Synthesis Into the Wild and Where I Lived, and What I Lived for free essay sample

The Tragic Hero and Happiness in Into the Wild Jon Krakauer, fascinated by a young man in April 1992 who hitchhiked to Alaska and lived alone in the wild for four months before his decomposed body was discovered, writes the story of Christopher McCandless, in his national bestseller: Into the Wild. McCandless was always a unique and intelligent boy who saw the world differently. Into the Wild explores all aspects of McCandless’s life in order to better understand the reason why a smart, social boy, from an upper class family would put himself in extraordinary peril by living off the land in the Alaskan Bush. McCandless represents the true tragic hero that Aristotle defined. Krakauer depicts McCandless as a tragic hero by detailing his unique and perhaps flawed views on society, his final demise in the Alaskan Bush, and his recognition of the truth, to reveal that pure happiness requires sharing it with others. We will write a custom essay sample on Synthesis Into the Wild and Where I Lived, and What I Lived for or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page McCandless’s family and peers expect him to live life a certain way, to follow the family tradition, however, it is McCandless’s high social standards for himself, and his sharp view of right and wrong, that would define the blueprint of his tragic flaw that caused him to go into the wild. In High School, McCandless would start to show some of his radical ideas about how he could help fix society. McCandless’s high school buddies explained that â€Å"’ Chris didn’t like going through channels, working within the system. †Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ (113) Instead, McCandless would often talk about leaving school to go South Africa to help end the apartheid. When his friends or adults responded by saying that you are only kids, or you can’t make a difference, McCandless would simply respond â€Å"so I guess you just don’t care about right and wrong ‘† (113). McCandless would grow to learn that his father had had an affair with his mother before they were married. Because of his simplistic black and white views, he would be unable to forgive his father. After graduating from Emory University in Atlanta, McCandless’s parents offered to buy him a new car as their graduation present. Contrasting what most teenagers would feel about this news, McCandless was shocked and offended, he â€Å"couldn’t believe they’d try and buy me a car† (21). McCandless did not believe in the idea of tangible gifts, he explained to his sister that â€Å"he would have to be real careful not to accept any gifts from them in the future because they will think they have bought [his] respect† (21). McCandless near insecurity of gifts, and his longing for a peaceful and moral world caused him to want to search for another life. After burning his wallet, giving all his remaining money to charity, and leaving his beloved car behind, McCandless abandoned his family and hitchhiked his way west as far as possible. These actions and ideas that McCandless developed while studying in college were only a blueprint for his tragic flaw, which would further establish itself while traveling alone in the West. While on the road and meeting people all over the country it becomes apparent that McCandless tragic flaw is in part to do with his love for simplistic beauty but also because of his fear of forming long-term relationships. Since leaving his old life, McCandless took the role of a vagabond, which he greatly enjoyed. One of the people he met on his adventure was an older man named Ron Franz. As time passed, they grew closer and closer to each other mainly because of their conflicting views on life. McCandless continuously urged Franz to explore the world and stop â€Å"sitting on your bum† (50). Franz however strongly urged McCandless to settle down and to tell his family that he is all right. Krakauer writes that after McCandless left Franz to continue onto his Alaskan adventure: McCandless was thrilled to be on his way north, and he was relieved as well—relieved that he had again evaded the impending threat of human intimacy, of friendship, and all the messy emotional baggage that comes with it. He had fled the claustrophobic confines of his family. He’d successfully kept Jan Burres and Wayne Westerberg at arm’s length, flitting out of their lives before anything was expected of him. And now he’d slipped painlessly out of Ron Franz’s life as well. (55) This passage highlights McCandless problems with intimacy and familiarity, which would eventually cripple him in the wild, and lead to his fatal catharsis. At least in part, it is clear that McCandless goes alone into the Alaskan Bush to ignore the responsibilities that humans face while in any close relationship. Moreover, McCandless significantly hurts his family by following his dream and goal of forgetting the corrupt and rotten society that he had experienced. The true paradox of McCandless’s story is his selfishness verses his uncontrollable sense of injustice in the world that in part caused him to want to retire from his old life. Though he often fantasized of fighting in South Africa to end the apartheid, and dreamed of ending hunger, McCandless was ignorant about what his parents and loved ones must have felt when he left. McCandless’s father Walt asks, â€Å"How a kids with so much compassion could cause his parents so much pain? † (104). This question is indicative of McCandless’s tragic flaw, his need to go into the wild. McCandless aspired for independence, and in a truly patriotic way he declared the â€Å"ultimate freedom,† the â€Å"voyager whose home is the road†¦the climatic battle to kill the false being within and victoriously conclude the spiritual revolution†¦No longer to be poisoned by civilization he flees, and walks alone upon the land to become lost in the wild. (163) McCandless’s final adventure was nearing, his confidence and jubilation rose, as his plans had all been successful to this point. McCandless’s clear flaws, and mixed character traits are the initial signs of a tragic hero in literature; unfortunately, McCandless would live out this literary concept himself. McCandless’s demise in the Alaskan Bush is due to a dramatic turn of events, which are consequently caused by his tragic flaw. McCandless started out strong, he found an abandoned bus that became his new home and he successfully hunted animals, while also able to find nearby plants that were edible. Nevertheless, his luck changed when after deciding he would bring his â€Å"great adventure† (163) to a close he realized that the overflowing river that separated him from the trail also separated him from the outside world. McCandless found it harder to find game, which caused him to rely on plants. There is no conclusive evidence as to what ultimately caused McCandless to starve to death, however he wrote in his journal a week before his death; â€Å"Extremely weak, fault of pot. Seed. Much trouble just to stand up. Starving. Great Jeopardy† (189). McCandless knew that he was most likely to die and his dream had unexpectedly backfired. The group that discovered McCandless’s body first came across a note that McCandless had written and posted on the bus in the same week before he died. The beginning of the note read; â€Å"S. O. S I need your help. I am injured, near death and too weak to hike out of here. I am all alone, this is no joke† (12). Aristotle writes that a tragic hero experiences â€Å"a disastrous change of fortune, or reversal, catapults him from the heights of happiness to the depths of misery. This fall usually comes as a consequence of a tragic flaw in the hero’s character and/or an error of judgment. It is clear that McCandless’s tragic flaw inspired him to hitchhike and live in the Alaskan wilderness. Moreover, as evidenced by his â€Å"declaration of independence† (163) McCandless was at the â€Å"height of happiness† only to fall into the â€Å"depths of misery. † The final recognition that McCandless experiences complete his journey that is char acterized as a tragic hero. When McCandless is starving, sick, and near death, he finally stumbles upon the truth that he had been running from. Next to McCandless body, a note read; â€Å" Happiness only real when shared† (1189). Though it is impossible to know for sure how McCandless would have changed his life if he were rescued, it is important to recognize that he did not completely, if at all- regret going into the wild. On the back of a poem entitled â€Å"Wise Men in Their Bad Hours† by Robinson Jeffers, McCandless said goodbye: â€Å"I have had a happy life and Thank the Lord. Goodbye and may God bless all! † (199) In addition, McCandless took a picture of himself â€Å"standing near the bus under the high Alaska sky, one hand holding his final note toward the camera lens, the other raised in a brave, beatific farewell. (199) The fact that McCandless was smiling and took the time to write that he had a happy life proves the final piece of any tragic hero. McCandless is certainty not depressed, and his moment of catharsis symbolizes the truth about happiness that McCandless had been searching for. McCandless depicts a real life American tragic hero, instigated by dream, and followed by a desire to live life for oneself. McCandless primary tragic flaw being his unwillingness to form long-term relations brought him both to the happiest moment of his life, but also to his demise. McCandless never had a problem with people, but rather with the status quo of society, the idea that a man or a woman has to live inside of a coordinate plane. McCandless left home and went on his adventure simply for his own well being, he achieved both what he wanted to accomplish while learning a valuable lesson along the way. He learned that happiness must be shared, and while everyone has his or her flaws, it is important to let these go. Christopher McCandless should teach people the importance of following your dreams, and the importance of enjoying the natural serenity of life.

