Case study 2 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Case study 2 - Assignment Example During the midmorning snack, Jim will be offered one cup of plain yogurt, Mona will take one half cup of cooked pastas while Kora will be offered  ¼ cup of cottage cheese. During the mid afternoon snack Jim will take 1  ½ ounces of cheddar cheese, Mona will take 1  ½ cup of cooked rice, while Kora will have 1 egg (Marotz, 2011). Mona who is allergic to wheat is likely to have a shortage of carbohydrates and fiber; he will lack nutrients such as calcium, iron, riboflavin, and thiamin. Jim who does do take milk will lack enough proteins and nutrients such as calcium, while Kara will have a deficiency of vitamins especially vitamin B. Peanuts is also a good source of proteins. In order to meet their nutritional needs they are supposed to be given food such as puddings, cheese, yogurt for Jim, pastas, rice for Mola, and legumes, meat, beans or eggs for Kola. As a teacher, one should also ensure that we have the approval of the child’s physician before giving any treatment to any child with allergy symptoms. We should ensure that children do not use their allergies as a way of getting attention or seeking special privileges (Marotz,

A Mythical Roadmap of the Movie Cars Essay Example for Free

A Mythical Roadmap of the Movie Cars Essay The first stage of separation is the call to adventure. Followed by the refusal of the call and the crossing of a threshold. Call to Adventure: In most situations, this call becomes the subject of the story or the plot of the movie. For Lightning, he thinks his call to adventure comes over the Public Announcement System when the tie-breaking race in California is announced. While this may be the obvious choice, but I don’t think that it is. We need to look at Lightning as the potential hero and observes how he grows over the course of the journey. He doesn’t grow in skill as a driver. He ran his first race at the beginning of the movie a lot better than the race at the end. The call to adventure is not always the destination, but the road leading to the destination. The adventure is in the hero’s growth. The growth that Lightning experiences is in his ability to have and appreciate friends. As cheesy as it sounds, the call to adventure for this movie is the call to find friendship. Refusal of the Call: The refusal of the call happened during the first race when Lightning refused the help and friendship around him. Let’s admit it, Lightning was a jerk. He alienated the people who tried to help him. Three different crew chiefs quit on him during the one season he’s been racing. His arrogance at the end of the first race was so bad his entire crew quit on him. Another example of Lightnings Refusal was his initial refusal to pave the road he destroyed in Radiator Springs. It was through his paving the road that he learned the lessons of the journey. Crossing the Threshold: The symbolism of the thresholds in the movie are found in the highways that Mack and Lightning re traveling. The â€Å"Mother Road† on Route 66 is significantly more important as it is on the Mother Road that we meet the Threshold Guardian, embodied by the Sheriff. As Lightning is frantically trying to find the interstate and Mack, he speeds pas a sleepy Sheriff’s speed trap. The local sheriff begins to follow him with sirens going. Instead of stopping, Lightening goes through a chain of events throug h the forgotten town of Radiator Spring destroying the main road and other property and landing himself in jail, or the impound. This leads to the initiation phase, which can be summarized by the road of trials, the meeting with the goddess, and apotheosis. Road of Trials: The neat part of the Road of Trials step in Cars is that they are somewhat associated with an actual road, in this case, Route 66 or the Mother Road. As Lightning began to face his trails during the movie, he began by failing them. Lighting’s failure in his encounter with the threshold guardian, the Sheriff, resulted in the destruction of the road. When Doc challenged Lightning to a race, Lightning again failed due to his arrogance and lack of experience racing on dirt. The turning point on his road of trials came in the pasture where he and Mater, the local tow truck, were tipping tractors. Lightning successfully tipped all of the tractors by revving his engine. He was also successful in escaping from Frank the Combine. There, Lightning’s luck changed and he was able to fix the road, learn to race on dirt and redeem himself from his earlier failures. The Meeting with the Goddess: I had a couple of options in picking the goddess who Lightning would meet. Since Lightning is a male, I began looking at the female characters. Had the hero been a woman, I would have included the male characters in my search. One important part of identifying the Gods and Goddesses is to not get hung up on their gender but on how the character fills the role. I first went to Sally Carrera, a 2002 Porsche Carrera, as a possibility for the goddess, but I needed to remember not to confuse the romantic interest with the goddess. The goddess that Lightning has to meet needs to be associated with a trial or test that he had to pass in order to continue on his journey. The character that I identified as the goddess, was not a main character, she didn’t even have any speaking lines. The goddess was Bessie. Bessie is the name given to the road paving machine that Lightning had to drag at a snails pace to fix the road. I chose Bessie because she was the symbolic and literal obstacle that was keeping Lightning in town. To leave town, Bessie would have to be on the other end of the road with smooth pavement behind her. Lightning challenged Bessie’s role as his captor when he tried to speed up the process of fixing the road by quickly laying down the asphalt that he later had to scrape up. When Lightning was put in his place, humbled, and respectful of Bessie’s role as the goddess, he could begin to accomplish the task before him. Apotheosis: The step of apotheosis or becoming the father or god began when Lightning discovered that Doc was a retired race car. Discovering Doc’s Piston Cups and watching Doc race helped Lightning to realize that he could learn something from Doc and he quickly regretted not listening to the advice Doc previously offered. The true point of apotheosis comes during the final race when Lighting takes things learned from his time in Radiator Springs and used it to position himself for the win. This includes driving backwards using rear view mirrors and driving on the dirt infield during a spin-out that helped him take the lead. Even though he did not win the race, or the cup, as Doc had, it was Lightning’s to give up. He became the race car that Doc would be proud to know. The third and final stage of Lightning’s journey is the return, characterized by a refusal to return, the crossing of another threshold, the mastery of two worlds, and the freedom to live. The next three step follow each other in very rapid succession. The refusal came when Mack and the rest of the media came to bring Lightning back to the â€Å"real† world. Lightning didn’t want to go. He had fallen for the temptress, Sally, and was ready to abandon his journey. Luckily for him, Sally told him it was okay to go and he left, returning to the world he left behind. The magic flight out of the fantastical world in this story had been combined with the crossing of the return threshold. Mack the truck carries Lightning out of Radiator Springs and onto California. The events surrounding this is discussed a little more when we talk about crossing the return threshold. During Lightning’s stay in Radiator Springs, he became more attached to the people there. It is easy to imagine that he would give up the California race if that meant he could stay with Sally and the residents of the town. The sweet ambrosia of friendship he tasted there was more powerful that the desire to have the Piston Cup. As demonstrated in the movie, there were three aspects to this rescue from without. First is how the media was notified by Doc of Lightning’s location. Second, is Mack with the media entourage barreling into town to take Lightning away. And third, Harv the agent reminds Lighting about the Race, Dinoco, and his rival Chick Hicks. Doc, Mack, Harv, and the media each helped to rescue Lightning. Reluctantly, he allows himself to be rescued and backs into Mack’s trailer for the magic flight to California. The Crossing of the Return Threshold: In the step of crossing the return threshold, we see the return of the Sheriff in his role as the threshold guardian. He and Sally stopped Lightning from leaving by siphoning his gas tank on his first night in the impound. Later, the Sheriff almost had to go after him before Sally and Lightning went on their ride to the Wheel Well. After Lightning finishes paving the road, and thus completing his road of trials, the Sheriff changes his demeanor and is ready to give Lightning a police escort to help Lightning get to the race on time. In the Sheriff’s role as the threshold guardian, he has released Lightning from â€Å"captivity† and it is now Lightning’s â€Å"refusal to return† that is keeping him there. Lightning crosses the return threshold as he takes his magical flight in Mack’s trailer. One part of crossing the return threshold is that the fantastical world, or the world forgotten, becomes forgotten again. Lightning had become a catalyst of life and energy culminating with everyone in Radiator Springs cruising under the neon lights. When Lightning had left town, Doc finally got what he originally wanted. After a tongue lashing from Sally, Doc quietly sat there as everyone left him alone. He sat there thinking about what he had done as the neon lights turned off, one by one. The world forgotten returned to its anonymity as Doc sat on the darkened road, under the traffic light’s flashing yellow signal. Perhaps the saddest moment in the movie. Master of the Two Worlds: The second to last step in the journey is when the hero becomes the master of the two worlds. This is done by finding the ultimate boon and sharing it with those around him. Since the Ultimate boon in the gift of friendship, it is shared in two situations. First, Lightning shares his friendship to the residents of Radiator Springs when he becomes the customer of all of their stores. They share their friendship back when they show up to be his pit crew. Most notably is Doc acting as the crew chief. Lightning did not show his friendship to Doc in the same manner as he did to the others until he helped King across the finish line. Another large sharing of friendship is where he arranges for Mater to take a helicopter ride over Radiator Springs. Freedom to Live: The Freedom to live is shown primarily in the epilogue after the race. Lightning has merged his two worlds together and can now freely live in the racing world but still be with his friends, especially Sally. Lightning literally puts Radiator Springs back on the map when he moves his racing headquarters to the small town. Also, Lightning becomes a new man, or car, as shown by his new paint job, inspired by the classic 1957 Chevy. In many ways, I have found this journey to be similar to that of Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh begins his journey at home as the restless king. He soon meets his helper Enkidu and the two of them go off on their adventure to the forest to defeat Humbaba. Enkidu dies. This prompts the grief stricken Gilgamesh to cross the Threshold of Adventure to seek the answer to immortality. While in the underworld/other world Gilgamesh passes many tests before he meets Utnapishtim and his wife who help him find the magical flower of everlasting life. But Gilgamesh loses the magic plant in his Peak Experience to the trickster snake who steals immortality for itself. So Gilgamesh returns home with the boon, the understanding that immortality is reserved for the gods and that he is human. He will experience death and he realizes that he must live his life and enjoy it. So he writes down his tale to spread the word to his people. As a result, Gilgamesh’s journey comes full circle just as Lightning McQueen’s had in the movie. For this reason, I have concluded that all heroes must use the phases of the journey mentioned in this paper. Though the sequence of the steps may change, they are almost always taken.

