An Essay on the Views of Booker T Washington

Born a slave, Booker T. Washington rose to become a commonly recognized leader of the Negro race in America. Washington continually strove to be successful and to show other black men and women how they too could raise themselves. Washington†s method of uplifting was education of the head, the hand, and the heart. From his founding of the Tuskegee Institute in 1881 to his death in 1915 Booker T. Washington exerted a tremendous influence on the people that surrounded him. With his emphasis on industrial education Washington†s approach gave African-Americans hope of accomplishment and success. Growing up in Franklin County, Virginia, Booker was a young slave living on a plantation in a cold, dismal cabin with his mother being the plantation cook. He struggled through the hardships not unlike all the other slaves in the country. Booker T. Washington did not know his own father, which sounds very terrible, but was nothing unusual to young children of enslaved mothers. However Booker†s thoughts and feelings were different from what you†d suspect. Booker states, † I do not find especial fault with him (his father). He was simply another unfortunate victim of the institution which the Nation unhappily had engrafted upon it at the time. â€Å"(4) Booker T. Washington was engulfed in labor throughout his adolescence and young boyhood days, joining his step-father in working in salt furnaces and coal-mines after the civil war. Of course the labor force in this country was predominately slaves, and after the civil war black people were paid little money to do some of the same work. The whole machinery of slavery was constructed as to cause labor, as a rule, to be looked upon as a sign of degradation and inferiority. The slave system took the spirit of self-reliance and self-help out of white people. Again, Booker T. Washington†s thoughts about the labor of black people differ from a traditional view. Washington feels that many white boys and girls never mastered a single trade or special line of productive industry. All the cooking, cleaning, everything was done by slaves, so when freedom came blacks were well off to begin a life of their own. Except for book-learning and ownership of property, Washington felt positively of the long term investment made from all that hard labor. Washington envisioned a future for Black America where their hard work would earn them the respect of whites and pave the way for equality between the races. Washington had success on his mind for his whole life. There is not a moment in his life where he did not think of achieving a goal that would make him more successful and a better person. He used to picture in his mind how he would climb from the bottom of the ladder and one day be on the top, despite his race. He did envy the white boy as you would think in his early part of his life, but once again his view changed from what is considered normal in my opinion. Washington states, † I have learned that success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed. â€Å"(27) Washington felt that a Negro youth must work harder and must perform his tasks even better than a white youth in order to secure recognition, and in that also gaining more strength and confidence than a white youth. Booker T. Washington was infatuated with learning ever since his childhood slave days. His intense desire to learn enabled him to master a Webster â€Å"blue-back† spelling book, and even led him to move ahead the hands of a clock at work so that he could get to his night school on time. Washington had a goal to go to Hampton where he can get a descent education, and his hard work and long journey paid off when he got admitted their due to his cleaning abilities. This was an example of what I had stated earlier in that some of the labors he had done in his life as a slave and a worker paid off. At Hampton Washington met the principal, General Armstrong, and because of Mr. Armstrong, Washington saw the ideal he was to strive for, Washington said, † the noblest, rarest human being that it has ever been my privilege to meet. â€Å"(36) Washington was inspired by educational work and felt that General Armstrong was one of the men and women who went into the Negro schools at the close of the war to assist in lifting up his race. The greatest benefit in my mind that Washington received from Hampton was his attitude toward education which changed form the common idea that education would free one from manual labor, to love of labor, self-reliance, and usefulness, an unselfishness that strives to do the most to make others useful and happy. When Washington experienced this himself, he could take what he learned and lead others through more practical education. The Reconstruction period from 1867-1878 helped fuel an urge that Washington had to educate his race. He felt that blacks throughout the South looked to the Federal Government for everything, just like a child needing its mother. Also, that the Reconstruction policy, so far as it related to blacks, was in a large measure on a false foundation. Washington states, † In many cases it seemed to me that the ignorance of my race was being used as a tool with which to help white men into office. â€Å"(56) He felt that â€Å"general political agitation drew the attention of our people away from the more fundamental matters of perfecting themselves in the industries at their doors and in securing property. (56) In July of 1881, when the Tuskegee Institute for colored people opened, Booker T. Washington was asked to be the principle. Washington tried to expand as much as possible during the years of the school, he wanted to accommodate as many kids as possible and in order to do that the school needed to be bigger, so he put the kids to work, building the school and stressing the importance of work to the kids. Washington felt the value of this work for self-confidence, esteem and disciplined conduct was immense. How likely would a student write his initials on a wall if an older student next to him told him that he had built that wall. Washington felt Industrial education was a foundation. From it would come the professional positions of responsibility, wealth, and leisure. His way was to combine industrial training with mental and moral culture. He observed that the need to take care of one†s body and property and to have an economic foundation was more important than memorizing facts and readings of Latin and Greek. That†s why Washington stressed cleanliness, personal neatness, also housekeeping and mechanical skills. Through proper training of head, hand, and heart, Tuskegee could develop teachers and leaders who would go out to people and change their lives. Industrial education had three functions: First, black students could work to pay their expenses at school. Secondly they could develop skills that would be of economic value when they left school. Third, and most important, was to teach economy, thrift, the dignity of labor, and provide a strong moral backbone. Booker T. Washington had visions of equality for the black and white race, but his visions were somewhat different from that of the norm. He wanted to build up the black race slowly, knowing that equality was not to be achieved overnight. He taught blacks the power of knowledge and hard work to which they could gain a respect from their former masters of this country, and prove to them that they could live together and help out each other. He didn†t want to be better than the white man, he didn†t even dislike the white man, he just wanted to prove to the white man that a black man can have just as good of a heart. Washington took the positive factors out of everything in life, whether good or bad, and paved the way for a non-segregated country. He has no remorse for anything that has happened to his race, infect he says it best when he states, â€Å"Ever since I have been old enough to think for myself, I have entertained the idea that, notwithstanding the cruel wrongs inflicted upon us, the black man got nearly as much out of slavery as the white man did. â€Å"(13)

“Catcher in the Rye” and “Rebel without a cause” Essay

When one both reads Catcher in the Rye and sees Rebel Without a Cause, he or she can’t help but wonder if the writers, Nicholas Ray and J.D. Salinger, somehow knew each other, or if one writer copied the ideas of the other. Jim Stark and Holden Caulfield, the two main characters of the stories, have so much in common that if they ever met one another, they would immediately become friends. The main theme that applies to both works is teenage rebellion. Holden and Jim seem to get into trouble often, which affects many different aspects of their lives, including their friends, family, school, location, and self-image. Holden’s and Jim’s parents have very similar attitudes towards their children. They both appear to spoil their children indefinitely, a common display of parents during the 1950’s. Jim’s father mentioned that he bought Jim everything he wants, including a car and bicycle. Holden said that his mother had recently sent ice skates to his school for him. Also, both parents show embarrassment of their children’s delinquent behavior. Neither Jim’s nor Holden’s fathers are good role models for their sons. Jim feels that his father is cowardly, weak, and a chicken. Holden’s father isn’t ever around, since Holden is always at one boarding school or another. Furthermore, both sons feel misunderstood by their parents. The major difference between Holden’s and Jim’s families is that Holden’s parents deal with his problems by sending him away to prep schools, whereas Jim’s parents try to be more involved in their son’s life and move with him from town to town. A minor difference in their families is that Jim is an only child, but Holden has three siblings. Holden does not really have any friends. He constantly criticizes and complains about the people he interacts with, rarely has anything positive to say about them, and does not consider anyone his real friend. Jim tries to make friends with the kids at his new school, but only succeeds in gaining two real ones. Plato, who is a social outcast at school, jumps at the chance to become Jim’s friend. Judy, however, makes fun of Jim with her friends until her boyfriend, Buzz, is killed. Then, she seeks comfort in Jim and they fall in love. Both the Jim and Holden feel like outcasts, which is a major part of their rebellion. However, where Jim tries to fit in and is  rejected by his peers, Holden does not make such attempts and he is the one who rejects his classmates. Neither Holden nor Jim fit into their schools. Holden has a lot of academic problems, although he appears to be a fairly intelligent boy. Jim, on the other hand, has social problems. In his previous schools, he had a tendency to beat up kids for calling him chicken. He also feels the need to keep his honor, and therefore participate in the â€Å"chickie fight† against Buzz, which leads to Buzz’s death. Holden seems to put in very little to no effort in his schoolwork and fitting in. He doesn’t really care that he flunks out of his classes. Jim’s academic life wasn’t really portrayed in the film, but he did try to fit in. When he was scolded for walking over the school’s insignia, he felt very sorry about it. Therefore, Jim is not always intentionally rebellious, but Holden’s rebellion is deliberate. Jim’s and Holden’s emotional confusion affect their lives similarly. Both are extremely misunderstood by both the public and their own families. Although they appear to be rebellious and tough, both have a more sensitive interior. They suffer from alienation from their families and peers, but Jim definitely strives towards acceptance while Holden does not. If Catcher in the Rye had been made into a movie, James Dean would have been the perfect actor to play the part of Holden, since his portrayal of Jim was so precise.

