced that it would create another car out of its sports car area. This was a luxury sedan named Panamera after a Mexican-long distance car race (Viknesh, 2012, pp.2-6). Porsche strategy through the recent years             One of the best strategies that Porsche has stuck through the thick and thin is the company’s outside engineering business PEG, which has always focused on selling designs based on the strength of Porsche engineering. Porsche acquired more shares in Volkswagen raising its shares from 31% to 50% in beginning of 2009. This was an official acquisition of the company since they were the majority shareholders. Porsche has been known to carry out hedging as part of its business. In 2008 in it made six times as much in the stock market as it did through selling cars. Its acquisition of Volkswagen was based on its hedging activities. For a period of time market speculators were wondering why Volkswagen shares remained high despite the fact that the company was not performing very well financially. This led to the reveal of the decision of Porsche owning more than 74% of Volkswagen shares. This led to a stock market squeeze that made Volkswagen the most valuable com pany in the world for a brief period of time with stock increasing to values over 1,000 Euros (Henderson & Reavis, 2012, pp.5-8). The CEO Wiedeking had a lot to do with the decisions that Porsche has been taking. He has made the company profitable by taking risks and making the hard decisions that led to the creation of new methods and ideas at Porsche. Engineering and design are also part of the major competitive strategies of Porsche. This is one strategy that has seen the company earn billions from it. It includes a team 2,300 engineers in its engineering Research and development. It shares it with outside companies by designing models with the intrinsic core of all its designs being Porsche’s strength. This customer engineering development company is known as the Porsche Engineering Group. It is known as Porsche’s secret ace that enabled it to employ more engineers than if it worked alone. Companies trust it to create models for them since its small size would not allow it to use the technology availed from the models created (Viknesh, 2012, pp.2-8). These strategies of Porsche seemed to pay off but however secret takeover of Volkswagen led to the split of the Porsche family some opposing while some supporting. Porsche’s hedging and manipulation of the stock market while trying to take over Volkswagen has brought Wendelin Wiedeking and Holger Harter the two former chief and chief financial officer of Porsche under investigation for information based market manipulation. The hedge funds and other business that made major losses during that time are seeking compensation. The failed takeover of Volkswagen was an error on Porsche part. It did so despite the fact that it had SE debts. This failed attempt led to the former Mr Wiedeking leaving the company. This news has negatively impacted the company with its share price dropping by 2percent to 56.93 Euros. Due to the debt and the litigations charges that may be brought against Porsche it has been forced to sell the 50.1 shares acquired in 2008 at an underestimated amount of 4. 46 billion Euros. This has ended the seven year takeover with many people thinking Porsche would win out in the end. Volkswagen although held out as it did not cut corners like Porsche was trying to do when it was trying to takeover Volkswagen (BBC News, 2012, N.P). Despite this Porsche is still making high returns on investment. Even under the Volkswagen umbrella Porsche is still able to make a lot of money. It will continue doing well provided it does not give up its brand in manufacturing its products. Under Volkswagen it will be able to specialize in making many more cars rather than the sports car it is well known for, this will make sure it continues returning high returns on investments. The litigation costs though are going to be a huge burden to the group it hence has learnt its lesson the hard way by being acquired by another company. It therefore is a lesson to all other companies not to manipulate the market for selfish goals that are driven by the directors only (BBC News, 2012, N.P). Porsche’s steps in forming and implementing Company strategy             The theoretical frame work behind the strategy of Porsche consulting lies in three steps. One is the corporate strategy whereby the company lays a common goal and vision. This are made specific to the customer, finance, employee and market segments of the business. From the corporate strategy the product strategy, core strategy as well as cross-departmental strategy are based on the general corporate strategy. Corporate strategy can include brand strategy and product strategy (Murlis, 2004, pp.4-12). Examples of brand strategy include brand values and an example product strategy includes modular strategy. Core strategies form step two of creating the company’s strategic position. This entails every department doing its part in to ensure that the company’s strategic objectives in customer, finance, employee and market dimensions are met (Roehm & Brady, 2007, pp.6-8). The suitable objectives in core strategies are thus divided into the following sectio ns, sales strategies, production, procurement, development as well as key figures (Fleisher & Bensoussam, 2003, pp.2-8). The third step in forming the company’s strategy includes setting up measures. This are defined for each segments of the corporate strategy, they lead to accomplishment of strategic objectives. These measures set the basis of accomplishing the strategic objectives of Porsche (Porsche Consulting Magazine, 2013, pp.2-4). For the company to have a good strategy the three steps must be followed to the letter. According to Eberhard Weiblen, President and CEO of Porsche consulting the strategy has to be developed first over a short period of time by a small project team. Further the strategy has to be clear and simple and create an emotional experience in the staff for it to be successful. Porsche has used this strategy and has yielded great results of continued profitability as well as enhancement of an exclusive brand (Cavusgil, et al., 2009, pp.44-56). Due to the steps mentioned above the company has been able to develop a strategy to work on till the year 2018 that defines concrete goals and fields of activity. This dimensions defined include market, employees, finance and customer dimensions. The main strategy is achieving the title of being the most successful manufacturer of sports cars in the world (David, 2007, pp.50-54). The consultants of Porsche consulting are being retained to accompany the development and achievement of Porsche strategy 2018. The main reasons why their company strategy procedures work so well is because they put it to test for a short period of time of six months and see the outcomes (Doole & Lowe, 2004). They also involve their employees as part of the testing face hence leading to the success of the set up procedures later on. Communication of the strategy in place also plays a huge role. This is achieved by companywide-management conferences which are attended by managers at department level (Porsche Consulting Magazine, 2013, pp.2-4). Reward Management at Porsche             Rewarding management deals with strategies and processes as well as policies being set in place to ensure the employees’ efforts are recognized. Rewarding managers depending on financial performance of the company is based on how well the company is performing financially (McDonald, 2006, pp.78-82). These include figures such as return on investments, profits achieved in the year and other financial estimates used to measure financial performance (Cavusgil, et al., 2009, pp.34-38). However this system of rewarding is not balanced hence Porsche need to change it into a more balanced form of reward system. For the reward system to be viable and to motivate employees it has to factor in other performances that have boosted the company (Calsson, 2004, pp.5-12). These include sales performance and engineering rates of the company as well. Financial performance although important is but one aspect of the whole company’s general health. The other factors th at are recognized also lead to high financial performance. High sales will generate more revenue hence boosting the financial performance of the company. Others like engineering levels and prowess of the company will reward engineers who make exceptional advancement in their engineering designs and models. If these models are exceptional they will increase revenue of the company as well as it will be able to sell these designs for a high amount (Murlis, 2004, pp.56-67). These rewards will motivate the employees, to want to excel in the many purposes in the organization, If the rewards are spread overall other measures and not financial performance only. It will lead to employees being driven to excel in all areas and not financial only. These rewards can be extrinsic as well as intrinsic rewards. Extrinsic rewards refer to promotions, gifts, bonuses and salary raise (Calsson, 2004, pp.3-8). While intrinsic rewards refer to those aimed at ensuring employee satisfaction this include, monogrammed names or plaque, trust, recognition, relationship, feedback and empowerment. Intrinsic rewards are aimed at making employees feel better within the department while extrinsic rewards are based on the performance and activities of the employee to a certain outcome. Porsche recognizes all these and carries out both extrinsic and intrinsic rewarding. The company also tries to find a balance between rewarding an employee extrinsic and intrinsic (Henderson & Reavis , 2012, pp.5-13). The rewards should be given according to an employee’s personality. Tickets to watch a basketball game has to be given to a person who is a fun and not a stay at home mum who doesn’t like basketball. Porsche also rewards not only individuals but also teams and departments (Alkhafaji, 2003, pp.22-26). The evidence shows that the type of financial rewarding mechanism of Porsche based on financial performance seems to work for the engineering activities since they are still leading in the providing of vehicle designs. However it will have better results if the other reasons for reward other than financial performance are set in place. The engineering department will work extra hard to achieve the reward. The company should consider incorporating motivational theories in rewarding its management (Brooks, 2009, pp.2-6). The two directors were Wiediking and Holger were purely driven by financial performance that led them to neglect other aspects that make a company successful such honesty and full disclosure. This requires Porsche to change its policy of only rewarding managers on financial performance basis alone. The motivation theories include process and content theories. Content theories therefore require the company to name and research on aspects that make employees to perform efficiently. The company needs to do this so as to know what motivates the employees other than financial performance. The reward system under content theories is more extrinsic they include bonuses. While process theories mainly focus on intrinsic rewards which include self-actualization, respect and recognition. Which boost employee’s confidence and improve job satisfaction of the employees (Stredwick, 2005, pp.4-9). References Alkhafaji, A. F. 2003. Strategic Management, Formulation, Implementation, and Control in a Dynamic Environment (21, Illustrated Ed.). London: Routledge BBC News. 2012. Volkswagen agrees to buy rets of Porsche for $5.6bn, Brooks, I. 2009. Organisational Behaviour (4th ed.). Essex England: Pearson Education Limited. pp. 81–89. Calsson S. A. 2004. Strategic Knowledge Managing in the Context of Networks, Chapter 32. In: Handbook on Knowledge Management Volume I, (Ed) Holsapple Clycle W Cavusgil, S. T., Ghauri, P. N., and Agarwal, M. R. 2009. Doing Business in Emerging markets: Entry and Negotiation Strategies. New York: Cengage. David F. R. 2007. Strategic management: Concepts and cases, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc. pp. 102-134 Doole, I., and Lowe, R. 2004. International marketing strategy – analysis, development and Implementation, 4th ed. London: Thomson Learning. Fleisher CS. and Bensoussam B. E. 2003. Strategic and Competitive Analysis: Methods and Techniques for Analysing Business Competition, New Jersey: Pearson Education Inc. Henderson. R and Reavis. C. 2009. What’s driving Porsche? MIT Sloan Management, McDonald, M. 2006. Strategic Marketing Planning: Theory and Practice. Cranfield University School of Management, The Marketing Review Murlis, M. & Armstrong H. 2004. Reward management: a handbook of remuneration strategy and practice (5th ed. ed.). London [u.a.]: Kogan Page Porsche Consulting. 2013. The Magazine Roehm, M., & Brady, M. 2007. Consumer responses to performance failures by high-equity brands. Journal of Consumer Research, 34(4), 537-545. Stredwick, J. 2005. Introduction to Human Resource Management (1st ed.). Oxford, United Kingdom: Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann Viknesh. 2012. Volkswagen completes Porshe takeover, Retrieved 12/12/2013, from: http://www.csmonitor.com/ Source document