Autarky and Economics Questions and Answers

Autarky and Economics Questions and Answers   Question 1 (a). Write down the problem of an agent that maximizes ex-ante utility in autarky. Find the conditions that characterise the allocation in autarky. Explain how the allocation changes with ÃŽ ². Autarky is a situation where no trading takes place between agents. Each agent needs to provide for his own needs in an autarky, ie he independently chooses the amount of I that he wants to invest in the long run technology. The issue of liquidity insurance arises here. Every agent wants to maximise his ex-ante utility but the problem is that at time t=0 he does not know about his type whether he wants to consume early at t=1 or late at t=2 resulting in asymmetric information. Hence, there is a risk that more than is optimal may be invested. The conditions that characterise the allocation in autarky are bounded by the constraints of C1 and C2. If agent decides to consume early, he will get savings (1-I) and liquidated investment (É ­I). C1 = 1 I + É ­I = 1 I (1-É ­) If agent decides to consume late, he will obtain savings (1-I) and returns from investment (RI). C2 = 1 I + RI = 1 + I(R-1) Agent will choose his consumer profile (C1, C2) that will maximise his ex-ante utility U based on the above constraints. However, the allocation is not efficient in autarky as shown in the next part of the question. Max U(C1,C2) = u(C1) + ÃŽ ²u(C2) = [1 I + É ­I]+ [1 I + RI]= 2+ É ­I + RI We set up the lagrangian method to explain the allocation changes in ÃŽ ² where the constraint in the below equation is the maximum utility. L = Ï€u(C1) + (1-Ï€)ÃŽ ²u(C2) + ÃŽ »[2+ É ­I + ÃŽ ²RI] = Ï€ + ÃŽ »Ãƒâ€°Ã‚ ­I = 0 = (1- Ï€)ÃŽ ² + ÃŽ »RI = 0 = 2+ É ­I + ÃŽ ²RI = 0 Complementary Slackness Condition: ÃŽ »*[2+ É ­I + ÃŽ ²RI] = 0 If values were given for the variables, we could even have solved and get the value of ÃŽ ². If a value close to zero is obtained for ÃŽ ², it means agent is impatient anda value close to one indicates that agent is patient. This argument is further supported by the marginal rate of substitution concept where = R. If ÃŽ ²=0, no returns obtained as the agent wants to consume immediately. If ÃŽ ²=1, returns will result for the patient agent. Hence, it shows that the discount factor ÃŽ ² will not change the basic results of the model. (b) Write down the conditions that characterise the Pareto-optimal allocation. Show that autarky is not efficient. Explain how the allocation changes with ÃŽ ². The conditions that characterise the allocation in autarky are bounded by the constraints of C1 and C2. Ï€1C1 = 1 I    => C1 = (1-Ï€)C2= RI  Ã‚   => C2 = The constraints can be combined in a single one. Ï€1C1 + (1-Ï€)= 1 The key result is that allocation is inefficient in autarky as shown below: Recall in autarky: C1 = 1 I + É ­I = 1 I (1-É ­)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   C2 = 1 I + RI = 1 + I(R-1) If C1 < 1 (unless I = 0) and C2 < R (unless I = 1), then combining these two facts we obtain Ï€1C1 + Ï€2 < 1 which states that efficiency is not reached. It is true as less money and fewer resources exist in an autarky than in Pareto optimal allocation as no trade occurs. Therefore, consumption level is lower in autarky. Max U(C1,C2) = u(C1) + ÃŽ ²u(C2) = + ÃŽ ² We set up the lagrangian method to explain the allocation changes in ÃŽ ² where the constraint in the below equation is the maximum utility. L = Ï€u(C1) + (1-Ï€)ÃŽ ²u(C2) + ÃŽ »[ + ÃŽ ² ] = Ï€ + ÃŽ »Ã‚   = 0 = (1- Ï€)ÃŽ ² + ÃŽ » ÃŽ ² = 0 = + ÃŽ ² = 0 Complementary Slackness Condition: ÃŽ »*[ + ÃŽ ² ] = 0 If values were given for the variables, we could even have solved and get the value of ÃŽ ². If a value close to zero is obtained for ÃŽ ², it means agent is impatient anda value close to one indicates that agent is patient. The argument of marginal rate of substitution is also applicable here where = R. If ÃŽ ²=0, no returns obtained as the agent wants to consume immediately. If ÃŽ ²=1, returns will result for the patient agent. Hence, it shows that the discount factor ÃŽ ² will not change the basic results of the model. (c) Assume the agents are now infinitely risk-averse. That is U(c1,c2) = min{c1,c2}. What is the Pareto-optimal allocation? Pareto optimal is an allocation of resources where it is impossible to distribute resources without making at least one consumer worst off. Pareto optimal is the best outcome that could result in an economy with trade taking place and thus there is higher consumption level. It is like a desired state where assets are increased for patient people and consumption is increased for impatient people. The Pareto optimal allocation for risk neutral agents satisfies the following first order condition: UÊ ¹(C1) / UÊ ¹(C2) = R which means that agents would like to equate the marginal rate of substitution between consumption levels at t=1 and t=2 with the returns on the long run technology. When U(c1,c2) = min[c1,c2], it shows agents attitude to risk aversion. The pareto optimal allocation for the risk averse agent is u(C1) + πΠ²u(C2G) + (1-Ï€)ÃŽ ²u(C2B) where the superscripts G and B denote good and bad state respectively. L = u(C1) + πΠ²u(C2G) + (1-Ï€)ÃŽ ²u(C2B) + ÃŽ »[u(C1)] The concaved utility function states that agents prefer to consume more to less and shows how consumption is smoothed out over time and across states in the future. The agent is risk averse in the sense that he does not want consumption in the bad state at t=2 to be too much different from consumption at t=1. Question 2 (a) Write down the incentive constraint of the bank. How does collateral aà ¯Ã‚ ¬Ã¢â€š ¬ect the repayment R the bank can promise? Banks, regarded as information sharing coalitions, can easily overcome the problem of asymmetric information of investors. It is assumed that banks will use the signaling tool to invest in high quality projects which will benefit the investors. Banks are expected to behave in such a way that will maximise investors interest. The firm chooses the good project if pH(y-Ru-Rm) > pL(y-Ru-Rm) + b  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   =>   Ru + Rm < y- The bank must also be encouraged to monitor the project: pHRm C > pLRm  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   =>  Ã‚   Rm > The bank will borrow only least possible amount from banks as bank finance is more expensive than direct finance. Im = Im (ÃŽ ²) ≠¡ =    where ÃŽ ² denotes expected rate of return. The bank will collect get the remaining finance Iu =    from uninformed investors. Hence, the banks incentive constraint binds. Using the incentive constraints we have: Ru < y- which states: Iu < [y ]   indicating that the project will only be financed if: A + Iu + Im > 1  Ã‚   =>   A > (ÃŽ ²,r) ≠¡ 1 Im(ÃŽ ²) [y ] Other constraints would include a lack of monitoring from the bank giving rise to the probability of non-monitoring pL and the inability to dispose the collateral, ie if the collateral appreciates, the bank will not be able to sell it until loan to investors has been repaid. The collateral, usually in the form of assets, plays the role of a guarantee that banks give to investors as a security in case of failure of the project. Collateral is also seen as an alternative to monitoring as it saves efforts and reduces the risk of the bank. à Ã‚ µ ∈ (0,1) can be interpreted as if K is close to one, bank will be able to refund the money to investors whereas if K is close to zero, bank will be unable to repay back the loan. A better collateral equals better chance of getting money back as the bank will prefer to behave or else it will lose the collateral. If the project is successful with expected probability p, the bank will gain returns X which will be used to refund the loan to investors and claim back the collateral. The higher the returns from the project, the bank will be able to distribute partly between the investors and keep partly as its own profits. In case of failure of the project, the bank will obtain zero returns and is then unable to repay R to the investors. The latter will seize the collateral and will liquidate it to gain maximum money from it as refund of their investment in the unsuccessful project. (b) Suppose investors have all the bargaining power. Write down their objective, find the optimal contract and their equilibrium profits. If investors have all the bargaining power, they will be able to influence the project financing process significantly and dictate their terms. The objective of investors is to obtain maximum returns X from the project. They will want to have full details about the project to ensure that the bank is choosing a high quality project (ÃŽ ¸) rather than making an adverse selection. Investors delegate the monitoring of the project to the bank as the latter has comparative advantage in monitoring activities hence monitoring costs will be reduced. Investors will use monitoring and auditing as tools to be free from asymmetric information and to improve efficiency. They will expect close monitoring and continuous feedback on the project from the bank. The optimal contract for investors will be where lending will be most profitable and the below equation is taken from the Diamond Model (1984): E[y] > 1 + r + C = E[y] > 1 + 1 + C = E[y] > 2+ C where E[y] = Returns from investment r = risk free rate, equal to 1 in the question C = monitoring costs The optimal contract is bounded by the break-even constraint of uninformed investors implying an upper bound on Iu: pHRu > (1 + r)  Ã‚   =>  Ã‚   Iu < < [y ] Equilibrium profits of the investors will be at a feasible break-even point, usually where demand equals to supply: A + Iu + Im > 1  Ã‚   =>   A > (ÃŽ ²,r) ≠¡ 1 Im(ÃŽ ²) [y ] (c) For which value of K can the bank borrow and invest? The value of the collateral must be either equal or slightly higher than the investment in project (I) and monitoring costs (C) to encourage investors to finance the project as a lower value of the collateral will not attract them. K = I + C  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   or  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   K > I + C Ideally if K > I + C, this will attract more investors to finance the project and in turn banks will be able to borrow from them and invest in the project. Question 3 (a) If A ≠¥ A3, the firm issues high-quality public debt (public debt that has a high probability of being re-paid) We will discuss circumstances when the entrepreneur can issue high quality public debt: Well-capitalised firms [A > ] can issue direct debt as they possess high capital. Low credit risk High quality public debt refers that the entrepreneur is likely to meet payment obligations. This type of public debt is an attractive investment vehicle as it has a low risk of default. High dilution costs Good reputed firms can issue direct debt only if Ï€s >    where Ï€s is the probability of repayment at t=2, conditionally on success at t=0 and given all firms are monitored at t=0. It is assumed that monitoring cost c is small such that    in the credit market at equilibrium. The entrepreneur has incentive to issue high quality public debt at a rate of    when as the latter equation means high probability of success. The economic interpretation is when project is successful, returns (R) are obtained. The entrepreneur cannot ask for more than R as the firm will also keep some profits for itself. Every party in the transaction is happy and is in equilibrium when a good project is undertaken. (b) If A3 > A ≠¥ A2, the firm borrows from a monitor (and from uninformed investors) We will analyse circumstances when the firm borrows from a monitor and uninformed investors: Firms with medium capital [(ÃŽ ²,r) < A < ] borrow from banks. Firms borrow from banks when they suffer from high credit risk and high dilution costs because banks can provide efficient renegotiation in case of default and can limit dilution costs though there will be an intermediation cost involved. Uninformed investors are ready to invest Iu in exchange of return Ru upon successful project. Firms must be encouraged to choose good project pH(y Ru) > pL (y- Ru) + B  Ã‚   Ru < y When the firm falls short of capital to issue a direct debt, it can borrow Im from banks (with return Rm if project succeeds) and Iu from uninformed investors (with return Ru if project succeeds). The firm chooses the good project if pH(y-Ru-Rm) > pL(y-Ru-Rm) + b  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   =>   Ru + Rm < y- The bank must also be encouraged to monitor the project: pHRm C > pLRm  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   =>  Ã‚   Rm > The bank will borrow only least possible amount from banks as bank finance is more expensive than direct finance. Im = Im (ÃŽ ²) ≠¡ =    where ÃŽ ² denotes expected rate of return. The bank will collect get the remaining finance Iu = from uninformed investors Hence, the banks incentive constraint binds. Two conditions are necessary for bank lending to be in equilibrium in credit market: (i) Monitoring cost must be less than the returns of the good project pH G 1 > c (ii) Direct lending which is cheaper must be impossible. pHRc < 1 Firm should borrow from a monitor (for example a bank) and from uninformed investors at intermediate probability of success when pH ] at a rate of R = . (c) If A2 > A ≠¥ A1, the firm issues junk bonds (public debt that has a low probability of success) We will discuss circumstances when the firm issues junk bonds: It is possible that firms with medium capital [(ÃŽ ²,r) < A < ] issue junk bonds. High credit risk- Junk bonds refer to bonds with low credit quality and high default risk. They are attractive to risk seeker investors due to their high yielding returns. Low dilution costs as it limits exposure to bad firms but involves inefficient bankruptcy costs for good firms. The zero profit condition for investors is: 1 = pR + (1- p) A This nominal return R is feasible (R < y) if py + (1- p) A > 1 and the expected profit of good firms is then: Ï€B = p (y- R)+ py By substituting R, we will obtain: Ï€B = 2py 1 + (1- p) A When the monitoring element c is added, the monitor can reduce the entrepreneurs private benefit of misbehaving from B to b. pH > c >(pH −pL) R−pH If R > Rc, the firm will issue junk bonds with low probability of success. This states that the firm is indebted and have too much risk associated with it. The economic interpretation out of it is that the entrepreneur will ask for higher returns but the firm will not afford to provide it. This will lead the entrepreneur to choose the bad project and disequilibrium occurs. Hence, such a combination is not feasible because the maximum repayment is K. (d) If A1 > A, the firm does not invest We will analyse circumstances when the firm cannot invest: Firms with low capital [A < (ÃŽ ²,r)] can neither invest nor borrow. Venture capitalists are the only solution for such firms. When monitoring costs are added, if pH <    it means there is a small probability of success. The equilibrium consists of no trade taking place and the credit market collapses because good projects cannot be funded and bad projects have a negative net present value. Hence, the firm should not invest as there is no trade equilibrium. References Frexias X. and Rochet J-C., (2006) Microeconomics of Banking, 2nd Edition

