James Cook

James Cook Essay Alice Holder James Cook Essay Alice Holder In 1788, the Europeans invaded Australia after the First Fleet of British ships landed in Botany Bay on the 18th of January, but then docked in Port Jackson, which we know as Sydney, New South Wales. At the time, there were Over 750000 Aboriginal people in Australia. Lieutenant James Cook had declared Australia to be terra nullius (no one’s land) in 1770 after which the colonists agreed together that they could make the land their own. Cook believed that the Aboriginals lived well.They had everything they needed in that time, and were in his view to be healthier and happier than most Europeans. Cook’s opinion can be considered valid because in 1788 the indigenous people had very complex social structures, and communication was a strong part of their lives. There were various different tribes or group gatherings around this period of time, and the Aboriginals loved to get together to talk and see each other, whe ther they were talking about their day, their problems, or anything. They had many different groups of people to talk to, or refer back to, and most of these relationships were fairly strong.A few of these groups were kinships, religious groups, nations, and moiety and physical structures. Family is a very strong aspect in the aboriginal culture. Most of the time they had extended families and the eldest few in the family took on major roles in looking after the family and helping out. Communication and gatherings were taken for granted in the families, except the mother-in-law rule, which is when you cannot speak directly to your mother in law. This rule applies to both men and women, and if communication was necessary, then they would talk via third person, but never make one on one communication with the person.This is an example of Cook believing that the aboriginals were rich in friendship, family and communication, because they had so many different tribes to refer back to, an d are great at communication and getting involved with other people and groups. In this time of life, there wasn’t the local shop to go and buy your food and basic needs. There wasn’t a dance school nearby to learn the latest moves. There wasn’t spearing classes to learn how to fight for your food, everyone had to learn everything by themselves, or learn off each other.The Aboriginal culture was very fortunate in having the skill to get what they want, wether that was fighting for food, making weapons, etc. They kept warm by sleeping or just sitting in between two small fires, and they also had dingos, which is a camping dog which they slept next to keep warm. They developed spearing skills because that was the only way they could get food to live off. They were never sick and just seemed to make the most of what they had, and never had bad thoughts about what they had, because they knew they had the best, and all they needed to survive; and they were wealthier than the average European.In summary, Cook’s view that aboriginals were not savages is most certainly correct. They had everything they needed to live a long and happy life compared to the Europeans. Many people did not believe this, and had a clear stereotype of the Aboriginal culture in their head, but this was wrong. Traditional Life, Housing, (date unknown), Aboriginal Culture, [web page], <http://www. aboriginalculture. com. au/housing. shtml>, [accessed 8th May 2012]

Barriers for Women returning to Further Education

In the last few decennaries, the schools have seen a astonishing figure of older adult females returning for farther instruction or FE ( Thomas 2001 ) . This inflow has forced the educational establishments to re-examine their purposes and plans. There is a greater growing in registration in adult females than in work forces. Womans returning for FE normally return after go forthing the instruction at a certain age to indulge in certain duties at place ( Thomas 2001 ) . One of the most ambitious barriers for the adult females returning for farther instruction is happening the balance between school and household, and adult females are frequently seen showing struggle between the two ( Thomas 2001 ) . The other barriers include cultural, attitudinal, qualificatory, situational and institutional barriers ( Evans 1995 ) . Situational barriers include household limitations and deficiency of proper support – economic or otherwise. The adult females who work are paid less than work forces in rewards ( Evans 1995 ) . Pascal and Cox ( 1993 ) stated how the adult females were certain that their employment chances were traveling to increase by instruction. Education was besides seen as an instrument to obtain independency from traditional household constructions ( Pascal and Cox, 1993 ) . Most of the adult females oculus instruction as an chance, while non all can set it to utilize in their existing callings. Those who do are successful in fostering their present callings, and some adult females advanced to direction or professional callings ( Pascal and Cox, 1993 ) . Mau ( 1990 ) has highlighted the jobs faced by adult females from different cultural groups due to many sidelong grounds. Asia/Pacific Americans are socialized into traditional functions and these adult females do non normally think about higher instruction doing it hard for the other adult females to take part in farther instruction. Redding and Dowling ( 1992 ) have indicated that adult females re-enter for farther instruction in order to achieve a grade. Womans who play different functions at the same time have specific demands that are non met by the traditional university rites and patterns of the households ( Redding and Dowling, 1992 ) . Wild ( 2003 ) suggested that there were organisational barriers for adult females to acquire publicities in FE. This can be seen as a cause for apathetic status of the assorted universities towards the re-entering adult females. If adult females could represent a applaudable portion of the senior members, conditions for adult females desiring to re-enter to finish their instruction would be more affable and friendly. This survey recognizes the assorted barriers that are faced by the re-entering college adult females. There are different barriers that have been identified, such as fiscal jobs, household duties and limitations, unequal support systems, and favoritism at the establishments. These barriers frequently lead the adult females to acquire discouraged and frequently leave halfway. The instructors have to go a portion of the procedure of mainstreaming these re-entering pupils. There is a demand to heighten the continuity of the re-entry adult females and strategise the schooling for these adult females to help them in their end of instruction and self -independence.Theoretical ModelThere has been a significant addition in the registration of female pupils in schools and colleges. This addition in the rate of female pupils may be attributed to the inflow of the older adult females re-entering for instruction ( Thomas 2001 ) . Re-entry of adult females as a construct became popular in the 197 0s, and refers to the phenomenon of adult females, who had non completed their higher instruction at an Orthodox age, returning to the schools for formal instruction ( Thomas 2001 ) . The adult females have to opt-out of instruction for assorted grounds including household duties, poorness, etc. So, the re-entry adult females have to pull off the other duties such as employment, committednesss of household, and other compulsory duties. â€Å" Womans have restraints of clip, infinite, resources and socio-economic disablements † ( Evans 1995 ) . Evans ( 1995 ) has pointed out some common barriers that the adult females face in engagement in instruction, like: Cultural, Attitudinal, Qualificatory, Situational, and Institutional. Tittle and Denker ( 1977 ) had pointed out the barriers as household limitations, fiscal jobs, attitudinal features and college limitations. Holiday ( 1985 ) besides stated Institutional and Situational barriers as the chief barriers for rhenium come ining adult females. The cultural and attitudinal barriers are societal phenomena that discriminate the function and position of adult females in the society. These barriers can be seen all over the universe, despite wholly different fortunes predominating at that place ( Evans 1995 ) . Attitudinal differences can be attributed to the deficiency of female function theoretical accounts. While the attitudinal and cultural barriers may be understood as social elements of favoritism, the situational, qualificatory and institutional barriers make it hard for the establishments every bit good as the re-entering adult females to have quality instruction. The situational barriers such as household committedness, deficiency of support form the spouse, fiscal jobs, and distance from the educational establishments come in between the adult females and instruction and at the same clip do it hard for the instructors and the organisations to educate these adult females. It ‘s been found that male spouses are non supportive for adult females to come in the traditionally male dominated sphere ( Evans 1995 ) . The attitudes towards the function of adult females in the households and economic disagreements are some of the chief grounds that discourage adult females from re-entering ( Holiday 1985 ) . The institutional barriers that exclude adult females are sex, age, fiscal assistance, policies related to admittance, rigorous course of study planning and attitudes of the staff and module ( Holiday 1985 ) . Evans ( 1995 ) has pointed out the chief elements of institutional barriers as: fixed hours of instruction, attending demands, a fixed agenda of course of study that makes it hard to catch up with the lost Sessionss, and deficiency of installations related to child attention. Furthermore, attitudes of staff and module are besides barriers to easy instruction for re-entering adult females. Discrimination in the admittance procedure, although prohibited by Torahs in about every state, relieve the private, spiritual and military academic establishments ( Holiday 1985 ) . â€Å" In add-on, the differing informations on ability degrees of male and female pupils enrolled suggest that some signifiers of age and sex favoritism still exist, peculiarly related to re-entry adult females † ( Holiday 1985 ) . The life style of the most adult females makes it hard for them to manage instruction with all the other duties. This consequences in favoritism against the adult females pupils who want to inscribe parttime as most of the establishments prefer full-time pupils ( Holiday 1985 ) . With the addition in the figure of educational establishments worldwide, the demand for the pupils has increased drastically, but, it has been observed that these establishments would instead still prefer full-time pupils over part-timers. The institutional ordinances refering the full-time classs are such that the adult females from a low-income group or adult females with kids can non run into the necessary demands ( Holiday 1985 ) . Evans ( 1995 ) besides recognizes the male laterality in certain topics as a barrier for re-entering adult females. Inflexible choice and stringent entry demands besides make it hard for re-entering adult females to acquire in the establishments for the intent of survey ( Evan s 1995 ) . The fiscal assistance available for re-entry adult females is non sufficient to run into their demands and most of the assistance is normally unavailable to them, as it is restricted to full clip pupils merely ( Holiday 1985 ) . Furthermore, information related to the fiscal assistance is non that easy available to the re-entry adult females, who thereby can non acquire to re-enter because of the fiscal issues even though there are commissariats for fiscal aid ( Holiday 1985 ) . Tittle and Denker ( 1977 ) pointed out the importance of analyzing the programming and cycling of categories for parttime pupils in order to promote instruction for re-entering adult females. Vacation ( 1985 ) , Tittle and Denker ( 1977 ) and Evans ( 1995 ) emphasized the importance of kid attention installations for the benefit of the re-entering adult females. The deficiency of kid attention installations in the educational establishments is one of the most critical jobs for the re-entering adult females ( Evans 1995 ; Tittle and Denker, 1977 ) . Most re-entering adult females argue that their educational chases are hampered by the demand for child care ( Holiday 1985 ) . Apart from these obvious issues, the attitudes of module and staff towards the re-entering adult females have besides been known to impede the uninterrupted inflow of these pupils ( Holiday 1985 ; Thomas 2001 ) . Thomas ( 2001 ) identified institutional barrier as one of the most powerful barrier for re-entering adult females. The chief barrier that the re-entering adult females face may be related to class programming, location of the establishment and â€Å" a assortment of other procedural and rele vancy jobs † ( Thomas 2001 ) . The institutional and situational barriers besides make it hard for the instructors to actuate and educate the re-entering adult females. The male oriented linguistic communication and male images in learning stuff make it hard for the re-entering adult females to associate to the course of study ( Evans 1995 ) . The domestication of adult females ‘s labour and calling aspirations is one of the grounds for the deficiency of motive in the adult females ( Evans 1995 ) , and it can be really hard for the instructors to maintain these adult females motivated to analyze and prosecute a calling. The favoritism against re-entering adult females has been seen in different communities around the universe, although non much research has been put into the barriers for adult females returning for FE in the development states. The surveies refering African American Female Students ( Thomas 2001 ) , adult females in South Africa ( Kok and Van der Westhuizen, 2003 ) , Asian/Pacific American Female ( Mau 1990 ) and Women in South Asia ( Khan et al. , 1986 ) , all point towards barriers in instruction for re-entering adult females. One of the barriers has been recognised as self-concept features ( Tittle and Denker, 1977 ) . This has been related to the calling pick adult females make, particularly the re-entry adult females. Female pupils choose humanistic disciplines, societal scientific disciplines and human surveies, instead than proficient topics, which can be perceived as a structural stereotype that is propagated by adult females themselves ( Evans 1995 ) . Due to the barriers in instruction for re-entry adult females faced by adult females and instructors likewise, the adult females should besides take involvement and duty for their ain instruction by pull offing their clip efficaciously and take parting actively in the educational procedure ( Thomas 2001 ) . Returning to the school for instruction may be hard via media for the adult females, but the adult females should be motivated and committed to dishonor educational grades ( Thomas 2001 ) . The adult females need to believe in societal support systems and use them actively and efficaciously in the chase of instruction. Certain adult females re-entering the educational establishments for farther instruction believe that it can increase their employment chances ( Pascal and Cox, 1993 ) . Merely a little group of adult females use their grades to foster the bing callings, while some adult females find it hard to happen instruction utile to foster their callings ( Pascal and Cox, 1993 ) . However, there are cases of adult females traveling to other callings and progressing to higher professional callings ( Pascal and Cox, 1993 ) . Thomas ( 2001 ) has mentioned that re-entering adult females get excited about re-entry to colleges and farther instruction. There is an immediate addition in assurance in re-entering adult females ( Killy and Borgen, 2010 ) , but there are complains of function overload and struggles ( Thomas 2001 ) . One of the grounds for the administrative defects of establishments in turn toing the jobs of the re-entering adult females seems to be the deficiency of senior adult females leaders in higher instruction and deficiency of female function theoretical accounts. Furthermore, the deficiency of adult females in the administrative places besides advocates the favoritism and sex-role stereotyping prevalent in the society and establishments. There have been surveies in line with barriers that the adult females face in re-entering educational professions ( Kok and C. Van der Westhuizen, 2003 ) and the jobs they face in acquiring promoted ( Wild 1994 ) . Many subjects emerge from the survey of barriers for re-entering adult females. Killy and Borgen ( 2010 ) identified seven subjects sing the experience of re-entering adult females in North America. Passage to maturity and assurance crisis were the two chief subjects, followed by favoritism, diverse calling forms, sex-role stereotyping, the hunt for significance, and multiple functions ( Killy and Borgen, 2010 ) . However, the bulk of the surveies ( Evans 1995 ; Tittle and Denker, 1977, Mau 1990, Thomas 2001 ) have pointed out towards three chief subjects in Institutional barriers, Situational barriers, and Cultural barriers.