The decision of one women Essay Example

The decision of one women Essay Example The decision of one women Essay The decision of one women Essay The decision of one women to offer her body as a host for another womans baby or even possibly to allow her own eggs to be fertilised by another womans husband and then pass it over after carrying it for nine months, is a tough decision and one not many could make. This essay will examine the for and against of this emotive subject.Some women go through fertility testing only to find they have a major health problem such as endometriosis, blocked tubes, mal-formed womb, were born without any eggs, have had an early hysterectomy or have polysistic ovaries. After having experience of infertility and its possible solutions, most would- be mothers embrace any kind of help offered to them. Some people however can only see the fact that one person has given birth to a baby and is intending to pass it over to another person to take up the role of mother. The fact that the baby is often the genetic offspring of the couple and simply baby sat by the host mother is beyond some peoples comprehe nsionMost of these problems can be solved by treating the woman for her relevant condition but there are just a couple that cant be overcome without the help of a third party. If the womans problem is endometriosis then there is a possibility of controlling the problem long enough for her to conceive and carry the pregnancy to term, however 30 -40% of sufferers will remain infertile. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopaedia online (2003.), these couples join the ranks of those needing outside help. An abnormally shaped uterus, often called T -shaped, or a cervix which is hostile to sperm are just two of the conditions that add to the list that IVF cannot be used to help and these are examples of the occasions when surrogacy can be the only answer.There are two types of surrogacy, gestational, when the egg from the mother is fertilised by the sperm from the father and the resulting embryo implanted in the surrogates womb and non-gestational where the surrogate is artificially inseminate d with the fathers sperm. The latter is more fraught with emotions as the surrogate has to hand over a child which is genetically half hers rather than just one which she has nurtured for nine months and, should she decide she wants to keep the baby, would give her more legal standing should the issue go to court. In the highly publicised Baby M case (1986-1988), Mary Beth Whitehead, the surrogate and biological mother, sued William and Elizabeth Stern, the babys father and his wife, for custody of the child. Although the surrogate mother was not awarded custody in this case, she was granted visitation rights. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopaedia online (2003).Surrogacy is legal in this country but payment of a fee is not, keeping the moral high ground on not buying and selling babies whilst allowing couples to accept help from friends and family. The law says that you can meet any reasonable expenses incurred by the surrogate but not allow her to make a profit on the arrangement. This only becomes a problem when the surrogate has to take unpaid time off from work and the couple dont want her to be financially out of pocket.In conclusion, the point of laws is to ensure that a woman cannot set up a business producing and retailing babies and this has to remain for Britain not to become a country that trades in human life. On the other hand should a woman who is otherwise physically capable and emotionally devoted to becoming a loving mother, be prevented from doing so by the cruel twist of fate that her womb is not perfect?

Saudi Dairy & Foodstuff Company Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4250 words

Saudi Dairy & Foodstuff Company - Case Study Example The company has been very successful in its operations because it employed the best strategies ever especially merging with Tetra Park, which led it to introduce more products to its normal production. This paper provides a clear picture of how the company was established, how it began operations, how it came to merge with Tetra Park the best strategies it employed in order to become the best in Saudi Arabia and how it is performing so far. The paper also describes the companies SWOT Analysis where it provides the company’s Strengths and Opportunities and Threats and Weakness. The company’s major threats include stiff competition from competitors, instability of economy, importation of similar products, unstable management, and incompetent staff. This paper mentions two main recommendations for these challenges. These are ensuring proper management, which leads to quality production, and proper marketing techniques, which include media advertisement. Therefore, it is ab le to give the viewer a clear depiction of the entire analysis of SADAFCO Company. Company Analysis Saudi Dairy & Foodstuff Company Introduction Saudi Dairy and Foodstuff Company (SADAFCO) was developed in 1746, with it’s headquarter centered in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The company’s production began in a year later with main concentration being on dairy products. Several other attainments were put in place in following years. ears. As from 1991, on top of milk-associated products engrossing ice cream, the firm has enlarged the product variety with the introduction of tomato paste, cheese (via the combination venture with Saudi New Zealand Milk Products (SNZMP) Saudi Arabia, snacks and hummus (through the attainment of Sara Snack Foods Factory in 1995). 1SADAFCO Company went public in 2005 and is recorded on the Stock Exchange of Saudi Arabia (Arnold 2009). The company has more than 100, 000 shareholders and is one of the top companies in production of foodstuff and milk products in Saudi Arabia. Despite going through a number of challenges, SADAFCO has never taken the content easy with having conq uered the technical challenges of the dairy industry in the Asian continent. Despite the fact that they have been substantial, they have also long been one of the top thinkers in local marketing firms, because they are familiar with the significance of band building (Al Fawzan & Al Sadhan 19). The ultimate aim of this context is to give a clear outline of SADAFCO Company in Saudi Arabia beginning with its external environment and general environment and winding up with the internal environment as well as issuing recommendations and conclusion. The external environment entails PEST-NED tools which are the functional units of SADAFCO. The internal environment entails vision, mission and objectives of the Company as well as strategies and tactics employed by the company in the market field. It also contains SWOT analysis which summarizes the operation of the company. External Environment General Environment This part discusses the different tools majorly

Outline and explain the consumer buying decision-making process and Essay

Outline and explain the consumer buying decision-making process and its influencing factors - Essay Example The foundation of consumer behaviour is based up a relationship that is established with the provider of a product or service. The level of that relationship, of course, is dependent upon the type of product or service and the connection between the consumer and the product that is linked within the transaction is central to understanding consumer behaviour. 2. Consumer Behaviour Relationship marketing is intended to create a trust between the consumer and the brand which will in turn help the marketer to develop a better understanding with of the consumer’s wants and needs. The marketer can then create a more substantial response to the consumer’s need, thus creating a mutually beneficial relationship (Raju 2009, p. 27). Much of the relationship marketing that is done is not based upon rational concepts such as quality and value, but on emotional concepts. In Western countries, as an example, convenience foods that are served quickly have become a part of the cultural landscape, their part within the Western diet an integral addition in food consumption and consequentially, as an example of consumer behaviour that is often based upon brand loyalty associated with emotional context over other more rational factors such as quality or good taste. For emerging nations, the shift from traditional to global cultures is happening at an advanced rate, thus creating a bit of confusion within socio-cultural understanding as Western concepts of aesthetics push the consumer to participate with the event of purchasing foods from these sources with the relationship developing at a different pace (Raju 2009, p. 27). McDonald’s in the U.K. (Daily Mail Reporter 2009) Rational factors, such as awareness, price, and income, are key factors that consumers will consider when making a purchase based on economic decision making processes. Brands become a source of comfort in reducing buyer anxiety when the assessments that are insinuated upon a product by the co nnotation of a brand mythology create ease of the unknown within the consumer. The concept of the brand will allow the consumer to make a decision based upon the attributes that are conferred upon the product (Heding, Knudtzen, and Bjerre 2009, p. 33). Most products are developed with branding that will reach beyond the rational and attach to the emotional needs of the consumer. In the brand-consumer exchange relationship, the exchange has the primary goal of achieving the transaction, a onetime event in which a good is purchased based upon consumer perception of the economic rationale for the value of the transaction (Heding Knudtzen and Bjerre 2009, p. 34). There are four major categories that can be used to determine the factors that affect consumer behaviour. These can be broken down into social, personal, psychological, and situational (Drummond and Ensor 2005, p. 289). These categories can be combined in various different ways in order to explain consumer behavior. Some factor s will have a social, psychological set of elements, where another set of factors will include social personal elements. However, there are distinct characteristics that will influence behaviour in regard to these four categories. 2.1 Social Social factors will include elements such as culture, subculture, social class, reference groups, family and roles and status (Durmmond and Ensor 2005, p. 289). Culture can be identified by a series of elements that are associated with values, ideas, attitudes and other

American Eels Habitat and Extinction Research Paper - 1

American Eels Habitat and Extinction - Research Paper Example One of the peculiarities of these eels is the regular basis of migration. In other words, they may not stay in a particular location for longer periods. They like to travel from rivers to river since it like fresh water very much. It stays major portions of tis life in rivers or fresh water sources and visit ocean mainly for spawning or laying eggs. A female eel can lay eggs as much as four million every year. However, after the egging period is over, it will suffer immediate death. Lafontaine et al. (2008) have pointed out that â€Å"Since the 1980s, the American eel (Anguilla rostrata Lesueur) fisheries have declined dramatically in the Lake Ontario–St. Lawrence River watershed providing evidence of a large decline in population of this species (Lafontaine et al., p.185). American eels are decreasing in number over the last few decades because of various reasons such as climate changes, global warming, water pollution etc. Even though, the decline of eels have been noticed as early in the 1960’s, the problem became intensified in the 80’s and 90’s. Eel landing started to decline considerably during the latter parts of the twentieth century, especially 1980 onwards. The decrease in the number of eel landing was calculated based on the catch per unit effort (CPUE) effort.

