Price and Value Agreement

Is the value of something equal to the price tag placed on it? Is the value and worth of something the same for every person? This is something that many struggle with understanding properly. To fully understand this concept then you must understand the true difference between the value, price, and worth of something. I intend to explain these and provide you with a better understanding by the end of this paper. Have you ever went grocery shopping and purchased multiple items just because there was a half off sale; or a buy one and get one free sale? Many of you probably have, I am one myself that is guilty of this. However, have you ever really thought about the value of that additional item? Since it was free does it mean that there was not value of it either? This is where the importance of knowing the difference in value and price. The value of something does not determine the price of it; the price is determined by the demand of something and how many are available, or otherwise known as the supply. If there is a high demand of something then there is going to be a lower supply of them available. When the supply is low and the demand is high; people are willing to pay more for that item when it is available. This is something that you see happening during the holiday season. For example, a few years ago when the Tickle Me Elmo’s were so popular, the stores increased the prices by almost double just because they knew that people would pay it. Are you one of those people that will pay the price for something you want, regardless on how much it is? There are many of people that do; but not me. I am one of those that will wait for the price to go down; or will do research online to look and see if I can find it cheaper. I am not one of those people that have to have the best of everything; although I do like to stay within the modern days. However, I am willing to pay more for fuel and true necessities. I know that there are smaller stores and gas stations that have these things but price them higher; however, I figure if I can get everything that I need at that time in one stop then why should I waste gas to drive around to find what I am looking for? I have also realized that the name brand items are more expensive that the generic items. This sometimes means that you get cheaper made products, depending on what you are looking at at that particular time. I will pay more for the more popular and name brand items when it comes to vehicles and electronics; but I am all for the generic in everything else. There are sometimes that I prefer name brand jeans; but that is just because they are stronger material for when I work. My uncle is from Mexico and sends money home often. He indicated that the last time he sent money the exchange rate was fourteen peso to the American dollar. So does this mean that if something costs fourteen thousand dollars here that it is only one thousand in Mexico? No, it does not. Something that would cost 32 peso in Mexico would convert to costing two dollars and twenty five cents in American dollars. However that same thing is going to cost roughly three dollars and sixty cents here. Mexico has a much lower income rate so therefore the cost of living is lower. This also applies for each state here in the United States. There are different states that have higher income levels, thus higher cost of living. This means that goods, services, homes, and many other things are going to be more expensive in that state than what you could get in another state. With this being said; is a three bedroom home is California worth more or better than the same three bedroom home in Montana? This does not make the house any better than the other; however, does make it worth more. This is because California is a much more desired state to live in and work because of the attractions and the income level being so high. Therefore, the real estate prices and value go up. The house in California is also going to have a different type of structure that the one in Montana and that is because of the different climate threats and weather conditions; therefore, that also raises the value of the property. However, the largest asset that is going to determine the value of the property is the location of it. I personally would pass up an opportunity to live in a large state and city any day just to stay in my little town. I may not live in the best house but I do live in the best neighborhood of my town. I don’t have to worry about the crime and violence where I am as much as others do. The one thing to remember about property value is that it is better to be the roughest house in the best neighborhood than what it is to be the best house in the roughest neighborhood. This is once again because of the location determine the value of the home. Not only have the value and prices of real estate in my area went down over the years with the economy; but the value of the American dollar has as well. This is caused the cost of living to increase and therefore, the minimum wage has also. When I first started working the minimum wage was only $5. 15 per hour. Here is Indiana it was actually that for many years up until here just a few years ago. Since the cost of living has gone up, the minimum wage has now gone up to $7. 25 per hour here. I try not to look at it as me only being worth that much; but my time for the company being worth that much. I know that my time is worth more to my family; however, I have to have a means of supporting them. I think it is really hard to determine the worth of people dependant on their career choice. I say this because when we take a rookie baseball player making five million dollars a year and a veteran teacher only makes sixty thousand dollars a year; it is really hard to believe that a baseball player does more good than a teacher. The baseball player makes more because they generate trillions of dollars in income annually for the team; thus why they are able to be paid so much. Although the teachers put in just as much time, if not more, they do not generate any income for the schools, so they could be considered an expense. The funding to pay the teachers come from the government and therefore, is much less than that of a baseball player. However, I do not think that the amount of income can determine one’s worth; especially in this situation. I think I would have to say that I am willing to do many jobs to support myself and my family; however, the one that I am not willing to do is fast food. This is because I can not take the heat of being in the kitchen and dealing with the rude customers. It is also a proven fact that those that work in fast food are more apt to be overweight and not healthy. I have enough problems with my weight the way it is; I don’t need the help of the fast food. Price, value, and worth are all related in one way or another. You make decisions on the worth of the item to you every time you decide to make a purchase or not be determining if the item is worth enough to you to pay the price. The higher the demand equals the lower the supply; therefore, the lower the supply equals the higher the price. The worth is determined by each individual because an item may be worth more to one person than it is to another.

