Bad Drivers Are Everywhere

Traffic accidents are as ordinary as anyone’s bacon and egg in their breakfast meals. They are as common as snow in Alaska and as desert in the Middle East. Highway accidents no more shock nor scare anyone for driving. No, not even the ones who have been victims themselves. In a study made by Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin conducted in 2004 to 2005, the researchers found that there were about 90 percent of the respondents have relatives who have experienced car crash. What seems intriguing here is that fact that 56 percent of the respondents never changed their bad driving habits.Staying behind the wheel is not what is risky about driving: the risk lies on the driver. The risk of traffic accidents is not measured by the driver’s age, expertise and knowledge; neither does it depends on the model of the car being driven but rather on the driver’s driving habits. Anyone who wants to know how common bad drivers are? Let anyone list the habits of a good driver and the bad driver as well and you will see that it is easier to list bad driving habits than the good ones.The Wisconsin Department of Transportation reported an about 800 fatalities due to motor vehicle traffic crashes (C. Sadler). Of this figure, 42 percent were alcohol-related, 33 percent is speed-related and 19 percent was attributed to the influence of both. IN a separate study made by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2005, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for 15-20 year olds. The list of the causes of these accidents is quite long and all of the items are bad driving habits.It ranges from not wearing seatbelts, eating and drinking while driving, answering calls and even texting. The list goes on with tailgating and over speeding to the weird habit of applying make up while driving. So what directly causes the accidents is the driver’s inattention. â€Å"Driver inattention is the most prevalent cause of collisions†, reported the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The same study also revealed the top five bad driving habits that they have done in the last thirty days.Seventy nine percent had the habit of changing the radio station or CD and 61 % did exceed the speed limit as well as driving without both hands in the steering wheel. Fifty one percent honestly admitted answering calls and 45% were eating while driving. Bad driving habits make a bad driver. If traffic accidents statistics are to be the basis, I can say that we really have too many bad drivers on the road. â€Å"People can often assume they are better drivers than they actually are† (M. German). The main point here is that drivers often place a high regard on their driving abilities and skills.They often put too much confidence on their driving that they tend to forget that they are on the road and not simply sitting on their couches at home. So what am I driving at? I mean what am I trying to point out here? Dr iving is not all about skills, abilities and experience; it is about discipline. If every driver just conforms to traffic rules and regulations, there will be lesser road accidents. If every driver just brings a dose of patience on their way, then there should have been lesser vehicle collisions caused by drivers who wanted to own the highways.If parents and elders just teach and show their children the right driving attitude, there should have been much less of the teens that represent 14% of the driving fatalities (AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety). There should not have been about 31,000 of them, aging from 15 to 17 years old who were killed in crashes (AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 1995 to 2004). Elders should do less of the driving habits like talking on the phone, listening to music, eating and speeding in order to shape the younger generation into disciplined drivers. The law must make sure that the road is close for bad drivers.

Fast Food Essay

Introduction In this modern era where the flows of customers are increasing towards fast food restaurants, it is more challenging to offer good customers service. It is also imperative that you maintain a high degree of consistency in your offerings, which prevents you from alienating your customers. The Philippine Star (1997) described the Filipinos are fast food lovers. They enjoy tasty meals. They go to restaurants serving smorgasbords in a luncheon or supper buffet offerings a variety of foods and dishes. These restaurants, most especially attract students. They are the group of people that regularly patronize fast food restaurants, which accounts for the sudden boom in the fast food industry. To become successful in the industry the company must knows the preference of their consumer towards fast foods restaurant. Fast food restaurants are a breakthrough from traditional catering methods and standards. They have resulted in more sophisticated operations and styles for services. They have provided flexibility and comfort with reasonable prices. Their services are within the level of that can satisfy customers with various tastes, drives, and upbringing. Customer satisfaction has been one of the measurable objectives of other service-oriented establishments. It is to the satisfaction of the customer’s needs that the business strives. Research Objective In this research, aims to determine the preferences of the customer towards fast food restaurant. And specifically it aims to answer the ff. questions: 1. What is the consumer demographic profile most likely to purchase our product? 2. What is the frequency, and kinds of foods they most likely to purchase in a fast food restaurant? 3. Do our customers purchase based on price? The Methodology Research Approach A research problem might state the need to identify or determine the consumer preferences towards fast foods restaurants. The proposed methodology is a descriptive research because it is the best method to collect data get the proper information and confirm the findings. Research Proposal (Fast Food Industry) To study the attitude towards consumption of healthy food within the fast food industry. Background We are a marketing research team of a fast food chain store. With increasing awareness about healthy food among the masses and with consumer preferences changing towards healthy food, we intend to launch a health food segment to cater to this need of the customers. We are also concerned about the pricing of the product that whether it should be priced same as that of normal fast food or the customers would be willing to pay a premium for healthy food. But before launching that product we want to know that â€Å"Is it worth it to our fast food restaurant to market healthy food†. To answer this management decision problem, we intend to conduct a marketing research within the region of West Delhi. Introduction * What is fast food? Definition1. Fast food have been defined by Bender and Bender (1995) as a â€Å"general term used for a limited menu of foods that lend themselves to production-line techniques; suppliers tend to specialize in products such as hamburgers, pizzas, chicken, or sandwiches†. Definition2. In Data Monitor’s (2005) survey the fast food market is defined as the sale of food and drinks for immediate consumption either on the premises or in designated eating areas shared with other foodservice operators, or for consumption elsewhere. Definition3. As per â€Å"the free dictionary† fast food is â€Å"inexpensive food, such as hamburgers and fried chicken, prepared and served quickly†. Definition4.According to Merriam-Webster online dictionary fast food is â€Å"designed for ready availability, use, or consumption and with little consideration given to quality or significance * Why fast food? * Brief history of fast food industry in India * Fast food industry trend, facts and figures, key players in India * According to a study by the Tata Strategic Management Group, the size of the  Indian health-and-wellness food†¦ Research Objectives To examine the most popular fast food among UMP students. To identify the effect of fast food consumption to the UMP students’ life. To investigate the awareness level of the effect of fast food consumption among UMP student. What is the most popular fast food among UMP? What is the effect of fast food consumption to the UMP students’ life? What is the awareness level of the effect of fast food consumption among UMP students? participant UMP Students Faculty of Technology 60 respondents 30 males and 30 females

Sports Gambling for Youth in the USA Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Sports Gambling for Youth in the USA - Essay Example Money is what makes the mighty and powerful superior to all others. Sports and gambling have always been a pastime of our society and it would only seem fitting for our youth to follow in the footsteps of the generations preceding their own. "Possibly the biggest reason for an increase in illegal sports wagering is that society accepts gambling and believes there are no victims. Gambling is becoming an everyday accepted activity in areas of America that never before had easy access. Virtually everyone can buy a lottery ticket, bet on a horse, or drive to a riverboat casino just a short trip away" (Saum 2). The more time a gambler occupies placing bets, the more this once simple activity has becomes a dangerous obsession. At this point, one must begin to consider the true value of sports gambling and if it has any value at all. "The profile of the typical college student who gambles is someone who believes he has control of his own destiny, takes risks, and feels he possesses the skill to be successful in this endeavor. Ironically, these are many of the same qualities of successful college athletes and may explain why some are drawn to sports gambling" (Saum 1). Sports and gambling rely on one key element; luck, which is seen as a hope that becomes a reality, but only for a mere few. Having been brought up in an environment that teaches how money and luck go hand in hand the modern day generation is more inclined to test their luck. The internet is perhaps the best and easiest resource in which our youth can access the gambling world. "Computers are readily available for use in many high schools, college, and university libraries, and the cost of personal computers has been drastically reduced" (McBride 1). With this in mind, the student-athletes that have come to understand the internet gambling world have the most influential impact. NCAA President Cedric W. Dempsey stated that "For the NCAA, this creates the potential that a student-athlete could place a wager and then attempt to influence the outcome of a game while participating in the contest. We are also concerned that the growth of Internet gambling may be fueled by college students who have easy access to the Internet. Students and student-athletes who develop gambling problems behind closed doors are difficult to reach. The NCAA believes there is a serious need for federal legislation prohibiting Internet gambling" (NCAA News Release). Dempsey's fears are rightfully placed since incidents like these are not uncommon among student-athletes. One NCAA-sponsored studied revealed that "of 2,000 male student-athletes in Division I basketball and football programs surveyed about NCAA rules violation, 25% reported that they gambled on college sports events other than their own while in college. Four percent admitted that they wagered on games in which they had played, and three of the athletes said they changed the outcome of the game in which they participated" (Saum 1). Results like this only show a portion of what could be a larger number of student-athletes that may be involved with sports gambling and could have directly impacted the results of a game in their respective sport. This alone changes many assumptions of the nature of sporting events and