Artificial intelligence in home automation

Artificial intelligence in home automation Abstract-Home automation is on horizon. It is an emerging technology and also a need of today. From the last decade a number of standards have been defined for home appliances. The main objectives of home automation are controlling, management and co-ordination of home appliances in a comfortable, effective and secure way. On the other hand, Artificial Intelligence is evolving as a technology for developing automatic systems that can perceive the environment, learn from environment, and can make decision using case-based reasoning. Using Vision capability, knowledge-based, learn ability, decision making and reasoning the AI provides a better solution for almost all automatic systems. In this paper we will see the types of home automation systems and then see how these system can utilize the AI tools so as to increase the effectiveness, powerfulness etc. Index TermsHome automation, artificial intelligence, knowledge base systems, secure home. INTRODUCTION One definition of an automated and networked home is An automated and networked home is one in which every appliance can be remotely managed from anywhere on the Internet with a simple Web browser The general goal of the automatic-home movement is to use networking technology to integrate the devices, appliances and services found in homes so that the entire domestic living space can be controlled centrally or remotely [6]. Home wiring, the advance home developers are installing, typically adds several thousand dollars to the cost of a new home, and it is usually Ethernet or coaxial cable or some combination of both with other technologies in the mix. The network is being designed to make possible remote operation of appliances connected to the network. A. Services Provided by the Home Automation System Comfortable A home automation system provides a large number of services which can broadly classified into following four categories: 1) le management of appliances 2) Remote controlling of appliances 3) Efficient utilization of home resources 4) Enhancing home security Comfortable management includes automatic adjustment of AC(air conditioning) setting, fan regulation setting etc. Remote controlling services include accessing devices from remote location and setting them ON/OFF. Efficient utilization includes running the home appliances at their optimal setting (setting at which we get the required output at minimum cost). Last category of service includes all those services which are used for securing the home environment. In this paper we will see the implementation of all these categories of services one by one and will see the application of AI techniques in implementation. In Section-II we will see AI techniques Knowledge-based system very briefly. Section-III covers the issues concerned with home automation. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND KNOWLEDGE-BASED SYSTEMS (KBS) AI is the collection of powerful and rigorous programming techniques studying the nature of intelligence by building computer systems, and the application of these concepts in solving real-world problems. The growth in the areas of AI has been increased significantly from the last decade. There exist a number of AI tools that make an automation system more sophisticated but here we will discuss the knowledge-based systems only as it is used frequently. Knowledge Based System: A knowledge-based system (KBS) is an AI based system that contains a significant amount of knowledge in an explicit, declarative form. The area of KBS development has matured over the past two decades. It started with first-generation expert systems with a single flat knowledge base and a general reasoning engine, typically built in a rapid-prototyping fashion. This has now been replaced by methodological approaches that have many similarities with general software engineering practice. KBS development is best s een as software engineering for a particular class of application problems. These applications problems typically require some form of reasoning to produce the required results. In current business practice there is an increasing need for such systems, due to progression of information technology in our daily work. For home automation, knowledge-based systems can provide the base to store the user preferences and managing the home appliances accordingly. PRELIMINARIES If we talk home automation, there are following three main issues: 1) How to connect home appliances and apparatus 2) How to make two home appliances to communicate to each other 3) How to control and manage home appliances As far as first issue is concerned, a number of standards have been developed for interconnecting the home devices and apparatus in a network so as to make their management much easier and comfortable. Summarized from a following are the main networking technologies used for connecting devices in home environment: 1) Direct cable connection 2) Bluetooth Connection 3) Phone Line 4) Ethernet 5) Radio (Free) Network 6) AC Network So we can connect the entire home devices by selecting any of the above-mentioned network technologies. Apart from connecting devices, the second issue regarding the home automation is how to make two devices communicate to each other. For handling this issue a number of standards have been developed. Summarized from there are following leading communication technologies in home environment: 1) UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) devices 2) X-10 based devices 3) Infrared devices 4) Bluetooth Devices 5) IP based devices All these technologies are well matured and have well settled standards. But, in this paper we will skip it as this is not of our concern. Now we move toward third issue i.e. how to manage and control the home appliances which is the issue we are concerned with. This issue can be handles in two ways. First, by using traditional digital and microprocessor-based systems like discussed in Second method for this is by using the sophisticated processing of artificially intelligent agents. If we consider the first choice, then it is somewhat more common but at the cost of time efficiency as well as feature limitations. On the other hand AI based technique provides more efficient and featured services like easy video and audio processing, easy reasoning etc. In this paper we will concentrate on the third issued of home automation i.e. management of home appliances and particularly, AI based home appliance controlling and management. MANAGING HOME APPLIANCES FOR COMFORTABILITY As discussed in Section-I, the first service that a user expect from the home automation system is the comfortable management of devices. e.g. the regulator setting of AC depends upon the temperature of the room. As the temperature increases the AC regulation rating (hence cooling rate) also need to be increased. Some features of such systems are: 1) These are closed loop systems 2) Sensors are transducers and other mechanisms for sensing the current proximity condition e.g. sensing the room temperature 3) Actuators are simply the mechanism to change the environment according to the control signals received from the knowledge base. 4) Knowledgebase (KB) is the centralized part of the system and is the main part to discuss here. This KB system can be implemented by using simple digital circuitry as discussed in [17] or using microprocessor systems as discussed in [11] but both suffer from the problem of manual setting. In both the system user has to decide and change the threshold setting whenever there is a change in the environment. E.g. in summer AC is used to down the temperature while in winter the same are used to up the temperature. So, user has to change the setting when season changes because the system cant learn from its experience. But using the KB system having learning capability, system can adjust the threshold setting as it gets the experience in its environment. For this system we need a KB system that can learn from the experience that what is comfortable temperature for the home users and can adjust the setting of AC and fan regulator accordingly. CONTROLLING HOME APPLIANCES FROM REMOTE LOCATION The second feature provided by the home automation system is the remote access to devices and their management. E.g. suppose you are going back to your home and it will take 20 minutes to reach your home. Now, you want to on you find your home with comfortable temperature. In such a scenario you need to access your home appliances and also to control them from remote location. Following are main points to consider about this class of systems: 1) Authorizer and Receiver is an electronic system capable to receive the control signal. As discussed in Section-II there exist a number of such systems any of them can be used for this purpose. One important thing about this system is that it requires some authorization mechanism to ensure that the request is authorized one. For this purpose we can use some cryptographic techniques to encode and decode the request so that only authorized user can access the network. 2) The decision maker system is an AI based agent that can decide what action should be taken in response to received query. E.g. suppose user just put the query that the room temperature should be x0 c. Now, this is the Decision Maker that will identify from its experience that the AC will maintain this temperature. And then it will determine setting of AC regulator corresponding to this particular temperature. Of course, the same system can be implemented by some electronic circuitry but that will be more complex, less flexible and less featured as compared to this learning based (case based) AI agent system. 3) The third component of this system i.e. Actuator is similar to the action implementer in the previous system. So, we will not discuss anything about this here. EFFICIENT UTILIZATION OF HOME APPLIANCES This application of home automation system is not as common as discussed two applications. But, on the other hand if the automation system is applied in the industrial environment then it becomes the more prominent and beneficial feature of the automation system E.g. Suppose the AC of your office (or room) is ON but you are not in your room from last three hours. Then why the AC is still ON? This is just wastage of power. As said already, this power wastage is not much in case of home appliances but in industries power saving is one of the major cost-cutting factor. So, for implementing this we need a system that can OFF the AC if it found that there is no person from the last significant time. We said here the word significant as the exact time cant be determined and depends upon the scenario (like for bedroom the AC should down OFF if there is no person for one hour while in waiting room the AC should go down when there is no person from last two hours). In such a scenario, we are supposed to have some automation system that can continuously pole the environment and can decide the appropriate action whenever needed. These systems should fast enough for responsiveness and effectiveness. The working of the components of the system is as follows: 1) The status poller continuously senses the environment conditions and forwards the sensed condition-factors to analyzer and knowledge-based database. 2) The Analyzer receives the current environmental condition from poller and with the help of the knowledge base database, it analyses the variation in the environment. Now, depending upon the variation Analyzer gives the instruction to Actuator. 3) Again here the actuator is similar to the actuator discussed in previous sections. The major differentiating factor of this system from previously discussed systems is that this is sequential while previous one was atomic, because, in this system the action to be taken depends upon the present and previous environmental conditions. SECURE HOMES The last major application provided by the home automation system is to provide the home security. This is the most complex home automation system. The description of how system works is as follows: 1) Security sensors sense the environment for security threat. 2) The analyzer and synthesizer analyses the data received from the sensors and filter out any security threat. If it found any security threat, then it sends the sufficient information to reasoning system. 3) The Reasoning system apply the reasoning for detecting whether the security threat is really a threat, if yes then it fires the security alert system for alerting the user about this security threat by analyzer. 4) This analyzer is same as used at the second stage but opposite in nature. The previous converts the physical information into digital form while later one converts the digital information back to physical form to alert the user. APPLICATION OF AI IN HOME AUTOMATION Now, in this Section we will concentrate on the application of AI in all the four forms of home automation system one by one. A. Use of AI in Comfortable Systems In these systems the application of AI is limited as most of the part can be easily implemented using some electronic circuitry. Here the only part where the AI is effective is the knowledge-based database which should be learnable (as discussed previously) for system to be truly comfortable. Since AI tools are little bit costly it will increase the cost of the system but will make the system more comfortable, flexible, easy updatable etc. B. Use of AI in Remote Controlling Systems In these systems AI can be applied in the authorizer as well decision maker stage. Applying AI at the authorizer will increase the responsiveness and security and is more applicable when the environment under consideration is an industry where security is a major concern (e.g. Banks). On the other hand, Decision making part can utilize the case ba sed reasoning of AI for effective and efficient management as it has to decide that which of the target device is corresponding to this particular instruction.C. Use of AI in Optimizing the Resource Performance In this system AI can used to implement knowledge base as discuss for previous systems and for Analyzer as it makes it more efficient in deciding the particular action. Moreover, if analyzer is learnable from its experience then it will make the system more optimized.D. Use of AI in Secure Systems The biggest use of AI is in these systems. Here we can apply following tools of AI for various applications: 1) Video Processing for security threat analysis 2) Image Processing for security threat analysis 3) Audio processing for security threat analysis 4) Knowledge base system for Security system database 5) Case-based reasoning for analyzer and synthesizer 6) Decision Making in Security Checking and Decision making So these systems use the AI exhaustibly. Presently, even though, different technologies are used for implementing these systems but in the near future AI will be the only implementation technique behind these systems as it is proved to be more sophisticated and effective tool for listed applications. CONCLUSION In this paper we started our discussion with home automation system by defining four major applications of these systems which are comfortability, remote control, optimal resource utilization and security. After that we see the detailed structure of home automation for implementing these services one by one explaining the working of each system and use of heuristic-based tools in these systems. At the last we discuss about the applications of AI tools in all four types of home automation systems. From this discussion it is clear that AI is emerging as a very useful and applicable technology for Home automation. On the other hand, home automation systems provide AI a vast range of Application.