Global Attitudes to Disability

The purpose of this academic piece is to explore global views of disability within a historical and contemporary context. The assignment will consider the impact of economic, religious and cultural influence and consider how models of disability also perceive disability. The rationale for the selection of subject choice is that the author works within the Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI) arena and so disability and views of disability are relevant to person centered care. The majority of clinical research has traditionally focused on the functional limitations of people with impairments.However, a global perspective can provide a powerful insight into views of disability. Mutual respect and understanding can contribute to an inclusive society and the identification of knowledge, beliefs and attitudes to the disabled can be beneficial in providing educational needs and public information. Literature states that globally, a billion people have some form of disability; which equates to 15% of the population (World Health Organization (WHO), 2011, p7).This amount exceeded predicted figures by the World Health Survey which estimated 785 million (WHO, 2004, p8); and the Global Burden of Disease report which anticipated 975 million. Of the quoted billion people, 190 million individuals will have a severe disability such as tetraplegia or blindness (WHO, 2008, p15). It is suggested that this number is set to rise significantly over the next 25 years; both within Eastern and Western societies. This can be attributed to an ageing population whereby older persons are at an increased risk of developing a disability.Additionally there is a global increase in chronic health conditions such as diabetes, mental illness, cardiovascular disease and cancer which can lead to decreased independent functioning (Priestley, 2001, p3). It is suggested that almost every person will experience some form of impairment at some point throughout their lifetime, on either a temporary or permanent b asis (WHO, 2011, p7). Disability is a natural part of the human experience whether it is due to illness, injury or aging.The concept of disability is described as contentious and a complex web of social, cultural, medical, historical and experiential perspectives. Definitions of disability are vast and are said to differ depending on who is defining disability and for what purpose (Smart, 2001, p225). Cultural analysis identifies that the term disability refers most precisely to an inability to perform tasks that are illogically bounded from daily life (Johnson, 2004, p59).The definition of disability provided by the Equality Act (Department of Health (DOH), 2010) states that a person has a disability if they have a physical or mental impairment which has a long term effect on their ability to perform day-to-day activities. Definitions are vital, not only because they are influential in the recognition of people with a disability/impairment but also because they affect self identity and affirm a common language (Johnson, 2004, p60). Groce (1999, p5) states that disability as a united concept is not universal and many languages lack an actual word for disability.Instead these societies group people with similar impairments. Because so much of the experience of disability comes from outside the condition itself, people in the global disability rights movement emphasise that disability is culturally defined (Chiu and Chan, 2007, p159). Coleman (2006, p17) agrees with this statement and proposes that attempts to provide a universal definition are flawed because they suggest that cultural practices, environment and standards are similar. When in fact, these will differ significantly depending on where the person is living.Patterns of disability in specific countries are attributed to environmental and health trends and other factors such as road traffic incidents, substance abuse, diet, natural disasters and conflict. Uneven economic and political development coinc iding with varying views and attitudes to disability means that children, older people and adults with impairment are affected differently in different parts of the world (WHO, 2011, p5). Worldwide studies have identified that disabled people have poorer health outcomes, lower educational achievements and higher rates of poverty.Negative attitudes/views of disability can have a detrimental effect on the disable person and there is growing literature to suggest that diverse views, policies and practices contribute to decreased life chances and life expectancy (Priestley, 2001, p12). The health issues facing the disabled in a rich technological country with social support differ from those in a poorer environment. In a global context poor people are more likely to be affected by disability and impairment, and are more likely to live in poverty. Kisanji (1995, p90) states that this is not solely to do with disabling attitudes or discrimination.The causes are said to be deep rooted in s tructural inequalities and conflicts arising from economic and political upheaval and development. However, MacLachlan and Swartz (2009, p210) argue that although disability correlates with disadvantage not all people with disabilities are equally disadvantaged. The world we inhabit is described as unequal and the Capitalist mode of production is now said to shape social rehabilitation across the entire planet. Recent years have witnessed massive increases in poverty and economic polarisation.As the rich get richer the poor get poorer and this is happening both within and between nations; thus resulting in the people of the majority world and disabled people worldwide, feeling the effects (Castells, 2001, p471). Those disabled people who are part of the majority world are thus the poorest most isolated group in the poorest most isolated places (Charlton, 1998, p43). Many authors argue that the roots of poverty that are found in the majority world are located in the global capitalist system and its inequitable distribution of wealth (Hoogvelt, 1997, p88).Groce (1999, p5) asserts that much of the discussion of disability in current society is embedded in sweeping stereotypes. The Western world is thought to have a specific culture of ideals with desirable attributes such as wealth, appearance and strength. In a cultural context disability also intersects with other practices and beliefs and a combination of factors will determine what are considered desirable attributes. People with a disability therefore deviant from the norm to which we are encouraged to aspire. Murray (2009, p578) states that as human beings we provide meanings to the objects in our world.Therefore, if disability is viewed as a tragedy, people with impairments collectively become victims. Attitudes to disability are often a combination of persecution, acceptance and tolerance, with McDermott and Varenne (1995, p325) stating that the tolerance shown is typically of a paternalistic kind. A glob al thought process is that those who are disabled need to be looked after, and are therefore viewed as objects of pity and charity. Miles (1995, p49) is in agreement and states that this paternalistic nature is evident in the work of voluntary organisations.Paternalistic attitudes can lead to dependency and helplessness in the disabled and lead to low self – esteem (Tromoeda and Bayles, 2002, p3). Modern practice encourages individuals to recognise and respect the disabled individual as a person first and as disabled second. Stereotyping affects how the disabled are viewed and stereotypical views of disability appear to emphasise the use of wheelchairs alongside other ‘classic’ groups such as the deaf or blind. When discussing the notion of stereotyping it is recognised that people with a disability are seen to represent a minority group within our culture.Tsang et al (2003, p383) suggest that within our society people with a disability are seen to be inferior an d viewed as undesirable, dependent, different, tragic, asexual and lower in intelligence. Therefore, they will potentially be subjected to prejudice, segregation and discrimination that other oppressed groups experience. Tromoeda and Bayles, 2002, p4) suggest that within some cultures people within the workplace avoid working with a person who has a disability; thus contributing to the social negative attitude towards the disabled person; which can have a detrimental effect on the disabled person.Beliefs and prejudices can constitute barriers to education, employment and social acceptance (Schmillmeir, 2008, p611). McDermott and Varenne (1995, p323) affirm that every being in every culture is subject to being both labeled not just disabled individuals. It is evident that negative attitudes and stereotypes have been reinforced by society and religion over many centuries. Through examining historical literature on disability it is clear that many ideals of the disabled were developed from past myths, religion and folklore.In early Greece and Rome those with perfect physique were regarded with admiration and acceptance and the deformed and impaired were rejected. It is said that the philosopher, Aristotle, advocated the practice of infanticide for impaired children. There is still evidence of this attitude in society today with non-treatment of newborns with severe disabilities and prenatal testing procedures to detect defectives (Wininger, 2011, p198). In medieval Europe it is reported that disabled people were accepted as part f the family or group and participated in jobs such as working the land (Wininger, 2011, p199). However, Miles (1999, p50) challenges this and argues that even in ancient times the survival of people with disabilities rested with the able bodied. A dependent caste was born amongst the belief that those who were disabled were incapable of contributing anything worthwhile to society. In times of social upheaval and illness such as the plagu e, the disabled were viewed as evil or sinners that had brought disasters upon society.A reaction to this was the flagellants, a European group who believed that penitence would prevent a person becoming ill or disabled. These individuals beat themselves with the aim of becoming more holy (Ingstaad, 1999, p756). The attitude at this time of being disfigured was very powerful as it marked a person as different which is a prejudice that still stands today. The middle ages brought about the notion that congenitally impaired children were ‘changelings’ and believed to be an indication of evil, with the parents of these disabled children were encouraged to drown them at birth (Barnes and Mercer, 2005, p12).These negative views have continued across time and the 19th century saw greater segregation of the disabled, with the workforce rejecting the impaired. The disabled were seen as lazy and sent to the Workhouse resulting in the disabled becoming more dependent on the medica l profession for healthcare and benefits (Miles, 1999, p51). The United Kingdom’s (UK) Mental Deficiency Act of 1913 categorised the disabled as idiots, imbeciles, feeble minded and morally defective (Ingstaad, 1999, p758).Further historical evidence illustrates that from the 1890’s the introduction of separate special schools was brought about and with it the medical model of disability prevailed. The 20th century produced eugenicists who interpreted Darwin’s theories of evolution and natural selection to their own ends. They argued that they could improve the quality of the human race by selective breeding because they thought that people with disabilities would weaken the gene pool.Following this development disabled people were increasingly shut away in institutions for life (Barnes and Mercer, 2005, p14). In many American states women who were born deaf and anyone with a low IQ were sterilized; and these laws remained in place until the 1980’s (Winin ger, 2011, p202) Perceptions of disability vary worldwide, from culture to culture; and within actual cultures and nations. Within countries it is possible to find differences in perception based on socioeconomic influence, religion, urban or rural setting, region and the actual type of disability.Each culture has views of the disabled and their role in society. When considering the term culture from an anthropologist perspective it can be viewed as containers of coherence that identify the various people who live in their own specific ways and so have their own unique views on specific subjects. Each group is distinguishable from others by a common sense of coherence and a particular way of making sense and meaning, with members who possess individualistic and have varying degrees of knowledge (McDermott and Varenne, 1995, p323).Global views take into account strategies for enabling the disabled full or partial participation within a given culture. The United Nations (UN) states th at 80% of disabled individuals live in so called developing countries, the ‘majority’ world (Stone, 1999, p11) However, much of the published research studies on attitudes to disability take place in the minority world; therefore resulting in disability being portrayed in a medical and social model from a minority viewpoint.Consequently it is imperative to examine views and attitudes to disability from a global perspective to gain a clearer picture (Priestley, 2001, p3). Kisanji (1995, p4) proposes that each culture has it own unique characteristics which may be better understood by indigenous people. Misinterpretations may be made by researchers and so caution should be made when reviewing articles on non-western attitudes. It is suggested by Gilson and Dymond (2011) that there is a lack of research into attitudes towards disability within Asian academic literature.Miles (1995, p68) states that there have been few studies on attitudes to disability within an eastern re ligious context and so more studies are needed in this area to understand their beliefs and to achieve a thorough global perspective on disability. Studies of attitudes to disability in non-western areas are few due to the lengthy time ethnographic research takes to complete. However, Kisanji (1995, p5) suggests that cultural studies can be useful in revealing general views of disability and disabled people.Any indigenous beliefs and attitudes, when described and interpreted by western researchers; often illuminates more about western prejudices and belief systems than they do about the society of which they claim to be gaining an understanding (Ingstaad, 1999, p75). Over the past 30 years disability has progressed from the margins to the mainstream of the international human rights agenda. In the growing field of disability studies, a variety of models of disability have been identified and utilised.The models that are used frame how disabled people are treated and perceived in reg ards to education, employment and socially representation (Evans et al, 2005, p67). Models of disability also provide a framework for understanding how people with a disability experience being labeled as disabled. The two main models which influence modern thinking are the medical model and social model. Within the medical model disabled people are viewed as the problem. The disabled individual is required to change and adapt to circumstances as ability allows.This model underpins the WHO definition of disability and contains no suggestion that society needs to take responsibility/action to change. Fein and Asch (1998, p4) state that the medical model of disability characterises disability as a state of abnormality that is attributable to the individual. Alternatively, the social model has been developed by people with a disability, in response to the medical model. The social model of disability has fundamentally changed the way in which disability is regarded and has had a major impact on anti-discriminatory legislation.The social model consists of the opinion that disability is caused by the barriers that exist within society which they allege discriminate against people with impairments and therefore excludes them from involvement and participation. The social model’s definition of disability has now become more main stream (Priestley, 2001, p6); focusing on how the disabled person is perceived, accepted and accorded citizen rights and responsibilities. Conceptual models and frameworks of disability affect the way in which an individual with a disability sees themselves and the world around them.They influence the manner in which people in their world interact with them; additionally they underpin many social policies that directly affect their lives (Groce, 1999, p6). European cultures tend to view those with a disability as dependent. Other cultures may have differing models and not view that person as disabled or impaired at all (Wininger, 2011, p262). The WHO’s two models of health and disability demonstrate how global views about health and disability have changed with a ten year period. A key change that is noted is the terminology, with a shift from terms such as impairment and disability to more neutral idioms.Additionally the term disability is now an umbrella term to represent the dynamic interaction between a person and the environment (Young and Quibell, 2000, p748). There is considerable variation between cultures in the way in which disabilities are defined. Acceptance is at varying levels and there is no consistency in which conditions are actually seen as a disability. In everyday society variations exist; what might be seen as a serious disability may be readily accepted within a particular culture.Kisanji (1990, p5) suggests that cultural attitudes to disability can be found via artwork, carvings and folk law. A vast continent such as Africa can produce a pattern of attitudes expressed via proverbs, w hich are common in all cultures; but specifically in those that use the written word. Proverbs collected in a research study in Tanzania show a positive attitude to disability with respect and support noted for individual differences, an obvious demand for parents to take responsibility for the disabled child and ultimately disability viewed as a fact of life (Kisanji, 1995, p14).The global diversity of social and cultural views of disability directly influences the degree of stigma or respect experienced by community members with impairment (Coleman, 2006, p211). Tsang et al (2003, p383) identify that the stigma of disability is particularly strong within Chinese society. In fact the traditional Chinese term for disability is canferi which means handicap and useless. In many areas of China a disability is still considered to be a punishment for one’s past life sins.Often the Chinese will visit a temple or a Taoist priest to pray or perform rituals to find out the cause and a solution to their disability. Another belief is that an unbalanced diet and the mother demonstrating a temper or grief during pregnancy can contribute to the birth of a baby with a disability. In China it is seen as a shame to have a disability or a disabled relative and there is a lot of stigma attached (Johnson, 2004, p275). Within Asian society it is also considered shameful to have a disability.Michalko (2002, p23) and Stone (1999, p14) are in agreement that in some cultures disability is seen as a failure of that person’s body and it is therefore seen as the job of the medical, rehabilitation and educational services to restore as much independent function to the disabled individual since the impairment is seen as something to be avoided and/or cured. Nalam (2011) states that in Mumbai, India it is difficult getting admission to a mainstream school and generally disabled people are directed to ‘special’ schools which are specifically for individuals with a severe learning disability; rather than the physically challenged.Nalam (2011) goes on to state that access to buildings and public areas is poor and many people demonstrate unnecessary sympathy and pity. Most disabled people are seen as useless and treated as outcasts; a primitive attitude. Alternatively, the Native American perception of disability is one of a positive view. Unlike many other cultures the Native Americans honour and respect disabled people. The belief is that a person who is weak in body is especially strong in mind and spirit (Johnson, 2004, p263).It is reported that South American countries also generally accept those with a disability into their society. Unlike Central America who seem to have emotional difficulty in accepting and embracing the disabled population (Johnson, 2004, p113). Social analysis indicates that individuals who are labeled as disabled are often subjected to a public response/attitude that multiples any difficulties that the seemingly unabl e are already subjected to (McDermott and Varenne, 1995, p3240.A view towards disability that was expressed within the United Kingdom (UK) was that a person with a physical disability must also have a mental disorder or learning disability (Trooeda and Bayles, 2002, p5). Along with the general concept of disability, literature suggests that there is stigma associated with different impairments and perceptions of where responsibility for the disability lies (Murray, 2009, p573). Those disabilities that have arisen as a result of incidents/ related to drink or drug substances are widely viewed as self-induced and receive little empathy rom society.However, when a disability happens to an individual by causes outside their control then more sympathy is expressed. Kirby (2004, p229) agrees that in many cultures a disability that is attributed to fate, bad luck or genetics is also regarded with empathy. There is a wide expression of acceptance globally of disabilities that are acquired d ue to an external cause. However, many cultures are of the shared opinion that any impairment is a clear indication of bad behavior in the past either by the individual or by a member of their family.Johnson (2004, p253) advocates that Nigeria, Japan, India, Greece and Turkey feel that a disability is a divine sign of bad karma. Within these places there is a strong negative stigma attached to the individual and their family. Fein (1988, p21) and Tsang et al (2003, p384) imply that the degree of stigma was enhanced further if an individual had a disability from birth which is seen as a curse from God. Within Greece, India and Japan this would affect the family prestige within society.Stigmatization of different disabilities is found in all societies, worldwide and culturally informed prejudices. Erving Goffman (1963, p85) applied the term negative stigma to any condition or trait which is viewed as culturally unacceptable or inferior with consequent feelings of shame, guilt and disg race. He identified three types of stigma with a common element of a spoilt identity. A further study by Kleinman and Han (2003) discussed the narratives of a patient group who were suffering from what was labeled as various kinds of stigmatising disease or disfigurement and the fear of contagion.The WHO (2011, p19) advocate that Government and voluntary organisations should utilise social marketing campaigns in order to change attitudes and stigma associated to disability. The use of media can be successful in ensuring the dissemination of positive stories about disabled persons to increase awareness and understanding and change negative views and attitudes. By identifying global views on disability it has enabled an understanding of how these perceptions can influence and affect the lives and outcomes of the disabled person.The literature has been conclusive in identifying that negative views can ultimately cause barriers to learning, health, employment and social acceptance.. Str ategies are used varyingly across the globe which aims to address the barriers that the disabled face. Specific agendas have been identified by the WHO (2011, p12) such as making all existing healthcare systems more inclusive and making healthcare programme accessible to people with disabilities in order to reduce health disparities.It is suggested that understanding the beliefs and attitudes about disability is fundamental for those who wish to foster effective change in the majority world. However, this arguably does little more than encourage a judgment focus on indigenous belief system practices. (Miles, 1999, p50). To conclude, the exploration of global views of disability has provided an insight into the vast beliefs of many cultures across the world. Through examining historical literature it has been possible to understand the origins of many belief systems and how such ideals affect perceptions today.