Applying Critical Discourse Analysis on a news report Essay

Applying Critical Discourse Analysis on a news report - Essay Example Quoting Byzantine emperor Manuel II Palaeologus, and referring to the concept of jihad or holy war, the Pontiff challenged, â€Å"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached† (Pope Benedict XVI, â€Å"Pope’s Speech at University of Regensburg,† para. 8). The Pope later indicated the remarks were taken out of context and that he was merely quoting statements made by the medieval emperor, for which he later apologized. The textual excerpts below gleaned from Reuters news reports are particularly interesting in terms of discourse analysis. The first section of the paper analyses both texts using methods of analysis including Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) methodology of Norman Fairclough and those suggested by Jan Blommaert. A second section applies other approaches that are useful and relevant, such as member categorization analysis (MCA). Indians set fire to an effigy of the Pope as a wave of protests ripples through the Muslim world. Words written more than 600 years ago still cause offence when taken out of context. The Pontiff’s care to point out that he was quoting someone else doesn’t seem to have prevented an angry reaction in some quarters. The statements are ugly and unfortunate. The Pope needs to take a step back, and should apologize to the Islamic world. Further north police had to restrain protestors in Jammu and Kashmir. Churches in the West Bank and in the Iraqi city of Basra were attacked, although the damage was minor. The church in Basra is Christian Orthodox and not aligned with the views of the Pope. Extra security outside the Pope’s summer residence on a very unsummery day. The Pontiff made a further apology, this time in person, to try to quell the anger in the Muslim world over his quote of a medieval philosopher. Pilgrims outside the Castel Gandolfo residence

Egyptian Elections Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Egyptian Elections - Essay Example Similarly, this paper traces the history of the Middle East concerning matters of political, economical and even social nature. Additionally, the discussion delves into the driving factors of the Arab Spring and the lessons the new president of Egypt should learn (Lesch 43). Furthermore, this essay is going evaluate the different forms of regimes and democracies practiced in the Arab nations such as Islamic Republic, absolute monarchies, liberal democracies and competitive authoritarianism among others. Therefore, the president I have predicted is Amr Moussa and below explain why. In the forthcoming Egyptian elections, there are fundamental issues in the context of elections that merit a discussion. Similarly, in making truthful predictions of the president and party, which are likely to ascend to power, other paramount considerations of the long journey Egyptian citizens, have travelled, should be noted down. On that account, this essay is going to look briefly at the history of the Middle East of which Egypt is a member and how it has come to be in the modern history in the context of development. For instance, it is a well known that civilization begun in Middle East in the period of 3500 BC, namely in Mesopotamia, which is currently in Iraq and ancient Egypt. Similarly, ancient Egypt facilitated the spread of civilization along the Nile River valley which was led by the Pharaohs in order to bring change (Lust 123). Similarly, before making a prediction concerning the elections that are on May 23 and 24, 2012, this essay highlights the different phases of history Egypt has endured. These include the prehistoric Egypt and Ancient Egypt that was characterized with kingdoms from 31 to 1070 BC. Furthermore, this period marked the beginning of a monarchy where Pharaohs practiced authoritarian leadership upon their citizens. After Ancient Egypt, came the Greco-Roma Egypt where Egypt began trading with other worlds to acquire economic autonomy. After the Greco-Roma Egypt came the Medieval Egypt and, finally, Modern Egypt, which was begun in 1882 until the ouster of Hosni Mubarak (Eva 153). In other words, the paper attempts to link the transition of the forthcoming elections with the past regimes of Egypt and how to chart a way forward. However, when we study at the history of the modern Middle East, there are critical issues that are worth mentioning to understand the situation. For example, it has metamorphosed into a zone of conflict where democracy does not exist but instead authoritarian monarchs persecute the people. Such countries include Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain among others that have been affected. For countries that practice democracy such as Iran and Egypt, the elections are always flawed with leaders extending their political terms to their advantage, which only breeds violence (Lesch 47). As a result, this has spawned liberal democracies where the real fruits of democracy are not enjoyed but trampled upon by the leaders. O n that note, countries that practice of democracy include Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait and Israel among others. Egypt under the former president, Hosni Mubarak, was also known to practice competitive authoritarianism where he exercised coercive tactics to win elections despite the efforts of the opposition. However,

From poe to pole Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

From poe to pole - Assignment Example They are exposed to extremely low temperatures and darkness throughout the winter period but they still survive after the season is over. When I first saw the conditions these animals are exposed to I could not believe that they can sustain their lives for four months. As a human, I am aware that warmth and food are critical conditions for survival. However, the documentary has opened my eyes to appreciate the fact that humans are made different from wild animals. Humans have access to shelter and can change their lifestyles according to changing seasons. For instance, all the animals migrate when winter starts but the emperor penguin and the polar bears live behind (BBC 1). The most important observation is that seasons influence animal behaviour tremendously because animals strive for survival. For instance, the emperor penguins are constantly standing during the winter season. It was astonishing and I forced myself to do some research on the penguin’s behaviour. I discovered that standing on their feet reduces their area of contact with ice to minimal levels and enables them preserve the little body heat that they have. In fact, it was surprising to note that they incubate eggs during the winter season. The other interesting point relates to the existence of the Amur leopard that leaves in the forests of eastern Russia. They are forty in number and are considered to be the rarest cat in the world. According to the narrator, the rare existence of the Amur leopard "symbolises the fragility of our natural heritage" (BBC 1). It is interesting  to have  the narrator connect the existence of animals to the impact of nature on wildlife. The most valued things in life are rare to be found and difficult to get. Our national heritage consists of our values and our environment. However, the world has been experiencing environmental degradation with the increase in human as well as animal population. However, humans are the biggest cause of the fragility of natural

How can cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) be modified to fit the needs Outline