Home Appliances To The Countryside Social Policy Essay

Home Appliances To The Countryside Social Policy Essay The home appliance industry in China has mainly focused on exporting to European and America markets. It generally achieved double-digit growth in years before 2008. However, the export market is withering in recent year. The export of household appliances and electronic products last year recorded only a 3% increase and contribute to 72.5 billion U.S. dollars in 2008 (Xinhua News, 2009). For example, Chinas export value of color TV sets had annually dropped by 18.4 in the first quarter of 2008, came to 1.67 billion U.S. dollars (Customs of China, 2009). Foreseeing such a declining trend, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Commerce of the Peoples Republic of China had introduced a pilot project for rural residents in December 2007. Such pilot project was called home appliances to the countryside program which is a subsidy policy on electronic home appliances for rural areas. The trail was to be held in three provinces (Shandong, Henan and Sichuan) and one city (Qingdao) by o ffering rural residents a 13% subsidy on consuming the selected three categories (televisions, refrigerators and mobile phones) of home appliances items. At present, the current level of utilization of home appliances in Chinese rural areas is only equivalent to that of the urban areas at the late 1980s (China Research and Intelligence Co., 2009). Every 100 Chinese rural households possess the number of color TVs, washing machines, cell phones and refrigerators only 2/3, 1/2, 1/2 and 1/4 respectively of the of urban households. The asymmetric information between the rural resident and the electronic home appliance industry results in adverse selection. This situation imposed the market failure as promoting electronic home appliances to rural areas. Hence, the subsidy policy of electronic home appliances for rural areas can be regarded as a policy support by the government in order to promote electronic home appliances and, thus drive a long-term structural change when encouraging manufacturers to design rural use products (Credit Suisse, 2009). In the third quarter of 2008, the risk of second mortgage in the United State provoked the global financial tsunami. Due to the eruption of the global financial tsunami, the global economy is in recession and the export of China suffered a great loss. Moreover, when the financial crisis has plunged the world into recession, protectionism in the globe market has been on the rise. According to a recent World Bank study, from October 2008 to February 2009, forty seven trade-restricting measures were implemented (E. Gamberoni and R. Newfarmer, 2009). While the authority had paid attention on the rising tide of trade protectionism and recession of export market, by the way of the primary success of the pilot project and the first extension of the program in the December 2008, the government announced thehome appliances to the countryside program would be extended into a national wide scale in February 2009 (Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, 2008). According to the notice, the government aims to boost domestic demand to secure economic growth, improve living standard of the countrys rural population, boost domestic consumption and stimulate the industrial production growth through the program extension. Such national wide subsidy policy covers the entire rural areas in the nation with nine categories of home electronic appliance items. Significances and aims of this study: After the extension of the home appliances to the countryside program in February 2009, it nationally targeted to the entire rural residents. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the population of rural residents is 7.2 hundred million approximately, which is 55.06% of the population of China (National Bureau of Statistics, 2008). With this large numbers of target participants, how the program to promote and implement rests on the government and the electronic home appliances industries. The Chinese Premier, Wen Jiabao, has commented on the Chinas stimulus package. According to his speech, the Chinas stimulus package is designed to both sustain economic growth and improve peoples livelihood. Policies related to affecting peoples well-being are given priority to allocate public resources (Embassy of China in the US, 2009). Namely, the authority regards the subsidy policy a crucial strategy to increase domestic demand and secure the economic growth under the current economy circumstance and also a policy that also aims to improve the living standard of the rural residents. Ministry of Commerce estimates that the home appliances to the countryside program will boost domestic consumption and achieves RMB 150 billion in the first year and totally boost RMB 920 billion at the end of the program. However, compare with the approximate RMB 150 billion rural spending, the proportion is relatively small. During the first ten month of 2009, the national sales of the subsidy prog ram was 2787.8 units which accounted for RMB 5.08 billion. Within this period, the sales figure record a continued dropping in August and September while the sales in August was around RMB 7.6 billion, and it was as low as RMB 6.2 billion in September. (Peoples Daily, 2009). It was the first time of a continued two months sales decline from the RMB 8.8 billion sales in the July. These figures reveal that the outcome of the subsidy program is not able to meet the original approximation. This indicated the original estimation is too optimistic and overvalues the participations of rural residents. The subsidy policy is a comprehensive strategy involving large numbers of rural residents and large amount of money. The participants of the rural residents are the key fundamental of the subsidy policy. Rural residents will not blindly consume what the electronic home appliance industry put on the market despite there is a 13% subsidy from the government. They have their concerns and evaluations to the policy. This study mainly focuses on the home appliances to the countryside program after February 2009 and its aims to analysis the relationship among the government, the electronic home appliance industry and rural residents. For the government, the program is to boost domestic consumption in the rural area to secure economic growth. For the electronic home appliance manufacturers, they aim to gain benefits. For the rural residents, they consider to improve their living standard after purchasing the electronic home appliances through a subsided price. By studying their different purposes to participate in the program, I will try to conclude some suggestion to enhance the efficiency of the home appliances to the countryside program since the outcome is not satisfied with the assumed estimation. Literature review: Home appliances to the countryside program The English translation as home appliances to the countryside program was officially used in the government and media in China. The program first started as a pilot project on three provinces and one city in December 2007. After holding the pilot project for one year, in December 2008, phrase one of the home appliances to the countryside program which extended its area to a total of 14 provinces, directly controlled municipalities and autonomous regions was started. At last, in the February 2009, the program extends to entire rural areas in the nation and to subsidize the rural residents in nine categories of electronic home appliances (color TV sets, refrigerators, mobile phones, washing machines, air conditioners, water heaters, computers, microwave ovens and electromagnetic cookers). The program will last for four years to 2012 and rural residents were entitled to a 13% subsidy on purchasing the selected electronic home appliances (limited within two units in each category). Since this subsidy program targeted the rural residents, only those with rural residency qualify for the subsidies. According to regulations of operating the home appliances to the countryside program, a price limit was set on each category. (For example, color TV set RMB3500, refrigerators RMB2500, mobile phone RMB1000, washing machines RMB2000, etc). The original purpose to set up such limit is to ensure items are affordable to the rural residents. However, this limit was regarded as one of the factors that hinder to achieve the approximate rural expenditure. The home appliances to countryside program has been running for more than ten months since February 2009 and different kinds of statistics were announced. According to the Ministry of Commerce, there are 17 home electronic appliances companies which has accumulated sales over 100 million and they include Haier, Gree, Midea, Skyworth, Konka, TCL, Lenovo, etc. Among these companies, Haier is the enterprise which benefits the most from subsidy program and has the highest accumulated sales figures of RMB 8.6 billion during the past 10 months. However, there are still 14 companies out of 348 which show fragmenting sales while another 17 enterprises sold less than 10 units (Minister of Commerce 2009). Indicators of quality of live As mentioned earlier in this study, the subsidy program in also a social welfare program. This policy supports the rural residents to buy electronic home appliances in order to improve their life standard. David E. Bloom, Patricia H. Craig and Pia N. Malaney in their study concluded several indicators to evaluate quality of life. They are nutrition, health, education, income, gender equality, fertility, political, civil, and economic freedom, environmental quality, access to infrastructure, and access to information. Televisions and mobile phone convenience their life and also provide a channel for them to gain information. Manufactures are required to add special functions which are fit to use in rural environment. The models of mobile phone which selected in the program are required to enhance the signal accessing ability where signal from network operators in rural environment are instability. In the long run, the purpose of the subsidy program is guiding the manufactures to set up production line for rural markets. As a result, when the program ends in 2012, the subsidy program is expected to motivate the production of the electronic home appliances sector, meanwhile, stimulate the industrial structure development. Consumption behavior in rural areas The home appliances to the countryside program is a strategy to boost domestic consumption by encouraging the rural residents to consume more. By understanding the consumption behavior of the rural residents, the government can estimate their reflection and hence the efficiency of policies can be guaranteed. Since there are various hierarchy of need, people would use their income to buy the basic survival resources as their priority while the