Wedding Speech Delivered by the Groom -- Wedding Toasts Roasts Speeche

Wedding Speech Delivered by the Groom I’d like to start by thanking Alan for his kind words and also to thank him on behalf of everyone for footing the bill for today’s festivities†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Having had a wonderful spread and knowing what we have to look forward to tonight, I now understand why he had the heating turned off all last winter! I was going to begin with ladies and gentlemen but on looking around I'm glad I didn't. So here goes. Distinguished guests, those of lesser distinction, and those of no distinction at all†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Family, relatives, (new and old), in-laws and outlaws, friends, friends of friends, and freeloaders Welcome to our wedding reception. I would particularly like to extend a warm welcome to all our guests from Mississippi and Kentucky†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Welcome to the wonderful state of California, and for those of you who want to put your watches forward, it’s now 2005†¦..!! I’ll never forget the first time Peggy took me to meet her parents. There was me trembling at the knees and there was Alan sitting in his white satin robe and fluffy slippers†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ I thought, â€Å"I need to break the ice here†, so I asked him what football team he supports. Of course he replied State University, so I said â€Å"it must be exciting when you win a match. â€Å" Don’t Know† he said, I’ve only supported them for 40 years†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Seriously though†¦.. The bible tells us, ‘Who so-ever finds a wife, finds a good thing’. .. ...ure life together. These are taken from the book â€Å"The differences between man and wife†: Learn to work the toilet seat. If it's up, put it down. We need it up - you need it down. You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down. We don't remember dates. Mark birthdays and anniversaries on a calendar and remind us frequently beforehand BEER is as exciting for us as handbags are for you ALL men see in only 6 colours. Peach, for example, is a fruit, not a colour. Lastly and most importantly†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. Christopher Columbus didn’t need directions, and neither do we. And with that I'd ask you to charge your glasses and be upstanding for a toast to the bridesmaids. I give you the bridesmaids Wedding Speech Delivered by the Groom -- Wedding Toasts Roasts Speeche Wedding Speech Delivered by the Groom I’d like to start by thanking Alan for his kind words and also to thank him on behalf of everyone for footing the bill for today’s festivities†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Having had a wonderful spread and knowing what we have to look forward to tonight, I now understand why he had the heating turned off all last winter! I was going to begin with ladies and gentlemen but on looking around I'm glad I didn't. So here goes. Distinguished guests, those of lesser distinction, and those of no distinction at all†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Family, relatives, (new and old), in-laws and outlaws, friends, friends of friends, and freeloaders Welcome to our wedding reception. I would particularly like to extend a warm welcome to all our guests from Mississippi and Kentucky†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Welcome to the wonderful state of California, and for those of you who want to put your watches forward, it’s now 2005†¦..!! I’ll never forget the first time Peggy took me to meet her parents. There was me trembling at the knees and there was Alan sitting in his white satin robe and fluffy slippers†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ I thought, â€Å"I need to break the ice here†, so I asked him what football team he supports. Of course he replied State University, so I said â€Å"it must be exciting when you win a match. â€Å" Don’t Know† he said, I’ve only supported them for 40 years†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Seriously though†¦.. The bible tells us, ‘Who so-ever finds a wife, finds a good thing’. .. ...ure life together. These are taken from the book â€Å"The differences between man and wife†: Learn to work the toilet seat. If it's up, put it down. We need it up - you need it down. You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down. We don't remember dates. Mark birthdays and anniversaries on a calendar and remind us frequently beforehand BEER is as exciting for us as handbags are for you ALL men see in only 6 colours. Peach, for example, is a fruit, not a colour. Lastly and most importantly†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. Christopher Columbus didn’t need directions, and neither do we. And with that I'd ask you to charge your glasses and be upstanding for a toast to the bridesmaids. I give you the bridesmaids