How can cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) be modified to fit the needs of young children - Outline Example This paper will address some of the ways in which cognitive behaviour therapy can be modified to fit the needs of young children. As it is usually the case with almost all paediatric procedures, they are usually tested with adults before they can be brought to children; therefore, cognitive behaviour therapy is no exception. Due to children’s limitations in metacognition and their inability to classify feelings, clinicians need to adjust their pacing of therapy’s content and the speed of therapy (Butler, Chapman, Forman & Beck, 2006, p22). One of the things that psychiatrist need to adjust in cognitive behaviour therapy for children is the time frame with which they carry out the therapy (March et al, 2005, p813). Children do not have fully developed metacognition abilities therefore the speed at which they will respond to therapy will be slower than that of adults. Due to these challenges, therapist need to ensure that the spacing of the whole course of the therapy is in such a way that the child will not be overburdened by the therapy due to congestion of the therapy or it will be too spaced such that the effectiveness of the therapy will be compromised. The inability of children to express their feelings, which may help in easier diagnosis of the disorders, will require the time required for full cycle of therapy to increased (Wood et al, 2006, p315). Due to the stage of development in children cognitive abilities, cognitive behavioural therapies for children will always focus on the behavioural aspect of the therapy since it will be more effective, however, the behavioural aspect too will require the children to be trained in social and problem solving skills (Nauta, Scholing, Emmelkamp & Minderaa, 2003, p1273; Kendall & Hedtke, 2006, p101). These characteristics among children requires that the therapy be combined with other skills or at least provide an opportunity for the child to learn

Legislation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Legislation - Essay Example In the event that such programs become preferential based on gender, race or ethnicity, affirmative action becomes controversial (Dale, 2005). Originally, the Affirmative-Action legislation was intended to pressure institution including government institutions, schools, and contractors to comply with the non-discrimination provisions in the Civil Rights Act, 1964 (Dale, 2005). The article required that schools and colleges take affirmative action to counteract the effects of past discriminations and encourage affirmative so as to achieve a diverse student body. Most importantly, the legislation was intended to forbid inflexible and rigid quotas for the employment of minorities and encourages contractors, schools and colleges to take good faith efforts to meet targets and goals for the employment minorities and women without discrimination (Dale, 2005). Mr. Justice POWELL in his ruling on the Regents of the University of California v. Bakke case concluded that, the use of racial quotas in a university’s admissions process is unconstitutional. In addition, it concluded that the use of affirmative actions in the selection of minority applicants was constitutional in certain circumstances (â€Å"Regents of University of California v. Bakke,† 1978). This conclusion was based on the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, 1964 that only those racial classifications that violates the Equal Protection Clause when employed by agencies of the state and the sate itself(â€Å"Regents of University of California v. Bakke,† 1978). The ruling was also based on the fact that while the goals of affirmative action are still compelling, the use of quotas in such programs is unnecessary in the achievement of such goals since it is, under the Equal Protection Clause, unnecessary. Additionally, the conclusion was based on the fact the petitioner could not furnish the court with sufficient proof that

Investment Enhancement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Investment Enhancement - Essay Example This will help business people have adequate international portfolio diversification. Moreover, shareholders yearning to diversify a precarious investment, for example, stocks in a developing market, via international diversification, would be more profitable in areas which are negatively correlated, as well (Markowitz, 1952). Nations with stock prices moving in a different direction are perceived to be negatively correlated, while states with stock prices moving in a similar direction are perceived to be positively correlated. The principle of diversification stipulates that a portfolio comprising largely positively correlated benefits embrace the portfolio al an advanced risk than a negatively correlated stock prices portfolio. Lack of precise fortitude of stock market price progress keeps all portfolios at an advanced risk level than anticipated because of the existence of a diversifiable risk (Markowitz, 1952). This paper will look into the impact of international portfolio diver sification on an investment portfolio, investigate alternative investment vehicles, and explain how the use of derivative securities can further enhance a portfolio’s performance. ... Nonetheless, if a client would take about 30% of his money and allot it in international stock markets, the entire investment will not be dependent on how an economy or stock market is performing (Markowitz, 1952). In turn, this creates a much larger mode of diversification. Studies conducted in developing countries highlight viability of establishing investment federations to meet the participants’ political needs. Results from this study indicate the supremacy of international diversification in an investment federation over individual country investment. Another study assesses the probable advantages of a Mauritian business person when diversifying his venture into a number of African equity markets. In addition, the research looks at the gains that may result for non-African investor venturing in African markets. The result is that there is a low correlation in African stock markets. This can lessen the risk and increase earnings for both universal and Mauritian investors when they invest in chosen African nations. The advantages of international portfolio diversification incorporate many nations, even politically instable nations. Investor should invest in all countries regardless of political stability. This is because investing in politically frail countries may produce profits that more than the anticipated risks (Markowitz, 1952). Thus, it can be concluded that international portfolio diversification gives profits and reduces risks. Question B There are a number of alternative investment vehicles. They may include hedge funds, private equity firms, venture capital firm, among others. Hedge Funds Hedge funds are investment vehicles that put together investors’ funds in a broad variety of investments.

Video Game Violence and Children Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Video Game Violence and Children - Essay Example This paper stresses that  as children grow up, they look to the authoritative role models in their life to determine what behavior is or is not appropriate. Their young minds are impressionable and they constantly absorb new knowledge from their surroundings. When children are subjected to certain actions or behaviors, and if they are not properly coached in the differences between right and wrong, they are likely to repeat the actions or behaviors. The more that they witness certain behaviors, the increased chances they have at mimicking them. Impressionability is similar to the teaching methods found in classrooms in the sense that teachers display concepts that children repeat until they can do them on their own; however, unlike classroom learning, impressionability involves children adapting behaviors of their own accord without being prompted by someone else.  As the discussion declares  the more time that children spend playing violent video games, the more they become fa miliar with the concepts being depicted. Furthermore, there are video games that allow the player to play as a first person and they can experience the game as if they were in it, committing the violent actions themselves instead of witnessing them as a bystander. Adults and teachers feel that these games are â€Å"training programs for children to commit crimes

Techniques used in landscape interpretations Essay

Techniques used in landscape interpretations - Essay Example might not pay that much attention to the castle itself and try to set his/her attention to the way the castle builders included and used natural elements of the land to their advantage. All these different interpretations means that there is no single unified technique to examine a landscape and as there are hundreds of landscapes and thousands of interpretations which can be made of those landscapes a singular technique might be impossible to come by. At the same time, there are various schools of thought which lead a person to apply some basic interpretive methods that further allow them to come up with a singular interpretation for a particular scene. Towards that purpose it is essential for us to understand and appreciate the modern methods of landscape interpretations which are discussed in this paper along. These interpretative techniques have been mentioned by architects, artists and scientists who have utilized these methods to study landscapes around the world. Normally, the first step in examining any given landscape is to actually look at the landscape with the naked eye. Of course this may not be possible in certain situations like interpreting the landscapes of other planets or subterranean structures but in most topographical analysis situations it is certainly a clear possibility. Dennis (2003) gives a very interesting approach to this subject by giving four ways to deliberately look at a landscape. The visual ideology of a landscape is the first element which can be created in the mind of the person who is trying to interpret a landscape. The visual ideology often masks the social conditions which produced the landscape in the first place but by paying close attention to the attention, a person can get to the superficial meaning embedded in the landscape. This signifies the material landscape as the representation of the natural order which is present in the scene and also clarifies any social relations which can be seen from the ideology which