development products would be subsequent and following by the leisure goods (W.H. Wong, 1999). In other words, there is a sequence of consuming. W. Guo concluded the basic sequence of expanding spending of rural residents in his study (W. Guo 1998). It is: reproduction goods, housing, and education for theyounger generation, transportation, electronic home appliances, and commodities. Under this sequence of consuming, we can predict the consumption behavior of rural households. Basically, personal disposable income minus personal saving is personal consumption expenditure (N. Gregory Manki, 2004). Therefore, personal disposable income becomes one of the factors that affect personal consumption expenditure. Wong in his study indicated that, the consumption power and intention to spend are different in different level of household income. Rural households of high level income prefer to consume to increase living standard. On the contrast, rural households of low income level trend to fulfill basic need because of constraining by the limed of income. When the rural residents can fulfill their basic need, they who are mobilized by the subsidy program are able to consume the electronic home appliances. Insecurity income source due to deficient in land use According to the World Bank, 90% of poverty is still rural excluding migrant workers from the rural population (World Bank, 2009). Although per capital net income of rural households has been being steady rising these years, the income gap between the urban and rural has also grown. According to the National Bureau of Statistic, in 2007 the per capital annual net income of urban households is around RMB 14908, meanwhile, the per capital annual net income of rural households is around RMB 4140, which is only 27.7% of the urban households (National Bureau of Statistic, 2008). Moreover, the rural households does not feel a sense of security on their income source since they only have use rights to but do not own the land themselves. In addition, the long-term investment in land is demotivated because of the insecurity of use rights (Jacoby H., Li G., Rozelle, S., 2002). Because of the consumption expenditure related to the personal income, in income of rural households are not security, they prefer to savings rather than consumption. It can be regarded one of the factors that demoviated the rural residents to participate in the home appliance to countryside program. Coverage of Social Security is low in rural areas According to China Social Security Annual Bulletin, in 2007, there were nearly 476 million people in Chinas rural labor force. However, in that year, the numbers of workers contributed to the old age pension system was fewer than 52 million and only 11 percent of the rural labor force was covered by the scheme (Y. Yang, J.B. Williamson, C. Shen, 2009). Scholars conclude the old age pension system does not have reliable source of financing, and full of problems of funds embezzlement and is low benefits (I. Nielsen, C. Nyland, R. Smyth, M.Q. Zhang and C. J. Zhu, 2005). Since they do not and are not force to contribute to the old age pension. The rural residents rely on their savings as their risk protection. As a result, the attraction to the rural residents of the 13% subsidy from the program will decrease and the participation of the rural will be affected. Game Theory Game theory is a study of the ways in whichstrategic interactionsamongrational playersproduceoutcomeswith respect to theutilities of those players (Daniel Burgess, 2005). In other words, game theory analyses how agents (players) make decision which sufficient their own utilities instrategic situations (games). It is a mathematic theory which can be applied toin thesocial sciences research. It emphases that each player involved in game will estimate their benefits and acts in order to gain the best outcome individually. If in a situation where it is not possible to increase benefits only by the implementation of one single player, this strategy is called the Nash equilibrium. Players involved in game relation will only seek to benefit oneself, it sometimes leads to a situation of prisoner dilemma. In such situation, people do not cooperate although by so they can make both of them to be better off. The efficiency of a policy depends on the coherence between the Nash equilibrium and po licy makers ideal focal point (Osborne, Martin J. Rubinstein, Ariel, 2003). Every participant involves a policy will make different choices which affect the outcome and efficiency of a policy. As a result, we can use the conclusion by analyzing game models of each participant to improve the efficiency of a policy. Arguments: The home appliances to the countryside program has dual functions. On one hand, it is an economic policy that emphases on maintaining economy growth by boosting domestic consumption. On the other hand, it is a social welfare policy that accents on improving the living standard of rural residents by subsidizing them to purchase electronic home appliances. The government, the electronic home appliances industry and the rural residents can choose their own strategies to participate to the home appliances to countryside program. This study argues the game relations among the players of the home appliances to countryside program will hinder the rural residents to participate to the program. As a result, the expected outcome of the subsidy program will be held back. Theoretical framework: As mentioned before, according to the game theory, the efficiency of a policy depends on the coherence between the Nash equilibrium and policy makers ideal focal point. The gap between the objectives and results of the policy originated from the game relations among the players. Although the government has had a good intention, the results of the program gained at present were not conforming to the original estimation. In this study, a game-theoretic model is used to study the relationships among rural residents, enterprises and governments under the policy that rural residents are encouraged to participate to the subsidy program. The government can choose to optimize the program in order to attract more rural residents to participate and consume. The rural resident can choose to or not to participate in the program by calculating their benefit and loss. As each participant seeks to satisfy its utility, this program can be analyzed as an n-person non-cooperative game. This paper trie s to relocate the roles of governments, and put forward some policy suggestion on promoting the home appliances to the countryside program. Research Methodology In research methodology, I will use data analysis as well as document analysis methods to analyze in which areas the government should improve the home appliances to the countryside program. The Ministry of Commerce and the National Bureau of Statistics have been promulgating data about the subsidy program each month. Moreover, Thought these data, the game relations among the participants in the program (including the government, the industry and rural residents) can be examined. Since the subsidy program is highly concerned by the public. Scholars have been investigated and commented on the program. Their researches can contribute to relevance the game relation among the participants. Bibliography Full text of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabaos speech at 2009 Summer Davos in Dalian. (2009), Embassy of the Peoples Republic of China in the United States of America. Avaliable online: http://www.china-embassy.org/chn/zt/t583718.htm (accessed 4 November 2009) Guanyu quanguo tuiguang jia dian xia xiang gongzuo de tongzhi (Notice from three government departments about the national implementtiona of home appliances to the countryside program) , Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Commerce, and Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China. Available online: http://www.gov.cn/gzdt/2008-12/05/content_1169347.htm (accessed 30 October 2009) Jia dian xia xiang yun niang zheng ce tiao zheng, zhong biao qi ye jiang you tao tai zhi, Ministry of Commerce, China. Caidian hangye juyu yu tiaozhan bingcun'(The Color TV industry: Opportunities and Challenges), Ceneral Administration of Customs of China. Available online: http://www.customs.gov.cn:82/gate/big5/www.customs.gov.cn/Portals/0/jcyj/-ifbase4-base76-vfHE6jG8vrbIztK5+rLKteez9r-awb-D98-Uz8K9tbLKtefQ0NK1u-rT9tPrzPTVvbKitOYuZG9j (accessd 20 November 2009) Xiaoshou yu ladong neisu yuqi you cha ju, jiadian xiiaxiang yunniang tiaozheng (Gap between the Sales and the estimated consumption, home appliances to the country program is brew to adjust). Renmin ribao (Peoples Daily). 19 November 2009 Daniel Burgess, (2005) Utilitarianism, Game Theory and the Social Contract, Macalester Journal of Philosophy, Volume 14, Issue 1. P.75 Elisa Gamberoni and Richard Newfarmer. (2009) Trade Protection: Incipient but Worrisome Trend, Trade Notes. Ingrid Nielsen, Chris Nyland, Russell Smyth, Mingqiong Zhang and Cherrie Jiuhua Zhu (2005). Which Rural Migrants Receive Social Insurance in Chinese Cites?, SAGE: Global Social polic, P.353-381 Jacoby, H., Li, G., Rozelle, S., (2002) Hazards of expropriation: tenure insecurity and investment in rural China. American Economic Review, v. 92, n. 5, p. 1.420-1.447. National Bureau of Statistics of China.(2008) Population and Composition, China Statistical Yearbook 2008. 3-1, 9-5, and 9-20. Available online: http://www.stats.gov.cn/tjsj/ndsj/2008/indexce.htm (accessed 4 Nov) N. Gregory Mankiw. (2004) Principles of Economics, Thomson Learning, Chapter 26. Osborne, Martin J. Rubinstein, Ariel. (2003) Sampling equilibrium, with an application to strategic voting. Games and Economic Behavior, P.434-441. Study Group of Asia Technology Research Analyst Team. (2009), Chinas electronics subsidy programme, Credit Suisse. Study Group of China Research and Intelligence Co. (2009) Research Report on Chinese Home Appliance Manufacturing Industry, 2008-2009, China Research and Intelligence Co. Wang Guanqun. (2009) Home appliances makers catch their breath as rural sales boom (text), Xinhua News, 31 May. Available online: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-05/31/content_11463552.htm (accessed 4 November2009). Wei Guo. (1998) Non cun shi chang he yi qi er bu dong, Jing ji xue xin xi bao. China. Weihong Wong. (1999) Zhong guo nong cun ju min xiao fei de ji ben qu shi ji zhi yue nong min xiao fei xing wei dei ji ben yin su fen xi'(An analyze of factors that constructs to the consumption behavior in rural area of China), National Economic Research Institute, China Reform Foundation. P.13 World Bank. (2009) China, From Poor Areas to Poor People. China: World Bank. Yinan Yang, John B. Williamson, Ce Shen (2009.) Social security for Chinas rural aged: a proposal based on a universal on contributory pension, International Journal of Social Welfare.