Native Language Support

When examining sociolinguistics views relating to whether or not children should have support in their native languages, there are surprisingly several theories. With each article and author, with each study, a new idea is formed. Likewise, non-linguists responded the same way. For the interviews, I interviewed Isaac, Betty, and Chantelle. All thought that support came from the family and they had various reasons why they thought so; when it came to potential problems, social factors were the answer. Native Language Support Betty believed that there should definitely be support for native language speaking.This support should be centered around the home and around family. She elaborated: â€Å"What does it look like? Well, I would say that the more interaction with the parents and family, the better. Sit down and talk. Read, write, just use the language. That’s supporting it. Practice is support. † She believed that the government should not pressure English only at hom e. They have no authority to have influence what is spoken at home at all. Isaac was eerily similar in his viewpoints: he thought children should be able to speak to their parents and family in their native language.They could easily be supported in this by having TV channels accessible, by having movies, books, a strong community tie with others speaking the same language. He stressed that he had TV while growing up and international channels that helped him learn fluent Spanish that sounded more native than the broken Spanish he would have spoken with no contact with other people speaking the language. Today, he’s able to speak with others with no issues, and has no issues with English, either. Chantelle was of slightly different opinion. She thought it was definitely better to use some English at home, along with the native language.Parents should be able to use some English to make sure that their children know and understand the language that they need to use in the outs ide world. To her, there should be a balance between the two. Essentially, yes, children should be supported in their native language, but not to the same extent as Betty and Isaac want. She also adamantly refused that the government have anything to do with languages, interestingly enough. Why? Why Not? Children can focus on their native language at home because they have more than enough opportunities to learn and practice their English outside of school.They naturally tend to utilize extracurriculars and media to assimilate or adapt to the mainstream culture. Isaac and Betty both explained these points and mentioned that speaking a native language is a freedom that the US has no right to meddle with. â€Å"English is not the official language, and we do not need to speak it in the privacy of our homes. † When asked why support should come from family, Betty said, â€Å"where better than to get a sense of self than from family? Where else to get someone speaking with you t han your own community? However, this view establishes a sort of dichotomy between home life and school, and it may hinder progress, according to Mushi (2010). The government shouldn’t have much to do with the languages because â€Å"it’s like the freedom of religion. It gives others reason to discriminate. The country should not be biased against a certain group and language counts in this category. † This idea really contrasts with Wiley said about the role of English. Its important to note that English functions as if it was the official language, even if it is not official.Therefore, according to the article, it is functionally important, and relevant to emphasize English learning. Chantelle’s government position consists of a rejection that the government is capable of handling such a sensitive subject. â€Å"I disagree with English only rules, I think it’s completely insensitive. The government indirectly forces you to learn languages, and t hat’s wrong. It’s as personal as your own belief systems. † Problems with the Approaches Isaac saw â€Å"no serious problem with someone speaking their language at home. Maybe now the kids will grow up knowing how to curse in a whole bunch of languages. This was the extent of his issues. For government interactions, though, he pointed out that the government did not interfere with languages to help diversity; it interfered for it’s own gains, own political and international agenda. There really is not as strong an incentive for people to learn other languages. Thus, the government helping to support native languages would not be effective. Filmore points out in one of the points made, that the government supporting bilingual education would enable more students to pass high school as opposed to dropping out.This has no self centered motives, but a desire to have more multilingual speakers have an education (2004). Chantelle and Betty were similar in that they both recognized that some parents are unwilling to support native tongues. Some parents are not able to. Sometimes, the children themselves reject the native language. Each family and case is a different situation, and it’s sensitive enough not to be generalized. Some individuals may not like their culture or language, either, so the support systems definitely has it’s flaws.And this view makes sense, because because Filmore (2004) states:â€Å"for many, English is not just a language. It’s synonymous with being American. † Conclusion Overall, I did not get the reactions I was expecting. Most people seem to view language as a private and personal thing, almost like their religion. They don’t want government interference typically, but only do when it benefits them. One thing Filmore pointed out was that the public thinks the use of languages other than English in school and everywhere else means that the speakers of those language don’t change or learn English (2004).All of the responses from the public contradicted this linguistic thought, however. It may be that the more people one interviews, the more the linguistic idea will be supported, but in this case, the public did not think there was a correlation between these two ideas. The public thought it was perfectly acceptable to speak another language at home, and speak English outside, in the workforce, and be multilingual. They didn’t think the lives would be dichotomous, but it would blend out of necessity. It would ultimately become, as cliched as it sounds, the best of both worlds.

Global Warming Solutions essays

Global Warming Solutions essays Since the mid nineteen sixties, environmentalism has exploded as a movement. Many environmentalists view modern industrial society as unsustainable and the way that western society functions as damaging the earth's natural biosphere and cycles. There is a growing body of evidence to support the belief that our consumer culture and industrial processes are in fact destroying the delicate balance and complex interrelationships that nature has forged and upon which we still rely. The biggest worry of most 'green' groups at present is the well documented 'global warming' effect in which it is believed the earth's average temperature is rising, causing sea levels to rise (more to do with thermal expansion of water than ice cap melting), destruction of natural habitats and most worryingly to humans; climate change. However it would be ignorant to believe that the earth has always been as it is now, indeed rapid climate change is a natural phenomenon which has occurred countless times in the earths history; ice ages and warm periods mark definite periods in earths living history, a period of extreme warmth for example marked the Cretaceous Tertiary era boundary where over 90% of the land species of the earth became extinct allowi ng mammals to become the dominant class of species. Ice age and periods of warmth are common and a feuture of a dynamic planet. Despite this, geology and anthropology have discovered fresh evidence that suggests this latest climate change event may be different. Only in times of extreme volcanic activity or celestial change has a climate change period been so quick in taking effect, and this present one is accompanied by neither. Evidence to suggest that it is indeed human activity which is causing environmental disaster is growing. Statistical and historical evidence suggests there is a direct link between the actions of humans and environmental destruction. Although conclusive proof can easily be found for aci...

The Art of Publicity for the Self-Publishing Author

The Art of Publicity for the Self-Publishing Author The Art of Publicity for the Self-Publishing Author Tim Moore is a Reedsy publicist with over 20 years experience managing successful sales, marketing and publicity campaigns for major publishing companies as well as several independents. Along with Mitch Albert, he co-founded Periscope Books in 2014 and The Momentum Publishing Company in 2016.Publicity has always been the darling of book promotion. Unlike sales or marketing campaigns, book publicity helps build an author’s brand by generating endorsements from media brands: in many cases, these can be in the form of reviews. These kinds of promotions are known to have a greater effect on consumer behavior than, say, an advert on the side of a bus. The problem with book publicity, of course, is how to generate it in the first place - which is why an entire industry has sprung up around this question! #Selfpub authors: What are your publicity options? Every week, over twenty-thousand books are published in the English language. Most of them, if not all, vie for attention from the same media outlets. That’s where book publicists step in. Publicists are expected to use their experience and media contacts to place books - and the story behind the book - in the right hands.Once prospective readers are exposed to your book (with positive reinforcement from a reviewer or a charming interview) copies will ideally start flying off the shelves.Advertising is what you pay for, but publicity is what you pray forIf publicity is unpredictable compared to ads, then why should authors and publishers roll the dice on publicists? Well, for one, it’s much better at influencing buyer decisions, which can be largely attributed to the effect of a third party endorsement. This â€Å"endorsement† could be a review from their daily newspaper of choice or a simple mention from their favorite morning radio DJ. A Nielsen study on the role of content in the consumer decision-making process concluded that PR is almost 90% more effective than advertising.This is the main reason book publicists are in business: when they're good, they can really move the needle and create a buzz around your book. This momentum often starts with exposure within the book trade. Then it’s on to real work of building word of mouth out in the wider world. Publicity is certainly not the only marketing channel available for books - but it is certainly one of the more cost-effective ones, especially when used in conjunction with social media. "In publishing, advertising is what you pay for - but publicity is what you pray for" Do it yourselfBook publicity, which is all about persuading people to give your book attention, is more of an art than a science. This means that anybody can give it a go - and perhaps get positive results. For example, local radio stations are always interested in hearing from local authors. You can get work on your own social media strategy and start contacting influential YouTubers, Instagrammers, and Twitter users. Sometimes, offering free books and merchandise to use in contests is enough to get them on board.Here's an example of a (high-profile) YouTube paid promotion: Just remember: media people of all levels will want to see your press release, so make sure you have one prepared!Before you swear off professional publicists, be aware that once you’re targeting media outlets of a certain size, most producers, editors, and other gatekeepers will not respond directly to authors. Just as most major publishing houses will insist on dealing with agents, getting access national media will likely require an experienced publicist with pre-existing contacts. That’s a big chunk of what you’re paying for with publicity! How can #selfpub authors become DIY publicists? That brings us onto our next question: once you’ve made the decision to seek out a publicist, how much should you expect to pay?Setting a publicity budgetWhen you self-publish, you won’t soon forget that you are likely paying for publicity out of your own pocket - so you need to make sure what you spend makes sense for your project.Here’s a general rule of thumb for book marketing budgets that I find works across most types of books: aim to spend $0.75 to $1 per book sale forecasted. So, if the book has sold 5,000 copies into bookstores, then a publicity and marketing budget of $3,750 to $5,000 is about right.But what if a book is self-published and distributed only through Kindle and KDP? There’s still a way you can forecast a title that doesn’t use traditional distribution channels:1) Carefully choose three comparable titles (comparable both in its subject matter and the size of its author’s platform)2) Establish their overall sales ranks on Amazon by looking at the Product Details on their respective pages. How much should #selfpub authors budget for marketing? Find out here! Now that you’re armed with a ballpark publicity budget, let’s look at who you should hire for the job.The right person for the jobIdeally, you want to find a publicist who has worked on similar projects in the past - books in the same genre or covering the same type of subject matter, ideally written by authors with a similar profile as you. If you’re trying to a promote a popular science title, it helps if your publicist has established contacts at media outlets like Scientific American.Most publicists are versatile, but they often prefer to work within their established niches.If you're searching for book publicists for the first time through Reedsy or a similar platform, just look at their book portfolios. Have they represented similar books in the past? Do they have a long history in publicity and marketing? What’s their experience with both online and traditional media?Make a short list of professionals and get in touch with them. Ask them about the recent campaigns, and find out what their definition of a â€Å"successful campaign† is. It’s crucial at this point that both your expectations are in line - if you have your heart set on getting on the local news, then your publicist needs to have a well-founded belief that they can pull it off.The more experience a publicist has, the more you can expect to pay. And since most publicists book themselves out well ahead of time, be sure to start your search at least six months before your publishing date.Start thinking strategicallyAfter finding your perfect publicist, you'll need to agree on a strategy. A good book publicist will tailor their strategy to the book as well as to the author. For example, a well-known celebrity debut novel might not get much interest in the review pages - but it might receive a lot of interest from radio and television producers, as well as feature editors.On the other hand, a self-help author would probably have better penetration on lo cal radio. Every approach will yield different results, so it's up to you and your publicist to figure out the strategy that will serve your book best.What’s the story?In every situation, it is of utmost importance to determine the unique selling point of the book: the publicity angle. To come up with great publicity angles, you need to think like a journalist and remember the 4 W's (and 1 H):WHAT is particularly newsworthy about the book?WHY is this news important to the target audience?WHERE is the author from?WHEN is the book being published?HOW did this book come about?A professional publicist can help you develop this story. But if you're going solo, make sure you think along these lines. It will not only help you determine the newsworthiness of your book but will likely reveal which channels you should pitch to.Don’t forget the easy winsThe most important thing when considering any publicity is to marry expectations to reality. It's fine to aim for dream exposure like national press coverage, but not at the expense of lower hanging fruit. Make sure your ‘hit list’ contains a good balance of achievable goals as well as ‘stretch’ goals and you’ll be fine.‘Publicity by Results’ and other blurred linesJust one more thing...Book publicists traditionally work on a retainer, for a set fee - or, occasionally, on a day rate. But some publicists are now choosing to work on a ‘publicity by results’ basis. A model that has long existed in general publicity, this concept has since found its way into the book world. It's pretty straightforward: you only pay for actual publicity your book receives.For example: let’s say an author or publishing house agrees to pay a per-interview fee to secure exposure over twenty radio interviews, but the publicist only books twelve. Well, a refund would be issued for the difference. But if the publicist arranges twenty-five interviews, the client still on ly pays for twenty.Some social media initiatives can also be arranged on a similar basis. For example, many popular Instagram accounts will give your book a "shout out† for a set fee. Publicity by Results: How authors can pay only for the coverage they get Get a quoteThe art of book publicity revolves around finding out why your book matters - and why readers should all take notice. The real tricky business is getting this information into the right hands. But when it all comes together, book publicity is a powerful force.Learn more about publicity in self-publishing and get a free quote from Tim Moore and other top publicists on the Reedsy Marketplace.Do you have experience working with a publicist on your book? Share your thoughts and questions for Tim in the comments below.