Homeostatic Balances Essay

Homeostasis is maintaining an Internal Balance. If we fail to maintain an internal balance every system inside of our body will be disrupted. Hypertension To explain to a 65 year old man with an 8th grade education, that he has hypertension, I would begin explaining, in a manor I believe that he would understand, what hypertension is and how it can affect him. ‘Hypertension is when your blood pressure is high on a daily basis. Blood pressure is considered to be high when the reading is 140/90 or higher. When your heart beats harder your blood pressure rises. High blood pressure can be caused by an imbalance in the Circulatory System and can lead to many other health problems including stroke and heart disease. Treatments that can lower blood pressure include lifestyle changes and medications. Lifestyle changes that can lower blood pressure are, but not limited to, diet changes, exercising and relaxation. There are a very wide variety of different medications that can be taken for hypertension.’ The homeostatic imbalance that causes hypertension is something that would raise blood pressure such as stress, being overweight, older age, ect. The organ system involved with hypertension is the heart. The feedback system cannot maintain homeostasis because the heart is working too hard to get the blood pressure to a normal range. The consequences for not maintaining homeostatic balance can be major health problems associated with the heart such as stroke and heart disease. Reference: Some of the information I found was in a YouTube video- Hypertension Explained Clearly! 1 of 2 @ http://youtu.be/OmKVteeuQj0 Diabetes To explain diabetes to a 13-year old middle school honors student who has just been diagnosed with it, I would begin with what diabetes is. ‘Juvenile-onset/Type 1 diabetes is a disease that is caused by your body not being able to produce or use insulin. For unknown reasons your body’s immune system, as well as others with type 1 diabetes, attacks various cells in the body which causes a deficiency of the insulin hormone. You will now need to monitor your food intake and check your blood sugar levels.’ The  homeostatic imbalance that causes type 1 diabetes is a metabolic disorder where the body does not produce enough or produces too much insulin. The organ system involved with diabetes is the pancreas, but the entire body can be affected by diabetes. The feedback system cannot maintain homeostasis because the body cannot create enough, or creates too much insulin. Even though the receptors are telling the control center that the effector needs to produce more i nsulin the body cannot create it or creates too much of it. Consequences of not maintaining homeostatic balance include problems with eyes, heart, kidneys, feet, nerves and even the reproductive system. References: http://diabetes.webmd.com/guide/type-1-diabetes http://www.webhealthcentre.com/Healthcorners/diabetes_organs.aspx

International Interview Project Assignment Research Paper

International Interview Project Assignment - Research Paper Example Chan, personal communication, January 29, 2012). Located in Southeast Asia, the country shares its water borders with China in the form of the South China Sea which is east of Vietnam. It turns out that the Philippines has a long history of being colonized by other countries and their quest for independence as a country is still being fought for until today. The first and longest staying colonizers of the Philippines according to Jennifer were the Spaniards. The country was annexed by Ferdinand Magellan in the name of Spain which was the country that financed his expedition into Asia but, the management of the country was left mostly to their Mexican counterparts. It was during this colonization that the Chinese came to settle in the Philippines. This was followed by the American Occupation, the Japanese Occupation, American Liberation, and finally, independence for the republic that began as a Commonwealth country. Jennifers ancestors came to settle in the country during the American Liberation era and have become naturalized cit izens of their adopted country. I would be hard pressed to find a Filipino with pure Filipino blood she told me. Their population always carries a mix of either one, two, or all of the following bloodlines: Chinese, American, Spanish, Japanese, and Arab blood due to the interracial marriages that always freely happened even during their colonized periods. If there is one thing that always strikes any person who first meets Jennifer, it is the fact that she has such a bubbly personality and seems to always put the comfort of those around her before her own. The department of tourism website for the Philippines (2012) explains that this spirit of kinship and camaraderie is something that was inherited from their Malay forefathers. The local hospitality though, is something that seems to be hard wired into their DNA. Nobody really knows where the race inherited it from.

Starbucks coffe industry Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Starbucks coffe industry - Case Study Example The organization selected for the study is Starbucks which is a major coffee retail chain based in USA and has operations across numerous areas of the globe. The study would include a theoretical analysis highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of each of the strategies mentioned above. In addition the study would also take into account the similarities and dissimilarities between the chosen set of business strategies. Furthermore the study would analyze the external environmental aspects that govern the coffee industry. This would be followed with an analysis for the trends of the coffee industry that would include an industry analysis of the entire industry. Finally a set of strategies would be proposed for Starbucks from among the chosen set of four generic strategies that would help the firm gain and consolidate its market share in the market and to help generate sustainable competitive advantage in the long run. Introduction In the age of increased market competition it ha s become inevitable for business organizations to purse strategies that differentiate their product offering from the others in the market. Porter proposed a set of three strategies namely focus strategy, differentiation and cost leadership that can be followed by firms to gain market advantage. Firms like Wal-Mart incorporate a single strategy like cost while there are others that use a combination of these strategies to create a hybrid strategy to generate advantage for them in the market. The choice of strategy largely depends upon the nature of the business and the target market segment considering the fact that each set of strategy has its own set of advantages as well as disadvantages (Griffin, 2008, p.207). Firms should therefore analyze their internal as well as external aspects before undertaking and implementing a business strategy. This would help them take the best advantage of the market conditions and would also help them channelize their internal resources and capacit ies to create favorable positioning and brand image of their brands and organization in the minds of the target market audience. Theoretical Background Depending upon the internal and external aspects influencing an organization it is necessary to adopt any of the four strategies namely differentiation, low-cost leadership, best cost and focus strategy. The matrix below lists out the similarities and dissimilarities of these strategies. Strategy Type Advantages Disadvantages Focus Focus Strategies help generate efficiency and promote greater learning and innovation. It helps firms to concentrate to a single segment and analyze their needs more effectively (Moore, 2008, p.84-85). Concentration on a single segment can be disastrous if the key differentiators are imitated by another market player. Narrowing down of difference within the target segments can lead to business risk (Longenecker et.al, 2005, p.66) Differentiation Helps beat the market competition. Generate new products acro ss different segments and reduces the business risks and uncertainties (Parnell, 2003, p.91) Loss of cost based advantage Imitation of key features by competitors (Wit & Meyer, 2010, p.343) Low Cost Leadership Ability to take greater advantage of demand and supply factors. Reduction of market risk (John & Harrison, n.d., p.82). Too much focus on cost can lead to deviation from the market and customers. Product aspects like quality and safety may be compromised

Latin American Civilization Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Latin American Civilization - Essay Example The staple corn can be pounded into tortillas, taco shells or any desired shape. Beans, rice, and squash also serve as dietary staples. Avocado dip and other moles, or sauces, are popular for dipping tortilla chips. Tequila, in all its various grades, is an internationally popular drink and Cinco de Mayo festivals are becoming prominent fixtures in Mexican restaurants the world over. The Virgin of Guadalupe, whose main house of worship is the Basilica of Guadalupe, serves the Mexican people on multiple layers. Her repeated appearances in 1531 to Juan Diego led to the consecration of the holy mother and her eventual title of Patroness of the Americas conferred upon her by Pope John Paul II. She is a savior particularly to women, but serves all those in need. In 1810, rebels called upon her guardianship in their battle again Spanish colonists. She has long been considered an integral symbol of Mexican religious, national, and political identity. The fiery painter, Frida Khalo (1907-1954), lived a short but brilliant life. When a teenager, she survived a harrowing bus accident that left her with internal damage and chronic pain. However, Frida’s unique painting fused events from her life with indigenous earth mother imagery. The painting at right, titled The Love Embrace of the Universe,the Earth (Mexico), Me, Diego, Mr. Xolotl, depicts such a concept showing a green clay goddess enveloping Frida, wearing a long traditional red skirt with a white fringe, holding a babe-like Rivera. This magical world rests in the penumbras between light and dark in the transformative cycle of birth and death. Chile’s national flag expresses deep historical significance. The star in the blue sky acts as a shining beacon to guide her people in honorable progress. The white represents the snow-capped Andes while the red represents the blood of the martyrs in the

Mechanism Description Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Mechanism Description - Essay Example ï ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½Ã¯ ¿ ½#7 ###ï ¿ ½#ï ¿ ½###############B#####bjbjU#U################### ###"###7|##7|##B ###ï ¿ ½#######n######## ##ï ¿ ½###ï ¿ ½#######ï ¿ ½#######ï ¿ ½#######ï ¿ ½#######ï ¿ ½#######ï ¿ ½#######ï ¿ ½#######ï ¿ ½#######ï ¿ ½#######ï ¿ ½#######ï ¿ ½#######ï ¿ ½#######ï ¿ ½#######ï ¿ ½#######ï ¿ ½###$###ï ¿ ½ ## ###ï ¿ ½###T###ï ¿ ½#######################Z#######ï ¿ ½#######################ï ¿ ½#######ï ¿ ½#######ï ¿ ½#######ï ¿ ½#######ï ¿ ½#######:#######Z#######Z#######ï ¿ ½###############ï ¿ ½#######ï ¿ ½#######:#######:#######:#######ï ¿ ½###j###Z#######ï ¿ ½#######Z#######ï ¿ ½#######ï ¿ ½###############:#######################################################ï ¿ ½#######ï ¿ ½#######:###P###:###############ï ¿ ½#######Z#######Z###############################################################ï ¿ ½#######ï ¿ ½#######ï ¿ ½### ######ï ¿ ½#######:#######n#######n#######Z#######Z#######Z#######Z#########ï ¿ ½### MECHANISM At this time I was caught by a bug called Ipod as it has become a style status apart from being a media and communication tool, I was so desperate for this gadget so much so that I was ready to do anything to get hold of it. By virtue of luck or fate I was selected as a freelance writer for a website. After a fortnight I received my first salary up to a

Importance of the Code of Ethics Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Importance of the Code of Ethics - Research Paper Example The code of ethics applies to the financial planning professionals. Financial planners are required to follow the code of ethics and are therefore held accountable if they do not abide by the code (FPSC, 2015). Financial planners registered with the CFP Board are required to acknowledge and accept to follow the code of ethics when they renew their certificates. The board goes ahead to enforce the code of ethics on financial planning professionals via a disciplinary process which is outlined in the disciplinary rules and procedures section (CFP Board, n.d). The primary aim of the code of ethics is to guide the financial planners on how to conduct their activities professionally. By agreeing to follow the code of ethics, financial planners agree that they will work in the best interests of their clients or the general public. Thus, they will conduct their activities professionally. This instills confidence in the general public or clients because they believe that financial planners wi ll shelf their personal interests for the client’s interest first. Thus, the code of ethics applies to the financial planners. They have to follow the seven principles contained in the code of ethics: client first, integrity, objectivity, fairness, professionalism, competence, confidentiality and diligence. If a financial planner does not abide by the code of ethics, the professional shall be disciplined. Some form of discipline include suspension of the professional for a period not exceeding five years.