Virgils Aeneid Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Virgils Aeneid - Essay Example Believed to have been written circa 20 BC, this rhapsody illustrates the virtues of piety and duty on part of the hero. The grand scale and difficulty of the adventure of Aeneas provides several moments of examination of his virtuous qualities. In his mission to find the prophesied place where he is to build a new Troy, he is accompanied by his father, his baby son Iulus and a group of loyal companions. One could liken the sense of duty of Aeneus to that of Augustus. This is particularly true with respect to the filial piety shown by Aeneas, as illustrated by â€Å"his care for and deference towards his aged father Anchises.† (Whitehorne, 2005, p.1) The epitome of Aeneas’ sense of duty is the scene where he leaves the destroyed city of Troy by carrying his father on his back. After his father’s death, Aeneas will pray to the Gods to invoke divine honors for the deceased soul – an act reminiscent of Octavia appeasing the departed soul of his father Julius C aesar after the completion of the civil war. Aeneas’ sense of duty is also witnesses in his relationship toward his son Julus. For example, during the funeral games for Anchises, Aeneas leads the boys’ equestrian event in the first celebration of the Lusus Troiae, the Game of Troy. The death of his father is a crucial event in the moral development of Aeneas, whose sense of responsibility and resoluteness in accomplishing his objectives increases after the event. His sense of piety and duty thus undergoes a transformation for the good. For example, during the later half of the poem, we witness how Aeneas is brave and willing â€Å"to put duty before his own feelings, however great the cost personally as when he obeys the gods and leaves Dido† (Whitehorne, 2005, p.1). The view that Aeneid is a political poem is given credence by the details of his life and adventure. For example, Aeneid illustrates Aeneas’ ability as a politician and â€Å"a maker of alli ances as well as his personal valor (and vengeful ruthlessness) which we see come to the fore in the second half of the Aeneid. There is his foundation of cities and his scrupulous observance of religious rituals.† (Whitehorne, 2005, p1) Since in Ancient Rome, the message and moral content of classic literary works were respected by the ruling elite, the subject was used as a vehicle for politics and propaganda. For example, â€Å"The subject furnished political advantages. The legend unfolded in the Aeneid provided justification for Rome’s complex relationship with the Hellenic world, which involved military and political domination coupled with a certain cultural dependency. Representing Rome as a resurgence of a Troy destroyed by the Greeks gave the Roman conquest of Greece the coloring of legitimate revenge. Virgil did not miss the opportunity to put into the mouth of Jupiter, in a lengthy prophecy addressed to Venus, a proclamation that Rome would destroy the most renowned cities of Greece, which were responsible for the fall of Troy† (Brisson, 1989, p.22) Moreover, the view that the Aeneid has propagandist elements in it is learnt from how its author, Virgil, panders and praises Augustus, the then emperor of Rome. In his book Warrior Politics: Why Leadership Demands a Pagan Ethos, author Robert Kaplan criticizes Virgil for his assumed role as an Augustan panegyrist. But this characterization of the author and his work is contested as it overlooks centuries of critical comment on Virgil’s works, questioning his â€Å"role as a state-sponsored propagandist†. (Harper, 2008, p.117) To narrow down Virgil to a mere propagandist and to equate his work to hyperbole

Grammer & Academic Writing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Grammer & Academic Writing - Essay Example The writer feels that his grammar has improved due to his constant usage of the language itself – be it in the form of written, spoken or reading comprehension. The hard work usually pays at the end on the part of the writer since he has been able to suggest quite a few changes to his repertoire of the vocabulary that he possessed back then (when he was starting on improving his grammatical acumen) and now. The change has been pretty obvious as he has taken giant strides and completely changed the way he sees the language as a result of the same undertakings. He has liked the whole concept of acquainting himself in line with learning the intricacies involved with grammar usage. However the strengths and weaknesses exist side by side and since man is always bent on a learning curve, the writer feels that there is still a long way to go before he could consider himself a fully developed native speaker, writer and a reader of repute. The strengths have been in the area of correct usage of nouns, pronouns, adverbs and adjectives. The writer has noticed that he is putting the required words at the end of the sentences where he used to fumble in the beginning of his quest. He has determined his weaknesses within this area and understood the manner by which the same have started to blossom as his strengths. This is surely a positive sign and suggests some good things for the future as far as acquainting himself with the language is concerned. In the end, the writer feels that he needs to back up his claims of improving his grammar by reading books, newspapers and above all, using the language with the people that he meets up with on a daily basis. He has to be proactive in his approach of the language so that his grammar improves and he starts to speak and write in a fluent manner. It is a given that this fluency would look good if correct usage of grammar is assured,

To what extent can the Olympics, help to regenerate an urban area and Essay

To what extent can the Olympics, help to regenerate an urban area and produce lasting benefits Give reference to at least two - Essay Example The International Olympics Committee, the task of which is to evaluate the facilities of each city that bids for holding the Olympics, thoroughly examines the sustainability, accessibility and integrated city development (IOC, 2005). The Report of the IOC Evaluation Commission for the Games of the XXX Olympiad in 2012, for example, stresses out that even bidding for holding the games helps candidate cities to develop positive legacies from the bid, no matter whether the city is awarded the Games or not (ibid). Therefore, it can be said that even an attempt to hold the Olympic games positively influences urban areas in terms of infrastructure, accommodation and technology development. The following factors are evaluated by the International Olympics Committee when choosing a host a city for the Games (IOC, 2001): general national, regional and candidate city characteristics legal aspects customs and immigration formalities environmental protection and meteorology finance marketing spo rts & concept paralympic games Olympic village medical and health services security accommodation transport technology communication and media services olypmism and culture guarantees Consequently, keeping up high standards and complying to the requirements of IOC and International Sports Federations regarding urban development becomes a priority task for each city attempting to stage the Games. After 1960, Summer and Winter Olympic games became extremely visible in the sports world events and started involving large-scale transformations of urban areas, which, as a result, lead to more intense regional development. Advanced transportation facilities and even multiple Olympic villages have become the features of contemporary Olympic games (Chalkley and Essex, 1999). A bright example of how holding the Olympics can change a place is Park City of Utah. From a hill-side mining town, which it originally was, Park City became an internationally acclaimed arts center and a popular tourist ic destination (Arias, 2010). The city’s design and architecture were changed for holding the 2002 Olympic games. Lower slopes of Park City’s valley were made into easy suburban dwelling gave dramatic views of the sporting venues. Straight parallel blocks have intensified highway-to-recreation traffic, while recreational zones got combined with commercial ones, thus having extended the growth ratio of the urban plan. Today Utah Olympic Park, which was initially build in preparation for Winter Olympic Games of 2002, is a popular place used by Olympic and development level athletes as a training center. In addition, the Games gave the city such facilities as 2002 Winter Olympics and Ski Museum, a day lodge, a splash pool, ziplines, and a mountain coaster, among others. On this matter Jill Adler (2010) writes that holding the Games contributed to the growth of Utah’s tourism and convention industries, as well as facilitated economic development. The 29,000-square-f oot three-story building of Park City’s Sports Park is holding a museum, an Olympic highlight gallery, a cafe, a retail shop, a research library, sports exhibits and decks for watching freestyle training areas. Furthermore, the park is frequently used for music, lecture and film series, as well as hosts weddings and banquets (Grass, 1999). Therefore, reconstruction of the city in preparing it for the Olympics has improved the area’s economy and made a small mining city a center for sports, culture and

Literature Review to prove that Housing the Homeless is Cheaper than Essay

Literature Review to prove that Housing the Homeless is Cheaper than Leaving Them on The Streets - Essay Example However, counties and cities affiliated with a campaign identified as the 100,000 Homes movement have so far succeeded to take 80,000 of the families off the streets. Regional governments and NGOs do most of the job. (Portal.hud.gov, 2014)The money they use is mostly gotten from existing private donations and federal programs, and there is proof that this method saves taxpayer funds. A former prison in Colorado was recently converted into a homeless shelter. This move is not only benefit to the homeless but also to the taxpayer, as well. (Portal.hud.gov, 2014) In southeastern Colorado, the Fort Lyon Correctional Facility had housed prisoners until it was closed down in 2011 due to budget cuts. (Affairs, 2014) It stayed dormant for two years as the lawmakers debated on how the building was to be used (Portal.hud.gov, 2014). They decided on the creation of a $3.9 million project to reopen the Facility as a homeless shelter that would house 200 people majority of who were veterans. Although many conservatives may balk at the cost an urban-focused media outlet, Next City, makes and excellent and valid point. Even when not considering factors such as humane treatment and dignity, it is by far cheaper for taxpayers to shelter homeless people than to leave them out on the streets. Approximately 60% of the homeless people are drug and alcohol addicts while about 30% suf fer from very serious medical conditions. (Portal.hud.gov, 2014)Due to these increased medical conditions it is evident that leaving them in the streets is more dangerous as chances of contracting diseases is higher compared to them being in a shelter. (Cbsnews.com, 2014) More evidence to support this theory comes from the county of Los Angeles. Researchers concluded a comprehensive evaluation of a years-long campaign to shelter members of Los Angeles’ chronic homeless population dubbed Project 50. (Cbsnews.com, 2014) The program cost