Asp Organizations That Offer Emr Essay

ASP is becoming the mainstream technology for providing EMR services to private clinics and hospitals. As describe by bradley (2013) â€Å"An Application Service Provider (ASP) is a business that offers software services to customers, using computer networks and the Internet as the mechanism to deliver and manage the service. † he further explained that the goal of ASP technology is to reduce cost to the businesses in term of acquisition and maintenance. ASP organizations that offer EMR: Almost all the EMR vendors provide EMR as a product and as an ASP. Following are a short list of organizations which provide EMR via ASP 1. Organization: HealthFusion EMR System:ASP: MediTouch EHR ® WebSite: http://www. healthfusion. com/ehr-platform. asp 2. Organization:waiting room solutions EMR System: waiting room solutions WebSite: http://www. waitingroomsolutions. com/ 3. Organization: ios Health Systems EMR System:Medios EHR: Electronic Health Records WebSite: http://www. ioshealthsystems. com/electronic-health-records/ 4. Organization: VItera HealthCare solution EMR System:VItera Intergy WebSite: www. viterahealthcare. com/solutions/intergy 5. Organization:Benchmark Systems EMR System:Benchmark Systems EHR WebSite: http://www. benchmark-systems. com/ 6. Organization:eClinicalWorks EMR System:eClinicalWorks WebSite:http://www. eclinicalworks. com/ 7. Organization:Bizmatics EMR System:PrognoCIS WebSite: http://www. bizmaticsinc. com/ 8. Organization:Allscripts EMR System:Allscripts EHR WebSite: http://www. allscripts. com/en/solutions/ambulatory-solutions/ehr. html 9. Organization: WebPT EMR System:WebPT EMR WebSite: http://www. webpt. com/ 10. Organization:ReLiMed Solutions EMR System:ReLiMed EMR WebSite:http://relimedsolutions. om/ 11. Organization:Office Practicum EMR System:OP Cloud WebSite:http://www. officepracticum. com/cloud. php Three EMR 1: eClinicalWorks EClinical: eClinicalWorks Web-based technology promise to provide fast and secure access from anywhere. It is widely used throughout the world and US by more than 70,000 physicians. eClinical use secure XML and HTTPs-based communication. eClincal Provide EMR, Prac tice management, Patient Portal, Interoperability between systems in the community or across the country. EClincal provide pricing information on their web site ranging from 449 to 99 per month. eClincal is CCHIT certified and qualify for meaningful use. 2: Allscripts. Allscripts Provide Allscripts EHR. Allscripts EHR is hosted in the cloud as a web-based service. Allscripts provide services in Ambulatory Care, Acute Care, Post-Acute Care. Allscript is CCHIT certified and qualify for meaningful use. 3: HealthFusion Provide MediTouch EHR is a web-based EHR. Its offer a touchscreen user interface. The company claim that it is the first all-in-one, Web-based, touch screen Electronic Health Record, and their touch screen interface make it very easy-to-use. The EHR offers functionality for charting, problem lists, medication management, electronic prescribing, allergy checks, order management, lab tests and document management. Meditouch is CCHIT certified and qualify for meaningful use. Criteria to compare: Before to developed criteria to compare the EMRs, It is advisable to define the objectives and goals for the EMR. As detailed by wager (2010) the EMR systems should enable use evidence-based standards to provide care to patient, monitoring the quality and costs, enable to clinicians to access to patient information in a timely and efficient manner, and improve efficiency and effectiveness. Wager). Once the a specific EMR qualify for the above goals following criteria can used to decide about the acquisition of system. 1: Cost of acquisition: To implement the complete EMR system is an expensive proposition for any private clinic or hospitals. Besides the actual product, the EMR needs a multitude of hardware to properly use all the fu nctionality of EMR. Which include server, workstation and back up system. Generally the ASP models have low initial cost and the vendor take the responsibility for hosting the server and maintain a backup system. : Reviews from other users: The acquisition of EMR is a lengthy process. It is very critical to evaluate the candidate EMR extensively. Review from the actual user will provide more accurate informations about the usability of the product. 3: Functionalities. Vaccine Tracking, Tracking and managment of Chronic Disease, Scanning, Labs connection to LabCorp, QuestLab) 4: Technical support 5: Remote Access 6: HIPPA compliant 7: CCHIT Certified 8: E-prescribing Differ in terms of service, Support, Financing. Reference Mitchell, Bradley. â€Å"ASP – Application Service Provider. † Networking – Computer and Wireless Networking Basics – Home Networks Tutorials. N. p. , n. d. Web. 8 Feb. 2013. <http://compnetworking. about. com/od/internetaccessproviders/g/providers_asp. htm>. â€Å"Web-Based Electronic Medical Records (EMR) Software | Reviews of the Best Systems. † Software Advice: The Authority on Software Selection. N. p. , n. d. Web. 8 Feb. 2013. <http://www. softwareadvice. com/medical/web-based-emr-software-comparison/>.

HISTORY High School Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

HISTORY High School - Essay Example They want that government should rule and should limit the liberty of assets. They were actually the "anti-federalist". Moreover, Hamilton wants to introduce the taxation system to gain money from each state to repay the country debt but according to Jefferson this will be unfair with those states that have paid their debt. The Hamilton appeal the urban groups (industrialist) within the society whereas, Jefferson appeal the rural groups (agrarians) within the society. According to Jefferson the Hamilton general policies will corrupt the economy of the country whereas according to Hamilton Jefferson policies are unable to grow the economy. Native American resist this intrusion into their lands by small wars and stop trading with white Americans and they also stop supplying the food stuff that they grew in their fields. More over small fights resist the white American to expand and rule the Native Americans. The efforts of the Tenskwatawa and Tecumseh play an important role as their efforts safe the lives of many Americans and they keep showing different techniques for the country. Moreover, they improve the morale of the Indians. They try to save different areas to minimize the death of people.

English Literature Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

English Literature - Essay Example John Clare begins his poem with a description of the wild and untamed plains of his youth, â€Å"Still meeting plains that stretched them far away / In uncheckt shadows of green brown and grey† (5-6). As he describes the beauty that he once enjoyed in these sights, he begins to illustrate how the freedoms they once offered have been overtaken by the ravages of capitalism and consumerism, being turned to profit by the â€Å"little tyrant with his little sign† (67). More than simply discussing how the land itself has been bounded in, Clare illustrates how the animals and mankind, particularly the poor, have also been constrained by the temporary blockages that have been put in place by wealthier men in the interest of making a profit. At the same time, he suggests that these wealthier men have discovered in the process that their â€Å"dreams of plunder in such rebel schemes / Have found too truly that they were but dreams† (79-80). Rather than reaping significant profit from ‘their’ lands, the owners have discovered that they have given up something precious, rare and unrecoverable for temporary and insufficient material gain. This seems to be in direct contrast to Stephen Duck’s poem as Duck focuses on the activities of the poor workers, particular those of the threshers, as they struggle all year long to produce profit for their master. The subject of this poem is perhaps set by the inspiration that birthed it, â€Å"’The Thresher’s Labour’ was commissioned by Duck’s local patron, the Reverend Mr. Stanley, as a poem ‘on his own Labours.’