The impact of electricity deregulation on customers and employees in Dissertation

The impact of electricity deregulation on customers and employees in Qatar - Dissertation Example The paper incorporates both secondary and primary research study of the issues relating to the issue of deregulation being set in as in how it tends to affect the internal and external operations of the concern. It tends to draw useful inferences through the conduct of such research to thereby arrive at final conclusions and recommendations. ... .2.1 Interview findings 51 5.3 Questionnaires 52 5.3.1 Findings from surveyed managers and employees 52 5.3.2 Strategy fit with Qatar vision 2030 56 5.3.3 Findings from surveyed customer 58 5.3.3 Understanding KAHRAMAA strategy and objectives by employees 58 5.3.4 KAHRAMAA strategy development policy 60 5.3.5 Employee’s involvement in strategy development 61 5.3.6 The impact of non involvement of employees on strategy development 62 5.3.7 Low employees’ motivation and moral 63 5.3.8 Low initiatives to participate in strategy development 66 5.3.9 Perceived problems with strategy implementation 67 5.3.10 Management perception for strategy implementation problems 68 5.4 Suggestions for improving strategy implementation 69 5.5 Perception of strategy change impact on internal culture 70 5.6 The perception of the impact of KAHRAMAA deregulation strategy 72 5.7 Summary 73 Chapter 6: Analysis and discussion 74 6.1 Introduction 74 6.2 The effectiveness of deregulation at KAHRAMA A 74 6.3 The impact of strategy on KAHRAMAA culture 76 6.4 Research objectives 76 6.4 Summary 78 Chapter 7: Conclusion and recommendations 78 7.1 Introduction 78 7.2 Hypotheses 79 7.3 Limitations 80 7.4 Recommendations 81 7.4.1 Kahramaa 81 7.4.2 Future research 84 7.5 Summary 84 Bibliography 85 Appendices 91 Appendix 1: Survey / interview consent form 92 Appendix 2: Questionnaire 93 Appendix 3: Questionnaire Analysis 96 Chapter 1: Introduction Introduction Electricity deregulation along with privatisation is referred to as ‘liberalisation.’ Liberalisation is an accessible, affordable and reliable service which is replaced by ideal competition, the myth that tend to exit with consumer choice along with priority of the economic efficiency which in turn are measured by profits and also through rate

Energy Sources of the Future Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Energy Sources of the Future - Essay Example Biomass Biomass is energy from organic matter and is usually in the form of â€Å"clean† carbo-hydrogen gas or COH2 (Valone). Biomass is also known as biofuel and is produced from organic material such as woodchips, animal wastes and seaweed (â€Å"Biomass†). These organic components are made into oil, natural gas or methanol. The COH2 gas derived from biomass â€Å"burns cleanly, [produces] water vapor† and a limited amount of CO2, which is the one the biomass consumed while it was still growing as a plant (Valone). David Wallman patented the process of producing COH2 from any biomass solution, and this is currently used as â€Å"municipal sewage treatment† and perhaps a replacement for foreign oil in the future (Valone). The biomass power station, which operates using David Wallman’s patented process, involves the burning of the animal or plant wastes. The heat that is produced from the burning is converted into steam and this steam powers the tur bines that convert mechanical energy into electricity (â€Å"Biomass†). When it comes to availability and renewability, the availability of biomass depends on the supply of organic wastes, which are actually relatively cheap to use (â€Å"Biomass†). ... Perhaps the only environmental issue associated with biomass is the greenhouse gas, which results from the combustion of organic fuel or biomass (â€Å"Biomass†). This would naturally bring about pollution. Other harmful effects of biomass production include destruction of the ecosystem, loss of biodiversity, competition for land and food, and excessive demand of the organic matter for water (Langeveld & Corre). Wind Power Wind power is obviously another very good alternative to fossil fuel use, and one that is becoming a more popular option in the United States (Walker). At the speed of around 25 km per hour, wind power can be used to produce electricity from towers with wind-blown propellers. The mechanical energy from the movement of the propellers is then converted into electricity (â€Å"Wind Power†). Wind power is both available and renewable because it needs no fuel; therefore, it is produced for free by the wind, except in some places which are not naturally win dy (â€Å"Wind Power†). Coastal areas, as well as open plains and the tops of rounded hills are the perfect places for the construction of wind farms because of the high availability of wind in these areas (â€Å"Wind Power†). Wind power is relatively practical and cheap at the cost of around â€Å"4 cents per kilowatt-hour† and is usually put up as â€Å"offshore wind farms† in open-water areas (Walker). In fact, Ireland’s eight-mile Arklow Bank Offshore Wind Park is made up of wind towers that can provide electrical power for 16,000 homes (Walker). As to environmental impact, wind power does not produce any greenhouse gases or other toxic waste products (â€Å"Wind Power†). Nevertheless, the propellers can occasionally kill birds that

Cultural Features of China Today Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Cultural Features of China Today - Research Paper Example The people of China have been heavily influenced by these changes in China. This paper discusses some of those changes that signify the contemporary Chinese culture and society and discusses their impact on the people of China. One of the most remarkable changes the world politics has seen in the start of the 21st century is China’s rise of power. The culture of China today serves as a resource for soft power whose use has helped China surface as a powerful country in the world. â€Å"THE SOFT POWER OF A COUNTRY RESTS PRIMARILY ON THREE RESOURCES: ITS CULTURE (IN PLACES WHERE IT IS ATTRACTIVE TO OTHERS), ITS POLITICAL VALUES (WHEN IT LIVES UP TO THEM AT HOME AND ABROAD), AND ITS FOREIGN POLICIES (WHEN THEY ARE SEEN AT LEGITIMATE AND HAVING MORAL AUTHORITY)† (Nye and Jisi 25). One of the most important outcomes of the rise of China’s soft power that has affected the lives of the people of China is growth of multiculturalism. Chinese students are studying with fore igners in their own universities and colleges, and the streets and beautiful places of China have attracted the attention of tourists from all over the world. Overall, the exposure of Chinese people to the global scenario and foreign cultures has increased manifolds. This has helped the Chinese people easily integrate into foreign cultures and reap the benefits of studying and working in advanced countries. â€Å"WHILE THE VOICE OF AMERICA WAS CUTTING ITS CHINESE BROADCASTS FROM NINETEEN TO FOURTEEN HOURS A DAY, CHINA RADIO INTERNATIONAL WAS INCREASING ITS BROADCASTS IN ENGLISH TO TWENTY-FOUR HOURS A DAY† (Nye and Jisi 26). The importance of soft power in China can be estimated from the fact that it has entered the official language of China. Hu Jintao, in the speech that he made at the Communist Party of China’s (CPC) 17th National Congress, emphasized upon a need for the CPC to â€Å"ENHANCE CULTURE AS PART OF THE SOFT POWER OF OUR COUNTRY TO BETTER GUARANTEE THE PE OPLE’S BASIC CULTURAL RIGHTS AND INTERESTS† (Jintao cited in Nye and Jisi 28). He recognized culture as a very important source of innovation and national cohesion whose significance in China’s strength has grown over the decades. Public diplomacy as a cultural trait has developed in China comprehensively and systematically. A major example of this is the cultural-cum-language center of China, the Confucius Institute that has been designed and established to increase the drive for learning the national Chinese language that has rapidly spread in the recent years all over the world. Similarly, â€Å"IN 2004, CHINA ESTABLISHED THE LEADING SMALL GROUP FOR FOREIGN CHINESE LANGUAGE EDUCATION UNDER THE STATE COUNCIL, WHOSE OBJECTIVE WAS TO ESTABLISH 100 CONFUCIUS INSTITUTES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD† (Cho and Jeong 471). Such measures have facilitated the people of China a lot. Wherever they go in the world, they get to meet people who understand their language and c an communicate with them in their native Chinese language. This has helped the people of China overcome the effects of their deficiency of competence in the English language. â€Å"NOW, WHAT IS IN COMMON WITH NEW YORK, HAWAII, KANSAS, CALIFORNIA, MEXICO, FRANCE, SERBIA, SOUTH KOREA, EGYPT, AUSTRALIA, RUSSIA, AND RWANDA? ALMOST NOTHING, EXCEPT THAT THEY NOW HOST THE CONFUCIUS INSTITUTE, A LANGUAGE AND CULTURE CENTER MASSIVELY PRODUCED BY THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT AS ONE OF ITS LARGE-SCALE CHARM OFFENSIVES TO ENHANCE ITS SOFT POWER† (â€Å"Background Information†). Establishment of these institutes has helped the government of China strengthen the Chinese language as well as soft power. Concluding, two of the most important features of the contemporary culture of China include the increased use and

Hong Kong Wealth Gap Essay Example for Free

Hong Kong Wealth Gap Essay According to the Development of the Human Race Report, which published in 2005, the wealth gap of Hong Kong is the widest within the thirty high living standard countries/regions. Local View The rich is getting richer, and the poor is getting poorer. For instance, in 2001, 10% of the highest income family in Hong Kong, their natural income still had 5% growth after the 97 Financial Storms. On the other hand, the natural income of 60% Hong Kong family kept decreasing at the same time. Sometime, the wealth gap problem is a type of circulation. For example, some poor is living in poverty life because he/she had low educational level and he/she now cannot afford the education fee for their children, when the children grow up, they will remain poor or even poorer. Yet out of Hong Kongs seven million residents, an estimated 1. 25 million people are living below the poverty line. You may ask what does the life of poor people look like. Well, nothing, they have nothing at all. Imagine you are living in a cage home, a flat which can only let you sit and sleep, everyday you eat pot noodles for every meal, wear the same clothes and use the same towel without cleaning, how dirty is it! Besides, when you go to the street, people stand back from you because you are so dirty. The adults may point at you and tell the children to study hard so that they dont need to live like you in the future. What is your feeling of these? Yes, it is another problem, discrimination. Poverty is the excuse of discrimination. People are not actually care about the feelings of poor people. Definition of poverty Poverty means going short materially, socially and emotionally. It means spending less on food, on heating, and on clothing than someone on an average income. Above all, poverty takes away the tools to build the blocks for the future your life chance. It steals away the opportunity to have a life unmarked by sickness, a decent education, secure home and a long retirement.

Live Together Before Marriage?

