Tuesday, December 24, 2019

Exploring the Horror of Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness

Exploring the Horror of Heart of Darkness nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; The horror, the horror! Kurtz exclaims prior to his last breath of life on earth. In those final moments, Kurtz was able to say something so true about the whole mess of human life. A life dominated by the fittest, perceived differently through each human eye, and full of judgement lacking understanding of all sides. The various ways the world is viewed causes many problems amongst its people. Whether they are about racism, wealth, or even common sense, conflicts are still subject to arouse. Why? The answer to this is not yet clear because of its complexity and endless variables. Yet what is clear is that it ties into two other aspects-prejudice and social†¦show more content†¦This could be of mere coincidence, but then again, it all depends. The reason behind the trip to the Congo is given a different purpose by each of the characters. Marlows aunt views it as a missionary to civilize its people and possibly become followers of her belief in Christianity. Marlow on the other hand, sees in it the opportunity of the occupation of his dreams and a chance to meet the mysteriously fascinating Kurtz. Most of these views, however, are judgements of situations out of fear and misunderstanding. nbsp; The most commonly made mistake throughout the world in past and present is prejudice. Judging without the true understanding of all aspects of a situation has caused entire civilizations to collapse. People will do incredibly stupid things when they are scared and uneducated about others. During the trip upriver to meet Kurtz, the Pilgrims are extremely fearful of the alleged cannibals, because of their skin tone, appearance and little understanding of them. These Cannibals were overworked, poorly fed and generally distrusted or disregarded by the pilgrims. After getting to know the Cannibals, Marlow began to view them in a different way and eventually grew closer with them then he did with the pilgrims. The Natives were seldom referred to in human terms, and usually described as though they were animals. A possibility for this is their different appearance in comparison to a typical European and their ways of life inShow MoreRelated The Evil of Colonialism and Imperialis m in Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad1559 Words   |  7 PagesExploring the Evil of Colonialism in Heart of Darkness   Ã‚  Ã‚   A masterpiece of twentieth-century writing, Heart of Darkness exposes the tenuous fabric that holds civilization together and the brutal horror at the center of European colonialism. Joseph Conrads novella, Heart of Darkness, describes a life-altering journey that the protagonist, Marlow, experiences in the African Congo.   The story explores the historical period of colonialism in Africa to exemplify Marlows struggles. Joseph ConradsRead MoreContradicting Symbolism in Joseph Conrads quot;Heart of Darknessquot;915 Words   |  4 Pages Joseph Conrad utilizes several important literary techniques throughout his story Heart of Darkness. One predominant method of his storytelling is the use of contrasting sensory imagery between black and white and altering the symbolism the colors entail. This theme is clearly prevalent when we read of Marlows childhood dreams and when comparing and contrasting the Africans, the Europeans, and the corruption of the ivory trad e. Generally, Africa and Africans are described in terms ofRead More Comparing Apocalypse Now and Heart of Darkness Essay1489 Words   |  6 PagesNow and Heart of Darkness   Ã‚   In the opening scenes of the documentary film Hearts of Darkness-A Filmmakers Apocalypse, Eleanor Coppola describes her husband Franciss film, Apocalypse Now, as being loosely based on Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness. Indeed, loosely is the word; the period, setting, and circumstances of the film are totally different from those of the novella. Yet, a close analysis of character, plot, and theme in each respective work reveals that Conrads classic storyRead MoreJoseph Conrad s Heart Of Darkness1713 Words   |  7 Pages Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, published in 1899, is a novella (a short novel or long short story) that is a good representation of the genre of colonial literature; it is about Marlow, who is a sailor, and his voyage up the Congo River. His top priority is to meet Kurtz, a man who is known for his success of collecting ivory and his other captivating potentials. Marlow’s journey begins once he accepts a job with the Company, a Belgian organization concernedRead MoreLight and Dark in Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness Essay1735 Words   |  7 PagesLight and Dark in Heart of Darkness      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Joseph Conrads novel, Heart of Darkness, was written to explore the soul of man. If the book is viewed only superficially, a tragic story of the African jungle is seen, but when examined closely, a deeper meaning arises. Through his narrator Marlow, Conrad uses the theme of light and dark to contrast the civilized with the savage.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Through the individual characters, Conrad creates the division between dark and light and blackRead MorePersonal Profits Crucial Role in Defining a Human Being861 Words   |  3 Pagestoward peers. A similar situation is seen throughout many works of literature such as Heart of Darkness, by Joseph Conrad, where a mariner named Marlow, who uncovers the mysteries and horrors of the African interior, seeks to meet an esteemed figure named Kurtz. When Marlow discovers Kurtz’s true nature and actions, he realizes the extreme degree of corruptness the human race possesses. In Heart of Darkness, Joseph Conrad suggests that humans only seek personal profit, shown through character relationshipsRead More Ambiguities Explored in Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness Essay1458 Words   |  6 PagesAmbiguities Explored in Heart of Darkness   Ã‚  Ã‚   Literature is never interpreted in exactly the same way by two different readers. A prime example of a work of literature that is very ambiguous is Joseph Conrads, Heart of Darkness. The Ambiguities that exist in this book are Marlows relationship to colonialism, Marlows changing feelings toward Kurtz, and Marlows lie to the Intended at the end of the story.    One interpretation of Marlows relationship to colonialism is thatRead More lighthod Light and Dark in Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness2308 Words   |  10 PagesLight and Dark in Heart of Darkness      Ã‚  Ã‚     Joseph Conrads repeated use of darkness in his novel Heart of Darkness has been widely interpreted. Readers have arrived at many different conclusions about the use of darkness throughout the novel. The critics themselves cannot agree what the darkness means.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The critics draw different conclusions about the use of darkness. For some critics, the use of darkness is seen as an intentional literary device. For example, Gary Adelman and MichaelRead MoreAnalysis Of Joseph Conrad s Heart Of Darkness969 Words   |  4 PagesIn Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, Marlow and Kurtz are two different types of competing heroes; each of the characters has strong ideologies. There is the classic European hero, at least at that time, taming the natives, the Congolese people, and exploiting them by â€Å"forced labor.† This â€Å"hero† is Kurtz. Marlow resembles more of a traditional hero in more of today’s terms. He is tough, diligent, and an independent thinker. Although he doesn’t really â€Å"save the natives, he does start to see themRead MoreThe Significant Role of Women in Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness1986 Words   |  8 PagesIn the 1900s novella Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conr ad, the protagonist often encounters women at landmarks of his life. Charlie Marlow is a sailor and imperialist who sets out along the Congo River to â€Å"civilize† the â€Å"savages.† The novella begins with a crew on the Thames waiting for the tides to change. During their wait, a character named Marlow tells of his exploits on the African continent. In his recounted travels, Marlow meets other imperialists such as Mr. Kurtz, a man who is obsessed with

Monday, December 16, 2019

Customer relationship management Free Essays

Customer relationship is not a new concept; companies have been interacting and dealing with customers since the inception of trade. Earlier more focus and attention was on product and services instead of customer centric. With increase in competition because of globalization and usage of internet changed the picture of business. We will write a custom essay sample on Customer relationship management or any similar topic only for you Order Now Customers have variety to choose from, more knowledge about the companies and products surely has titled power at customers’ side. With this scenario, companies realize the need of treating customers with utmost care. Therefore, searching for innovative ways to manage relationships effectively, not only to acquire new customers but also to retain the existing one. â€Å"CRM is the process of managing detailed information about individual customers and carefully managing all the customer ‘touch points’ with an aim of maximum customer loyalty† Acquiring new customers can cost five times more than costs involved in satisfying and retaining current customers. More companies are recognizing the importance of satisfying and retaining customers, which constitute the company’s relationship capital To retain the customers’ better approach is to deliver high customer satisfaction. Customer relationship management is about taking a long term approach to building relationships with customers. In olden days, business people and organizations would know their customer base from seeing them on a daily basis and learning their preference based on the relationship they shared with the customers. CRM is emerged as critical for organization in 1960’s where marketers found that 4p’s of marketing framework-product, price, place and promotion were less valuable without ongoing relationships with customers. Companies started putting customers in the middle of marketing program. In early days of CRM, there was no technology to support what companies were doing. CRM is not new, over the years companies has had to figure out how to build relationships with customers and lead to brand loyalty. The goal in CRM is to evolve from a mass marketing model, which was on product centric market structure to customer centric structure. Managing customer relationships successfully means learning about the habits and needs of your customers anticipating future buying patterns, finding new opportunities to add value to the relationship. Successful companies make the relationship something the customer values more than anything else they could receive from the competition. Company experience with customer not only with transactions but also with interaction like website visit, phone, call center and by direct mail. CRM helps in developing marketing programs that make sense to each customer segment, support cross-selling and customer retention programs, help to maximize the value of each customer’s interaction and deliver a consistent branding message by aligning products and services within each channel. CRM provides an integrated view of a company’s customer to every one in the organization so that customer can be serviced effectively. CRM helps companies to gather and access information about the customers’ buying histories, preferences, complaints. It allows tracing the needs of the customers and means to satisfy them effectively. The following are the aims of CRM: †¢ Increase efficiency of the organization †¢ Ability to provide quicker response to customer queries and complaints †¢ Getting insight of customer needs †¢ Providing more cross-selling opportunities †¢ Organized information to manage and lead †¢ Reduction in cost and increase in productivity †¢ Receiving customer feedback †¢ Providing common platform for customer communication and interaction. Today consumers are more educated, more and better informed, more technology savvy coupled with increase competition in the market. Organization needs to build a system which allows you to track, capture and analyze the millions of customer activities, both interactions and transactions, over a long period of time. This helps in creating promotions, developing new products and designing communication programs to attract and retain customers. By 1980s â€Å"relationship marketing â€Å"was used to describe this new focus of understanding customer segments, delivering ongoing quality service and high customer satisfaction. In 1990s computer systems were deployed to support sales and service process. Sales force automation system evolved while customer service and support systems became backbone of automated call centers. By late 1990s increase in internet usage supported e-business applications to manage online customer and partner relationships, called as e-CRM and partner relationship management. CRM emerged as discipline of set of discrete software and technologies that focus on automating and improving the business processes associated with and improving the business processes associated with managing customer relationships in the areas of sales, marketing, customer-service and support. Customer relationship management applications are most active software available to the organizations. Three converging trends have enabled the emergence of CRM applications as a major force in the market place. The fist trend is the availability of robust, scale decision support technology. This helps companies collect vast quantities of data from multiple, heterogeneous sources, such as accounting, manufacturing, human resources, sales force automation, and customer service applications. This provides the technological foundation for building a consolidated enterprise wide view of the customer. The second trend is the emergence of front-office applications. This focus on the sales and the marketing departments, and essentially transactional in nature. The third trend is the emergence of the one-to-one marketing phenomenon has helped companies to have their marketing activities focus on customer, rather than on their products, distributors, sales force or suppliers. Now â€Å"Multi channel CRM† systems available to support direct, internet and partner channels, while allowing users to use whatever mode of communication they are pleased. CRM started with marketing era focusing on customer needs and wants and satisfying it effectively which drive changes in the organization and work processes. It must start with a business strategy. CRM is really about using tools not only to achieve the personal relationships business but even to predict and serve the future needs. Major support and change came for CRM is technology break through since two decade which played a significant part in not only managing good relationship with customers but also with the partners of the organizations. How to cite Customer relationship management, Essay examples