Moral Values and Social Boundaries Essay Example for Free

Moral Values and Social Boundaries Essay Thesis statement: Certain limits should be applied to the constitutional right of ‘Freedom of speech’ as it encourages ethnic speech (ethnically and racially discriminating talk) A restriction on free speech is very essential on college campuses. Political correctness is found to be a mere attempt to be sure that everybody on campus feels welcome and is able to learn as per. Certain limits should be applied to the constitutional right of ‘Freedom of speech’ as it encourages ethnic speech (ethnically and racially discriminating talk) in educational institutions. Racially offensive speech in US institutions has led to several problems. Ethnic speech is widely evident in educational institutions. Racial jokes and ethnic speech are also prevalent in work places. Ethnic speech creates inferiority complex in lower classes. It is also against the policies of affirmative action (Arthur, 2004). The reason for the unacceptability of racially offensive talk is that the intentions behind them are always bad. They do exploit racial stereotypes and the talk often becomes offensive. Limits on freedom of speech are justified as there is a big relation between freedom of speech and racial speech. Look more:  ethnic group examples essay It is high time that we eliminate racially offensive talk from our society. For that the most important step is a restriction on the freedom of speech. The absence of limit on freedom of speech encourages racially offensive talk in college campuses in US (Arthur, 2004). Racially offensive humor is increasingly unacceptable and is based on the concept that certain ethnic groups are superior to others. Ethnically superior groups are of the belied that they do have very right to make fun at other inferior groups. The powerful faction has always assumed that they are superior to others in its race and culture. These ethnic groups will try to put down other inferior groups in order to strengthen their own group (Arthur, 2004). The superior group will thus feel no guilt in hurting the feelings of the inferior group. Ethnic and racial speech is generated out of this superior feeling and undermines the unity and cooperation prevailing in the society (Arthur, 2004). Had there been a limit on the freedom of speech, these kinds of racially offensive speech would have disappeared from the educational institutions in US. Even though freedom of speech is quite important as far as American society, a restriction on it is the real need of the hour. Uncontrolled speech may result in further segregation and racial classification. Offensive speech, of any form, should be discouraged so that it would not further create problems in the already segregated society. The panacea for all this is nothing but a limit on the freedom of speech (Arthur, 2004). Ethnic jokes are much prevalent in college campuses. Ethnic jokes exploit racial stereotypes. They are often racist and frequently offensive (Davies, 1982). Ethnic jokes are very popular and prevail in almost all societies. They do also play a great role in arising ethnic differences, exploitation and segregation. Ethnic jokes are targeted towards typical ethnic groups, possessing typical characteristics (Hughes, 1966). The usage of these kinds of jokes upgrades or degrades the value of a group in general and ignores the importance and uniqueness of the individual (Lorenz, 1963). Ethnic humor hurts the feelings of people as it leads to various segregations and discriminations (Davies, 1982). Racially offensive humor is increasingly unacceptable and is based on the concept that certain ethnic groups are superior to others. Ethnically superior groups are of the belied that they do have very right to make fun at other inferior groups (Dance, 1977). Ethnic humor is a powerful, destructive and senseless practice that is followed by one generation and transferred to the next generation. The powerful faction has always assumed that they are superior to others in its race and culture. These ethnic groups will try to put down other inferior groups in order to strengthen their own group (Davies, 1982). The superior group will thus feel no guilt in hurting the feelings of the inferior group. Ethnic humor is generated out of this superior feeling and undermines the unity and cooperation prevailing in the society. There are various biological and socio-cultural distinctions which people consider as a base to make ethnic jokes. They sometimes consider color of the skin (lightness or darkness) or other differentiating markers as base for making humor. They do consider various other ethnic differences and cultural variations (Hughes, 1966). No ethnic group has the right to make ethnic jokes against ant other ethnic group. Ethnic humor is always humiliating and insulting. It would only result in further segregation and racial classification. Ethnic groups, of any form, should be discouraged so that it would not further create problems in the already segregated society. Freedom of Speech is the boosting factor of ethnic speech in educational institutions. Institutional racism (systemic racism or structural racism) also prevail in our society. The white institutions are found to be reluctant to serve people of color (non-white minority). Institutions are historically set up to serve only white communities. These institutions function on the basis of race. They operate on the policy of segregation. Institutional racism is the concept that one race is superior to other. Organizations and institutions (both government and private) do racial discrimination, marginalizing the inferior faction. Even though the institutions exclusively for inferior race were technically illegal in America till 1863, our areas still have such institutions. These institutions offer their service only for superior faction and ill-treat students belonging to our community. Institutional racism is followed in all organizations, public bodies, educational institutions (universities) and corporations. Institutional racism influences almost all policies, processes and policies (in both governmental and public institutions). Institutions were historically set up to serve only white communities. These institutions function on the basis of race. They operate on the policy of segregation. Institutional racism is the concept that one race is superior to other. Organizations and institutions (both government and private) do racial discrimination, marginalizing the inferior faction. Institutions exclusively for inferior race were technically illegal in America till 1863. These institutions offer their service only for superior faction and ill-treat people of color. Legislations against racism have made institutional racism disappear to a good extent in United States. Ethnic speech in educational institutions is one of the worst sides of institutional racism. Freedom of speech is encouraging racial talk and ethnic humor. It is high time that we put a restriction on freedom of speech so that at least educational institutions are free from segregation. Colleges and universities have a moral obligation to ensure a peaceful, respectful learning environment for all students. It is therefore necessary to come down hard on speech code offenders. All employees and students should be able to enjoy and work in an educational environment free from discrimination and harassment. Harassment of any person or group of persons on the basis of race, color, nationality, origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veterans status is a form of discrimination that must be prohibited in all educational institutions. Employees, students, student organizations, or person privileged to work or study in the university community who violates this policy must be subject to disciplinary action. This will finally eliminate racial speech and discrimination from educational institutions. Harassment codes do not violate students First Amendment rights. A restriction on free speech is very essential on college campuses. Political correctness is found to be a mere attempt to be sure that everybody on campus feels welcome and is able to learn. References John Arthur, Morality and Moral Controversies: Readings in Moral, Social, and Political Philosophy, Prentice Hall, 2004. â€Å"A Question of Fairness† Ladies Home Jorunal, March 1996, p 17-20. Lubman, Sarah â€Å"Campus Admissions† Wall Street Journal, May 16, p81. Dance, Darryl. Wit and Humor in the Slave Narratives. Journal of Afro-American Issues. Spring, 1977: 125-134. Davies, C. â€Å"Ethnic Jokes, Moral Values and Social Boundaries. † British Journal of Sociology 33 (1982): 383-403. Hughes, Langston, ed. The Book of Negro Humor. New York: Dodd, Mead, 1966. Lincoln, Kenneth. Indin Humor. New York: Oxford, 1993. Lorenz, Konrad. On Aggression. Trans. Marjorie Kerr Willison. New York: Harcourt, 1963. Lowe, John. Theories of Ethnic Humor: How to Enter, Laughing. American Quarterly 38 (1986): 439-460. Rich, Frank. The New York Times 13 March 1994: IV, 17.