Live Together Before Marriage? Now-a-days it is the trend among the people that they move in before marriage. Either love or attachment plays a vital role in it. But the main concept of men and women living together before marriage is considered as a sin in some religions, or most religions. But as the world is making progress so are the minds of people, changing according with the time. Now an individual before even engagement or marriage moves in and then tries to understand the other person. Sometimes, this is the reason and sometimes it is not depending on the thinking and mentality of people. But it can be a problem for women as well as for men. Now the basic problem is that what a person should do? Whether he should let the change happen, or he shouldnt. A New Woman magazine study by Columbia University discovered that twenty six percent of women reviewed and a slight nineteen percent of men wed the individual with whom they were co-habiting. The mean cohabitant has several partners in a lifetime. Cohabitati on involves no public firm promise, no promise for the future, no authorized statement of love and blame. There is essentially a personal placement founded on an emotional bond. The commitment of dwelling simultaneously is easily a month-to-month rental agreement. There is a statement in The Future Of Marriage by Jessie Bernard in which he stated, One fundamental fact underlies the conception of marriage itself. Some kind of firm pledge should be involved. Merely fly-by-night, feel and go relationships do not specify. According to him the people who get married with a condition of dying with each other possess a reasonably distinct level of firm pledge, thus a quite distinct grade of security, therefore a rather distinct grade of freedom, and as an outcome a rather different grade of joyfulness than those who wed with a condition in their mind that they will last together till their love last. These types of people habitually anticipate the instant when they or their partner gets up one sunrise and discovers the fine emotion that retains them afloat has disintegrated under them. Cohabitation is a dangerous trend that has recently been too readily accepted without much resistance or criticism from society Is cohabitation a sin or not depends on what one means by the word moving in together, in the Bible it is clearly stated that having a sexual relationship before marriage is a sin and in the Bible the word fornication has been used to explain the forbidden deed of living together before marriage and how sexually immoral such an act is. In most of the religions practiced all over the world the concept of cohabitation is prohibited and is considered as a sin for which one cannot be forgiven. Many couples living together are happy internally but due to the guilt inside of committing a sin and the social not acceptance of their relationship disturb their bond and they are in a constant insecure state. America is a State where the society has widely accepted this socially constructed concept of living in together although Christianity does not allow that a man and women should live together before marriage as it results in temptation that leads them to cross every limit and turn into an e nemy of God. Living together means two people with consensus making a decision to go against the will of God for the sake of love or sexual temptation, which can be definitely called a sin. Why a sin? Well because the whole approach undermines the value of a family structure and mainly because almost all the religions do not accept it as a moral deed. Body: A: Is living together before marriage wrong? Cohabitation takes away the charm of marriage and turns it into a compromise if children are involved. Couples that move in together to try out if they can have a happy married life end up in a broken relationship which leaves a long lasting effect on their lifes. The growing trend of living together is wrong because according to various surveys and research reports the cohabitant couples are most likely not interested in marrying each other and even if they do there is a high rate of separation, sexual abuse and mental torture not only for the couple but for the children as well. How would a parent stop his/her daughter from living in with another guy if they have practiced the same act? Children of cohabitant couples have a high tendency of indulging in immoral activities in their young teenage and suffer from physical violence. The people who move in together before marriage are also expected to have extramarital affairs and are not good at commitments. Most importantly it is a re ligious sin and is an act if practiced pushes Gods blessing away from you. It is a physical attraction that leads to instability in life; even many satisfied live in partners end up in the torturing break ups and a constant feeling of fear and resentment. (Don Weston) Some say cohabitation is not wrong, what is the big deal if two people want to live together and share their expenses and responsibilities? The younger generation of today finds living together a very attractive package, one gets to enjoy all the desires without any legality. There is no risk of divorce, many justify it by claiming that moving in together before marriage gives them an opportunity to know each other more closely and decide whether to get involved in a legal relationship or not. With the rapid increase in modernization this trend has been now accepted as a culture in many parts of the United State. B: Why do the Cons outweigh the Pros of living together before marriage? Living in together before marriage for the new generation is like a roller coaster ride for free! Whereas they dont see the side effects of availing this package, the cons are enough for the critics to justify their criticism on living in together. Though many couples prefer moving in together rather than getting into a serious marital relationship which actually shows the level of commitment they share, and the sacred relation of marriage they are scared to get involved in. The more a couple is sexually active before marriage the greater they have a chance to get divorced, because they get over with all the temptation and craze as much as they prolong their living together time period. (Fowler, 2005) Conclusion: Cohabitation is forbidden: The couples who favor cohabitation even if are in majority cannot deny that religiously as well as morally the concept of as a Bible calls it fornication is forbidden by God in nature. The word pornography had been originated from this same word and as it is seen the society considers such websites and acts highly immoral and against their beliefs and religion. The acceptance of this concept by society means they are accepting a trend which will destroy the institution of marriage as well as the responsibility of parents will be questioned as well due to getting involved multiply in such a deed. Although this concept has been growing in Christ but Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and many other religions are strictly forbidden from committing any such deed and if they do so they believe that they will be answerable to God Almighty and even if God forgives; it is not easy to be forgiven by the society for something that is sinful and is forbidden in nature. Work Cited: Grinberg, Emanuella. Report: More women moving in before marriage. 4 April 2013. CNN. 2013 . Gueren, Casey. Are You Ready to Move in Together? 11 April 2013. The Scoop. 2013 . Kaplan, Karen. More Americans are living together before marriage, study finds. 03 April 2013. L.ATimes. 2013 . Murray, Rheana. Half of couples move in before marriage, stay there longer: CDC. 5 May 2013. NYDailyNews. 2013 . Staff, Patch. Study Reported by CDC Reveals More People Now Live Together Before Marriage. 5 April 2013. DuluthPatch. 2013 . Don Weston, L. M. Twenty Good Reasons why not to cohabitant Before Marriage. Kansas City, Missouri: Family Life Ministries- Church of the Nazarene Jim Pettit, PhD coordinator. Fowler, R. (2005) Scriptures on Living Together Before Marriage

The Internet And The Network Society Media Essay

The Internet And The Network Society Media Essay Throughout the past three decades, a plethora of major social, technological, economic, and cultural transformations (Castells, 2010: p. xvii) have combined resulting in the emergence of a new society the network society (see Castells, 2001a, 2001b, 2008, 2009. 2010; Hardt and Negri, 2000; van Dijk, 2006). Despite some commentators suggesting that the etymology of the term network society is extremely vague (Cavanagh, 2007), it is important, at this point, to provide a definition before proceeding to the subsequent discussion of changes which have occurred within and as a consequence of the network society. Manuel Castells (2001a), arguably the most significant theorist in this field, provides in my view the most concrete definition describing the network society as a society where the key social structures are organised around electronically processed information networks (p. 4). In this sense, the infrastructure of the network society is determined by the relationship between so cial, technical and media networks (van Dijk, 2006). It is beyond the scope of this paper to provide an all-embracing, comprehensive review of the network society and all of its components, therefore, the fundamental changes which have occurred vis-à ¡-vis communication will form the focus of this section. In the network society, face-to-face interaction remains the most prevalent and, arguably, the most important form of communication for various reasons. However, a number of technological devices have supplemented and, in part, replaced this form of communication (van Dijk, 2006). It is important to note that the rise in wireless devices, such as the mobile phone, have had a profound effect on the methods by which social beings interact. For example, in 2009, mobile phone use in the United Kingdom was almost ubiquitous (81%) (Office for National Statistics, 2010). In regards to mobile phone use amongst children, it was reported that more than half (56%) of those aged 8 11 had used a mobile device in 2007, primarily for text messaging (61%). Meanwhile, for those aged 12 15, mobile phone use was near ubiquitous (90%) with a significant majority (87%) sending at least one text message per week (Office for National Statistics, 2008). Thus, with the rise of wireless networks have enable d people to apply the telephone for communicatory purposes in alternative ways; for example the mobile phone allows and is increasingly used for text messaging, multimedia messaging, and Internet access. According to Castells (2010), we have witnessed an increasing technological convergence between the Internet and wireless communication and multiple applications that distribute communicative capacity throughout the wireless networks, thus multiplying points of access to the Internet (p. xxvi). A key example of such expansion is the recent proliferation of the iPhone which is estimated to surpass 100 million sales in 2011 (Chen, www.wired.com, 2010), and whose users define it as divine (Campbell and La Pastina, 2010), the Jesus phone, and the holy grail of all gadgets (Danneskjold, 2007; also see Campbell and La Pastina, 2010); as Apple proclaim when advertising the recently launched iPhone 4, This changes everything. Again (Apple, www.apple.com, 2010). However, the iPhone does not fundamentally change communicatory practices, but rather much like the Internet it supplements them offering itself as a tool which one can apply when seeking alternative routes of communication. Thus, communication is supplemented rather than replaced by the rise in technological devices, in this sense, technological devices do not influence social change (Castells, 2010), but rather, create a pathway through which social change can occur. This ideology rests upon the premise that a reciprocal relationship exists between people and technology, after all, technology would cease to exist without the presence of people. Let me now turn to the proliferation in Internet use which has occurred over the past decade, its profound influence on communication, and its position within the network society. Since the turn of the twenty-first century, Internet use has grown exponentially by almost 444 per cent (Internet World Stats, www.internetworldstats.com, 2010). As of this writing, approximately 29 per cent of the global population are currently connected to the Internet; furthermore, in the United Kingdom, a recent survey found that Internet use currently stands at 70 per cent, an increase from 58 per cent in 2003 (Dutton et al., 2009). As a result, the Internets role in the mediation of everyday practices and activities is expanding, for example, various studies have reported that we are increasingly using the Internet for banking (Wood and Williams, 2007), shopping (Wood and Williams, 2007), listening to and purchasing music (Jooyoung Lee, 2008), dating or e-dating (Couch and Liamputtong, 2008), and communication particularly through blogging (Stern, 2007; Ekdale et al., 2010) and social networking (Boyd, 2001, 2007, 2008; Boyd and Ellison, 2008; Houghton and Joinson, 2010; Patc hin and Hinduja, 2008, 2010). In regards to communication, the Internet amalgamates both data communication and mass communication (van Dijk, 2006). In particular, such integration has occurred since the emergence of the World Wide Web which has resulted in the mass communicative character of the Internet becoming increasingly visible, for example, one need only examine the explosion of web pages created by organisations (.org), corporations (.com and .co.uk), governing bodies (.gov), institutions, and the increasing field of user-created content (i.e. blogs, forums, bulletin-board systems (BBS), and non-profit sites such as Wikipedia.org or Wiki Leaks). Thus, under the paradigm of the network society one can posit that the Internet presents itself as an integrated network (Castells, 2001a, 2001b, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2010; van Dijk, 2006). EXPLAIN INTEGRATED NETWORK HERE. The Internet thus fundamentally changes the character of communication through the integration of text, images, and sounds in the same system, interacting from multiple points, in chosen time (real or delayed) along a global network, in conditions of open and affordable access (Castells, 2010: p. 356). Despite its fairly recent proliferation, an expansive body of literature has emerged analysing the effects of increased Internet use particularly concerning communication and sociability -, the following section will now engage in a critical overview of the salient arguments put forth. Identity has been subject to widespread theoretical and empirical inquiry for over half a century, dating back to Eriksons (1950) path-breaking work (Schwartz et al., 2010). Eriksons work triggered a wave of academic inquiry into identity development, most of which attempted to delineate personal identity (Cà ´tà ©, 2006). However, despite an expansive database of literature on the subject, identity is still recognised as an ambiguous and slippery term (Buckingham, 2007: p. 1). Its ambiguity arises from its application in many different contexts and for many different purposes (ibid, 2007), as a result, divergent accounts of identity have emerged which lead to confusion over what identity actually constitutes. For the purposes of this essay, the conception of the self will be examined and the ways in which the self is presented and the impression managed in social situations. Primarily grounded in contemporary Western culture, cultural practices (Boyd, 2001), and Western ideology, a plethora of conceptions of the self have emerged. The concept of identity frequently refers to, at least, two conflicting aspects of the self. First, there exists the internalised self, and second that which is the projected version of ones internalised self (ibid, p. 21). This distinction has been constructed by researchers in various ways, for example, political economist and moral philosopher Adam Smith (1976/1760) divides identity into the object self and the acting self, Mead (1934), meanwhile, distinguishes between the I and the me whereby the me connotes an individuals social identity of which the I become conscious in the early psychological development of the child, or as Giddens (1991) puts it, the I is, as it were, the active primitive will of the individual, which seizes on the me as the reflection of social ties (p. 52). Psychoanalysis has also concerned itself wi th conceptions of identity, for example, the pioneering work of Sigmund Freud (1974/1923) . . . insert Freud In spite of the evident differences which persist between these quite divergent accounts of identity, they all recognise that the self is a complex, muddled concept due to its separation between internal notions and external ones. However, an alternative model proposed by French psychoanalyst Jacques Lacan (1968) puts forth a suggestion that no internal self actually exists, but rather individuals only possess external selves. Writing in the 1950s, Erving Goffman (1959/1990, 1963) provided a dramaturgical account of social interaction whereby face-to-face interactions, in an array of social settings, were hypothesised as akin to a theatrical performance. Goffmans model suggests that all social interactions can be hypothesised as a series of interactive performances, where the actors and their presentations are in a flux altering their presentation of selves (Goffman, 1990) based upon their assumptions of what is acceptable in a particular situation and the feedback they receive from their audience (Boyd, 2001). Moreover, people perform all aspects of themselves, not just their ideas. An example of this can be located in the writings of Judith Butler (1990) who suggests that whilst sex is a biological trait and thus cannot be altered unless one undergoes a medical operation to remove genitalia people perform their gender (Butler, 1990). Thus, Drawing from Goffmans dramaturgical model, two fundamental components exist concerning the passage of social information between individuals (Boyd, 2001). The ability of an individual to convey information explicitly rests upon the expression that he gives and the expression he gives off (Goffman, 1990: p. 14). The first connotes traditional communication practices such as verbal symbols in order for the actor to convey the information in a coherent manner. The second involves a wide range of action that others can treat as symptomatic of the actor (ibid, p. 14). This may include body language, facial expressions, gestures, or interaction with the immediate environment. Thus, social messages are not simply a set of factual data (Boyd, 2001), but an ongoing negotiation in communication relying on both the signals presented by the actor as well as the signs perceived by the observer (p. 23). A further component of Goffmans theory is the concept of the body. Indeed, in everyday interact ions the body is of integral importance when we perform our identity. Primarily occurring in face-to-face interactions, we utilise our bodies as tools whereby, conveying to other people, we use our bodies to project information about ourselves (Boyd, 2007: p. 11). In doing so, we wear appropriate clothing, make considered movements, make important use of objects or props in Goffmans terminology in our immediate environment, and convey messages through suitable gestures, facial expressions, and body language. Erving Goffman defines these processes as impression management (Goffman, 1959). When one is indulging in impression management, albeit unconsciously at times, they are attempting at best presenting themselves as what the audience Among the most notable developments which have occurred on the Internet over the past decade, and particularly the past few years, is the exponential increase in social network sites (SNSs) (Choi et al., 2010). Sites such as Facebook, MySpace, Netlog, and Bebo have attracted millions of users across the globe, many of whom integrate this form of social networking into their everyday practices (Boyd and Ellison, 2008; Kreps, 2008). In the recent Oxford Internet Survey, for example, social networking emerged as the most popular new application amongst Internet users (aged 14+) in the United Kingdom with almost half (49%) of users reporting the creation or update of a social networking profile, up from only 17 per cent in 2007 (Dutton et al., 2009). In regards to children and teenagers, Lenhart et al., (2010a) discovered that the use of social network sites had increased significantly since 2006 where just over half of teens (aged 12 to 17) (55%) indulged in on-line social networking co mpared to almost three-quarters (73%) as of 2010 (Lenhart et al., 2010). On the basis of such widespread diffusion, commentators have suggested that the explosion in the popularity of SNSs is due to the freedom with which an individual can construct a personal profile page to represent themselves and interact with others (Patchin and Hinduja, 2008, 2010). At a basic level, social network sites allow individuals to create digital representations of themselves (Patchin and Hinduja, 2010: p. 199) through posting biographical information, compiling personal journals and blogs, indicating likes and dislikes, demonstrating their interests, and embedding multimedia (i.e., video, pictures, and music or audio). Thus, SNSs centre on the profile (Tufekci, 2008), within this profile the most significant point where identity is managed and performed is an individuals About Me section. The about me section is a reserved space on a profile where a user can . CONTINUE As has already been noted, in an effort to make a good impression, individuals survey the immediate area, examine how other people are acting, and make a rational choice on the appropriate performance for that particular social situation this rational choice may indeed be drawn from an established repertoire of performances which have been applied in the past (Goffman, 1959, 1967; Boyd, 2007, 2008). During the performance, people mould their behaviour depending on the feedback and reactions they receive, thus attempting to increase the likelihood of being perceived by their audience as they intend. These processes are what Erving Goffman (1959/1990, 1967) defines as impression management and the presentation of self. Mediated environments, such as those that the Internet produces, like social network sites formalise and fundamentally alter the identity processes of self-presentation and impression management (Boyd, 2008: p. 119). As a result, children and teenagers in particular face a complex challenge whereby they must formally write themselves into being (Sunden, 2003: p. 5) through the elaborate task of creating profiles which complicates impression management processes due to the limited nature of feedback in on-line environments such as MySpace and Facebook. In his groundbreaking text, The Presentation of Self (1959), Goffman exquisitely formulates a theory of social interaction in which he details the methods individuals apply to take into account the social environment and the role which they are functioning in it to use body language, gestures, speech, facial expressions, and other people in order to convey an impression. However, primarily due to the time period, what Goffman does not account for or, indeed, foresee is the impact technology would have and the way in which mediated situations will fundamentally impact upon the traditional art of impression management and presentation of the self. A key point here, is, the embodiment aspect of Goffmans theory. In the borderless world (OÃÅ'ˆqvist, 2009) of the Internet, bodies, in the corporal sense, do not exist thus obscuring the immediate, physical identity of the individual in question, moreover, CONTINUE!. Thus, in order to exist in mediated environments, for the first time in history, humans have to write themselves into being (Sunden, 2003). For social network sites, this entails the formation of a profile page and adding and fleshing out the fields as an act of self presentation. The sexual grooming of children is not a new phenomenon, neither is the conceptual application of the term grooming. In fact, the term has been in circulation for a considerable period of time, for the most part applied by psychologists in efforts to analyse patterns of deviant sexual behaviour (McAlinden, 2006). The The findings support the view that the Internet is establishing itself as a powerful tool for the formation of new social relationships by enabling some individuals to meet new people and make new friends, whom otherwise they would not have met. (Dutton and Di Gennaro, 2007: p. 593) For the purpose of this paper I will concentrate on only one component of the network society which is experiencing radical change, that is, communication.