Prescription, Nonprescription, and Herbal Medication Research Paper

Prescription, Nonprescription, and Herbal Medication - Research Paper Example As the essay declares the aging process is defined by numerous impairments of several regulatory processes that play a critical role in cells and organs. In addition, other physiological changes are evident in advanced age, and have the capacity to affect the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs. The geriatric population exhibits cardiac dysfunctions. The relaxation and contraction of heart muscles change remarkably a one ages. Blood flow becomes slower, a factor that may affect drug distribution. In addition, aging brings about the reduction of renal mass. Fewer nephrons define the reduction of renal mass. According to the research findings there is a notable delay in the kidney functions, a factor that affects the elimination of drugs. The gastrointestinal system is also affected by aging because elderly people have lower rates of hydrochloric acid and pepsin. Research has highlighted that aging may contribute to potential changes in the enzyme secreting cells or hormonal glands a factor that minimizes the efficiency of the gastrointestinal system. In the small intestines, absorption of some substances reduces with age, while in the colon, the transit time may prove to be slower. Other digestive enzymes such as lipase and trypsin usually decrease as one age. The liver is a critical organ in the metabolism of drugs. With advancing age comes a remarkable reduction in the liver blood flow. In other cases, the liver structure may change over time while enzymes may cease to function effectively.

Business Environment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Business Environment - Essay Example Other political factors that currently influence business organisations in United Kingdom include government policies, efficiency drives, European Union policies and international policies (Ernst and Young, 2013). Local businesses in the UK are directly affected by European Union policies and legislations. For instance EU Liberalization Policy enacted in 1993 ensures that businesses in UK alongside other EU member states face competition in equal measures as tariffs are not levied to protect local producers in a scenario whereby similar goods are imported from within European Union (Foreign Affairs Select Committee, 2013). The presence of emerging economies such as China provides very competitive force for UK-based organisations (BIS, 2011). This is since the huge economies such as China and India have the capability of producing large quantities of products but at lower costs. Such scenario makes operations very difficult for UK-based competitors within the global market (Jones and Evans, 2013). There is a high level of migration to the UK, resulting to great extent of multiculturalism within organisations. Implementation of internet recruiting has enabled organisations to source expertise from different corners of the world leading to multicultural workforce. This benefits businesses in the UK since they bring into organisations fresh and varying perspectives capable of solving persistent business problems. However, there is a high probability of the existence of misunderstandings based on different cross-cultural beliefs. Such scenario, if not appropriately checked, can bring negative impact on business performances (House of Lords Select Committee on Economic Affairs, 2008). Technological advancements have made it easier for businesses in the UK to make instant contacts with the rest of the world. For instance, quick communication channels and improved transport links have made

Customer Relationship Management For The Birmingham New Library Essay

Customer Relationship Management For The Birmingham New Library - Essay Example These strategies are vital for assessing both the internal and external environments, which are favourable or unfavourable to the successful business activities. The researcher incorporated varied marketing strategies vital for enabling the Birmingham Library to accomplish their goals successfully. The researcher provided varied recommendations which the company should take into considerations in order to achieve successful business performance. The action plan was formulated that attempted to reveal the way the objectives of the company will be achieved. Lastly, the conclusion was included that provided a concise summary of the market report. Customer Relationship Management for the Birmingham New Library Introduction The customer relationship management (CRM) has evolved as an effective approach for enabling companies to interact with their customers effectively in order to achieve their business goals successfully. CRM is a business strategy that enables the company to understand the needs of the clients, retain customers through customer experience, reduce management costs and increase profitability (Kangal, 201, p. 45). Senn, Thoma andYip (2013, p.28) defines CRM strategy as the management process accountable for predicting, identifying customers and satisfying their demanding needs for shared benefit. The CRM strategy integrates sales, services, technology solutions; thus it attempts to bring together every part of the business, which touches the client in order to achieve effective business organizational performance. The Birmingham Library is a new library, which is under construction in the Birmingham centre in England; thus employing effective strategy will enable the company to achieve their intended goals. Therefore, employing CRM strategy will be an effective means that will enable the company to assign, create and manage customer requests; thus contributing to effective business performance. The Birmingham Library will employ CRM strategy because this approach often integrates social media services in order to communicate, share customer opinions and experiences; thereby, building up successful customer relationship. Key Objectives The market report aims to examine the marketing strategies vital for increasing performance in the Birmingham Library. It analyses the internal and external factors that may

Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 17

Analysis - Essay Example The prices of groceries are determined by the interaction between demand and supply as with any other marketable product. Both the consumers and suppliers rely on quantity and prices as a signal to adjust respective demand and supply of groceries in the market. But as groceries are necessary items and widely available in any market due to competitive market, it has significant buyers purchase decisions. The supply curve plots the relationship between quantity and prices of US grocery industry s that are able to procure and sell products in open market. Assuming that the market structure is perfectly competitive, the basic law of supply states that with the increase in prices of groceries in the market, the suppliers will response positively by increasing supply with the objective to earn more profits. Conversely, as the supply of groceries become abundant the suppliers negatively react by lessening procurement and supply of groceries in the market in order to cut losses that gradually leads to the fall in prices of groceries. Now, in the given case, Albertsons parent Cerberus is buying Safeway for over $9 billion. Many analyst have noted that the move was an attempt to acquire top spot in the US groceries industries. In US, over 19 percent market share is owned by Kroger followed by Safeway which is at present the second largest chain following Kroger. The merger will impact the demand-supply equation because post-merger it is expected that Kroger would operate with 2,640 stores whereas Albertsons would operate with 2,400 stores. The chart depicted above reveals that the volatility in market regarding the supply of groceries modifies the basic supply curve by shifting position. The analysis of supply movements of groceries indicate that when the curve shifts from S1 to S2 (right-side), it is an indication that there is an increase in supply of groceries in market, assuming

The future of privacy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The future of privacy - Essay Example Privacy is a fundamental right, and everyone is entitled to it. Understanding that technology will keep developing will help find better ways that will curb the violation of privacy. It is not possible to know the kind of technology that will be there in years to come, and that is why we need to be prepared for anything. Passwords will no longer be safe to be used for privacy measures, and this will call for new methods to be used to guarantee the users security. Many and more people are now conversant with computer networks, and it is now easy to hack into someone’s account, and gain access to their private information. There have been cases where Twitter and Facebook accounts of individuals have been hacked. The hacker controls what is posted and shared on the account. With future privacy laws, the social sites have to find better ways to avert this problem. Without this, few people will continue using the sites considering that their privacy is not guaranteed. With all the new methods of communication, everyone wants to share information with their friends and even strangers. This can be done through social sites which include, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or any other sites that may come up in the future. To control the privacy of what is shared, an individual should ensure that he or she safeguards his privacy. This means that he or she has to have a limit of what he wants to share with people on these social sites. â€Å"This state of affairs means that unless individuals can protect their own privacy they lose power† (Lanier 66). Surveillance is used by employers to ensure that there is a smooth flow in business operations. It is, however, debatable about the extent that the surveillance cameras should be placed. Cameras in a washroom, for instance, are considered as a serious violation of human rights. Surveillance footages capture employee’s moments that are otherwise considered private, and boundaries should be set

