1980 MGM Fire and Fire Codes Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

1980 MGM Fire and Fire Codes - Case Study Example Fig.1 shows the site plan of the hotel. It had 26 floors designed luxuriously. Ground floor had the Casino, restaurants, showrooms and a convention center and upper level of the jai alai fronton. The below grade level had the lower level of the jai alai fronton, a movie theatre, several shops and boutiques, service areas, and underground parking. There were 2076 guest rooms and another 780 guest rooms under construction on the west side of the building. Hotel structure had fire-resistive, protected non-combustible and unprotected non-combustible segments. Both combustible and non-combustible materials were used for interior finish. Fire sprinklers were installed only in some major portions and every area was not protected for fire. Part of the 26th floor, the arcade level, convention areas, showrooms and some restaurants on the casino level were protected while the casino and tower were not protected with fire sprinklers. A manual fire alarm system was present in the hotel. The guest room floors had manual pull stations. The alarm system had bells and public address capability. There was no automatic detection system installed in the building (National Fire Protection Association, 1980).... Security tried to put off the fire but it was so huge that the Clark County fire department had to be contacted at around 7.15 a.m. (National Fire Protection Association, 1980). Fig.2 and Fig. 3 shows the fire magnitude at MGM Grand. Fig. 2 ("MGM", 2008) The MGM Grand - view from the corner of Las Vegas Blvd and Flamingo Rd Fig 3 ("MGM", 2008) The MGM Grand Fire - looking toward North-East from I-15 According to the fire department fire broke out due to an electrical problem in a combustible covered space next to a pie case in the restaurant. Presence of combustible interior finish and other material like plywood, plastic, paper, wooden decorative members and foam plastic padding of chairs and booths in the Deli helped fire spread very quickly and reach an uncontrollable magnitude. There was no protection in the path for the fire to spread to the Casino. Combustible interior finish, furnishings, other wooden and plastic materials like foam padding and moldings present in the Casino put in more fuel in the fire. Flow of air was also enough for the fire to inflate (National Fire Protection Association, 1980). Within 15 minutes of its detection fire had swallowed up a huge area including the Deli, the Casino and porte cocher on the west end of the building. Heat and smoke rising to the upper floors notified guests of the problem on the ground floors. Helicopters, fire fighters, construction workers and passersby were able to save many people. People who tried their way out through roofs and other exits were rescued while others waited in their rooms for help. Hotel was evacuated completely in 4 hours. 84 people died in the tragic incident. 14 people died on the Casino level, 29 in rooms, 21 in

Santa Ana Winds Essay Example for Free

Santa Ana Winds Essay Weather can affect people’s behavior, positively and negatively. When the weather is nice and hot, it affects people positively by encouraging them to enjoy the outdoors, however, when the weather is bad, like when a hurricane hits this effects people negatively by worrying. Similarly, in the essay â€Å"Santa Ana Winds†, by Joan Dideon, the winds are so abrasive and obstructive that it engenders people to actually commit suicide. This occurs in Los Angeles. Even though Dideon provides a scientific explanation for the soft winds, she characterise hem as evil by showing their effects on people and on the environment. Dideon characterizes and demonstrates the winds as evil. She explains that the winds have an effect on people, making them act unusual. â€Å"Indians would throw themselves into the sea when the bad wind blew† Dideon is describing how the winds would permit people to actually commit suicide. The winds would create such a violent disturbance that townsmen would not even want to deal with such a thing, they would just kill themselves. The horrifying winds would also create paranoia in people. â€Å"Her husband roamed the place with a machete† This man thought there were trespassers and rattlesnakes roaming his yard. His obvious beliefs were due to scare. Dideon not only demonstrates the wind having an effect on people, but also the environment. Having a harsh effect on the hills and Route 66. A hot wind from the northeast whining down through the Cajon and San Gorgonio Passes, blowing up sandstorms out along route 66, drying the hills† Here, Dideon is explaining how the winds create sandstorms along route 66 and the hills are drying up. This not only affects the hills and highways, but in the long run will effect global warming, and drying out farms and hills will eventually create a drought. This leads to many other effects on the environment. The Santa Ana W inds effect the environment in more than one way. â€Å"For a few days now, we will see smoke back in the canyons†. Dideon is signifying wildfires occurring on the canyons. With this wildfire, not only will this wildfire burn down tree’s, but will also spread around disease. The Santa Ana Winds have many effects on the environment and people, when it is a nice, hot and a sunny day, people become encouraged to get out and spend time with their family. However, when a hurricane blows in, it creates many disturbing things, such as paranoia, droughts and wildfires. It is important to be alert and recognize the warning signs of dreadful things yet to come. Otherwise, anyone can get trapped in the middle of a storm.

Critical Success Factors Of Tesco Marketing Essay

Critical Success Factors Of Tesco Marketing Essay TESCO is one of the largest retailer companies in Europe and is the second largest in the global retailers ranked in the top three. TESCO was founded in 1924. Headquarters is located in British Hector Content Ford county. The first sales started with food, but along with the retail market environment change, TESCO company developed, grew, and went through innovation to meet each new opportunity, gradually extend to clothing, electrical appliances, customer financial services, also keep internet service telecommunications and other businesses. At present, there are a total of 2629 stores in the world (sells a total area of 4500 square feet). The stores are in 14 countries and regions, more than 500 million people patronage every day (according to www.uniqueworld.com.cn/view-484.html). TESCO hopes to be able to maintain their carbon missions make new buildings, they also want to make their business follow the way of the specific object this means that enterprise can put forward some specific business objectives to be achieved, so if they hope to within a year to play a certain profit targets, they must make a business plan or pattern can be aided by, in order to achieve their goals. 2.0 Company summary: 2.1 Companys Ownership The ownership of the Hymalls several partners, TESCO is owned by many people. This is due to; it is a public limited liability company or PLC. TESCO, the reason for this shareholding system is Tescos vast size. Because of its size it is difficult to raise enough money for TESCO if it is to belonged to a sole trader or partners in Plc. (like TESCO) company is the shareholders fund company. This happens when people buy the stock of the company to become shareholders. Sometimes this may look more attractive investment companies for their luxury have limited liability. Limited liability is when for instance, the company reaches bankruptcy or liquidation, the shareholders only lose whatever they invest in business. This is common in Plc. co., LTD. (private co., LTD.) unlimited liability applies to the soul traders and partnership, if one of the bankrupt, they may lose all their personal assets over it and capital investment. Mission: To create value for customers, make its lifetime loyalty. Our success depends on people shopping and the work of the company. Vision: TESCOs vision is especially easy to purchase the most valuable service customers; TESCO uses skills, business community, faithful and loyal employees and TESCO shareholders. Tesco is a growth, modern and innovative company, and wins the local and the global scope. TESCO objectives are: 1. To maximize sales and profit 2. To develop and maintain its position as Britains top retail company 3. TESCO aims to be better than their competitors and maintain market leadership 4. TESCO, the main purpose is to maximize profit 5. To provide goods/services cheaply and affordable for the consumers or the public. 3.0 Product: TESCO is in the food industry and food industry is quite powerful. TESCO does not only provide the food business but other non-food product that include electrical appliances, home entertainment products, daily necessities, kitchen supplies, in some of the largest shop even also provide white home appliance and furniture. Recently, TESCO is devoted to brand into the food industry, at present a lot of its large stores are reserve appliances, home entertainment products, toys, sports equipment, kitchen supplies, and even lighting products and decorations. CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS OF TESCO: 4.0 SWOT analysis: 4.1 STRENGHTS: TESCO can sell shares in the stock exchange and this can raise more money, rather than other types of business. The shareholders in the stock market have limited liability and this means that they can only lose their money invested in TESCO, if it failed, they cannot be forced to sell their personal property. Goods are generally cheaper than other places and this makes TESCO a place where people usually prefer to buy goods. This in turn makes TESCO a big and strong financial competitor. Employee welfare is good and so is Management ability. 4. 2 WEAKNESSES: TESCO, does not provide you with an online discount while most of the other top companies do, provide almost as much as 20% so this brings about some thinking before purchase. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2901824 4.3 OPPORTUNITIES: TESCO is able to increase its market share; TESCO is still an enviable position, can enter almost all of the markets and expect to have good performance. Management capability of Tesco can benefit it in the long run. Tesco can provide different ways of service and this can be advantageous 4.4 THREATS: TESCO have a lot of threats in Management capability, Goods price competition by other retailer companies and threats of new entrants into the market New technologies, service and ideals affect Tesco. The Product and self-brand should improve because if not, could cost the company. 5.0 PORTERS 5 FORCES ¼Ã… ¡ 5.1 Customers analysis ¼Ã… ¡ Keeping loyal customers TESCO must look after their customers they do so With low prices, this is because if TESCO low price will attract more Customers, because they spend less money on TESCO. TESCOs still maintain the customers satisfaction, and his mouth bigger, this is because when especially easy to purchase luxury store. Open the big store and then all under one roof this is convenient TESCO Customers are very busy, they just go to special TESCO and get everything they want to. (Lincoln, 2007), TESCO also maintain customer loyalty to they have a club card this system to encourage customers to buy more things, especially easy to buy and Receive. When the customer received enough points, and then they get coupons, they can use to TESCO .It is very conducive to purchase its easy to get a lot of customer loyalty 5.2 Suppliers analysis ¼Ã… ¡ Bargaining capability of the supplier is low. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ What should point out is, suppliers tend to grocery retailers and are afraid of losing their business contract and large supermarket. Therefore, the position of the retailers easy to buy and AASDI, like, plug INCE to further strengthen the, negotiation is positive to obtain the price as low as possible from supplier. 5.3 Rivals ¼Ã… ¡ The intensity of competition in the grocery retail industry is very high. Faced with fierce competition, TESCO direct competitors, including ASDA plug INCE , Morrison and Ross, this is competing with each other, price, promotion products and intermittent. So it should be emphasized, ASDA is a key competitors in the field of market share growth of 16.6% to 16.8% during the fiscal year 2010/09, and plug INCE he display increased 16.1%, 15.8%, 11.6%, 11.3% and Morrison through the same period (European GRUPPO, 2010). The market growth refers to the growing market competition market competition; this is the threat especially easy to purchase market leadership position. 5.4 New entry ¼Ã… ¡ Threat, the new competitors into retail food industry low. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ need huge capital investment to obtain competitive power, the establishment of brand. The main brand, have captured the food retail market TESCO, ASDA, plug INCE and Morrison and they accounted for 80% of all shopping in Britain (the company, 2010). Therefore, the newcomers produce in a very low price and/or high quality, established his market value. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ get planning permission from the local government needs a lot of time and resources, and establish a new supermarket, this is quite a big obstacle new entrants 5.5 Bargaining power of suppliers: The bargaining power of suppliers is very low because Tesco is a big company that buys goods from suppliers in large quantities and can therefore ask for cheaper prices from its suppliers and these suppliers can grant them this because of Tescos vast sixe and influence. 6.0 PEST analysis: TESCO is an International company. Therefore, it is affected by external factors such as political, economy, social and technology. 6.1 Political: All countries have different political views, regulations and laws. For example taxation and service charges and these will have big effect for company. 6.2 Economic: As different economics in different country, It will affect the companys sales performance. 6.3 Social: These are factors such as lifestyle, trends, consumer attitude and opinions. It is a lot of things will affect the sales performance. Even the media views and buying access can fall under this category. 6.4 Technology: One of the most important factors that affect big companies is Technological factors. Consumer buying technology means convenience is most important for the consumer. 7.0 Critical Success Factors 7.1 Competition analysis: TESCO, there are three main competitors plug INCE , ASDA and Morrison. The retail giant many chain stores and a collective can affect food market as a whole quality. However, the recent financial crisis that TESCO, under pressure, when the customers are seeking to reduce their cost switch to lidle, Asda and aldi supermarket cheaper alternative. Today, TESCO, with 273028 employees, is the UKs largest retailers; profit more than 2 billion pounds, including global sales, the domestic market share. In 2008, TESCO, become the worlds fourth largest retailers (Reuters News, 2008). Patterns: TESCO always corporate with local suppliers, and to share their TESCO relevant industry experience and technology. 7.2 Sales strategy The Power of Advertising and Public Relations by the use of media; newspapers and Journals. 7.3 Competitive edge: Price and service, most points are price and service. When I go shopping in TESCO, I find the service is better than other places and supermarkets. Moreover, I can accept the price so this makes sure I always buy something in TESCO. 8.0 Social-Economic impact to the host nation: TESCO has some positive impacts to the nations in which it operates. For example it provides many jobs because the people of the host nations are the ones that work in the supermarkets. The prices of goods in Tesco are affordable and cheaper compared to other retailers and shopping is convenient for the customer. Tesco also has some negative impacts to the host nations as well; Lack of private brands, and TESCO causes market monopoly and makes small shops profit weak and sometimes even close. The big company between very competitive. 9.0 WHOSE INTERESTS GOVERN BUSINESS ACTIVITY: Business activity is governed by people such as Stakeholders and Shareholders also. These people carry weight in company decisions because the company has to impress these people in order to succeed. For example the shareholders need to be shown that they are investing their money in a profitable business so as to not withdraw their funds from the business. Stakeholders such as the suppliers also need to be satisfied by many things such as the reputation of TESCO so as to be motivated to keep providing TESCO with products. 10.0 Conclusion: There are a lot of advantages in TESCO such as price competition and management opinion. However, there are some negatives that should improve. Examples of these are substantially the products, service style, brand effect, Sales ability and sales approach. ( 1936words)