This is Your Brain on PSAs essays

This is Your Brain on PSA's essays As a teen in todays America, I am bombarded everyday with drugs. Whether its the crazy guy on the corner, a blockbuster movie, hanging out with my friends, or sitting around watching TV, drugs are everywhere. In response to this, the government and media have gone to great lengths in the ongoing war on drugs. I wonder how with such focus from the media and government drug use still flourishes and what possible effects the drug prevention service announcements have on the masses. Anti-drug public service announcements (PSAs) started in the 1950s but it was not until the 1980s that it focused so much on the youth. For children growing up in the late 80s anti-drug PSAs were as much a part of daily life as Silver Spoons and Full House. With many yuppie parents in the work force, this latch key generation was guided by Television. Post playground cartoons were often interrupted by messages from the Partnership for a Drug Free America. Just say no Winners dont do drugs This is your brain on drugs- all of these catch phrases are well known to any American who own a Television. For 90s youth anti-drug PSAs made way into the classroom via Channel One airing Whats your anti-drug? every commercial break. Jumping on the 9/11 bandwagon anti-drug PSAs even directly related themselves to anti-terrorism and patriotism with the Winter Olympics. Major catalysts for persuasion in drug-abuse prevention campaigns are fear arousal, social threats, and physical threats (Schoenbachler and Whittler 13, Dabbs and Leventhal 8). Fear arousal was more a strategy used in older drug-prevention campaigns such as the infamous Reefer Madness PSA of the 60s. A physically threatening campaign is best exemplified by the This is your brain on drugs PSA. In this commercial the man boldly looks into the camera says, This is you ...

An individual pre market entry report. Japan Assignment

An individual pre market entry report. Japan - Assignment Example It is assumed that the company is recently on the plan to make its mark on the Japanese market. The company needs to have knowledge regarding the opportunities the market offers, a sustainable and consistent strategy that will drive the entrant. It is easier to taste success in the market of Japan if the assumptions are not made on false grounds. It is of utmost necessity to analyze the strategies of the already existing competitors effectively. The process of sales and the revenue model should be in line with the Japanese culture and the market. In order to make successful entry into the Japanese market the potential entrants will have to cut out a clear budget control policies and a diversified growth strategy for at least for half a decade. Some brands achieved great success just by making little changes in brand identity and applying some marketing techniques. The consumers of the country likes detailing and so detailed printed materials are essential while setting up the busines s in the country (UK Trade and Investment. 2012). Therefore analysis of brand equity and setting up a corporate image is important to enter the Japanese market as well. Scope of the research The research mainly centres on the parameter of internationalization of Small and Medium Sized enterprises like the Highland Herbs. In evaluating the ability of the firm to gain an international stand in the global market the project tends to focus on a specific country like Japan. Considerable amount of research is rendered in understanding the Japanese market for the products of Highland Herbs through the incorporation of strategic tools like PESTEL and SWOT. Use of such strategic tools helps in enriching the scope of researching whether the Japanese region would amount to become a profitable and revenue generating market for the concern. Aims & Objectives The aim of the research is to identify whether entry into a new foreign market would be viable for a SME. If viable, what conditions will lay down the way towards successful entry and if not then what the constraints are. Limitations The project only considers the company under consideration. In order to enter into a new market a nd avail the opportunities of the market regime it is necessary to analyze the strategies of the competitors. It is certain that the existing competitors enjoy a certain proportion of market share. Therefore to make an entry successful it is necessary to divert the customers towards the new shop. The project does not make any analysis on the competitor’s strategy and this can be a limitation. Methodology Secondary Research The research project in endeavouring to understand the potential of the Japanese region in being an effective market for the Herbal Products produced

Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words - 14

Marketing - Essay Example lonels trademark fried chicken in both the Original Recipe and Extra Tasty Crispy varieties along with great varieties of chicken sandwiches, mashed potatoes and gravy, chicken pot pies, crispy chicken strips and potato wedges. The menu differs from country to country according to the tastes, culture, want and demands of the people. KFC owns and operates around 20% of the restaurants itself while the rest have been lent out around the world as franchises. Based in Kentucky, KFC makes more than half its profits from international franchises and its largest division is in China having about 2250 outlets. KFC is division of the global fast-food franchiser YUM which is the world’s largest restaurant companies in terms of system restaurants. (Etzel, Walker, Walker & Stanton, 2000). First, what needs to be understood is what a market-oriented approach is. Market-oriented companies focus on the customer needs and have an eye on market opportunities. They strive to understand the problems and needs of their customers and give them what they want. Hence, they tend to be highly market-driven as their products and services are greatly aligned with the market expectations and what they want. KFC is a huge international chain which truly works on the principle on being market-oriented. Their true spirit of being market-driven can be observed from their initial mission statement which rightly stated â€Å"To sell food in a fast, friendly environment that appeals to pride conscious, health minded consumers† (www.kfc.com). The aim of KFC from inception has been to cater to the needs of its customers who tend to have less time on their hands in the rapid pace lives of today and wish to resort to quick and healthy fast food means of fulfilling their appetite. However, their statement has now evolved to become â€Å"The Association of Kentucky Fried Chicken Franchisees, Inc. is united to protect, promote and advance the mutual interests of all member franchisees and the Kentucky

Ethical Enalysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Ethical Enalysis - Essay Example AFP solved the issue by superimposing a digitally created AFP logo over the VyT sign, thereby blocking it out. This paper analyses the above case study with respect to different ethical theories, like Kantianism, Utilitarianism and Social contract theory. Kantian views of ethics can be summarized as follows; â€Å"What a person should do and what a person wants to do are often not compatible. Doing what one wants to do would usually bring immediate gratification/happiness, but might not benefit the person in the long run. On the other hand, doing what one should do may cause immediate discomfort/unhappiness, even if it is good for the person† (Maccarelli, 2006) Kant identifies imagination as the very root of finite reason. He believed that reasons are subjective in most of the cases. (Rockmore, 2000) It is not necessary that the â€Å"rights† of a person might be the â€Å"right† of other as well. We are living in a society which consists of different people engaged in different activities having different beliefs as well. But in order to live in a society, man should follow certain norms of the society. These norms may not be always viable for a person for his own selfish interests. The society can think in term s of the general well-being of the communities rather than the individual comfort. In the given case study, AFP’s action may bring immediate success to the company. But in the long run such things may not provide any goods either to the company or to the society in which the company is operating. AFP has given the right of telecasting the actual things happened on the specific location during the occasion. In a live show, they have no moral right to alter things or the environment. Editing can be done in television programs but not is reality shows or live programs. If the television companies try to manipulate things in their