Major Religions Essay Example for Free

Major Religions Essay Religions are among the most influential forces in history, if not the most influential at all. Most historical events that has shaped or helped shaped the world as it is today were founded along religious backgrounds and teachings. From Constantine to the fall of the Roman Empire, from European conquest to the Crusades, and from the condemnation of heretics to religious terrorism, these are events with religious influences that took part in the course of history. Even today, religion plays an important role in people’s actions that affect the society and even influences politics. Religion is so influential in fact that even when science has slowly displaced religious beliefs, it has remained a powerful force in dictating public opinion, compelling political leaders to act according to their standards. Religion’s Role in Society Religion is an important topic in every human civilization. The culture, tradition and beliefs of people are based on religion. The importance of religion in every human civilization, and indeed of the society, could not have been stated more precisely in Charles Taylor’s foreword to Marcel Gauchet’s book entitled The Disenchantment of the World: A Political History of Religion from which he used Durkheim’s ideas. He explained that for Durkheim, religion was the very basis of society—â€Å"a pattern of practices that gives a certain shape to our social imaginary† (as cited in Taylor 1997, x). Gauchet, on the other hand, explained the expansion of religion as an accompanying goal of expanding the state. He wrote: â€Å"wars of expansion could no doubt be justifiably considered one of the greatest spiritual and intellectual forces to have ever operated in history† (Gauchet 1997, 36). This he reasoned by stating that â€Å"religious upheaval is inscribed in the State’s action, contained within its necessities as dictated by the political division. Broadening the State’s influence subjectivizes supernatural forces, which can only further broaden its practical scope for dominion by making it an intermediary for an instituting will that it administers. We see how the dialectic between the visible forces and its invisible guarantor, between the actual and presumed power, slowly draws the religious into history† (1997, 40). Significant Historical Events Influenced by Religion There are quite a number of events influenced by religion that has changed the course of history, but perhaps none as prominent as the establishment of Christianity. Beginning with a small sect of Jewish tradition whose members were persecuted for their beliefs, Christianity has emerged to be the most popular religion around the world today, with adherents comprising up to a third of the world’s population. Christians, during the Roman Empire, were persecuted and blamed whenever it was found convenient to blame them for some problems of the Empire. It was not until Emperor Constantine had converted to Christianity did the religion secure its future. Apparently, Constantine held that his victory from a battle against a rival was due to his vision to fight under the Christian standard—the cross. Christianity continued to be influential in empires succeeding the decline of the Roman Empire. The Byzantine Empire, as a continuation of the Roman Empire, rose through a deep religious faith along the majestic pattern of the Roman State and Hellenism. With Theodosius as emperor, pagan worships and heresies were declared illegal thereby promoting Christianity to all territories of the Empire. Some held that the Byzantine Empire had allowed for the widespread adoption of Christianity to Europe be defending the West from pagan invaders from the East. The Empire also brought a close link between the state and the church in that while the emperor takes the lead, the church set a high standard in its relation to secular powers. â€Å"In the threat of excommunication the western church discovers a powerful weapon for dealing with wayward rulers† (HistoryWorld). By the end of the fifth century AD, kings and popes would wield power from the Italian peninsula in the West while emperors would still rule in the East. Christianity is such an important feature of the Empire that when Jerusalem fell into the hands, first of Persia then of the Muslims, it became an urgent matter of State. As the Byzantine Empire was strengthened by the Christian faith, it faced its greatest threat with another rising religion. Islam, with its expansionist doctrine, had conquered the Persian Empire and has severely crippled the Byzantine Empire that before the launching of the First Crusade Byzantium had become the boundary between the Christian West and the Muslim East. The influence of religion as a powerful force in history is perhaps best exemplified in the Crusades. The fact that the wars the Crusades waged into became a contest between the two most influential religions today proves this point. The size and scale of the Crusades could be attributed to the effectiveness of Pope Urban II call for military support against the infidels who threatened their Christian brothers in the East, promising the immediate remission of sins to all those who die for the cause and stating that â€Å"God wills it. † While the Crusades were ordained by the church, the destruction of its knights, particularly that of the Knights Templar, could be attributed to the interplay between the church and the state, with the church taking on a more passive role. It could be argued that while it was under the Pope (Clement V) who found the Templars as heretics, effectively disbanding them and persecuted them, the fact that Philip IV could not have done it himself without pressuring the church proves that the church extends its influence on public opinion. The state relied on the churchs approval and pressured it to promote its will when necessary to make it seem that the states actions have the blessing of the church. After all, a king of any Christian domain would not be king until ordained by the church. Hence, it is only natural for the king to seek the approval of the church or to make it seem they have its approval for their rule to be acceptable. The interplay between the state and the church could also be seen in the churchs influence in the scientific community. This is best exemplified in discoveries and theories that contradicts Biblical claims. The Copernican system, for example, was condemned because it contradicts the claim of man being the center of Gods creation that Galileo was forced to withdraw his findings even when he had his proof that the earth revolves around the sun. Darwins theory of evolution was also met with hostilities because of its claims against religious beliefs that God created the world in six days. While science has slowly displaced religious claims, religion remains to be influential. Up until this day, there are anti-evolution movements that promotes the creation of man and the world by an intelligent being. Contemporary Religion Influences Frank Lambert (2008, 2), in his book, Religion in American Politics, explained that â€Å"as religion shapes individual character and moral development, it thereby influences public affairs, albeit in an indirect way. † As an example, he stated that â€Å"through moral instruction, religion informs the values, priorities, and decisions of citizens and officeholders as they enter the voting booth and the statehouse† (2008, 2). Religious groups, Lambert continued to explain, also become more directly involved in the political process. â€Å"They lobby Congress to enact or oppose specific legislation, participate in electoral politics on behalf of candidates who support their agendas, and offer the full range of their institutional resources to sympathetic political parties† (Lambert 2008, 2). It is important to note that such connection between the state and religion is not limited to America. Religions around the world continue to exert its influence in political affairs by stirring their adherents and promoting their stands into public opinion. This is especially seen in Christian countries. While religious groups continue to play an important role in political affairs, extremist factions of religious origins assert their influence in a more violent manner. Religious terrorism is perhaps the most dangerous, complex and persistent problem the world has faced. Juergensmeyer held that perpetrators in religious terrorism place â€Å"religious images of divine struggle—cosmic war—in the service of worldly political battle† (as cited in Gary 2001). Religious terrorism is a tactic in political strategy while at the same time evoking a much larger spiritual confrontation. Muslim terrorist, for example, continue to call on the divine doctrine of jihad in the destruction of infidels. Much as it has united the Muslims during the Muslim conquests, it continues to have an appeal for extremists into using violence in promoting their ideals. Note that religious terrorism does not encompass solely on Islam. Throughout the world, violence committed in the name of religion occurs. Conclusion Time and again, we see that the influence of religion in worldly affairs can dictate much of what happens in the course of history. Major battles have indeed been waged in the name of religion in the past. We see this through the Crusades, the Muslim conquests, and the religious wars in the sixteenth century. Stately affairs must have the approval of the church, or every action of the state must seem to have its approval. Even the scientific community is influenced by religion, especially with scientific theories and discoveries contradicting religious claims. Today, religion still has a major influence in political affairs, providing moral instructions to their adherents whose approval political parties must win and pressuring legislation in favor of their moral doctrines. In the guise of spiritual confrontation, religion is also exerting its influence through violent means. Despite the technologies and philosophies that has come in modern age, religion continues to be a powerful influence in dictating the course of history. References Gary, Jay. 2001. Unmasking religious terrorism. http://jaygary. com/terrorism. shtml Gauchet, Marcel. 1997. The Disenchantment of the World: A Political History of Religion. Ed. Oscar Burge. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. HistoryWorld. History of the Byzantine Empire. http://www. historyworld. net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories. asp? historyid=ac59 Lambert, Frank. 2008. Religion in American Politics: A Short History. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. Taylor, Charles. 1997. Foreword to The Disenchantment of the World: A Political History of Religion by Marcel Gauchet. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

The Effects of Global Climate Change on Clark County, Nevada Essay Example for Free

The Effects of Global Climate Change on Clark County, Nevada Essay Global climate change is a growing concern in areas all over the world, especially dry areas like Clark County, Nevada. Clark County is located in Southern Nevada; most people are aware of Clark County because of Las Vegas and the world famous strip of hotels and casinos on Las Vegas Boulevard. What people are not aware of is how rising sea levels can affect fabulous Las Vegas, and the detriment that is in store for Clark County if something big is not done to try and reverse the dangerous effects of global climate change. â€Å"Scientists have high confidence that global temperatures will continue to rise for decades to come, largely due to greenhouse gasses produced by human activities† (NASA, The Current and Future Consequences of Global Change, 2007). Because of rising global temperatures, people all over the planet are plagued by rising sea levels, melting Arctic sea ice, melting glaciers and permafrost, rising sea-surface temperatures, warming lake temperatures, heavier rainfall causing flooding, extreme drought increasing, withering crops, changing ecosystems, changes in the frequency and strength of hurricanes, human health being affected by warmer temperatures, and sea water becoming more acidic. So how does this affect Las Vegas and Clark County? First, Clark County is located in the Mojave Desert, and has a subtropical desert climate. Second, Lake Mead is located in Clark County and is a major source of water supply not only for Nevada, but also for Southern California and Arizona. Third, because of the changing global climate, Lake Mead is drying up. Water levels in Lake Mead have fallen over 100 feet since the year 2000. â€Å"Water levels are falling in America’s largest reservoir. If it dries up, so could power and water for much of the Southwest† (GOOD, Lake Mead is Drying Up, 2009). Currently, the Las Vegas Valley Water District has put watering restrictions in place and has raised the price that citizens of Clark County ay for water to try and fund research for water retention and future supply. Is this enough, though? In the summer months, temperatures exceed 100 degrees in Clark County, and the only relief from the heat is water. What can be done to help reverse or stop the effects of global climate change on Southern Nevada right now? There are a few simple things that citizens of Clark County can do to help stop the negative effects of global warming on their state. First, an act that would promote water conservation should become mandatory for all citizens of Nevada, not just Clark County. This water conservation act would require citizens of Nevada to not only limit their water consumption to a certain amount of gallons per year, but would require them to recycle their water using purification via a state issued water hepa-filtration system. This would require funding, so a water tax should be put in place specifically to pay for these water recycling devices. Once all Nevadans had a state issued water filtration device, they would be required to have five gallons of water per person in their homes at all times, and would be subject to inspection by a state official once a year to ensure they have their required amount. Any citizen not in possession of at least five gallons of fresh water would be subject to a fine for non-compliance by the state of Nevada, which would be used toward water conservation and research. Furthermore, the water conservation act should place limits on the amount of water a household uses per year, especially in the summer months. Just raising the cost of water is not sufficient, as it does not discourage people from using more water because they are not forced to use less. An acceptable, humane amount of water per person should be decided upon by the water conservation act, and if this amount is exceeded, the cost for additional gallons of water should be triple what is normally paid. This would be effective in discouraging people from using too much water and depleting the supply. It might sound harsh, but imagine that Lake Mead actually did dry up because of global warming. The effects of losing a major water supply to the Southwestern United States would be devastating, and would affect many more people than just those living in Clark County, Nevada. The question remains, how will Las Vegas ever become conservative with its water when it is the Entertainment Capital of the World? Yes, the citizens of Las Vegas can abide by the rules and regulations of the water district, and could even be held to the proposed water conservation act, but what about all the millions of tourists who come from all over the world and take from our water supply? Las Vegas needs to come together and soon, or it might end up being a dried up ghost town. Please see the topo map below, showing a close up visual of Las Vegas drying up.