Marketing Variable Mix Of Prod :: essays research papers

INTRODUCTION   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Japanese have again burst into the technology industry with the introduction of their newest product, Aibo, the robotic pet dog. Aibo is a Japanese word short for â€Å"companion†, and it also stands for Artificial Intelligence Robot. This creature is able to navigate its environment and respond to changes. This highly innovative idea began back in 1994 when Toshi T. Doi, Sony Corporations lead engineer, enlisted an artificial intelligence expert named Masarhiro Fujita to formulate a robot with sophisticated sensors. Fujita took just two weeks to develop the first prototype robotic creature that led to this current venture. AIBO’S TANGIBLE PRODUCT ATTRIBUTES   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  No larger than a Chihuahua and constructed primarily of magnesium alloy, Aibo is equipped with infrared sensors and cameras for eyes that allow it to judge distance and avoid walking into objects. It also has sensors on its head, in its paws, and an antenna for a tail. Aibo is programmed to enjoy being petted and dislikes being scolded, not unlike real dogs. It also shows happiness by wagging its tail and illuminating its green eyes. Aibo can perform some standard tricks such as sitting and begging, and it can even dance and play music. As sophisticated as it may be, Aibo can not respond to voice commands, and it requires a remote control that emits musical tones the robot recognizes as commands. AIBO’S AUGMENTED AND GENERIC PRODUCT ATTRIBUTES   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Aibo’s augmented product attributes revolve around the Sony brand name. Sony is a well-established corporation in the electronics industry. It is the most recognized brand name in the world, evoking a status of quality and dependability. Aibo will have a considerable lure on customers keen on cutting-edge gadgets. The first of its kind in sophistication and advanced robotics, Aibo will carry a significant status for technology buffs and expensive electronic toy collectors who can afford them.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  From a generic product perspective, Aibo is already winning over the hearts and minds of consumers. Its almost life like touches and actions such as the occasional yawn, flopping on its belly when it’s bored, and the wagging of its tail when it is happy is rapidly captivating people all over. For some, the appeal is in the joy of owning such a technological and futuristic marvel. For others, It may be the hope of companionship from and innate object, not unlike today’s interactive computers. For most consumers it is just plain and simple entertainment.

The Nonlinear Structure of the Sorrow of War

Bao Ninh is a Vietnamese war veteran and the author of what is said to be â€Å"one of the most moving war novels of all time† (Gareth Smith), The Sorrow of War. In the epic tale, Bao tells the story of Kien in a nonlinear narrative, weaving in and out of stories of young love and war, each failing to complete its own objectives: to come home and live in peace with those they love. It compares the ‘sorrow of war' to the sorrow of love, both nostalgic as Kien looks back on what has been lost, and the heartbreak created.Bao compares the two sorrows by intertwining flashbacks and events occurring in the present. Bao writes very straight-forwardly when speaking of war, but leaves much to be explained when describing the seemingly complicated relationship of Kien and Phuong. The nonlinear structure, non-chronological sequence of events, and Bao's saving of key information until the very end of the novel, distorts the view of their relationship so that it appears to be a more hostile than loving. This technique creates character depth in Kien, describing why he becomes the man he does: sad and full of regret.In the novel Kien's best friend from the war, Oanh, is killed by a beautiful woman on the front lines. It is mentioned multiple times in the novel that Phuong had wanted to participate in fighting in the war, as she made clear the night before Kien left for war, stating â€Å"I'll see you to the gate of the battlefront, just to see what it's like† (136). This event is a major turning point in the tone that Kien and Phuong's relationship is discussed. This event is a reminder of the loss he suffered by leaving her as well as reminding Kien of all the things he loved about her, including her beauty and strength.Before the death of Oanh, Kien appears to be more focused on the negative aspects in their relationship, such as their breakup, the struggles he faces as she tries to move on with her life, and his losing battle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Kien's post-war difficulties, particularly with Phuong, can be best described by the character himself as he ponders the difficulties he's faced in his life since the end of the war, â€Å"†¦Though now he often drowned himself in alcohol, though hundreds of times he pleaded with his inner self to calm down, he was constantly torn with pain recalling the post war times he had with Phuong.His life, after ten destructive years of war, had been punctured by the sharp thorns of love† (84). The idea that Phuong is the main reason Kien is so depressed after the war is introduced early on and is mentioned many times in the beginning of the novel. Generally, in the beginning of a book with a traditional structure, characters are still being introduced and are receiving information that is vital to the rest of the story. In the beginning of The Sorrow of War, Kien often reflects on ‘the love he knew had been within him seemed to have drained away' (31).The audienc e is generally in the traditional mindset. This gives the audience the false impression that Phuong was never as in love with him as he was with her, or at all, since she can move on with her life and watch him struggle to move on with his. This distorts the view of the relationship because Phuong is being mistaken for a cruel person, begging the question of how this could possibly be one of the greatest loves of all time. The idea that the person you love most does not love you back creates a deep empathy toward Kien, and gives him depth as a character because his levels of depression are justified.Kien often dwells on Phuong's unrequited love for him and his failed attempts to forget her, stating ‘he had tried desperately to forget Phuong, but she was unforgettable. He longed for her still† (71). Despite this, Kien's belief that â€Å"nothing lasts forever, including love and sorrow† (71) gives him faith that one day the pain will go away if he continues on his damaging path. This hope for the better despite the destructive path he has placed himself ironically shows his strength.The focus shifts from Kien's depression and his awful post-war relationship with Phuong to a discussion of their pure love before the war after Oanh's death. Before the war, Kien and Phuong were inseparable. The intensity of their relationship is best described through the narrator's mention of â€Å"neither of them had other close friends. Others seemed unable to penetrate their cocoon of friendship† (131). Phuong often refers to herself as Kien's wife, as Kien and the rest of Hanoi expects her to be. This part of the novel chronicles their shift from best friends to lovers, although their ove was never consummated.Kien would never accept Phuong's advances to make love to him. This is what makes their love so true and desirable, because it is innocent and pure. His denial of her, however, also distorts the view of the relationship because it now appears th at he does not want her or is not as attracted to her as she is to him, a feeling Phuong will later direct toward Kien. The love they share appears to be on some scale that is never even. With all this, Phuong is still viewed as the unkind woman she was previously regarded as.Her kindness is almost viewed as her having an ulterior motive because of the way she was described earlier in the novel. Before Kien leaves for war, Phuong tells him that â€Å"from now on I'll be a lover and wife to you; I'll never be angry at you, and remember, I'm not taking leave of my senses. Not yet†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (136). By Phuong says that she isn't taking leave of her senses, she is solidifying that she's thought what she said through and that she is making a promise to Kien rather than a statement. If Phuong had promised Kien that she would love him forever, it raises the question of why she left him later on in life.It also appears Phuong has contradicted herself. She promised she would never be angr y at him and later allows him to suffer without her. These questions are frequent because of the knowledge collected at the beginning of the novel. This promise is very misleading and is a large contributor as to why Kien feels the heartbreak he does later in life when Phuong is anything but a wife to him. It begs the question of how a love so pure and strong could disappear. It is almost as if key elements or events are being kept secret. And they are.After the explosion, rape, and murders at the Hanoi train station, Kien and Phuong continue their journey into the frontlines but not before they stop at a school house to rest. After harassment from a group of soldiers, including accusations that Phuong had cheated on Kien, Kien leaves her at the school without any notice. Later, he receives a letter from the men in the schoolhouse apologizing: â€Å"We had made a big mistake in kidding you about what she did†¦Contrary to what we told you, your girlfriend was not like that at a ll†¦She was very much in love with you† (226).This information is key to the story because it proves that Phuong was truly committed and in love with him after all, and he left her. Had the narrative been in chronological order, one would have sympathized much more with Phuong and would not have thought so harshly of her and the reasons she left and got over him would have been much more justified. The narrative instead gave a deep analysis as to why Kien is so depressed and how deep their love for each other was and continued to be.Upon, reading this letter it â€Å"warmed Kien's heart, consoling and cheering him, he began to hope for something like a miracle†¦He might have something wonderful to return to after all† (226), which was sadly not the case. The nonlinear structure of the story and non-chronological order of events not only distorts the relationship and creates character depth, but masterfully describes the sorrow of war, and the even deeper, sorr ow of love. By describing war's destruction on, not only countries, but on our most intimate relationships. Ninh presents the idea that after war, it is not possible to have love, which is the sorrow of both love and war.