Sunday, December 8, 2019

Embryonic Stem Cells free essay sample

Research on stem cells is advancing knowledge about how an organism develops from a single cell and how healthy cells replace damaged cells in organisms. The promise of this research is that if scientist can convert stem cell into regular cells like blood or heart muscles and put it back into the body, then maybe they might find a cure for some of the diseases that plague our world now a days such as Parkinson’s, diabetes, leukemia, heart congestion, bone marrow and many more by replacing failing cells with brand new cells. And the list for organ donors for heart and liver transplants might fade; ultimately this research might lead to practical, affordable ways to eliminate many diseases through DNA engineering. 1)What are Stem cells and where are they found? A)Is the future of medicine with stem cell research? B)What medical benefits have to offer and what it can cure? C) Can stem cell research very well be the next step to evolution? )What are the pros and cons of this research? A)For example is this research moral or immoral? Is it unethical and inhuman? B) Stem cells are taken from human Embryos. We will write a custom essay sample on Embryonic Stem Cells or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page C) Some may argued that these embryos are leaving people and should not be created for the sole purpose of creating cells. 3)Where does religions belief and government politics stand in all this? A)What are the consequences of politics together with moral divide and human ethics? B)Will the church and government politics have differences in opinions? Will the stem cell debate ever end? C)Why the church opposes Stem cell research? 4)Stem cells and Human Cloning. A) Why the people’s fear of human cloning? B) Is creating stem cells the same as cloning? Conclusion A)crossing ethical boundaries B)We are now leaving in a develop world where the discovery of medecine has come a long way.

Saturday, November 30, 2019

Mxico, D.F. 2015 Essays - DraftT.T. Blues, , Term Papers

Mxico, D.F. 2015 Estimado mayorista Presente A travs de stas lneas, nos dirigimos a Usted, con la finalidad de exhortarlo para que se integre como socio activo de la Asociacin Nacional de Abarroteros Mayoristas A.C., ANAM. Es muy importante para nuestro sector tenerlo a Usted como socio, ya que, al contar con las empresas ms relevantes de cada regin, logramos crear un sector mejor definido e identificable ante autoridades federales, proveedores de mercancas y de servicios con los cuales interactuamos en nuestra cotidiana labor comercial. Los objetivos por los cuales trabajamos en ANAM, desde nuestra fundacin son principalmente: . Lograr mayor representatividad del sector mayorista ante autoridades federales y estatales, relaciones que nos puedan ayudar como sector y si se presenta el caso, como socio individual para solucionar problemas que afecten la operacin del negocio; . Motivar la profesionalizacin y modernizacin del mayorista abarrotero, de manera que el mayorista sea el mejor medio para procurar que el detallista no solo subsista, sino que se inserte plenamente en nuestra nueva realidad comercial; . Promover ante los industriales polticas de equidad y respeto entre los diferentes canales de distribucin. Los mayoristas abarroteros socios activos de ANAM sabemos que debemos contar con la fortaleza necesaria ante nuestros principales proveedores, con el propsito de convencerlos para que nos ayuden a contrarrestar la desaparicin de nuestro principal cliente, EL PEQUEO COMERCIO, a travs de alianzas estratgicas que nos conduzcan a detectar las necesidades ms elementales del pequeo comerciante, para que conjuntamente ANAM y la industria, elaboremos programas de trabajo que permitan a los pequeos comerciantes contar con las herramientas necesarias y los conocimientos bsicos para administrar mejor su tienda, por medio de cursos de capacitacin, as mismo pretendemos que la industria apoye al pequeo comerciante para que modernice fsicamente su negocio. Algunos de los logros alcanzados por ANAM hasta el momento son los siguientes: . Editamos la revista denominada "ASI ES ESTO DEL ABARROTE". Cada dos meses se distribuyen 12,000 ejemplares con los socios de ANAM y a su vez con clientes de ellos. A travs de esta revista publicamos artculos cortos, pero interesantes para el comercio mayoristas y sus detallistas, y as estar capacitando al pequeo comerciante, con la finalidad de que sea un excelente vendedor y administrador de su propio negocio. . Anualmente organizamos la Exposicin y Venta ANAM, enfocada al mayorista abarrotero. En este importante evento, los principales proveedores del mayorista abarrotero exponen sus productos, algunos de ellos con un descuento especial para los socios de ANAM, adems de que este foro brinda la oportunidad de intercambiar ideas con los principales directivos de las empresas industriales. . Participamos en la elaboracin del Proyecto de Ley, donde estamos pidiendo se prohban y sancionen las prcticas desleales, tales como la venta por debajo de costo de los productos, y las decisiones unilaterales por parte de las cadenas de autoservicio. . Organizamos Congresos de Capacitacin para Socios de ANAM, con la finalidad de dar continuidad a un sinnmero de acciones que nos llevarn a la capacitacin y preparacin terico-prctica necesaria para que nuestros asociados cuenten con los conocimientos bsicos y suficientes para seguir mejorando, y as ser ms eficientes y competitivos ante nuestros principales competidores. . Participamos en reuniones con ANGECAI, AMECE, CANAINCA, ANDIVYL y otras asociaciones, con la finalidad de estar al da de lo que acontezca en Mxico y especficamente en nuestro giro y asimismo mantener la imagen de ANAM ante stas. . A travs del IDEDI (Instituto para el Desarrollo del Detallista Independiente) ofrecemos capacitacin para el personal de nuestros asociados con el fin de que ellos puedan transmitirlo a sus clientes detallistas en busca de la modernizacin y permanencia en el mercado de sus clientes. Todos lo materiales y manuales ser proporcionarn gratuitamente. Beneficios que obtendr al ser socio de ANAM . La ANAM, NIELSEN e ISCAM, empresas dedicadas a realizar estudios de mercado, realizaron un contrato para investigar y recopilar informacin del canal mayorista, esta informacin solo ser para todo aquel socio que haya firmado contrato de acuerdo, sin costo alguno, con aquella empresa para permitir realizar dicha investigacin, as mismo, los datos arrojados por este trabajo estar disponible nicamente para mayoristas socios de ANAM. . Participar en el Congreso de Capacitacin a celebrarse en mayo dirigido para Socios de ANAM. La asociacin apoya a los agremiados con el pago de una habitacin por dos noches

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Causes of Childhood Obesity Essay Example