PRESENTATION Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

PRESENTATION - Essay Example (Hughes, et al 2004 p.160). Danforth Prince and Darwin Porter (2004) state that the Tate Modern is viewer-friendly with eye-level hangings.(p.166). The national collection of British art from 1500 to the present day, as well as international modern art from 1900 are displayed. The collection is spread over five floors, and encompasses art in all its forms. The works are displayed thematically rather than chronologically. The Tate Modern is famous for its special exhibitions. (Berry; Else 2005 p.109). In some rooms, paintings, sculptures and installations are placed adjacent to each other. Olson et al (2004) feel that the thematic display concept is challenging, â€Å"but they often seem spurious, lacking the quirky spirit of a mixed private collection where one person’s taste is the guide.† (p. 405). Customer Profile: Every year the Tate Modern works with a market research company to find out more about its visitors. Some of the findings of Tate Audience Research 2005-2006, at the art gallery by the BDRC: Business Development Research Consultants, are presented1: Nationality: Visitors from all over the world visit Tate Modern, from which a third are from Europe, most of whom live in London, others in the South East and in the rest of UK. 43% of visitors are male and 57% female. Frequency: At Tate Modern, an average of 45% of visitors are on their first visit, 43% have visited in the last 12 months and 12% have been over a year ago. Age-group: More than a third of the visitors at Tate Modern are in the age group of 25-34. The next largest age group is 17-24, followed by the group 45-59 years old, and only 9% are 60+ in age. Display of Braque’s Work in Tate Modern: The entire range of Braque’s work is on display. Having trained in Art, in 1906 Braque began painting landscapes in the ‘Fauve’ style. But in

Violent Behavior in Healthcare Institutions Research Paper

Violent Behavior in Healthcare Institutions - Research Paper Example Workplace violence can be categorized into different forms depending on the nature of healthcare institute, characteristics of patients and external environment, for instance, physical assault and verbal abuse is experienced by most of the medical staff. Violent behavior particularly in the mental healthcare setting has become a reality and also a major concern for both healthcare providers and policy makers. Therefore mental illness and psychological issues are thought to be the precipitating factors of violent behavior among patients. This paper aims to discuss the basic factors giving rise to sadistic behavior in healthcare institutions along with the responsibilities of medical stuff and dynamics of violence. Moreover, the intervention strategies and effective methods to follow up with victims shall also be discussed. Precipitating Factors There are number of factors contributing to the violent behavior of patients and physical assault of medical staff in Healthcare Institutions. Human Service providers in general, and nurses in particular are often exposed to critical conditions where they need to identify the precipitating factors of violent behavior in order to make security measures and also to safeguard the victims. Following are the most common factors which excites violent behavior among patients: Mental Illness: Mental illness is an abnormal psychological pattern which often leads to behavioral issues. There are different forms of mental illness which might result in violent behavior against the healthcare professionals. For instance, delusions have a very close relationship with violence since these patients frequently experience physical or mental insecurity due to which they harm others in order to save themselves. However, in this case anger contributes as the major element to excite the violent behavior. Study shows that Delusions might cause minor forms of violence but the extreme violent behavior is usually supported by anger which is a perso nality disorder (Coid, 2013). Another important precipitating factor is hallucination which causes an individual to feel, hear or visualize things which aren’t present. In such a situation patients who do not have command over the hallucinations harm the medical staff while others does not pose any significant threat to the service providers (McNiel, 2000). Violent fantasies such as desire to murder or rape also lead to aggressive behavior if not addressed on time. Homicides in healthcare setting are often due to the violent fantasies (Gellerman, 2005). Organic Issues: These largely include diseases and injuries related to brain. Patients with organic brain issues are reported to have been involved in violent behavior. For instance, Dementia causes damage to the memory, speaking abilities, problem solving skills and other significant brain functions of an individual which ultimately leads to aggression and sadistic conduct. Similarly brain injuries caused by accidents might a lso lead to considerable behavioral changes which might transform an individual into a violent personality (Fountoulakis, 2008). Personality Disorders: These occupy the largest proportion as precipitating factor of violent behavior against healthcare service providers. Mood swings, anger, impulsivity, lack of control over emotions, psychopathy etc. are the most common examples of personality disorders. Research indicates that issues concerning the social life of an

Marketing and Research Problems Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Marketing and Research Problems - Essay Example The lack of experimental data and precise inputs represents a major research problem for the firm. The organization in theory could decipher the formula to create the new product. If this occurred a potential marketing problem the firm faces is that the new products might cannibalize other existing products the company offers its customers.† Product cannibalization occurs when a company decides to replace an existing product and introduce a new one in its place, regardless of its position in the market† (Komrinos, 2002). Another con is that the firm would have to spend a lot of money on research and development to introduce this product to market. The college faces a major problem associated with the inability of the organization to attract young talented college students. In the past the recruiting rate of the college was 90%, but now it has dipped to a troubling and alarming rate of only 25%. The fundamental source of the problem is the reputation and public image of the college. The academic regimen of the university became so stringent that students through word of mouth advertising hurt the reputation of the college. The public relations problem the college faces can be fixed, but the college has to be willing to be flexible in order to improve the reputation of the academic institution. The college has to make a decision on whether is willing to lower its academic requirements to attract more students into its campus. The college benefits the most when it has full tuition enrolment to fulfill the capacity of the campus. A research problem the college faces is to determine the appropriate primary research method to obtai n the information it needs. The use of questionnaires is a technique that can be very beneficial for this college. Chocoholic Candy Company faces the challenge of implementation of an expansion plan, while maintaining the same level of service it provided at the

PRESENTATION Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

PRESENTATION - Essay Example (Hughes, et al 2004 p.160). Danforth Prince and Darwin Porter (2004) state that the Tate Modern is viewer-friendly with eye-level hangings.(p.166). The national collection of British art from 1500 to the present day, as well as international modern art from 1900 are displayed. The collection is spread over five floors, and encompasses art in all its forms. The works are displayed thematically rather than chronologically. The Tate Modern is famous for its special exhibitions. (Berry; Else 2005 p.109). In some rooms, paintings, sculptures and installations are placed adjacent to each other. Olson et al (2004) feel that the thematic display concept is challenging, â€Å"but they often seem spurious, lacking the quirky spirit of a mixed private collection where one person’s taste is the guide.† (p. 405). Customer Profile: Every year the Tate Modern works with a market research company to find out more about its visitors. Some of the findings of Tate Audience Research 2005-2006, at the art gallery by the BDRC: Business Development Research Consultants, are presented1: Nationality: Visitors from all over the world visit Tate Modern, from which a third are from Europe, most of whom live in London, others in the South East and in the rest of UK. 43% of visitors are male and 57% female. Frequency: At Tate Modern, an average of 45% of visitors are on their first visit, 43% have visited in the last 12 months and 12% have been over a year ago. Age-group: More than a third of the visitors at Tate Modern are in the age group of 25-34. The next largest age group is 17-24, followed by the group 45-59 years old, and only 9% are 60+ in age. Display of Braque’s Work in Tate Modern: The entire range of Braque’s work is on display. Having trained in Art, in 1906 Braque began painting landscapes in the ‘Fauve’ style. But in

Marketing and Research Problems Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Marketing and Research Problems - Essay Example The lack of experimental data and precise inputs represents a major research problem for the firm. The organization in theory could decipher the formula to create the new product. If this occurred a potential marketing problem the firm faces is that the new products might cannibalize other existing products the company offers its customers.† Product cannibalization occurs when a company decides to replace an existing product and introduce a new one in its place, regardless of its position in the market† (Komrinos, 2002). Another con is that the firm would have to spend a lot of money on research and development to introduce this product to market. The college faces a major problem associated with the inability of the organization to attract young talented college students. In the past the recruiting rate of the college was 90%, but now it has dipped to a troubling and alarming rate of only 25%. The fundamental source of the problem is the reputation and public image of the college. The academic regimen of the university became so stringent that students through word of mouth advertising hurt the reputation of the college. The public relations problem the college faces can be fixed, but the college has to be willing to be flexible in order to improve the reputation of the academic institution. The college has to make a decision on whether is willing to lower its academic requirements to attract more students into its campus. The college benefits the most when it has full tuition enrolment to fulfill the capacity of the campus. A research problem the college faces is to determine the appropriate primary research method to obtai n the information it needs. The use of questionnaires is a technique that can be very beneficial for this college. Chocoholic Candy Company faces the challenge of implementation of an expansion plan, while maintaining the same level of service it provided at the