The Socio-Economic and Cultural Aspects of Japan Assignment

The Socio-Economic and Cultural Aspects of Japan - Assignment Example Each member presented their findings to the group and in the end, we were able to integrate the entire information into a single presentation for the group project. The development of this presentation and the overall group project did not come easily without the challenges. Our main finding of the culture of the Japanese people was their evolution from a mix of cultures across the Asian continent. This evolution was evident from the different aspects of their rich culture which included literature, arts as well as the lifestyle of the population that is about 126 million. The task given was about working in groups to come up with a presentation on the cultural aspects of a developing nation. The key concept we were able to learn is related to the working in groups to deliver a project and the ability to conduct research on a specific topic area. Since the topic area was about the culture of Japan, the rich culture of the people of the East Asian country was also acquired in the learning process. All the group members undertook a presentation of the different areas that they worked on and apart from being an enjoyable process; we were able to develop research and presentation skills. Group work is supposed to generate a sense of togetherness even if opinions differed (Anning 2010). The capability of the members of the team is varied and diverse. The level of diversity creates an instance where the members have a varying position on the issues that are raised within a group (Bell, 2012) but still find common ground. This was evident even while we were choosing the topic to take the research on. The main learning objective here is the level of teamwork which is the cohesiveness of the team in their work.

Main Causes for Greek Dark Ages Annotated Bibliography

Main Causes for Greek Dark Ages - Annotated Bibliography Example The Greek Economic and Agriculture System: The inefficiencies of the political system to manage the Greek agricultural system resulted in the migration of Greek-speaking population when the phenomenon of overpopulation struck Greece. Underpopulation and the Dark Ages. The analysis will contest that War ravaged Greece ended up being underpopulated. The colonization had already stretched the Greek population till the Far East and the Mediterranean. Thus due to underpopulation, the Greek populations got smaller and Isolated. Communication among Greeks was lost and culture stopped to flourish. The Dorian Factor: The migration of Dorian population and its invasion onto Mycenaean Greeks did play a role in the advent of Dark Ages but was it only the external invasions or the weaknesses in Mycenaean power Hierarchy and mythical beliefs that led to the fall of Greeks. Conclusion: The Greek dark ages lasted from 1100 BC until 800 BC. Life was undoubtedly harsh for the Greeks of the Dark ages. Despite all the presented reasons there still remains a doubt in historians regarding the exact reasons that introduced Dark Ages in Greek history. Among many reasons, there is also evidence of the collapse of Bronze Age due to natural catastrophes such as volcanic eruption. Historians cite a volcano eruption around 1570 BC as well. Data on changing climatic conditions based on pollen and wood samples suggests that maybe there was an ecological decline e.g. a series of drought or famine. The book approaches the era in chronological order and by geographical areas. Among many other things the book essentially outlines the combat readiness of Greeks in the Mycenaean era, yet another clue that may explain the lukewarm resistance of Greeks to the Dorian migration.  

Reflective Portfolio 05205 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Reflective Portfolio 05205 - Essay Example However the participation of the company in the global market also depends on the comparative advantage of the firms that is the firms can export goods in which the firm specialises as well it needs to consider the cultural as well as the political issues of the trading partners. The entrepreneurs within a market focus on technological progress. Through internalisation a new product can be known that the firm may produce and then export the goods to other countries. (Ethier, 2005; Hoekstra and Hung, 2005). The products produced by the firms also depend on the demands of the customers and the entrepreneurs apply various strategies related to internalisation in order to increase the production capacity of the firms. International trade links the home and the host countries through the export and the import of goods that take place. The main factors that play a key role in promoting the globalisation within the economy are the technological innovation that brings in a change within the economy, economic and political changes that take place. The technological innovation within the economy enhances the transportation and communication process at low costs. A large investment in the road infrastructure allowed greater share of trade to be conducted by trucks movi ng between North America and Western Europe (Lane and Milesi-Ferretti, 2008). The shifting of the coal miners towards oil and gas industry is also considered as an important element of Globalisation. The currencies were convertible and the balance of payment restrictions was eliminated. The birth of the Euro Dollar market in the global economy was a move towards the availability of the international liquidity and the cross border trade relations that was set up in Western Europe (Chen, 2006). The organizations are expected to carry out the exchange of goods so as to promote

Mexican Drug Cartels as a Security Threat Essay

Mexican Drug Cartels as a Security Threat - Essay Example question that in recent years Mexican gangs and drug cartels have had a significant impact on the politics of Mexico through the use of political violence. According to Reuters (2010) it is the case that Gunmen working for a mayoral candidate for the PAN Party (Partido Accià ³n Nacional) in Valle Hermoso as the candidate frequently spoke out against drug abuse and the dangers of drug violence. On the other side of the political spectrum it was the case that in Nuevo Laredo in May 2010 hitmen employed by the drug cartels killed two campaigners who worked for a ‘Leftist’ political candidate and then spread printed messages warning all people of the dangers related to supporting that political candidate. According to Ellingwood (2010) the best estimate of the death toll resulting from the Mexican war on drugs is approximately 22,000. With a death toll this high there is little question that the consequences of this war on drugs are severe. It is upon this foundation that the Drug Cartels utilize not only assassination as a direct means of enforcing obedience (Insofar as they simply kill political candidates that oppose them. These drug cartels also go so far as to employ a kind of psychological warfare by using murder as a significant threat to common people for supporting candidates that are against the drug cartels ex. â€Å"Look what happened to those who supported this candidate†¦ this could happen to you!† The former and the latter both represent a kind of terrorism insofar as they are by no means isolated incidents and by completely disregarding non-combatants, and utilizing policies that instill fear into the populous they are indeed committing acts of terror. Moreover the effect is felt across the border in the United States. Much of the drug trade involves smuggling drugs across the border and any intervention from American police forces, drug enforcement agency (DEA) etc. is likely to be met

Calculation of Values Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Calculation of Values - Essay Example The following data are considered not valid for analysis: results that were reported erroneously (reporting errors) such as data with inappropriate units and "results reported as approximately 10, 100 or 1000 times greater or smaller than the majority of submitted results" (Croucher, 2004); results reported as not detected (n.d.); and results from participants not quoting a percentage recovery. Aside from these non-valid data, each report has the following points to be considered for removal of non-valid data. Results for total fat recorded without any reference to the use of an acid hydrolysis step; and nitrogen results that appeared to be for protein i.e. results approximately a factor of 6 greater than the majority of results (Knaggs, 2004a). Results reported as 0 ug/kg; results from participants not quoting a percentage recovery or stating na, EXCEPT for total AF, where participants submitted results that were the sum of their recovery corrected individual aflatoxins (Walker, 2005). Participants reporting not detected and subsequently assigned a result of 0g/kg; results from participants whose recovery is outside the range 70-110%; and results below the stated LOQ including results with no LOQ stated (Leach, 2005). The value of p estimates the limits ... t of 0g/kg; results from participants whose recovery is outside the range 70-110%; and results below the stated LOQ including results with no LOQ stated (Leach, 2005). ii) Minimizing the influence of outliers by the use of a robust statistical procedure to derive the mean iii) Normality (Kolmogorov - Smirnov test), or otherwise, of the distribution of the results is considered. iv) Assessment of the standard uncertainty () of the robust mean = /n, = the standard deviation of the robust mean n = the number of data points used to calculate the robust mean B. Target Standard Deviation for the Round The value of p estimates the limits of a satisfactory performance in a FAPAS proficiency test (FAPAS, 2002). In cases where the value of p does not reflect best practice for the analyses in question, the predictive models of the appropriate form of the Horwitz equation are valuable indicators of the best practice. This equation predicts a standard deviation from a given concentration (c) and requires c to be expressed as a dimensionless mass ratio (1ppm = 10-6 or % = 10-2) i) For analyte concentrations= (0.22c) / mr ii) For analyte concentrations 120 ppb and 13.8% = (0.2c0.8495) / mr iii) For analyte concentrations > 13.8 % = (0.01c0.5) / mr where, c = concentration (assigned value), expressed as a dimensionless mass ratio mr = dimensionless mass ratio. In all reports, the was calculated according to the equations above. In report 0141 however only the value of for the ash was estimated in this manner. The value of for moisture, total fat, nitrogen and hydroxyproline was derived from collaborative trial data assuming a linear relationship : = (RSDR / 100)c where, RSDR = Relative

International Business Practices Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 4

International Business Practices - Essay Example The optimal structure for Physical Movement Company is an international division structure with centralized control. An international division structure separates the international division from the domestic operations. This structured is considered the most appropriate structure for rookie players in the international business since it completely separates the revenue streams obtain from oversee operations, inclusively it separates it between the divisions which in this case would be one per country for a total of three divisions. Centralized control is the best approach because the management of the company wants to learn from the integration into foreign markets and needs to be involved in the decision making as much as possible. The table below illustrates the advantages and disadvantages of centralized approaches: The international division structure will allow the company to carefully analyze the chosen markets and implement different marketing strategies in each of the markets. The company currently has different theories and marketing plans which they believe based on their research will work, but only time will tell the effectiveness of the plans. As the company matures they can systematically switch from a centralized to decentralize managerial style on a case by case basis per division. Decentralization of particular divisions could be allowed in locations in which the company’s plans were successfully implemented. If the company enjoys significant growth internationally and expands into other markets then the company may purse reorganizing its international organizational structure into an international area structure or global product structure. A full implementation of the international business structure will take some time. The first step is to locate the physical space in which the division will operate in each of the countries which