Ancient Burials Essay examples -- Cultural Culture Death Essays

Ancient Burials When someone dies in our society we immediately think of ritualistic burial ceremonies, for example a religious service or open casket. Regardless of where you are from or what your cultural background is every culture has its own method and traditions associated with death. Burials dating back to 15,000-27,660 years ago are culturally and symbolically advanced burials. Therefore providing evidence to represent how socially and culturally advanced modern Homo sapiens really were. However there are those individuals including Anthropologists themselves who refute this statement. They do not believe that modern Homo sapiens that date back this far can possibly be as socially and culturally advanced as I believe them to be. These individuals believe that the evidence and examples including the articles of, The Triple Burial of Dolni Vestonice and The Cap Blanc Lady are in fact accidents and coincidences. A radiocarbon date has been labeled to â€Å"The Triple Burial of Dolni Vestonice† to 27,660 years ago, during the Upper Paleolithic era. This specific burial site was excavated in Moscow, Russia in 1986. The gracile skeletons found here were of three ancient people. All three lay side by side. In the middle was the oldest of the three and this skeleton appears to be a woman, due to the analysis of her pelvic region. The entire right side of the woman’s body was not fully developed and her skull shape was asymmetrical. Therefore giving Anthropologists insinuation that she must have had scoliosis due to her deformations. To the left of the woman lies a robust (17 year old boy) with his hand atop of hers. And to the right of the woman lies another robust skeleton (18 or 19 year old boy) with both of his arms touchi... ...n 1911, many anthropologists thought the adult skeleton was a 25 year old male. This proves that anthropologists can be wrong within their predictions. Experiments must be tested several times in order for dates to be accurate. Likewise, in reference to the theories of symbolic burials and the advanced culture of these ancient peoples. Theories may be attested, although we do obtain clear evidence that these burials are not accidents. As I have shown you through two pieces of well studied excavated sites. The Triple Burial of Dolni Vestonice and The Cap Blanc Lady are not accidents and coincidences. Burials that date back to 15,000-27,600 years ago are in fact culturally and symbolically advanced for there time. It’s up to you to formulate your own opinion on this subject matter. Just remember to remind yourself of the questions and the evidence I have provided.

Organizational Planning Verizon Wireless Essay

Organizational Planning: SWOT Analysis for Verizon Wireless Before planning can begin, a framework should be built to guide the decision making process by identifying what the overall goal is to be. At Verizon Wireless, the mission statement, or credo, is broken into 5 sections that are the pathway for leadership within the company, as well as for internal stakeholders, to ensure the success of the company. Verizon Wireless identifies strengths as being a high quality provider of communications services, being committed to customers through teamwork, and acknowledging that just being the biggest is not the same as being the best. By identifying weaknesses such as being reactive to competitor offerings, pricing structure of plans, and the perceived lack of a global presence, reviewing the credo can initiate change to address these weaknesses and create opportunities from them. Identifying the opportunities of network infrastructure growth, simplification of pricing plans for both busi nesses and consumers, and providing varied equipment pricing options allow the company to address some of the weaknesses. Threats are identified as competition from other providers, market penetration for services, and proposed regulations from the F.C.C. with regard to net neutrality. As a whole, these identified areas provide the roadmap to achieve success for both the internal and external stakeholders. When setting a long term goal, or strategic plan, the credo is consulted to ensure that the areas identified in the SWOT are being addressed. With a strategic plan in place, Verizon Wireless can set long term goals on how they plan to broaden their strengths, lessen their weaknesses, capitalize on their opportunities and minimize the threats. One of these strategic plans in place is to grow market share by gaining additional customers. Long term growth of customers is fundamental to the longevity of the company. Without new customers the company becomes stale and profits may fall. Both the internal and external stakeholders would be unhappy if Verizon Wireless did not provide a value to them either  monetarily or through the service itself. Review and confirmation of programs being offered to customers is constantly being revised as changes within the marketplace dictate. This long term strategic planning will be fluid as the needs of the customer change. An operational plan has a shorter time line to achieve the goal. The target of initiating new growth through new products and service can be accomplished through the Verizon Wireless Partner Program. The adoption of new technology and integration of devices ensure Verizon Wireless to achieves this goal going forward by partnering with companies to provide equipment and services. According to â€Å"Partnerships – Verizon† (n.d.), † Verizon’s award-winning Partner Program focuses on better serving the needs of customers by enabling them to simplify how they consume communications and IT services in a way that best meets their needs, while giving them access to the full Verizon portfolio. Whether teaming with Verizon directly, indirectly through program members, or as a hybrid, customers can take advantage of Verizon’s next-generation services portfolio.† (2). These types of partnerships build from the commitment that Verizon Wireless has stated, â€Å"We hold ourselves to a very high standard of performance. We prize innovative ideas and the teamwork it takes to make them happen. We never stop asking ourselves how we can make the customer experience better, and every day we find new answers.† (Commitment & Values, n.d.) In this operational plan, the internal stakeholder is satisfied because the company is initiating new growth, and the external stakeholder is satisfied because the new products and services are providing additional revenue. With both strategic and operational plans in place, Verizon Wireless is poised to achieve success in both the near term as well as far into the future. Reference Verizon Wireless. (n.d.). Commitment & Values. Retrieved 2/28/15 from http://verizonwireless.com/about/commitment-values Verizon Wireless. (n.d.). Partnerships – Verizon. Retrieved 2/28/15, from http://www.verizon.com/about/our-company/partnerships/ (2)