Causes of Childhood Obesity Essay Example Causes of Childhood Obesity Essay Causes of Childhood Obesity Essay Causes of Childhood Obesity Obesity is a superfluous amount of fat in the body. Obesity happens when a person’s body receives many more calories than it can burn by itself during the day. In other words it means that people eat generous helpings of processed food; moreover, this food can consist of a lot of cholesterol, which is extremely dangerous for the human body. Childhood obesity today has grown rapidly and has become a disturbing epidemic in many countries in the past few decades. Studies show that since the early 1970s, the percentage of both children and adults who can be characterized as overweight has doubled. According to a survey by the Public Health Agency of Canada in 2007, self-reported rates among children from age 12 to 17 of obesity were 2. 9% for girls and 6. 8% for boys. It is interesting that children who have problems with weight are more likely to become overweight adults. In a study by Lauren Marcus and Amanda Baron (n. d. ) it was found that obesity begins in childhood for 30 persent obese adults. Sientists give many reasons for obesity, but the main three causes of childhood obesity are genetics, lack of activity, and children nourishment at school and at home. It is proven by scientists that genetics plays an important role of human beings. In spite of a fact that childhood obesity became a problem recently, the scientist already have evidence that childhood obesity is at least partly caused by genetics. Studies show that some ethnic groups have more prerequisites to be obese or are more defenseless to obesity-related disorders; moreover, a high body mass index could be associated with some genes (Denis Daneman and Jill Hamilton, 2010). A lot of people believe that a child has a 50 percent chance to be obese, if he or she has one overweight parent. When a child has both parents who are obese, there is an 80 percent or less chance of being obese. No doubt, genes affect how a person’s body stores fat and how it is distributes through the body. Besides, genetics plays an important role in how rationally the body burns received calories during the day and burns calories during exercises, and also how effectively the body produces energy from food. Even though a child is genetically predetermined to obesity, exercises and a diet both in families and in schools are the main causes to gain weight. Lack of activity is another cause of childhood obesity. It is proven that daily participation in school physical education contributes positive effect to physical development, and builds a strong muscle system for the future. If a child is not active during the day, his body can’t burn as many calories as it needs to burn, and as a result, from year to year a child gains more weight. Doctors Trembley and Willms in 2003 argued that â€Å"Automated labor-saving devices and inexpensive and ubiquitous access to calorie-dense food create an environment conducive to obesity. Excessive TV watching and video game use have been identified as a stimulus for excessive eating and sedentary behavior†. According to the research of Tremblay and Willmas a risk of being overweight is around 17 to 44 percent, and 10 – 61 percent of being obese is a consequence of watching TV and playing video games (ibid). It is necessary for children to have and participate in the active life; otherwise that calories received from a junk food in front of the TV couldn’t be burn properly by the body. That is why a child’s sedentary lifestyle serves as a gateway to the childhood obesity. Childhood diet at home and at school is the most important cause of childhood obesity. However, the members of the family share not only their genes, but also a diet habits that contribute a lot to childhood obesity in a family. Children of all ages spend half of their day in a school; therefore, school food is a very important part of children’s diet. It is not a big secret that the food which children eat every day at school is fast food. Furtheremore, everybody knows fast food is highly processed, and unhealthy in all its forms, so what children receieve is food made of off-the-shelf components, says Jamie Oliver (2010). A simillar situation at home, at first glance it is so convenient for parents to make purchases at supermarkets, buy a half-finished products and spent less time on cooking. Nevertheless, that food usually does not contain any nutrients; as a result the children’s body doesn’t get all useful vitamins to develop properly, so the metabolism can’t work at its full capacity or burn calories as well. It has been argued by Michael Wieting (2007) that obese children drink much more sugary drinks and eat more fries, potato chips, meat substitutes with ketchup and mayonnaise, and eat white bread. These all contribute to the higher calories, sugar, and fat intake. In the end, it is clear that childhood obesity can be caused by three main reasons such as genetics, lack of activity, and nourishment at school and at home. Genetics could influence how the body copes with calories, but if a child’s parents don’t take care over their progeny’s diet oth at school and at home, and also don’t organize child’s activity, he or she might gain weight easily in a very little time. Not only parents have to take care about their children, also everybody should remember that childhood obesity is becoming a dangerous epidemic in many countries, and everybody’s task is to prevent obesity, because children are our future. Bibliography Daneman, D. , Hamilton, J. (2010). Causes and consequences of childhood obesity. Retrieved from aboutkidshealth. a/En/News/Columns/PaediatriciansCorner/Pages/Causes-and-consequences-of-childhood-obesity. aspx Michael, W. (2008). Cause and Effect in Childhood Obesity: Solutions for a National Epidemic. The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, 108(10)), 545-552. Retrieved from jaoa. org/content/108/10/545. full Marcus, L. , Baron, A. (n. d. ). Childhood Obesity: The Effects on Physical and Mental Health. Retrieved from aboutourkids. org/articles/childhood_obesity_effects_physical_mental_health Oliver, J. (2010). Jamie Olivers TED Prize wish: Teach every child about food [Video File]. Retrieved from ted. com/talks/jamie_oliver. html Pulic Health Agency of Canada. (2009). Obesity in Canada – Snapshot. Retrieved from phac-aspc. gc. ca/publicat/2009/oc/pdf/oc-eng. pdf Tremblay, M. S. , Willmas, J. D. (2003). Is the Canadian childhood obesity epidemic related to physical inactivity? (Vol. 27, pp. 1100-1105). Retrieved from http://chaausa. nonprofitoffice. com/vertical/Sites/%7B0635C236-197E-47C6-8FBB-A80A08D4715B%7D/uploads/%7BB25D71A3-6FC3-4315-A19C-B8B476011EB2%7D. PDF

Friday, November 22, 2019

Dear John by Nicholas Sparks Book Review

'Dear John' by Nicholas Sparks Book Review Dear John is trademark Nicholas Sparks - romantic, sappy, sad, and redeeming. The book revolves around the love story of an army sergeant who falls in love shortly before 9/11. Dear John is one of Sparks most popular stories, and became known to an even wider audience after it was made into a movie in 2010 starring Amanda Seyfried and Channing Tatum.   Summary Dear John  starts in the present day, in terms of the books timeline, with John watching Savannah from afar. He is thinking about how much he loves her and why their relationship dissolved. Lost in a train of thought, John then takes the reader back in time and narrates the story of their love. The whole book is narrated by John, who joined the army to get away from his reclusive father and to straighten out. While he is on leave at home in Wilmington, North Carolina, he meets Savannah. They soon fall in love, but Johns time in the army post-9/11 weigh on the couples relationship. Review There is, unfortunately, not much more to say about the book other than its a predictable love story.  Dear John  has a pretty formulaic plot. Sparks writing is smooth and easy, but the characters are not memorable or complex. Furthermore, the love story is not very realistic. That being said, the characters are likable, if not particularly nuanced, and Johns relationship with his father creates a nice subplot. Although Sparks is one of the first to set the age-old boy meets girl love story in the modern, post-9/11 world, he does not delve into how the war affects the characters. In  Dear John, it could be any war keeping them apart. This specific war is not important. Overall,  Dear John  is a  quick, easy read that is not painful but also not extremely enjoyable to read. If you need  some beach reading, go ahead and borrow it. It will give you a few hours of  escape if nothing else. Recommended for those who like sappy romantic comedies, and at times tragedies, but not for those who like a little meat in their reading.  If you like previous books by Sparks, you will probably enjoy  Dear John.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Kia company Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Kia company - Research Paper Example For KIA motors this would include highlighting the energy efficiency of the cars and focusing on low cost of maintenance. This strategy is effective at a time when the purchasing power of the consumers is low. The recent economic downturn has led to a severe dip in the disposable income levels of individuals. Moreover fuel efficiency is also a vital factor at a time when fuel prices are sky rocketing. The company can also promote and replicate its ‘KIA Approved’ strategy that would include providing extended warranties and other benefits and an effective after sales service to lure customers (KIA, 2010). Finally KIA motors can enter into a strategic alliance with a local company of high repute. The strategic alliance would involve collaboration between KIA and its partner in the area of marketing and promoting the product including sharing retail space etc. The alliance with an established local partner would help improve the attitude of the consumers towards the brand and would instill greater confidence among the customers and lead to development of positive attitude among the customers generating sustainable competitive

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

What is opera (with reference to Moses and Aron by Schoenberg) Essay

What is opera (with reference to Moses and Aron by Schoenberg) - Essay Example Snowman defines it in passing as â€Å"an art form that aspires to combine all the others†1 and goes on to chart the history of opera as a pastime of the elite which started in the Renaissance, reached its peak in the nineteenth century and began to decline in the twentieth century. This paper looks at the nature and purpose of opera in the twentieth century with specific reference to the unfinished masterpiece Moses and Aron which was written by classical composer Arnold Schoenberg (1874-1951) between 1930 and 1932. In the mediaeval period most people encountered formal music principally in religious settings but after the great turbulence of the Reformation, there came a time of gradual extension of musical performance into the salons of high society. Wealthy patrons of the Renaissance commissioned music to be written for special occasions such as weddings and coronations. In France the ballet form emerged, and in Italy genres such as the pastorale became popular: â€Å"The attraction of the pastorale consisted therefore, not in the plot but in the scenes and moods, the sensuous charm of the language, and the delicately voluptuous imagery, at which the Italian Renaissance poets excelled.†... tieth century new genres, and notably also technology such as gramophones and radio, extended the range of genres for musical production available and brought musical performances to still further sectors of the population. Schoenberg’s compositions were, however, unreservedly directed at the music-loving elites, and his choice of theme for his own modern opera harks back to the religious heritage of the Old Testament. Snowdon describes the changes that opera had undergone in the intervening centuries as a negative process: â€Å"opera has become at best a museum of art, a kind of old-fashioned religion re-enacted inside great temples before a dwindling audience of the devout.† 3 This description fits the more intellectual style of opera and it can be contrasted with what Snowman calls the â€Å"dumbing down of a once great art form to the point where any appeal it has beyond the narrow world of the cognoscenti is necessarily derived from the imposition of hype, shock and bogus sex appeal.†4 Schoenberg’s Moses and Aron is musically difficult, both to perform and to listen to, and it deals with ancient themes using heavy moral and religious overtones. It hardly seems likely to attract a wide audience, but for Schoenberg, the composition of both text and musical score seem to have meaning beyond the immediate context, serving to some extent as a life’s work, or a summing up of the most important elements in his own view of the world that he wants to leave for posterity. Schoenberg had a complex religious background, being born a Jew in Roman Catholic Austria, and then converting to Protestant Christianity before returning to his Jewish roots in later life.5 This return was provoked by the rising anti-Semitism that was gaining ground in central Europe in the early

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Accounting Regulations Essay Example for Free