Entry Strategy Used By Wal Mart Commerce Essay

Entry Strategy Used By Wal Mart Commerce Essay This report examines Wal-Mart as a case study. An introduction of the history, objectives and strategy was first examined. It later went on to determine what motive the company into international strategy using secondary data obtained through Websites and journal articles. Taking into consideration Wal-Mart operates in about 15 different countries its entry into Brazil was investigated. The entry strategy used by Wal-Mart was examined using the four categories of timing of entry, market choice, and investment scale and entry mode. The companys corporate strategy was examined and it was discussed in terms of whether Wal-Mart strategy was Global, Multi-domestic and Transnational. Wal-Mart strategy was concluded to be more on the transnational strategy as it took into account its global strategy and local strategy as well. Wal-Mart is known for being a company that has competitive advantage in logistics and customer service which are among its functional analysis. The logistics was examined in full as the main functional analysis affecting Wal-Mart in its entry into Brazil. Finally, recommendations were given on what Wal-Mart could do better when entering another international Market and a conclusion was made. Introduction This report discusses the Wal-Mart was first established in America in 1962 by Sam Walton .Wal-Mart is known as one of the Worlds Largest retailers serving more than 200million customers and members per week (Walmartstores.com). As at 2010, its fiscal year sales was $405 billion and is one of the Worldss most admired Companies Survey. Wal-Mart has over 8400 stores in 15 different countries (Wal-Mart.com) due to its need for globalisation. In this report, Wal-Mart entry into Brazil would be looked upon enabling the discussion on what motivated the firm into globalisation, its entry strategy into Brazil, its corporate strategy that enables it success and its functional analysis. Secondary datas would be used for this analysis. Firm Motivation In order to be able to analyse Wal-Marts entry strategy, it would be worthwhile to understand what motivated the firm into globalisation. Management realised, that by the 2000 the market in the United States would become saturated and reduce their market share and decided to expand global. Also in 1990s, Wal-Mart was facing stiff competition from key players such as K-Mart and target (Angela da Rocha 2002). These two companies were taking up Wal-Mart market share and expanding their global strategy. The competition strategy used by Target and K-Mart left Wal-Mart with no choice than to enter the international market with the aim of increasing market share and sales of the company. Wal-Mart believed in its strength and technology development to help in markets abroad. Wal-Mart was also motivated in terms of thinking about the benefits of economies of scale and scope obtained through globalisation. Wal-Mart deals with major international firms like Unilever (food products) which has its own international operations thereby using its large size to demand deeper discount on items (Hills 2008). Also, another reason Wal-Mart might have decided to entry Brazil could be because of the knowledge and expertise to be gained by other firms competing in such a country and be able to integrate the knowledge obtained into other operations in the future. Diagram derived from: http://www.themanagementor.com/kuniverse/kmailers_universe/mktg_kmailers/wal-mart.htm The diagram above details the competitive advantage that Wal-Mart has in order for it to internationally encourage to enter different markets. Entry Strategy According to Hill 2008, there are four categories of entry strategies used by firms they are as following using Wal-Mart as analysis. Market Choice In 1994, Brazil experienced a new thrust in the economy where there was implementation of lower inflation. This improved the purchasing power of Brazilians and also enhanced economic growth, Wal-Mart saw this as an opportunity to invest in the country. In 1995, Wal-Mart began operations in Brazil; Wal-Mart entered Brazil in order to be able to obtain the benefits to be derived from the potential demand of the population and potential the economic growth Wal-Mart did not use one single strategy to enter different countries. The selection of market choice was based on the detailed information of the business, competitive and economic environments of the country of operations. Govindarajan and Gupta stated After choosing the country, and understanding the environment, the management at Wal-Mart would decide on the best entry strategy. The selection varied from starting new stores from scratch (to acquisitions), joint ventures, and alliances. Wal-Mart establishes its presence in local markets by first understanding the uniqueness of each market, and then by adapting its business model to suit that market. Entry Mode Wal-Mart, through partnership with Lojas Americanas which one of Brazils leading discount store chain entered Brazil. Wal-Mart chooses to own 60% whereas Lojas Americanas would retain 40% which is a joint venture. Wal-Mart holds 60% makes decision making easier has they control a larger percentage of the company and can make quick and managerial decision compared to if it was 50:50. According to the data founded by Hill 2008, UN estimated that some 40-80% of Foreign Direct investment were in form of mergers and acquisition. It is easy to execute joint venture than to start a company from scratch .Within the time taken to start a company from the beginning a competitor might have acquired another company within the country and limit the market share to be obtained. Joint Venture makes it easier for Wal-Mart to meet its objective of becoming a globalised company in international market. The logic behind this partnership and its success is that Lojas Americanas brings in the cultural integration whilst Wal-Mart brings in the managerial skills and resources needed for the partnership to work. Wal-mart decided to open Supercenters (50,000 different items) and Sams Club stores (buyers club which required a fee for membership) because it believed its discount operations would work. The idea of the Supercenters was to provide a new product mix and varieties for the Brazilian market at lowest price. Timing of Entry Wal-Mart entered Brazil as a first mover advantage as technology was not readily available in Brazil at the time of entry given them a competitive advantage against Carrefour. This helped the economy to imitate the technological advancement and incorporate them into other businesses. Although, the sharing of technology was an advantage it could have also been a disadvantage as Wal-Mart was sharing its knowledge with its competitors and this could have been used against them. Investment Scale Wal-mart entered with Lojas Americanas which was known for its aggressive strategy in dealing with businesses thereby helping Wal-Mart gain an advantage. It entered with US$120 million to construct its stores with one in the largest city (Kotabe 2003).It entered at a large scale in order to gain competitive advantage this could have also been a problem if Wal-Mart failed in Brazil thereby losing the revenue used in entry. According to Kotabe 2003, it was stated that Wal-Marts objective was to achieve number one retailer position in Brazil and in order to do that they setup a logistics and communication system competent of supporting no less than 80 units in the Brazilian Market Wal-Mart also employed Brazilian executives who understood the market, cultures, and customers and would be able to manage the company effectively. Wal-Mart continued investing into Brazil has the demand was becoming more than the supply for their manufactured goods and services. Corporate Strategy According to Sam Walton, Wal-Mart strategy is low prices always. Wal-mart is known as Wal-Mart greeters where customers enter the store and they are greeted with a sweet face a, huge smile and a shopping cart (Burbano 2004). Wal-Mart also offered attraction of employees at disposals of consumers helping them as they enter into the stores. Wal-Mart company strategy is based on four pillars cost leadership, customer orientation, logistics and information technology (Angela da Rocha 2002). Fig 1 explains the reasons such as pressure from local responsiveness and pressure from global integration helps in determining the corporate strategy of the firms. When a company such as Wal-Mart chooses a corporate strategy it needs to decide how strong would the pressure of global integration or the pressure of local responsiveness affect its overall objective? Global Strategy In terms of Wal-Mart being a global strategy based in the beginning they prided themselves on being global. It brought the cultures, product, ways and products of the United States into Brazil and thought it could work since Brazil could not be different from America. It was later realised that it would not work and it revised it strategy by incorporating the culture of the Brazilians and the product to satisfy customer needs. Multi-Domestic Strategy In terms of localization strategy, Wal-Mart could not be seen as being localised because it never forgot its strategy of lowest prices and it incorporated some of its American product as well as Brazilian products in the market. Wal-Mart had to change its product from being USA focus and included variety of product that was an attraction to the Brazilian people. Wal-Mart prides itself on being a customer oriented in terms of good service, product at lowest prices. Wal-Mart boasts that it has a global strategy but it is also locally focused we people the people first (Walmartstores.com) Transnational Strategy Wal-Mart could also be seen as a transnational company in terms of the striking the balance between global standardization of operating strategy and local customization of store layout and stocking practices. Wal-Mart took into account what the Brazilians want by buying product from the local manufactures thereby integrating the cultures and customer needs. Also Wal-Mart adjusted to the situation of Brazilian market by increasing the deadlines of delivery by manufactures, it did not use the United State to bring in the products. Functional Analysis In order for Wal-mart to be successful in its chosen country it needs to work as a team with different departments. The departments such as Marketing, Purchasing, HRM, Logistics and Distribution etc come together to analyse the details and decide what is best for the companys operation in the chosen country. Wal-Mart prides itself on its logistic systems being that it enables the company have competitive advantage over its competitors. As Wal-Mart began operation the demand of their merchandise was increasing compared to the supply that they had in store. The checkout lines were longer than expected; there was storage of parking space, traffic congestions and aggressive reaction from Carrefour its competitor. In accordance with Kotabe 2003, Wal-Mart experienced an alarming 40% stock out rate in Brazil, as compared to 5% in the United States. Although the stock out rate has decreased since, the problem is far from being completely eliminated. Brazilian suppliers are lagging behind the U.S. counterparts in logistics technology as that level of technological advancement has not been reached, thus making computerized inventory management systems useless. Additionally, the presences of traffic congestion present another major challenge to consistency and predictability in supply of both Wal-Mart stores and distribution center. At the time of entry, Brazil was in no comparison to the United States in terms of technological advancement. Wal-Mart believed that its logistics was good enough to help them in Brazil; what they failed to consider was the population of the Brazilian people and the demand for their merchandise. Consumers were eagerly interested in the lower prices of merchandise sold by Wal-Mart, and there was no indication of stress of traveling long distance to obtain merchandise. Wal-Mart had a flexible logistics, which enabled it realize the problem the problem of distribution and transport costs from the United State into Brazil. It decided to set-up alliances with local suppliers to deliver some goods that the store needed. This enabled reduced costs due to reduce transportation and fuel by drivers of their trucks and due to the technology it had it was able to determine the quality of the products. Recommendation When Wal-Mart decides to enter into an international market it needs to fully understand the market and the potential demands, political and suppliers issues in order to be fully prepared for adverse reactions. Wal-Mart believes in its logistics as one of its competitive advantage and believes it could help them in any market. It is recommended, that they put into account the tastes and cultures of consumers and how they would be able to adapt to the countries ways of doing things. It is recommended that Wal-Mart could go a long way in benefiting internationally if the above recommendations are considered. Conclusions In this report, the motivation of Wal-Mart into internationalisation was analysed. Also, the entry strategy which included the market choice, the timing of entry, the type of entry mode and the investment scale was analysed. The corporate strategy of Wal-Mart whether it being multi-domestic, global or transnational was analysed. Its functional analysis was examined as well taking into account its logistics system. It was finished with a recommendation on what the company could do better in fir the next entry into another market.

1950s Movie Essay: Rebel Without A Cause -- Movies Film

1950s Movie Essay: Rebel Without A Cause Introduction Rebel Without A Cause is a very popular film from 1955. It depicts life in the 1950's from the viewpoint of three teenagers who live in Los Angeles, California. They live in a comfortable environment in middle-class America. However, they must deal with their own inabilities to "fit" into society. The teens try to fit in with their peers and find the love they so desperately need from their families and others like their peers. The biases presented in the film's are based on cultural values form the 1950s. Rebel Without A Cause also compares to some of the data presented in the text Nation of Nations. The film also compares to the general view America has of the period of the 1950s. For these reasons, Rebel Without A Cause is an essential film in understanding the 1950s. Film's Cultural Values or Biases of the 1950's The film tells a tale of the restless and somewhat misunderstood rebellious and defiant American youth. The film highlights the conformance of 1950s America, through the eyes of the main character, who faces a new school environment and unsporting or ‘loving' parents. Though the film could be seen as bias, by portraying all 1950s youths as rebellious and engaging in "chickie runs" and knife fights, who would rather go against the grain of society, the film instead uses this bias to portray more of the internal seeking of youthful acceptance and love that all teens of this period were seeking, through rebelliousness and acts of promiscuity. This film has achieved cult status through the years as was the springboard for other 1950s movies trying to portray the same exploitation of teenage rebellion and delinquency. Perhaps what makes this film of ... ...tion of the teens who were fighting so hard to buck the system and break into their own independence. By the mid-50's, teens were becoming more rebellious, listening to Elvis Presley's music, and wearing clothing that had not been previously acceptable fashion. Prior to the 1950's, children were to be seen and not heard. This movie epitomized the struggle of the younger crowd in the 1950's -- they fought to break free, stand tall, and make an impact on the world around them, regardless of how tough that would be for them. It is important for us to remember that the 1950's were above all, a time of change. Everyone adjusted to those changes differently, but the younger population faced an evolving world that was at times scary and intimidating, as well as exciting and captivating. Learning to balance the changes with the things that stayed the same was the true battle.