Women’s Power Essays

Women’s Power Essays Women’s Power Essay Women’s Power Essay Simone De Beauvoir is regarded to be rationalistic and Eurocentric. Furthermore, the contemporary feminist theorists think of her to be male-biased and opinions on Beauvoir’s works to be simply valued for historical reasons. It was also told that her ideas were generally outdated. These opinions had been spreading in the 1999 during the Fiftieth Anniversary of â€Å"The Second Sex† conference in Paris (Wyatt, 2007). Upon reading Simone De Beauvoir’s essays, it can be noted, though not obviously or greatly evident that Beauvoir’s philosophy includes a lot of very important insights for feminism, both contemporary and future feminism. Simone de Beauvoir believes that the existence precedes essence (Blunden, 1997). In this sense, Beauvoir greatly believes that an individual was not born as a woman. As such, an individual only becomes a woman if she becomes one. Beauvoir also believes that women, as placed in the context of being the â€Å"other†, are in a situation wherein men put a certain â€Å"mystery† around them. Men try to stereotype women in order to gain or have an excuse to create a society where men would dominate or thus obtain a patriarchy within the society. Women’s roles are shrouded with this false â€Å"mystery† that men place unto them. As such, oppression of women is often present in a patriarchal society, where men tend to tell everything that they need to do. There is a certain hierarchy placed in the society, where men are above, and the women below or under them. This certain mystery also occurs on other things, which may include religion, class or even in races. Regarding the slogan, â€Å"Come along way† (baby)? , in the point of view of Simone de Beauvoir, women may not have arrived because of men’s oppression or their â€Å"mysterious† state because of men. For Beauvoir, if feminism is still not present up to this day, then it did not exist even before. Though, women did come along way or need to travel a long way in order to reach or arrive in a situation where the society is no longer patriarchal. Women can only be said to have arrived if there is equality among the sexes and that women is treated as a human being, not just as the other. On the other hand, if feminism is indeed present or achieved today, then we can say that women had already arrived. In the society, man dictates the definition of women. She is characterized in relation to man; to him and not to herself. Furthermore, man can still think of himself even if woman is not present. Unlike the man, being the â€Å"other†, a woman is not able or cannot think of her self without the presence of man. Arriving at the end of woman’s journey would be difficult. In this sense, woman would need more effort for they lack the concrete means of organizing themselves. They do not have the enough capabilities to be united and stand against the other and they continue to be overshadowed by the other sex’s power. According to Beauvoir, woman has no past, no religion of their own and has no history and that she is generally dependent on man (Blunden, 1997). Throughout the course of time, as society evolves, feminism continues to live in struggle in a patriarchal society. The classes, races, religion, science and even in economics, throughout the history of humans, women are always undermined by man, though her situation is changing from one point of time to the other. They are some points in history where the battle of the sexes, the equality of men and women, had been going on and in some point, stops. But one thing is for sure, man dread feminine competition. This is probably why woman would have a hard time arriving at a place that they want to be. Estelle B. Freedman is a U. S. historian and she is well-versed in the field of feminist studies and is a co-founder of a program regarding feminist studies (Freedman, 2007). Her specialization is women’s history and social reform. She had already been recognized for her works and exemplary essays. For Freedman, feminism does not fully exist, rather it is unwell and is still being reassessed and restored to its strength with great importance and vitality. Despite the fact that she also believes that feminism has a very good future and has exceptional and unparalleled history. Freedman also believes that it requires great effort and so much work to do for women to attain the true equality and obtain real power that is parallel to that of which men have.

Both vs. Neither

Both vs. Neither Both vs. Neither Both vs. Neither By Maeve Maddox The use of both where neither would be clearer and more idiomatic is fairly common, but inherently ambiguous. Take for example, â€Å"Both men were not arrested.† Is the intended meaning â€Å"neither man was arrested† or â€Å"one man was arrested, but the other wasn’t†? Here are some examples of statements that use both where neither is the better choice: Original: Both of us didnt have too good of a year (in 2013), and were seeing that in the attendance. Better : Neither of us had too good of a year (in 2013), and were seeing that in the attendance. Original: Both of us didnt  want to go to the Hospital but the fireman told us it would be best to get checked out. Better : Neither of us wanted to go to the Hospital but the fireman told us it would be best to get checked out. Original: Diaz and Felder tend to vote conservatively on social issues, so they both arent going to be happy with the abortion plank. Better : Diaz and Felder tend to vote conservatively on social issues, so neither is going to be happy with the abortion plank. Original: Trustees Michael Bubba and Eileen Albanese were also sworn in as trustees. They both have never held elected office. Better : Trustees Michael Bubba and Eileen Albanese were also sworn in as trustees. Neither has ever held elected office. In a few contexts, both + negative works: Intimacy cant happen if  both arent  present in the exchange. The core similarity between them is that both aren’t so much political parties as they are social movements. A general rule to keep in mind, however, is to avoid using both with a negative: Both Smith and Jones are the children of noted politicians. BUT Neither candidate has ever held public office. Both and neither on newspapers adults whom the scientists recruited were normal weight and generally healthy; others were overweight; and still others both overweight and diabetic. None exercised regularly. The scientists invited (www.nytimes.com) so often, the couple here present themselves as both outsiders in an elite institution and as heirs to it; as people excluded from its narratives but now possessors of (www.nytimes.com) proud of it. They had found a solution that made sense to me. Why should I stuff myself into binary gender terms when neither male nor female seemed to fit? (www.nytimes.com) sharply escalate the administration’s tariffs on Chinese imports - a threat he reiterated on Friday - shows that neither side has yet gone far enough to persuade the other to compromise. Bigger and broader tariffs may be necessary (www.nytimes.com) Video Recap Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Style category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:25 Subordinating ConjunctionsExcited ABOUT, not "for" Is Your Novel "Mystery," "Thriller," or "Suspense"?

NASA Not Ready for Safe Manned Mars Mission

NASA Not Ready for Safe Manned Mars Mission NASA lacks the â€Å"right stuff† to deal with the dangers involved in sending humans to Mars and bringing them back – alive according to the space agency’s own Office of Inspector General (IG). In his 48-page report, NASA inspector general Paul K. Martin stated that NASA â€Å"faces significant challenges† in protecting Mars mission crews, and that it is being too â€Å"optimistic† in projecting its timetable for responding to the risks. As a result, Mars-bound humans â€Å"may have to accept a higher level of risk than those who fly International Space Station missions.† Now planned for the 2030s, NASA’s first human mission to Mars will be fraught with new dangers such as deep space radiation, increased cancer risk, impaired vision, negative effects of extended space travel on human behavior and performance. Reality check: By the 2030s, there will still be no warp drives, transporters, replicators or other â€Å"Star Trek† wonders to help our Mars-bound astronauts get there faster and stay alive longer. In fact, as IG Martin notes, they might even run out of food. Running out of Food? Yes, even basic nutrition could become a big problem, according to the report, because: A mission to Mars and back will take at least 3 years, but the current maximum shelf life for NASA’s prepackaged foods is only 1.5 years.The vehicle carrying astronauts to Mars and back will probably be far smaller than the International Space Station, providing significantly less room for food storage.Periodic resupply missions carrying more food, like those currently serving the Space Station, will not be possible.Finally, NASA scientists do not know how deep space radiation will affect the quality, shelf life and nutritional value of food. While NASA is investigating resupply alternatives, including actually growing food in the Mars spacecraft, the IG stated, â€Å"Despite 35 years of experience with space flight and research in this area, NASA food scientists continue to face challenges from crew member weight loss, dehydration, and reduced appetite that can result in nutrient deficiencies both during and post mission.† Dangers and Costs of Dealing with Them Not Known While NASA has developed ways to deal with most of the risks of travel in low Earth orbit, many of the added risks associated with long duration space travel – like trips to Mars and back are not yet fully understood. In addition, taxpayers, IG Martin also found that NASA cannot accurately project the true costs of creating ways to deal with the Mars mission risks. In fact, the ability of NASA to pay for a manned Mars mission, safe or not, is questionable given its shrinking share of the annual federal budget, which Congress has shown no signs of enlarging any time soon. â€Å"NASA has taken positive steps to address the human health and performance risks inherent in space travel,† Martin wrote, adding, â€Å"Long duration missions will likely expose crews to health and human performance risks for which NASA has limited effective countermeasures. †¦ Accordingly, the astronauts chosen to make at least the initial forays into deep space may have to accept a higher level of risk than those who fly International Space Station missions.† A ‘Culture of Silos’ Dragging NASA Down In his report, IG Martin contends that NASA’s scientists and engineers are held back by their tendency to work in what he called a â€Å"culture of silos,† in which technical teams work and collaborate only with specialists within their own areas of expertise. In other words, not enough research data is being shared. â€Å"We found multiple examples of work taking place on health and human performance risks that suffered from such communication silos,† Martin wrote. According to the report, NASA’s has so far failed to give its astronaut life safety community a designated representative to work with the engineering, safety, and mission planning communities to ensure that issues of astronaut health and physical performance are fully and properly considered. IG Found Some Progress, But†¦ IG Martin did find that NASA had been taking some steps to lessen the risks of the Mars mission including a new Mars rover, set for launch in 2020, that will be able to extract and collect oxygen from thin Martian atmosphere and ways to grow food in the almost sterile Martian soil. However, Martin concluded that NASA must speed up its work on astronaut safety in order to meet its established manned Mars mission goals and timetables.