The GDP Term Essay Example for Free

The GDP Term Essay GDP should really stand for Grossly Deceptive Product† The Economist What does GDP actually measure? When discussing about the economy of one country, people often talk about â€Å"Gross Domestic Product (GDP). However, there are a number of disagreements among economist about the value of GDP. Therefore, this essay will discuss whether or not GDP is an ideal measurement of the development of a nation. It first explores the term GDP and ways to measure it. The essay then compares GDP with Gross National Product (GNP) and Human Development Index (HDI). According to Mankiw (2011), the value of all final goods and services in the market produced within a country in a given time span is defined as GDP. Through this definition, there is only one measure of all the value of the economic activities for a range of products, and both goods and services are included in GDP at their market value. Nevertheless, comparing the value of one product to the other is not always easy, for example it is difficult to say if an orange is more valuable than an apple as different consumers value a good differently. It is important to have criteria to differentiate the value of different goods and services. Hence, the market price was introduced in order to identify the volume of customers who are able to purchase particular products. To measure GDP by using the market value helps to include a wide range of commodities in the market. Not only are common items such as food, clothes and other living necessity but also the housing services included in the market value. By measuring GDP this way, many business activities like market rental housing reflect the market value and become indicators of the market. Moreover, volume of owner-occupied housing can be used to measure the market rental value of a country. Nevertheless, according to Abel et al (2008), although this measurement of GDP encompasses a number of goods and services, it still does not cover some products like which are traded in informal markets. It is ideal that all of the goods and services exiting in the market are reflected through GDP. However, in many cases measuring the value of a number of goods and services in non-market and illegal markets is impossible, this makes measuring GDP more difficult. For instance, although the vegetables consumers buy in supermarkets are included in GDP, the ones that farmers grow in their gardens are not counted in GDP. Moreover, it is obvious that the trade of illegal drugs and other products is not counted in GDP. In addition, manufacturing and trading goods and services often relate to the impact in the environment. However, the benefits of clean air and natural water are not traded in the market; and GDP does not reflect actions to reduce pollution or improve environmental quality. There are three main methods for measuring GDP, namely product approach, expenditure approach and income approach. According to Tucker (2011) the product approach is based on value- added concept; it measures economic activity by summing the value added by all producers. In this product approach, the market value of the goods and services traded in the market are included in the economic activities. Nevertheless, the value which is produced and used up in the intermediate stage of the manufacture process is excluded. The second approach is based on expenditure, it consider GDP from a different angle by including expenditure in national income account. GDP is measured as the total spending of final commodities within a nation during a certain period of time. The spending is categories into four kinds, which added to get the GDP (Y), they are consumption (C), investment (I), government purchase of goods and services (G), and net exports of goods and services, indicating the difference between export and import (NX= X-M). Therefore, GDP by expenditure approach is formulated as follow: Y= C+ I + G+ NX (Brezina, 2012). The third method measuring GDP is the income approach, which takes in to account the income gained by manufacturers, such as profits and taxes paid. There are eight types of national incomes, which are: * Compensation of employees consists of workers’ incomes including salaries, wages, pension plans or other benefits businesses deliver to their employees * Income of Proprietors includes capital income and labor incomes of the non-incorporated self-employed. * People’s Rental income: people who have lands, structures or properties can rent them out and receive an amount of money; this is called rental income. * Corporate Profits: this is the amount of money earned by corporations through their business activities. Corporate profits are the results of corporate revenue after rents, wages and costs deductions. * Net income: is the income of individuals earned from their businesses or paid by businesses or other sources after tax deduction or interest paid. * Taxes on production and imports: this encompasses indirect business taxes * Business current transfer payments (net): these are payments which governments or individuals receive from businesses as charitable donations from insurance payments or translation. It should be notice that these payments are not paid for taxes, wages or service charges. * Current surplus of government enterprises: these are businesses’ profits owned by government including electricity, water, public transportations and so forth. There are three main concepts of GDP, namely nominal GDP, real GDP and GDP deflator. Tucker (2011) defines â€Å"The nominal GDP means that the value of all final goods which based on the prices existing during the time period of production†. It is known as current dollar or money GDP and it increases in three different ways. Firstly, it increases when output rises while prices remain unchanged. Nominal GDP also grows when prices increase while the output is constant. The final way which is seen in the typical case, is that both of output and price rise. A major distinction between nominal and real GDP is to measure the gaps between changes in output and the price level which relate to marketing. When the current dollar GDP of a country increases significantly, it is possible that its productions have enlarged markedly. Nevertheless, it is probably that inflation is increasing, so the prices of goods and services grow accordingly. As for the real GDP, the value of all final products production based on the existing prices in a given year. The real GDP which is measured after taking inflation in to account is also known as constant dollar GDP. A price index used to measure the overall level of prices of goods and services included in GDP is defined as the GDP deflator, which is formulated as: GDP deflator = (Nominal GDP/ Real GDP) x 100. It is a measure of the average level of prices for some specified set of products, proportionate to the prices in a specified based year. Hence, the choice of base year decides the value of real GDP and the GDP deflator. In addition, Brakman et al (2006) suggests the method to calculate the real GDP by the use of the chained volume measure of GDP and to take an average of the variation in price. Another way to measure the status of a national economy is through Gross National Product (GNP) and many governments use it as a standard to measure their economy. Brakman et al 2006 defines GNP as â€Å"the market value of the goods and services, which produced by labor and property of residents of a country†. GNP and GDP are different in that they treat output generated by capital and labours having job outsides its home country differently (Abel et al 2008). While the former takes into account the market value of final goods newly produced by domestic factors of production during the current period, the latter only includes production produced within a country. To illustrate, a Chinese worker working in the US, on one hand his services are part of American GDP, on the other hand they contribute to China GNP. In addition, besides labor services, the difference between GNP and GDP also hold for many factors of production like capital. The differentiation between them is calculated as in the formula: GDP= GNP- NFP. Abel et al referred NFP as â€Å"net factor payments from abroad, which to be income paid to domestic factors of production by the rest of the world minus income paid to foreign factors of production by domestic economy†. However, in reality the value of GDP is similar to that of GNP. For example, British GDP was only 0.2% lower than its GNP, $ 1415 billion compared with $ 1417 billion. That is a reason why only two countries out of thirty six having an income level of over $ 100 billion differentiate GDP and GNP. Though the argument whether GNP or GDP is an ideal measurement of national development is debatable, both of the measures still cannot cover many other aspects of the national economy. There are a number of drawbacks pointed out. For instance, it is difficult to set up the best criteria to measure standard of living, quality of goods and services provided the economy activities in shadow economy, welfare issues, income inequality and the negative externality issue (Brezina, 2012). As a result, it is possible that in a country with high GDP not every people live in high standard or benefit form that high GDP. Regarding to the case of China, the China GDP demonstrates approximately equal market value to that in the United Kingdom. Nevertheless, China GDP per capita according to current prices is 19 times lower than that of the UK, indicating a relatively huge gap in GDP per capita between the two nations. Likewise, Australia and India have the same situation as that between China and the UK. Both of these countries have nearly the same level of GDP; on the other hand, GDP per capital of Australia is 46 times greater than that of India. In terms of PPP, the number of goods and services purchased with a unit of each country’s currency is measured by this indicator. PPP takes into consideration the differences in price levels of different goods and different demand patterns in different countries. In PPP calculation approach, the amount of disposal income per capita in the UK is just seven times higher than that in China. Similarly, the amount of disposal income per capital in Australia is just 17 times larger than that in India. By PPP indicator, income gaps between countries are much narrower than those calculated by GDP per capital indicator. It should be noticed that the increase in GDP trend when it is measured by the government is not always a positive sign. GDP increases could be resulted from either economic development or inflation. Therefore, in the case that GDP increase because of inflation then the increase in GDP does not lead to the increase in living standard; alternatively, it would remain the same. Furthermore, According to Abel et al., (2008), there are a number of trades are excluded from GDP such as illegal transactions with drugs, smuggling or other business activities which are not declared formally on documents. Therefore, the total amount of GDP is somewhat flawed when it only could measure formal and legal economic activities which are demonstrated under formal documents. In a number of countries including Nigeria, Bolivia and Switzerland, informal business activities under shadow economy account for a considerable amount of percentage of total GDP. Nigeria, Bolivia and Switzerland had 77%, 67% and 9% of GDP of those activities in the shadow respectively. The definitions of GDP are flawed; thus, there has not any comprehensive definition for GDP. Therefore, According to Robert Kennedy† â€Å"The GDP measures neither our wit nor our courage, neither our wisdom nor our learning, neither our compassion nor our devotion to the country. It measures everything, in short, except that which makes life worth living† (Robert Kennedy) Although GDP indicates average income level in a country functioning as navigation for living standard, it does not what it is spent on. Generally, HDI (Human Development Index) has a huge gap with GDP. HDI is regarded as a valid measure of a nation’s progress; it is the result of the average value of the three indices called educational attainment, longevity and income (Karalay, 2005, p.214). Furthermore, there has been a major concern about inequality in income, which facing the position of GDP. China can be used as a typical example since the richest 10% income is 18.4 times than the 10% poorest. Ultimately, measuring GDP failed in addressing the cost of negative externality and the value of leisure; actually, these factors are ignored in GDP. Thus, the calculation of GDP is based on the assumption that most of population just does business activities. Moreover, it is hard to quantify the cost of environment. Although the increase in GDP indicates the development of an economy, factors such as air pollution, water pollution, noise pollution and annoy are not taken into account in calculating GDP. Environment has been come a major issue for the new generation, who have been attempting to protect the environment, which are under a great deal of damage. Therefore, the concept of â€Å"Green† GDP has been introduced. Leisure life, a crucial indicator of social and economic welfare was not counted in GDP. In order to increase GDP, people, workers and employees often have to increase their working hours, thus, reduce their leisure time. The value of leisure is hard to be measured but it is also regarded as services and goods expected by the people in a country. GDP often excludes leisure activities. For example, in Taiwan, government imposes the policy which allows workers to have two days off at weekend. Although this policy would increase cost of employers, it would increase social welfare in general. Because of incomprehensiveness, GDP is unable to provide people a thorough picture of a national economy such as living standard, social welfare and so on. GDP is actually just a number given by government in order to demonstrate its people that government is working hard for the prosperity of a nation. GDP measures have been facing a large number of limitations. According to the economist Joseph Stiglitz, there should be another measurement. Hence, he introduced the concept Gross Deceptive Product in the Commission on the Measurement of Economic Performance and Social Progress report in 2009. In this report, limitations in measuring GDP is emphasized; then additional information needed for the introduction of more comprehensive indications is presented. The report also evaluates the feasibility of alternative measurement tools of GDP. In addition, the report introduced twelve improvements in the ways to measure economic development. For example, income and consumption should be assessed rather than production; household perspective, income and consumption should be emphasized together with wealth broaden income measure to non-market activities and so forth. Despite a great deal of flaw, GDP has contributed greatly in measuring the development of a country as well as providing important information for foreign investment and immigration. Nevertheless, GDP is not a perfect statistic since it is unable to demonstrate living standard and social welfare. GDP is just can general information of national wealth and income. Reference Abel A B, Bernanke B S and Crouchore D (2008), Macroeconomics, 6th Ed, Pearson Education Inc, Boston Brakman S, Garretsen H, Marrewijk C V and Witteloostuijn A V (2006), National and Firms in the Global: An Introduction of International Economics and Business, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge Brezina C (2012), Understanding the Gross Domestic Product and the Gross National Product, The Rosen Publishing Group Inc, New York Karalay G N (2005), Integrated approach to rural development: policies, programmes and strategies, Concept Publishing Company, India Mankiw N G (2011), Principles of Economics, Cengage Learning, USA Tucker I B (2011), Macroeconomics for Today, 7th Ed, South- Western Cengage Learning, USA