Twelfth Night Essays: Three Types of Love -- Twelfth Night essays

Three Types of Love in Twelfth Night      Ã‚   In the play "Twelfth Night," Shakespeare explores and illustrates the emotion of love with precise detail. According to "Webster's New World Dictionary," love is defined as "a strong affection or liking for someone." Throughout the play Shakespeare examines three different types of love: true love, self love and friendship. "Twelfth Night" consists of a large number of love triangles, however many of the characters who are tangled up in the web of love are blind to see that their emotions and feelings toward other characters are untrue and based merely on falsification. They are being deceived by themselves and/or the others around them. There are certain instances in the play where the emotion of love is true, and the two people involved feel very strongly toward one another. Viola's love for Orsino is a great example of true love. Although she is pretending to be a man and is virtually unknown in Illyria, she hopes to win the Duke's heart. In act 1, scene 4, Viola let's out her true feelings for Cesario, "yet a barful strife! Whoe'er I woo, myself would be his wife (1)." That statement becomes true when Viola reveals her true identity. Viola and Orsino had a particularly good friendship, and making the switch to husband and wife was easy. Viola was caught up in another true love scena... ... Toby's company because he always lifts his spirits and makes him feel like a true knight.   Love is a ubiquitous theme within literature. Love plays a major role in "Twelfth Night," and Shakespeare addresses true love, self love, and friendship in a very compelling and interesting way.   "Twelfth Night" helps the reader form their own definition of love, and Shakespeare does a great job of explaining a topic with many dimensions. Work Cited and Consulted: David, R. W., ed. The Arden Shakespeare: Love's Labour's Lost. London: Methuen, 1951. Shakespeare, William. The Norton Shakespeare. Edited Stephen Greenblatt et al. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 1997.

Changes in Family Relationships between the Sixteenth and Nineteenth Ce

Between the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries there were several factors which affected family relationships. The most influential of these factors are geography, economic conditions, and religion. While geography and economic conditions certainly played a role in the dynamics of family relationships, many believe that religion had the greatest impact on family relationships. Religion controlled almost every aspect of family relationships from marriages to divorce to the treatment of women and children. In medieval times up until the eighteen hundreds, marriage was based on a variety of factors. Among these factors were economic gain, and for upper class families and nobility, building alliances. While these were the factors that helped decide who married who, religion determined if the couple was eligible to be married as well as other aspects of the marriage. Prior to the 1215, there were a lot of gray areas when it came to marriage and divorce. While some believed that all marriage required was an exchange of vows between a man and a woman, others believed that the exchanged must be followed by consummation, while still others believed that there must be witnesses present for the marriage to be valid. At this time the nobility were using marriage as a strategy to gain land, power, and alliances by marrying, divorcing, and remarrying. These marriages were often destructive and led to wars. In order to avoid so many wars the church stepped in and put regulations on marriages and divorces. In 1215 the Fourth Lateran Council constructed the criteria that must be met in order for a marriage to be valid. This criteria included a dowry, published wedding announcements, and for the wedding to take place in a church. Around ... ...ffection for children. Parents thought of their children as individuals and thus gave each new born its own name. At this time parents also began giving their children more freedoms than before. Also during this time the church began to relax its control over individual families and allowed them more privacy. This simple shift in religious doctrine caused the development of a new way of thinking in which children were appreciated and seen as different from adults. Although there were many factors that impacted family relationships between the fifteen hundreds and eighteen hundreds, none were as influential as religion. Any small shift in the interpretation of religious doctrine could result in massive changes in family life. From the development and rise of Protestantism to the Puritan view of children, religion often caused revolutions in family relationships.

Cupcake Business

I conducted extensive market research and I have considered this project, because I found in my survey that having a cup cake shop is a lucrative business. The shop will specialise only in cupcakes. I have my own unique recipes. This is one of the things which is my strength. Not many people have their own unique recipes. To enable my business to prosper I have the notion of implementing special offers, which introduces the business to the customer. I am lucky enough to have found a good chef which works alongside me to create new flavours. The decisions about the recipes are made by me and the chef, but I have the final word. The structure of the business will be as a Sole Trader. This is the fastest and easiest way of setting up a new business. This type of structure could be danger, because I am responsible with my property.LocationFinding right location is a main key to maintaining a successful business. The ideal location is the centre of town. There are a lot of people passing by. The research I have done shows me that, there aren`t any similar shops within a radius of 10 miles. Opposite the shop is the town`s main bus station, where people can have cupcakes while they are waiting for the bus. My research shows, that there is Primary school and Secondary school right behind the shop. The parents which collect their children pass by the shop. They can also take a good look at what we are offering by looking at the big window display. The smell of freshly made cupcakes will be one of the things, which the children can catch early in the morning.FinanceTo start up the cupcake business you will need approximately  £40,000. I have  £10,000 capital, but I will need a loan from the bank for the additional  £30,000. The research I have done and the special advice I have been given says, that I am not entitled to get a personal loan more than  £20,000. But because of the structure of my business as a sole trader I have an option of getting the full amount of  £30,000. I have a good tailored business plan which has enabled me to obtain the business loan I need. I will be responsible with my own property and this will secure the loan. The loan which will suit me is with a fixed interest rate and equal monthly instalments.Internal informationAll organisations generate a substantial amount of information relating to their operation. This internal information is vital to the successful management of the organisation. The information may be available from a number of sources within the organisation, for example: Marketing and sales information on performance, revenues, markets shares, distribution channels. Sales figures and sales research are very reliable sources of information, because the consumer tells you what they want. Production and operational information on assets, quality, standards.This information will help me to reinvent products to help them sell better. Financial information all on profits, costs, margins, cash, flows, i nvestments. The information about the profits will show me in what direction my business is going in and where I can improve my financial position. Internal documentation such as order forms, invoices, credit notes, procedural manuals. The internal documents are important part of doing an audit. The results of doing an audit also relates to finances.External informationAn external source of information is concerned with what is happening beyond the boundaries of the organisation. This covers any documentation relating to a subject area produced as a summary or detailed report by an agency external to an organisation. Such information may be obtainable from government agencies or private information providers. Examples might include: Telephone directories – this could be used to check for existing companies that are similar. Judgments on court cases – helps to prevent a mistakes made by someone else.Legislation – Food Hygiene Certificate, Health and Safety Certif icate, Fire Safety Certificate. Professional publications – helps to find the right way of running a successful business. Financial services – banks, accountants, solicitors, lawyers. The internet – in today`s days the people use internet most of the time. Social media sites are very popular and are also used as a place where you can advertise your business and generate customers.SummaryMy business would run at a profit if I attract my customers with special offers. This will include discounts for kids and elderly. Regular customers will also be entitled to get a discount for their loyalty. There will be various levels of discounts for corporate clients, depending on how much they order. Low prices and good quality will help me to generate a lot of customers. One of the foundations for starting up a new business is my unique recipes. They are designed by me, but the chef who is going to work with me helps me to prepare them. The recipes are a combination of unus ual flavours and designs.This will also help me to attract new customers. The environment which I provide to the customers must be nice, clean and friendly. When people are in my cupcakes shop, I want them to feel relaxed and comfortable. The staff that I employ will be trained in customer service. They will be polite and respectful. Often team-building is helpful for developing a good relationship between the staff. They also can come up with new ideas, which can be discussed and put into action. I have a good location which is near a bus station, schools and few office buildings. The research I have done shows me that throughout the day nearly 3000 people passing by the shop. The location is ideal for this type of business. To improve my business in future I will make plans for expansion following the above steps. Opening a chain is a good improvement.

Eastman Kodak Resources

Eastman Kodak Resource and Capabilities Analysis Eastman Kodak has been able to maintain business in a tough market that has changed dramatically fast. Kodak’s core competitive advantage was redundant with the new digital moves happening. The introduction of digital imaging has taken off beyond anyone’s belief. Eastman Kodak has acquiring other business in trying to gain a competitive advantage in markets they have never been in. Between 1985 and the early 1990’s, Eastman Kodak acquired several companies hoping to drive their sales and profits.In order to keep a competitive advantage in the market, Eastman Kodak will have to do several key things. Eastman Kodak’s brand name speaks for its self. It is one of the most recognizable brand names in the country. Use this to the advantage of the company. In a market that has changed so quickly, a company has to be able to come up with a strategic plan in order to make sure they will continue as a profitable busin ess. Hiring has been a key strength for Kodak. Being able to bring in executives with experience and expertise has helped Kodak maintain their advantage.The role of the company now is to utilize those executives to continue to grow Kodak as a business. Some of the products that Kodak has introduced have their competitors wondering how they can get that same advantage. The 2003 introduction of the EasyShare camera docks hit the market and Kodak gained immediate advantage. Due to it being the only product on the market at the time, Kodak found a product that no one else was producing creating scarcity. This R&D investment had paid off. Being the innovator of new products and services is important for Kodak to stay in business.With so many competitors out there, scarcity and differentiation is important. Kodak’s was forced into a changing market. Being almost a monopoly for years in the film business, digital imaging was a huge step that Kodak had to figure out. In the early 197 0’s, Kodak was facing challenges from the Japanese camera industry and Polaroid pioneered instant photography. Kodak invested millions of dollars into R&D. Kodak needed to produce products that would separate them from their competitors. They will need to continue this but also find a way to turn a profit from the innovative changes.Technology and product development was a struggle for Kodak in the early 1980’s. The digital industry was taking off and most of Kodak’s plants still serviced film production. Kodak invested heavily into changing plants and equipment. Kodak realized that they were now struggling to make products from an industry that the world’s technology was moving into. Inventing new technologies thru R&D and creating a new wave of products is what will lead to the continued success of Kodak. Being able to make the leap from the old Kodak to the new Kodak has emerged Kodak as a company with competitive advantage.Management has had to cut ov er 15,000 jobs since the introduction of the digital industry. Plants were being reevaluated and stores were closed. Management had to figure out the exact approach they were going to take to become a leader again in the market. Adding new products was a step they took but most of those markets were already lead by companies that had secured their competitive advantage already. Trying to become a leader is those industries was hard with many failures. The most important role is to figure out what strength can be exploited to offset the failing issues.Due to heavily investing in the digital industry, Kodak has not seen a profit on those investments. Kodak’s brand name and profits made from the silver halide roll film has been able to keep them going. Kodak will need to continue to work toward making those investments into profits. As long as they continue with the strategic plan eventually they will see a profit from their efforts. Eastman Kodak realized that they had over ext ended themselves. Without having a commitment to those new ventures hurt the company.Eastman Kodak will need to take a hard look at the direction the company wants to go. Selling or merging some of the acquired business is the first step in making sure you are moving in a particular direction and not just acquiring companies that do not fit into the plan. Eastman Kodak has found success is a challenging market. I do believe continuing with their strategic plan of out with the old Kodak and in with the new Kodak is important. Making it easy for consumers to use the products and affordable will also keep Kodak on the path of striving competitive advantage.