Sports and Public Relations Essay Example

Sports and Public Relations Essay Example Sports and Public Relations Essay Sports and Public Relations Essay This article notes how much a person should give importance to the contracts that he signs for. Michael Vick has primarily lost his reputation through a gradual process by which he has been loosing track of his career and has been loosing all that he has worked hard for to different vices and wrong decisions. The concentration that he once placed upon his career has been re-aligned to the things that he wanted to do.   It could be observed that through the different decisions that he has lately done, he was not able to control the consequences of what he has done that it gradually destroyed his name and the fame that he has been under for several years of playing for the Falcons.Along with loosing his fame and the reputation that he has earned in sports, he has also lost the chances that he had in enjoying financial freedom. It could not be denied that through the path that he has taken, the numerous cases brought about the consequences of his decisions has made him loose tons of c hances that she once enjoyed. This sends a strong message to the society with regards the importance of staying within the rules of the contracts that they have sworn upon to fulfill. The terms of the said contracts need to be respected thus treated as a law that binds the people involved in the said agreement. The implication of the case upon the society has naturally made it certain that the effect of Michael Vick upon those people who were actually treating him as a model, especially that of the young children has been gradually diminishing as well.Article 2: Is Michael Vick friendly to a fault?. DAVE FORSTER, BILL BURKE AND KYLE TUCKER. May 26, 2007. The Virginian-Pilot. http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/print.cfm?story=125491ran=117073.The friends of Michael Vick and their background have led commentators to a conclusion that he too is simply just like those of his friends. True, the saying on â€Å"tell me who your friends are and I will tell you who you are† is inde ed proven true in this side of Vick’s case. Undeniably, the process by which Vick got into trouble could be connected with who he usually hanged-out with. The people that he usually stayed with were notably involved in drug addiction. This particular fact heightened the situation of the case of Vick with regards drug addiction. Vick is known as loyal friend. However, at this point, his loyalty has caused him several damages to his own self. The trust that he has placed upon his friends and the loyalty that he has served unto them actually made it possible for him to get directly involved with what they were particularly up to. Undeniably, the situation has changed his life and the reputation that he has been taking care of.Article 3: NFL suspends Vick indefinitely. EDT, Fri August 24, 2007. cnn.com/2007/US/law/08/24/michael.vick/index.html.Loosing a good player on the field is such a great loss for NFL Falcon team. This is probably the reason why the suspension for Vick has b een reported with an indefinite span of time. Not suspending him when he was found with fault would have been a great jeopardy on the part of the team’s established name in the industry. Undeniably, they would be compromising the status and the morals as well as the standards of the entire team if they did not make any move when he was pronounced guilty by the court.Understandably, the issue here is all about dignity and reputation. Falcons needed to suspend even one of its strongest and best players for the sake of taking care of the name of the other players and the entire team itself. It has been the best move on the part of the team’s administration to retain the standards of the entire team in front of its internal and external connections as well.Article 4: MICHAEL VICKS OF NFL’s CASE ON SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE. The smoking gun: Archive. Woman claims star NFL quarterback passed along herpes in 2003. thesmokinggun.com/archive/0405051vick1.html.It was D ecember when the plaintiff, Sona Elliot filed a case against NFL’s [a football team] Quarterback player Michael Vick. Allegedly, the plaintiff accuses Vick of using an alias when he first made himself known to Elliot. Moreover, he has also been noted for having been allegedly passing a Sexually transmitted disease to the plaintiff, thus causing her to suffer the consequences of having been able to commit sexual intercourse with Vick. The plaintiff, being young and just starting to recognize the happiness living is now robbed of from even being able to have a peaceful relationship with a man in marriage or even bearing a child. Psychologically, these situations are indeed hard to deal with on the part of the plaintiff.CounselDuring the years 200-2001, the plaintiff and the defendant had a close relationship, whereas they dated regularly, they see each other continuously and are thus able to discuss numerous personal details as part of their friendship. However, non of those oc casions was that of them both having a sexual affair between each other until came the year 2001. Most likely, the confession of the fact that the defendant has an STD, should have been done earlier during the establishment of the relationship. This is basing from the given fact that the defendant was aware of his health situation.Key PeopleThe people primarily involved in the case are only the plaintiff [Sonya Elliot] and that of the defendant Michael Vick. They are the key individuals who have the sole right to defend their statements and testimonies about the situations that they have been both involved with so as to be able to clear names as well as to fix the situations between them, especially that of the plaintiff’s life as a young woman.Facts in the CaseIt has been certain through the presentation of the court that the plaintiff admitted having been involved in a serious relationship with the defendant during the years 2000-2001. However, during those years, she knew Michael Vick as that of Ron Mexico and not as his real name Michael Vick. Moreover, during those times of intimacy, Elliot understood that if there are any secrets, those things should have already been suspended between the two during those specific times when they were together. However, as obvious as it is, Vick failed to inform Elliot of the facts regarding his health situation and the STD that he has. On many occasions when they already started to have sexual intercourse, there were at most times when they both observed â€Å"safe sex† whereas the defendant used a condom upon the plaintiff’s request. However, during the afternoon of April 13. 2003, the defendant refused to use condom even though the plaintiff strongly requested for him to do so. After that particular intercourse, the plaintiff did not have any intercourse with any other man anymore, thus when she has been diagnosed of having been infected of Herpes after feeling pain and irritability in her vagina , she was non the less sure that it was Vick who transmitted the disease to her. Upon tests and examinations, it has been proven to that Vick is a carrier of the STD virus.Federal IndictmentsThe venue of the court is noted to be rightful enough for hearing the case as the case happened in the same county thus allowing the prosecutors to have much competence of handling the said case being preceded.PleasThe plaintiff asks that the defendant be punished with his undoubtedly unguarded act that placed the life of the plaintiff in huge jeopardy. The bills for her healthcare had been much escalating and made it harder for her to survive city life. It has been moved then that the funding of those healthcare treatments in an aim of lessening the effects of herpes on the plaintiff be carried under the responsibility of the defendant.OpinionThere is nothing safer in safe sex than actually abstaining from it. Being unable to understand the real personality of a certain individual has naturally lead the plaintiff to falling short of notice of the fact and the possibilities that the defendant might do her with regards honesty and trust. In this case, obviously, one year or so of intimate relationship has been proven, not enough, for a person to know the reality behind a certain individual. Also, for those who are duly infected with STDs, it is their utmost responsibility to allow the people near them or are close to them in relationship with the fact that they are dealing with in their health situations. Most likely, it is in their hands on how the people they love could be well protected from what they are actually suffering from.Article 5: Vicks marketing deals fade into sunset: One of top NFL endorsers could disappear, like a magic act. TIM TUCKERThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Published on: 07/19/07. ajc.com/sports/content/sports/falcons/stories/2007/07/18/vickbrand_0719.html.Endorsing is one of the major sources of profit in NFL industries. With Vick’s market ing charisma lost, the NFL industry is at least lost on several percentage of profit compared to other sport industries such as that of the basketball industries. From this article, the focus on the different aspects of seriousness of Vick’s case upon himself, his colleagues and the industry that he serves is presented well and with clarity.Obviously, the author wants to clearly point out how a wrong decision of one particular man could affect the entire group that he is with entirely. Most often than not, the impact is rather serious and strong. The constant importance given on the direct effect of the consequences that is made by an individual’s decision upon the values of others is featured strongly within this article.Article 6: The Involvement of Cheating in Sports: A Definition of what cheating is and how it directly affects the entire society today as it is related to sportsA recent symposium in the U.S. on ‘Sport and Ethics’ centered on the growing problem of cheating. Cheating, delegates agreed, is due to competitive pressures. Professor J. Keating of George Williams College in Chicago said: â€Å"Most of the moral problems posed by athletics can be traced to one single source- its highly competitive nature.† He added: â€Å"Deceit, lying, and hypocrisy all too often do follow in the wake of an intense competitive spirit.† According to W. Sadler of New Jersey’s Bloomfield College, adverse results of competition do not end on the playing field. He observed: â€Å"Competition is corrupting our nation. They say sports prepare us for life. I say, ‘What kind of life? The highly competitive and ruthless kind?’† Yes, indeed, cheating has long been an issue within the world of sporting competitions. This has long been given attention by the officials who were further appointed to deal with them. However, it could be noticed that no matter how the situation is aimed for control, the problem co ntinues to increase in the field of sporting events around the world.Excitement over sports is a worldwide phenomenon. For example, recent news reports spoke of growing sports enthusiasm in China. The New York Times (Nov.  18, 1981) reported: â€Å"Tens of thousands of Chinese converged on that [Peking’s] vast downtown area last night for boisterous celebrations .  .  . The euphoria was over the Chinese women’s volleyball team, which defeated the United States .  .  . and Japan .  .  . to win its first world title.† Even the normally placid Chinese got excited about sports. Volleyball became front-page news in the Peking press. Another outstanding case of sports-generated excitement is the 1982 World Cup soccer finals to be played between 24 qualifying nations in Spain during the dates of June  13 to July  11, 1982. Over the last two years more than a hundred countries have competed for the privilege of being among the last 24 qualifying teams. Hundreds of millions of supporters worldwide follow these soccer games with avid interest. In Lagos, Nigeria, a large crowd packed the stadium eight hours before the kickoff between Nigeria and Algeria. Likewise huge crowds celebrated China’s soccer success in qualifying for the World Cup finals.One underlying factor in modern life is the humdrum existence that millions are forced to lead in our computer-controlled society. As a consequence many want to break out of the treadmill routine by entering the exciting world of sports fantasy. For the minority, fulfillment comes as a participant. For the majority, it comes as a spectator. But they all want excitement, and that results from uncertainty. In sports uncertainty is the key- who will win? Thus the crowds flock to sports events or stay glued to the TV.Money has become an overriding concern in sports. Greed rather than sportsmanship and fair play seem now to dominate sports. â€Å"The innocence of sports, sorry to report, completely vanished during the 1980s,† laments The Denver Post columnist Jay Mariotti. â€Å"They swagger into the ’90s as a monster force in our culture, an incredibly mammoth, multi-trillion-zillion-dollar industry (actually, $63.1 billion [thousand million], 22nd-largest in America) that sometimes is better described as a racket.