Sociology & Scientific Depends Essay Example for Free

Sociology Scientific Depends Essay Sociologists have been divided on the issue of whether or not sociology is a science for as long as anyone remembers. It is a very controversial topic in sociology, due to the number of conflicting views about what it is to be scientific and according to the definitions of what is scientific, whether sociology can be categorised as a science. Durkheim and Compte, positivists believed that sociological studies should be based on the same logic and methods as natural science; they stated that this would create a positive science society and would allow us to discover laws of human behaviour, similar to the way scientists discovered the laws of gravity. Positivists believe that human behaviour, like that of a plant is influenced by external factors, that society shapes us and therefore that these factors can be isolated, controlled and measured. Durkheim believed that he had done just this when he had studied suicide, isolated the factor of being isolated as the cause of suicide. see more:when did sociology begin Popper was a famous philosopher of science, and he agreed with some of the positivists theories, claiming that indeed sociology could be a science. He said that natural sciences are scientific because they use the hypothetico-deductive approach, and look at evidence which may disprove their theory, as well as enforce it, he then went on to say that if sociologist could look at conflicting, as well as supporting evidence when trying to prove their theories, then indeed sociology could be considered scientific. Popper disagrees that human behaviour is only a product of outside stimuli, and so he is not a positivist, he simply agrees that sociology can be classed as scientific but in order to do so, studies must be conducted so that a hypothesis can be enforced or falsified. Popper argued that Marxism wasnt a scientific approach, because when its theory of a revolution failed but come true, they simply pushed its coming further into the future, instead of admitting the original hypothesis was untrue, therefore they prevented any possibility that the original theory had been false because they simply adapted it. Realists also believe that sociology is scientific, and claim that there is not much difference between sociological studies and natural science investigations. They held this view because like natural science investigations, sociology tries to explain the causes of behaviour in terms of underlying causes, which are not visible in everyday life. Sayer focussed on the fact that in all areas of science there were open and closed systems, for example in some situations, a lab can be used where variables can be controlled, but also in areas such as meteorology, experiments cannot always be fully controlled, he argued that sociology faced the same problem, studying issues which were relevant but complex, like meteorologists, sociologists had to deal with the fact that there may be other influences, but this does not mean that the studies they do are not scientific. Both study hidden causes of things relevant to their field, in ways that can be seen as scientific. The realist definition of science is Being scientific involves explaining behaviour in terms of underlying structures, mechanisms and processes. They believe that natural scientists and sociologists do, therefore sociology should be classed as a science.

Significance Of Arctic Setting In Frankenstein English Language Essay

Significance Of Arctic Setting In Frankenstein English Language Essay The arctic setting that Mary Shelley uses in her novel, Frankenstein, after the monster escapes was essential in understanding the feelings of Victors monstrous creation. The arctic is known for its isolated conditions with intolerable weather. When Victor Frankensteins creation sees the rejected reactions from other living beings he escapes to the separate himself from mankind. The romantic period of when Mary Shelley wrote her novel escaping to isolated places such as the arctic, was known as a spiritual reunion. The arctic represented isolation and pain in Victor Frankensteins creation. Mary Shelley used the arctic setting to correlate the monsters internal feeling with its environment that surrounded him. She used the arctic to symbolize Victors creation as empty, unaided, isolated, and confused. The arctic is still considered to be an intolerable place where it is much harder to live especially in the monsters scenario. Mary Shelley describes the struggles the monster was dealing with in regards to other human beings. She writes The whole village roused; some fled, some attacked me, until, grievously bruised by stones and many other kinds of missile weapons, I escaped to the open country, and fearfully took refuge (70-71). The monster was dealing with external problems from the horrific reactions from the villagers. In addition to being abandoned by his creator the monster felt abandoned from all of mankind. Mary Shelley used the arctic as the setting for where the monster fled after being created by Victor to indicate the maturation process of the monster and to give a deeper insight into his character. He was tortured by the reactions of the villagers and the seasonal process that nature goes through. In arctic conditions it becomes nearly impossible to live off of natural nutrients due to harsh temperatures. Victors creation explains, Food, however became scarce, and I often spent the whole day searching in vain for a few acorns to assuage the pangs of hunger (Shelley 70). This was a significant setting because the monster was clueless about his surroundings and the arctic created a deeper hole in his search for identity. In the article Embodied Settings in Frankenstein by David Ketterer, it explains that the arctic setting in Mary Shelleys novel was used in a metaphoric way: If the Alps and their Arctic setting analogue appear to be the monsters natural habitat that is surely because his being is bound up with the awe and terror provoked by such environments (Ketterer 548) Victors creation was a symbolism of the arctic. Mary Shelley used the arctic setting to represent the lonely soul of the creature. The arctic is lacking natural resources like the creature is lacking companionship. The monster describes the painful experiences he encountered in the winter seasons while in search for dry land and shelter to protect him from the snow, or as he describes it, the white ground; Romanticists looked at spiritual renewal as getting away into an isolated environment, and Mary Shelley used that Arctic setting to show the renewal the monster endured. In the article The Political Geography of horror in Mary Shelleys Frankenstein by Fred Randel, he writes Mary Shelley inherited a usage of the Gothic that, in contrast with the expectations of many modern readers, fore grounded history and geography (465). Mary Shelley showed Victors creations emotions when she wrote A great fall of snow had taken place the night before and the fields were of one uniform white, the appearance disconsolate and I found my feet chilled by the cold damp substance that covered the ground (70). Mary Shelley is showing the inscrutable feelings of the monster and how the arctic setting was essential to understand the renewal process of the monster. The monster feels the cold and bitter feelings that arctic is releasing. The arctic was important for the character development of the monster. Mary Shelley shows his maturation process through the story the monster tells Victor. She describes his innocence to his surroundings and the struggles that accompanied these mysterious altercations of the seasons he endured. The famine of food created hardship for the monster while the actions of the villagers against him created unknown feelings of disorder. Mary Shelley used the arctic in a metaphoric way in representing the lonesome the monster felt. The arctic is usually deceived as an uncomfortable surrounding and Victors creation resorted to the arctic for the opposite, comfort. Mary Shelley used the arctic to metaphorically represent Victors creation. The monster was a lonesome soul lacking companionship just like that arctic lacks food and nutrients. Work Cited Ketterer, David. Embodied Settings in Frankenstein. Science Fiction Studies 32.3 (2005) : 548. JSTOR. Web. 28 Feb. 2010. http://www.jstor.org/stable/4241397 Randel, Fred. The Political Geography of Horror In Mary Shelleys Frankenstein. ELH 70.2 2003 : 465-491. JSTOR. Web. 28 Feb. 2010 http://www.jstor.org/stable/30029885 Â  Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. New York: W.W. Norton Company, 1996. Print.

Our Free Will :: essays research papers fc

Our Free Will We ought then regard the present state of the universe as the effect of its previous state and the cause of the one which is to follow. An intelligence knowing at a given instant of time all the forces operating in nature, as well as the position at that instant of all things of which the universe consists, would be able to comprehend the motions of the largest bodies in the universe and those of the smallest atoms in a single formula - provided that it was sufficiently powerful to submit all these data analysis. To it nothing would be uncertain and the future would be present to its eyes as much as the past. This passage comes from P.S. de Laplace's â€Å"Philosophical Essay on Probabilities.† If such determinism is true, then everyone's every thought and action must be inevitable; that no one really has any choice about anything, because we are all helpless products of blind forces which have made us what we are. In this paper concerning the free will and determinism debate I will argue that determinism is not plausible, I shall do this by giving reasons for determining how determinism is false, give arguments for determinism, and then refute those arguments.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are those who think that our behavior is a result of free choice, but there are others who presume â€Å"we are servants of cosmic destiny or that behavior is nothing but a reflex of heredity and environment.† The position of determinism is that every event is the necessary outcome of a cause or set of causes. That everything is a consequence of external forces, and such forces produce all that happens. Man is not free. If we accept the determinist argument and assume human behavior as a consequence of external factors rather than of free choice, then we must realize that our explanation of human behavior leaves no room for morality. If people do not choose their actions, then they are not really responsible for them, and there is no need for praising or blaming them. If determinism were true, then there would be no basis for human effort, for why should a person make an effort if what he or she does doesn't make a difference? If what will be will be, then one has an excuse for doing nothing. Life would not be so meaningful for people on deterministic grounds. â€Å"The nature of human life may be such that man must understand himself as being free, for human life as we know it would not make much sense without the concept of freedom.

Essay examples --

Process of development and modernization In Afghanistan During Amanullah Khan, and Turkey: I. Introduction: This paper will examine the process of modernization and development in Afghanistan during the era of Amanullah Khan (1919-1929) and Turkey during the era of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk (1918-1938). Each state had used multiple theories of modernization and different approaches in order to modernize the state and be modernized. Modernization and development happened in both countries in chorus; while Afghanistan failed to become modernize under Amanullah khan but Turkey under Ataturk succeded to become modernize and develop. I will use the theories of Ibn-Khaldon, Weber, Smelser and Rostow, Charles Tilley’s war making and state making, to take a comparative analysis of modernization in both states and the aspects which led to modernization of turkey and fall of Amanullah Khan's governmnt. The idea of Modernization is relatively new which was defined by French philosopher Marquis de Condorcet in 18th century, the theory was based on the idea that the people could develop and change their society. Furthermore, Modernization can be defined as the process of transformation from a traditional society to a modern society. Hence, Modernization is the key concerning openness to new experiences regarding both people and behaviors, and is shift in allegiance from those individuals in traditional authority structures (e.g. Khans, religious leaders) to those representing modern institutions (e.g. government leaders). On the other hand, development is the process of gradual growth in a state, those countries who carried out the four aspects of state building managed to develop their states and become modernize while others failed. II. Modern... ... the new currency for country (Afghani). As defined by Charles Tilly state building need four stages "war making, State making, protection and Extraction", extraction is the main element where the state can manage to put in action all the other three elements of state building. Amanullah khan's reforms failed in Afghanistan due to different reason's the first cause of Amanullah Khan's economical reforms was due to mountainous structure of state where the state failed to collect taxes from citizens of country and as well as capitalists failed to earn more profit since they were unable to transfer their products in different parts of country. Moreover, the reason behind his failure was that once those religious and tribal leaders who were paid by the family of king and ancestors of Amanullah Khan, during the era of Amanullah Khan they were forced to pay tax for state.