American Popular Culture Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

American Popular Culture - Assignment Example Like in case of Star Trek (Put Locker 0:10), this fictional film gives visual as well as audio information about the story. The advent of movies and television has enabled knowing what is happening around us and in the whole world. The use of visual images in movies and television provides additional information not readily available through reading or listening to radio. Television and movies also brought new ways to understand surrounding environment and society (Kellner 1). Visual images from movies or television are good learning tools to some scholars Reading culture in America has reduced to some extent due to influence of television ad movies. Acquiring similar information such as those in novels is now possible through watching an entertaining movie. In the movies, stars usually portray a culture that we unconsciously follow and start practicing (Media Literacy Project 2). In music videos, a dance style by a musician such as Michael Jackson’s break dance has influenced the current dancing styles. Considering for example Jackson’s music video of Moonwalk (Slake 2:00) has been copied unconsciously by most individuals not only in US but also in other parts of the world. Listening to radio provided information about news or music but left room for imagination of how the environment and events taking place. Using visual images on television news provide the information of the scene and make one unconsciously think that they are in the same scene. This has in turn reduces the number of people listening to radio to get informed. After watching, the conversation also differs compared to those who previously listened due to involvement of visual information about the scene and characters involved. Dressing cord and hairstyles has changed over time depending on influence of the images on television and characters that movie

Building and Managing Capability for Marketing Innovation Essay

Building and Managing Capability for Marketing Innovation - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that business model innovation is becoming increasingly important in a world where competitors can easily imitate strategies. Business model innovation represents a higher order of innovation compared to product or process innovation. Many standard business functions have been undergoing radical transformations. Manufacturing no longer involves the mass production of standardized large lots, but the lean production of customized units of one. Not surprisingly, new voices have been calling for the reinvention of marketing. Today’s marketers face new challenges. Consumers are time poor and information-rich; they expect better quality, better services, lower prices and more value for their effort and money. New channels are proliferating, traditional distribution channels are consolidating, and competitors now come from all over the world, increasingly, with lower costs and sometimes of higher quality. By tapping multiple sources of com petitive advantage, a new business model can help a company leapfrog competition. Companies need to keep examining their business model and their relevance for customers in an era of cutthroat competition. An innovation represents a significant improvement over what exists. A successful innovation generates a product or service that is valued highly by customers. As Peter Drucker puts it, â€Å"innovation is the process of finding a new with a new capacity to create wealth. Innovation may improve the yield of existing resources or may provide more value or satisfaction to customers.†Ã‚  " Innovation may endow resources with a new capacity to create wealth. A radical process innovation may be much more disruptive than a minor or moderate product innovation. But, in general, it may be reasonable to say that a radical product innovation is more challenging than a radical process innovation. This is because process innovations are typically internally focused and many of the vari ables are under the organization's control. On the other hand, product innovations are externally focused and markets never cease to surprise. 2.2. Current market challenges: Markets always change faster than marketing. Peter Drucker, (1954) wrote that the business enterprises have two and only two basic functions: Marketing and Innovation. Marketing and innovation produces results; all the rest are costs. Today, companies unabashedly declare their wish to get closer to customers; marketing is actually loosing power to other functions in the corporation. New products are failing at a disturbing rate. Recent studies put the failure rate of new European consumer products at 80% (Nielsen, 1999). Consumer behaviors vary across time and space as well as by contingencies and changing images. In a world filled with choices, there are no sustaining themes or consumption patterns. Some of the reasons for new product failure are: a high level executive pushes a favorite idea in spite of negative market research findings; the idea is good but the market size is overestimated; the product is not well designed; the product is incorrectl y positioned, ineffectively advertised or overpriced; the product is not well designed; the product is incorrectly positioned, in effectively advertised or overpriced; development costs are higher than expected; or competitors fight back harder than expected. Poor performance by Western nation firms in the area of new product development reflects excessive emphasis on profit maximization and risk avoidance. 2.3. Role of innovation in marketing: Marketing styles and innovations have an important role in achieving trade objectives. Marketing style may also influence the nature of a firm's approach to innovation. Only after an organization accepts that innovation should be driven by the need to meet customer aspirations rather than financial community's demand for profitability, does it become possible to evolve a more effective innovation management philosophy. Many companies are beginning to

Facebook in Asia, Europe and North America Essay Example for Free

Facebook in Asia, Europe and North America Essay The purpose of this report is to develop an insight about the growing use of the web and the number of business opportunities that resulted from it. The report describes some online business opportunities along with the pros and cons of stepping into such businesses. This report will later examine how Facebook has become a successful business enterprise and how it continues to develop in the competitive market of social networking. Introduction There are 389 million online users worldwide and most of them have home internet connections. Figure-1 in the Appendix shows internet user ship by world regions. The figure shows that the major chunk of internet users is in Asia, Europe and North America. The user ship among women and senior citizens especially in the US is increasing. The youth in the US spends a major proportion of their income using the internet and spends many times more than adults do via the internet. Businesses have realized that there are many marketing opportunities that can be realized through the internet. It is predicted that the online advertising expenditure will exceed $106 billion in 2011.   Search and Display advertisements will be the major type of internet advertisements and company spending in such advertisements is expected to grow by 50% till 2011. Online Business Opportunities Of Today Below are some types of online businesses opportunities: Affiliate marketing Affiliate marketing is a way of selling goods on the internet through affiliations or partnerships. The affiliate seller earns commissions for selling the other party’s products. The Amazon.com was the pioneer of the affiliate marketing concept(Holzner,2008). Network marketing Network Marketing is a direct marketing technique. The goods are generally promoted directly using word of mouth and references to consumers in return for compensations. Promoters can keep their own sales force and also earn part of the revenues the sales force brings to them. Niche marketing It is not feasible to compete with bigger and established businesses online or otherwise as these businesses have the necessary resources and expertise to drive out smaller competitors. Through niche internet marketing one can identify the areas ignored by these huge companies and cater to them effectively and efficiently. Hence this requires limiting the focus and target customers. Selling a specialty product or service is an example of niche marketing(Goldman,2008). Blogging One can sell advertisements on blogs and make money as viewership increases. Topics such as love and relationships generate more traffic. Selling private label rights products In such a business you have the authority to modify and sell a pre-existing product such as an online book. The seller even has the right to sell the product under his own brand name and keep all the profits earned.   Email marketing This is a great way to promote goods and services using email. Sending personal emails to target customers regarding latest promotions, sending newsletters and carrying out promotions on third party sites are some examples of email marketing. EBook Writing Talented writers can access sites such as elance.com to find customers .Bidding on subjects you are knowledgeable about is the best approach(Gillin,2008). Online Business Advantages Following are the advantages of starting a business online:  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The capital and overhead costs are low as there is no need to acquire new assets.  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   You have control over your life. Hence you are your own boss.  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Internet connection is easy to acquire. The speed of the internet is a bonus and not a requirement. Internet businesses are often private and do not require too much interaction with the outside world(Jag,2008).  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   There is no need to commute to another location.  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   There is no fixed timing. Work schedules are flexible. One can take a vacation or work part time.  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Internet allows access to millions of people worldwide efficiently and effectively.  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The internet provides many promotional opportunities often for free.  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   One can start many businesses at once.  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The internet business does not require good communication and sales skills. However one must be hard working and determined(Gerakines,2008). Online Business Disadvantages Computer Skills The business owner must be computer literate order to work efficiently. This must be so regardless of the fact that he can hire experts to work for him. Privacy issues Even though many good security mechanisms can be used to protect information online, there are still security issues especially with credit card transactions. Confidential information can be hacked and misused relatively easily. Intellectual Property Rights Law enforcing bodies find it hard to impose copyright restrictions on online businesses as effectively as they can on other businesses. This is because internet is without boundaries. A business plan can easily be copied and regardless of its origin(Facebook,n.d.). Waste The internet is accessible to everyone hence focusing communication to the right market is difficult and leads to wastage. Distractions Interruptions from family, friends, pets, television etc can affect productivity( Veer,2008). Motivation Internet businesses require the owners to be self disciplined and self motivated. It is tempting to delay tasks as there is no accountability to anyone but to oneself. Balance Jiggling family, friends and the online business can be even harder when one has a full time job or other online businesses.