Accounting Regulations Essay Accountant Responsibilities By: Jennifer Koppelman March 11, 2014 Accountant Responsibility Accountants have responsibilities to many different groups such as their clients, the government and third parties. It is important that accountants act in a particular manner and have high ethical standards, integrity and professionalism. Accountant’s job responsibility is to validate financial statements and perform the duties in accordance with all the principles, standards and laws. Even though an accountant is hired by a company, they have a responsibility to many more people than just the company. Some of the people that accountants are responsible to, would be the companys management, investors, creditors, outside regulatory bodies, and the integrity of the financial markets. Accountants need to be consistent and constantly be carefully exercising due diligence and pay close consideration of the materiality of content (Accountant Responsibility). Accountants have a code of professional conduct that they should adhere to. This states that accountants should maintain objectivity and be free of conflicts of interest in the discharging professional responsibilities. An accountant in public practice should be independent in fact and appearance when providing audit and other attestation services. Situations where accountants will need to show objectivity would be when they are felt compelled to deliver bad news to a client or employer based on an analysis that they had performed (Colson, 2004). There are two different types of auditors; internal auditors and external auditors which have different responsibilities. Internal auditors have the main responsibility to develop statements that present the financial situation of a company in a fair way, meaning that as much disclosure as necessary to give a reasonable picture of the financial situation to any user having a claim to the knowledge. External auditor’s responsibility is to affirm that this has happened by issuing an opinion as to whether the financial statement fairly presents the financial position of that corporation (Duska, 2005). Accountant Responsibility to Clients Accountants have a professional responsibility to clients to keep their information confidential. The rule states that a member in the public practice shall not disclose any confidential client information without the specific consent of the client. This also extends to other accountants not directly involved with the client who obtain information through practice reviews or sanctioned disciplinary hearings to maintain confidentially. There are certain exceptions that facilitate compliance with other professional and legal obligations. Maintaining confidentiality is not only a professional obligation but also a legal obligation. General knowledge and expertise obtained through a client engagement is not considered to be confidential information (Cashell). Accountants have ethical responsibility to protect their clients, produce financial statements and tax returns that are to the best of their ability after performing proper due diligence. If there was an event that an audit would occur for a government agency they should represent their clients with professionalism. Accountants should always maintain the highest ethical standards. Accountants perform essential and critical roles in society. Accountants have responsibilities to all of those who use their professional services. The American Institution of CPAs has an official rule, Rule 301 states a member in the public practice shall not disclose any confidential information without the specific consent of the client. Accountant’s number one responsibility is to its clients, it is important that accountants do not disclose client information to anyone without the client’s permission first. There are consequences to the accountant if they do not keep client information confidential. It can also have a negative effect on the clients business, which will negatively affect the accountant also (ET Section 301 Client Confidential Information). CPA Responsibility to Clients Case Even when an accountant has the intention to warn others of pending financial harm the courts have held that accountants must not give any client information, client information should always remain confidential. In a case Wagenheim v. Alexander Grant Co the court ruled that Alexander Grant improperly divulged confidential information about their client, Consolidata Data Services, to other clients. Consolidata Data Services, an audit client of Alexander Grant performed payroll services for several of Alexander Grants other clients. Alexander Grant discovered that Consolidata Data Services was having financial difficulty; Alexander Grant warned their other clients to stop doing business with Consolidata Data Services. Alexander Grant argued that the other clients would suffer financial damage without warning them. The ruling was against Alexander Grant, the court said that there was no proof that Consolidata Data Services was in a financial hardship that they could not recover from. Which Alexander Grant had no legal right to inform third parties of the financial burden that Consolidata Data Services was in (Cashell, 1995). It is important that accountants keep client information confidential at all times. The accountant might not know the whole picture of a business and a company can state that they could have recovered from the financial burden but because the accountant may have told other clients that could ruin the reputation of the client and affect the business. It is always safer not to say anything in regards to the financial situations when you have an obligation to your client. Accountant Responsibility to Third Parties Accountants do not have as much liability to third parties as they do to clients. Accountants have a liability to third parties who are relying on the audit information, only if there is fraudulent conduct or proof of negligence would they be liable to the third party. When public accountants are done with an audit of their clients records and financials they put an opinion letter which sets forth, among other things, the scope of the audit and a professional opinion concerning the financial representations. Even though third parties may rely and act upon the auditor’s opinion, the auditor is contractually bond only to the client and usually owes nothing, no legal duty to third parties for negligence (Greene, 2003). Accountants need to be very careful when warning outsiders of a client’s fraud. Based on prior court cases, CPAs generally do not have an obligation to inform outsiders of known fraud unless if they remain silent they are becoming culpable themselves. It is a risky situation if an accountant decides to blow the whistle (Cashell, 1995). Accountants are generally not responsible to third parties in contracts because there is no privity of contract. However, accountants can be held to be a common law duty of care towards third parties in certain circumstances, despite that there is no contractual duties. Circumstances that give rise to such duty have been considered in a substantial number of cases in recent years and three general tests have been developed. One of the tests would be if there is foreseeability damage, proximity between parties and considerations of justice and reasonableness. Another test would be testing the assumptions of reasonability. If the court would take an incremental approach in comparing the relationship in any given case to previously decided cases in which a duty of care had been recognized or rejected. An accountant can be liable to a third party if the accountant knew or should have known that they were relying on the audit, only for fraudulent conduct and proof of mere negligence is not sufficient. If the accountant knew that the audit report for the client was intended to supply the information to a third party who would rely on the information. If the third party would be relying on the information in a decision concerning transactions involving the client and the third party (Professional Liability of Accountants Auditors). Duty to Disclose to Third Parties In some cases information should be disclosed to third parties but an accountant needs to be very careful and proceed accordingly. If it is detailed in their engagement letter, which is a written agreement to perform services in exchange for compensation then an accountant has a duty to disclose information. Once the letter is signed off on by an officer then the letter serves as a contract (Engagement Letter). In one case; Fund of Funds Ltd. v. Arthur Andersen Co. the CPA had a duty to disclose. Arthur Andersen was the auditor for two clients, Fund of Funds and King Resources Corp. King Resources Corp developed natural resource properties and agreed to be the sole vendor of such properties to Fund of Funds at prices no higher than those charged to King Resource Corp industrial clients. Arthur Andersen learned the agreement was not being met but failed to inform Fund of Funds. The court did rule that Arthur Andersen should have disclosed this fact to Fund of Funds because they had knowledge of the overcharges, knew the terms of the agreement that was being violated and the language of their engagement letter produced a contractual obligation to reveal that information. Another case involving duty to disclose, this one a CPA was found that he did not have a duty to disclose information. The case Gold v DCL Inc. , Price Waterhouse Co. informed DCL in December that they intended to qualify their audit report on DCLs financial statements. DCL was in the business of leasing computers and Price Waterhouse believed that their ability to recover their computer equipment costs was impaired due to the impending release of a new line of more powerful computers by IBM. In February, DCL announced earnings without mentioning Price Waterhouses concern and on February 15 Price Waterhouse was replaced. The court ruled that there was no basis in principle or authority for extending an auditors duty to disclose beyond cases where the auditor is giving or has given some representation or certification and the silence and inaction of the defendants auditors did not make them culpable. The courts reasoning that the CPA did not have to disclose was because the auditors had issued no public opinion, rendered no certification and in no way invited the public to rely on their financial judgment there was no special relationship that imposed a duty of disclosure (Cashell, 1995). Accountant Responsibility to the Government Different local, state and federal governments have different rules and regulations that accountants need to learn for the area and industry that they will be working in. This is important to find out and comply with the different regulations. This is part of an accountant’s responsibility to provide accounting services that are in compliance with the government regulations for your client’s particular industry. There may be different regulations for different industries so it is important to know which regulations are pertinent to your client. CPA for Responsibility to Government Case Some state laws might grant accountant client privileges, but these laws do not usually extend to a summons or subpoena related to a Federal Investigation by such agencies such as the IRS, or the SEC. In a case, Couch v. United States, the Supreme Court concluded that no Federal accountant client privilege exists and state created privileges do not apply to Federal cases. Before an accountant is responding to a Federal agency, the accountant should be sure that they are only responding to a valid and enforceable subpoena. In another case, Roberts v. Chaple, the Appellate Court ruled that the accountant violated Georgias statutory accountant client privilege because he provided information to the IRS without having been served a valid summons or subpoena. Some state privilege laws could also affect the ability to release information pursuant to a review of a CPAs practice. Firms are responsible for meeting and keeping client confidentiality obligations whenever state statutes do not clearly provide a confidentiality exemption for a peer review of a firms practice. Whenever an accountant is not sure on if information should be released it would be best to consult a lawyer and obtain legal counsel to ensure that they are not breaking any laws or violating any confidentiality agreements or obligations(Cashell, 1995). Conclusion Accountants need to be ethical and practice with the highest professionalism and ethics. Accountants have many responsibilities not only to the client that they are servicing but to the government and to third parties. Responsibilities are higher to clients then third parties but it is important to know when and where your responsibility for each is. If an accountant is negligent or not responsible to the parties when they should have been there are consequences. An accountants main responsibility is to their client, it is important to keep client information confidential at all times. Not keeping client information confidential can have a negative effect and consequences on the accountant and the client. It is important that accountants do not disclose client information without the permission from the client first. All accountants need to have and maintain the highest ethics, professionalism and confidentiality.

Thursday, November 14, 2019

homes Essay example -- essays research papers

Except for the fairly elaborate chieftains' houses, Greek dwellings remained simple through classical times. A passageway led from the street into an open court off which three or four rooms were reached, the whole being fairly small in scale. The Roman houses, as seen, for example, at Pompeii, also stood at the street's edge. Past a vestibule was an open space called the atrium, from which the sleeping rooms were reached; a colonnaded garden often stood in back. In ancient Rome most people lived in the equivalent of apartment houses, three to five stories high, with apartments ranging from three to six rooms; some were like tenements, others were elaborate. At ground level were rows of small shops. The rich had huge villas outside the cities that were composed of living quarters and pleasure pavilions. IV. Houses of Medieval EuropePrint section This comparative sophistication in housing disappeared during the so-called Dark Ages in Europe. Although castles and primitive manors housed many people, most of the remaining population were packed into simple, unsanitary dwellings huddled within the walls of small cities and towns. The countryside was unsafe, and agriculture and population both declined; the prosperous farms of classical antiquity disappeared. Slowly, after AD1000, conditions improved, first around the great monasteries and then in the expanding cities. The rise of a prosperous mercantile class resulted in the construction of large town houses and in due time country manors. Comparatively peaceful conditions brought some improvement in housing for farm serfs, but the living conditions of the poor town-dweller continued, on the whole, to be miserable. By the end of the Middle Ages the concept of the palace had evolved from the idea of the grand town house. These palaces were elaborate dwellings for ranking ecclesia stics, merchant princes, or ruling families; they might occupy a whole block and contain, in addition to ceremonial and private apartments, quarters for large numbers of retainers and hangers-on. V. From the Renaissance to the 19th CenturyPrint section The palace was perfected during the Renaissance and remains one of architecture's most enduring images, a dignified, large-scale city element that has been adapted and repeated ever since. Palaces were first built in Florence, Italy, and then throughout the Western world. In France... ...ouses that broke with historical architectural styles were slow to be accepted. As early as 1889 the American architect Frank Lloyd Wright built a house embodying new concepts of spatial flow from one room to another. He and others, both in Europe and in the United States, soon moved toward a domestic architectural style of metric forms and simplified surfaces largely free of decoration. Contemporary changes in painting and sculpture were allied to this movement, and by the 1920s modern architecture, though by no means universally accepted, had arrived. Glass, steel, and concrete reinforced with steel gave architects many new design options, and by the mid-20th century the modern house was commonplace. Glass boxes, freely curving styles, and stark, austere geometric forms were all possible; but at the same time traditional styles persisted, and in the U.S. many homeowners found a more or less standard, one-floor, two- or three-bedroom ranch house satisfactory. VIII. Houses of the Far EastPrint section House types in India vary greatly according to region, climate, and local tradition. The villages have courtyard houses as well as simple, single-volume dwellings; in the cities,