The New Frontier Essay -- null

John Fitzgerald Kennedy was one of the most famous and influential presidents in the history of the United States. During his presidency, he attempted to make several reforms, supported by his â€Å"New Frontier† legislature. The goals of the New Frontier were to improve school funding, civil rights, and foreign policy. The New Frontier was to make the American population feel as if no frontier was impossible to achieve, including the controversial final frontier of space. Despite the fact that many of his acts and bills were not passed or supported by Congress, the New Frontier was what led to many of the greatest advancements which helped shape America today. The date was January 20, 1961 when Kennedy first mentioned the New Frontier (Nelson 622). He used it as part of his presidential acceptance speech, along with his natural charisma, to pull in support for his highly progressive approach. The term â€Å"New Frontier† itself was something Kennedy created on his own, a term he believed represented the generation of those willing to make change in their country (O’Donnell 224). The New Frontier, an expansion of the New Deal, urged Americans not to ask how can their country contribute more, but rather how they can contribute to the country. The New Frontier did not promise Americans happier lives instantly, it promised gradual change which could only happen if the people of the United States were willing to accept it. (O’Donnell 224). Though there were many who would not accept it, this included a majority of congress, which was very often split on decisions, but this was mostly due to partisanship, a tendency to agre e with one’s political party at all times (Sorenson 342). A major change that came with the New Frontier was the P... ...8). Kennedy would find it difficult to appeal to both the American public and Congress, a problem that would persist throughout his entire presidency. Despite the numerous flaws in Kennedy’s presidency, it can very easily be looked at as a major success. Kennedy remained confident throughout his entire term believing that change can still occur. Though sadly, it would not be until his assassination in 1963, that people would finally begin to understand what his goals were. People no longer felt ashamed of his failures but felt gratitude for his successes, through the advancements in space technology to the civil rights acts, as well as the Peace Corps. He left behind a legacy that could not be forgotten, and an influence that continues to affect people today. Kennedy and his New Frontier changed more than just a nation, he changed the way people today think.

The Step-by-Step Approach: Guidelines to writing a Literature Review Es

The Step-by-Step Approach: Guidelines to writing a Literature Review Globally, students and researchers alike are presented with the task of developing a literature review. This process may seem daunting to the inexperienced writer, however, there is no need for trial and error as there are known procedures and guidelines created to simplify such an assignment. A basic literature review may be defined as â€Å"A written document that develops a case to establish a thesis. This review synthesizes current knowledge pertaining to the research question (Machi & McEvoy, 2012)†. A literature a review is an organized way to research a topic and is considered the foundation of a research study (Polit & Beck, 2013). According to Lawrence A. Machi and Brenda T. McEvoy (2012), the purpose of a literature review depends on the nature of the inquiry. Basic literature reviews summarize and evaluate topics that have been previously explored. Advanced literature reviews are slightly more demanding because they apply the knowledge gathered from a basic literatu re review and incorporate that knowledge as a basis for formulating a new question and original research. Machi and McEvoy (2012), authors of The Literature Review: Six Steps to Success describe the following six steps to the literature review process— 1. Select a Topic, 2. Search the Literature, 3. Develop the Argument, 4. Survey the Literature, 5. Critique the Literature, 6. Write the Review. This paper will describe and evaluate the steps involved in writing a literature review. The first step in conducting a literature review is selecting a topic. Selecting a topic of discussion requires at least two tasks. First, find a personal interest. Most research topics are based upon everyday co... ...n the review, following these steps should conclude in a literature review that highlights the significant aspects of a topic in a logical order that allows the reader to understand the context and relation to a research question (Polit & Beck, 2013). References Aaron, L. (2008). Writing & research. writing a literature review article. Radiologic Technology , 80(2), 185. Burns, N., & Grove, S. K. (2010). Understanding Nursing Research: Building an evidence-based practice. Elsevier Health Sciences. Machi, L. A., & McEvoy, B. T. (2012). The Literature Review: Six Steps to Success. Sage. Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2013). Essentials of Nursing Research: Appraising Evidence for Nursing Practice. Wolters Kluwer Health. Randolph, J. J. (2009). A guide to writing the dissertation literature review. Practical Assessment, Research & Evaluation, 14(13), 2.