Should Terms Of Us Senators Congressmen Be Limited Politics Essay

Should Terms Of Us Senators Congressmen Be Limited Politics Essay The twenty second amendment of the United States Constitution sets forth term limits for the United States President. It states that no person shall be elected to the office of the presidency no more than two, four year terms. Congress passed this amendment on March 21, 1947 with the requisite number of states on February 21, 1951. No serving president since Franklin D. Roosevelt has served more than two terms. Currently, our United States Senators and Congressmen are not limited to term limits that the president is subjected to. The founding father of this nation believed that politics should not be a career as long serving politicians could only bring harm to the nation. Currently, the United States is facing many unique challenges that include the involvement in two wars, rising national debt and high unemployment to name a few. Many of these challenges are due in part to the no term limit for our Senators and Congressmen. I strongly believe that our Senators and Congressmen shoul d be limited to a certain set number of terms that he or she may serve. When the founding fathers drafted the Constitution, their wish was to produce as brief of a document as possible. (1) Term limits were not included in the original documented for various reasons. Many of the framers felt that including term limits for Congress was unnecessary (1). Congressional service was viewed as a part-time job by citizen legislators who would go to Washington to do their duty and then return home to their farms and businesses to resume their lives once the legislative adjourned (1). The wish to not enact term limits in the Constitution stemmed from the fact that many of the founders of the United States were educated in the classics and quite familiar with the benefits of frequent rotation in political office (1). The concept of term limits or rotation in office dates back before the American Revolution (1). The framers knew the importance of maintaining a close connection between government and the people it was designed to serve. Because of this they envisione d a citizen legislature to retain control of government by the people. Only since the early days of the twentieth century have American politicians ignored this legacy and pursued careers in elective office (1). Congressional and Senator Term limits is becoming a bigger issue with every day that passes by. The nation needs to enact term limits or we may see the United States of America self destruct. Congress, whos arrogant spending has bankrupted our nation and destroyed our currency, sets its own self-figure pay plus perquisites and pensions as if compensation were to be calculated based on its unbridled spending rather than on prudent governance. Congress has created a counter-productive envy based tax system which penalizes extra effort and success (2). The dream of citizen legislators that our fathers believed in should not be dropped by the waist side. By enacting term limits, our elected officials will try to do more when they are in office and now hold off legislation until the next election. Our elected officials would be able to focus on the job at hand and not worry about constantly running for reelection. This will open up the process to more Americans to show what they have to o ffer (2). Until this issue is addressed in Washington, we will always continue to have a broken political system. The problem concerning term limits will not simply fade away. While in the past, attempts to amend the Constitution to enact term limits have faded, more and more support for it has been on the rise, especially in the GOP party. A group of senators in the Republican Party have been advocating as of late to push for a Constitutional amendment to make term limits a reality. South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint (R) argues that Americans know that real change in Washington will never happen until we end the era of permanent politicians. As long as members have the chance to spend their lives in Washington, their interests will always skew toward spending tax payer dollars to buy off special interests, covering over corruption in the bureaucracy, fundraising, relationship building among lobbyists, and trading favors for pork in short, amassing their own power (3). Over time, career legislators are more likely to promote the interest of the establishment of which they are a part than that of the larger public. New blood, new faces need to enter the senate and congress, on a frequent basis. This will help avoid the highly influenced Congress that is filled with old people with old ideals. There are too many career politicians that have been sitting in office much longer than they should be. Although, as a democratic nation, we have the ability to vote for whom we wish to see service in political offices, but the problem is, if no one new is running, what happens? The same politician who has been sitting in the same seat will get reelected because of no opposition. By enacting term limits, this may change the way our democratic nation works. Term limits may actually increase a voters choice at the polls. What politician is going to run against a popular individual who is running for his or her third or fourth term? In states where term limits have been applied to legislators, the result has been more candidates running for office (4). This country is founded on basic principles that we are a melting pot society, unique in the fact that we are made up of many different cultures and values. This could be beneficial in the fact that with many different views and values th at so many of us have, the United States can continue to be a successful nation in the twenty first century. Continuing the views of our current politicians will only keep the country in the dark ages. Term limits have already been placed on 15 state legislatures. In each of those states, the term limits have proved successful in increasing the number of diversity of political candidates (4). It is time that the same is held true from the federal level. Politicians elected into office are supposed to be representatives of the people, voted in by the people. As more career politicians sit in office, the more they are removed from the rest of the country. They no longer understand the people that they are suppose to be representing. While allowing senators and congressmen to be reelected, they are given the chance to continue building relationships with lobbyists and interest groups, a phenomenon that has been occurring in Washington for way to long. Too many Americans have lost faith in their government. Term limits may in fact help restore respect and faith in our government. Use of discreditable tactics like pork barreling that has powerful electoral effects is a major cause of declining respect for and satisfaction with Congress. Term limits would arrest this decline of congressional legitimacy, ensuring that members would be more truly representative of their communities and would renew American citizenship by writing into law th e principle that people can govern themselves (5). In many places of employment, there are people who feel that because they have been employed the longest, they deserve everything. Its a pretty common philosophy that many Americans believe to be true. The same can also be said of our nations politicians. An unlimited term creates a need in the legislature for a seniority system, in which mediocre politicians thrive. If they can be reelected a few times, thereby earning the right to serve in important committees and chairmanships, they cement their chances of being reelected continuously, not because they deserve it, but only because of the power they wield and the media exposure they receive, enhancing their name recognition (6). The seniority system that has been in place in the countrys history has proven to be disastrous. Term limits can help new individuals win support based on the merit of the work theyve done and not based solely on seniority. Like many sides of an argument there are always those that oppose a particular subject for some specific reason. The debate of term limits is no different. There are many who feel that there is already too much adequate turnover in both the house and the senate and that by creating term limits, the turnover rate would be even higher in the future then it currently is at. It was not until 1900 that the turnover rate first fell to one-forth. And turnover remained in at least the low double digits until 1968. Since then, turnover has often fallen into single digits and has averaged at about 15.2 percent. That is far too low, especially when compared to the 40, 50, and 60 percent turnover common a century ago (7). This figure shows that the turnover is too low and that the argument that term limits would only increase that number is false. Politicians in the eighteenth and nineteenth century were able to accomplish more in the two and three terms they served before returning home to thei r private lives. Turnover was high, but legislative was accomplished. The same cannot be said of the twentieth and twenty first century politicians. The country is facing high unemployment throughout a majority of the fifty states. Many hardworking Americans have been out of work for quite some time, some more than others. While many private citizens fear for losing their jobs, there is one place where unemployment is low and that is in the House and Senate. Because of this, the public is extremely mad at Washington, mad at the corruption, the underhanded deals, the earmarks, and the sense of entitlement that comes with lifetime employment (8). Robert Byrd is currently a Senior United States Senator from West Virginia. Byrd has been a Senator since January 3, 1959 and currently is the longest serving Senator in congressional history. Byrd is an example of an individual who has been receiving lifetime employment for more than fifty one years. Byrd also represents what our founding fathers feared. Its time to remove the security of lifetime employment and lawmakers might actually have to do something productive (8). In addition to the opposition that many face enacting term limits, many feel that by forcing term limits, it would be considered unconstitutional. Term limits are not unconstitutional. The 22nd Amendment to the Constitution requires the presidency of the United States to have term limits (9). It was initially Congress who passed this amendment back in 1947. Congress felt that it was necessary for the president to have term limits but cries foul when it comes to a proposed amendment for term limits for themselves. The major political parties do not want to lose their grip of government (9). Although, the 1995 Supreme Court ruling against term limits was struck down, majority of the general public is in favor of imposing Congressional term limits. Americans believe that term limits in Congress is positive. We should realize that our constitutes are elected to serve the citizens of this country, and because most Americans believe in term limits, the government should come together to ap prove the necessary two-thirds majority, or 290 votes to successfully pass an amendment to the Constitution. At the heart of the debate in addition to whether or not term limits should be enacted, a second question would be, how many terms would a congressional member be able to serve? Currently, members of the House can serve unlimited two year terms, while senators can service unlimited six year terms. This is way too long for someone to be sitting in power. It todays Congress, 42.9 percent of the House members and 45 percent of senators have been in office for 12 or more years. Term limits supporters think those 12 years in Congress is plenty (10). Term limitation will accomplish a number of positive things, but one stands out, it will improve the quality of leadership of our congressional public servants by replacing careerists with citizen legislators who truly want to serve our county and see that the United States always remains a superpower in the world. When the delegates were drafting the Constitution, much debate and compromises occurred. One of those issues at hand was how to be sure that each state received equal representation. The final compromise became known as the Great Compromise. This compromise permitted that each state would receive equal representation in the senate. This bicameral legislature resulted in the current United States Senate and House of Representatives. Although the issue of state representation was addressed at the convention many who oppose term limits feel that this would in fact become a disadvantage to many of the smaller states. Smaller states historically though have attempted to compensate for this by continually reelecting incumbents regardless of their views on issues in order to accumulate power with seniority. Without such seniority, goes the argument smaller states would be at the mercy of larger states (5). The 23 states which had placed term limits on their congressional delegates before th e Supreme Court outlawed this practice; all of those disregarded this argument regardless of size (10). No citizen themselves ever complained about their equal representation regardless of the size of the state. Citizens just want their representatives to do legislation that will benefit them and the country. In conclusion, our founding fathers who drafted the government of the United States believed that it was important that no politician should make politics a career. Their philosophy was to serve their country and go home. Because too many have become career politicians, Congress has bankrupted our nation and forgot what their true duty is as congressional members. Although support for an amendment continues to gain momentum, there are still many who oppose having term limits. Many feel that they have the right to continue to serve because of their seniority such as Senator Byrd of West Virginia, while others feel that there is already too much turnover and term limits would only cause an even higher turnover. Others argue that term limits would be unconstitutional. Each member in the House can serve unlimited two year terms and members in the senate can serve unlimited six year terms. If a Constitutional Amendment is passed and congressional members are subjected to term limits, the country could successfully eliminate many of the problems that the country is facing. It was not the citizens of this nation who caused the massive trillion dollar deficit; it was not the citizens of this country who created the long-term short falls in both Social Security and Medicare. The Wall Street and auto maker and bank bailouts were not because of the American citizens. These issues that plague our nation were issues created by our long extended serving members in the House and senate. For these reasons alone, I strongly believe that our Senators and Congressmen should be limited to a certain set number of terms that he or she may serve.