Monday, November 11, 2019

Aquatred Case

Goodyear should maintain their three current distribution outlets of small independent dealers, manufacturer-owned outlets, and franchised dealers while expanding distribution to target more specific types of consumers and geographic regions for their Aquatred launch. The current distribution channels for Goodyear projects have been successful; therefore, there is no reason to change something that works. Especially with its high price and high quality, the Aquatred would not be successful in distribution through service stations, warehouse club, or mass merchandisers due to their low cost focus.Goodyear should analyze specific types of consumers who would be most likely to purchase the Aquatred tire and push sales heavily towards this market segment. As discovered in the market tests, consumers who purchased Aquatred tires were more likely to have researched information about the tire prior to purchase, drove an imported car, and specifically sought out the Aquatred tire for purchas e upon entry into a distribution center. Goodyear should use the knowledge to promote information on the Aquatred to consumers matching the above characteristics.For example, Goodyear should heavily promote and advertise the Aquatred tire due to the fact that the target consumer is research oriented before purchasing. Goodyear could also have a specific concentration on outdoorsy consumers. Consumers that frequently off-road and participate in other rural terrain areas would need a better quality tire with more safety for hazardous weather conditions. In addition to focusing on specific consumers, Goodyear should also target particular geographic regions that Aquatred would benefit most.Areas with large rain quantities would be more likely to purchase the Aquatred tire. Goodyear should look into meteorological patterns to determine such areas of focus. When car owners were surveyed about most important tire attribute, wet traction was the second most important which indicates that t he interest already exists among consumers for a product to better serve this need. Also, Goodyear could tie in the human psychological need for safety by putting emphasis on Aquatred’s safety benefits in wet conditions.Consumers especially those with families will be more likely to overlook the higher cost in order to have a product more likely to ensure their safety and protection. In order to combat the issue of price, Goodyear could instill a loyalty program among its Aquatred users. Therefore, once consumers have initially purchased the product, there would be an even greater incentive to continue using Aquatred. Also, Goodyear would pocket the expense of the discount so dealers are satisfied with greater revenues thus a greater incentive to sell the Aquatred tire.Such a program would ease the tension on price among dealers and consumers. In addition to the loyalty program, Goodyear may need to develop a â€Å"promotion price† that would look like a deal to consum ers but still ensure Goodyear receive their targeted price. The price is critical due to the fact that 75% of all Goodyear tires are sold on promotion and the company should be wary not to drive away large numbers of consumers due to price sensitivity.

Saturday, November 9, 2019

The Public Needs to Know †Revised Version Essay

Our program against domestic violence provides a safe shelter for victims and their families within our community. In order to support a broad range of issues and diverse group of victims, our program has many services available to ensure the safety of everyone involved. Staying at our shelter is usually the first step towards a normal life for a family that has a history of domestic violence. It is our goal to apply all areas of our expertise to ensure the safety and rehabilitation of every family that reaches out to us for help. Shelters have been proven to be a way out for victims who are generally in a more violent situation than victims that would use other services while still staying at their home (Itzhaky & Ben Porat, 2005). Our program is comprised of many services to provide the greatest amount of help to the victim. Though not every victim or family will need a physical shelter to stay, ensuring that we always have a safe place for victims to stay at is always our primary concern. For the duration of their stay, the victim will work closely with our professional staff to assist with fixing or finding the safest way out of the victim’s relationship. Residents of the shelter follow a plan established by our councilors that has been tailored specifically for each victim. We provide basic necessities that would be needed for day-to-day life at no charge. We can also provide a means for the victim to apply for food stamps since in most situations, the aggressor has the only form of income for a family. Our shelter has a state-of-the-art alarm system, which will give the victim a peace of mind that their aggressor will not be able to come after them under our care. Although it is not to be used as a replacement for 9-1-1, we offer a crisis line for individuals that feel the need to speak to a counselor right away. The crisis line is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our counselors are able to give immediate advice on domestic violence situations, and can assist the victim with leaving the home or residence they are currently staying at to safely make it to our shelter. If a counselor feels that the  victim is still in immediate danger, he or she will contact emergency services for the victim to ensure that no one is harmed. Child abuse, whether direct or indirect, is another area in which we offer our services. Many times, the children affected have witnessed domestic abuse happening between their parents, and may have been victims themselves. We have counselors in our shelter that are educated and trained to help children become social, and ensure that their interaction with other children is safe for everyone. Male children that see domestic violence happen in the household are three times more likely to apply domestic violence in their own household when they are grown up (Straus , Gelles, & Steinmetz, 1980). During their stay at the shelter, we will provide transportation for the children to get to their current schools. We have an on-site clinic for all domestic violence victims to use at any time, but for severe injuries, we will refer victims to the hospital. Many cuts and bruises can be tended to within our shelter, so using our clinic does not create a financial burden for the victim since a hospital will charge for a visit. Counseling services are also offered by our program, and do not require residence within the shelter for a victim to speak with a counselor. Areas of counseling include providing advice to victims that do not want to leave their current residence, help with victim’s friends or families, and serving victims that have previously stayed at the shelter. We offer one-on-one counseling with trained professionals, and group counseling for victims that have experience similar levels of abuse. It is important for victims of domestic violence to understand that they do not necessarily need to stay in our facilities in order to receive help. Sometimes friends or family of victims will suspect that something isn’t right in their relationship, and our counselors can assist acquaintances with reaching out to the victims to ensure that the victim receives the help they need. Public education is the final, and sometimes overlooked service that we offer as a domestic violence shelter. Not all victims wish to initiate the call for help, and spreading our word that we are here to help can give them the drive they need for us to provide our services. In order to ensure we reach the most amount of people in our community, we have brochures in almost every public facility in the area. We strive to reach areas that are geographically separated from major cities, since women who are far away from shelters are more likely to  delay requesting services from domestic violence shelters (Saftlas, Wallis, Schochet, Harland, & Peek-Asa, 2011). Domestic violence shelters are very important for the victim to have, benefits of our shelter immediately affect the victim’s quality of life. After just three weeks, most victims will already feel an improvement in their situation and have a greater outlook on life (McNamara & Fields, 2000). Without our shelter, victims of domestic violence would have nowhere else in the community to turn for a long-term shelter and assistance. As long as a victim is staying at our shelter, that person is no longer in a situation where they can be harmed, emotionally or physically. Our shelter benefits the community by strengthening each victim to become an independent person, and enables each person of the community to turn around and give back to different areas by volunteering to help others. In conclusion, our shelter provides many services that would suit the needs of many victims from domestic violence. We provide housing, crisis support, help for children, basic healthcare, counseling, and public education to help as many victims as possible. The benefits of our shelter are specifically tailored to assist the victim get back on track to have a normal healthy life again. Finally, it is our goal to provide the highest level of service to each person that reaches out to us, since it could be our very own friend, family member, or colleague. References Itzhaky, H., & Ben Porat, A. (2005). Battered women in shelters: Internal resources, well-being and integration. Affilia, 20, 39-51. McNamara, J., & Fields, S. (2000). Psychological Reports. Differential functioning of outpatients and patients of a domestic violence shelter on the abuse disability questionnaire, 56, 893-894. Saftlas, A., Wallis, A., Schochet, T., Harland, K., & Peek-Asa, C. (2011). Prevalence of intimate partner violence among an abortion clinic population. American Journal of Public Health, 100(8), 1412-1415. Straus, M. A., Gelles, R. J., & Steinmetz, S. K. (1980). Behind closed doors: Violence in the American family. Garden City, NY: Anchor Press/Doubleday.

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Free Essays on Home Networking

Home Network Design & Installation â€Å"The Complete Home Office† Introduction Today, many companies are taking advantage of current Information System technology by connecting a workplace to the home office. A carefully designed home office network can provide a secure connection to a common private network and the Internet. This will increase productivity in companies’ across the globe. Worldwide communication can be established between remote locations and main offices through phone lines, cable systems, satellite connections, and wireless technologies. The three phases in setting up a home network are: design, installation, and administration. In phase I, the design, system requirements are determined based on the applications and the required speed of the network. Once the system requirements are established, the network equipment is selected along with the computer workstations. In phase II, the equipment is installed and connected through the network. The home network can be connected through category 5 wire, existing phone lines, and or wireless transmitters and receivers. A firewall is connected between the home office and the outside world. The firewall will protect your network from hackers trying to access your network. In phase III, the computer systems are tested for correct operation in the network environment. This phase includes system administration for the network. A home office requires system administration similar to that in the work place. User accounts can be established to monitor and control access to workers or family members. The Benefits of a Home Office The numerous benefits for establishing a networked home office are becoming more apparent to the business world of the new millennium. Many companies are allowing certain employees to work at home. In a study by Sage Research, John Borden states that An amazing 75% of respondents agree that telecommuting allows their organizations to retain ... Free Essays on Home Networking Free Essays on Home Networking Home Network Design & Installation â€Å"The Complete Home Office† Introduction Today, many companies are taking advantage of current Information System technology by connecting a workplace to the home office. A carefully designed home office network can provide a secure connection to a common private network and the Internet. This will increase productivity in companies’ across the globe. Worldwide communication can be established between remote locations and main offices through phone lines, cable systems, satellite connections, and wireless technologies. The three phases in setting up a home network are: design, installation, and administration. In phase I, the design, system requirements are determined based on the applications and the required speed of the network. Once the system requirements are established, the network equipment is selected along with the computer workstations. In phase II, the equipment is installed and connected through the network. The home network can be connected through category 5 wire, existing phone lines, and or wireless transmitters and receivers. A firewall is connected between the home office and the outside world. The firewall will protect your network from hackers trying to access your network. In phase III, the computer systems are tested for correct operation in the network environment. This phase includes system administration for the network. A home office requires system administration similar to that in the work place. User accounts can be established to monitor and control access to workers or family members. The Benefits of a Home Office The numerous benefits for establishing a networked home office are becoming more apparent to the business world of the new millennium. Many companies are allowing certain employees to work at home. In a study by Sage Research, John Borden states that An amazing 75% of respondents agree that telecommuting allows their organizations to retain ...