Comparing Two Seafood Restaurants :: comparison compare contrast essays

Comparing Two Seafood Restaurants From a succulent fresh lobster tail to a mouth-watering red snapper filet, everyone loves some type of seafood. The residents of our city are lucky, restaurants specializing in seafood are plentiful. Many locals consider Pappadeux and Joe's Crab Shack to be the best. Although they both serve wonderful, fresh seafood, the differences in the menu, the service, and the overall atmosphere set them apart from one another. Pappadeux offers elegant, elaborate dishes on its menu, while the food described on the menu of Joe's Crab Shack is the sort which tastes best when accompanied by an ice-cold beer and a large plate of french fries. For example, my favorite meal at Pappadeux consists of a flaky filet of red snapper blackened in hot Cajun spices and smothered in a rich Bearnaise sauce. It is then topped with lightly sauted crawfish tails and mushrooms. Once this concoction touches the tongue, it simply melts. On the other hand, Joe's Crab Shack has been made famous for its barbecued crabs. The cook begins by slowly cooking small dungeoness crabs in a large barbecue pit. Once the crabs have been seared to perfection, the cook tosses them on a large tray, and they are ready for presentation. The waiter then serves these divine crabs with a hammer, a bib, and a roll of paper towels. After pounding on the shell for five minutes, the lucky diner discovers a piece of crab meat which, like the sna pper filet, melts in the mouth. Distinguishing each restaurant further is the service; although it is impeccable at both Pappadeaux and Joe's Crab Shack, the manner in which one is served varies greatly. When dining at the classy Pappadeux, each patron is greeted by an exquisitely dressed staff. The waitstaff is clad in black slacks, white tuxedo shirts, and classic bow ties, while the hostess dons an elegant dress. The staff greets each diner with the traditional "ma'am" and "sir" and treats her or him with the utmost respect and dignity. In contrast, at the relaxed Joe's Crab Shack the entire staff wears t-shirts and shorts or jeans and treats everyone as if they are life-long friends; greeting patrons with "Hey! How's it going?

Animal Farm

Animal Farm Essay â€Å"Without Squealer the pigs would never have been in such a powerful position. † To what extent do you agree? George Orwell’s â€Å"Animal Farm† is a complex novel, which explores in depth the motions of leaders and the leaded, and how the human condition affects our own moral thinking. On Animal Farm the pigs are stated as the higher, wiser animals on Animal Farm and the major decisions on the farm were made by them and then justified by squealer the persuasive politician-like pig. Natural authority creates the position the pigs are in, which is against the original ideas of Old Major and his ideology of â€Å"All animals are equal†. But is the position the pigs are in maintained by Squealers persuasive ways? I believe that the pigs are originally created higher than the other pigs as their knowledge is greater than any other animal, which results in natural leadership over Animal Farm. Squealer â€Å"Who could turn black into white† is Napoleons greatest asset in his plot to control animal farm. He convinces every animal on the farm that Napoleons actions are always right. As the rules change on Animal Farm Squealer is sent to the other animals to justify the changes or reminds them that those rules were always there. Squealer is thought of as a politician trying to convince another party that there parties ideals are right although on Animal Farm the other animals aren’t smart enough to debate the witty arguments Squealer presents. Limiting the terms of debate and creating a â€Å"right or wrong† argument creates greater control over the animals and less rebuttal. Squealers complicated language makes the Animals uneasy and they agree in doubt. Squealers name also suits him as to squeal depicts his vocal manor in his job for Napoleon. Orwell starts the book of as a dream for a better future for the animals on the farm where all animals are equal. Animal Farm Those in power will inevitably become corrupt. To what extent do you agree? George Rowel's novel, Animal Farm shows the overlaying theme of the corruption of power. Power, more often than not, causes the bearer to become corrupt, which causes them to lose most sense, besides that, which will get them more power. In the beginning of the novel we are introduced to Old Major. He holds power on Manor Farm. Old Major uses his power to introduce Minimalism and the Seven Commandments. He dies before we can see if his power corrupts would him.Napoleon who takes control of the farm next lives throughout the book therefore we see the corruption of his high status of power. One other animal that we see have the status of power is Boxer. He doesn't have the same type of power as the other two animals nor would he use it in the same way if he had. Boxer is one example of someone who has power but doesn't let it corrupt him. Power can only corrupt you If you let It. Power contains many factors In the lead up to corruption. Animal Farm shows the how depending on your nature and what you do and treat your power; It will change whether for the good or the bad.Old Major is the power head at the beginning of the novel. He is well respected among the other animals to which they are â€Å"happy to lose an hour's sleep in order to hear what he had to say†. At the time Old Major is one of the smartest if not the smartest animal on the farm therefore he is able to use his power to easily convince the other animals of the idea of minimalism and starting a rebellion. He thought that all animals needed to unite under one ruler ship – Minimalism – and that they needed to usurp the humans because man is the problem for all animals. In his speech he sees the propaganda In order to persuade them.He outlines that their lives are â€Å"miserable, laborious and short†. Propaganda would only work if there was a level of power. Old Major uses his level of power and Int ellect to get the animals to do what he says and to follow his Ideas whether they are right or wrong. Old Major's power didn't live long enough for his power to corrupt him, however he did use his power to get rid of those whose power had corrupted them – Mr. Jones. For a short period after his death – until Napoleon, the next power head, steps up – his power is still ensured which leads the rebellion and the first strands of life on the newly named Animal Farm.Not long after the death of Old Major, Napoleon steps up as the unofficial leader because at that stage It Is thought to have equality with all animals. The idea that ‘all animals are equal but some are more equal than others', Isn't about Just yet. Napoleon was always a respected person. He has a â€Å"reputation for getting his own way', which provided him with a small level of power. There Is a saying that reads, ‘knowledge Is power and power Is knowledge'. We see It many times In Animal F arm, miming from Napoleon's character.One example of this is when, after the dogs give this because they don't feel that anything is wrong because the face that they are being shown isn't the honest one. When it is too late, it is discovered that the puppies were taught about the ways of Napoleon and therefore grew up and turned corrupt, which happened to Napoleon after his status of power had gotten to be too much that it turned him corrupt. â€Å"Napoleon is always right†, is a saying that is continuous after animal equality is broken. This is built on fear, lies and injustice. On the outsideNapoleon cares about the revolution and keeping Mr. Jones off the farm. However, looks can be deceiving. He cares more about maintaining his power and making sure his power is rising higher and higher that he doesn't care what he uses and says to get there. Napoleon uses the other animals' fear of Jones to get them to do what he wants. Napoleon lets his power corrupt him and doesn't see m to notice or care about the consequences of his actions which is an attribute of a terrible leader and person that holds power. Napoleon was a harsh, unjust and corrupt holder of power.But not all people who old power are corrupt or are even that obvious that they hold power. An example of this is Boxer. He holds a level of power not to the extent of Napoleon or even Old Major however it is still there. Power isn't Just about having control over people it is, power can also be having an influence on a group of people – or in this case animals – or having people look up to you as an inspiration. Boxer has this type of power. He has a big influence on the other animals especially the smaller ones that feel they are looked down upon.Where Napoleon sends other animals to kill a fellow, Boxer is overwhelmed with distress at the prospect of killing someone even if that someone is a human. â€Å"Nothing could have been achieved without Boxer. † Boxer isn't one of tho se people who crave power, in fact shied away from it at most. He sat quietly and did his work no matter the conditions or complications he worked until he literally couldn't stand anymore. Boxer is one to prove that not everyone in power will become corrupt. It Just depends on your morals and what type of person you are and the things you believe in. Not everyone in power will inevitably become corrupt.

Presentation Of The Greek Society Essay

One of the prolific poets that ever emerged from Greece is Homer. Not only was he known for his poetic exploits, his works are one of the works that gave an idea of what life was like in Ancient Greece. Early philosophers of the Ionian school found his work intriguing and His work was criticized by Thales. For the purpose of this essay, focus will be drawn on one of his works, Iliad. It is impossible to speak of Greek literature without considering Iliad. Iliad is not just a literary piece; it gives an account of the wars and conquests in Ancient Greece. It informs us about of the various doctrines held by the Greeks and how they conceive of a lot of things. The work is written in a prose form and is divided into Books from I to XXIV. As seen from Iliad, the ancient Greek society was characterized with conquests and battles. There is the innate desire of men to engage other nations in war. It shows the lust of men for power and their thirst for fame and glory. There was also the belief in gods and spirits. The Greeks are depicted as set of people who believes and explains everything that happens to the as an act of the gods. When good things happen, it is so because the gods are happy with you. Hoverer, when things are going out of hand, it is conceived that the gods are angry. The poem also depicts the ancient society as a society that lives of men were not regarded. There was no room for pity because if a man was considered to be a coward if he allows feelings of compassion. Men are motivated by a sense of duty to their nation and they fight for the case they believe in. these people fought, shed their blood and gave their lives for what they believe in. it was a time that was characterized with battles and for a man to be honored, you have to be a soldier or someone who has gone to battle.