Harriet Tubman Essay -- American History Racism Essays

Harriet Tubman In the 1840 ¹s and 1850 ¹s American abolitionist ¹s were a small minority in every part of the country. Harriet Tubman was one of the women who joined the attack on slavery. She stood out from most of the other abolitionists. The evidence that I will present to you shows how she wasn ¹t satisfied merely to be free or even to give speeches against slavery. Harriet Tubman was important to the abolition movement because she put her ideas to action. Harriet was born a slave in Bucktown, Maryland 1. From the time she was born she was taught to be wary of the white men. Two of her sisters had been sold to a slave trader and she vowed that she would never let that happen to her.2 From my reading, Harriet Tubman seemed different from most of the other slaves around her. She had a rebellious nature, always getting into trouble. Her parents introduced her to religion, thinking maybe it would crush her rebellious nature. One way to deal with a difficult child was religion. Ben and Rit [Harriet ¹s parents] were regular churchgoers and Harriet learned Bible verses. Her favorite was  ³Lo ¹, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. ² She also liked the Bible verses about deliverance. If she heard of a fugitive slave on his way north, she thought of the verse  ³Hide the outcast; betray him not that wandereth. (Bentley p.16) 3 So, even as a young girl, Harriet was already thinking about deliverance and fugitive slaves going north. She had heard of revolts and rebellions against slavery, and knowing how Harriet was, I ¹m sure she cheered them on. Harriet went to great lengths to protect her fellow slaves. Like every other slave, obviously, she too hated slavery. But I think there was more to slavery than just hate, for Harriet. In one case, she put her life on the line to protect a slave named Jim from getting beaten. She refused to move when a white supervisor asked her to help him tie up Jim for a whipping. When Jim made a run for it, Harriet blocked the supervisor from chasing after Jim. So, he grabbed a 2lb. weight and threw it towards Jim. The weight hit Harriet in the forehead instead, and Jim got away.4 Luckily, Harriet survived her near-death experience.  ³The mark on Harriet ¹s forehead remained a visible scar of the brutality of slavery. The wound went deep into her heart. ² (Bentley p.24) In 1849, Harriet ¹s master, Edward Brode... ...f the inspiration and hope she gave to her people. Harriet was even nicknamed  ³Moses ² by the people she saved. She did what others were too scared to do. It wasn ¹t guaranteed that Harriet would be successful on every single mission. In my eyes she had a lot to lose if she was caught, but I think to her she felt like at least she had saved some slaves. What sacrifice! Harriet Tubman was more than an ex-slave turned abolitionist. She was also a nurse and a spy for the Union Army. Always one to turn dreams into action, she joined the war effort in 1861. Harriet was probably the first women, black or white, to go to the battle front. 9 The army used her as a spy, liaison, and a nurse. So even when she wasn ¹t taking groups of slaves up north, she was still helping others. What an incredible woman! Harriet ¹s diligence to do right, and her determination to keep with it until her purpose was fulfilled, still inspires me today. I do admire Martin Luther King, Jr. and many other abolitionists, but not as much as Harriet Tubman. I don ¹t know of any other woman that accomplished as much as she did, in one lifetime. Harriet Tubman truly is the ultimate hero of the abolition movement. Harriet Tubman Essay -- American History Racism Essays Harriet Tubman In the 1840 ¹s and 1850 ¹s American abolitionist ¹s were a small minority in every part of the country. Harriet Tubman was one of the women who joined the attack on slavery. She stood out from most of the other abolitionists. The evidence that I will present to you shows how she wasn ¹t satisfied merely to be free or even to give speeches against slavery. Harriet Tubman was important to the abolition movement because she put her ideas to action. Harriet was born a slave in Bucktown, Maryland 1. From the time she was born she was taught to be wary of the white men. Two of her sisters had been sold to a slave trader and she vowed that she would never let that happen to her.2 From my reading, Harriet Tubman seemed different from most of the other slaves around her. She had a rebellious nature, always getting into trouble. Her parents introduced her to religion, thinking maybe it would crush her rebellious nature. One way to deal with a difficult child was religion. Ben and Rit [Harriet ¹s parents] were regular churchgoers and Harriet learned Bible verses. Her favorite was  ³Lo ¹, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. ² She also liked the Bible verses about deliverance. If she heard of a fugitive slave on his way north, she thought of the verse  ³Hide the outcast; betray him not that wandereth. (Bentley p.16) 3 So, even as a young girl, Harriet was already thinking about deliverance and fugitive slaves going north. She had heard of revolts and rebellions against slavery, and knowing how Harriet was, I ¹m sure she cheered them on. Harriet went to great lengths to protect her fellow slaves. Like every other slave, obviously, she too hated slavery. But I think there was more to slavery than just hate, for Harriet. In one case, she put her life on the line to protect a slave named Jim from getting beaten. She refused to move when a white supervisor asked her to help him tie up Jim for a whipping. When Jim made a run for it, Harriet blocked the supervisor from chasing after Jim. So, he grabbed a 2lb. weight and threw it towards Jim. The weight hit Harriet in the forehead instead, and Jim got away.4 Luckily, Harriet survived her near-death experience.  ³The mark on Harriet ¹s forehead remained a visible scar of the brutality of slavery. The wound went deep into her heart. ² (Bentley p.24) In 1849, Harriet ¹s master, Edward Brode... ...f the inspiration and hope she gave to her people. Harriet was even nicknamed  ³Moses ² by the people she saved. She did what others were too scared to do. It wasn ¹t guaranteed that Harriet would be successful on every single mission. In my eyes she had a lot to lose if she was caught, but I think to her she felt like at least she had saved some slaves. What sacrifice! Harriet Tubman was more than an ex-slave turned abolitionist. She was also a nurse and a spy for the Union Army. Always one to turn dreams into action, she joined the war effort in 1861. Harriet was probably the first women, black or white, to go to the battle front. 9 The army used her as a spy, liaison, and a nurse. So even when she wasn ¹t taking groups of slaves up north, she was still helping others. What an incredible woman! Harriet ¹s diligence to do right, and her determination to keep with it until her purpose was fulfilled, still inspires me today. I do admire Martin Luther King, Jr. and many other abolitionists, but not as much as Harriet Tubman. I don ¹t know of any other woman that accomplished as much as she did, in one lifetime. Harriet Tubman truly is the ultimate hero of the abolition movement.