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Word Choice Angel vs. Angle

Word Choice Angel vs. Angle Word Choice: Angel vs. Angle Do you have a guardian angle watching over you? If so, is it acute or obtuse? Oh, wait. We may have confused the words â€Å"angel† and â€Å"angle† there. It’s an easy mistake, as you can’t rely on divine intervention to ensure perfect spelling. But you can check out our guide to what these terms mean. Angel (Guardian Spirit or Divine Messenger) â€Å"Angel† is a noun that refers to a spiritual being or a messenger from God: He was visited by an angel from the Lord. We often picture angels as human-like figures in robes with wings, halos and harps. But there is one part of the Bible that describes them as having â€Å"six wings . . . covered all over with eyes, inside and out,† which is a little more horrifying than the version you’ll see in a church. No eyes on these guys wings. (Photo: Evelyn Simak) Sometimes, we also use â€Å"angel† to suggest someone is morally good: She’s such a well-behaved little angel! This doesn’t mean that the person so described has scary, eye-covered wings, though. In this case, it simply suggests angelic behavior. Angle (Space Between Intersecting Lines) Used as a noun, an â€Å"angle† is a space between intersecting lines or surfaces: The internal angles in a triangle always add up to 180 degrees. We can also use â€Å"angle† as a verb meaning â€Å"position at an angle or incline†: She angled her visor to protect her eyes from the sun. â€Å"Angle† has some secondary meanings, too. As a noun, for example, it can also mean â€Å"point of view or approach.† And as a verb, it can mean â€Å"design for a particular audience.† For instance: We need a new angle if want to attract more viewers. We have angled the new edition at younger readers. Finally, â€Å"angling† is also a word for fishing with hooks. Summary: Angel or Angle? These words may contain the same letters, but they are very distinct in meaning (nor do they sound the same when spoken): Angel is a noun that refers to a guardian spirit or divine messenger. Angle is usually a noun that refers to a space between two intersecting lines. However, it is also often a verb meaning â€Å"incline at an angle.† If you struggle to remember which is which, keep in mind that the â€Å"-gel† in â€Å"angel† is pronounced the same as in â€Å"hair gel† (you could even imagine an angel gelling its hair, if that helps). And to guard against typos, we recommend having your work proofread by a professional.

Saturday, November 2, 2019

Describe Joe leap horn Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Describe Joe leap horn - Essay Example Thatcher came to Joe’s aid by seeking his help in investigating a heinous crime. Joe agrees to live the house and accompany Thatcher for the investigation. The chapter presents Joe Leaphorn as a complex character who accommodates the Navajo traditions and the western thinking. Joe studied at assimilationist schools where he specialized in cultural anthropology though he did not like it (Hillerman 68). He dropped his academic pursuit and joined Navajo Tribal Police to be close to his wife, Emma. He lacked a deep connection with Anasazi culture and adopted the western way of thinking. However, he respected the Navajo rituals and the society had immense respect for him. Apparently, the balance between respect for traditions and modernity depicts Joe as a fascinating character. The chapter presents Joe as an intuitive and dedicated cop who knew the terrain very well thus becoming significant in criminal investigations. Indeed, the chapter ends by showing how Joe Leap Horn succeede d in unearthing the mystery behind the Houk

Thursday, October 31, 2019

Cybercrime Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Cybercrime - Essay Example The most feared setback in computer technology is cyber crime (Ross 2010). Cybercrime is a criminal activity that is done through the use of computers and the internet as a tool to target a victim. This illegal activity involves downloading illegal music files to the theft of millions of dollars from online banking systems. It also involves non-monetary crimes such as distributing and creating viruses on other computers or even the posting of confidential business information and data on the internet. On the other hand, cyber crime is classified into three different groups (Kiesbye 2012). This occurs among the government and a business entity through the use of unauthorized access over the computer system without knowing the owner. It is also meant to send programs with the aim of crashing the computer system virus trafficking software. Cybercrime has developed to become one of the fastest growing areas of crime. An increasing number of criminals have been exploiting the convenience, speed and anonymity that the modern technologies offer so as to commit a diverse range of criminal activities. Moreover, the world’s nature of internet usage has given criminals an opportunity to commit any criminal activity any place around the globe. This has made it important for each and every country to adapt domestic offline to detect and cover crimes committed out in cyberspace. In recent years, cybercrime has evolved. In the past it was committed by small groups or by individuals. Nowadays, there has been an emerging trend where traditional organized crime syndicates and criminal minded technology experts working in hand in combining their resources and expertise (Stefoff 2009). There are two types of cybercrime. They are cybertheft and cybervandalism. Cybertheft is the activity of using the internet to steal property or interference with another person’s enjoyment of resources through computers for making illegal

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Law Enforcement Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Law Enforcement Paper - Essay Example Policing in the United States dates back to the pre-colonial period, an era characterized by high level of immigration from European countries into the country. Immigrants from Britain formed a significant proportion of the foreigners and the United States later became a British colony. This colonial relationship played a major role in the development of the current modern policing and common law in the United States. According to Uchida (2004), the modern features that define American internal security such as community policing, crime prevention and hierarchical police command originate from British law enforcement agencies. As early as 900 AD, Uchida (2004) notes that law enforcement in United States was the responsibility of every citizen. Individuals used state authorized powers to uphold order in the society, a type of policing which Walker (1977, p48). refers as â€Å"kin police†. Because there was no police, individual persons were responsible for security of their rel atives. This type of security later developed into a formalized communal policing that was adapted from 1066 to 13th century. The defining characteristic of policing during the period was a community-based model called frankpledge (Uchida, 2004). This model comprised of small groups, each made of nine boys above the age of twelve years. These groups were called â€Å"tythings† and members came from the same neighborhood Uchida (2004 p23). Each member was sworn to uphold security by protecting fellow citizen, apprehending criminals and taking them to court of law (Uchida, 2004). This form of security organization was compulsory in nature and was enforced by the state although the members were compensated for their work. During this period, United States was under the rule of English Monarchy and absolute loyalty was necessary. A constable who was appointed by the local nobleman commanded a group of ten tythings (Uchida, 2004). Therefore, the constable was the first police offi cer with official security responsibilities beyond helping his neighbor. The tythings were grouped into larger units of hundreds, which were then collaborated into larger units, called â€Å"shires† (Uchida, 2004, p25). The head of each shire was called â€Å"sheriff†, an appointee of the king. This form of security system disintegrated in the 13th century as result of insufficient supervision from the king (Uchida, 2004, p28). The parish constable structure took over and adapted the same system, although it gave the constable more powers than in the preceding system. The constable commanded a group of watchmen who guarded entry points and gates of towns at night. This form of English security arrangement continued in the 17th and 18th centuries (Walker, 1977). The sheriff, constable and the watch formed the core hierarchical system of police system in the United States. The sheriff headed the police operations in a county and the governor appointed him. The role of sh eriff included collecting taxes, arresting criminals serving subpoenas in addition to making court appearances. In big tows and cities, the night watch reported fires, detained and arrested suspected criminals, raised the alarm, maintained street lighting in addition to walking around in the towns to ensure security. Constables were responsible for taking criminals to court, removing health hazards in the towns and ensuring that witnesses appeared in courts (Walker, 1977).

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Culture Between Brixton And Brick Lane Cultural Studies Essay