Medias Influence on Adolescent Girls Body Image, Identity and Sexuality

Medias Influence on Adolescent Girls Body Image, Identity and Sexuality Missing Sources Cited   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Gender Identity begins in early childhood when roles are given to children as to which toys they should play or not play with. A child’s body image is influenced by how people around her react to her body and how she looks. A pre-adolescent becomes more aware of what society’s standards are for the ideal body. The media has always had images of what the ideal woman should be. As in the way she should look and the way she acts. The media today does and doesn’t always depict what is good for an adolescent or pre-adolescent to believe about themselves. There are also many good influences from the media. Role models such as Oprah and Ricki Lake have given many adolescents more of an ideal individuality to strive for.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Young girls look at their images in the mirror and don’t like what they see. Does this sound right? Girls as young as nine years old report dissatisfaction with their bodies. Girls tend to struggle with body image in far greater numbers than boys. Boys don’t focus as much on their body shape and size as do girls. Some attention to body size and shape is part of the normal growing process. As children reach adolescence their bodies change and children especially young girls become more aware of how they look. Some of these feelings are normal. But when a girls life is affected by her thinking about her looks it turns into a problem. Avoidance and Isolation are signs of a problem beginning. Being positive and having healthy relationships help girls maintain positive body images. The ability to talk to someone, whether it be a parent or friend or coach, can help reinforce healthy body images. Self esteem is the key component to a healthy body image. For the most part if a girl displays confidence and personal control, the likelihood of a positive body image is greater.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The four top selling magazines with a target audience of teen females are Seventeen, Sassy, Teen and YM. â€Å"In similar fashion, magazine and book reading gradually increase during adolescence. Approximately one-third of high school juniors and senior say that they read magazines daily.†(Textbook) These magazines often show positive and negative images of young and older women. They are often times covere... ...ather to help television paint a more realistic picture of the responsibilities and risks that accompany sexual activity. The Media Project provides accurate information, script consultation, and story ideas to many teen- and adult-oriented shows – such as Dawson's Creek (WB), Any Day Now (Lifetime), Felicity (WB), Sex and the City (HBO), Moesha (UPN), Judging Amy (CBS), and Strong Medicine (Lifetime). In an additional effort to encourage the television industry to embrace the issue of positive sexuality and to highlight current programs that succeed in portraying sexual health issues without compromising entertainment value. (Transitions). Not one thing can influence a Adolescent girl about her body or image or sexuality. Many things can. But as I’ve talked about in this paper the media presents a huge influence on adolescents. Some media is good, some is bad. In order for adolescents to learn correctly they need to start at home. Parents must tell them which is good shows and bad, and sit down and ask them questions. Adolescents are at a critical time in their lives, any influence on their outlook on sexuality, body image or identity could damage or help them in the long run.

Elizabeth Gaskells Ruth as a Victim of Circumstance :: Elizabeth Gaskell Ruth Essays

Elizabeth Gaskell's Ruth as a Victim of Circumstance When her parents die when she is still very young, innocent Ruth Hilton is sent to the city by the guardian she does not know. In the city she is to learn the trade very common for young girls during this time, that of the seamstress (Ugoretz), but events take a drastic turn when she becomes noble Mr Bellingham's mistress. Only 16 years old, Ruth is thrown into the for her unknown adult world and in this world, she cannot separate right from wrong and is thus considered to be a sinner. However, life is never simple and straightforward and in this essay, I discuss the moral aspects of the novel to decide if Ruth really is a bad person. What do we know about Ruth? Well, she seems to be very innocent and not at all aware of Bellingham's intentions, maybe due to the fact that she was left an orphan at such early an age. Like in most literature of this era, descriptions of sexuality are left out and the only way we find out that Ruth and Bellingham have a sexual relationship (although of course we guess that this is the case) is when we are told that Ruth is pregnant, but we are never told whether she knows how this baby was conceived. My guess is that she had never been told about sexuality and knew little about marriage, else a religious and piteous girl like her would never have been this blind to what she was doing. She knows that her relationship with Bellingham make other people talk, but she does not seem to understand why. She could not have known how wrong it was and that this really is the case is confirmed by Ruth herself: "I was very young; I did not know how such a life was against God's pure and holy will - at least not as I know it now" (p 246). When she learns that she is expecting a child, her only wish is to make this child grow up to be good and religious. She promises God that she will try only to do good deeds to make up for her sins, a promise she keeps during the rest of her life. The real hero in this novel is the Dissenter minister Mr Benson, who feels for Ruth and wants to protect her.

Essay --

Attention all teens! As summer vacation is just around the corner, it is time to start thinking about where the best place to spend your escape from every day life. Choosing the proper hotspot is critical, as it will set the tone for the summer. Today’s world is full of extravagant geographical features with a variety of options to spend your time within them. There is a variety of options to choose from: such as the tropical island of Aruba, the mountainous Mammoth Mountain, the incredible Munich, Germany, the beautiful Californian city of San Francisco, or the glorious island of Maui. If you choose one of these hotspots, summer vacation has the potential to be unforgettable, every year. The Mediterranean Island of Aruba To start off, the Mediterranean island of Aruba tops most lists of hot spots. When choosing Aruba, it is essential to have knowledge of the type of clothing and materials to pack. Aruba can be described in one word, paradise. When thinking about paradise, it is important to pack bathing suits, sunscreen, and other beach items. When it comes to nightlife, it is key to bring relaxing, comforting clothing to enjoy a casual, pleasant, beachside dinner. The beautiful island is full of oceanic activities, such as snorkeling or scuba diving. However, if relaxation is what you are looking for, exploring the marvels of Arikok National Park is a pleasing selection. Arikok National Park is filled with Aruban rattlesnakes, parakeets, and other distinctive animals. With this in mind, it is wise to stay clear of this popular tourist spot if animals are not your forte. Picking Aruba as a destination is wise because it is perfect for a romantic getaway, but also a perfect, â€Å"cool† hots pot to hang out at with your friends. Mamm... ... will give you a fun, relaxing, and an all around perfect time. Although heading to Hawaii is found to be a typical summer vacation, the activities it provides vary and make it easy to make your vacation far from a typical hotspot. To conclude, finding any old place to spend summer vacation is not difficult. However, picking the perfect hotspot may take serious deciding. Whether it is the island of Aruba, Mammoth Mountain, Munich, San Francisco, or Maui†¦ spending your time at these hotspots will make you never want to leave the summertime. The wide variety of things to do, and audiences welcome in these hotspots provide a perfect place for everyone. There is no reason to not pick one of these 5 places; they are THAT amazing. Which spot will you choose? No matter what city you decide on, summer vacation will me unforgettable, as long as you pick a proper hot spot.

Children’s literature Essay

What is literature? Literature is (a) imaginative or creative writing; (b) distinguish writing, with deep sublime, noble feelings. It includes oral tradition passed on from generation to generation by word of mouth (e. g. proverbs, myths, legends, epic, folk song, etc. ). Literature, as defined by the oxford, etc. , valued as works of art (drama, fiction, essays, poetry, biography) contrasted with technical books and journalism; (2) all the writing of a country (French lit. ) or a period (18th Century English Lit. ); (3) printed material describing or advertising e. g. pamphlets; (4) books dealing with special subjects, travel, poultry farming. Literature is an art expressing beauty through the medium of language; a recreation through language of human situation and experiences, the orchestration of the manifold but elemental experiences of man blended into harmonious and desired patterns of expressions and a faithful reproduction of life executed in an artistic pattern (Del Prado). Why Study Literature? Literature leads to personal fulfilment and academic gains. Separating the values into personal and academic is an intellectual distinction, since both types benefit the students and are all proper parts of a student’s schooling. The distinction is useful, however, since teachers and librarians must often justify the benefits of literature in the classroom and find the academic benefits the most convincing ones for administrators and parents. Enjoyment The most important personal gain that good books offer to students is the most obvious one-enjoyment. Those of you who read widely as students will never forget the stories that were so tragic that you almost cried out, some were so funny that you laughed out, the poem that was so lifting that you never forgot it, or the mystery that was so scary that your heart thumped with apprehension. Such positive early experience often leads to a lifetime of reading enjoyment. Imagination and Inspiration By seeing the world around them in new ways and by considering ways of living other than their own, students increase their ability to think divergently. Stories often map the divergent paths that our ancestors might have taken or that our descendants might someday take. Through the vicarious experience of entering a different world from the present one, students develop their imaginations. In addition, stories about people, both real and imaginary, can inspire students to overcome obstacles, accept different perspectives, and formulate personal goals. The Academic Value of Literature to Student In addition to the personal benefits of literature for yong readers, there are several important academic benefits. Reading Many of you may have reached the common-sense deduction that reading ability, like any other skill, improves with practice. Many teachers and librarians believe that regular involvement with excellent and appropriate literature can foster language development to young people and can help them to learn to read and to value reading. Writing Since people tend to assimilate or adopt what they like of what they read and hear, young people may, by listening to and reading literature, begin to develop their own writing â€Å"voice†, or unique, personal writing style. By listening to and reading excellent literature, children are exposed to rich vocabulary and excellent writing styles, which serve as good models for their own speaking and writing voices. The acquisition of a larger vocabulary through reading offers young writers a better word choice for their own stories. Devices found in books such as the use of dialect, dialogue, and precise descriptions are often assimilated into students’ own writing. Vicarious Experience When a story is convincing written that readers feel as though they have live through an experience or have actually been in the place and time where the story is set, the book have given them a vicarious experience. Experiences such as these are broadening students to stories from many lands and cultures, teachers and libraries are building a solid foundation for multicultural and international understanding. Walking in someone else’s shoes often help students to develop a greater capacity to empathize with others. Students around the world can benefit from stories that explain what life is, for people who are restricted by handicaps, politics, or circumstances or whose lives are different from theirs because of culture or geography. Likewise, young readers of today can relate on a more personal level with the events and people of history. Heritage Stories that are handed down from one generation to the next connect us to our past, to the roots of our specific cultures, national heritage, and general human condition. Stories are the repositories of culture. Knowing the tales, characters, expression, riddles, lullabies, songs, and adages that are part of our cultural heritage makes us culturally literate. Stories based on fact help young people to gain a greater appreciation for what history is and for the people, both ordinary and extraordinary who made history. Art Appreciation Illustration in some literature books (Children’s Literature) can be appreciated both for its ability to help tell the story (cognitive value) and for its value as art (aesthetic value). Picture books are profusely illustrated books in which the illustrations are, to varying degrees, essential to the enjoyment and understanding of the story. For this reason, illustrations in picture books are said to be integral to the story. The illustration in picture books provides actual plot or concept information as well as clues to character traits, settings, and moods. Without the illustrations, therefore these books would be diminished, and in some case the story would make no sense or would be nonexistent.