† Last year 162 major league baseball players in the United States- more than 1 in 5 of them- made over one million dollars, with something over three million dollars being the peak salary. Now, a year later, over 120 players will be paid more than two million dollars, including 32 who will collect more than three million dollars, and at least one will be getting over five million dollars, from 1992 all the way through 1995! The quest for money and huge salaries has become common in other sports as well. Even in college sports, the emphasis is often on money. Winning coaches are handsomely rewarded, making as much as one million dolla rs a year in salary and endorsement fees. The schools whose football teams qualify for the year-end bowl games in the United States receive many millions of dollars- 55  million in a recent year. â€Å"Football and basketball have to make money,† explains college president John Slaughter, â€Å"and they have to win to make money.† This results in a vicious cycle where winning becomes an obsession- with disastrous consequences.Since the jobs of professional ballplayers depend on winning, they often do practically anything to win. â€Å"It’s no longer a sport,† says former baseball star Rusty Staub. â€Å"It’s a vicious, physical business.† Cheating is pervasive. â€Å"If you ain’t cheating, you ain’t trying,† explains baseball outfielder Chili Davis. â€Å"You do what you can if you can get away with it,† New York Mets’ infielder Howard Johnson says. Thus moral fiber is undermined, and this is a big proble m in college sports as well. â€Å"Some coaches and athletic directors cheat,† admits Harold L.  Enarson, former president of Ohio State University, â€Å"while presidents and trustees look the other way.† In a recent year, 21 universities in the United States were penalized  by the National Collegiate Athletic Association for infractions, and 28 other universities were under investigation.No wonder the values of young players are ruined, which is another major problem with sports today. Drug use to enhance athletic performance is common, but getting an education often is not. A major study confirms that players on campuses with major athletic programs spend more time on playing their sport during the season than they do studying and attending class. A federal study also found that fewer than 1 in 5 players ever graduate at a third of American colleges and universities with major basketball programs for men. Even the few student athletes who eventually succeed in p rofessional sports and draw good salaries all too often become tragic figures. They are unable to handle their  finances  and to face life realistically. Travis Williams who died this past February in homeless poverty at age 45 is but one example. In 1967, while playing with the Green Bay Packers  football  team, he set a still-standing U.S. professional football  record,  returning kickoffs an average of 41.1 yards [37.6  m]. He once noted that while in college â€Å"he never had to go to class. Just show up for practices and games.†Cheating in sports is usually co-includes the issues of drug addiction among athletes. STEROIDS! The very word cast a long scandalous shadow over the 1988 Olympic Games held in Seoul, Republic of Korea. A number of hope-filled athletes were suspended by the International Olympic Committee for the alleged use of the drug. The world’s fastest sprinter in the 100-meter final basked in the glory of his gold medal- but not for lon g. Tests taken after the race revealed steroid use. He lost his medal, and his world record. This, however, should not have taken the sports world by surprise. In the 1988 Winter Olympics at Calgary, Canada, an athlete was banned from the games after testing positive for steroid use. It is reported that at the prestigious World Class track-and-field meet in Zurich, Switzerland, in 1987, half of the 28 athletes scheduled to participate in the â€Å"power† events- shot put, hammer, javelin, and discus- did not show up after learning of steroid tests. At Caracas, Venezuela, in 1983, 15 athletes were barred from the Pan-American games for steroid use. The 1984 Olympics was not without its steroid shame as winners were stripped of medals. Almost every sport has a steroid scandal of its own- track and field, bodybuilding, weight lifting, and football, to name a few. More than 20 college football players from a number of U.S. universities were barred from playing in the postseason b owl games because of steroid use. In the world of professional football, one famed 14-year NFL veteran was quoted as saying: â€Å"On some teams, between 75 and 90  percent of all athletes use steroids.† Reported the magazine Psychology Today: â€Å"Many of those .  .  . interviewed put steroid use among competitive body-builders at 100 percent.† Dr.  William N.  Taylor, a member of the U.S. Olympic Drug Control Program, warned that the use of these drugs has reached â€Å"epidemic proportions.† How far-reaching is this epidemic? Taylor noted that in addition to athletes, accountants and professors as well as unskilled workers and police officers abuse steroids. â€Å"It’s not a sports problem anymore,† he said, â€Å"it’s a social problem. And these users are playing with dynamite.† Anabolic steroids are powerful synthetic versions of the male hormone testosterone. Over the years steroids have been used clinically, and unde r careful supervision, as an aid in bringing on puberty that is delayed, in building up muscles withered by disease or surgery, and for the protection of blood cells during radiation or chemotherapy. For these and other physiological problems apparent to doctors, steroids have been a potent tool in the hands of the medical profession.  Ã‚  Ã‚   Olympics, the sports arena and everywhere else where the sports competitions are held have long been subjected to investigations of cheating. This growing dilemma of fraud among the sporting industries of the world today naturally affects the reputation that sporting events actually post among the audience that they target to influence for profitable causes.   To help retain the fine reputation of the sports industry, it is essential that the issue of cheating within the said field of recreation in the society needs to be swept clean. The authorities who are needed in the process are certainly aimed to fix the issue through efficient proc edures of investigation to be applied on the issues of sport cheating and sport profit growth.Article 7: High School Sport and the Use of Performance-Enhancing Substances. Dodge, Tonya L ; Jaccard, James L (2006). The Effect of High School Sports Participation on the Use of Performance-Enhancing Substance in Young Adulthood. Journal of Adolescent Health 39. Pages 367-373. dopingjouren.se/pdf-filer/sdarticle.pdf.High School sports are determined to have beneficial influences to the sociological, physical and moral development of the young adults actively participating in life. Since, puberty or the High School stage of young adults are very much important and that it urges the physiological and physical aspect of the said individuals to become active and energetic, they need a beneficial aspect where to channel their aggressiveness and their new found dynamic vigor such as sports activities. In addition, the said activity has been determined to significantly boost the personal morale and social skills of their participating individuals. Thus, sports activities are indeed beneficial to the development f young adults during their High School stage.However, an alarming social and cultural dilemma is rising in the society at the present concerning the role of sports in the lives of its young adult participants. The concept of sport participation as the main reason for inducing the use of performance-enhancing substances or drugs to actively participating young adults is becoming a widely accepted notion in the society. Thus, to answer and significantly determine the relationship between the concept of sport participation and performance-enhancing drugs, a scientific study has been conducted to establish a general conclusion for the said argument.To mainly determining a plausible correlation between the two concepts, the scientific study explored and evaluated the main ideas surrounding the two general social notions. In social and cultural aspect, the subject of sp ort participation is generally embedded with the traits and values of competition thus pushing the need for physical enhancements to cope up with the challenge. In this aspect, young adults who are actively participating on the said activities are seeking other alternative with less physical and time demands to avoid compromising their other aspects such as the social activities and educational pursuit. Due to which, sport participants  Ã‚   started to incorporate performance-enhancing substances and drugs such as anabolic steroids and others to enhance their physical output thus coping with the competitive nature of sport.In this aspect, the scientific study has implemented a sample survey to determine the scientific correlation between sport participation and the use of performance-enhancing substances with the young adults. Thus, it has been determined with the results they have gathered that usage of performance-enhancing substances in young adults are indeed relatively high f or individuals who are actively participants of sports activities in their educational or social institutions. Another factor to be regarded in this subject is that social and cultural influences also affect the said correlation that the percentage of performance-enhancing substance in young adults are relatively higher in males compare to female. This idea is mainly because male activities are indeed more vigorous compare than that of the females. Thus, the usage of the said substances is determined by the demand incited by the activity itself and its social and cultural nature.Thus, the usage of performance-enhancing substance in relation to sport participation is indeed significantly substantial. Because of which, society especially the involved adults who have the responsibilities of monitoring these young adults should be well aware of the significance and substantial effects of this concept. They must closely discuss whether this action should be generally allowed or be forbid den as what its effects would be. It must always be prioritize that the main agenda of sport is to enhance the development of young adults in all aspects and not undermine their health and physical attributes by promoting usage of artificial substances to augment the active participation in this activity.Article 8: Lakers Versus Heats. (March 2007). http://nbasfinest.blogspot.com/2005/03/lakers-vs-heat-part-ii.html. (December 12, 2007).In the competitive world of the National Basketball Association (NBA), different teams representing their respective cities and states compete against each other to prove their dominance in the field of professional basketball. These teams are divided into two general categories namely the eastern conference and the western conference and within these groups are three subcategories representing the particular location of each team’s represented states or city. In each season of hard-brawling basketball competition rise one champion above all. T his title is viewed and considered by both the league’s players, staff and the spectating fans to be the supreme title, which is becoming the best among the best professional basketball teams in the league.In the present season of the NBA league, attentions are focused on the two teams that are leading their own respective division, The Los Angeles Lakers in the Pacific Western conference and the Miami Heat in the Southeast Eastern League. Each of these teams have proven worthy of their place as they compete against other teams on either their hometown or on the road winning against many and losing to some. These teams have developed their own techniques and strategies to become formidable basketball teams and both have incorporated potential and talented players in their lineup. However in critical consideration, if ever these two teams will compete against each other, who will prove to be better and more skillful than the other? Is it the mature and experienced lineup of th e Miami Heat or the young, fresh and energetic lineup of the Los Angeles Lakers?By considering each team’s player lineup and their match up against the other in terms of playing position, one can actually see a significantly discrepancy between the two. Consider first the centers of each team where the Miami heat already prove to be potentially better than the other through the action and experiences of Shaquille O’Neil and Alonzo Mourning against Kwane Brown and Bynum Andrew of the Lakers. For the power forward, the defense and offensive actions under the rim could be quite intense as Lamar Odom and Brian Cook of the Lakers takes on Udonis Haslem and Earl Barron of the Heat creating an intense competition. The same can be said in the shooting guard position as Maurice Evans and Kobe Bryant face off with Dwayne Wade, Jason Kapono and Eddie Jones of the Heat. The small forward position can be potentially dominated by the Heat as the improving performance of Dorrell Wrig ht, James Posey and Antoine Walker could be more than equal for Luke Walton and Vladimir Radmanovic of the Lakers. For the point guards, battle in this position can be significantly tipped to the Heat as Gary Payton and Jason Williams heads on with Smush Parker and Jordan Farmar in terms of experience and playing techniques. Thus, a critical comparison between the said two teams can potentially present the Miami Heat to be better than the Los Angeles Lakers winning them the rivalry between the two. Indeed, experience and playing techniques are significant elements to the competitive world of professional basketball aiding the potential success of the whole team. By considering the advantageous experience and professional level of the lineup of Miami Heat, one can actually say that the winning lever in their game against the Los Angeles Lakers is slightly pulled to their side.