Culture Between Brixton And Brick Lane Cultural Studies Essay It is undoubtedly the case that we live in an age where wealthy people dominate the world and that there is strength in numbers. Many would argue gentrification has a negative effect in towns whereas others claim it brings richness to inhabited poor towns. It is clear that both Brixton and Brick Lane have suffered from their consequences but how good are those? However, not only gentrification affects the culture of a determined place, but also does the commodification as it happened since not many years ago in both Brixton and Brick Lane. As with the gentrification, the consequences are different between both areas and will be analysed below. Gentrification is defined as the process by which wealthier (mostly middle-income) people move into, renovate, and restore housing and sometimes businesses in inner cities or other deteriorated areas formerly home to poorer people. Because of this prices rise and, these rising prices then force out the remaining population of lower income people and more middle and upper income people are attracted, perpetuating the cycle of gentrification. As a result, in many cases, large families are forced to leave the area because they cannot afford to pay such high rents leading to a change in the culture of the place. This way, those poor families who have to face the hard reality of measuring each coin they own in order to feed the whole family and pay all the expenses so that they are not kicked out. That is how it works, some rich people not satisfied with their current wealth want to enrich even more even though they are ruining others ´ life. In general, gentrification is driven by people with little empathy and rather selfish whose only aim is to be greedy. Others would argue that gentrification brings richness to the culture and economy of the area and that it does not have any setbacks. Fortunately, there are few cases when gentrification has been welcomed because it has not been done with evil intention. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES But, which are the advantages and disadvantages of gentrification? On the one hand housing values increase for homeowners and also an increase of tax revenues for city services. Furthermore, reinvestment is made in infrastructure, roads, water mains, local schools etc. Another positive aspect would be that some businesses expand or change to serve new populations and this enhances the economy. In addition to this, housing stock might be renovated and upgraded to the income of money to the area. As there economy enhances, development of job opportunities occurs either in the short term or in the long run. All these lead to the redevelopment of urban core in a short period of time. Likewise, for those working downtown, the commuting reduces considerably. Finally, gentrification brings the concentration of population and public services in existing areas thereby reducing suburban sprawl. On the other hand, a great deal of disadvantages exists. First of all, as previously mentioned, higher income investors displace lower income residents making them feel angry. In other words, burden of economic displacement placed on those least able to afford it. Another downside of gentrification is that it disrupts community institutions rooted in neighbourhoods. However, the one of the worst drawbacks could be that forces people to move away from community institutions built to serve needs. Obviously, due to all these facts, racial and economic conflict during the transition period could be increased. Gentrification also has a bad effect on markets as markets can be manipulated to serve developer interest at the expense of older residents and new investors. Last but not least, it increases urban density and parking/traffic problems in neighbourhood. BRICK LANE As far as Brick Lane ´s gentrification is concerned, famous artist who were looking for cheap studios and workshops, got interested in and attracted to Brick Lane. Unfortunately, if we focus on this side, gentrification has had a negative effect on Brick Lane because local artists have been victims of displacement owing to their higher rent. Should we look it from the point of view of culture, Brick Lane is losing little by little its well-known creativity since numerous computer art companies are taking over the area. As a result of its unusual historical heritage, Brick Lane has turned into the home of many different backgrounds. The Bangladeshi is still the leading ethnicity in the area followed by the Asian community. After that, hipsters are progressively becoming the third most influential community in Brick Lane. Nevertheless, as gentrification changes the same do a lot of ethnicities and that can be reflected in younger generations of Bangladeshi who are willing to separate from their parents without losing their roots. Nevertheless, fortunately, despite the gentrification attempts, Brick Lane remains almost exclusively Asian. The Bangladeshi ´s strength in the area is so noticeable that many investors do not dare to go there so Brick Lane does not even suffer the consequences of gentrification. Of course it has suffered from it but like many other places in the world. We could say that the culture of Brick Lane is almost intact when it comes to consequences of gentrification. That could be seen in the fact that Brick Lane and its surrounding streets house are some of the poorest people in Britain, yet within a few hundred yards to the west lies the City of London the richest area of the UK. BRIXTON When it comes to Brixton ´s gentrification, the gentrification process started 20 years ago more or less although the process has become noticeable only during the last few years. The typical newcomers to the area are middleclass young professionals working in London, looking for modern flats at a relatively affordable price in a trendy area such as Brixton. Even though gentrification forces residents to leave their neighbourhoods, numerous families who have lived in Brixton for a long period welcome the changes because they feel the process will give them the chance to improve their quality of life. Thanks to the increase of the value of houses provoked by the gentrification, various families can afford now larger houses and they can give their children a better education in better schools. In spite of the fact that some of them do not have more choice but to leave Brixton, most shops and market stalls remain, and a large amount of people who have left the area come back to Brixton in order to go shopping or whatever they are willing to do. Because of its sheer proximity to the London center, the neighborhood is getting more urbanized and civilized and money is invested in the areas real estate. Apart from the improvement of the neighborhood through gentrification, Brixton can also benefit from the cultural tourism. Although gentrification has commonly a bad connotation because diminishes the local culture, to my mind, gentrification is having a good effect on Brixton. This is supported by the fact that the area is becoming little by little even safer and the poor economy is enhancing as well. The point is that the Afro- Caribbean culture is very strong because those who left come back in order to run their businesses and those newcomers of the area are eager to adapt and experience the local culture. Nowadays peoples of different nationalities and ethnicities mix in the district but Afro-Caribbean still predominate. However, it is true many families were forced to move unfairly but I think it has been worth happening because the positive sides overweight the negative ones. COMPARISON Taking into account all these facts, I feel the gentrification of culture between Brixton and Brick Lane is being different from my point of view. Brick Lane has hardly suffered the process of gentrification and the culture remains almost intact whereas the gentrification in Brixton is being tougher. The culture of Brixton is being affected but I think it is being for the good of Brixton because it used to be a controversial place where it is famous because of its crimes and drug dealers, therefore I think a renewal is needed as long as it does not destroy the little Jamaican ´s culture and heritage. COMMODIFICATION Commodification is the transformation of cultural icons, personalities or artifacts into a commodity. Cultural commodification can be understood as the process of eating others. You bring your own culture to a new place and step by step you achieve to settle it down and thus, then the new assembled culture is normal in the place. The previous culture in a specific place is altered and substituted by a new one. BRIXTON One important moment of Brixton happened in 1948 when immigrants from Jamaica on the Empire Wind, arrived in England looking for a better life, these British African- Caribbean individuals were housed and worked in Brixton. This is regarded as a landmark in history as the symbol of multiculturalism society in Brixton. It is thanks to this movement why it can be noticed easily the commodification of culture nowadays in Brixton. As you walk through the streets, it is rather difficult not to realize that you are surrounded by a different culture because the stores, restaurants, people and smells make you feel you are in a new environment. Not only do you come across with Caribbean food in restaurants and afro Caribbean people, but you also find in markets clothes and bags with the Jamaican flag and colors. Obviously, the Bob Marley is present almost everywhere. Nevertheless, it is not just about Jamaican culture in Brixton, there are also South American Butchers and restaurants are an important part of the picture along with Vietnamese and Indian supermarkets. Unfortunately, commodification has brought bad things to Brixton as well. Brixton is known as the drug capital of London where is not weird to catch people smoking cigars in the street being this due to the Rastafarian movement who think smoking is something good. Likewise, commodification has created a rather uncomfortable sensation in Brixton because is one of the most dangerous places to live in London because its rate of crime. Brixton used to be a place where the British Afro-Caribbean culture had its center but now this is dissolving into a more general and commercially viable mix of cultures. BRICK LANE The commodification of culture in Brick Lane is rather high nowadays as I could feel when I went there more than a month ago. The commodification could be reflected in almost every single aspect of the life in Brick Lane. First of all, what really impressed us was the amount of Indian restaurants in the zone. Therefore, food is one of the most important factors which have changed the culture in Brick Lane in the last decades. Of course, the amount of Bangladeshi was surprising even though it was market day and a lot of tourists come in order to have a memorable time. Everything is clearer if we see that Brick Lane is known as Bangla town because there might be a rationale to being called like this. In 1970s when Bangladeshi refugees moved into the Brick Lane the new religion was introduced, the Islam. Although there are diverse ethnicities, Bangladeshis dominate the area. Furthermore, the street art is very important in Brick lane and gives a special ambiance to the area and the famous markets too. COMPARISON In both Brixton and Brick Lane the commodification of culture is rather relevant because they are very famous in London because of its determined cultures. They differ from other areas in London In Brixton the black community is still present but as tourist flock the area, the commodification of culture is changing again. The original culture is changing into something new. I think this good due to the setbacks about crime and drugs I have just mentioned above. In Brick Lane the commodification is an important part as well and it can be seen very easily if you go to Brick Lane. The advantage of Brick Lane ´s commodification is that there are few problems in Brick Lane and it is a safe place to live whereas Brixton has received many claims CONCLUSION Whether it is viewed as positive or negative however, there is no doubt that gentrified areas are becoming important parts of the fabric of cities worldwide. There is no doubt that Brick Lane and Brixton are very famous because of its cultures and that they have its different charm. However, nowadays, Brick Lane ´s situation regarding culture seems to be better because the gentrification is not high and the commodification is benefiting the area whereas Brixton is suffering more the consequences of gentrification and the culture is changing quicker than in Brick Lane and the commodification in Brixton is giving little benefits to the area.

Friday, October 25, 2019

Locked out of Culture Essay -- Education, Tradicional and Mainstream E

When growing up in a traditional civilization and continuing education in a mainstream environment, one can notice the work of two opposing ways of life. If one could study a traditional identity closely, one may sometimes see a mainstream identity in most of that organization’s people. Usually, a culture is any group of individuals that share the same beliefs, philosophies, and customs; identity can be defined as the image and viewpoints that others see when they look at someone. When looking into someone’s traditional organization, one can easily see two opposing identities. Similarly, Robert Bellah explains the formation of identity in his essay â€Å"Community, Commitment, and Individuality† which shows how identity comes about. Traditional society places a moral authority over its subjects, while the mainstream society does not. Such power can be seen in the Old Chinese customs inside of Maxine Hong Kingston’s essay. Her essay â€Å"No Name Womanâ₠¬  discusses a story of a Chinese mother abusing her own power to teach her daughter a lesson in morality. Some people within a group are responsible for giving power and identity; power is the ability to have more influence inside a culture at the expense of someone else. In addition, Dean Barnlund argues that because both groups want to increase their own well being, their opposing identities must clash with one another. He talks about cultural behaviors in â€Å"Communication in a Global Village.† All of these authors provide key wisdom into such things as culture, identity, and power. Customs can sometimes become a problem. One discovers that it is mandatory that one must reexamine his own identity. Until then, many problems may surface when transitioning between two contradictory cultures. In o... ...d onto the responsibility of two separate viewpoints and values systems. The statements in this essay could or could not be true. Different meanings for culture, identity, and power, may exist out in the real world. The connections made in this essay may not be true to everyone because all of us have different definitions for these key terms. Such evidence in this essay leads to a conclusion of foreseeing becoming trapped between two different styles of beliefs. We saw that, two different beliefs comes from the groups that one has associated. When compared against other people these beliefs and experiences can be held responsible, cultural problems arise. These problems make someone’s switch between organizational climates harder for an individual. Based on all of this evidence, anyone can conclude that they have become locked out of both organizational climates. Locked out of Culture Essay -- Education, Tradicional and Mainstream E When growing up in a traditional civilization and continuing education in a mainstream environment, one can notice the work of two opposing ways of life. If one could study a traditional identity closely, one may sometimes see a mainstream identity in most of that organization’s people. Usually, a culture is any group of individuals that share the same beliefs, philosophies, and customs; identity can be defined as the image and viewpoints that others see when they look at someone. When looking into someone’s traditional organization, one can easily see two opposing identities. Similarly, Robert Bellah explains the formation of identity in his essay â€Å"Community, Commitment, and Individuality† which shows how identity comes about. Traditional society places a moral authority over its subjects, while the mainstream society does not. Such power can be seen in the Old Chinese customs inside of Maxine Hong Kingston’s essay. Her essay â€Å"No Name Womanâ₠¬  discusses a story of a Chinese mother abusing her own power to teach her daughter a lesson in morality. Some people within a group are responsible for giving power and identity; power is the ability to have more influence inside a culture at the expense of someone else. In addition, Dean Barnlund argues that because both groups want to increase their own well being, their opposing identities must clash with one another. He talks about cultural behaviors in â€Å"Communication in a Global Village.† All of these authors provide key wisdom into such things as culture, identity, and power. Customs can sometimes become a problem. One discovers that it is mandatory that one must reexamine his own identity. Until then, many problems may surface when transitioning between two contradictory cultures. In o... ...d onto the responsibility of two separate viewpoints and values systems. The statements in this essay could or could not be true. Different meanings for culture, identity, and power, may exist out in the real world. The connections made in this essay may not be true to everyone because all of us have different definitions for these key terms. Such evidence in this essay leads to a conclusion of foreseeing becoming trapped between two different styles of beliefs. We saw that, two different beliefs comes from the groups that one has associated. When compared against other people these beliefs and experiences can be held responsible, cultural problems arise. These problems make someone’s switch between organizational climates harder for an individual. Based on all of this evidence, anyone can conclude that they have become locked out of both organizational climates.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Alchemist Answer Key