Education in Japan Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Education in Japan - Research Paper Example In some cases, reformers have explicitly pointed to education system to have an important link to the creation of more efficient and effective learning environments. However, some of these studies also point towards an increase in psychological problems and many societal issues among Japanese children today. Numbers of studies have proved strong relation between extraordinary high standard of education system and activities of private schools and psychological problems in students of elementary schools in Japan. (Fullan, 35) As long as a child is in Junior High School in Japan, he can only attend the school which is located near their home. (Stevenson, Azuma and Hakuta, 210) Though, senior high schools can be attended anywhere within a city: this leads to a competition between schools, every student becomes willing to go to the best school and every school looks to get the best students of the city. More than 25% of senior high schools in Japanese cities are owned privately, that shows the degree of the competition at higher levels schooling in Japan. This is the time, when Japanese parents are ready to pay substantial amounts of money to make their children get admission in the best school. According to a survey, 1,073 students of private schools of Japan were observed. Out of them about 67% studied visual and arts subjects such as music, painting, abacus and calligraphy. About 25% of these students attended 3-4 times/ week, and rest of the students about 18% attended these classes 5 or more times in a week. Results showed that increasing attendance of these classes produced dizziness, alteration in sleep pattern and several other psycho physiological problems. Such results warn educationalists and parents both of adverse effects of these extracurricular activities. (Matsumoto, K. Kaku, R. Nakagawa, K and Kaneko,

Compare and contrast aspects of Arab identity as manifested in Essay

Compare and contrast aspects of Arab identity as manifested in Palestinian and Druze communities - Essay Example do not have their own country, similar to the Kurdish people of Turkey today who are fighting for their own homeland through an armed secessionist movement in northern Turkey. The Druze never had a single country to call as their own due to being scattered in many places a long time ago and did not seek any piece of land they can call as their own homeland. This makes the Druze unique in history. They were left out when the British partitioned and left Palestine but had steadfastly retained their identity. Palestinians live within the original geographic borders of Palestine situated in the regions encompassing Israel, the Gaza Strip, and the West Bank. Except for those who took up Israeli or Jordanian citizenship or of some other country, Palestinians are stateless because they have no officially-recognized country. Palestinians and Druze think of themselves as Arabs but with sub-identities such as an Arab (national), civic (Israeli or Syrian), and religious as Druze, Christian or Muslim (Hofman & Rouhana 76). This paper discusses two films that portray how these Arab identities are expressed in art such as films which mirror a collective consciousness that is manifested by people who are trying to define themselves. The Druze community is very small when considered as an ethnic group and this very smallness makes the Druze persevere in their customs and practices. They are very decided to remain identified as a Druze although in some quarters, the word Druze is often derogatory. In their communities, the person considers himself or herself as Druze first and second as Syrian. Druze people in the Golan Heights consider themselves as Syrian citizens. The Druze already have a well-defined or clear social identity unlike the Palestinians who are still struggling to establish an identity. This difference is well contrasted in the two films being discussed. In the film â€Å"The Syrian Bride† it was shown how ephemeral this idea of citizenship is because the bride

Hyperlocal journalism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Hyperlocal journalism - Essay Example A proper example of a hyperlocal journalism site is the inclusion of an article about a baseball team that is found within the local little league. It may also include conducting an interview with a veteran who took part in the Second World War and lives within the region. In addition, the sale of a home along the street also forms part of the hyperlocal news and journalism (Fidgerald, 2010). The biggest challenge that is faced by hyperlocal journalists is the funding and hence the ability to sustain the model. However, each day, there are new models that are being developed alongside the present ones. One of them is the advertising-only model. A good example is the Post-gazette, which in the year 2011 was launched by a pilot in Sheffield, as one of the startups that were ad-funded. It still possesses a twitter, Facebook and Website links. However, they are no longer operational. It indicates that the model, which was aiming at delivering hyperlocal news at broader perspective across the nation was responsible for much smaller areas. The whole idea was supposed to be done with the use of mobile devices, which were produced by numerous publishers. In general, it is important to have at least one publisher for every 5,000 people rather than one person covering a single town or a handful of people covering one town. Also, there should be a particular target amount for a single place. However, one of the challenges that will be experienced with this strategy is the lack of enough skills among the people (Craft & Davis, 2013). This model of business possesses varying degrees of success. Initially, it was thought to be an innovative way through which the information that is often ignored by the local newspapers is brought to the members of the community. However, hyperlocal journalism happens especially at a time when most of the news outlets are laying off their journalist and reducing the amount

If you were about to become the ruler of your own country, which parts Essay

If you were about to become the ruler of your own country, which parts of Niccolo Machiavelli's The Prince with Related Document - Essay Example In establishing the structural dimensions of the text, Machiavelli makes a number of key indicating factors. In terms of my own personal rule, an element I recognize as applicable to contemporary world is when Machiavelli states, â€Å"a new ruler will need to establish himself in defiance of custom† (Machiavelli, pg. 20). When considering the rule of my own nation or region, I believe that it is important to establish a number of elements that run counter to traditional custom. It’s recognizable that extreme examples of this are demonstrated in North Korea and some Middle Eastern nations; however, my government structure would attempt to develop a cooperative means of interaction with other nations, while advancing a number of anti-conformist notions of government. For instance, my government structure would attempt to reduce the emphasis on war, and present a more liberal social policy. Another important element Machiavelli addresses in the Prince is the nature of ref orming new laws and elements of existing orders. In these regards Machiavelli sees tremendous risk, but also recognizes that such practices are necessary. In these regards, he indicates that new orders are established through force, and then gain continuity through reference to virtue. When considering laws in the contemporary world, it’s clear that nations use reference to virtue in many instances to uphold the viability of the laws. Within the United States, reference is given to the founding fathers who outlined the constitution; in Israel this is seen as the state references traditional Biblical tradition in establishing laws and social order. I recognize that as a neophyte ruler I will have to develop a reference to virtue that will aid in the establishment of laws and various governing factors. In these regards, my government structure will be greatly influenced by the transcendental thought of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. In addition to supplying a view of the universe that is accepting of scientific principles, these thinkers also present a wide variety of thought on the nature of laws and social order. In addition to these thinkers, the social laws will refer to intellectual elements in establishing virtue. While Plato speaks of a philosopher king, my new nation will not run on democratic principles, but rather function through an intellectual elite that will determine the shape of society. This concept of governance is more like the United States Supreme Court than the Congressional House of Representatives. In addition to these major elements, there are a few cursory elements that I would adopt in my rule. In terms of succession, Machiavelli indicates that individuals who gain power through simple appointment are weak and have a difficult time retaining this power. To counteract this element, my government will have a rigorous selection process wherein I will appoint my successor. In terms of tax structure, Machiavelli indicat es that too rigorous a structure will cause the people to revolt while too lax a structure will result in problematic issues for the country. Therefore, my government will take a generally conservative tax structure, wherein rather than attempting to appeal to the people through generosity, the government will guard against the people’s resentment. In these regards, the general approach to governance will not be to overly appease the populace, but rather to ensure they are moderately happy and do not

Answer the question Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 21

Answer the question - Essay Example It is therefore important that teachers embrace practical approach to learning through effective research to achieve the solutions to academic challenges and unjustified claims (Nell, 2011) Research findings are subject to temporal changes. This necessitates the construction of a paradigm in which temporal changes in scientific findings are factored into the initial findings to create coherence of knowledge (Nell, 2011).This provides teachers with an alternative to use other researches in the various fields with necessary shifts of paradigms to explicitly foster comprehensive understanding among learners. Essentially, no research proceeds without the influence of an initial course. Earlier researches provide basis to make inferences on current issues with necessary changes. Therefore, paradigms provide effective means through which coherence in research findings is attained without undue criticisms of the initial research. Scientific research is the fundamental driver of scientific progress, inventions, and innovations. It is important to create a smooth transition between research and its implementation. Research in itself is unable to cause the desired academic change without an effective implementation of the findings (Nell, 2011). Application of a theoretical claim in research is necessary whenever adequate research tools are made available. Research in essence provides a means through which theoretical knowledge finds justification. Human minds bear several unresolved doubts about the existence and changes in various aspects of life. It is therefore necessary that the perceptions of learners in a classroom set up be underscored by facts to justify the reality of such

Challenges and Opportunities in Strategy Implementation Essay - 2

Challenges and Opportunities in Strategy Implementation - Essay Example According to the paper the set plans need to well communicated throughout the organisation to enable all the staff to work together to achieve the company’s expected future results. Both new and existing organizations strive to get the biggest share of customers in the market. To acquire a big market share, organisation conduct different practices and activities to be more appealing and better placed in the market. There needs to be set procedures by the organizations that cover the whole field. An organisation that operates without set plans and procedures stand a chance to overlook other crucial areas needed to be better placed in the market. From this paper it is clear that organizations that set strategies and work towards implementing them are the ones that enjoy a greater market share. Putting set plans to action is one of the most important parts of achieving expected results. The small actions carried out in an organisation on a day to day basis need to be well linked to each other so as to contribute to the expected organizational results. Small daily targets need to be structured to contribute to the strategy of the organisation. Organizations need to be well structured so that all the staff can respect the expected results of the organisation. Communicating the strategies to the staff is crucial to ensure all staff works with a uniform purpose, which is to achieve the expected results of their organisation. For customer retention, organizations need to learn from the market reaction to various processes. Organizations with good strategy implementation plans are better placed to ensure that successful processes are continuously carried out and the non-effective processes are replaced with more productive processes.