Critical Analysis: Death and Justice by Edward Kotch Essay

In his essay with regard to capital punishment entitled â€Å"Death and Justice†, which first appeared in The New Republic on April 15, 1985, Edward I. Koch aggressively refutes the claims of individuals who are opposed to the subject matter with seven firm and satisfying points. A native of New York, born 1924, Koch was an American lawyer, politician, political commentator and a reality television arbitrator. He earned his law degree in 1948 from New York University and practiced law in New York City for some two decades thereafter. He was a member of the U. S House of Representatives, serving from 1969 to 1977 and in the later year, he was then elected as New York mayor, holding the post until 1990. With such a strong and wide variety in terms of line of work, it is my belief that his views communicated in this essay by way of his, logical, ethical and rational appeal are well-thought out and unbiased. Unbiased or impartial, if you will, due to the fact that with the rebuttal style in which the argument was written, the opposing claims would first have to be identified and evaluated before generating an objecting response. See more: how to write a critical analysis essay step by step The piece of work in my opinion achieves its purpose and is well organized by use of logos, pathos and ethos, thus influencing a successful but indeed controversial essay. As mentioned in my introductory paragraph, the essay is carefully structured into seven sturdy points in which each, Koch identifies the claims of his opponents followed by his rebuttal arguments. This makes the piece much easier to follow and interpret, hence making his arguments extremely clear and concise. This also influences the readers to grasp a better knowledge of his position hence increasing the probability of reader agreement. In this logical system of ideas, each argument is further justified by the use of analogies, if, then†¦ statements, statistics, stories and the use of credible sources (experts, scholars). Some throughout the text take place as follows: in his first refutation in which he rejects the statement that the death penalty is barbaric and draws and analogy between cancer and murder. It is my view that this was an extremely effective strategy used by Koch as analogies encourage participation and increases understanding of an unfamiliar topic by comparing it to something that is quite familiar; in his third refutation where Koch refutes the opinion of the opponent that an innocent person might be executed by mistake. By way of statistics he proved that this was never the case. He cited a study of 7,000 executions in the USA from 1893 to 1971, and concludes that the records fail to show that such cases occur. Statistics ultimately speak for themselves, needing no further clarification hence why their use is extremely influential and in this case, utterly persuasive. This was a great execution in the area of logos which totally disregarded the opposing claim without a doubt. Remarkably Koch does not end that particular argument there but rather continues by establishing truth and developing such truth by examples. He says â€Å"Human life deserves special protection and one of the best ways to guarantee that protection is to assure that convicted murderers do not kill again†. He then proceeds by providing an example, and in this case, of an unexecuted recidivist murderer named Lemuel Smith who was sentenced to about six years life sentence. This was immaculate! Why you may ask? This same murderer then killed a woman corrections officer. Additional life sentences for Smith, according to Koch are â€Å"meaningless†. It is my view that examples reiterate and re-enforce a concept or thought, in this case the earlier provided statistic. This example provided also provoked one’s rational thinking and critical reasoning hence increasing the probability that readers are inclined to agree with Koch and his position; in his fourth refutation where he refuted that capital punishment cheapens the value of human life. In his immaculate use of if, then†¦ statements, Koch says â€Å"if we lower the penalty for rape, we lower our view or regard for the victims’ suffering, humiliation and personal integrity. In the same instance, by exacting the highest penalty for murder, we then affirm the highest value of human life†, which influences logical reasoning and critical thinking, both forms and arts of rhetoric used to persuade intellectually (logos). To conclude my first point, it is my view that the essay did in fact follow a logical system of ideas by way of seven clear points. Each point was further justified by use of rhetorical strategies to make the argument much more understandable as well as believable. It is safe to say that Koch’s essay was particularly powerful where logos is concerned. Throughout the text, despite not in abundance, there is in fact some sense of emotional appeal (pathos). Although Koch’s primary tone throughout the piece is aggressive, he distinctively manages to appeal to our emotions in some contexts. For example, once more, take his fourth refutation where he refuted that capital punishment cheapens the value of human life. He uses rape, a very emotional and touchy topic for any individual within our society, and basically goes on further to state that if we lower the penalty for rape, we lower our view or regard for the victims’ suffering, humiliation and personal integrity. His use of connotation with words such as â€Å"victims’ suffering, horrible experience, humiliation and increased danger† invoked a feeling sympathy for the victim and the situation by the way it appealed to the heart and to one’s emotion. Rape is in fact a terrible occurrence for which sympathy is usually given to the victim. It is my belief that Koch deliberately seized the opportunity to demand the readers’ emotional attention by evoking a sense of pity or sympathy in his efforts for us to conceptualize and agree with his point. Very good move! Given the background information provided in my initial paragraph, it is implied that Koch is a credible source. This was an underlying establishment of ethos. Throughout the text, his tone suggests authority as well as credibility. He was a lawyer, a TV judge, a politician and a mayor. He was a well-rounded scholar with a diverse work history. It is of my opinion that he has dealt with a variety of different cases on a wide spectrum of practice. The area of ethos is therefore implied. Although for the most part, the ethos is in fact underlying by way of his background information, throughout the text you can still witness hints of his authority. Take for example, in his fourth refutation; he ridicules his critics, one in particular, Jimmy Breslin by calling his statement regarding capital punishment sophistic nonsense. Not only is this satire but establishment of authority by way of discrediting another’s opinion. This in fact was effective as it shows that Koch has in fact done his research regarding what his critics have said thus establishing him as a trusted and unbiased source. Another example can be found in his sixth refutation, where he makes reference to the bible, he establishes credibility by introducing us to the greatest thinkers of the 19th century – Kant, Locke, Hobbes, Rousseau, Montesquieu, and Mill who all agreed that natural law properly authorized the sovereign to take life in order to vindicate justice. According to philpapers. org, an online research philosophy engine it can be said they were all well-known philosophers who are considered to be central figures of modern philosophy. â€Å"Name-dropping† is one of the easiest ways to persuade an audience as the majority of us human beings tend to follow the way in which famous people ranging from celebrities to scholars, think. This then influences the way society thinks hence my belief that the use of credible sources in this instance was impeccable. Within the same argument (the sixth refutation), I also noticed that it was not biased or unfair as he includes that Jeremy Bentham, another great philosopher, was ambivalent to the claims of the others. He does not leave out any information hence making the argument fair and believable, which in turn establishes his credibility and believability. He then goes on to establish additional credibility by revealing names of other scholars (Washington, Jefferson and Franklin) who endorsed the claim. This was effective in persuading us as the readers to understand and accept his point of view. Death and Justice† is an effectively-written essay which judiciously rebuts the claims of individuals opposed to the capital punishment. Each paragraph within the essay is well-thought out and organized effectively. With the use of logos, pathos and subliminal forms of ethos, Koch immaculately achieves his purpose of persuading the readers to conceptualize, understand and agree with his claims and opinions regarding the death penalty. Although Koch ridicules the opponent throughout some exerts of the text, the readers are still able to grasp his aggressive and almost certainly serious tone. It is my opinion that the argument presented was unbiased and impartial, taking into the consideration the rebuttal style in which it was written. This piece of writing has not, and will definitely not be limited to the time in which it was written as the argument presented is very controversial, and in continued debate.