Colleges and graduate schools

Gaining admission to colleges and graduate schools has become far more difficult, as the competition has increased dramatically over the past few years. Even perfect SAT, GRE, and other standardized test scores are no longer enough grant you the edge you need to be sure of acceptance.The admission essay service we provide is your surest way of getting noticed by the admissions committees at even the most prestigious schools. Our writers are highly experienced and have succeeded in giving the winning edge to hundreds of persons accepted into Ivy League institutions. We will craft your essay to your best advantage, guaranteed.Scholarship EssayWinning a scholarship out of a pool of the best applicants in any given year means your scholarship essay must be of stellar quality. Our highly trained and creative writers are perfectly attuned to the spoken and unspoken requirements of scholarship boards in all disciplines.In fact, many of our writers have themselves sat on scholarship boards a nd know what it takes to get you the coveted prize. We will maximize the effect of your accomplishments, taking care to correlate them with the board’s requirements so that you’ll definitely be seen as the most outstanding candidate.Personal StatementMany of the personal statements currently being drafted by applicants leave admissions committees bored with their unimaginative content. Our service bypasses those banal and formulaic methods by infusing your statement with rich variety and bold creativity.While we accurately portray your academic and extra-curricular activities, we also dig deeper to the major implications of these facts, in order to maximize the effect of your accomplishments. With our help, your statement will be at once profound, interesting and demonstrative of the great intellectual and creative capacity that will win the attention of the toughest admissions board.

Facebook in Asia, Europe and North America Essay

The purpose of this report is to develop an insight about the growing use of the web and the number of business opportunities that resulted from it. The report describes some online business opportunities along with the pros and cons of stepping into such businesses. This report will later examine how Facebook has become a successful business enterprise and how it continues to develop in the competitive market of social networking. Introduction There are 389 million online users worldwide and most of them have home internet connections. Figure-1 in the Appendix shows internet user ship by world regions. The figure shows that the major chunk of internet users is in Asia, Europe and North America. The user ship among women and senior citizens especially in the US is increasing. The youth in the US spends a major proportion of their income using the internet and spends many times more than adults do via the internet. Businesses have realized that there are many marketing opportunities that can be realized through the internet. It is predicted that the online advertising expenditure will exceed $106 billion in 2011.   Search and Display advertisements will be the major type of internet advertisements and company spending in such advertisements is expected to grow by 50% till 2011. Online Business Opportunities Of Today Below are some types of online businesses opportunities: Affiliate marketing Affiliate marketing is a way of selling goods on the internet through affiliations or partnerships. The affiliate seller earns commissions for selling the other party’s products. The Amazon.com was the pioneer of the affiliate marketing concept(Holzner,2008). Network marketing Network Marketing is a direct marketing technique. The goods are generally promoted directly using word of mouth and references to consumers in return for compensations. Promoters can keep their own sales force and also earn part of the revenues the sales force brings to them. Niche marketing It is not feasible to compete with bigger and established businesses online or otherwise as these businesses have the necessary resources and expertise to drive out smaller competitors. Through niche internet marketing one can identify the areas ignored by these huge companies and cater to them effectively and efficiently. Hence this requires limiting the focus and target customers. Selling a specialty product or service is an example of niche marketing(Goldman,2008). Blogging One can sell advertisements on blogs and make money as viewership increases. Topics such as love and relationships generate more traffic. Selling private label rights products In such a business you have the authority to modify and sell a pre-existing product such as an online book. The seller even has the right to sell the product under his own brand name and keep all the profits earned.   Email marketing This is a great way to promote goods and services using email. Sending personal emails to target customers regarding latest promotions, sending newsletters and carrying out promotions on third party sites are some examples of email marketing. EBook Writing Talented writers can access sites such as elance.com to find customers .Bidding on subjects you are knowledgeable about is the best approach(Gillin,2008). Online Business Advantages Following are the advantages of starting a business online:  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The capital and overhead costs are low as there is no need to acquire new assets.  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   You have control over your life. Hence you are your own boss.  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Internet connection is easy to acquire. The speed of the internet is a bonus and not a requirement. Internet businesses are often private and do not require too much interaction with the outside world(Jag,2008).  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   There is no need to commute to another location.  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   There is no fixed timing. Work schedules are flexible. One can take a vacation or work part time.  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Internet allows access to millions of people worldwide efficiently and effectively.  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The internet provides many promotional opportunities often for free.  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   One can start many businesses at once.  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The internet business does not require good communication and sales skills. However one must be hard working and determined(Gerakines,2008). Online Business Disadvantages Computer Skills The business owner must be computer literate order to work efficiently. This must be so regardless of the fact that he can hire experts to work for him. Privacy issues Even though many good security mechanisms can be used to protect information online, there are still security issues especially with credit card transactions. Confidential information can be hacked and misused relatively easily. Intellectual Property Rights Law enforcing bodies find it hard to impose copyright restrictions on online businesses as effectively as they can on other businesses. This is because internet is without boundaries. A business plan can easily be copied and regardless of its origin(Facebook,n.d.). Waste The internet is accessible to everyone hence focusing communication to the right market is difficult and leads to wastage. Distractions Interruptions from family, friends, pets, television etc can affect productivity( Veer,2008). Motivation Internet businesses require the owners to be self disciplined and self motivated. It is tempting to delay tasks as there is no accountability to anyone but to oneself. Balance Jiggling family, friends and the online business can be even harder when one has a full time job or other online businesses.

Police brutality Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Police brutality - Research Paper Example brutality comes in the form of use of profane language, threats of violence, field searches, approaching an innocent citizen with a drawn firearm, and to the extreme, physical violence against victims (Champion 58). Although police brutality is a commonplace occurrence in the entire United States, it is worth noting that New Jersey and New York are particularly conspicuous with such acts due to their strategic importance (Holmes and Smith 87). In as much as the law allows the use of reasonable force by the police in apprehending suspects, the governments of New York and New Jersey should install the relevant surveillance systems to reduce the many incidences of police brutality Despite the fact that the law on procedures of apprehension is very clear, some police officers still prefer to use excessive and more often unreasonable force in dealing with suspects or innocent citizens (Holmes and Smith 87). The law protects all citizens, including suspects and the police officers have to comply with such laws in maintaining order within their areas of operation (Shedd 43). It means that officers who appear to have violated the fundamental rights of the citizens in the course of their duties should face the same law that is fair to all (Johnson 521). Under all circumstances and occasions, officers should conduct themselves with utmost decorum and professionalism because the use of any excessive force by such officers could turn detrimental (Champion 58). In most cases, police officers who engage in brutal acts against the citizens do so in groups or individually with the aim of intimidating their victims. In this respect, they use a number of methods to perpetrate inhumane acts on their victims, depending on the situation and the nature of the individual (Barak 71). Sometimes, such rogue officers can use profane language or abusive language towards their victims even if their victims are submissive to their demands. Additionally, police brutality can come in the form

Carbon dioxide emission in Kuwait Research Paper

Carbon dioxide emission in Kuwait - Research Paper Example Carbon dioxide environmental effects have significant interest. The primary source of carbon IV oxide is the atmospheric carbon IV oxide on earth. The concentration of the gas is regulated by photosynthetic organisms before the industrial error. Technological development in the agricultural field and the introduction of greenhouses as well has increased the need for the gas. Agrichemicals as well have increased the percentage of the gas in the atmosphere. Industrial revolution has increased the concentration of the gas in the atmosphere thus factoring global warming (Abdulai, A and Remkce, L. 15). Excess carbon IV oxide released in the air dissolves in the rainwater leading to acidic rainfall. Acidity in water bodies may cause death to organisms. The acidic water breaks the mineral components in the water bodies thus facilitating loss of some essential minerals to aquatic plants. The acid also breaks metallic components and may affect the respiration system of the marine animals and plants. Acid rain as well leads to corrosion of metal works and concrete building. The acid leads to first ageing of roofing iron sheets and buildings. The corrosion is facilitated by the reaction of acidic water and the metal component (Abdulai, A and Remkce, L. 20). Cement used to build a concrete structure is composed of minerals that react with the acid releasing salts that get eroded and thus the ageing of the buildings. Carbon IV Oxide is classified as a non-toxic gas and an asphyxiant gas. The classification is in accordance with the United Nations Economic Commission. The gas has some adverse effects on living organisms. According to their analysis, a concentration of up to 1% may cause drowsiness to some individuals. Further, a concentration of 7% to 10% may lead some people to suffocate even with sufficient oxygen presence characterized by headache, dizziness, hearing and visual. Carbon IV Oxide is heavier than air. Thus, high

Case Brief Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Case Brief - Essay Example She was also expected to reserve $ 200.00 every month for taxes and pay-- collecting the rents, paying for the net rentals towards the mortgage debt. However, On November 29, 1938, the mortgagee threatened foreclosure of the property after the reorganization of the interest grew to $ 15,857.71. Mrs. Crane, therefore, decided to sell it to a third party for $ 3,000.00 cash and paid $ 500.00 expenses of sale. She reported a taxable increment of $ 1,250.00. She argued that her property acquired from 1932-1938 was only the equity. She claimed that the equity was of zero worth when she acquired it. No depreciation could be taken on a zero value. Secondly, neither she nor her vendee ever assumed the debt; therefore, upon selling the equity, the amount she realized on the sale was $ 2,500.00. Nonetheless, he Commissioner determined that petitioner realized a net taxable gain of $ 23,767.03. He argued that, in addition to the net cash accounted by the petitioner, the amount realized should a lso contain the standard amount of the mortgage of $250,000 when sold. Issues: First, how the gain or loss on the sale of a physical property acquired by bequest subject is determined. Secondly, how the amount realized on the sale of a physical property is calculated and lastly, whether there are any depreciation allowances from the value of a property at the time of gaining. Analysis: The tax court first established the selling price comprised of the land and the building although the building is not a â€Å"capital asset†. The whole gain should, therefore, be taxed after the adjustments of the property were and tear has been made, under  §113 (a). The first question, the court determined that, under section  § 113 (a) (5), unadjusted basis for determining loss or gain on sale of a physical property. Mrs. Crane should determine her property value undiminished by the amount of the mortgage. In the second question, under  § 111 (b), the "amount realized" is calculated as the