1)Why does Coelho open with the modified myth of Narcissus? How does the new version differ from the original one? How does it change the myth’s meaning? What might the author be suggesting about how we perceive ourselves and the world? Paulo Coelho began with the tale of Narcissus to show the reader that when you are so caught up in your own life you do not realize the greater things like nature and friends. It differs because it leaves out how the lake was also too caught up in its own beauty to notice other people. The new myth focuses more on positive outcomes from unfortunate events while the original is negative. It portrays everything to be self-centered. This relates to the tale of the Alchemist because, in chasing his personal legend, Santiago had to learn to see the world for all that it was, not just as it related to his personal struggle. 2)The novel opens with Santiago thinking about his sheep. What does he observe about their existence? How might the sheep symbolize the way some people live their lives? How does his observation that they â€Å"have forgotten to rely on their own instincts† foreshadow later events in the story? He observes that all they are concerned with is eating and sleeping. They do not have deeper thoughts or needs. Just like people that do not try to learn or grow, they continue blandly through life. They don't look around or try to learn from those around them. Because Santiago is different, he bravely leaves his comfortable existence and travels to the pyramids in search of his treasure. Along the way he learns to trust in himself and to understand the ways of the earth. 3)To what degree is his father’s observation about travelers (â€Å"They come in search of new things, but when they leave they are basically the same people they were when they arrived. â€Å") true about Santiago? )The old man tells Santiago the story about the miner and the emerald. How does it connect to Santiago’s situation? What does he mean when he says that â€Å"treasure is uncovered by the force of flowing water, and it is buried by the same currents†? What does this quote have to do with the miner/emerald story? 5)What point does the old man’s story about the boy in the castle and the drops of oil make? How might this story apply to us in our modern lives? You shouldn't worry too much about your family and flock that you don’t enjoy everything that is around you, but you also shouldn't completely forget about the ones you love. )How does the King assist Santiago in recognizing omens? When does Santiago use this help? The king opens Santiago's eyes to the possibility that there are signs/omens all around him and that he needs to be on the lookout for these as he goes about his life. God has prepared a path for everyone to follow. You just have to read the omens that he left for you. Santiago uses this help when he does not know where to go or what to do. 7)How do Santiago’s thoughts and perceptions about himself and the world begin to change on pages 42-44? Describe three (3) things that Santiago sees now that he has never noticed before. )Why do you think Coelho chose crystal? How does the crystal merchant’s explanation for not taking the pilgrimage to Mecca hig hlight the difference between Santiago and the merchant? Coelho chose crystal merchant because he wanted to showcase the different paths a person may chose in life. Whereas Santiago feels eager to pursue his Personal Legend and get to Egypt, the crystal merchant fears pursuing his own dream to make a pilgrimage to Mecca because he worries he will have nothing to live for afterward. 9) The Englishman and his goals are described in the novel. What is he looking for? What does he demonstrate to Santiago that the Englishman already knows? Santiago says that the progress made at the crystal shop is an example of the principle of the Soul of the World. What does he mean? How does he define this? How does he connect the idea to the relationship between the caravan and the desert? 10) The oasis is described in great detail. How does its lushness, laughter, and color reflect what Santiago finds there? Where else in the story does Coelho provide details about the physical setting in order to lend more meaning to the events which occur there? 1)What is the meaning of the two (2) dead hawks and the falcon in the oasis? How does this omen change Santiago’s status in society? It doesn’t really have a meaning santiago has the skill of knowing future. It is not nature telling him the future, but he can feel the future as Santiago is capable of entering and understanding the soul of the world and well as the language of the world. This lets him understand and â€Å"read† the future through the omens. The reading of omens in the natural world gives Santiago a special status reserved for men much older and learned than he is. 2) During his trek through the desert with the alchemist, Santiago is told of many basic truths. The alchemist says, â€Å"There is only one way to learn. It’s through action. Everything you need to know you have learned through your journey. † What are some of the things Santiago has learned through action? 13) Why did Santiago have to go through the dangers of the tribal wars on the outskirts of the oasis in order to reach the Pyramids? At this point, the boy remembers the old proverb: â€Å"The darkest hour of the night came just before the dawn. How does this apply to his situation now? At the end of the journey, why did the alchemist leave Santiago alone to complete it? Santiago must endure trials in order to fulfill his Personal Legend and thus comprehend the Lan guage of the World. One's goals are never reached unless we are willing to face fears. The proverb totally applies to his situation as things become their very worst before they get better. The alchemist left Santiago alone because every person's journey is an individual one; no one can help you realize your own dreams. 4) Earlier in the story, the alchemist told Santiago â€Å"when you possess great treasures within you, and try to tell others of them, seldom are you believed. † At the end of the story, how does this simple lesson change Santiago’s life? How does it lead him back to the treasure he was looking for? When Santiago encountered the thieves, he told them the truth, and they didn’t believe him, which saved his life. This quote from earlier in the book was mentioned, about how people become more skeptical when they are older: Everyone, when they are young, knows what their Personal Legend is. At that point in their lives, everything is clear and everything is possible. They are not afraid to dream, and to yearn for everything they would like to see happen to them in their lives. But, as time passes, a mysterious force begins to convince them that it will be impossible for them to realize their Personal Legend. † 1) What is alchemy? What processes were involved? Who performed it and why? Who were the famous alchemists of the medieval period? Alchemy (the â€Å"Royal Art†, or â€Å"Great Work†), a form of speculative thought, is perhaps best known as attempting to turn base metals into gold, and for trying to discover a cure for diseases and a way of extending the human life span. The word alchemy comes from the Arabic word al-kimia. It is in fact a system of thought, related to broad disciplines including natural philosophy, medicine, astrology, metallurgy, and hermetic thinking. The name alchemy is largely known to the west today due to its connection with the philosophy that surfaced in 12th century Europe via contacts with the Arabic world. But the study of alchemy and alchemical processes seems to be quite universal, with some evidence of it from ancient India, China, Persia, Egypt, and others, describing specific experiments with mercury, salt, and sulphur, etc. Transmutation, or change from one state of existence into another, is a key concept in Alchemy – for example, the process for lead to change into gold, or, for someone to go from a state of sickness to health, or from old age back to youth again (the â€Å"elixir of life†). The transmutation of metals was to be accomplished by a specific powder or elixir, often called the â€Å"Philosopher's Stone†, which would cause the changes to occur. The alchemists, after a profound examination of natural processes and the secrets of nature, arrived at a view that involved two polarities of nature; one being mercury, the volatile intellect, and the other, sulphur, connected with the soul. Paracelsus added a third principle, salt, which as a solid, corresponds to that of the body. To the alchemist, these Paracelsian â€Å"Tria Prima† are not only chemical substances, but spiritual forces. The qualities of heat, dryness, coldness and moisture were, according to Aristotle, joined with the â€Å"prima materia† to develop into the four elements. Alchemy has been practiced for centuries by mainly chemists for the reason that they wanted to discover the relationship of man to the cosmos and take advantage of that relationship to the betterment of mankind and to find the â€Å"philosopher's stone,† an elusive substance that was believed to make possible the creation of an elixir of immortality and the transmutation of common substances into gold. In Middle Ages alchemy was used as a tool in advancement of medicine. Zosimus, Geber, Albertus Magnus, Paracelsus Isaac Newton, Roger Bacon and St. Thomas Aquinas were the famous alchemists of the medieval period. 2) Research the Philosopher’s Stone and the Elixir of Life. The philosophers' stone or stone of the philosophers (Latin: lapis philosophorum) is a legendary alchemical substance said to be capable of turning base metals (lead, for example) into gold (chrysopoeia) or silver. It was also sometimes believed to be an elixir of life, useful for rejuvenation and possibly for achieving immortality. For many centuries, it was the most sought-after goal in Western alchemy. The philosophers' stone was the central symbol of the mystical terminology of alchemy, symbolizing perfection at its finest, enlightenment, and heavenly bliss. Efforts to discover the philosophers' stone were known as the Magnum Opus (â€Å"Great Work†). The philosophers' stone has been attributed with many mystical and magical properties. The most commonly mentioned properties are the ability to transmute base metals into gold or silver, and the ability to heal all forms of illness and prolong the life of any person who consumes a small part of the philosophers' stone. Other mentioned properties include: creation of perpetually burning lamps, transmutation of common crystals into precious stones and diamonds, reviving of dead plants, creation of flexible or malleable glass, or the creation of a clone or homunculus. The philosophers' stone is created by the alchemical method known as The Magnum Opus or The Great Work. Often expressed as a series of color changes or chemical processes, the instructions for creating the philosophers' stone are varied. When expressed in colors, the work may pass through phases of nigredo, albedo, citrinitas, and rubedo. When expressed as a series of chemical processes that includes 3 stages multiplication, and projection. The elixir of life, also known as elixir of immortality and sometimes equated with the philosopher's stone, is a legendary/mythical potion, or drink, that when drank from a certain cup, at a certain time, grants the drinker eternal life and/or eternal youth. Many alchemists pursued it. The elixir of life was also said to be able to create life. It is related to the myths of Thoth and Hermes Trismegistus, both of whom in various tales are said to have drunk â€Å"the white drops† (liquid gold) and thus achieved immortality. It is mentioned in one of the Nag Hammadi texts. Comte de St. Germain, an 18th century nobleman of uncertain origin and mysterious capabilities, was also reputed to have the Elixir and to be several hundred years old. Many European recipes specify that elixir is to be stored in clocks to amplify the effects of immortality on the user. Frenchman Nicolas Flamel was also a reputed creator of the Elixir.