If you were about to become the ruler of your own country, which parts Essay

If you were about to become the ruler of your own country, which parts of Niccolo Machiavelli's The Prince with Related Document - Essay Example In establishing the structural dimensions of the text, Machiavelli makes a number of key indicating factors. In terms of my own personal rule, an element I recognize as applicable to contemporary world is when Machiavelli states, â€Å"a new ruler will need to establish himself in defiance of custom† (Machiavelli, pg. 20). When considering the rule of my own nation or region, I believe that it is important to establish a number of elements that run counter to traditional custom. It’s recognizable that extreme examples of this are demonstrated in North Korea and some Middle Eastern nations; however, my government structure would attempt to develop a cooperative means of interaction with other nations, while advancing a number of anti-conformist notions of government. For instance, my government structure would attempt to reduce the emphasis on war, and present a more liberal social policy. Another important element Machiavelli addresses in the Prince is the nature of ref orming new laws and elements of existing orders. In these regards Machiavelli sees tremendous risk, but also recognizes that such practices are necessary. In these regards, he indicates that new orders are established through force, and then gain continuity through reference to virtue. When considering laws in the contemporary world, it’s clear that nations use reference to virtue in many instances to uphold the viability of the laws. Within the United States, reference is given to the founding fathers who outlined the constitution; in Israel this is seen as the state references traditional Biblical tradition in establishing laws and social order. I recognize that as a neophyte ruler I will have to develop a reference to virtue that will aid in the establishment of laws and various governing factors. In these regards, my government structure will be greatly influenced by the transcendental thought of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. In addition to supplying a view of the universe that is accepting of scientific principles, these thinkers also present a wide variety of thought on the nature of laws and social order. In addition to these thinkers, the social laws will refer to intellectual elements in establishing virtue. While Plato speaks of a philosopher king, my new nation will not run on democratic principles, but rather function through an intellectual elite that will determine the shape of society. This concept of governance is more like the United States Supreme Court than the Congressional House of Representatives. In addition to these major elements, there are a few cursory elements that I would adopt in my rule. In terms of succession, Machiavelli indicates that individuals who gain power through simple appointment are weak and have a difficult time retaining this power. To counteract this element, my government will have a rigorous selection process wherein I will appoint my successor. In terms of tax structure, Machiavelli indicat es that too rigorous a structure will cause the people to revolt while too lax a structure will result in problematic issues for the country. Therefore, my government will take a generally conservative tax structure, wherein rather than attempting to appeal to the people through generosity, the government will guard against the people’s resentment. In these regards, the general approach to governance will not be to overly appease the populace, but rather to ensure they are moderately happy and do not

Challenges and Opportunities in Strategy Implementation Essay - 2

Challenges and Opportunities in Strategy Implementation - Essay Example According to the paper the set plans need to well communicated throughout the organisation to enable all the staff to work together to achieve the company’s expected future results. Both new and existing organizations strive to get the biggest share of customers in the market. To acquire a big market share, organisation conduct different practices and activities to be more appealing and better placed in the market. There needs to be set procedures by the organizations that cover the whole field. An organisation that operates without set plans and procedures stand a chance to overlook other crucial areas needed to be better placed in the market. From this paper it is clear that organizations that set strategies and work towards implementing them are the ones that enjoy a greater market share. Putting set plans to action is one of the most important parts of achieving expected results. The small actions carried out in an organisation on a day to day basis need to be well linked to each other so as to contribute to the expected organizational results. Small daily targets need to be structured to contribute to the strategy of the organisation. Organizations need to be well structured so that all the staff can respect the expected results of the organisation. Communicating the strategies to the staff is crucial to ensure all staff works with a uniform purpose, which is to achieve the expected results of their organisation. For customer retention, organizations need to learn from the market reaction to various processes. Organizations with good strategy implementation plans are better placed to ensure that successful processes are continuously carried out and the non-effective processes are replaced with more productive processes.

Issues in special education Essay Example for Free

Issues in special education Essay Legal disputes between parents and school officials can be very costly. The cost is not just in dollars. It also involves costs in terms of the diversion of resources, the toll on school personnel, and, most importantly, the breakdown in the relationship between the parents and the school. The best way to deal with a legal dispute is to prevent it from occurring in the first place. In 1975 Congress passed landmark legislation designed to provide the nations students with disabilities with unprecedented access to educational services. Originally known as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (1975), that legislation is now known by its new title, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (1997). The statute, as amended, calls for school districts to provide students with disabilities with an appropriate education in the least restrictive environment. The law also provides students with disabilities and their parents with due process rights, including the right to contest school district decisions regarding the provision of a free appropriate public education. Consequently, since the enactment of the law in 1975, literally thousands of lawsuits have been filed challenging school district decisions. The IDEA is not the only law governing special education in the schools. In addition, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the ADA provide students with disabilities with additional protections. Section 504 prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities by recipients of federal funds. The ADA expands section 504s discrimination prohibition to the private sector, but includes provisions applicable to public entities. In addition, all states currently have laws governing the provision of special education. Procedural issues Evaluation and Classification The IDEA requires states, and consequently school districts, to establish procedures to assure that all students with disabilities are properly identified and evaluated (IDEA, Â § 1412, a, 2, 1997). Those procedures, along with the test instruments chosen, may not be culturally or racially biased. In fact, students whose language or mode of communication is not English, must be evaluated in their native language or usual mode of communication (IDEA, Â § 1414, b, 3, 1997). The IDEA stipulates that all assessments are to be administered by trained personnel in conformance with the instructions provided by the test producer (IDEA, Â § 1414, b, 2, 1997). If a student is found to be eligible for special education, the school district is required to develop an individualized education program (IEP) for that child, but the IEP can be invalidated if it is based on a flawed evaluation of the child (Bonadonna v. Cooperman, 1985). The student is entitled to an independent evaluation if the parents disagree with the school districts evaluation. However, the school district is required to pay for the independent evaluation only if the parents can show that the districts evaluation was not appropriate. If the parents do obtain an independent evaluation, the school district must consider the results of that evaluation (Assistance to the States, Â § 300. 503, 1999). However, that does not mean that the school district must adopt the recommendations of the independent evaluator (G. D. v. Westmoreland School District, 1991). Rights of Parents and Guardians Parents are given considerable due process rights on behalf of their children in the special education process. The intent of the IDEAis for them to become partners with school district personnel in the development of IEPs. The school district must provide the parents with proper notice before it proposes to take any action regarding the childs identification or placement (IDEA, Â § 1415, b, 3, 1997). The parents must be invited to participate in all meetings in which the students evaluation or placement will be considered (Assistance to the States, Â § 300.345, 1999). If the parents disagree with any decisions made by school district personnel, they may seek resolution either through voluntary mediation or an administrative due process hearing. If the parents disagree with the final result of the administrative hearing process, they may appeal to the federal or state courts (IDEA, Â § 1415, 1997). Failure to provide parents with the rights outlined in the IDEA can invalidate an otherwise appropriate IEP (Osborne, 1996). Change in Placement Procedures Once a child has been placed in special education, that placement may not be arbitrarily changed. Again, before any change in placement may occur, the parents must be given proper notification. The childs placement also may not be changed while any administrative due process or judicial proceedings are pending absent parental consent or a court order (IDEA, Â § 1415, j, 1997). The actual determination of what constitutes a change in placement can be tricky. For example, if a special education classroom was physically moved from one school to another as part of a school district reorganization, that would not be considered a change in placement as long as the students IEP could be fully implemented in the new location. By the same token, the usual movement of a student from one level to another (i. e. , elementary to middle school) is not a change in placement if the students IEP can be fully implemented after the change (Osborne, 1996). However, any move that would affect the IEP or its implementation would be considered a change in placement. Obviously, changing a child from a resource room situation to a substantially separate class for students with behavioral disorders would be a change in placement. The elimination of a component of the students educational program would also constitute a change in placement (Abney v. District of Columbia, 1988). Minor changes are allowable, however. The key to determining whether or not the change is acceptable is how the modification will affect the students learning (DeLeon v. Susquehanna Community School District, 1984).