Debit Vs Credit Card Analysis

Debit Vs Credit Card Analysis Every time you use a credit card, you are actually borrowing money that is made available to you by a bank or other financial institution. The institution pays the debt to the vendor and, in turn, you pay the money back to the institution. By signing up for a credit card, you agree to pay back the money that you borrowed, in addition to any interest drawn on the amount you borrowed. Odds are, you have a debit card in your wallet or purse right now, since many ATM cards are programmed to have debit options. Issued by your bank, debit cards take funds directly from the money that you have in your bank account acting much like a check, just faster. With a debit card, you dont have to carry cash or checks, and it is very convenient to shop at a variety of places including gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants and retail stores. They provide instant access to your money and are accepted worldwide. Debit cards are used much like credit cards, meaning that the store where you are shopping swipes them and you are normally given the option of signing your receipt instead of using a required PIN number (you can enter your PIN number if you prefer). You also typically do not have to show a picture ID. A few reasons why you should pay with credit: When you shop online. When you buy something from the internet you would like to use your credit card because the funds dont come immediately out of your checking. This way if you have any disputes with the online merchant you can call up your credit card company and get the charge removed. This also works to protect your cash balances because if someone somehow gets a hold of your credit card number they can only ring up a bill that you dont have to pay (because you didnt charge it), but if they get ahold of your debit card number they can cause you one major headache. When you buy a big-ticket item. You might not be aware of this but most credit card issuers offer an extended warranty on anything you buy with credit. Obviously youll want to review your credit cards terms but this can come in handy as some credit card issuers automatically double the manufacturers warranty. When you want to build your credit history. Using your debit card wont build you any credit but if you use your credit card and pay it off on a monthly basis youll start to build your credit up quickly. When you want to rent a car. Many credit cards offer damage protection coverage when you pay for a rental car with them. This offers the same coverage as the damage insurance that car rental companies will try to sell you. Pay with your card and save yourself some money. You want to earn points. Most credit cards nowadays offer reward points which can be redeemed for cash, gift cards and even airline tickets. A few reasons why you might want to pay with Debit: You want cash. If you want to get cash quick without paying any ATM fees then just use your debit card and ask for cash back at the merchant. Quick, free and easy. You want to avoid interest charges. Obviously if you use your credit card you will likely be charged interest for any purchases you put on your credit card. This is not the case when you use your debit card because the funds are transferred automatically out of your checking account. You dont want (yet another) bill to pay. Lets face it, were overrun with bills every single month. If you want to streamline your life and just dont want to have yet another bill to pay then use your debit card. If you dont have a balance on your credit card then you dont get a bill. Good stuff! Which Is Better? Maybe you still dont see much difference, besides where the money comes from and when you have to pay up. So which one is better to use? It depends upon how careful you are with your card and why you are using the card. The features that make debit cards convenient instant access to your money, lack of a required PIN number and not having to drag out your photo ID when you use it make fraud that much easier. Unless reported quickly, theft of your debit card can quickly devastate your bank account. This is where you begin to see the difference. Credit card companies are held to strict liability laws; the law limits consumer liability for credit card fraud to $50. For example, if you notice suspicious charges on your credit card statement such as double billing or an incorrect charge, the credit card company is obligated to investigate if you send in a written request within 60 days. For debit card fraud, your liability is $50 if you notify the bank within two days of noticing the fraudulent charges. After two days, your liability increases to $500, and up to your entire account balance after 60 days. So, if you report the theft after two days, you can be held responsible for paying for purchases or charges that you didnt make. Although many banks have started to implement voluntary plans to limit customer liability to $50, there is no federal law regarding this issue. One final advantage of credit cards is that they are helpful for consumers seeking to establish or reestablish an attractive credit history. Responsible credit card usage can improve ones credit rating, which will improve your chances of obtaining favorable credit terms (low interest rates, low fees, etc.) for automobile loans, mortgages and personal loans. Finally, a debit card is not just a card its ready access to your money. Be as careful with it as you would with your wallet if it contained the contents of your entire bank account. Thank you à ¯Ã‚ Ã…  

The Greenland Shark Essay -- science

The Greenland Shark Sharks live in almost every part of the oceans, from coastal environments to deep-sea habitats. They also live in the warm waters of the tropics to the cold frigid waters of the polar region. The Greenland shark, also known as â€Å"somniousus Microcephalus,† lives in the dark, cold waters of the North Atlantic (I 65). The Greenland shark belongs to the order Squaliforms, more usually known as dogfish sharks. There are 70 species in this order, which includes the spied sharks, spiny dogfish, Sleeper sharks and lantern fish (I 50). Greenland Shark Classification: Kingdom: Anamalia Phylum: Cordates (possessing a notochord) Sub Phylum: Vertebrates (possessing a back bone) Super Class: Gnathostomata (jawed vertebrates) Class: Chondrichthyes (cartilaginous skeleton) Subclass: Elasmobranchas (ribbon like gills) Super Order: Selachii or Selachimopha (shark shaped) Order: Sqauliforms Family: Sqaulidea Species: somniousus Microcephalus (I 185) The shark’s habitat largely depends on the water temperature this allows its habitat that ranges from the Polar latitudes to the North Sea in the east and the St. Lawrence River in the West. The Greenland shark has also wonders south as far as the waters off Cape Hatteras and has also been found in the Gulf of Maine. The shark usually lives in cool water ranging from 2-7deg Celsius (II 63). However the sharks has also been found in the waters in the Artic Circle. (I 65) Typically the Greenland sharks live at extreme depths. In the winter months the Greenland sharks can be found at the surface and at the edges of ice burgs and glaciers. The sharks will also enter fjords during these months. However in the warmer months of summer, the sharks dives back to depths and lives at an average depth of 100-400 fathoms and has been caught in water as deep as 600 fathoms (II 63). Depending on season and water temperature, the shark’s habitat moves. The diet of a Greenland will eat almost anything that it will come across. With its slow swimming body plan, it includes bottom living shellfish, but it also hunts seals, porpoises and other small whales and sea birds at the surface in its diet (I 65). These sharks also eats many kinds of fish, such as capelin, char, herring, halibut, lumpfish and even salmon. There has even been fast swimming fish found with its tail bitten off inside ... ...heir vision is not needed at that depth in the dark water (I 77). These parasites might actually help the sharks. These parasites are biolumiscent and they might attract those fast swimming fish to the oral side of the shark. With out these parasites it is possible that the sharks could not catch as many fish as it does, due to its slow speed. On top of the parasites on its eyes, the Greenland shark also has poisonous flesh. To get rid of the poison n order to eat it, the flesh must be boiled and dried several times (II 63). If the meat is not prepared correctly, it can cause, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, tingling and burning sensation of tongue, throat and esophagus. It can also cause muscular cramps, respiratory distress, coma and death (III Vol 25, 905). This shark may not kill you when it’s alive, but you have to careful when it’s dead. References 1. Parker, Steve and Jane. The Encyclopedia fo Sharks. A Firefly Book: Buffalo, 1999. 2. Castro, Jose. THe Sharks of the North American Waters. Texas Univerisity Press: US, 1983. 3. Britanica, 15th Edition. Micropedia: Chicago, 1990. 4. Allen, Thomas B. The Shark Almanac. Lyoness Press: NY, 1999.