Hiroshima Diary Essay

First of all, I would like to say that you have an overall good paper in my opinion. The first thing that I can suggest is a better hook. My attention wasn’t drawn into the paper. I suggest a quote by a scientist or other survivor, and/or a statistic – something that will make a reader think about the paper more. Another thing that I can recommend is to add a little bit more background on the two narratives, but just very brief (a couple sentences). Also I’d like to point out some things that you could use to improve your thesis. The essay is about â€Å"cause and effect† so it has to be mentioned in your thesis. Also mention the 2 things you will compare between the two stories so the reader has an idea where the paper will be going. Other things I noticed that sounded awkward are the way you used quotes. Introducing quotes is a better strategy than just using the quote as a sentence (paragraph 2) as it gives a better flow and gives a better explanation for your argument. Also in my opinion you could expand more on your analysis of both paragraphs and connect your argument to the thesis and to each other so you have a better evaluation of the discussed topic. There are several other small issues that I found. In paragraph 3 you used a long quote, which is 4+ lines, and it should be in a block format and indented. Also you used very short sentences such as, â€Å"Here are the quotes for the effect.† Using more complex sentences gives a better flow and a more professional look to your essay. You also had some good things in your essay. You provided very concise summary to inform a reader about the story and point out the most important information. You point. Also you have very good topic sentences introducing the argument of that paragraph. From your topic sentences I was able to know what they paragraph would be about, and you were consistent with it. After reading your essay and compared it to my own, I figured that I need to include a better summary. I do not give sufficient background information to be enough for my analysis. Junjie, you did a great job at providing accurate citations, great summary and good analysis. However, you could work on expanding your synthesis and evaluation of the argument in your body paragraph. Otherwise, good job.

Small business

A small business with little or no clientele will not need a customer database built because they lack customers. Also, it will not be worthwhile if they do not have a website to practice their database marketing strateAn independent contractor does not need a customer database because their work is done through referrals or through direct contact with different companies. Some companies or individuals never ask for assistance after projects are done correctly. Affiliation marketing techniques involve referrals as well as small businesses with little or no clientele.The formation of a database will wastes their time if the company does not have a system in place to arrange leads. This leads into the mobile vendors such as lunch trucks that visit from area to area without a known list of consumers.These businesses run off good faith and building a customer database is not worthwhile to increase their profits. Also, small companies with a small or no inventory offering will have no use of a database because their products are not sold extensively.Companies must address other issues such as a lack of marketing capabilities to associate referrals made by consumers or providing information indirectly to prospects. With this in mind, real estate companies do not use client databases because they offer their services once for a purchase of a home.In reality, many companies do not use databases because their services are not needed after extravagant or emergency occurrences are done.

Organisms from the Treasures of BC Coast Coursework

Organisms from the Treasures of BC Coast - Coursework Example The movement of the rockfish points to the fact that it consumes living organisms. This is based on sudden speed bursts followed with moving jaws. Additionally, unlike other types of fish that seem to swim near the surface of the water, rockfish thrives near the bottom and among the rocks. This can be interpreted as a security measure to hide from larger predators (Vancouver Aquarium, n.p). The adapting features of the rockfish according to its build and body structure include the mouth and the gills that help the fish to breathe at very deep ends of a water body. The mouth allows water through while the gills arrest the very least of oxygen available within the water. This points to the enlarged gills and ever open mouth. The British Columbia Corals are branch-like sea organisms that survive by manufacturing their own food with the aid of light. The natural source of light, in this case, is the sun whose rays are converted to potential energy to enable the plant to survive within the water (Vancouver Aquarium, n.p). The adaptation of the corals comprises the numerous branches that enlarge the surface area to absorb as much light as possible. From appearance, it looks like the number of branches determines its stability based on the total consumption of light. If the branches were fewer, most of the light rays would be hitting the surface of the water body rather than the organism. Hence, the abundance of the branches shows that the plant requires as much light as possible to survive the low temperature of sea/waterbody bottom. The red anemone has a confusing look and behavior. The organism appears like multiple cylinders filled with filaments like those of a flower. These filament-like ribbons strike from the cylinders and protrude outside.  

Social Media Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Social Media Ethics - Essay Example This essay declares that the use of social media sites posed little danger to personal confidential information. However, as the world of social media became popular, social media sites like twitter and Facebook raised the availability of its products opening ways to new members and networks. The emergence of social media invited an ethical response that view technology as a monolithic power with different vector of impact and influence, one that can either impoverish or constrain human experience of actual world in particular manner. This paper discusses that in the current information age we live in, people have found social media networks to be an indispensable tool for connecting and communicating with each other. It is morally permissible for a person to disseminate information obtained via social media networks with the intention of creating a character profile because through social networks, public forums, media sharing websites and blogs that we are able to create interactive dialogues with others to share experiences and any important information. Despite this, some people argued that it is unethical to share information obtained from social media networks because they believe that social media would slowly fade away in turn exposing their information to dangerous people who might use the information to harm others. Social media continues to grow not just, because it allows people to connect quickly with others but also it provides users with the options of choosing when to connect, whom to connect with and what to share. The networks and ever-connected devices give the answer on the ‘how’ to share information. People on the other hand provide the answer to the question of ‘why’ they share (Wilkins and Patterson 2010, 56-59). Currently, social media serves various purposes among them blogging, collaborative and group interactions, product and service reviews, job interviews, entertainment, selling and buying, advertising and professional networking, to name but a few. From a business perspective, social media has offered businesses of all sizes a â€Å"large variety of opportunities to promote their products, services, and brands.   Ã‚  2The advent of social media such as Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and Youtube has seen millions of people from all over the globe connect, create, and share content like never before (Wilkins and Patterson 71-74). The numerous videos, news, status updates, video views, and comments clearly reflect the enormous participatio n of people in such social networking sites. It is not bad for people especially businesses to use social media for marketing purposes since the essence of marketing is getting the information to reach as many people as possible (Wilkins and Patterson 2010, 79). From a utilitarian perspective, what is of most value and importance is happiness and pleasure. Pain and unhappiness are the things most sought to be avoided. An act is good to the extent that it promotes happiness and bad to the extent that it promotes unhappiness. The way that this is applied as a moral theory guiding one’s actions is that the morally right action is the one, which produces the most happiness, taking into account everyone who will be affected. Another way to say this is that the right action is t

Philosophy 101 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Philosophy 101 - Essay Example Based on this argument, existentialism holds that there is no general essence among individual selves. It asserts that one’s identity and purpose is fashioned by the individual subject alone. In this light, philosophy enables the individual subject to reflect on one’s purpose in life, which in turn defines one’s authenticity. An authentic lifestyle entails the affirmation of individual responsibility. It contends that humans must become highly reflective of the possible outcomes of their desired course of action. Such an act of cognition shall facilitate both prudent and moral conduct that contributes to the emancipation of the individual self. This shows how philosophy encourages us to become resolute in our own beliefs and convictions regardless of what traditional society or religion dictates. By this, we shall find value in life, in our pursuit of knowledge and meaning in the world, for such can lead to the acquisition of a deeper and holistic understanding o f life. Herein is the value of philosophy. For through it, we are able to exercise human freedom, and take hold of our own lives, based on our own choices and actions. It enables us reflect on the meaning of the most important and simple things in life, and most importantly, exalt individualism. Works Cited Kelly, Eugene. The Basics of Western Philosophy. Westport: Greenwood Press, 2004. Print. Sartre, Jean Paul.

Ethical issues surrounding single women using sperm banks to become Research Paper

Ethical issues surrounding single women using sperm banks to become pregnant - Research Paper Example Approximately around eighty thousand such procedures are carried out annually and result in the birth of nearly thirty thousand babies. Moreover, by the 1990s, artificial insemination grew to become a $164 million industry and constituted 11,000 private physicians, 400 sperm banks and about 250 fertility centers (Gaines 1990). Sperm bank collects and stores up sperms from the sperm donors. Sperm donors are first examined for their medical health and then they can donate by way of masturbation. Sperms are then injected into the women’s uterus under the supervision of a qualified doctor or are used to produce an embryo using IVF or other reproductive techniques. (Balen, 2002) Many laws say that if the child is born using the sperms of the woman’s husband then he/she is the legal child of the husband. But laws regarding the child born through the sperms from a third party donor are not clear. Some believe that the child is supposed to be a lawful child of the mother and he r husband but few also presume the child to be illegitimate. Ethical issues associated with this process are looked upon and highlighted by many medical institutions and also nongovernmental organizations and lawmaking departments. This process raises many legal, medical and social concerns. However there are many positive features associated to using this technique as well. Both sides of the situation should be addressed in order to understand the concept better. Artificial insemination is wrongly assumed to be just targeted for infertile pairs. Whereas, it also serves as a platform for individual women who wish to enjoy the blessings of being a parent. This means that this procedure has become relatively popular among lesbian couples who wish to start a family for themselves. However they haven’t gathered support by diverse ethnicities and this further improvisation in their relationships tends to raise a new question and obstacle in their lives which in turn points many fi ngers on single parenthood.   The women interested in becoming a single parent see bright new horizons as the success rate of conceiving artificially is relatively higher than the failure rates. There are two types of artificial insemination, which includes intra-cervical insemination and intra-uterine insemination. These methods are ought to be less incursive as compared to other procedures on artificial fertilization. But since these methods of artificial insemination are largely unstructured or less regulated, they raise a significant amount of health and moral issues. (Araoye, 2003) This process raises moral issues related to the rights of individuals regarding the conditions of their birth. The identity of the donors and recipients are kept confidential. Parents also tend to hide from children about their identity. People who accidently get to know that they were conceived through artificial insemination often undergo agony and distress. That is way it is immoral to hide a pe rson’s birthright from him. Many doctors even do not keep records of the donors’ identity and their medical history because of which they are unable to trace information. Severe health issues also revolve around this artificial method of conception. Diseases such as AIDS, Hepatitis risk the lives of the women and also the child that is supposes to be born with this method. Although it is important to have a complete medical checkup