Effects of Petroleum in Foods and Personal Care Products

Effects of Petroleum in Foods and Personal Care Products Cowden, 1 Dating back to ancient Egypt and Europe people everywhere would use lead filled makeup on their faces and bodies. These days, however, our government realizes the dangers and would never let us apply something so hazardous on our skin, right? Wrong. Just as lead causes memory and concentration problems, nervous system and kidney damage and high blood pressure; petroleum products can also cause health issues. American businesses consistently use petroleum derivatives in our food, drinks, and personal care products, and these additives cause diseases such as, cancer, skin dermatitis, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Petroleum consists of a liquid mix of hydrocarbons found in the depths of the earth that society refines to create fuel. The term petroleum derivatives includes different chemicals made from petroleum and that have a variety of names, concealing what the people of the world truly put on their skin and in their bodies. Some of these chemicals include, parabens, tertiary-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ), petroleum jelly, and paraffinum liquidum also known as mineral oil. Americans may see these items on the ingredient list of some of their groceries, just assuming that our government will protect us; after all, why would a well trusted company insert substances in their products that could cause us harm? Many people do not know what these derivatives really consist of because with names like â€Å"mineral oil†, it seems as though a product might be made with minerals. Another misconception in todays society is the use of terms such as â€Å"all natural† or â€Å"organic†. In recent years, Americans have become more concerned with general well-being and drawn to certain trends, some American consumers resolved to buy exclusively all-natural and organic products. All terms, immediately associated with good health, but just because a product claims to be â€Å"organic† or â€Å"all-natural† on the label does not necessarily mean that it does not contain hazardous chemicals. Arsenic is an all-natural substance found in minerals; that does not mean it would be safe to ingest. However, contrary to popular belief, high levels of arsenic can be detected in American rice and there are no regulations in the USA as to how much may be found in the grain. Surpri singly, the one country that does regulate the amount of arsenic allowed in rice, is China. The requirements set by the United States Department of Agricultures (USDA) National Organic Program state that the food products portraying themselves as organic must have a percentage of at least ninety-five organic ingredients and cannot be made, grown or processed with any pesticides, antibiotics, synthetic growth hormones, synthetic ingredients, or bio chemistry, and cannot be produced or processed with irradiation meaning, a food product goes through a process using radiation in order to preserve the food. If a product has a percentage of seventy or more organic ingredients and is not produced with synthetic methods, it can be labeled as â€Å"made with organic ingredients† but the product cannot use the USDA organic seal. Products that do not qualify for the previous seals, can take advantage of a loophole. One option utilized by companies to get their food products certified as naturally grown and that certain companies also considered an easier and cheaper process wou ld be to go through certification with the help of a non-profit organization sponsored program called Certified Naturally Grown. A product with the Certified Naturally Grown label on it indicates that a farmer has inspected the product and confirms the product was made using a natural process and ingredients. However, companies do not have to go through the process of maintaining these seals in order to put â€Å"natural† on the label of a product. The label will not have the Certified Naturally Grown or the USDA Certified Organic seal, but there are no requirements for using terms such as â€Å"all-natural† or â€Å"natural† on a products label because everything comes from something and is technically natural. As a result of such, petroleum and other harmful chemicals can be used in virtually any merchandise (a company or organization wishes). Labels reveal the shocking truth of what popular snack foods contain and what consumers may have eaten their whole life. TBHQ, for instance, can be found in snack foods such as American Reeses peanut butter cups, Butterfingers, Nestle Crunch, Little Debbie, CHEEZ-Its, MMs, numerous brands of (microwave) popcorn, and Wrigleys gum. Other products that use TBHQ include the popular breakfast foods such as Pop Tarts, Wheat Thins, Kelloggs frozen waffles, certain restaurant foods from McDonalds, KFC, Red Robin, Olive Garden and Taco Bell, certain brands of cooking oil, certain brands of peanut butter, personal care products, pet foods, and much more. Paraffinum liquidum (mineral oil) can be found in the popular gummy candies Swedish Fish and Life Savers, and the petroleum derivative can also be found in baby oil, moisturizers, makeup, and hair products. Parabens, are mainly found in makeup but companies also utilize them in toothpaste, tooth whitening, shampoo and conditioner and a number of styling gels and creams. Parabens and TBHQ are used as preservatives and Paraffinum Liquidum is mainly used as a film former and emollient but is also used as a cleaner and solvent for inks used in fine art printmaking. It can be used to cool electric components and as a lubricant and fuel. When companies use mineral oil in foods, they use the chemical as a glazing agent. Companies use these chemicals to preserve foods because they cost less than the alternatives and to satisfy consumers wanting cheaper products, but what is the ultimate cost? Parabens have been shown in multiple studies to be oestrogenic meaning that parabens can effect female hormones in a negative way. Of course some people do believe that it has not been proven that parabens are the definitive cause of breast cancer, and that there are other harmful chemicals in products that could also be the cause. Dr. Phillipa Darbre, an associate professor at the school of biological sciences and a program adviser for biochemistry, who for around 26 years worked on the role of estrogen in breast cancer at the cellular level, claims â€Å"There are plenty of other chemicals in these pots [of cosmetics] apart from parabens which are also oestrogenic and we have to ask questions about additive effects. We are not exposed to a chemical, we are exposed to a mixture (Mellowship pg. 77).† This statement has truth in it, nevertheless, some types of parabens have been found in the breast tissue of women diagnosed with breast cancer including a high concentration of methyl-paraben which, along with n-propyl paraben, has been discovered in human urine. In a study conducted in Denmark, twenty-six volunteers in good health applied cosmetic creams containing the ingredient butyl-paraben all over their skin and the chemical was detected in their blood stream in one hour. TBHQ, an antioxidant extracted from petroleum and the main ingredient in lighter fluid, can cause an array of health problems. According to reports from American citizens, the problems reported include, night terrors and anxiety, asthma, swollen lymph nodes, body rash, diarrhea, irritable bowl syndrome, and anaphylatic shock as well as some other serious problems. A toxic reaction may occur if only a gram of THBQ is ingested. The amount of TBHQ allowed in a product cannot exceed 0.02% of the fat and oil in the food, (this includes any essential oil in the food). ADHD has become increasingly more common in recent decades. Although reasons for this remain classified as unknown, perhaps the reason for this is that companies manufacturing their products do not want consumers to know that those items contain the possible cause. The Feingold Association has executed research and have discovered that the use of more than one additive at one time has a synergistic interaction and damages nerve cells. The Feingold Association, which researches the connection between a childs diet and any disorders the child may have, recommends removing additives and food colorings containing petroleum. Legal guardians that have followed the associations suggestions report that their childs symptoms have disappeared or significantly decreased. Another idea suggests that artificial additives act as counterfeit neurotransmitters admitting false excitable signals. Children possess a higher risk of developing negative affects from heavy metals due to processed foods cons istently removing the calcium, iron and zinc which provide a childs body with the ability to clear out heavy metals. A child has an inadequate amount of essential vitamins and minerals making processed foods a possible factor of aggressive behavior. Petroleum derivatives, mainly parabens and mineral oil, can also cause various skin rashes and reactions. Contact dermatitis, is a type of skin inflammation that has symptoms comparable to those of eczema. According to statistics, five to nine percent of men have been affected by contact dermatitis and thirteen to fifteen percent of women have been affected. Irritant contact dermatitis occurs when substances come into direct contact with a persons skin causing inflammation and irritation; irritant contact dermatitis maintains the role of the most common type of contact dermatitis. It usually causes itching, swelling, oozing, dryness and crusting. A case of allergic contact dermatitis takes place when the immune system becomes provoked after repeated exposure to a substance causing an allergic reaction which could take place around two days after exposure. Contact urticaria takes place immediately after contact with an irritable substance, causing extremely itchy welts. Contact urtica ria can be an irritant or an allergic reaction, be that as it may, an allergic reaction can follow an irritant reaction. Chronic cumulative irritancy occurs most of the time through repeated contact with mild cleansing agents such as detergents and soaps. Research that took place between 1972 and 1983 discovered that facial makeup, skin and hair care products caused the bulk of contact dermatitis reactions in the volunteers observed. The most common causes of contact dermatitis in the participants studied in order were fragrances and parabens. Due to the fact that petroleum products stand as such harmful chemicals, several countries including Norway, Finland, Australia and France have all set laws banning at least one type of petroleum based food coloring. Most certified food colorings possess petroleum bases; the differences between American foods that contain food coloring and European foods that use healthier options are drastic. The Center for Science and Public Interest (CSPI) is a non-profit group that specializes in innovative research on health and nutrition to equip consumers with valuable information about health and well being. The CSPI organization took a trip to Britain in 2008 and unearthed the variations of food coloring use. CSPI discovered that a McDonalds strawberry sundae receives its color from strawberries in Europe, whereas in America the sundae gets its color from red dye number forty. They also discovered that the European Fanta orange soda, unlike the American version which gets its color from the dyes yellow number six and red number forty, gets its orange hue from pumpkin and carrot juice. Barbara Brenner, the executive director of Breast Cancer Action, an education and advocacy organization working to cure breast cancer, said â€Å"I think it would be really interesting for people in the U.S. to learn what is being done in Europe. Because, here in America, there is something that amounts to hubris. To the extent that short-term profits are valued over life, there is a tragic flaw. Capitalism is killing us. The truth is that making our products safer is really in industrys interest, because the people who use the products would live longer, but nobody is taking a long term view (Schwartz-Nobel, 117).† The well-known cosmetics company Avon, claims to be involved in breast cancer research. It seems like a conflict of interest for cosmetic companies to be involved in the breast cancer field considering the chemicals they use, nevertheless, it seems to be a popular marketing strategy. Avon, like many other cosmetic companies, uses dangerous and untrusted chemicals and has continued to do so since 1886. Pharmaceutical companies that also use harmful chemicals, perform breast cancer research as well. But to actually discover a cure or learn how to prevent the disease would be against their financial interest. The same people that make a living treating these illnesses fund many of the health advocacy movements as well. The previously mentioned organization Breast Cancer Action decided to try and have Avon remove some of the harsh additives from their makeup, specifically parabens. Eighty-two of Avons products contain parabens. After purchasing one share of Avon and becoming a share holder, Breast Cancer Action approached three larger share holders and convinced them to hold a shareholder resolution requesting Avon to remove parabens completely from their products or using a nonestrogenic substitute. Avon replied soon after their request saying, â€Å"We believe that discontinuation of the use of parabens and replacement with an inferior preservative would present a potential health risk to our consumers that is neither necessary nor warranted (Schwartz-Nobel, 118).† This statement from the board of directors at Avon persuaded the other shareholders to vote against the proposal to remove parabens. The company Avalon, which markets the Alba, Avalon Organics, and UN-Petroleum brands of personal care products, went through a difficult but altogether rewarding process complying with the campaign for safe cosmetics toxic free pledge. They called this newly found objective, â€Å"consciousness in cosmetics†. Under new ownership at the time, the company struggled at the start. Morris Shriftman, senior vice president of marketing for Avalon, asked himself this question, â€Å"What do you do when you learn about something that can be dangerous, problematic and expensive? We had a rude awakening (Baker, 97).† After removing any additives that the European government has banned, the companys next step was eliminating any non renewable petroleum based ingredients. He goes on to say that, â€Å"We found a deeper value in what we do. And the world of consciousness in cosmetics has been very good from a business point of view (Baker, 98).† The companys sales skyrocketed up to forty million dollars. When the company announced it was being taken over by Hain Celestial group, a natural and organic food and personal care conglomerate, for twenty million dollars in 2006, Shriftman and his partners proved that even if cosmetic companies do not realize it, these companies gain no finances by using hazardous additives in their merchandise. And, that taking these chemicals out of products provides ethical as well as financial returns. On some occasions companies list petroleum products on the label, but companies only have to list an ingredient if it qualifies as a major allergen and companies do not have to declare ingredients that do not qualify as major allergens. Therefore, many companies that do not list all the ingredients used in their products for marketing purposes, hope that the potential customers that know the dangers of consuming petroleum will at least not know that their products contain it. Consumers must educate themselves on different chemicals, which products contain those chemicals, and whether the foods and products being used by them are truly safe. The consistent use of petroleum in foods and personal care products causes Americans various health issues such as anxiety and ADHD, skin irritations, reactions, rashes and cancer. Research proves that companies that have cut out petroleum derivatives from their products have an increased profit margin, yet most companies still ignore the fact that there is no long term value in using petroleum in food, makeup or personal care products as well. The American governments job is to protect the United States of America from all threats foreign and domestic; several organizations have proven that petroleum is a threat to society when consumed or applied to the skin. America should follow the example of other countries and should ban petroleum in food and skin products. At the very least, it should be law for companies to list specifically all added ingredients so that consumers have a choice as to what they use and consume every day.