An Analysis of Satrapi’s Persepolis Essay Example for Free

An Analysis of Satrapi’s Persepolis Essay Persepolis presents the Islamic Revolution in Iran through the point of view of a child who questions the most fundamental practices and assumptions of Islam. Growing in a household that frowns upon the dictates of Islamic fundamentalism at a time when there is a growing presence of Islamic fundamentalists, the point of view in the graphic book offers a different look into the local Islamic movement in Iran. Through that perspective, my understanding is that the movement placed the people within the limits of a religious fence that does not give room for questions. Challenging the dictates of the Islamic institution is also seen as a challenge to the religion itself, which in turn explains why those who openly opposed the movement were physically harmed by the advocates of the Islamic Revolution. My understanding of the impact of the Islamic Revolution in Iran is that it caused people like Marjane Satrapi’s child character in Persepolis to develop an attitude that tries to resist the forces of the movement. At least in terms of forming a household behavior deviating from the principles put forward by the movement, the child is able to question her surroundings and find the answers to satisfy her desire to be fully aware of what is happening around her. In general, I see the Islamic Revolution as a double-edged sword—while it rebuilds and strengthens the piety of the Muslims to their religion and its edicts, it also threatens to lose the devotion of those who are against some of the principles advocated by the movement. Unfortunately, the movement creates a wide gap between those who are for the movement and those who are against it, dividing the believers into two extreme opposites which defeat the essence of religion. Some of the cultural and political issues raised by Satrapi’s narrative include the negative response of Islam towards the Western societies, the conflict between fundamentalism and the changing trends in the modern world, and the issue of sacrificing or repressing individual liberty in exchange for following stringent religious doctrines. In the narrative, the parents of the child try to expose their child to the Western culture right in the midst of the conflict in Iran. They gave her posters of Iron Maiden and Kim Wilde and they drink wine in their home despite the fact that their religion forbids them to do so. Her parents are Marxists and they try to teach her about the glaring evils of the Iranian regime. These things indicate that Iran at that time was a country where there is no stability in terms of politics and culture. The fact that the Islamic fundamentalists at that time tried to repress those who were against their principles suggests the apparent conflict that creates the impression of turmoil. There was a struggle and it was one that was far from being over. The conflict between fundamentalism and the Western world present in Iran is best seen in terms of the attempt of the Islamic fundamentalists to do the opposite of what most democratic Western societies practice. While most democratic Western societies encourage their citizens to practice social liberty and freedom of expression, Islamic Iran under the clutches of the fundamentalists are trying to â€Å"veil† their society, in a manner of speaking, from the influence of the Western societies. In a way, the fundamentalists do not only discourage the Iranians from replicating the beliefs and practices of the Western societies; they also give sanctions to those who attempt to become religious subversives. Satrapi’s graphic novel comments on those issues by presenting the conflicts in Iran from the life of a little girl who, despite being a child, sees her Iranian society as a crumbling society, whose principles do not promote the interests of the people but rather promote the interests of the religion. The strip also injects a bit of humor on the issue, using language that invokes comedy along with the horror of some of the images in the strips. The use of humor indicates that the weight of the issues involved in the Islamic Revolution is so heavy that it leaves no space for the lighter side of life. Instead, the movement rejects all assumptions of gaiety in religion and culture simply because it sees those two things as entirely serious matters that require even the most harassing and physically daunting sanctions to those who stand against its way. Islamic fundamentalists are portrayed in the strip as extremely violent individuals who are more than willing to inflict harm to their fellow Muslims if only to further the goals of the movement. They are portrayed in a negative light precisely because they are seen as agents of conservative religious principles that fail to recognize the worth of individuals. They oppose those who oppose them up to the point of assaulting them if only to silence their opposition or to put an end to those who confront the movement with questions and arguments. I think that the portrayal of the Islamic fundamentalists in the graphic novel is closer to the truth than one can begin to imagine. I think that it is also honest portrayal although I am somehow tempted to believe that some of the illustrations of the fundamentalists are not fair on their part. For one, it is a fact that violence has been a part of the Islamic fundamentalist movement in the past. In fact, religious jihad is an integral part of the Islamic faith, promoting violence for the name of Allah and so as to quash the presumed enemies of the religion. Violence in protests against the religion arises because of the intolerance of the fundamentalists towards those who oppose them. I understand that, perhaps, the graphic descriptions of the fundamentalists in the strips were only part of the observations of Satrapi in her life. However, I do think that there is a deep reason as to why these fundamentalists act the way they do. I believe that their violent actions are results of their deep ties with their religion and these strong ties cannot be opposed or deposed by those who think otherwise. The nature of the antagonists in Satrapi’s graphic novel is fierce and violent whereas the nature of the antagonists in Lorrie Moore’s â€Å"How to Become a Writer† is one that adheres to convention. In a way, the antagonists in Persepolis—the Islamic fundamentalists—do not permit deviance from the status quo or from the tradition. Instead, these antagonists strongly advocate the practice of the old and traditional religious habits. They promote intolerance so that the challenges to their beliefs will not displace what they see as the proper way of living under Islamic tenets. On the other hand, the antagonists in Moore’s article exhibit conventional behaviors. They seek to influence the protagonist to follow the accepted conventions of writing because they see the protagonist’s literary style as inappropriate and technically inefficient. In forcing the protagonist to stick to the rules and convention instead of deviating from them, the antagonists limit the development of the protagonist as a writer who is not only unconventional but is also one who is a master of the freedom of expression. To a certain degree, the antagonists in Moore’s article and in Satrapi’s novel share the similar characters of intolerance and conservative attitude. They do not subscribe to the idea of changing the status quo or of allowing others to deviate from the convention because they do not find it suitable to what they are espousing. Works Cited Moore, Lorrie. â€Å"How to Become a Writer. † Self-Help. New York: Knopf, 1985. Satrapi, Marjane. â€Å"The Trip. † Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood. New York: Pantheon, 2003.

Impact of Technology on Society

Impact of Technology on Society Impact of Technology on Society Abstract The communication industry and the invention of communication devices marked a new phase in the interaction and social patterns of people. Taking into account the social needs of people, communication is an essential element that was made possible by telephones. Therefore, the technology of using telephones bridged the gap between the social needs and the geographical location (VanFossen, Berson, 2008). This was a major problem when the world had no communication devices. This research paper will look into the telephone technology in detail and then outline a number of impacts related to this technology. Attention in this research paper will be paid to how the introduction of the telephone technology changed the world. Impact of Technology on Society Introduction The technology chosen for this discussion is telephone. The telephone technology works by transmitting sounds and signals in distant places. This implies that people in far regions can communicate with ease without having to travel. This technology was conceived by Graham Bell in the 18th century and has changed the way people interact to this day. During the development of the telephone, there was a high level of skepticism that surrounded many people about the effectiveness of these gadgets (Ling, 2004). These concerns were addressed by the successful launch and operations of the first telephone. Societal Outlook after Introduction of Telephone Technology The introduction of telephones in the human history changed communication and the way people interacted. From a social perspective, the situation improved because people would talk and make decisions while in distant places. There was a great deal of convenience that came about as a result of this technology. For example, the cost of travelling for the purpose of relaying information was reduced with interested parties talking while in different locations. Interaction was taken a notch higher after the introduction of this technology with people talking about various things over the telephone. There was also a new trend of exchanging information and ideas never seen before in human civilization. The question of building relationships and networks by talking to people on the telephone changed as a result of telephones. Economically, there was increased trade between various regions. It should be noted that the telephone was good for business because traders would communicate with traders situated in other locations. From a business perspective, communication is an essential element in relation to the movement of goods and services. This means that communication means a lot in relation to the exchange of commodities. When the telephone was introduced, a new wave of business efficiency was experienced as a result of reduction in communication barriers that were prevalent at the time. Employment opportunities increased as a result of effective communication between various people doing business. In other words, capital inflows increased as a result of foreign investments. Communication was instrumental in terms of convincing investors from other parts of the world to come and invest in a given region (Lin Atkin, 2002). Globalization can also be attributed to the use of the telephone in the early year s. As a result of effective communication, the world was in a better position in terms of engaging with international partners. An increase in economic growth and development as a result of a high penetration of knowledge was experienced. A close review of the above mentioned changes shows that the telephone technology is a major invention that shaped the world in a major way. The open interaction system created by introduction of the telephone was a step in the right direction that improved the standards of living for most people. At the same time, the prices of commodities were standardized in relation to a connected world. From a political perspective, the telephone was an invaluable tool in terms of administration and coordinating various projects. Thanks to the communication process between various people, administration issues were effectively sorted out. Playing an oversight role in anything without proper communication is a sham affair that is not viable. Thus, the telephone invention was a major step towards the management of regions and resources. In addition, those playing the management role with regards to the political systems of a given region were expected to utilize effective communication for the purpose of making their intentions known (Mitcham, 2005). Welfare, Health and State of Environment The welfare aspect of society was enhanced as a result of the introduction of telephone technology. There were many issues that were addressed with the advent of this technology. There was a transition felt by many people in relation to highlighting various events happening in the society. A good example that can be used to show the welfare impact of this technology was the discussion of events over the telephone by many people. The culture of discussing issues in groups changed drastically and transformed to detailed analysis of information through telephone communication. The health of the society changed for the better with the emergence of telephone technology. For example, the communication and dissemination of information increased in a way that helped people to understand various issues happening in the society. From a mass communication point of view, attaining a healthy society entails taking into account how information and ideas are exchanged (Lin Atkin, 2002). This is why regions with poor communication mechanisms are considered as less healthy. The expectation is that a society with effective communication systems is able to address issues with consideration and consultation. This is opposed to a society where the communication infrastructure is not well developed. With regards to the state of the environment, telephone technology signaled a new phase in terms of environmental conservation issues. It is imperative to note that communication has a direct correlation with the state of the environment. For example, a society with diverse communication channels provides ample opportunities for deliberation on issues associated with the environment. In this case, those concerned about the environmental systems, used the communication aspect for the purpose of enlightening the public about the problems that needed to be addressed. Functioning of Society after Implementation of Technology The telephone enabled governments and other administration systems in terms of managing people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. From a leadership perspective, there is need for different people to have a common agenda that unites them as a country. This fete can only be attained through telephone communication. A look at regions with many cultures shows an improvement in the governance system as a result of effective movement of information from one point to another. By communicating in a common language such as English, which is widely spoken by people around the world, leaders were able to communicate their agenda to the public. According to analysts, communication played an influential role in terms of shaping governance systems and the consolidation of power (Mercer, 2006). Therefore, the influence of telephones on the political realm of people was widespread and changed the course of history in relation to leadership. Education and the public system of teaching was enhanced as a result of this technology. By the time Bell discovered the telephone, education was a problem and was conducted in a way that was not viable for both students and teachers. The problem was that communication was not taking place in the right way. There are many instances where students did not receive the best learning curriculum due to breakdown in communication. It can be said that communication influenced the learning culture in a better way by introducing ideas from other regions. This was made possible as a result of communication between teachers in various parts of the world. As educational providers embarked on developing the best curriculum for their students, communication through the telephone was emphasized. This implies that the telephone technology improved learning by promoting curriculum development. Negative and Positive Impacts of Telephones on Welfare and Health Negative Impacts The first demerit of the telephone technology in terms of health and welfare of the society was reduction in the physical contact among the people engaged in communication. There were worries that the new technology would affect the social bonds that people had considering that communicating through the telephone is devoid of meeting the person physically. This presented a social threat to the coexistence of people and was slated to create isolation due to talking over the telephone for a long time (Mitcham, 2005). The other negative aspect of the telephone technology on welfare was the cost associated with making a call. The charges of making telephone calls at the time were high and discouraged other people from using the communication device. This explains why the technology was a preserve of the affluent. On the other hand, the ordinary people did not find it convenient to use the communication at a cost. This is an indication that despite the invention of this technology, the needs of people were not met. Mental health complications were another impact of using the telephone technology. According to psychologists, the signals that coordinate communication between one person and the other can damage the brain cells. The damage caused by the waves to the brain cells is considered to have far reaching implications on the long term mental condition of a person. These signals react have the capability of reacting with brain cells hence, reducing functionality. The risk was high among those people who were using the technology repeatedly. As can be seen in the above description, the mode of communicating through the telephone was harmful to human health. Positive Impacts The main positive aspect of introducing the telephone technology was convergence of the world. Due to an increase in the number of people communicating, the entire world was interconnected and thereby fostered a new era of transport and trade agreements. As long as the whole world was connected through the telephone technology, there was every reason to believe that telephones helped in making the world a single compendium. In addition, the new connection of the globe helped nations and individuals to seek opportunities beyond their shore such as in the area of business and education. Nothing beats efficiency in terms of production and even relationships (VanFossen, Berson, 2008). The telephone was an important addition that changed the landscape in a better way. For example, those doing business were able to expand their scope by travelling to new areas. In addition, there was increased cohesion around the world like never before. Lack of a definite communication structure interfer es with the system of interaction by creating tension. The second positive aspect about telephone technology is the idea of promoting freedom and democracy through deliberations. According to communication experts, the use of telephones was a game changer in terms of expression and the pursuit of universal rights on freedom of speech. The above mentioned elements of human rights could not have been achieved without the help of the telephone. It is logical to point that this technology opens up opportunities for users on many fronts such as economic, political and social. Negative and Positive Impacts of Telephones on the Environment Negative Impacts The major problem brought about by the telephone technology was emission of waves that maybe harmful to the environment. The ecosystem is an important medium that humans need to survive and thus exposing the latter to these emissions pose a huge risk to human, animal and plant life. The erection of telephone poles and machinery that supported the operation of telephones was conducted in a way that was not environmentally viable. The question of this new technology being a burden rather than a solution was raised with regards to the negative impacts on the environment. The second problem with the use telephones was over dependency. After this technology was introduced, the rate of dependency increased as a result of long distance relationships which had been maintained. There was also an unprecedented increase psychological issues related to the dependency mentioned in the previous statement (Lin Atkin, 2002). The bottom line is that this technology changed the aspect of dependency that was prevalent before, the technology was conceived. The problem with this trend was that a small breakdown in the communication chain would affect relationships and plans in a major way. Positive Impacts The good side of using telephones with regards to the environment was effective coordination and interaction that created value. This was not the case during the days when telephones had not been invented. Value is normally created through the process of interaction. This also depends on the objectives of both parties in the interaction. The negative impacts of telephones on the environment are many as compared to the positive attributes. This has been evidenced by the above analysis of negative and positive impacts of the telephone technology. Impact of Telephone Technology and Engineering Practices The example of the telephone technology outlined in this discussion shows the need for innovation and flexibility in the field. Innovation is a crucial requirement in the field of engineering since, the latter raises the prospects of addressing various challenges facing the society. Just like the genius concepts applied by Graham Bell during his discovery, the same approach should be used by engineers focused on improving their skills. A culture of innovation should be inculcated in the engineering field to help position developers in terms of developing viable solutions that address societal challenges. Critical Thinking Skills and Evaluating Impact of Technology The emergence of the telephone concept is a reflection of high level innovation and satisfaction of human needs (Ling, 2004). Since, the early years of development, a number of developments have been made and as the modern situation shows, communication is changing at a fast rate. The society is at the center of this change and provides an explanation of how best a given technology works for the needs of people. Conclusion The world is better and more informed because of the telephone technology. The scope of influence created by this technology is immense and has changed the way people interact and think. With the changing times, the system of communication has been taking a new turn with new trend coming up. The impacts of this technology on the environment, health and welfare of the society shows the strides made since, the early years. References Lin, C. A., Atkin, D. J. (2002). Communication technology and society: Audience adoption and uses. Creskill, N.J: Hampton Press. Ling, R. S. (2004). The mobile connection: The cell phones impact on society. San Francisco, CA: Morgan Kaufmann. Mercer, D. (2006). The telephone: The life story of a technology. Westport, CN: Greenwood Press. Mitcham, C. (2005). Encyclopedia of science, technology, and ethics. Detroit, MI: Macmillan Reference USA. VanFossen, P. J., Berson, M. J. (2008). The electronic republic: The impact of technology on education for citizenship. West Lafayette, Ind: Purdue University Press.