Proposal Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Proposal - Assignment Example These factors raised issues for the company with regard to Supply Chain Management (SCM) which further caused substantial decrease in stakeholders’ confidence. In this regard, the company will be provided with the opportunity of devising as well as implementing better policies and standards with the objective of improving business operations of its suppliers on a global context (Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., â€Å"Ethical Sourcing†). Solution In order to mitigate the above described SCM related issue, Walmart decided to undergo a massive restructuring process. In this context, the suppliers of the company were required to be ISO 9000 certified in order to provide goods to the company adhering to the specified quality standards which would not only assure an effective holistic approach in its SCM practices, but shall also prove beneficial in revitalizing stakeholders’ confidence. Moreover, with the ISO certification of suppliers, the company also expected to vitalize its ability to assure that the goods procured are in accordance with the specified quality standards. ... All these initiatives have apparently aided the company and its suppliers to perform their business operations applying increased ethical concerns in terms of quality and transparency (Plambeck and Denend, â€Å"The Greening of Walmart’s Supply Chain†). Why did you pick this topic? SCM is determined to be an important element for retailing and other related companies to perform their business operations in an effective manner. Moreover, with the growing demand for superior quality of goods and/or services are observed among consumers in worldwide market segments. The case of Walmart in relation to the SCM issues has been adopted for identifying the importance of ISO 9000 certification among companies which presents a relatively challenging and unique doctrine to be studied. What is it about this topic that interests you? The topic is based on the notion which signifies that SCM practices, within the organizational context are determined to be an important element which is essential to procure quality goods or services in an efficient manner. It is worth mentioning in this context that with the development of technology and globalization effects, the market competition has intensified. In this respect, consumers are also recognized to be demanding for superior goods at competitive prices. This particular understanding can be apparently observed with reference to the SCM practiced within Walmart wherein the suppliers are required to be ISO certified in order to assure that the goods procured are in accordance with the specified quality standards. Moreover, this topic also seemed to be emphasizing on the importance of principles and standards for conducting SCM operations in an ethical manner within the global periphery. What

Education Annotated Bibliography Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Education - Annotated Bibliography Example The purpose is to help educators cope with the trend of increased scrutiny and testing in America’s public schools. Au, W. (2009). Social Studies, Social Justice: W(h)ither the Social Studies in High-Stakes Testing?Teacher Education Quarterly, 36(1), 43-58. High stakes testing is one of the most prevalent trends in education since the inception of the No Child Left Behind legislation was enacted in 2001. The author, researching from California State University, Fullerton presents findings on how this trend has affected social studies instruction in the classroom. The research reveals that social studies are losing class time in elementary school due to the NCLB mandate for proficiency in Math and Reading only. Other findings include changes in pedagogy in the social studies classroom that place emphasis on memorization of approved content and lessens the focus on critical thinking. This research is valuable in studying the impact of high stakes testing on the one subject that traditionally challenges social and societal assumptions. Baker, B. D., & McIntire, J. Evaluating State Funding for Gifted Education Programs. Roeper Review, 25(4), 173. The authors in this article offer a systematic analysis of Gifted Education spending at the state level. Five methods of funding are examined and explained.The authors then undertake an analysis of laudatory combinations of funding. This is an outstanding article for understanding how children of different ability levels have their needs met or ignored by state funding agencies. The analysis reveals that Virginia has the best system for funding Gifted Education. Baker, M., & Johnston, P. (2010). The Impact of Socioeconomic Status on High Stakes Testing Reexamined. Journal Of Instructional Psychology, 37(3), 193-199. Recent trends in education have seen an increase in high stakes testing as a result of NCLB legislation. All fifty states now utilize high stakes testing to meet NCLB requirements. The authors review the arguments for and against including Social Economic Status as a predictor of high stakes testing ability. The article is valuable for reviewing other studies and analyzing their meanings, but does not offer and new information of this recent educational trend. Boubsil, O., Carabajal, K., & Vidal, M. (2011). Implications of Globalization for Distance Education in the United States. American Journal Of Distance Education, 25(1), 5-20. Globalization and distance education are two recent trends in education. They seem to go hand-in-hand and should lead to the exporting of American style higher education around the world. The authors, writing from the University of Maryland University College and the University of New Mexico, argue that there are some barriers to exporting American higher education overseas. Barriers of language and the perception of American higher education institutions as de facto representatives of Americanism keep the growth in check in some regions. The authors po int out the globally, the demand is present so they predict continued growth despite the barriers. This is a useful and insightful research article dealing with a current recent trend in education. Elen, J., Clarebout, G., Leonard, R., & Lowyck, J. (2007). Student-centered and teacher- centered learning environments: what students think. Teaching In Higher

Violating Norms and Food Wastage Personal Statement

Violating Norms and Food Wastage - Personal Statement Example The manager of a cafeteria, kind of knows me since I am her regular visitor. I went to the restaurant with my friend, who too did not have any clues of my purpose that day. We chatted for about 40 minutes, and then thought to grab something. I ordered a plate of pasta. Had no more than three spoons from the content available to me in my dish. More, I did not ask for a separate plate that I could serve myself some in that different plate. I very much started from that bowl only. Just to make a humor out of a whole thing. Then, we finished and I asked for the bill. It was $60 that we were supposed to pay. $20 for a sandwich that my friend had ordered, and $40 for my pasta. I paid $40, for a complete bill. The boy came to me and said it wasn't $40 but $60 that we were supposed to pay. The boys were in the process of collecting the leftovers on our table. I stopped them to keep the evidence that it indeed was half a plate pasta that I consumed, and the other half I was sending back to them. Poor boy said, "Sir, irrespective of what you eat, you are charged for a complete dish." "And you know that, don't you" "Why would I pay for a full plate when I ate only half of it. There still is some food, which I am sending back. You are not going to throw it off, are you This food is supposed to be consumed by somebody else, isn't it" I said. And by the time, it was a scene created in a restaurant. My friend was not able to believe what was happening. Neither were the boys around. The manager smelt the noise and came to the floor too. I threw a big laughter. A very big laughter. And then took a serious position. With everybody's attention towards me, I started, "a management can be judged with its wastage percentage, lesser the wastage percentage efficient is the management: it is applicable for cafeteria, restaurant, family, organization as well as state. There are many types of wastage among which food wastage is on the top as it has great impact on the family expenditure as well as national economy. By saving food wastage we can save billions of dollars in developed countries, which may help us to make hunger free world." I continued, "In the USA alone, 30% of prepared, baked, canned and fresh food is pitched into landfills daily. The estimated loss to the U.S. economy is over $48 billion a year. British government statistics show that, per person, their citizens throw out 378 pounds (171 kg) of food a year. The Australians pitch 145 kilos per person annually." "Elsewhere in the food processing chain, problems that cause food poisoning cost hundreds of millions in recalls and food waste happen more often than we realize. Listeria bacteria in one company's processed meats caused several deaths and made hundreds ill, due to incomplete cleaning of meat slicers. The loss of the public's trust in their products reduced that company's annual income even further." "Food wastage may occurs in many ways: the frozen food stored in the freezer last year that is now rock-hard and stripped of nutrients; the 50 kilos of potatoes the restaurant

Why is Corporal Punishment Still Use in Africa What are the Essay

Why is Corporal Punishment Still Use in Africa What are the Alternatives - Essay Example It further revealed that more than 98 percent of the children surveyed reported experiencing corporal punishment. More than a third of these children said they experienced it at least once a week; 20 percent said they had been burnt as a form of punishment; and more than 60 percent of the children said they experienced corporal punishment at school regularly. One out of every seven children said they experienced it every day (D. Naker and D. Sekitoleko 2009). The discussion in this paper provides a criticism of corporal punishment of children within families and schools in the region of Africa. The paper intends to establish that corporal punishment to children is a significant violation of their human rights but it has been embedded in social, cultural and religious aspect of life in Africa. The paper will further explore the reasons why it is common in Africa despite the fact that it extremely damages children’s development, make them sensitive and can harm them in many ways. The paper intends to provide the potential consequences of corporal punishment on children, and suggests how corporal/physical punishment might be eliminated in Africa. In the end the paper will provide the comprehensive detail about the possible alternatives of corporal punishment along with the critical analysis of these alternatives. The critical analysis will provide the discussion that how the alternatives can be more successful as a form of punishment with less damaging effects on children’s body and mind. Why is Corporal Punishment Still Used in Africa? What  are the Alternatives? I. Introduction â€Å"Physical punishment of people, especially by hitting or beating them† Oxford dictionary â€Å"Physical punishment as distinguished from pecuniary punishment or a fine; any kind of punishment inflicted on the body.†

Art Movements Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Art Movements - Essay Example Han dynasty is one of the most prestigious dynasties in China. Confucianism and Daoism became official religions during this era. Confucian and Daoist teachings of immortality and nobility and uprightness of the human soul influenced artists during the Han dynasty to predominantly paint human figures and scenes of daily social life. Zen artists view art as a representation of the essence, â€Å"the eternal qualities of an object.† This is already existent even before the artist arrives. His job therefore is to suggest by the simplest possible means the inherent nature of an aesthetic object. The economy of means is important to convey the purity and simplicity of the eternal nature of an object. His aim is not to create an illusion of reality, as what western artist does, but rather to produce something that makes one think beyond reality towards the essence of reality. Though seemingly simple, creating the abstract representation of the innate essence of the object requires t ime and patience. After the comprehending the essence of an object, an artist can effortlessly and spontaneously paint his masterpiece. Stupas represent the Buddhist belief that they can also achieve the enlightenment that Buddha achieved in his lifetime. The monument which is composed of parts represents the elements that would lead to enlightenment, is an edifice that would make Buddhist connected with their goal of enlightenment. Art, in this case, is a tool to remember the spiritual aims and purpose of man. Set B 1.) Modernism is an art trend that stresses the power of human beings to create, improve, and reshape their environment, with the aid of scientific knowledge, technology and practical experimentation. Many of the previous movements had failed to realize their goals. Painters of the 19th century believed that art should present images that contain and reflect moral and ethical values for others to emulate (Witcombe). However as scientific breakthroughs provided a possibility of debunking conservative values, a new, progressive world order emerged. From Neoclassicism, Romanticism, and Realism all of which portrayed life as it is, Modern art, focusing on possibilities, emerged. 2.) Most of the American painters during the 19th century were trained and worked in European countries. The