Business Trip Encounter with SARS :: Personal Narrative China Travel Essays

Encounter of the Worse Kind My scheduled flight to Hong Kong was delayed because of a conference meeting that ran over in New York. I rescheduled for the following week on Tuesday, February 21, 2003. I arrived in Hong Kong and met my business contact and headed off to the conference at the Metropole Hotel. Something seems odd here, unlike my trips before. There are people with masks on everywhere. I asked my business contact what was going on. He said there was some kind of flu going around. I have never seen so many people with masks on before. In the U.S. people rarely put on masks even if they have the flu. He also said that a lot of people are sick and some have died from it. It seems odd that people would die from catching the flu; I mean nowadays who dies from getting the flu. We finally arrived at the conference and I met my clients. Most of the clients seemed sick but were determined to finalize the deal. Some of them were coughing and some had sore throats. I was afraid I would get sick from being too close to them and I tried to take precautions by taking cough drops and Tylenol when I felt I was coming down with the flu. I was glad when the meeting was over. The contract took two days to iron out all the details. Since the meeting went well I decided to stay in Hong Kong for a little longer. I needed a break from work and wanted to go sight seeing. I have been to Hong Kong a couple of times but never had the chance to see the countryside. The following morning when I woke up I started to cough and was running a fever. I was probably infected from the close contact of the sick clients. So I decided to stay in and rest for a while. I was sleepy and couldn't get up from my bed. The next day it got worse. I had a sore throat and had muscle pain. I've never been this sick before and I thought to myself that it was due to getting older and my immune system not being up to par. I have been very busy lately and my stress level has been up more than usual.

The Use of Drugs by 1950s Artists Essay -- Illegal Drugs Speed Narcoti

A movement arose among the artists of 1950s America as a reaction to the time's prevailing conformity and affluence whose members attempted to extract all they could from life, often in a strikingly self-destructive way. Specifically, the Beat writers and jazz musicians of the era found escape from society in drugs and fast living. But what exactly led so many to this dangerous path? Why did they choose drugs and speed to implement their rebellion? A preliminary look at the contradictions that prevailed in 1950s American society may give some insight into these artists' world. At the end of World War II, American culture experienced an overhaul that ushered in a period of complacency beneath which paranoia seethed. A generation that had lived through the privations of the Depression and the horrors of world war was now presented with large suburban homes, convenient and impressive appliances, and pre-packaged entertainment. Such wonders so soon after extended hard times were greeted enthusiastically and even treated with a sense of awe. They may have encouraged few distinctions among the middle class -- the houses in a suburb were generally as identical as hamburgers at McDonald's -- but they represented a wealth to which few had before enjoyed access. Life became automated, with dishwashers cleaning up after dinner and air conditioning easing mid-summer heat. The new conveniences left more time for families to absorb the new mass culture presented through television, records, and Spillane novels. Excitement over the new conveniences and entertainment led America to increasingly become an acquiring society. To my parents' generation, childhood in the 50s was a time when people were generally pleased with themselves and with the... ...McNally, Dennis. Desolate Angel: Jack Kerouac, the Beat Generation, and America. New York: Random House, 1979. O'Neil, Paul. "The Only Rebellion Around". Life 47 (November 30, 1959): 115-116, 119-120, 123-126, 129-130. Parkinson, Thomas, ed. A Casebook on the Beat. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Company, 1961. Peretti, Burton W. Jazz in American Culture. Chicago: Ivan R. Dee, 1997. Rigney, Francis J. and L. Douglas Smith. The Real Bohemia. New York: Basic Books, 1961. Tytell, John. "The Beat Generation and the Continuing American Revolution". American Scholar 42 (1973): 308-317. Van Den Haag, Ernest. "Conspicuous Consumption of Self". National Review VI (April 11, 1959): 656-658. Wakefield, Dan. New York in the Fifties. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1992. Woideck, Carl. Charlie Parker: His Music and Life. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 1996.

The Perfect Customer Service Model

After looking over the customer service model I would use what I thought I would want to receive as a customer calling in for help. You have a preconceived notion as to what your customer service call would be like. For instance if I had a customer call I would like to greet them warmly and get right to the point as to what the problem is and what I am prepared to do in order to help them. A customer expects professionalism but they also expect understanding and dedication to their issue, so being very attentive is key.This would be a part of my strategy. As far as the systems I would make sure that the use of the state of the art facility was used as well as up to date equipment and software, being on top of the newest technological trends and software will ensure fast and accurate repairs. Another important aspect of customer service is the representatives taking the calls. It is my duty to the customer to make sure that every individual they speak to has been trained and is qualif ied to help them.I have had experiences where the responses are from a text and often times you get shifted to different people that are qualified in different areas. I think that making sure the persons receiving calls are qualified leads to a better customer service experiment the less run around and hold time the better. The management of the facility as well as other personnel must have a background in the customer service area as well as technology because they support the frontline.

My First Child

I walked through the doors of Moses Taylor hospital, In Scranton, Pennsylvania. I was feeling apprehensive and uneasy, as I found myself at the nurses' station of labor and delivery. Once I was finished with registration, I followed a nurse into the dusty rose and moss green room, where I would be staying until the much anticipated arrival of my child. I tried to keep myself occupied by watching television, reading, and doing crossword puzzles, but nothing could have kept me from feeling the excruciating pain of labor.The eagerness to have this all over and done with, was definitely not helping with the anxiety I was feeling during that process. After 22 grueling and strenuous hours of being stuck In a bed, and three different shifts of nurses, I finally met my daughter. Friday morning, at 4:mama, the sky was dark and cloudy, and the moment I had been anxiously awaiting for nine and a half long months, was here at last. Everyone in the room got very quiet as my child entered the wor ld. I was very confused as to why I had not heard any sounds coming from her and it began to worry me. The moment I heard her cry, I new everything was going to be okay. Oh! She Is absolutely breath-taking,† I exclaimed as Dry. Reedy placed the Innocent child on my chest. Just as I said that, a tiny hand reached up and touched my face. I braced myself against the back of the bed; I could hardly contain my excitement as I held my daughter in my arms for the very first time. I could smell the sweet, inviting aroma and feel the velvety softness of her skin. Nothing in life had prepared me for the overwhelming love I felt at that moment. I looked over at my child's father; while fighting back the Inevitable tears of Joy that ere making their way Into my eyes, and I stated. Frank, look at how perfect she SSL Look at her tiny little nose. † I can still remember the first time I set eyes on her. She was naked, and glistening with the slimy waters of birth. As the nurse removed her from my arms, to clean and weigh her, I could not take my eyes off my little miracle. The instant I saw her, I knew the name we had chosen would fit her beautifully. The nurse, wearing arctic white Nikkei sneakers and soft pink scrubs with a cute little Winnie the Pooh pattern on them, handed my daughter back to me. She was wrapped In an Ivory blanket, with baby blue and cherry red Infant foot prints on It.Nurse Lori began filling out my child's vital statistics, â€Å"She is seven pounds and fifteen ounces and 20 inches long. Have you decided on a name for her yet? † â€Å"Aubrey. † I answered. â€Å"Aubrey Grace. † Lori commented, â€Å"What a great name for such a beautiful child. Congratulations! † â€Å"Thank you,† I replied. The next few hours were filled with visitors coming to welcome Aubrey Into the world. Aubrey met her aunts, uncles, grandparents, and Godparents all in the course of a day. Aubrey started getting over-whelmed with all of the commotion around her. WA! † cried Aubrey, as she let out this tiny little cry. I tried to console her as best as I could, and eventually found that she was hungry. I quickly grabbed the bottle of Gerber formula for her. As I held my tiny bundle of Joy in my arms, I could see a lonesome tear run down my mother's cheek. When I knew exactly why my mother was crying. They were not tears filled with sadness, but were tears of Joy. My mother helped me through so much in my life, and I never understood the love she had for me until I finally had a child of my own.