Hingham, Massachusetts :: Hingham Massachusetts

Hingham, Massachusetts In 1633 settlers from Hingham, England landed on the south shore of Massachusetts. Soon after, my relatives arrived in Hingham, Massachusetts and our heritage has remained intact ever since. Eleanor Roosevelt traveled down Main St. Hingham and described it as the most beautiful Main Street in America. Ancestors of 16th president, Abraham Lincoln were among the first to arrive in Massachusetts and his massive statue in downtown Hingham helps people remember that. The oldest church with continuous use in the United States built in 1681 is located in Hingham also. The Old Ordinary, a tavern used by 17th century travelers is also among the historical features in Hingham Mass. Wompatuck State Park draws many naturalists and outdoor junkies with its 7 square miles of forest once used as an ammunition depot during WW II. These landmarks bring a unique group of tourists to the South Shore. The South Shore is also full of endless natural beauty. The surrounding secluded beaches and harbors on ly compliment the gorgeous lakes, rivers, cranberry bogs and acres of forest. The colors that appear in Hingham during autumn are exemplary of the New England autumnal foliage for which many travel to see. This historically cultured area is a beautiful, yet expensive home for thousands of people. Hingham, Massachusetts generally remains quiet and free from any intense excitement and terror. While walking down the shores of Hingham one can hear the quiet crashing of the waves and look out and see the big lights of Boston. Hingham and the rest of the south shore act as a safe haven from the big city life. The tourism that does affect Hingham is limited and does not significantly affect the local economy. There are activities of people that live within the surrounding areas that may affect the economy. Water sports become popular in the summer months which will affect boat sales, gas usage and smaller companies that operate around the use of boats such as yacht clubs. There is more activity in the areas that surround Hingham. To the south of Hingham is Hull, where the majority is built of people in the working class and others who only enjoy spending the pleasant summer days at there home. Hull attracts significantly more people in the summer time as it is a peninsula and a large part of the coast is beach. There are several small businesses that solely rely on summertime business.

Spyware Essay -- Spyware Research Papers

Spyware I. Introduction Slowly but surely, the computer I use at home was getting slower and slower. Whenever I would connect to the Internet, simple tasks such as web browsing and checking e-mail would take longer amounts of time to complete than usual. Although my 56K modem was slow by today’s standards, I knew that it would not bottleneck the system while opening simple web sites such as Google. This was a shock to me since I pride myself on running a streamlined and clean computer. It was even more puzzling since the only continuously running program I allow is an Anti-Virus program. I checked the Windows Task Manager and to my surprise, my CPU usage was hovering around 80%, yet no other programs were running! I immediately started researching the problem on the Internet and quickly found the problem that matched my computer’s symptoms, spyware. I downloaded a spyware detection and removal utility; fortunately my problem was resolved. It detected three unique spyware programs runni ng on my computer and quickly removed them. My computer returned to normal operating speed and I felt safe knowing no more spyware was on my computer. II. What is Spyware? Spyware is the general term for â€Å"describing software whose purpose is to collect demographic and usage information from your computer, usually for advertising purposes. The term is also used to describe software that ‘sneaks’ onto the system or performs other activities hidden to the user.†1 Basically, spyware is a program that runs in the background of a computer, unbeknownst to the user, that has multiple abilities. The most non-intrusive task is using spyware as a form of copy protection. Intuit, the company that produces the popular tax program TurboT... ...eve Gibson, â€Å"The Anatomy of File Download Spyware,† Gibson Research Corporation, (4 March 2003). 6. Jason Anders, â€Å"Net Filter Spies on Kids’ Surfing,† Wall Street Journal, 25 January 2001, 1. 7. Jason Anders, â€Å"Net Filter Spies on Kids’ Surfing,† Wall Street Journal, 25 January 2001, 2. 8. George Lawton, â€Å"Invasive Software: Who’s Inside Your Computer?† Computer, July 2002, 15. 9. John Borland and Rachel Konrad, â€Å"PC Invaders Camp Out in Hard Drives,† Cnet News, 18 April 2002, (4 March 2003). 10. Ed Foster, â€Å"Sneakwrapping a Virus,† Infoworld, 4 November 2002, 64. 11. Staff Writer, â€Å"Sen. Edwards Intro’s ‘Spyware Control Act,’† Financial Times, 9 October 2000, 1. 12. Staff Writer, â€Å"Sen. Edwards Intro’s ‘Spyware Control Act,’† Financial Times, 9 October 2000, 1.