Politics in Pan's Labyrinth and Watchmen Movie Review

Politics in Pan's Labyrinth and Watchmen - Movie Review Example Ofelia's mother ties the knot with another person who is a captain in Franco's army. Ofelia takes a great inspiration from fairy tales and while going to her step father she experiences many strange events which link her as being the lost princess of the underworld. Ofelia's step father is assigned to a remote village where he is designated to throw out all the rebels from the territory. Ofelia gets closely related to the servants working with the captain and she comes to know that the servant Mercedes is linked with the rebels but due to her love for Mercedes she does not tell his father about Mercedes. The rebels try to evacuate the captain from their land and in the end of the movie they even get successful in burning the outpost of the captain and finally killing him. Ofelia gets deeply involved in the fairytales and she is asked to pass some tests to enter the world of the underworld where she is supposedly the princess. In the end one of the test leads to her death in which she has to sacrifice her brother. The captain reaches the spot and kills her to get the posession of the child. Politics is greatly involved in Pan's Labyrinth in the form of war and the actions of people. ... This is because of her defiance to live in the captain's world of brutality. The fantasies of Ofelia from one point of view are also political as she is running away from the captain's world and she figures out that she can live in her own world where the captain does not rule. She tries to find her allies in the rebels and Mercedes and thus she sides up with the rebels. The whole movie portrays a political environment in which everyone is fighting for his own cause i.e. the captain tries to defeat the rebels while Mercedes and Ofelia try to end the tyranny of the captain and run away from his world. The film describes the situation of tyranny and dictatorship and emphasizes on the fact that dictatorship can only be ended through political tactics. In the climax of the movie the captain shoots Ofelia while she is giving a test to be called the lost princess of the underworld. The climax of the movie also portrays a way of how Ofelia fought to get herself released from the world of ca ptain. Pan's Labyrinth is a book which shows both the tactics used by the rebels and the fantasies which were seen by Ofelia in the form of politics as they are both done do get away from the shadow of the captain. There have been many famous comic samples. The chain of keeping comics aside for totally unrealistic matters was broken by Alan Moore, who added political issues in his writings. 'Watchmen' is known to be a great piece of comic work by Alan Moore in 1986-87. Alan Moore is recognized as the best writer in comics after creating such a master piece. His impressive DC series tracks many caparisoned vigilantes, consisting of the inhuman, knowledgeable, crazy, and intelligent but

Physical Geography Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Physical Geography - Essay Example Various natural processes have caused global warming. Increase in the content of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is the fundamental cause of global warming. For example, all animals and humans inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide and thus, replace atmospheric oxygen with carbon dioxide. Because of this natural process of respiration, all humans and animals are not only increasing the carbon dioxide content in the atmosphere, but also reducing the content of oxygen in the air. This is the natural process of respiration and there is no fault of animals or humans in this. Anthropogenic causes are the main contributors to global warming. Trees replace carbon dioxide with oxygen, but they are being readily cut down by humans. Also, as the population is growing, more and more vehicles are crowding the roads. Fuel that burns in them generates such greenhouse gases into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (NO). Increase in the content of greenhouse gas es in the atmosphere directly increases global warming. Global warming is a real problem. This can be estimated from the enormous increase in the content of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere that has occurred over the centuries. The following figure displays the rise in carbon emissions into the atmosphere since 1751. Emissions of carbon from 1751 to 2000 (Deem).

SWOT Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

SWOT - Case Study Example The Dim lighting company is faced with several problems that include macro and micro challenges, the macro challenges are those that are outside the reach of the company to solve them using internal mechanisms, in other words, they are the opportunities and threats that the company faces. One of the greatest threat that the company faces is the lack of adequate funds to support its research and development kitty which Mr Spinks, the director of research and development at the company puts at 1.2 million dollars per year for two years then an additional 500, 000 dollars to initiate production the micro miniaturization project (Brown, 2011, p81). Another threat that is facing the company is the decline in the profit margin for the last one year, which has an implication on the image of the business to the outsiders. The company however, is not without some opportunities, the major opportunity that the company has is that it acts as a profit centre therefore it is able to manage its resources with minimal interference from the corporate head office, in addition, this enables it to make its own decisions and implement them in order to remain competitive in the market. In addition, the fact that the company can be able to look for funds from the head office to invest in research and development is an opportunity that may not be available to all such firms. Internally, the strength of the company is that it has Mr Spinks as the director of research and development; Mr Spinks is a respected person in research as he is considered as one of the best brains in research, this can be seen in the numerous awards that he has received from different science societies . With Mr Spinks as a director, Dim lighting company is likely to be always ahead of other companies in terms of technology and renovation; this is evident from the multimillion-research project that he wants to undertake on micro miniaturization

Defining Personal Responsibility Essay Example for Free

Defining Personal Responsibility Essay Abstract Personal responsibility is the choices and obligations we make in life. Everyone is responsible for their own actions no one else. We all must have good character, moral values and a healthy lifestyle in order to accept personal responsibility. Once we use our good character and moral values to help us know what is right and wrong, it is up to us to be responsible and make the right decisions. Also promoting a healthy life style show you are responsible mentally, physically and emotionally. All in all, once we accept the fact that we are the only ones who can change our lives by making good choices, we have accepted personal responsibility! Defining Personal Responsibility and Obligations to Oneself Personal Responsibility is realizing that you are responsible for the choices and obligations you make in your life! According to Dr. Dlugokinski, â€Å"Accepting personal responsibility may be one of the keys to happiness. † It is our responsibility to make sure we have good character, moral values and a healthy life style, no matter who influences you or how you grew up. Then and only then can you achieve this ultimate happiness. As we grow as people we develop many responsibilities throughout our life and we will always experience difficult choices. As a responsible person, it is up to us to decide what is good or bad, right or wrong and to accept the consequences of our actions. Good character refers to the many qualities that distinguish one individual from another. (Merriam-Webster). Everyone has character, it is just up to us to decide which characteristics are our strengths and which are our weaknesses. Having qualities such as being trustworthy or punctual are good characteristics in a person, which if used correctly will have good results to our actions. Where does personal responsibility fit in? Well we are responsible to choose which characteristics define us as a person. Making the choice to be punctual instead of late all the time shows that we are personally responsible about our good character. If we choose to be late instead of punctual, we are not accepting our personal responsibility that we must be punctual so we suffer from the consequences. Moral values are the values of good and evil, which help us make the right and wrong choices in life. We develop these moral values throughout our life time and it is our personal responsibility to use them when making choices or obligations. Having moral values is important in personal responsibility because the moral values you live by will help you determine what’s right and what’s wrong. Once we’ve determined what’s right or wrong we use those values to help make sure we are doing the right thing which is the responsible way to do it. Finally, having a healthy life style is the most important key to personal responsibility. Everyone is responsible for how they live their lives but it is important to make sure you are mentally, emotionally and physically stable in order to live a good life. We as people like to blame everyone else for our problems but the only real person to blame are ourselves. We ourselves are personally responsible for the way we live are lives no one else. If you don’t live a healthy lifestyle it is your responsibility to change that or accept the burdens that come with not living a healthy life style. When you accept responsibility, you admit you are the one responsible for the choices made in your life. We, no other person or thing, are responsible for what we choose and think. It is our life, and we are the only ones responsible for it. Roman statesman Claudius Caecus quoted, â€Å"Each man the architect of his own fate. † Meaning we are responsible for our lives will turn out, no one else. Once we decide what we want in life and take responsibility for it, we have accepted personally responsibility. References character. (n. d. ). Merriam-Websters Medical Dictionary. Retrieved October 10, 2011, from Dictionary. com website: http://dictionary. reference. com/browse/character * I used this reference from the dictionary to give my readers a better understanding to what character means. I also wanted to explain that it is good character that is needed in a person’s personality that will help them achieve personal responsibility. People must avoid victimization mindset. (1995, May 24). Journal Record, pp. NOPGCIT. Retrieved from http://search. proquest. com/docview/259366813?accountid=35812 * Dr. Eric Dlugokinski, psychologist and professor at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, says accepting your own responsibility requires determination, commitment and a recognition of reality. Dlugokinski said, If you dont know where your responsibilities start and stop, you continue blaming others and stay in an emotional rut forever. Defining personal responsibility, in many cases, requires soul-searching. Responsibility. (2007). Bloomsbury Business Library U. S. Business Quotations, 133. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. * The article presents quotes related to responsibility from U. S. journalist Ambrose Bierce, Roman statesman Claudius Caecus and British poet Richard Aldington. This specific quote was delivered by the Romas statesman Clausius Caecus (fl. 300 b. c. ). It was quoted in De Civitate (Sallust), sect. 1. This quote was perfect on concluding how I feel about personal responsibility. He says we are the arichetect of our own fate. He is saying that we decide how our lifes will turn out, no one else and that is accepting personal responsibility. It is a quote that sums up my whole paper in a single phrase. I have found out that it was quite difficult to find resources on the University Library for my essay. The library offers amazing resources for research but not much for personal essays. I did however manage to find a few quotes that fit perfectly in my essay. My first reference is not from the library, it is an internet resource from a reliable dictionary. This site is published so it is stating that it is reliable. The two sources given from the library are reviewed and published which means they are very reliable sources. I believe these resources strengthen my essay because it gives my reader a factual understanding.