Central European Market - Final Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Central European Market - Final Report - Essay Example This paper examines the Auchan’s progress in the Russian market. The paper starts with background information and then analyzes the Russian market. The paper also discusses some of the challenges facing the company and suggests ways through which they can be addressed. Auchan Corporation is based in Croix, France and had presence in more than 12 countries. The company’s origin can be traced to 1961 when Gerard Mulliez opened the first store in Roubaix, France. Five years later, another store was opened in Roncq, Northern France. The company started expanding to other countries in 1981, when it established a subsidiary in Alcampo, Spain. In 1989, the company opened its first hypermarket in Italy. The company has also established foreign subsidiaries in China, Hungary and Russia. In order to increase its presence in the major economies, the company has also acquired other players in the retail industry. This mode of entry allows the company to expand much faster rather than using wholly owned enterprises. The company is one of the pioneers in the hypermarkets landscape in France and other major European countries. ). The consumers have extended values and intimacy to the corporation and the company has become more than a localized entity in R ussia. Auchan prefers organic growth and has 1,450 stores across the globe. Although the organization prefers organic growth, at times it expands to foreign markets through acquisitions. For instance, in 1996, the company acquired Docks de France and partnered with RT Mart in China. In Italy, Achuan acquired La Rinascente’s while in Italy it acquired GCI. Such acquisitions are very advantageous as they are less risky and are associated with positive outcomes such as increased market share, lower cost of operation, higher competitiveness, financial leverage and higher profitability. In most countries where it operates, the Achuan group pursues a strong

To develop a marketing Plan for expanding a product or service into a Assignment

To develop a marketing Plan for expanding a product or service into a new market (Wal-Mart) - Assignment Example Wal-Mart always looks for the opportunity to expand its operation in to new emerging markets because it has a very strong financial background and have smart strategic and marketing planners. Justification of the new market: The retail industry in UAE is growing with a very fast rate from the last few years. A big portion of its population is moving towards the buying from retail stores. The retail sector in UAE is contributing a great part in the economic growth. It has been estimated that the sales of the retail sector would go up to $41.22 billion in 2015 from $31.1 billion currently (Edge Resourcing, 2013). The reason of this forecast is that people and households in UAE are now preferred to adapt the modern concept of retailing. People from different parts of the world are going to UAE with the purpose of employment and business, so this new market of migrated people has also brought up with them a modern concept of buying from retail stores and prefer retail stores over the loc al stores. This environment has created an opportunity for Wal-Mart to expand its operation in to this emerging market of UAE. PEST ANALYSIS: Political: UAE operates with Islamic rules and regulation, so Wal-Mart should be licensed under the federal commercial agencies law when expanding its operations in UAE. This law claims that a foreign retailer/agent of franchisee/distributor should be a UAE national. Economic: UAE is a growing economy with providing a lot of business facilities to the multinationals and act as financial hub for the foreign investments. UAE has a great earning from the oil sector and it is now focusing on the other sectors, for example: tourism industry, real state industry, and retail industry etc. Social: The major portion of the workers and...The people belongs to different countries have different cultural values therefore it is very difficult to analyze various cultures in a single region. Still UAE has got its own cultural values but it is limited to the 20% of the total population. The marketers need to update their strategies by analyzing the changing trends in the consumer behavior. It is difficult to analyze the culture of several nations in a single market and made decision according to the need of each and every segment. Thus the focus of the marketers is completely on the buying behavior of consumers and customer satisfaction. The rate of urban population in UAE is more then 80% so it can be said that a major portion of the population is based on the educated people. Social media have become very much influential in the consumer decision making among UAE population. According to the research it has been found out that more then 70% of the population of UAE makes decision after reviewing the blogs or comments of people about the product or service and people search the products through websites and make decisions (RNCOS, 2012). Most of the people in UAE prefer to save the money and lives in UAE with the purpose of earning and saving money, so in this kind of environment Wal-Mart will be attractive because it offers low prices then competitor’s prices. The cost conscious behavior of the UAE population will give a great advantage to Wal-Mart to develop its market.

BMW Report Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

BMW Report - Research Paper Example The plant, property and equipment for the company amounted to â‚ ¬ 11,685 million and â‚ ¬ 11,427 million in the years 2011 and 2010 respectively. The depreciation expenses that have been charged on the property, plant and equipment of the company amounted to â‚ ¬ 2,324 million in the year 2011. The depreciation expenses have increased by â‚ ¬ 23 million from the 2010 figure which was â‚ ¬ 2,301 million (BMW Group, 2012, p.57). If we look at the cash flow statement of the BMW group as presented in its recent annual report for the year 2011, the following details could be found regarding the depreciation expenses, sales and purchase of property by the company and gains from the sale of property and equipment by the company for the year 2011: Depreciation and amortization of other intangible, tangible and investment assets amounted to â‚ ¬ 3,654 million. There was no gain / loss of tangible and intangible assets and marketable securities as observed in the cash flow statement. Investment in intangible assets and property, plant and equipment amounted to â‚ ¬ 3,679 million. Proceeds from the disposal of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment amounted to â‚ ¬ 53 million. The ratio of capital expenditure of the company to its generated revenues for the year 2011 was 5.4%. This figure remained unchanged from the previous year figure (BMW Group, 2012, p.19).

Advantages Of The Euro Currency Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Advantages Of The Euro Currency - Essay Example The greatest advantage of the Euro is that there is regional currency stability due to the fixed exchange rates. The Euro has led to price stability within the EU characterized by low inflationary trends and stable public finances. This has increased the credibility of the Euro due to large currency zone thus stability against the speculation. This credibility is reinforced by a common monetary policy that is governed by the European Central Bank. Currency stability has encouraged trade as there is a reduction in both external and internal currency instability. The single currency eliminated the risks involved in exchange rates making importers and exporters better placed to make accurate growth projections in foreign markets. Businesses no longer pay hedging costs as insurance against currency fluctuations. They are also spared against the costs incurred as a result of accounting across currencies. Small businesses are the greatest beneficiaries as they would otherwise incur greater costs as a result of currency fluctuation, unlike large multinationals that enjoy the benefits of economies of scale. This has encouraged entrepreneurs and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) operators' to trade beyond geographical boundaries and expand their businesses (BBC News, 1998). The single currency has encouraged tourism as people are spared the task of currency exchange thus red tape procedures are eliminated. This means that tourists are not at risk because of carrying huge sums of money and do not encounter extra charges because of commissions (BBC News, 1998). It has enabled individuals to trade beyond their geographical locations and compare prices. The internet has made this even better as one can easily shop for the best offer on a product or service.

Opinions of Experts in the Search for Knowledge Research Paper

Opinions of Experts in the Search for Knowledge - Research Paper Example his is where the expert and the ordinary individuals diverge, in the way they form their opinion, then acquire and interpret knowledge. Who is an Expert? According to Christine Hogan (2000), â€Å"an expert is a person with a high level of intelligence, skills or knowledge in a particular sphere, reinforced by publicity and honors by others, by research and publications† (57). A more complicated definition was posited by Kurz-Milcke and Gigerenzer (2004), who stressed that an expert is a social figure in the distribution of knowledge – those who, in comparison to most, not only have more knowledge but also are able to manage knowledge transfers (42). The authors further explained that an expert can only become an expert by way of his or her performances wherein he or she translates and integrates knowledge into popular meaning systems (42). And so, a learned person who has merely acquired knowledge but has not displayed or demonstrated his learning cannot be considered one. Society will not accord him or her the status of an expert unless work or several works were published that would support his being so. No one can claim such title or role without the explicit consent of many individuals, institutions, and organizations. It is, hence, easy, based on the previous two definitions, to identify whether one is interacting with an expert. An expert is someone who has previous knowledge or expertise on the subject and also he or she is known to have demonstrated those characteristics, one who built his reputation, translating it into status and recognition from the society he belongs. An individual will know that he is talking with an expert if that person speaks authoritatively, especially basing from his specialized skills and experiences in addition to the credibility he has earned in the society. The society reinforces this with recognition since its institutions value performance and contributions to the continuing search for knowledge. The above definitions also reveal an important variable - why an expert’s opinion is valuable and this is demonstrated in several areas of knowledge.

Social implications of the Internet Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Social implications of the Internet - Essay Example These innovations facilitated a tremendous flow of information, in the technical, business, cultural, political and entertainment fields. They also created a mass society, hungry for new products, better services, entertainment and general awareness, which resulted in an explosive growth in the advertisement - production - consumption cycle. Though the telephone, and to a certain extent the telegraph, had a limited scope for a two way interaction between ordinary citizens, the other media like radio and television presented only a one way flow of information. These media were still not truly interactive. The combination of all the above technologies, and also the innovations in electronics, led to the development of computers and private local networks. They allowed, for the first time, a two way exchange of written as well as graphic information between the networked computers. Since the use of these networks was initially limited to research and defence, they were more or less under the control of the government. Surprisingly, this very fact was instrumental in the further development of computing and networking technology. ... s were made by a few individuals for the people, the Internet was a development which became 'of the people, by the people and for the people', with a much larger portion of the mass society participating in the development process. The integration of the concept of World Wide Web with the internet, and also the advancement in Satellite Communication has practically connected each individual to every other, across the globe. The social impact of this phenomenon is unprecedented. With the refinement in the computer languages, the common man, with minimal or no expertise, has also been made part of this fully interactive medium, and can now explore, process and share any type of information, whether written or graphic, with any other person, in any part of the world, without taking a step out of his house. Right from children in schools, to senior citizens in retirement, the complete society has been integrated. The concept of Small office-Home office ( SOHO) is gaining popularity, reducing the necessity of commuting to the work place. Outsourcing of work is another development, which has made a considerable social impact, because of the internet. The society has also greatly benefited from the improvements in the service industry such as Banking, Insurance, Medical services, tourism etc., all due to the Internet. Like any other technology, the Internet is not without its set of problems. The major problem is uncontrolled uploading and downloading of information. Pornographic and other unsuitable content is already corrupting young minds. It is extremely difficult to invoke legal provisions in business transactions, due to the global reach of the Internet, and due to the absence of strong, mature and enforceable Cyber laws. Innocent people often fall prey to smart