Best practices in achieving a customer-focused culture (Article Critique) Essay

This paper seeks to prepare a critique of the article entitled â€Å"Best practices in achieving a customer-focused culture† by Bartley, B. et al. (2007). The nature of the critique to be applied is literature critique and an evaluation on the authors’ ideas, methods and results. The framework to make the evaluation is to whether the conclusions are supported by evidence, whether the methodologies and assumptions used have basis, whether statements made are consistent with premises laid down by the authors and whether the authors could accomplish their purposes in making the paper. 2. Analysis and Discussion 2. 1 On aims, methodology and approach of the research article The aims of Bartley, et al (2007) in writing the article â€Å"Best practices in achieving a customer-focused culture†, include the following: to provide practical insights into how organizations can become more customer-focused and to share with the researchers and organizations a framework that can be used to research â€Å"customer focus culture†. These two aims can be assessed to depend also on the validity of the results or conclusions of their paper. They also aimed to assess an organizations’ level of customer focus; to describe how New Zealand’s first consortium approach to benchmarking was managed so that others interested in planning a consortioun study can learn from experience. To assess the level of customer focus in an organization requires the use of a framework or hence the success and validity of such assessment will depend on the validity of the model. Describing the the approach to benchmarking could be assessed whether it has provided sufficient information to convinve readers that the researcher have applied the necessary means to accomplish their purpose. Bartley, B. et al (2007) explained that the study involved the use of the benchmarking body which was conducted by member organizations from the New Zealand Benchmarking Club (NZBC) and facilitated by a doctoral student from Massey University’s Centre for Organizational Excellence Research. Their methodology involved the need to conduct an extensive literature review to help them in identifying national and international best practices in customer focus. They also developed a survey that was completed by 32 potential best practice organizations, and selecting seven of these organizations for best practice list. Conducting such a literature review for the purpose used appears logical because the works of previous researchers were considered and analyzed to get the common characteristic of those that were successful with customer focus. It appears that researchers indeed have used sufficient number of researchers whose works appear mainly in academic journals signifying previous publication and this observation must lend some degree of confirmation of the literature review conducted by the authors. 2. 2 On literature review made by authors The authors asserted to have found a framework for the examination of customer-focused culture via the literature review made. It may be noted that the study included only a survey of 32 potential best organizations as identified by the reseachers and they may not necessarily represent the broader characteristics of other organizations in New Zealand and even in the world. They have indeed accepted a limitation of their study that benefits would have been gained if the study has extended to a larger international group. The limitation of the samples use is material into the validity of the survey on whether they represent the real value of customer focus culture to the organizations. In discussing the background of the study, Bartley, et al (2007) cited the the strong link between an organization’s culture and its performance which they claimed to have been widely recognised by practitioners where they cited the work of Basch (2002) and academics where they cited the work of Kotter and Heskett (1992). If organizations desire to have enduring relationship and loyal customers, they must be equipped with an effective customer-focused culture which will make it easier for these companies to have successful product and service delivery. To support their statements they cited the works of Macaukay Clark (1998) and Martin (1992). For the authors customer-focused culture was almost as good as survival in the long-term. These findings from literature review prompted the authors and the the 18 organization-members of the NZBC to asks for the componets and charateristics of a good customer-focused culture. For which reason, NZBC was formed by the Massey University’s Centre for Organizational Excellence Research (COER) in partnership witht the New Zealand Business Excellence Foundation to achieve the ambitious vision of becoming world-class performers of its members and to adopt excellent business practices within New Zealand. To measure the improvements by club members, they have agreed on a criteria for excellent performance on annual basis. See Figure 1 of their report and is made part of Appendix 1 of this paper. It appears that their agreement on criteria of performance excellence was just not a result of a tests or even a previous study. By merely agreeing and not conducting any test which are the factors there is basis the criteria may be just based on opinions. The results of their literature review resulted to their having identified six characteristics of organizations having performance of good to best practices. Bartley, B. et al. (2007) made use of same six characteristics as an analytical framework. They found the importance of leadership and used the works of Brooks, 1997; Whitely, 1991, Galreath and Rogers, 1999 which found that customers drive organizational direction and actions, to support the characteristic. They also included listening as characteristic where the views of customers are actively sought to have ease of contact/conduct of business where they cited the works of Scheuing (1999) and Plymie (1991). Bartley, B. et al (2007) also included analysis and understanding using the works of Brooks (1997) and Wikstrom (1996) which found that need to understand customer expectations. Further included is integration and deployment where the authors cited the work of Martin (1992) which could the need to act upon customers’ expectations. Still include is is people after citing the work of Kennedy, et al, (2002) which determined that customer-focused culture is understood and integrated in the whole the organization. They also included the need to review and improve where they cite the work of Alam and Perry (2002). The fact their literature review is supported by published works of other researchers on the basis of being mainly taken from academic journals and other published works, will lends some degree of validity of the summary of characteristics made as part of their analytical framework. 2. 3. On submitted figures as support to analysis Based on literature review made by the authors, they asserted the requirement for organizations to have customer focus culture must be made. Since the purpose is better performance for the organization whether financial or otherwisel, customer focused culture must be present in the whole organization. Bartley, B. et al (2007), did argue about the proven connection between customer focus and performance of organizations in individual and operational areas as in terms of service quality, customer and employee satisfaction and well as profitability citing the work of Appiah-Adu and Singh (1998) and Agarwal et al. (2003). The researchers had set six categories from which its decided which is the most effective way for its members organizations to improve and they stated to have voted to which customer focus issues were most important. Bartley, B. et al (2007) detailed which were the most important customer issues but they did not show what were the other choices of the respondents in the survey aside from those listed in Table I in the their presentation, which is not part of Appendix 4 of this paper. In the absence of the list of other choices, an inference of a predetermined result of survey may asserted and which will cast dount at to validity of the surbvey. Moreover, the nature of questions asked were neither presented nor discussed and it could be that the questions asked from respondents are leading and which again which cast doubt to result of the survey. Bartley, B. et al (2007) also argued that the decision to work on the study was supported by the results of club’s annual assessment against criteria for performance excellence. They stated that the resulst are shown in Figures 2 and 3 which are considered as Appendices 1 and 2 in this paper. Upon deeper investigation, it may be found that Figure 2 had it horizontal axis for customer focus results while the horizontal axis has financial and market results. This graph in Figure 2 would mean that independent variable was customer focus results while the dependent variable was the financial and market results. Since Figure 2 shows a signifant relationship of two variable as shown by graph, the researchers are saying the the higher customer focused results the higher would be the financial and market results. Since they did not show how they segmented each variable it would appear that the had measured the degrees of customer focus results in the vertical axis and that every increased in the same would give higher results of financial and market results which are not also explained in detail. In other words, in terms of the segmenting the degree of customer focused results the following question remain answered: How much additional degree of customer focused result would produce additional higher financial and market result? The graphs as shown in Figure 2 may seem to answer by merely viewing the same but from the minds of this reseacher , the results could in questionable because of the failture to define the meaning of degrees of customer focused resutls. Would it mean more time given to the customer? Moreover the financial and market resutls in the vertical axis or what may be called as dependent variable in Figure are not also explained. How come that financial and market resutls are combined? If it is financial it may be referring to profitability. Since profitability of the respondents may be best measure by the amount of dollars earned per amount or quantityf of customer focused results, it is difficutl to contemplate how the researchers have mixed financial and market resutls together. Does market resutls imply increased revenues in dollars and increase in market share? In the absence of a clear explanation the result of the researchers work could remain questionable and may lack the validity and use for decision making purposes. Figure 3, which is considered Appendix 3 in this paper, also uses confusing variables in the graph by making this time, horizonal axis to represent the Customer and market focus as independent results and making the vertical axis to represent the customer focused results. If Figure 3 is related to Figure 2, it would appear what was previously assumed as independent variable has now become a dependent variable. Since the researchers did not explain the graph, the most logical inference to find consistency with the what they have concluded is to assume that the more that respondents would have to increase customer and market focus, to have higher of the degree of customer focused results, which as explained earlier were not explained how were they segmented into degrees to afford appreciation of change in the degree. In other words, the confusion is not clarified by redundantly using a variable without explaining the composition and significant of each degree or level of focused results. As in Figure 2, the use of Figure 3 did not help to support the claim of the researchers and that their conclusion could utmost be considered as surmises or conjectures without sufficient evidence. In addition, the use by researchers again of the customer and market focus as the independent variable appears to be predetermined because of their failure to show convincing proof that it was the most influential among the criteria for performance excellence under Figure 1 of their paper, which is Appendix I of this paper. They have of course asserted that the choice of the customer and market focus as most controlling contributor was based on the response of the respondents in the survey. As to how much more important the criterion to other criteria was not also explained; hence it is possible that the results of the claim of increased profitability because of the criterion of customer and market focus may not be safely be taken with high level of confidence, statistically speaking.