The Thing They Carried essays

The Thing They Carried essays At times when humans are not satisfied with what they have, they escape to a fantasy world. When a human can not continue living the reality, he escapes to a world of fantasy. The author of The Thing They Carried describes a group of military soldiers that have a careless and unorganized leader. Lieutenant Jimmy Cross was the leader of that platoon who was responsible for the lives of his men. The problems occurred in this platoon due to Crosss illusion of being in love. He was unorganized and did not take his job seriously; also he did not follow the military rules as a lieutenant for his men. Lieutenant Cross was receiving letters from a girl named Martha; he had hoped that they would be love letters. He spent hours during the night reading the letters, which were sent to him by Martha. Cross was in love with Martha, and he had been pretending that Martha loved him as well, but he also knew that the love, which Martha had for him, was not as intimate as his love for her. He tastes the flaps on the envelopes, hoping Martha used her tongue to close the envelopes. Lieutenant would think of romantic camping and being with Martha everyday (OBrien, 78). His love for Martha was an illusion that he had made into reality. Cross had always doubted Marthas true feelings for him. He had assumed that she had a boyfriend; he was jealous of Marthas situation because of his own situation. He disliked being far away from home and wanted to be back at home with his family and friends. Cross was concerned about Marthas virginity because he wanted to believe that Martha was a virgin. His c oncern with Marthas virginity was all an illusion he had created for the pure and innocence of life. Since Cross was tired of the war and death, he was trying to run away from the reality and war that they were fighting. He had no way of escaping the war and as the leader he had made a serious commitment to the ...

The Creation Of High Levels Of Job Satisfaction Essay

The Creation Of High Levels Of Job Satisfaction - Essay Example Moreover, according to Chen et al (2002), internalization of organizational values and systems lead to increased organizational commitment levels of employees, enhancing an individual’s intrinsic motivation to display higher levels of on-the-job performance. â€Å"Job satisfaction refers to an employee’s overall sense of well-being at work† (Biswas 2011: 96), and relates to intrinsic, extrinsic and social satisfaction. It enhances work performance, and has a positive correlation with organizational citizenship behavior. Thesis Statement: The purpose of this paper is to investigate and discuss the statement that if employees’ performance at soaring levels has to be achieved, it is necessary to create high levels of job satisfaction among the employees. There is a strong relationship between organizational support, job satisfaction and employee performance. Organizational citizenship and work performance are also related to leader supportiveness as well as f ollower job satisfaction. Perceived organizational support is the extent to which the organization values employees’ contributions and is concerned about their well-being. A supportive organization shows commitment towards its workers (Miao & Kim 2010). Theorists of organizational support state that a high level of perceived organizational support improves work attitudes and creates effective work behavior based on two reasons. First, these beneficial outcomes result from a process of social exchange. The work of researchers Eisenberger, Cummings, Armeli and Lynch (1997) suggests that workers examine the discretionary actions and infer the extent to which they are being supported. They then seek to compensate for this favorable treatment, thereby becoming more hard-working and committed to their work and the organization.

Managing Diversity in British Schools Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Managing Diversity in British Schools - Essay Example Instead of segregation they could be taught in conventional schools with teachers pointing their weak areas. The Government needs to provide resources to schools of the minorities and ensure that they do not undergo racial abuse by teachers and fellows. Therefore these boys seem to need special attention from their teachers and proper care, love and support from their parents which could be obtained by training. This paper intends to highlight the reporting of standards of achievement and behavior in British Schools while finding out the reasons for the problems of blacks in Britain face. Three articles taken from different sources were analyzed and the findings from those are given below. In this article, Trevor Phillips, the chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality, plans to deal with the under- achievement of the black students. It is known that there has been two times as many blacks in prison as there are studying in the university. In order to increase their achievement level it is believed that they should be taught separately from the white students and it is also essential to have parental support. He said that "The Windsor Fellowship", which is mainly for ethnic minority children, have mentored their students excellently that 100% of their students passed with good GCSE grades in London while 75% in Birmingham last year. Keith Va Keith Vaz, the Labour MP for Leicester East, criticized and fears that this would further enhance the segregation and lead to encouraging the feeling of being different. He says that the normal schools should provide additional help required by the failing minority students. Phillips believes that poverty is neither the reason for the poor performance of the black boys, nor white people regarding them as inferior. As their sisters perform well so does the Chinese and Indian students who also suffer from discrimination as perform far better than black boys. [7] Objectivity or Interest of the Writers The writer cares about the welfare of the students of the ethnic minorities and suggests ways of improving their educational achievements especially those of the black boys, who seem to be spending their lives in prison, mainly by segregating schools but believes that racial discrimination is not the reason for their poor performance. The writer believes that poverty is not the major reason behind the low achievement but it is actually under-employment which is the main reason. The black boy after graduation do not get job up to their capabilities which is seen by children and is believed that education is not the solution. Hence they indulge in crime which seems manlier than education. [6] The major reason for the black boys performing low is the racial abuse in the schools which needs to be stopped as it results not only in poor results but dropping out of schools. This eventually leads them to commit illegal act like robbery and drug trafficking. Hence every student should be welcomed and diversity should be accepted in schools especially by the white teachers and students. [4] The minorities and blacks students must have seen their parents work so hard and their employer's under-utilizing their skills, leaving them to dwell in poverty. Hence it leaves an impression on