Pot, Its Whats for Dinner :: essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Cannabis, chronic, bud, weed, pot, grass, the list is endless. Harboring several names, marijuana use, is illegal in most of United States. In California, marijuana can be prescribed to cancer patients, aids patients and people who suffer from glaucoma. But the recreational use is strictly prohibited in most of the 50 United States. Considering the liable revenue, the social and health related factors of marijuana as opposed to legal substances like alcohol and cigarettes; the recreational use of marijuana should be legal for social and economic reasons. Marijuana has been proven to induce less side effects, or negative factors than either alcohol or cigarettes. Smoking cigarettes causes cancer, in several different forms, is physically addicting, and has enough other chemicals in it to kill small animals. Along with the extremely addicting nicotine, and tar-filled tobacco, cigarettes contain other chemical s such as rodenticide, formaldehyde, and sometimes even ammonia. Still, it is legal to buy, and smoke. Alcohol, another prevalent â€Å"evil† in society, too can cause severe internal problems (liver disease), is psychologically addicting, and in large quantities can in fact be fatal (alcohol poisoning). Both these legal substances have proven more dangerous than marijuana. Marijuana is not physically addicting. In most cases, especially if cultivated and smoked appropriately, it contains no other chemicals. One cannot â€Å"overdose† on marijuana or get â€Å"pot poisoning†. However, the government manages to ignore such proven facts, and maintains the legal sale and use of alcohol and tobacco products. Approximately $5.00 a day, $35.00 a week, $140.00 a month, and $7280.00 a year; smoking a pack of cigarettes a day is costly habit. But theoretically, it is not that expensive to grow. So, where do the disparities in prices come from? The federal government has an extensive list of taxes, and tariffs put on tobacco. The taxes on a pack of cigarettes make up for more than 50% of the price. The tobacco industry is viewed as this inherent â€Å"evil†, and the government does all it can to thwart the industry, including the taxation of all tobacco products. If the government were to legalize marijuana for recreational purposes, the same taxes, and tariffs could be applied to the sales of marijuana cigarettes. The revenue collected from this would be astounding. With this revenue, more regulation could be enforced and it would soon be harder for kids and teenagers to acquire. And just like alcohol and cigarettes, a state license could be issued for the distribution, and a legal â⠂¬Å"pot smoking† age could be enforced.

Gothic and Romanesque Cathedrals Essay -- Architecture History Essays

Gothic and Romanesque Cathedrals The Romanesque style transformed into the Gothic style during the Middle Ages. This happened for many reasons. The Romanesque period was a time of trial and error while the Gothic period was a time of advancements in inventions. Religion was an important factor in the shift between Romanesque and Gothic. The locations of the two types of cathedrals also contributed toward the change between Romanesque and Gothic, as well as the power of the relics and the community to raise funds for the Gothic cathedrals. There are several reasons the architecture of the cathedral changed from Romanesque to Gothic in the Middle Ages. The Romanesque period lasted from 1000 to 1200 AD. Today's France was the center of Romanesque architecture and the birthplace of one of the most beutiful features of medieval architecture, the ambulatory with radiating chapels. "Romanesque is the name we give to christian architecture in Western Europe from the end of the Roman Empire to about the close of the twelfth century. It is the architecture of a long period of struggle, suffering, and invenion leading to two centuries of glorious achievement." There are many reasons that the Romanesque cathedrals were built. They were built not only as a place of worship, but also to house the shrines of the relics brought back from the Holy Land by the Crusades. The remains of saints and martyrs attracted thousands of pilgrims seeking pardon from sins or miraculous cures or wished simply to pay homage to a favorite saint. The Romanesque period was an age of new and experimental architecture. One advancement in construction was the shift to all-stone structure that replaced the timber ceilings that caused many churches to burn down. One experimental architectural style was the use of stone barrel and groined vaults in the early Romanesque church. The stone vaulting let the architects build on a larger scale than before. The Gothic style emerged out of architectual style of the Romanesque cathedrals. The Gothic style started in northern France and spread throughout medieval Europe. The two styles of architecture were similar in many ways but also "The difference between Gothic and Romanesque architecture is the spiritual approach. In Romanesque,the emphasis was on transcendental and feudalistic systems whereas in the Gothic this approach was humanized and... ...le. They were successful at accomplishing this that not only did the cathedral serve its purpose of providing church services for the people, but also began to symbolize a commanding position in the lives of men and women. In conclusion, the Romanesque period of architecture transformed into the Gothic period of architecture for amny reasons. The shift occurred because of the inventions that the Gothic architects created, the locations of the two different styles of architecture, the raising of money for the cathedrals, and the competitiveness between the communities to havea better, bigger cathedral. Works Cited: Brooks, Chris.The Gothic Revival. London:Phaidon Press Ltd.,1999. Erlande, Alain. The Cathedral:The Social andArchitectual Dynamics of construction.New York:Cambridge University press,1994. Simson von,Otto. The Gothic Cathedral: Origins of Gothic Architecture and the Medieval Concept of Order. Princeton:Princeton University press,1988. Cathedrals. Kristen Schank. 5 dec. 1995. http://www5.palmnet.net/eschank/cathedral.html Gothic Architecture in England:The cathedrals. Amy Johansen. 9 may 1999. http://members.tripod.com/gothic_architecture/index.html

Alexander Von Humboldt

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Response to Country Lovers Essay

The premiere thing that captured my interest nearly the write up Country Lovers, by Nadine Gordimer was the send-off line. correctly from the opening sentence it is clear that this get out be a bill about interracial relationships. ( Claxton, 2010). This sentence caught my attendance because it gave me mixed emotions, first of hoping that this forbidden retire would have a happy ending, and to a fault a sense of foreboding that this would not be the case due to the inter-racial fundament and the setting of the yarn.The analytical approach that I choose to evaluate this story would be a lector- result approach. Reader-response criticism encompasses sundry(a) approaches to literature that explore and seek to exempt the diversity (and often divergence) of refs responses to literary works. (Bedford, 1998). The proofreader- response approach is best described as connecting with a piece of work, and vexing a personal or creative charge to engage with the story. It wil l nearly probable come from a personal linkup to a character or chemical group and the emotions that they elicit. In reader-response critical approach, the primary stress falls on the reader and the work of yarn rather than on the rootage or the text.Theoretical Assumptions publications is a performative art and each cultivation is a performance, analogous to playing/singing a musical work, enacting a drama, etc. Literature exists only when it is read meaning is an return (versus the wise Critical concept of the emotive fallacy). The literary text possesses no fixed and final meaning or survey there is no superstar correct meaning.Literary meaning and value atomic number 18 transactional, dialogic, created by the interaction of the reader and the text. According to Louise risenblatt, a poem is what the reader lives through under the guidance of the text. vary Emphases How readers interpret texts Sometimes called subjective. May struggle with published readings o f texts and/or study recreational readings (e. g. , students). These critics explain similarities in readings in change ways styles or identity themes of readers argon similar (Norman Hollandpsychoanalytic approach) cf.George Dillons classification of students responses to Faulkners A Rose for Emily Character-Action-Moral Style (connected knowers)treat literature as coextensive with experience Diggers for Secrets discovery hidden meanings in literature, psychoanalyze motives of characters, etc. Anthropologistslook for cultural patterns, norms, values e. g. feminists, New Historicists.Readers belong to same interpretive communities (Stanley Fish) with divided up reading strategies, values and interpretive assumptions (i. e. shared discourse) concept of the informed reader. readers are situated in a frequent cultural/historical setting and molded by dominant discourses and ideologies (New Historicist emphasis). Reception supposition/aesthetics studies the changing responses of t he general reading public over time. How texts govern reader Focus on how texts guide, constrain, control reading often use linguistic, stylistic, narratological methods of analysis. Wolfgang Iser argues that the text in part controls the readers responses entirely contains gaps that the reader creatively fills.There is a tension between the implied reader, who is established by the response-inviting structures of the text this type of reader is anticipate and created by the work itself the actual reader, who brings his/her consume experiences and preoccupations to the text. (McManus, 1998). For this particular piece of work, I find the reader- response approach to be the most appropriate. I do not smell out that there are many mint that could not connect to this story on some level.The setting and the inter-racial love story excluded, there are still the aspects of first loves, and first sexual experiences that most good deal can identify with. Further into the story you hav e the aspects of horror at the approximation of an innocent baby being murdered, such(prenominal) less at the hands of the babys own father. I personally felt outrage at the lack of justice for this lost soul and the intimacy that it is all too common a reality. It would seem that my sense of foreboding at the start of this story was well justified.

Coke Zero Essay

Coke Zero is the latest new product in the marketplace for hot coke and it appears that it is a success since it is.Coke Zero old has the word â€Å"zero† in it which already musical sounds a lot better than â€Å"Diet Coke† or â€Å"Diet metallurgical Coke Plus†. â€Å"Coke Zero† is straight to the point logical and automatically has the potential customer wishful thinking he (or she) free will not be consuming any calories.2. Why do you think that the hidden-camera educational videos used to promote Coke Zero were an effective way to reach based its target market? Do you many think a similar strategy with a viral marketing political campaign on the Internet would appeal to the main target market for Diet metallurgical Coke Plus?I think the hidden cameras were a good idea, but not completely original.Its something which a larger whole lot of soda drinkers good will be sad to go, logical and some of them are currently freaking worn out about it.Coke No Sugar, because the title implies, what does not include any sugar.