The Greek Influence Essay Example for Free

The Greek Influence Essay In 6500 BC, the first settlers arrived in Greece. From there, Greece flourished to become one of the most advanced civilizations of its time. Ancient artifacts, monuments, and documents all serve to validate the sophisticated intellect of this civilization. Even more impressive is the impact that this culture has had on the western society, both past and present. From their scientific discoveries to their many philosophers, the ancient Greeks have helped shape western civilization and even thousands of years after their time, elements of their society remain present in today’s world. The world of science in ancient Greece was centered around mathematical thinking and pure logic. Sparked by curiosity of the world around them, the Greeks studied everything including the sky, the earth, botany, and biology. Their discoveries marked some of mankind’s greatest advances, such as accurately determining the earth’s circumference as well as its physical makeup. They also classified and documented various species of plants, which contribute to the scientific names by which they are known today. Additionally, ancient Greece is accredited as one of the first civilizations to implement public water works and figure out a system of aqueducts the world’s first plumbing system. Behind these scientific achievements, was an acute desire to learn and obtain knowledge. Greece has produced some of history’s greatest thinkers and philosophers. Philosophers such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle formulated ideas about how the world worked. The study of history was created by Herodotus and Thucydides. Artists tried to find more natural and realistic ways of representing the world. Doctors, like Hippocrates, started to look for rational reasons for the causes of illness and disease. (The British Museum) Much of today’s philosophy is based on the thinking of these Greek philosophers, as they are quoted and referred to constantly. Aristotle is quoted as saying, â€Å"Character may almost be called the most effective means of persuasion†; Socrates stated, â€Å"I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing†. The ideals of western culture alludes to these philosophers with its ideas of living life to the fullest, examining one’s life, and realizing that money and materials do not equate virtue. Not only was their thinking representative of a high level of intellect, but their messages and philosophies still hold true today. Plato is quoted as saying the following: â€Å"All men are be nature equal, made all of the same earth by one Workman; and however we deceive ourselves, as dear unto God is the poor peasant as the mighty prince†. Even though the Greeks believed in several gods and goddesses, this quote represents the backbone of western society as it is presently known. This outlook of equality pertains to democracy; the reference to â€Å"one Workman† alludes to the monotheistic quality of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Even the impressive Greek temples places of worship are shadowed today by churches, mosques, and synagogues. The advancements of ancient Greece continues to be awe-inspiring amongst today’s society. Not only was their way of thinking advanced but its validity has proven to span nearly all of documented history, and remains applicable today. In all aspects of life, there are elements that can be traced back to these Greek philosophers, mathematicians, and scientists as their discoveries have withstood the test of time. Works Cited â€Å"Ancient Greece. † The British Museum. The British Museum, 2009. Web. 3 Aug. 2009. http://www. ancientgreece. co. uk.

Soft Systems Methodology

Soft Systems Methodology Soft systems methodology The development of soft systems methodology was the brainchild of Peter Checkland and was developed in the 1960s at Lancaster. Ever since then the technique has grown and now is internationally recognised. To understand soft system methodology we need to understand 2 types of systems thinking. One is hard systems thinking while the other is soft system thinking. Hard systems thinking uses the hard system approaches such as structured methods, and systems engineering. It assumes that that problem is well defined, it has a scientific approach to problems, and considers technical factors foremost. Soft systems thinking uses soft system approaches. This approach is needed when structured methods alike have failed, when problems are messy and not well defined. This technique is more creative in terms of problem solving as it addresses many factors including humans, cultural, ethics, politics etc. It would be safe to say that soft systems methodology looks at the interaction between people and its business environment instead of just technology. By looking at the system as a whole it recognises that a change from one part of the systems may influence another part of a system. It is called â€Å"soft† because its about people and the way they relate to the environment. The systems are the way we use the theory and put it into practices with people, relationship, objects, and processes. This is described here in detail 1(Mackness, 2007). 2 Patching (1993) declared that the methodology is merely a method with a set of guidelines that help predict an outcome to problem situations which is described here (Patching, 1993 p. 41) 1.martinwellsinterview. 2007. Dr John Mackness Soft Systems Methodology [online]. [Accessed 19 November 2007]. Available from World Wide Web: 2 Patching, D. (1993) Practical soft systems analysis. London: Pitman Publishing Checklands software system methodology comprises of a seven stage model. It is very similar to other methods of investigation. Sounce: http://portals.wi.wur.nl/files/images/msp/soft%20systems%20methodology.gif Stage 1. This stage shows messy problems, which are not suitable for hard system methods. Stage 2. Is concerned with rich pictures to express situations more clearly, which in turn provides better feedback. It is the problem expressed in the real world. May included client and yourself in the picture, physical layout, hierarchy etc. Stage 3. Root definitions are needed but first a viewpoint must be selected. Are we looking at it form the employees position or the managers position etc? Root definitions describes what a systems is, and what it will do by doing so, it takes into account whoever is part of the system. It looks at who is part of it and who may be affected in any way. Using the mnemonic CATWOE, this is basically a simple checklist for thinking about problems. Customers Who are they, and how does the issue affect them? Actors Who is involved in the situation? Who will be involved in implementing solutions? And what will impact their success? Transformation Process What processes or systems are affected by the issue? Weltanschauung What is the big picture, world view ? And what are the wider impacts of the issue? Owner Who owns the process or situation you are investigating? And what role will they play in the solution? Environmental Constraints What are the constraints and limitations that will impact the solution and its success? Source : http://www.lifehack.org/articles/management/whats-the-problem-find-out-using-catwoe.html Stage 4. Is the conceptual model, which represents the minimum set of procedures for the system to be able to achieve the desired transformation. Procedure and task are described by verbs. Stage 5. Is a comparison of the conceptual model and the real world. Stage 2 and stage 4. Questioning the situation and how they could be changed. Stage 6. This stage discusses where improvements can be made to certain areas and whether it is culturally feasible taking into account stakeholders views, backgrounds, experience of the people involved. Desirable changes are also discussed for the systems that may benefit the transformation. Stage 7. Is to take action and implement the changes that would improve the system. This would involve changes in attitude, finance, equipment, staff, training etc. It is advisable to note stage 3, the root definitions to not overlook things. After implanting the changes it is important to measure the systems performance. In SSM we use the 3 Es which Checkland, Scholes (2001) describes ‘ efficacy (for ‘does the means work?) effienecy (for ‘amount of output divided by amount of resources used) effectiveness (for ‘is T meeting the longer term aim?) 3.(Checkland, Scholes, p.39). 3.Checkland, P. and Scholes, J. (2001) Soft systems methodology in action. Chichester: Wiley Accompanied with the 3 Es would be a model to determine what stage each of the 3 Es are at. This is the complete conceptual model when applying soft systems methodology, which consist of Rich Picture Root Defitions Catwoe Model of transformation Measure of performance Advantages to soft systems methodology Soft systems methodology can be used as a tool to increase an analyst understanding of a problem during investigation as well as the later stages. The technique helps identify areas that need to be improved, and areas that have weaknesses where hard approaches have been unable to do so. It helps produces solutions in a sense that it defines the problem well enough for other system approaches to take over such as hard techniques. By trying to use hard techniques would stop the problem from being seen as a whole. Soft systems methodology relies on a holistic view for the problem to be solved successfully. Another advantage of this methodology is that it doesnt really rely on the use of any equipment except pen and paper. The technique is successful enough to produce solutions to problem just by itself which is supported here 4.(Davies, 1998 p.256). All it needs is a competent analyst. The methodology can be adapted to fit a situation, customer values are considered greatly over other values such as financial and technical values while aiming to find the best solution that would suite all that are involved. Disadvantages to soft systems methodology This disadvantage to soft systems methodology is that the technique does not tell you how to build a system. Problems are subject to change anytime as there were fuzzy in the first place. With added discussions from key actors more changes to the problem situation may be made. It relies heavily on people for SSM to work. Can be very time consuming and requires money and experts. Non technical issues are taken into account which may make the problems situation more complex. Companies sometime view SSM as inferior to other techniques of improving an organisation and would rather hire 2 different parties. One would be the business consultant for improving effectiveness while the other would be a technical consultant to improve the technological side of the organisation. Instead of hiring a SSM competent analyst that would do both by in twining them together some companies would rather keep them separate. Sometimes a goal may never reached as root definitions may still be unclear which i n turn sends the whole process into a loop that may never finish. 4.Davies, P.B. (1998) Information systems development. 3rd ed. Hampshire: Macmillan Press LTD. Souce images / quoatations x 2 Souces 1 youtube 3 books 1 Journals http://0-www.sciencedirect.com.lispac.lsbu.ac.uk/science?_ob=MImg_imagekey=B6VB4-3V7C64C-5-1_cdi=5916_user=121704_orig=search_coverDate=10%2F31%2F1998_sk=999819994view=cwchp=dGLbVzb-zSkzkmd5=c0cb2fed4864aeb21d813248fc205aa1ie=/sdarticle.pdf http://usability.myforum365.com