Eugenics: Designer Babies

Eugenics: Designer Babies Okpurukre Isoken (Medical Ethics) Professor Ballantyne August 5th, 2009 Eugenics: Designer Babies Eugenics, in its broadest sense, is defined as â€Å"the study of or belief in the possibility of improving the qualities of the human species or of a human population, especially by such means as discouraging reproduction by persons having genetic defects or presumed to have inheritable undesirable traits†. The term captures a smorgasbord of vivacious imagery etched into the annals of human history – of ghostly memories about human atrocities anxiously waiting to fade away at the twilight moments of a modern age – of overcrowded prison camps, in which the depths of travail and indolent sighs of countless defenseless victims, of bodies ravaged by scars and which have become too weak to be revitalised in any shape or manner. Or of lives consigned to â€Å"medical investigative exploration for the amelioration of human condition† by what at first sight appears to be insignificant signatures of a clerk. Such lives were considered only sacrifices contrived by altruist motives of a beneficent governing authority. Questions if they could have been raised at all in retrospect could only be considered at someones discretionary time, and place of course. Trying to pick through the rubbles of the world’s past mishaps and distilling their lessons for application to today’s issues is like wading and battling oneself through an ever- confusing maze mired with potholes, trenches and cul-de-sacs. Tolstoy, in his masterpiece War and Peace admonished his readers that everything in history has he mirage of appearing to have been predestined, once history has occured. I believe that as potential medical experts honest and critical intellectual inquiry is only the beginning and the least of what we can do to prevent what future generations will ruefully deem as inevitable consequences of our â€Å"brilliant concoctions†. According to Congressman Greenwood’s opening statem ents at the hearing of the COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND COMMERCE, SUBCOMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND INVESTIGATIONS March 28, 2001 convened by medical researchers, bioethicists and members of congress, â€Å" For most of its 80 years, the brave New World could be seen as a disturbing work of science fiction. That is no longer the case. The possible cloning of human beings is now relegated to the world—not relegated to the world of fiction. The question we must now ask is this: what should we do with this science? † Amidst the backdrop of hefty political and legal debates over bioethics that took place in the ‘90s and early 21st century as a result of Ian Wilmot’s sheep cloning experiements, laws had been enacted that helped to curb the development of reproductive technologies. It became crystal clear that the countdown timer has now been set for he inevitable -the cloning of Homo sapiens. No one knows what would happen after that. Notwithstanding, numerous independently funded private labs across the United States and around the world wasted little time to find legal loopholes to evade the scrutiny of authorities and jumped into the hunt for the holy grail. For instance, On December 5, 1997, Chicagoan physicist and fertility expert Richard Seed announced that he planned to clone a human being before any federal laws could be enacted to ban the process. Seed’s plans were to apply the same technique used to clone Dolly. Seed's announcement went against President Clinton's 1997 proposal for a voluntary private moratorium against human cloning. Several arguments may be suggested to explain this fervor. There were those who argued that reproductive freedom includes human cloning, perhaps as a means to address the problem of male infertility. Others advocated cloning as a means to replicate a deceased loved one. For yet others, human cloning is justified because it may provide important advances in scientific knowledge. To be sure, science is entitled to have ethical standards set apart from all other norms of society. Perhaps a closer look at the accompanying evidence will reveal that this is not so. According to Jeff Stryker, a writer for the New York Times Magazine, dated August 4, 2009, sperm banking has now become a global and open market; consumers are no longer limited to the small donor pools at local mom-and-pop sperm banks. In particular, Cryos, a Denmark based company has recently sparked media interest. Its company strategy is aimed at becoming the McDonald’s of sperm banks around the world. Packed in dry ice or liquid nitrogen sperms are shipped express to its buyers in more than twelve countries around the world. Somehow, it is able to sidestep many legal regulations imposed by domestic and local regulations on local sperm bank enterprises. Notwithstanding, the profitability of the sperm bank business has not stemmed the tide in the development of product lines catering to the whims and tastes of different consumer segments. Virginia's Fairfax Cryobank has stepped into the competitive scene with its †Fairfax Doctorate Donors†; since April 1999 the firm has offered, at a third more than the usual charges, sperm from medical, law, Ph. D. and other students and graduates. Cryos offers three grades of sperm, including an †extra† version that contains twice the number of highly motile sperm as its †regular† brand. An Ivy league woman’s egg could nowadays fetch upwards of $50,000. The California Cryobank, located in Los Angeles has launched a new feature to help prospective baby batter buyers pick a load. Its product lines features sperms and eggs of donors that are celebrity look-alikes. Adam Sandler, Andy Roddick, and Ben Affleck are but a few noteworthy mentions. Apparently these parents are free to choose whom they want to have as their children. The Oxford English dictionary defines the term â€Å"designer babies† as â€Å"a baby that the genetic makeup has been artificially selected by genetic engineering combined with in vitro fertilization to ensure the presence or absence of particular genes or characteristics†. According to Ritter M (2008), â€Å"news that scientists have for the first time genetically altered a human embryo is drawing fire from some watchdog groups that say it’s a step toward creating ‘designer babies’. † Yet, the ubiquity of different sperms and eggs on the market today seems to offer a more palatable alternative to genetic engineering. A different and perhaps more pressing issue centers around the ethics of pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). Here embryos are screened for gene faults before being transferred to a woman's uterus. It has come under the spotlight recently in the UK, with high-profile cases such as that of the Leeds-based Hashmi family. The Hashmis have a child with a rare blood disorder, who urgently needs a bone marrow transplant. Through using PGD, the Hashmis may be able to have a child that is free from the disorder suffered by their existing child. The child yet to be born could also donate tissue to cure its sibling. The Hashmi case became the subject of months of legal wrangling in the UK courts†. (Lee, 2003) In April 2009, Panayiotis Zavos, a controversial fertility researcher attracted international media attention when he announced to the world that he had cloned 14 human embryos and transferred 11 of them into the wombs of four women, at least one of whom was British. The operation failed however. According to his own words, the motivations for cloning was â€Å"not to reproduce the Michael Jacksons and the Michael Jordans in this world, and also, we are totally against designer babies. Therefore, we are not interested in manipulating the genetic information, the genome, but rather just allowing those mothers and fathers to be, to become biological fathers and mothers of those children, and, hopefully, those children will be healthy children and we are totally committed to that†¦ We are talking about the development of a technology that can give an infertile and childless couple the right to reproduce and have a child and above all complete its life cycle. This is a human right and should not be taken away from people because someone or a group of people have doubts about its development. According to Lewis Wolpert, a professor of biology, the issue is an irrelevant one. Surprisingly enough, ethical issues with regards to designer babies are hard to see. In his own words, â€Å"What possible argument from ethics could be used against prenatal diagnosis of an embryo obtained by IVF, if the diagnosis prevents the implantation of embryos with defective genes? I know that some people object, but there is no evidence that the early embryo is a person. This idea is a relatively recent one, with religious underpinning but with neither argument nor evidence. The Magisterium of the Catholic Church demands that the embryo be respected from the first instance. But what has to be considered in every case is the child and its future wellbeing, and not to do so is totally lacking in respect. Who, for example, is being harmed in all the recent fuss about choosing an embryo with the right genes to help a sibling? Both children will certainly be very well cared for. And it is care of the child that matters. (Wolpert, 2003)†. The views of religious segment of society stand in stark contrast to the notions entertained by Wolpert. In general, they raise three primary objections. First being that cloning humans could lead to a new eugenics movement where even if cloning begins with a benign purpose, it could devolve into a scientifcally generated caste ranking of superior and inferior people. Being such, it would interferes with the natural order of creation, eliminating the sanctity of God as a creator. And what’s more, cloning could have long-term effects that are unknown and harmful. People have a right to their own identity and their own genetic makeup which should not be replicated. Cardinal William Keeler, Archbishop of Baltimore sums it up more succinctly in humanistic terms ‘‘Cloning is presented as a means for creating life, not destroying life. Yet it shows disrespect toward human life and the very act of generating it. Cloning completely divorces human reproduction from the context of a loving union between man and woman, producing children with no parents in the ordinary sense. He re, human life does not arise from an act of love, but is manufactured to predetermined specifications. A developing human being is treated as an object, not as n individual with his or her own identity and rights. ’’ A slightly different perspective as espoused by Congressman Rush, would be a perspective on how diversity relates to medical research. In his words, â€Å"As an African-American, I’m keenly aware of racist prejudices and biases. The expansion of science can never be an end unto itself. The expansion of science must be viewed in the light of the agenda of those who espouse it and the impact it has on our public, on our way of life and on our God†¦ As noted, science and the biotech field has brought us great successes. We must not take action which will mpede the legitimate and safe use of biotechnology†¦I would argue that we must act with caution to ensure that future scientific successes which will make this world healthier and more prod uctive while tightly regulating and indeed banning those practices which pose a clear threat to the health, the safety, and the moral condition of our citizens. Might we never know how society and human clones will come to perceive one another? Perhaps not. Doron Blake is a 23 year old young man who came from the Nobel Prize Sperm Bank, for which eugenic-minded California inventor Robert Graham recruited various scientific geniuses to onate sperm. When asked to talk about his experience as a sperm-bank child, Doron said, â€Å"It was a screwed-up idea, making genius people. The fact that I have a huge IQ does not make me a person who is good or happy. People come expecting me to have all these achievements under my belt, and I don’t. I have not done anything that special. I don’t think being intelligent is what makes a person. What makes a person is being raised in a loving family with loving parents who don’t pressure them. If I was born with an IQ of 100 and not 180, I could do just as much in my life. The thing I like best bout myself is not that I’m smart but that I care about people and try to make other people’s lives better. I don’t think you can breed for good people. † According to Agar (n. d) human beings are motivated equally by both therapy and enhancement. Yet according to the examples provided above, there seems to exist an ethical divide between treating or preventing disease and enhancing traits. The privacy of persons and families being weighed against life’s existence is a rhetorical discussion that has not witnessed any proper resolution, perhaps because they are viewed as ends in themselves. This point may help in some sort or fashion Reinhold Niebuhr’s view of social conflicts – The human person, in Niebuhr’s account, is self-interested in the extreme. While the individual â€Å"moral man† can check his natural selfishness through conscience, self-discipline, and love, social groups—tribes, movements, nations—look out for their own and strive to dominate other groups. Everybody’s motives are always mixed. Order in society is achieved through the threat of force, so â€Å"society is in perpetual state of war. † Such intransigence in viewpoints could be the ill that lies at the heart human atrocities. The level of anti-abortion violence, seen in the US of the last three decades, which includes arson and bombing are only symptoms of a greater ill that has been galvanizing it. There is little justifiable rationale in the paradoxical actions of engaging in bloodshed and murder if life not death is its goal. This would be the tragic consequence which C. S. Lewis talked about when he observed that ‘‘man’s conquest of nature would result in the abolition of man. ’’ COMHH References Agar N. (n. d). Designer Babies: Ethical Considerations. Retrieved on June 16th, 2009 from http://www. actionbioscience. org/biotech/agar. html Connor S. (2009). Fertility expert: ‘I can clone a human being' Retrieved on August 4, 2009 from http://www. zavos. org/fertility-expert-i-can-clone-a-human-being-1672095. html Lee E (2003). Debating Designer Babies. Retrieved on June 15, 2009 from http://www. prochoiceforum. org. uk/ocrreliss7. php Macrae F. (2008). Couple to have Britain's first baby genetically modified to be free of breast cancer gene. Retrieved on June 15, 2009 from http://www. dailymail. co. k/health/article-1098034/Couple-Britains-baby-genetically-modified-free-breast-cancer-gene. html Malcolm R (2008). Genetically Modified Human  Baby? Retrieved on June 14, 2009 from http://healthandsurvival. com/2008/05/12/genetically-modified-human-baby/ Subcommittee on oversight and investigations (2001, March 28). Issues raised by human cloning research. Retrieved from http://republicans. energycommerce. house. gov/107/action/10 7-5. pdf Thomas V (2007) Children Have Rights – Say No to Repro Tech from http://childrenhaverights-saynotoreprotech. blogspot. com/2007/02/doron-blake-genius-designer-baby. html