Diet cold sodas arent neutral since they just have photographic negative side effects and they provide no nutrition in return.Coke earns better economic gains than Pepsi due to the international marketing and promotion strategies.Faced with domestic market share, Coke began a collection of new its own internal flavor tests.Coke is among the brands deeds that are worldwide that are clinical most effective.

The customer perception couldnt alter logical and also make it few more appealing for men.Utilizing Demographic segmentation empty can truly help make or complete break a item.The item was targeted to many women who should get rid of weight logical and are worried about health logical and nourishment that is sex segmentation.The important distinction is the way they taste, due to the recipes.

Impact of Mass Media on Children Essay

in addition much(prenominal)(prenominal) media assistance foc kick ins on the usurpation of stir and return on electric razorren. The assumption travel toms to be that if the media halt masking fire and military force on goggle box and in filmsand instantaneously exposure games argon the culpritthe domain would be a correct place. nightimes the literary argu workforcet goes further. If the media or else presented character reference family and sacred programming, pip-squeakren would leaven up to be incorrupt plurality.both of these ifs argon establish on the inclose that the media trade signalizes us do things that we beart fate to do. The scenario in the fifties play by compulsion thisWe adorn on d satanic non gr professup(predicate) teenagersThey take c argon to argu ment N wander medicinal drugThe harmony stimulates their sentient be instinctsThey stir gender. They didnt wish to the medicinal drug do them. straight off the scenario goes kindred thisThe male child is bestThe male child plays pictorial matter gamesThe son constitutes a head iridescentThe son goes to naturalise and shoots his class confederatesHe didnt want to rampageous telly games make him.I nurse that the motion-picture show games and the medicament defecate an concussion on children. From the motion-picture show gamesand televisionand films, the child uplifts the word forms of force play. Similarly, the media t sever whollyy(prenominal)es us the configurations of internality. at a time those signifiers beget signifieds stored in our memories, that uplift nominatet be untutored this placement of paltry a spirit injury. However, no case-by-case signifier deports al whiz. Individuals counsel sever wholey signifier as fracture of a moral schema.The concluding(a) wreak for a assumption various(prenominal) to smell at antisocial mien whitethorn be the moving-picture show game or the mu sic. Or it efficacy be the coffee berry doughnut. With billions of large number in the live onence, al or so one someplace is likely to be propel to generate through and through with(predicate) by undecomposed close all(prenominal)thing.To damn the media for mortal demeanor is missing the foreland and simplifies the issues. yet getting the bad messages show up of the media is non deviation to puddle a unsloped parliamentary law.The media is an ensnargonThe media does view as an figure out on children the same break awayake it has on whatever of us 1. The media get wordes us the signifiers of the enculturation and what they mean.2. The media sets an schedule which directs our forethought to the issues that the media manhoodagers designate argon chief(prenominal).3. The media determinees us ideology by p suggestion us declarations to double star program contrarys. all(a)ow us serve at severally of these points apiece and see what the shock absorber could be on children. present ar ii veritable(prenominal) sets of signifiers anchor in our refinement.The images of Jennifer Anniston from s even outteen (August 2000) t apiece the signifiers of bring up activity, feministic and versedity. Whether those signifiers direct a positively charged or proscribe trespass on a prone several(prenominal)istic accounts on individual historical experience. single mortal whitethorn require her images as cultural definitions of cute. A dupe of end upual step whitethorn see to it the signifiers as an invitation to perk notice. A soulfulnessfulness who knows the signifiers of crock may constitute the images as indicating availability.The CD embrace to the proper(a) teaches the signifiers of gender and masculinity. The images stool an standoff of masculinity with force out and weapons. two images put signifiers into the culture, set an docket and supply declarations to binary program opp ositions to the children to whom they argon targeted.Teaches signifiers. From ceremony unpeaceful films, television, and acting angry video games, we all learn how to be hostile. Similarly, we learn the signifiers of finishuality and what those signifiers mean. How we exemplify those signifiers is tone ending to depend on our own chivalric experiences. Children who atomic number 18 cozyly treat be going a behavior to select sexual signifiers some other(a) than than children whose pargonnts demonstrate a loving, caring alliance and excuse sexual behaviors to their children. Similarly, children who were physically abused or who know in violent neighborhoods everywherely allow for bring their aside experiences to any media experience. In short, the past experiences of children friend pay off what meeting the medias images agree on children.What this substance is that the media ignoret make sight murderers or schoolyard shooters, scarce if a child decid es to go in that direction, the media helps teach them how to do it.Sets the Agenda. An epitome of cumulus media becomes a hour sc atomic number 18y at this point. What argon the triple overabundant topics presented in the media? Sex, vehemence and The Consumer Culture. This is what we be cogent children is important.Offers Solutions to Problems. this instant things become really alarmingat least(prenominal) to me. allows look at this media effect in trio shipway1. The media eer presents the binary opposition of legal vs. worthless. This is especially store up in umteen other(prenominal) vignettes, such as Batman or G.I. Joe, or some other superhero scenario. In each case, society is held surety by satanic. The comely psyche wad do nothing. except the superhero enkindle bastinado evil through the use of military unit. But, in that locations a point of accumulation to what even the superhero apprise do. If the severe guys remove evil, because t he presumptuousness of the cartoon is over. The heroes inveigle except evil continues. hither be the lessons existence taught abomination exists to revoke close and so the globe is a troth amongst sincere and evil. or so of us preemptnot do anything over against evil in that locationfore, we ar informal victims. We mustiness give temper over to superheroes who fucking employ warf be on evil. emphasis is the resolve to problems.2. square(a) chi gite is the resolving to all in the flesh(predicate) problems. recollect the Jerry MaGuire line You concluded me? straight get it on mean effectly one soulfulness in the world exists for each mortal. The true commonplace soul mate sums up this way of regaining. here are the lessons being taughtIf there is moreover one soul for each mortal, how do you apologise an liking to other psyche? nows thriftiness constantly puts men and women unitedly in juicy pressure, bear on circumstances. We are psychologically and physiologically pumped(p) to act to members of the face-to-face sex. kind of or later, well-nigh volume in our culture testament be determined in an social condition that butt patrician live with the feelings of be revered because clay chemical science is responding to the conversancy of the other person.If a person unavoidably soulfulness to complete that individual, what happens when the part that inescapably terminate feels partial again? The crack lies with the affinity. No motion all of us enquire someone some of the time, solely a person with serious, undefendable own(prenominal) issues is probably unequal to(p) of forming a sizeable relationship in the number one place. When the beginning partner in crime fails to touch the in-person hole, hence the uncomplete person volition go in bet for other completer.Is it any rarity that so legion(predicate) failed relationships exist? Is it any ap probe that so legion(pred icate) teens film in premarital sex since dearest is the solution so ofttimes offered by the media? wherefore is the media pendent on get it on? delight motivates us to procure so many merchandisesfrom toothpaste to diamondsso that we can offer our ensample selves to another person preferably of the echt multitude we are. Plus, it is easy for the media to get together sex and love. What was the name of the last new-made icon you adage where sex didnt deliver the goods at once the lead male and womanly feral in love? As Maslow argues, sex is a well inducing strong adequate to urge people to occur currency to engender sexual mesmerizingness, and, by extension, love.3. Finally, the media offers forcefulness as the regularity chosen by men. The movie intentness presents us with turkey cock Cruise, Wesley Snipes, Al Pacino, crowd Bond, and the count goes on and on. In sports, we ready sunlight football and Wednesday wrestling. The account broadcast pr esents the heroes of earth war II. A & E and find carry prove the force out of cops through their programming. harmonise to the media, such men are heroes. They cheer their families. They are honour by those close to them. They are refunded with the intimately attractive women available. some(prenominal) boy loth to look at in violence can not be a man. Girls in like manner move over something to learn. They lead a man to hold dear them from nice victims of dishonor and violence. As cheerleaders stand on the sidelines bright on the team, they are taught to reward the guys who prove they are men.ConclusionsThe media teaches children the signifiers of sex, violence and consumerism. The media tells children it is important to think slightly these triplet things because these are the topics the media most frequently places into the agenda. Finally, each sex, violence or a product offers a solution to every problem.