Mytaxi (Intelligent Apps Gmbh) Extension from Germany to the Philippines Essay

Original paper is full of Appendices. You may get in touch with me if you would like to have a copy of the FULL VERSION – with external links, charts, images, etc. PROJECT PROPOSAL: myTaxi HOME COUNTRY: Germany TARGET COUNTRY: Philippines OBJECTIVE: To expand the usage of the myTaxi (Intelligent Apps GmbH) application to Filipino Smartphone Users-Taxi Drivers PRODUCT INFORMATION Developed by Niclaus Mewes and Sven Kuelper in 2009, myTaxi is a Smartphone application that directly connects Taxi driver and passenger, enabling more efficient pick-up and drop-off transportation services. CATEGORY: Travel / Transportation TARGET USERS: Taxi Drivers, Taxi Passengers, Taxi Corporations CURRENT MARKETS: (Domestic) Germany: Berlin, Bonn, Cologne, Dortmund, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hannover, Leipzig, Munich, Nuremburg, Stuttgart, Sylt (Regiocentric) Vienna: Austria Spain: Barcelona, Madrid Poland: Warsaw (Geocentric) Washington D. C. , United States of America Currently Under Development In: (Germany) Augsburg, Braunschweig, Bremen, Darmstadt, Essen, Heilbronn, Gera, Kaiserslautern, Karlsruhe, Kassel, Leverkusen, Mainz, Offenbach, Potsdam, Salzburg, Wiesbaden, Wurzburg Domestic Market Conditions (2012): Number of Taxi Passengers Per Year: 260 million est. Total Revenue in Taxi Fares: 2. 6 billion Euros – – – Number of Mobile Subscriptions: 114. 2 million Smartphone Market Penetration: 53% Number of 3G/4G Subscriptions: 53. 2 million 3G Market Penetration: 65% REQUIREMENTS: Smartphone (Android or iOS), Internet (at least 500 MB) AVAILABILITY: iTunes (Apple Store) for Apple ; Google Play for Android PRICE: For Passengers: FREE DOWNLOAD (Application) Standard Taxi fares apply with no additional costs for using myTaxi (Transportation Service) For Drivers: 2,75% (net) for every service mediated via myTaxi HOW IT WORKS: For Passengers : Immediately upon opening the application, myTaxi uses GPS to pin point the user’s location. The app will then locate all of the available myTaxis in the area. The user can then send a pick-up request, as well as specify a destination (optional). Once a pick-up is confirmed, the user can see the driver’s information: name, vehicle registration, as well as his rating from other myTaxi users. The user can then track the progress of the Taxi until it picks him up. For Drivers: Taxi drivers need to register with myTaxi in order to be part of the system. This can be done via the myTaxi application, at a myTaxi office, or on the mytaxi. net website . Upon acceptance of a pick-up request, the driver receives the application user’s mobile number in case of extenuating circumstances, such as a traffic jam. FEATURES : †¢Favorite Drivers: Drivers can not only be rated, but also be saved and prioritized for future trips. Fare Calculator : Cost transparency via the integrated fare calculator that may be used before booking a trip. †¢Flexible Payment Options: Users can pay with cash or use credit, debit, or even PayPal. myTaxi has pioneered the cashless and even cardless payment of Taxi trips through the application . †¢Advanced Booking: Bookings can be made up to four days in advance of the user’s desired pick-up date, time, and place. †¢Personalize d Booking Options: Eco-taxis, 5-star Taxis, Airport trips, Luggage, Pet-friendly Taxis, Number of expected passengers TERMS AND CONDITIONS: For Passengers : I. Performance of myTaxi II. Second amendment and termination of service III. Availability IV. Liability V. General Obligations of the user VI. Responsibility for Content VII. Final Provisions For Taxi Driver : I. Gratuitous services of myTaxi II. Settlement of mediation services III. Payment IV. Amendment and termination of service V. Availability VI. General obligations of the user VII. Obligation to accept transfer order VIII. Termination of contract / disqualification of use IX. Rating system X. Responsibility for content XI. Final provisions For Business Accounts : I. Contract II. Contractual obligations of the contractor III. Invoicing by myTaxi IV. Employee Training V. Liability VI. Term and Termination VII. External representation of cooperation VIII. Of assignment, final provisions EXISTING PARTNERSHIPS: Car2Go HRS Ds Hotelportal Miles & More Lufthansa Samsung T Mobile AirPlus International myTaxi is an innovative application that combined two different industries: The first is the relatively stable Transportation Industry, wherein passengers are given the option to commute semi-privately via Taxi. The second is the new and booming Smartphone + Internet Industry. The combination of both industries created a product (the application) AND service (the features) that covers both the daily transportation needs of commuters with their want of efficiency, reliability, and personalization in tune with the lifestyle of Today. With all this in mind, it is no surprise that myTaxi first focused on its domestic market to establish its name and create awareness of what they have to offer. Following their domestic success, myTaxi marketed itself to its immediate neighboring countries, a strategic move on their part, since their popularity would logically trickle itself to those right next to them, and not those far away – being involved in Travel and Transportation, this was clearly a logical step. The real trick however, to marketing myTaxi was through partnerships – with individual Taxi drivers and Taxi dispatch companies, and with complementary product brands, such as Samsung wherein the application is pre-installed in all their Smartphone units. Its strength lies mostly in its reputation. In its attempt to expand to the U. S. market, myTaxi had to compete with a few competitors, as the U. S. already had a few Taxi applications to choose from, depending on which city you were in. However, because of its popularity, its brand strength boasting to already have 2. 3 million users, it was able to secure a partnership with the D. C. Taxicab Commission. With their endorsement, myTaxi managed to escalate itself as more legitimate in the eyes of the market than its competitors. Lastly, one must consider that being a pioneer, myTaxi has been and is still reaping the benefits of the First Mover Advantage. It has already created its niche in the Transportation Industry and is transforming the preexisting Taxi market as well. myTaxi was already hailed as one of the top applications of 2012. TARGET MARKET INFORMATION TARGET MARKET: Metro Manila [NCR], Philippines (Lower-Middle Income) (Market Capitalism: constitutional democratic republic) GENERAL DEMOGRAPHICS: Population: 103,775,002 (Philippines, July 2012); 21,050,000 (Metro Manila, 2010) Size: 638. 55 km2 (Total Area) with a density of 18,567/km2 Rate of Urbanization: 2. 3% (2010-2015 estimated) annual rate of change Currency: Philippine Pesos (? Currency Inflation Rate: 2. 6% (March 2012) VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC: Number of Motor Vehicles Registered : 1,740,812 (2012) > approx. 30% of total: 6,316,522 Number of Motor Vehicles Registered by Classification : for the entire PH Private: 5,410,783 (2012) > approx. 86% of total: 6,316,522 For Hire: 840,974 (2012) > approx. 13% of total: 6,316,522 Number of Taxis : 40,000 (2009) for the entire PH Annual Average Daily Traffic: approx. 10,927,245 (2011) vehicles > approx. 4,049,314 caused by Passenger Cars (37%) > approx. 2,195,860 caused by Utility Passengers (20%) Number of Apprehended Drivers : 14,439 (2012) > approx. 2% of total: 761,743 Committed Traffic Violations: 1. RA 8750 Seatbelt Use Act 2. No CR/OR On Hand 3. Obstruction 4. Student Driver Operating an MV w/o Accompanying Licensed Driver 5. Driving w/o License 6. Unregistered/Invalid MV Registration 7. Reckless Driving 8. Driving w/ Delinquent/Invalid, Suspended, Ineffectual or Revoked License 9. No Brake Light 10. No EWD Carried MOBILE PHONES AND INTERNET : Number of Internet Users: 33. 6 million (2012) Internet Usage Growth Rate: 11% (2012) Smartphone Sales Value: $606. 5 million (2011) Number of Smartphone Subscribers: 15 million (2012) Smartphone Subscribers Growth: 38% (2012) Mobile Internet Users: 24% of all Filipino Internet users on a daily basis > 56% intend to access the Internet via mobile phone in the next 12 months (2011) Leading Telecommunication Operators : (Q1 2012) †¢Smart Communications, Inc. > Market Share: 68% > Mobile Connections: 66. 1 million > Prepaid Subscribers: 97% of total subscribers > 3G Subscribers: 24% of total subscribers †¢Globe Telecom, Inc. > Market Share: 32% Mobile Connections: 31 million > Prepaid Subscribers: 95% of total subscribers > 3G Subscribers: 27% of total subscribers OTHER STATISTICS: Fuel Prices : (as of 11 April 2013) Diesel: ? 40. 00 per liter Unleaded: ? 50. 72 per liter EXPANSION PLAN TO THE PHILIPPINES IMPETUS: Statistics are not needed to see that there are too many cars in Metro Manila, more than what the roads can actually accommodate. Traffic is a serious problem in the city, and though much can be s aid about the many reasons behind it, the reality remains that â€Å"for every bus there are 50 cars on the road† (Murphy, 2010). That is how congested the city roads are. There is definitely a need to limit the number of vehicles, or one day all movements on the streets will come to a stop. A more efficient and trustworthy Taxi-riding environment may encourage people to commute more, instead of driving out in their own cars for the simplest errands, or from even buying their own. A more centralized and systematized Taxi system may also encourage more discipline in drivers AND passengers, for example lessening the number of pick-ups and drop-offs in the middle of the road. ADVANTAGES: †¢EASE: Streets in the Philippines can be tricky . A lot of roads are not frequented by Taxis; Taxis are usually already occupied when spotted on the main roads; There are usually just certain places where Taxis are most available i. e. malls, markets – Getting back from those places may be easy enough, but getting there from wherever is the hard part. Hailing a Taxi is tedious and time-consuming in a busy city like Metro Manila. †¢TRUST: Both for foreigners and locals alike, there is always a chance of hailing a cab that has a fixed Taxi Meter, and you only find out until it is too late. myTaxi’s Fare Calculator works against that. You may also experience a driver bent on swindling you for extra money just because you have luggage or are with someone in need of assistance. With myTaxi’s Personalized Booking Options, you can already pre-bargain with your Taxi driver and let him know what to expect from you. Any additional costs need not be a surprise. †¢SAFETY: If you’re in the middle of nowhere in the middle of the night, order a cab via myTaxi instead of walking around looking for one. †¢FEEDBACK: Taxi drivers usually have no fear because they answer to no one, or at least no one bothers to go through the trouble of reporting them to their supervisors if they have one. yTaxi lets you provide feedback of your trip and your driver, removing them from the service if they have done you any wrong, or warning future passengers. PRICE: For Passengers: Application remains free. For Drivers: Following the 2,75% (net) for every service mediated by myTaxi†¦ Taxi Fare Flag Down Rate: ? 20. 00 > ? 1. 50 per 500 meters *There is a possibility however, of lowering the rate to 2% due to Taxi drivers generating a below-average income in the Philippines. Average Income of Taxi Drivers: ? ,500. 00 per week MARKET ENTRY: (Product Extension-Communication Adaptation) Product itself remains relatively unchanged, aside from the necessary calibrations for the myTaxi application to work in Metro Manila. Communication approach will have to be different however, as the Philippines is a completely new market to this type of peer-to-peer service . Communication approach to potential passengers will also differ from potential drivers. Pre-Installed Application in Smartphones Units deployed to the Philippines will already have myTaxi pre-installed like in Germany -Pre-Installation leads to awareness that product is available > Constantly seeing application will peak customer’s interest > Trying out what this application and how it works leads to its evaluation and trial > Upon first successful order of Taxi, customer adopts to the usage of the application whenever a Taxi is needed, as well as becoming more confident in exploring its other features > Product loyalty is established, as well as recommendation of it to peers -myTaxi avatar/widget to be included in the list of Product Features, both online and in print Personalized Proposals to Taxi Corporations Direct contact between myTaxi Sales Representative/s and owner/manager of Taxi corporation through a meeting -Email point of contact of Taxi corporation a myTaxi business plan and proposal -eAdvertisements Personalized Proposals to Individual Taxi Drivers -Group Learning and Information Sessions managed by myTaxi Sales Representative/s -Free trial period -Flyers distributed in strategic areas -eAdvertisements Partnerships with Transportation-Related Government Offices to Aid in Endorsement of Service -Department of Transportation and Communications: Land Transportation Office [LTO] http://lto. gov. ph/ -Metr opolitan Manila Development Authority [MMDA] http://www. mmda. gov. ph/ Others -myTaxi stickers (on Taxis) to increase awareness and curiosity -myTaxi application to be featured in a local newspaper article LEGALITY AND REGULATIONS : No known regulation for the usage of Smartphone applications in the Philippines. Application is an add-on to an already registered business – whether by the individual Taxi driver or a Taxi Corporation thus, no taxes, licenses, permits, etc. involved. Political, legal, and regulatory environment poses no known risk. See also myTaxi Term and Conditions. CHALLENGES: †¢Limited Features (cabs in the Philippines are not equipped for payments via debit, credit, or PayPal) †¢Training on how to use the application (more for the drivers than the passengers) †¢Investment on Smartphone and Mobile Internet Plan (many options are offered however by Smart and Globe) Hofstede’s Cultural Typologies : Power Distance: Acceptance and willingness to try application by the â€Å"head/leading Taxi driver† or owner/manager of a Taxi corporation is a must. Other drivers will easily follow once connection with the â€Å"boss† is established. Collectivistic: Word-of-mouth will be the strongest marketing tool both for passengers and potential myTaxi drivers. Masculine: Most if not all Taxi drivers in Metro Manila are male. This must be taken into consideration when marketing myTaxi to them. Expect assertive, challenging and highly skeptical questions. Uncertainty Avoidance: Hypothetically no problems in getting Filipinos to accept myTaxi, especially once German origins are made known. Innovation especially American and European ones, are not seen as threatening. Use this as an advantage. Short-Term Orientation: Acceptance of myTaxi â€Å"now† may be achieved, but users, both driver and passenger, may grow bored and/or negligent of the application in the future. Ensure that its long-term advantages are very appealing and well communicated to drivers. Create a dependence on myTaxi for passengers. Sources: AJTP Information Center. (n. d. ). Road Transport Philippines [Data file]. Retrieved May 11, 2013, from http://www. ajtpweb. org/statistics/Philippines/road-transport-philippines Alternat1ve. (n. d. ). Philippine Gasoline Prices (P/li) [Data file]. Retrieved May 12, 2013, from http://www. alternat1ve. com/philippine-gas-prices. php Economic Impact of Traffic in Metro Manila [PDF document]. (2000). Retrieved on May 12, 2013, from http://d0ctrine. files. wordpress. com/2012/09/econ-impacts-of-congestion-coverchap-1-and-2. pdf Europe. (2013). Retrieved May 1, 2013, from http://www. newmediatrendwatch. com/regional-overview/103- europe? start=1 Global mobile statistics 2012 Part B: Mobile Web; mobile broadband penetration; 3G/4G subscribers and networks. (2012). Retrieved May 12, 2013, from http://mobithinking. com/mobile-marketing- tools/latest-mobile-stats/ b#mobilebroadbandcountries Global mobile statistics 2013 Part A: Mobile subscribers; handset market share; mobile operators. (2013). Retrieved May 12, 2013, from http://mobithinking. om/mobile-marketing-tools/latest-mobile-stats/a#topmobilemarkets Globe Telecom. (n. d. ). In Wikipedia. Retrieved May 1, 2013, from http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Globe_Telecom myTaxi. (n. d. ). Retrieved May 1, 2013, from http://www. mytaxi. com/home. html Philippines. (n. d. ). In Wikipedia. Retrieved May 1, 2013, from http://en. wikipedia. org /wiki/Philippines Philippines 7th Fastest Internet Growth, 17th Largest Smartphone Population Worldwide. (n. d. ). Retrieved May 12, 2013, from http://thebobbery. com/philippines-7th-fastest-internet-growth-17th-largest-smartphone-population-worldwide/ Smart Communications. (n. d. ). In Wikipedia. Retreived May 1, 2013, from http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Smart_ Communications Smartphone Reach Majority in all EU5 Countries. (2013). Retrieved May 1, 2013, from http://www. comscoredatamine. com/2013/03/smartphones-reach-majority-in-all-eu5-countries/ World Usage Patterns & Demographics. (2013). Retrieved May 1, 2013, from http://www. newmediatrendwatch. com /world-overview/34-world-usage-patterns-and-demographics Ablott, M. (2012). Philippines mobile market becomes two-horse race. Retrieved May 10, 2013, from https:// wirelessintelligence. com/analysis/2012/05/philippines-mobile-market-becomes-two-horse-race/336/ Bryant, M. (2012). 5 startup trends for 2012. Retrieved May 12, 2013, from http://thenextweb. com/insider/2012 /01/03/5-startup-trends-for-2012/ Hofstede, G. , Hofstede, J. H. , and Minkov, M. (2010). Philippines. In Cultures and Organizations: Software of the Mind. Retrieved May 12, 2013, from http://geert-hofstede. com/philippines. html Kistner, A. (2012). Taxi 2. 0: Dispatch Firms Wage War over Smartphone App. In DER SPIEGEL (6/2012). Retrieved May 10, 2013, from http://www. spiegel. de/international/business/taxi-2-0-dispatch-firms-wage-war-over-smartphone-app- a-816685. html Meyer, D. (2012). MyTaxi rides into U. S. market with a trick up its sleeve. Retrieved May 11, 2013, from http://gigaom. om/2012/10/10/mytaxi-rides-into-u-s-market-with-a-trick-up-its-sleeve/ Murphy, D. (2010, November 29). Too many private cars on Metro Manila roads. Message posted to http://opinion. inquirer. net/inquireropinion/letterstotheeditor/view/20101129-305923/Too-many-private-cars-on-Metro-Manila- roads Robles, A. C. (2012). The agony of Metr o Manila commuters. Retrieved May 11, 2013, from http://www. gmanetwork. com/news/story/254898/news/specialreports/the-agony-of-metro-manila-commuters Steinmetz, T. (2012). World’s largest taxi booking app launches in US. Retrieved May 12, 2013, from http://www. eturbonews. com/31647/worlds-largest-taxi-booking-app-launches-us